Authenticate This DOONEY & BOURKE

[Vlad]

Please post authenticity questions related to DOONEY & BOURKE in this thread.

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Item:
Listing number:
Seller:
Link:
Comments:
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Item Name (if you know it):
Link (if available):
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All Authenticate This threads on tPF are meant to provide assistance to shoppers who are uncertain about the legitimacy and authenticity of designer goods. The evaluations posted by tPF's members are only opinions that stem from personal experiences as shoppers and collectors. They are not legally binding or professional authentications and should not be treated as such.

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[Dooneysta]

Here's a comparison collage showing what I believe to be Taupe, Dark Taupe and Mushroom side by side. Mushroom is the darkest. Also below is a color chart from 1993 which may (or may not!) help.

The Taupe Small Essex pictured in the collage is mine. There were some scuffs that needed covering and I was able to mix a close color by trial and error using acrylic paints. "Taupe" seems to be all over the map color-wise (beige, grey, greenish, brownish tones) so you just need to play around with the mix.

Your bag repair is beautiful. Did you then 'seal' the acrylic touch-up with anything...?

 

[Catbird9]

Your bag repair is beautiful. Did you then 'seal' the acrylic touch-up with anything...?

Thank you! I mixed the paint with a bit of conditioner (Lexol or similar creamy liquid) and dabbed it on with a small flat brush. After it was thoroughly dry, I used a very light coat of Blackrock Leather n Rich to finish. (Use very sparingly; apply with fingertips. Dry overnight and buff lightly with a clean microfiber cloth.)

 

[apricotgirl]

I was wondering if this Dooney and Bourke Parasole purse is authentic or not? If it is what's the style called? Thanks in advance for responses!

 

[Dooneysta]

Not gonna speculate on authenticity but if it is authentic, I 'think' that collection was called the Toiny collection and the leather was French. That would have been in the early 2000's...I seem to recall the Toiny collection on QVC (I was into drawstrings then and there were Toiny drawstring buckets) but don't know if they were exclusive.
IS there like, a style name archive anywhere for D&B..? There oughta be!

 

[Catbird9]

View attachment 3832668 View attachment 3832669 View attachment 3832662 View attachment 3832670 View attachment 3832657 View attachment 3832658 View attachment 3832660 View attachment 3832665 View attachment 3832664 View attachment 3832666 I was wondering if this Dooney and Bourke Parasole purse is authentic or not? If it is what's the style called? Thanks in advance for responses!

In my opinion it is an authentic Parasole Hobo. I found a catalog page from the late 1990s:

 

[thecollector629]

My concern has to do with ebay and its lopsided habit of favoring buyers. If you refuse the return and ebay finds in the buyer's favor, you risk losing the case AND the bags. (Ebay will assume that your refusal to accept a return means you don't want the bags back.)

My suggestion would be to refer the buyer here, assure her of authenticity but let her know that even though authentic, you don't want her to be unhappy so as a goodwill gesture, you'll accept the return.

And PLEASE post that buyer's ID for others who sell Dooney to be able to block her.

ETA: Oh, and BTW, those bags and vintage wallet are certainly leather! They were made prior to Dooney even making its IT collection or other fabric or PVC-coated items.

First I apologize for not responding to these later posts,
I was logged into the Coach forums and overlooked them!
To follow up, I did indeed LOSE the case, without even a hesitation on the part of ebay.
Immediately upon escalating the case (done by me) I got an "automated" email that they found in favor of the buyer, blah blah blah.
I called them and was told that although I posted links to your authentications, gave them to the seller as well as to ebay,
referenced photos, Dooney blogs from Horsekeeping.com and many more references,
it's the type of claim that ebay will ALWAYS find in favor of the buyer (so what is the point of getting an
authentication for proof I'd like to know!)
Of course I also got a defect.
Lesson learned.
Resold the group to the next bidder who was satisfied with the lot, my description and authenticity was not an issue.
The buyer's ID is:
katie.rojas

Thank you all again, and keep up the GREAT work!!

 

[BeenBurned]

First I apologize for not responding to these later posts,
I was logged into the Coach forums and overlooked them!
To follow up, I did indeed LOSE the case, without even a hesitation on the part of ebay.
Immediately upon escalating the case (done by me) I got an "automated" email that they found in favor of the buyer, blah blah blah.
I called them and was told that although I posted links to your authentications, gave them to the seller as well as to ebay,
referenced photos, Dooney blogs from Horsekeeping.com and many more references,
it's the type of claim that ebay will ALWAYS find in favor of the buyer (so what is the point of getting an
authentication for proof I'd like to know!)
Of course I also got a defect.
Lesson learned.
Resold the group to the next bidder who was satisfied with the lot, my description and authenticity was not an issue.
The buyer's ID is:
katie.rojas

Thank you all again, and keep up the GREAT work!!

I'm so sorry you got a jerk of a buyer. At least you got the items back and resold to a more knowledgeable buyer.

As for ebay, when it comes to claims for returns, ebay just prefers to take the easy route. Clearly, katie.rojas had buyer's remorse or she'd have kept them.

At least you were able to relist so it's not that ebay really believed they were fake; they just wanted a happy buyer. (They don't realize that having happy sellers is important too.)

In a case like this, a professional authentication might not have helped but if you ever have a listing removed as fake (or questionable), it would allow you to relist. That's when it's really worth doing.

Again, I'm sorry she found you but fortunately, she didn't leave feedback. Ssssh! That's a good thing!

