Gucci Vintage Information Thread

[haloitsme]

Looks like a mid 1960s bag. It is croc, very pretty bag altogether.

Thanks
Is there any difference in construction, cuz this bag has used croc around the corners, not that normal black thing.
Do you think I should message the Gucci museum, or not worth it?
May you quote me a price?
Regards

 

[papertiger]

Thanks
Is there any difference in construction, cuz this bag has used croc around the corners, not that normal black thing.
Do you think I should message the Gucci museum, or not worth it?
May you quote me a price?
Regards

This type of bag spanned many years ('50s-'60s) and so even in such a precious material many examples and near variations would still exist. The fact that it's 'best-day' bag may also mean people kept them nicely and wore them very little therefore there are still quite a few still around. My thoughts would be that Gucci would have enough pristine examples to choose from for its archives/displays of this type. Without it being pristine and being a classic colour without unusual details it would be of lesser interest, but you never know, you could try.

I'm not very good at valuation but Gucci items are riding higher in resale lately and a beautiful croc bag is always highly desirable. Look at other listings and go for a comparative price. You can post your auction link in the new 'auction listing' thread Vlad has created. Anyone with an interest can follow there, best of luck.

 

[haloitsme]

This type of bag spanned many years ('50s-'60s) and so even in such a precious material many examples and near variations would still exist. The fact that it's 'best-day' bag may also mean people kept them nicely and wore them very little therefore there are still quite a few still around. My thoughts would be that Gucci would have enough pristine examples to choose from for its archives/displays of this type. Without it being pristine and being an classic colour with without very unusual details it would be of lesser interest, but you never know, you could try.

I'm not very good at valuation but Gucci items are riding higher in resale lately and a beautiful croc bag is always highly desirable. Look at other listings and go for a comparative price. You can post your auction link in the new 'auction listing' thread Vlad has created. Anyone with an interest can follow there, best of luck.

Thx a lot , may you tell me what is the most expensive/precious Gucci Vintage ever made and why?
Has Gucci used real Gold (18K/24K -> full not plated). Do you know, what crocodile was used?
I think its Nilo, but i have seen some advertised as "Porosus crocodile" or "New Guinea crocodile" . Do you know the difference and maybe what type was used mostly. Moreover, were croc bags Off the rack or special made/Made to order?

Thanks a lot

 

[papertiger]

Thx a lot , may you tell me what is the most expensive/precious Gucci Vintage ever made and why?
Has Gucci used real Gold (18K/24K -> full not plated). Do you know, what crocodile was used?
I think its Nilo, but i have seen some advertised as "Porosus crocodile" or "New Guinea crocodile" . Do you know the difference and maybe what type was used mostly. Moreover, were croc bags Off the rack or special made/Made to order?

Thanks a lot

Lots of questions!!!!

Price is relative because of inflation but Gucci have made special bags in the late-1960s with semi-precious set within the hardware. These were made in leather, patent leather and exotics. Prob the most expensive were minaudière (small solid evening bags) made in the 1970s from solid silver (some gold plated) and again in the1980s made from solid silver and 18kt gold.

Around 6 years ago there was a 24kt gold leaf covered crocodile Bamboo Top-handle in Sloane Street, London. I didn't ask the price LOL. I'm sure it was ridiculous, just for the cache.

24kt is too soft to make bags, the most common form of 24kt and 22kt items are dowry jewellery, most common in the Indian subcontinent and Middle East. These were used as bargaining tools between families rather than for regular wearing. Very high carat jewellery will degrade and dwindle if constantly worn so making a bag from it would certainly not be a good idea.

Porosus means it's from a crocodile found in Austrailia. New Guinea is off the coast of Australia so perhaps they are found there too.
De Nilo means it's from a croc found in Africa

Both are very good for bags and leather goods (but new, covered by CITES). Neither is cheap but Porosus tends to be more expensive because there are even tighter controls. Both Gucci and Hermes use both de nilo and porocus.

Very few leather goods manufacturers use baby croc now but they do exist in vintage.

