Is there a thread for thrift store rescued beauties? I volunteer my album of babies!

[Zestygirl]

I have the purse sickness, AND exotic skin fetish.
Please have a peak at my very proud little collection of vintage bags that I was able to pluck from various thrift store shelves. I paid less than $10 per, and I am addicted. I would sell them, but I just can't let them go! If you can offer any insight, please do. (More info in the album.) for example, I have a hornback alligator that I am stumped on...if not, please enjoy, or offer up some of your own rescued beauties!!
http://imgur.com/a/kxuqw

 

[BigPurseSue]

Wow! You've got some real beauties there! I love the Orlandi satchel! I'm also crazy about the Mexican hand-tooled leather bag. I've been searching for a vintage hand-tooled leather bag for years, but the ones I've come across all seem rather time-worn or too-tiny. Yours is exquisite! The alligator and ostrich bags are very cool too. How long have you been collecting?


Thank you for posting them! I hope others post too.

 

[Zestygirl]

Thank you I totally agree with you about the Mexican saddle leather. When I spotted it, it occurred to me that it was the nicest example of one of these I'd ever seen. As for the Marino Orlandi, it is one of the first real "omg!" Purchases I made from a thrift store. The leather is exquisite.
I've been collecting about 2 years. I have always enjoyed finding cool items to thrift, but THE PURSES!!! I have some others too - snakeskin, 1930-1950s corded and box purses, 1920s carpet bag, couple of "better" designers Matt & Nat, the Sak, but the ones here are easily my favourite. I make an effort to swap them out and I always feel like I have a little piece of luxury carrying one.
I do need a new chain for the 1980's hornback. I was so excited to finally find one, and not even crocodile but Alligator!! I think I will go with a subdued looking gold chain.
I hope to see others too.

 

[papertiger]

I think your 'pigskin' lining says Loewe, very lucky find!!!!!!!!! And the corded bags are quite rare and lovely for the evening (nobody wore leather bags for the evening).

(Somewhere) I also have an amazing Mexican tooled leather from the 1950s. As soon as i find it I'll take a pic. I bought mine from a vintage market

 

[UptownGirl212]

Wow, what great finds!

 

[Zestygirl]

Thanks Uptowngirl and papertiger, I would love to see your Mexican vintage saddle leather btw. It took me forever to find one as nice as the one in my pics...on a day when I promised myself "no purses!" Nonetheless...lol...
I have a couple new ones now to share. After posting the first album I got inspired and went out hunting. I found a gorgeous vintage leather Trussardi tote and another lovely vintage evening bag:
Full album with comments: http://imgur.com/a/tmKS7

 

[CoachCruiser]

Oh, Zestygirl, I love threads like this -- thank you for starting it! -- and I adore your beautiful collection. What finds!!! I can't believe the prices you paid! People really don't know what they are giving away, do they?!!

Over the past few years, I've discovered that I'm not only a lover of "premium and contemporary designer," modern bags/etc, but also that I enjoy the thrill of finding a very special piece in the most unexpected of places. I LOVE thinking about the woman (or women?!) who carried the bag before me, and as an English teacher, it's fun to make up or imagine stories behind the bags...like: what was this woman like? Did she love this bag as much as me, or was it among many of her treasures? What places and parties has this little purse seen? I love the concept of finding a beautiful, vintage handbag because it carries what modern handbags don't -- a story!

I have a few pieces here and there but the following two are my top gems...first I'll upload the pics of this beauty that I can't take my eyes away from! I know nothing about it -- and unfortunately the consigners weren't much help -- other than the interior/label on the inside pocket says "Hand Made by Zoe Munsell" (and I've researched her to no avail), and that the inside gold frame of the bag is engraved with Made in France. I bought it for about $18 tops. If anyone knows anything at all about this little purse, please let me know! (And I apologize about fuzzy pics; my phone is no good at closeups.) Anyway, I just love the different blues from the beads and the handbeaded roses and clasp along the top. Sigh....

 

[CoachCruiser]

The next is probably a more common find among vintage stores, but I saw this the day that I bought the blue beaded bag above, and I had to go back the very next day and get it! It's a Whiting and Davis silver mesh bag, probably from decades ago, as the top frame does show tarnishing, but I adore it anyway. Paid $16.

 

[Ludmilla]

Those beautiful bags make me want to go to a thrift shop at once... 😍. Great finds!

 

[Zestygirl]

Wow Ludmilla! Those are both GORgie! The first one reminds me of a WWII black mesh evening bag I have. I'm going to post a pic of it thanks for sharing those! And yes, do check the thrift stores. I can't believe how many amazing bags I've been able to find with $5 and a bit of patient searching.

 

[Ludmilla]

Wow Ludmilla! Those are both GORgie! The first one reminds me of a WWII black mesh evening bag I have. I'm going to post a pic of it thanks for sharing those! And yes, do check the thrift stores. I can't believe how many amazing bags I've been able to find with $5 and a bit of patient searching.

😄😄😄 Thank you! But those beauties belong to CoachCruiser. 😄😄😄 I will post my thrift shop beauty tomorrow.

 

[Zestygirl]

Youre right, thanks Ludmilla! CoachCruiser: I believe I might have figured out some of the story about your Zoe Munsell beauty. Carnival bead evening purses were a popular item in the 1940's but very expensive, so a company named Hiawatha released pattern books with evening purses and sold them along with the kits at sewing stores. Industrious, skilled ladies than bought the kits to make these themselves. So, handmade Carnival glass bead purses like yours were truly a labour of love, and examples are still found from this period. They can get quite pricey, so you've done very well for $18!

 

[Zestygirl]

By the way: here is the pic of my vintage mesh evening bag: http://imgur.com/YoL7LdL

 

[Ludmilla]

I found this one in a shop in Rome some years ago. I don't exactly know, if it was a thrift shop, but it was very small and had a lot of interesting thing. I think I paid 10€ for this bag.

 

[Mariapia]

I don't know how to multiquote... But huge Congrats on all your marvellous finds, ladies!👍😍