Looking forward to see your pics
and congrats on your recent purchase
1988 Box Kelly is my UHG 
Box Calf / Veau Box through the years #boxcalfnerds
- Thread starter QuelleFromage
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Looking forward to see your pics
and congrats on your recent purchase
1988 Box Kelly is my UHG 
What a great thread, QuelleFromage! My own limited experience with Box, observing my own bags and friends' bags, has made me curious about this topic as well.
I'll add what little I can to the subject from my own collection, but will be interested to see other accounts too.
Shown here, four box bags: going clockwise from top left, a 1981 Kelly, a 1969 Piano, an undated Cecile that I suspect is from the 1970s, and a 1986 Trim.
The 1969 Piano is the plushest thing imaginable. You could use it as a pillow. It's not as shiny as my other bags-- it glows from within. I'd compare it to a South Sea pearl versus a freshwater pearl. It's also very very smooth, as you can see in the detail shot. This one is my favorite to touch.
The c.1970s Cecile and the 1981 Kelly are very similar. Both are stiff and shiny, and easily get fingerprints. The leather is thinner than the 1969 Piano's. Both bags show a lot of surface texture, but it's very regular throughout.
The 1986 Trim has a deep glossy shine that the photo doesn't really capture. It's almost mirror-like. The leather feels very buttery to the touch: not as plush as the Piano, but delightfully silky. The Trim is definitely my favorite in terms of the leather's appearance. It also has the most surface "interest," with great irregularity of texture. It's the least susceptible to scratching.
Ah, box. I want more!
I'll add what little I can to the subject from my own collection, but will be interested to see other accounts too.
Shown here, four box bags: going clockwise from top left, a 1981 Kelly, a 1969 Piano, an undated Cecile that I suspect is from the 1970s, and a 1986 Trim.
The 1969 Piano is the plushest thing imaginable. You could use it as a pillow. It's not as shiny as my other bags-- it glows from within. I'd compare it to a South Sea pearl versus a freshwater pearl. It's also very very smooth, as you can see in the detail shot. This one is my favorite to touch.
The c.1970s Cecile and the 1981 Kelly are very similar. Both are stiff and shiny, and easily get fingerprints. The leather is thinner than the 1969 Piano's. Both bags show a lot of surface texture, but it's very regular throughout.
The 1986 Trim has a deep glossy shine that the photo doesn't really capture. It's almost mirror-like. The leather feels very buttery to the touch: not as plush as the Piano, but delightfully silky. The Trim is definitely my favorite in terms of the leather's appearance. It also has the most surface "interest," with great irregularity of texture. It's the least susceptible to scratching.
Ah, box. I want more!
Attachments
Here are my K28 sellier brique and 1964 Drag rouge H which is very fine textured yet feels tough and the patina is something I especially love. The newer box is so different and I've no idea how it will age but I love the colour.
PS The straps are pulled out of the K28 because I'm treating her
PS The straps are pulled out of the K28 because I'm treating her
Attachments
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What a great thread, QuelleFromage! My own limited experience with Box, observing my own bags and friends' bags, has made me curious about this topic as well.
I'll add what little I can to the subject from my own collection, but will be interested to see other accounts too.
Shown here, four box bags: going clockwise from top left, a 1981 Kelly, a 1969 Piano, an undated Cecile that I suspect is from the 1970s, and a 1986 Trim.
The 1969 Piano is the plushest thing imaginable. You could use it as a pillow. It's not as shiny as my other bags-- it glows from within. I'd compare it to a South Sea pearl versus a freshwater pearl. It's also very very smooth, as you can see in the detail shot. This one is my favorite to touch.
The c.1970s Cecile and the 1981 Kelly are very similar. Both are stiff and shiny, and easily get fingerprints. The leather is thinner than the 1969 Piano's. Both bags show a lot of surface texture, but it's very regular throughout.
The 1986 Trim has a deep glossy shine that the photo doesn't really capture. It's almost mirror-like. The leather feels very buttery to the touch: not as plush as the Piano, but delightfully silky. The Trim is definitely my favorite in terms of the leather's appearance. It also has the most surface "interest," with great irregularity of texture. It's the least susceptible to scratching.