Caimen crocs have slightly more rounded noses and are found more in S. America. Gucci and Hermes don't normally use Caimen because the skins are less flexible and are only suitable for some basic shapes. You will see companies like Nancy Gonzalez use Caimen a lot. Caimen are of course also less expensive.

I own vintage porocus, de nilo and caimen croc and alligator too. I can tell the characteristics of and difference between most types but not easily between de nilo and porocus. f you go to Hermes reference sub-forum and look at the leather ref section you'll find help there.

Crocodile bags can be bought off the rack but they are and have always been rare. Even now crocodile bags are only kept at flagship or select stores and for limited amounts of time before they are moved on to another store if not sold.

VVIPs can order almost any croc bag in any style that's suitable, though most are offered only what is already made in croc. Waiting time is on average 4-6 months, sometimes longer. Made to Order bags are usually payable upon collection. There have been periods when a bespoke service has been offered on certain bags, shoes and other items. These bags (shoes, suits, etc) carry Gucci's script signature and are NOT the usual Made to Order but bespoke according to customer. Each piece has to be accepted by HQ/workshop before going ahead and deposits are 50% (unlike Hermes which doesn't accept deposits/pre-payments). I would have to find out what Gucci's new DIY option (Gucci Garden, Harrods) process entails/requires as I've not used that service. It probably says on the literature for it but haven't got round to reading it yet. Too busy on tPF!!!

 

[haloitsme]

Lots of questions!!!!

Price is relative because of inflation but Gucci have made special bags in the late-1960s with semi-precious set within the hardware. These were made in leather, patent leather and croc. Prob the most expensive were minaudière (small solid evening bags) made in the 1970s from solid silver (some gold plated) and again in the1980s made from solid silver and 18kt gold.

Around 6 years ago there was a 24kt gold leaf covered crocodile Bamboo Top-handle in Sloane Street, London. I didn't ask the price LOL. I'm sure it was ridiculous, just for the cache.

24kt is too soft to make bags, the most common form of 24kt and 22kt items are dowry jewellery, most common in the Indian subcontinent and Middle East. These were used as bargaining tools between families rather than for regular wearing. Very high carat jewellery will degrade and dwindle if constantly worn so making a bag from it would certainly not be a good idea.

Porosus means it's from a crocodile found in Austrailia. New Guinea is off the coast of Australia so perhaps they are found there too.
De Nilo means it's from a croc found in Africa

Both are very good for bags and leather goods (but new, covered by CITES). Neither is cheap but Porosus tends to be more expensive because there are even tighter controls. Both Gucci and Hermes use both de nilo and porocus.

Very few leather goods manufacturers use baby croc now but they do exist in vintage.

Caimen crocs have slightly more rounded noses and are found more in S. America. Gucci and Hermes don't normally use Caimen because the skins are less flexible and are only suitable for some basic shapes. You will see companies like Nancy Gonzalez use Caimen a lot. Caimen are of course also less expensive.

I own vintage porocus, de nilo and caimen croc and alligator too. I can tell the characteristics of and difference between most types but not easily between de nilo and porocus. f you go to Hermes reference sub-forum and look at the leather ref section you'll find help there.

Crocodile bags can be bought off the rack but they are and have always been rare. Even now crocodile bags are only kept at flagship or select stores and for limited amounts of time before they are moved on to another store if not sold.

VVIPs can order almost any croc bag in any style that's suitable, though most are offered only what is already made in croc. Waiting time is on average 4-6 months, sometimes longer. Made to Order bags are usually payable upon collection. There have been periods when a bespoke service has been offered on certain bags, shoes and other items. These bags (shoes, suits, etc) carry Gucci's script signature and are NOT the usual Made to Order but bespoke according to customer. Each piece has to be accepted by HQ/workshop before going ahead and deposits are 50% (unlike Hermes which doesn't accept deposits/pre-payments). I would have to find out what Gucci's new DIY option (Gucci Garden, Harrods) process entails/requires as I've not used that service. It probably says on the literature for it but haven't got round to reading it yet. Too busy on tPF!!!