 

[Jessicarose25]

Item: tucker bitsey crossbody
Listing number: 232511218989
Seller: gracisledg_0
Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/232511218989
Comments: sorry if this is an obvioys real /fake i am totally clueless with dooney and bourke and this price seems low but the bags super cute. Even tho a super cute fake is still fake haha

 

[BeenBurned]

Item: tucker bitsey crossbody
Listing number: 232511218989
Seller: gracisledg_0
Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/232511218989
Comments: sorry if this is an obvioys real /fake i am totally clueless with dooney and bourke and this price seems low but the bags super cute. Even tho a super cute fake is still fake haha

It looks fine!

ETA: You might want to ask the seller for measurements. She described it as a bitsy bags and they're usually VERY small. (Sellers should always include measurements in listings!)

 

[Bonnylass]

Sorry, I'm new to the site and I've purchased some designer purses, some vintage, I believe. Some newer. Where do you ask your questions at, I know there's authenticate this for each designer, but where do you ask the question. If I'm replying to someone else's thread I apologize.

 

[Hward17]

Hi, visiting from the Coach forum. Bought this D&B at charity shop. Anyone know her name and era ? One problem with her, I wiped her with plain water and a paper towel and she bled. Sup with that? Many thanks for any details you can provide.
-Hilary

 

[BeenBurned]

Hi, visiting from the Coach forum. Bought this D&B at charity shop. Anyone know her name and eraView attachment 3846316 View attachment 3846318 View attachment 3846320 View attachment 3846321 View attachment 3846326 View attachment 3846328 ? One problem with her, I wiped her with plain water and a paper towel and she bled. Sup with that? Many thanks for any details you can provide.
-Hilary

It's authentic. The snipped tag indicates it was purchased at an outlet store.

As for the color bleeding or washing off, it's possible that someone might have used polish or paint on it. I don't know a lot about rehabbing but @Catbird9 is quite knowledgeable. She might be able to answer your questions.

ETA, btw, in looking again at your first and last pictures, the bag does appear to have uneven color, probably further indicating that someone probably tried to "improve" on it.

 

[BeenBurned]

Sorry, I'm new to the site and I've purchased some designer purses, some vintage, I believe. Some newer. Where do you ask your questions at, I know there's authenticate this for each designer, but where do you ask the question. If I'm replying to someone else's thread I apologize.

It depends on what type of questions you want to ask.

 

[Catbird9]

Hi, visiting from the Coach forum. Bought this D&B at charity shop. Anyone know her name and eraView attachment 3846316 View attachment 3846318 View attachment 3846320 View attachment 3846321 View attachment 3846326 View attachment 3846328 ? One problem with her, I wiped her with plain water and a paper towel and she bled. Sup with that? Many thanks for any details you can provide.
-Hilary

It's authentic. The snipped tag indicates it was purchased at an outlet store.

As for the color bleeding or washing off, it's possible that someone might have used polish or paint on it. I don't know a lot about rehabbing but @Catbird9 is quite knowledgeable. She might be able to answer your questions.

ETA, btw, in looking again at your first and last pictures, the bag does appear to have uneven color, probably further indicating that someone probably tried to "improve" on it.

The bag is from the Donegal line (mid- to late-1990s) and if it measures about 10" x 8.5" x 3" it was called a Small Feedbag.

I would be concerned about the color coming off. I agree with BeenBurned that it looks uneven. You could try buffing it with a dry, light-colored microfiber cloth or horsehair brush to see if more color comes off. I'm sorry, I don't know anything about the leather it's made of, so I can't advise you on what products might be appropriate for attempting to rehab it. A good leather repair shop might be able to help. Wishing you luck!

 

[lavenderjunkie]

Hi, visiting from the Coach forum. Bought this D&B at charity shop. Anyone know her name and eraView attachment 3846316 View attachment 3846318 View attachment 3846320 View attachment 3846321 View attachment 3846326 View attachment 3846328 ? One problem with her, I wiped her with plain water and a paper towel and she bled. Sup with that? Many thanks for any details you can provide.
-Hilary

Hward: I am not an expert. But I can relate to the issue of the color coming off. Not too many years ago I had ordered a red Dooney Florentine handbag from a Dooney outlet. There was a small smudge of dirt on the bottom corner, so I took a damp paper towel to see if it would come off. The red color came off onto the paper towel. I didn't understand it and still don't. I rubbed the bag down with a dry white wash cloth and there was no color transfer. I've used the handbag and haven't had a problem. Recently, I thought the handbag looked dry and I tested a conditioner on the bottom to see what would happen. No color transfer. (I used Apple Brand conditioner). I conditioned the entire handbag and there was no color transfer onto the white cloth I used.
So, I can't tell you what the issue was with my handbag or with your handbag. Since you already own the bag, I'd rub it down with a clean, dry white cloth to remove any surface excess color. If you see color transfer, then I'd be concerned about wearing the bag. If you don't, then I still have concerns if you wear the bag on your shoulder or cross body.... heat and moisture and friction can increase color transfer.
If you carry the handbag in your hand and it passes the rub down, then it's probably ok, as mine was.
Good luck.

BTW, Dooney has a program and they will give you a 50% credit on the original retail value of a handbag, toward the purchase (on Dooney.com) of a new handbag of retail value equal or greater than the original trade in handbag. You don't need receipts and it doesn't matter what you paid, they will do the research.
What I don't know is since your tag was sliced if they will do a trade in on the bag. But other posters might have more experience in this area and you could post a trade in question if you wanted to pursue it.