Ah, box. I want more!
That Cecile is amazingI've never seen that bag before and this is a great example. And your Kelly . . . it really is incredible . . .
Here are my K28 sellier brique and 1964 Drag rouge H which is very fine textured yet feels tough and the patina is something I especially love. The newer box is so different and I've no idea how it will age but I love the colour.
PS The straps are pulled out of the K28 because I'm treating her
Simply stunning, CC. Stunning.
That Cecile is amazingI've never seen that bag before and this is a great example. And your Kelly . . . it really is incredible . . .
Thank you! I should take some more pics of the Cecile and add it to the Vintage Styles thread-- the handle is detachable so that it can become a clutch, so it's a pretty nifty little bag. She's a new addition, purchased while I was overseas, and I've been waiting over a month to see her! But as you know, being far away hasn't stopped me from finding new Rouge goodies, with some help.
As for the Kelly... well, I still aspire to your collection of those!
Here are my K28 sellier brique and 1964 Drag rouge H which is very fine textured yet feels tough and the patina is something I especially love. The newer box is so different and I've no idea how it will age but I love the colour.
PS The straps are pulled out of the K28 because I'm treating her
These are both gorgeous! The Drag is such a wonderful bag, isn't it?
Thank you! I should take some more pics of the Cecile and add it to the Vintage Styles thread-- the handle is detachable so that it can become a clutch, so it's a pretty nifty little bag. She's a new addition, purchased while I was overseas, and I've been waiting over a month to see her! But as you know, being far away hasn't stopped me from finding new Rouge goodies, with some help.
As for the Kelly... well, I still aspire to your collection of those!
Oh my. The Cecile is ingenious. A clutch and a handbagI wish bag makers would keep doing this. Look at youinternational travel and domestic purchasing all at once. You can sure juggle...
I look forward to seeing it someday soon.
Thud thud thud and thud!
From the pics it's very clear the piano is very plush. A friend had purchased a vintage Constance 35 years old and the box leather is plush, bouncy and just feel like running my hand over it again and again.
That Cecile is very interesting as well - vintage styles are such gems.
All your pics show clearly how box leather has transformed over the decades. It definitely isn't the same now.
Here are my K28 sellier brique and 1964 Drag rouge H which is very fine textured yet feels tough and the patina is something I especially love. The newer box is so different and I've no idea how it will age but I love the colour.
PS The straps are pulled out of the K28 because I'm treating her
Thank you sooooo much for the pics. Another one that shows how different new box is - I think old box is truly special.
Calexandre, what an amazing collection. I don't think I have ever seen the Cecile. The Piano bag looks so lush!
Couture Coco, the stitching on that Brique Kelly is TDF. But the Drag....I am a sucker for Rouge H and the leather looks so deep and rich. The leather on the newer Kelly looks a lot like the box on my Bolide.
I know this is deep deep geeking out on boxcalf but it's fun
Couture Coco, the stitching on that Brique Kelly is TDF. But the Drag....I am a sucker for Rouge H and the leather looks so deep and rich. The leather on the newer Kelly looks a lot like the box on my Bolide.
I know this is deep deep geeking out on boxcalf but it's fun
I made some comparisons with a couple of my bags in box calf.
1) Kelly "Goat" - blue Sapir. 1991
2) Piano - Raisin. 2002.
3) Sac Baguenadier - marron. 1973
4) Plume - vert moyen, undated (likely 1990s)
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Bleu Saphir 1991 vs marron 1973.
The marron is incredibly plush, springy and soft. Texture is smooth , shiny.
Bleu saphir, high shine, smooth texture but less plush.
Both interiors are lined in agneu.
Raisin 2002 vs Marron 1973.
The difference is obvious, the Raisin is also more matte and slightly drier.
Vert moyen undated (circa late 1990s likely) vs Saphir and marron.
The moyen is similar to texture of the 2002 Raisin, smooth and high shine. Certainly not plush like marron.