Gucci Vintage Information Thread

[papertiger]

Wow designerme, you have great pieces.

The first bag as you say is early 1950s and ostrich. It has almost faded back it's natural colour (ostrich is notorious for this). Not only is sunlight a killer but ostrich just renders dyes unstable.

I believe the cover is about the same age (1947-53) and made of pigskin with solid brass fittings. The colour of the inside is closer to the colour it used to be, so again very faded. I don't know what it was used for but I can only guess that is is a cover for a croc or alli bag that couldn't be used in the rain, possibly they did a range where the owner could change the outer skin for a change of colour.

Certainly it might be worth your while sending an email with pics to the new Gucci museum or to Christies auction house (owned by Gucci Group).

 

[designerme3]

Thank you! One of my consignors has a closet full of bags she has collected over the past 30 years. As I said prior, she is bringing me 1-15 at a time but this last group, had about 5 vintage Gucci's (a beige shoulder bag that was never used...it's mint), and a vintage Ghurka Marley Hodgson bag that was worth about $350.00. Next Monday, I'm going to an elderly women's house who has saved everything from herself, mother and grandmother (she is in her 80's) and she has 100's of bags (this is where I got the sleeve and she has a brown one just like the green). I can't wait! I will post some of the bags I get on here for everyone to see if I find some rare, really awesome ones!

 

[papertiger]

Thank you! One of my consignors has a closet full of bags she has collected over the past 30 years. As I said prior, she is bringing me 1-15 at a time but this last group, had about 5 vintage Gucci's (a beige shoulder bag that was never used...it's mint), and a vintage Ghurka Marley Hodgson bag that was worth about $350.00. Next Monday, I'm going to an elderly women's house who has saved everything from herself, mother and grandmother (she is in her 80's) and she has 100's of bags (this is where I got the sleeve and she has a brown one just like the green). I can't wait! I will post some of the bags I get on here for everyone to see if I find some rare, really awesome ones!

Thank you that would be great

As you know most people are after the 1970s bag when Gucci was supposedly in its heyday but these older bags are so fascinating and so much rarer, not only because of their age but because Gucci had very few stores. For all of us all at Gucci forum it will greatly appreciated.

 

[designerme3]

I have had, do have now and will get more 70s bags also. Love them too! It's just the appreciation of true vintage items that will never be made again...people just do not realize that. They are a treasure.

 

[papertiger]

My bag collection only goes back to the late 1960s but I def would like to expand my collection 'backwards'. The work in those bags is phenomenal, but the good thing is Gucci's contemporary high-end bags are every bit as good, unbelievably excellent quality and what people dont realise is the price of the more 'affordable' commercial bags actually subsidise the bamboo top-handles and the 1973 flaps etc at Hermes similar bags are prohibitively expensive.

 

[heidi26]

Hi girls,

I did find a vintage crocodile skin bag in dark green with the stamp GUCCI FIRENZE ROMA inside, does anybody has an idea from when this bag might be dated? Also inside it is in bad condition, is it possible to send it in to Gucci for repair/replacement?

Thanks so much!

 

[papertiger]

Hi girls,

I did find a vintage crocodile skin bag in dark green with the stamp GUCCI FIRENZE ROMA inside, does anybody has an idea from when this bag might be dated? Also inside it is in bad condition, is it possible to send it in to Gucci for repair/replacement?

Thanks so much!

This is a WOW bag

The croc attachment for the chain holder is soooo special.

I needs a serious Gucci spa though or it will start to crack. I doubt Gucci will touch the inside but what they do to the outside might help. They will be able to clean it and feed it but they will not change the colour, even to even it out. It has not been stored correctly. You can help straight away, stuff it out (not newspaper, or any paper, it will dry it out further) but if you're going to take it to Gucci don't even attempt to clean it. Store it in a room without heating or air con.

