Maybe it's not totally completely dry?
Coach Rehab and Rescue Club
- Thread starter greenpixie
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It's not completely dry. There's still hope!
I second the 'delay final verdict until fully dry' sentiment. To me it doesn't look like typical mold spots but more like moisture is still hanging out in scarred, more velvety areas.
My NYC Dinky arrived in stealth mode. No need to ring the bell, she's tiny enough to fit in the mailbox. No import taxes either, I'm quite puzzled but not complaining.
I spent my afternoon tackling some covert mossy nastiness under the hardware. She smelled like basement and corroded metal, so she got a straight vinegar pre-dunk.
I spent my afternoon tackling some covert mossy nastiness under the hardware. She smelled like basement and corroded metal, so she got a straight vinegar pre-dunk.
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Thanks for the reassurance! I'm hoping you're all right, I'm getting attached to this bag, I really like the shape.
I'm thinking maybe my Rambler is tabac colored? I found a photo of some color sample coach tags on here somewhere and my Rambler is much lighter than my british tan Plaza. I put the Rambler and Plaza straps side by side for comparison. It's an early 90's Rambler. Any guesses on what the color might be if not BT? This makes me love the bag even more, I REALLY like the lighter color. Hopefully it won't darken with conditioning. We'll see.
I have a black Patricia's Legacy from N plant (Mexico), the leather is the softest among all my bags include several Costa Rica ones. It's leather is as soft as very thick silk fabric, especially the flap. I don't particularly like the style, but because the leather is so buttery, I don't want to sell it either.
I had a Ramblers Legacy from there and yessss it was just like that. I regret I sold it because it was too small for me.
My latest rehab was a surprise to me in several ways!
I have been spending time walking around the neighborhood for exercise during quarantine and searching for just the right bag to carry with me. I wanted something small to carry a few things, like my phone, earbuds, surgical mask, etc. - just the essentials! I have a few small crossbody bags that were great options, like my BT Scooter, Red Murphy Bag, and black Kristin Crossbody, but I quickly realized that it would be nice to be able to stash my water bottle in my bag after it is empty - but I didn't want to carry a big bag, so it was a dilemma.
All the recent discussions about Daypacks made me start thinking that one might be a good option for me. I have to confess that I have never been a fan of backpacks although I know they are popular with many people. When I was young backpacks were something worn by Boy Scouts and Mountain Climbers and were not for everyday use.
I actually started to dislike backpackers during my years working Downtown in the Big City. Some people wore big backpacks stuffed full and then were careless about making sudden moves while in a crowd people, like on a train platform. I am short and I have been whacked in the face and head several times by oblivious backpackers, Grrr!
I once rehabbed a beautiful large, red Legacy West 9827 Backpack and gave it to my niece but I have never carried one myself, but it occurred to me that the Daypacks are smaller and convenient and might just meet my needs while out walking. I started searching for one on eBay and other online sites but I was dismayed to see that they were rather expensive and I hesitated because I wasn't sure that the bag would work for me.
As I was researching Daypacks online it suddenly jogged my memory and I started thinking "Didn't I already buy one of these awhile ago?" So I searched my oldest rehab pile and I found it! A 9960 Daypack that was made in Costa Rica in 1999 and expertly authenticated by @Hyacinth on August 7, 2012! It wasn't vintage back then but it is now!
I had bought the bag at a local thrift shop for only $12.75 and it was in very good used condition. It was a little dusty, tarnished, and squashed and it had a few blemishes but it was clean and intact and with its original hangtag. There was a small area of verdigris around the turnlock but that was easily addressed and the bottom corners showed a little wear that quickly disappeared with cleaning and conditioning. There were no significant stains or odors or serious condition issues and the hardware is solid brass - no magnets stick on this beauty!
It was a bit disappointing that it wasn't in any of the gorgeous colors like @valv54's bouquet of Daypacks, but this bag has reminded me just how beautiful a classic black vintage bag can be, and there is nothing easier to rehab than a black unlined vintage coach bag!
I just dunked and stuffed it, applied Leather CPR and finished with Renapur. I removed the turnlocks and polished all the brass fittings with extra fine steel wool, Wenol, and Cape Cod Cloths - not a difficult rehab at all. I have decorated the bag with the Ponderous Mickey Hangtag 66518 because Mickey's determined expression matches my mood while I'm exercising. I don't always like it but it's good for me and I'm going to do it!
This bag is just perfect for my neighborhood walks and so I have finally become a Backpacker! See below for some before and after pics of my new favorite and also a 1996 Coach catalog page for the bag that was previously posted by a TPFer (sorry, I don't remember who originally shared it, but thank you!) The catalog describes it as "Just the right size" and they are correct! This bag cost $220 in 1996 and I am very happy to rediscover my "long-term" investment!