Amen thx a lot , Gucci Master

Regards

 

[Quincio]

Hello there My fellow Gucci men and women,
I saw this bag online, only found these 3 photos though. I have been searching the web for reference to what kind of bag it is or what era or any type of info, but haven't been successful. So I come to you with the question do you have any idea what year this bag is or an estimate? Or also what the name or model is? And lastly I checked the stitching it looks pretty legit but the "made in Italy by Gucci" seems a bit choppy to me, is it a clear sign of a fake or is it due to the age of the bag? Thanks a million in advanced, I'm planning to buy it

 

[ronjet]

Wow! I'm reading this from post #1 and I'm still on post #376! Long read though, but very helpful and informative. Still a lot to read but I'll keep on reading this nice thread. very generous of you papertiger! Thanks for making this.

 

[ronjet]

I can't believe what I've just read!!! So proud of you papertiger for giving insights on layla's 'historical' bag! of course to layla as well for finding a real treasure in that magnificent bag. reading the post and announcement that Gucci made contact with her and now - reissued it!!!! Gives you goosebumps! just really happy reading a true story like that, and in our time that made it to history. Who would've thought that a single post just asking for its year and info of the bag made it to history of one the best luxury brand and made it to their museum? I don't even know you guys, just by our handle name, but with this forum it just made us proud that it came from tpf! Really well done papertiger, well done!

 

[ronjet]

Ok enough of me. Lol Don't want to add more OT on this Gucci Vintage Information Thread. Just can't help reacting on that one. So sorry...

 

[papertiger]

I can't believe what I've just read!!! So proud of you papertiger for giving insights on layla's 'historical' bag! of course to layla as well for finding a real treasure in that magnificent bag. reading the post and announcement that Gucci made contact with her and now - reissued it!!!! Gives you goosebumps! just really happy reading a true story like that, and in our time that made it to history. Who would've thought that a single post just asking for its year and info of the bag made it to history of one the best luxury brand and made it to their museum? I don't even know you guys, just by our handle name, but with this forum it just made us proud that it came from tpf! Really well done papertiger, well done!

It really is wonderfully fairytale. It is also was a very beautiful and special bag. I absolutely cannot wait to see the new bags from the collection.

 

[papertiger]

Updating this thread to look at some ancestors of bags or accessories that we may have or have been recently reissued. Credits 1stDibs or gucci.com unless otherwise stated


Single tiger face (or 'Angry Cat') on a 1960s bag (not 1970s as advertised by sellers) and wallet, shawl and
Frame print leather top handle bag from 2017

 

[papertiger]

Small 1970s bag with lapis and gold hw
Large Ottilia leather top handle

I have a feeling the 1970s bag was a reissue on an even earlier model from the 1940s though I have no evidence of that as yet. This would have had the press-buckles just like the newer 2017 version. I had a 1940s Florida alligator rectangle box bag almost the same and these 'no name' versions often copied fashionable designer shapes of the period. Please alert me or post in this thread if you find a Gucci that predates the 1970s version.

Credits as before

 

[ronjet]

Hi there.
I've been using this for quite some time and I really like it. I think it's some kind of laminated canvas and personally I find the canvas and construction of this bag really good.
Any info what year/era this bag was made? And is it a laminated canvas? I might also post this in the name that gucci thread to know more if this bag has a name.
Thanks.

 

[Cristi19]

Hello. I found this bag yesterday at the thrift shop and I would like to know how old it is. The bag is very well kept, its dark brown leather with off-white stitching and a dark bamboo handle. The interior is suede-like, the Gucci logo is on a gold plate, and there is an armour man charm attached to the interior zipper. I notice the bamboo handle is not attached to the bag with hardware, like the newer models are. Any opinions and suggestions are welcome. Thank you.

 

[papertiger]

Hi there.
I've been using this for quite some time and I really like it. I think it's some kind of laminated canvas and personally I find the canvas and construction of this bag really good.
Any info what year/era this bag was made? And is it a laminated canvas? I might also post this in the name that gucci thread to know more if this bag has a name.
Thanks.

View attachment 3817206View attachment 3817207

1970s, part of a luggage collection