I will have a look at my own croc bags to date it (cos I know when they were first bought). This Gucci-green is a classic colour and the actual chain is very similar to one of mine. The shape is very diffent from any of mine though, and if it is marked very differently it may take a little time for me to research as I need to go through some books. Gucci had different typeface logos running consecutively which doesn't simplify things .

What are the measurements?

 

[queeniegirl]

Hi girls,

I did find a vintage crocodile skin bag in dark green with the stamp GUCCI FIRENZE ROMA inside, does anybody has an idea from when this bag might be dated? Also inside it is in bad condition, is it possible to send it in to Gucci for repair/replacement?

Thanks so much!

That is an amazing bag!

 

[heidi26]

Hi Papertiger,
thanks so much for your detailed answer. The size is ca.28cm in the length and ca 17cm in the height. It would be great if you could match it to your bag, I have the feeling it is old, also the condition is as you said not the best. I did put some microfibre towels inside as you suggested. How to go on with it? To send it to Gucci, how does it work? How much is this approximately and how long will it take? Is this bags I can still use every now and then or rather more like a collector's item? Thanks again for all your input! Cheers, Heidi

 

[papertiger]

Hi Papertiger,
thanks so much for your detailed answer. The size is ca.28cm in the length and ca 17cm in the height. It would be great if you could match it to your bag, I have the feeling it is old, also the condition is as you said not the best. I did put some microfibre towels inside as you suggested. How to go on with it? To send it to Gucci, how does it work? How much is this approximately and how long will it take? Is this bags I can still use every now and then or rather more like a collector's item? Thanks again for all your input! Cheers, Heidi

How you get it to Gucci depends on where you are. Read the repair thread below. If your location is not there, you could call your nearest store and tell them you have a croc bag and you need to contact Gucci Customer Services as you would like it cleaned. They will either ask you to bring it in or tell you how and where to send it.

http://forum.purseblog.com/gucci-reference-library/gucci-repair-faqs-671671.html

In Europe the item is appraised first and then they ring you with the cost before they proceed. I think in some countries it costs a nominal fee to be appraised. Don't send Internationally as croc can't be imported to another territory without a CITES. I'm sure the cost of cleaning will be low considering the value of the bag, plus that bag needs a spa and croc is not a DIY job but I can't tell you exactly except it will be well worth it as a Gucci spa will increase the value long term .

I would also ask if the bag is too delicate to use but I should think it would be okay for an evening out with minimal things inside. Without me checking it over IRL I can't tell for sure. Check for any cracking or scales lifting but I can't see any from the pics, usually a croc handle is the first to go but you don't have that problem because of the chain. If you do take 'her', don't use in the rain or spill a drop of water/liquid on it. I would have it spa-ed first.

 

[heidi26]

Hi Papertiger,
thanks a lot, I am based in Europe and will take it next week to Gucci and there they should see what to do best with sending it in for repair/treatment. I really wonder how old it might be, I was searching in the net but did not find a similar bag to this...
In case you might find something, please let me know!
Thanks so much, Heidi

 

[rhr]

I have 2 vintage Gucci bags that I would like to identify as to model and age. They belong to my Mom who traveled often to Italy but she doesn't remember when she purchased these. Can anyone help?

This much older tote is about 14.5" wide by 15.5" long. It doesn't have the usual serial number and I wonder if that was the way they were made a while back?

This one is newer but I haven't been able to find a similar one. It is all leather.

 

[stellawhit]

I feel like I just went to Gucci vintage college! special thanks to papertiger

 

[papertiger]

I have 2 vintage Gucci bags that I would like to identify as to model and age. They belong to my Mom who traveled often to Italy but she doesn't remember when she purchased these. Can anyone help?

This much older tote is about 14.5" wide by 15.5" long. It doesn't have the usual serial number and I wonder if that was the way they were made a while back?

This one is newer but I haven't been able to find a similar one. It is all leather.

I have to see the tag/Gucci script of the shopper.

The second bag is not that old about 12 years

 

[papertiger]

I feel like I just went to Gucci vintage college! special thanks to papertiger