Coach Black/Brass Daypack 9960 (Costa Rica, 1999) Before:
Coach Black/Brass Daypack 9960 (Costa Rica, 1999) After:
Daypack 9960 Decorated with Ponderous Mickey Hangtag (66518):
Coach Daypack 9960 in 1996 Catalog:
I have been spending time walking around the neighborhood for exercise during quarantine and searching for just the right bag to carry with me. I wanted something small to carry a few things, like my phone, earbuds, surgical mask, etc. - just the essentials! I have a few small crossbody bags that were great options, like my BT Scooter, Red Murphy Bag, and black Kristin Crossbody, but I quickly realized that it would be nice to be able to stash my water bottle in my bag after it is empty - but I didn't want to carry a big bag, so it was a dilemma.
All the recent discussions about Daypacks made me start thinking that one might be a good option for me. I have to confess that I have never been a fan of backpacks although I know they are popular with many people. When I was young backpacks were something worn by Boy Scouts and Mountain Climbers and were not for everyday use.
I actually started to dislike backpackers during my years working Downtown in the Big City. Some people wore big backpacks stuffed full and then were careless about making sudden moves while in a crowd people, like on a train platform. I am short and I have been whacked in the face and head several times by oblivious backpackers, Grrr!
I once rehabbed a beautiful large, red Legacy West 9827 Backpack and gave it to my niece but I have never carried one myself, but it occurred to me that the Daypacks are smaller and convenient and might just meet my needs while out walking. I started searching for one on eBay and other online sites but I was dismayed to see that they were rather expensive and I hesitated because I wasn't sure that the bag would work for me.
As I was researching Daypacks online it suddenly jogged my memory and I started thinking "Didn't I already buy one of these awhile ago?" So I searched my oldest rehab pile and I found it! A 9960 Daypack that was made in Costa Rica in 1999 and expertly authenticated by @Hyacinth on August 7, 2012! It wasn't vintage back then but it is now!
I had bought the bag at a local thrift shop for only $12.75 and it was in very good used condition. It was a little dusty, tarnished, and squashed and it had a few blemishes but it was clean and intact and with its original hangtag. There was a small area of verdigris around the turnlock but that was easily addressed and the bottom corners showed a little wear that quickly disappeared with cleaning and conditioning. There were no significant stains or odors or serious condition issues and the hardware is solid brass - no magnets stick on this beauty!
It was a bit disappointing that it wasn't in any of the gorgeous colors like @valv54's bouquet of Daypacks, but this bag has reminded me just how beautiful a classic black vintage bag can be, and there is nothing easier to rehab than a black unlined vintage coach bag!
I just dunked and stuffed it, applied Leather CPR and finished with Renapur. I removed the turnlocks and polished all the brass fittings with extra fine steel wool, Wenol, and Cape Cod Cloths - not a difficult rehab at all. I have decorated the bag with the Ponderous Mickey Hangtag 66518 because Mickey's determined expression matches my mood while I'm exercising. I don't always like it but it's good for me and I'm going to do it!
This bag is just perfect for my neighborhood walks and so I have finally become a Backpacker! See below for some before and after pics of my new favorite and also a 1996 Coach catalog page for the bag that was previously posted by a TPFer (sorry, I don't remember who originally shared it, but thank you!) The catalog describes it as "Just the right size" and they are correct! This bag cost $220 in 1996 and I am very happy to rediscover my "long-term" investment!
Coach Black/Brass Daypack 9960 (Costa Rica, 1999) Before:
Coach Black/Brass Daypack 9960 (Costa Rica, 1999) After:
Daypack 9960 Decorated with Ponderous Mickey Hangtag (66518):
Coach Daypack 9960 in 1996 Catalog:
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Love that story, and the bag looks great! I wish I had a rehab pile where I can pull out bags like that
Love that story, and the bag looks great! I wish I had a rehab pile where I can pull out bags like that
Thanks! It's a little embarrassing, I have been collecting bags for a decade and can't even remember what I've got! I wonder what other surprises I will find - good and bad!
I have a Mexican Rambler and can confirm. Softest, silkiest leather I've ever touched.
I'm not great at guessing brown colors, but I don't think Tabac is that much lighter than BT. I think it's more of a neutral brown with both strong greenish yellow and gray undertones whereas BT has more orangy red undertones.
I think to determine color, dunking would be a good idea. It does look pretty dry and will probably darken significantly. I think you'll love it anyway!
@Morgan_Bellini On a related note, I have no idea what color my Dinky is. Maybe saddle? The brown tone is very yellow based when dry, but post-dunk (still wet) she's a pecan color. Here's some before pictures that look very different with different lighting. The color is very hard to photograph true to real life.
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That catalog picture really puts the size into perspective. It's tiny! So cute!