Mark Cross - Oldest American Luxury Brand

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#31
MelissaPurse said:
Can’t comment on your bag authenticity etc...but I’ll share how much I got my two satchels from eBay....paid $50 for each. It definitely balanced how much I paid for the vintage binocular bag straight from Mark Cross website. The steals are definitely out there for their vintage pieces since not many are aware of this brand.
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Your bags are absolutely gorgeous And what an absolute bargain they are! You are right this is a great brand to get into on the resale market.
This is cheap at £25 but it doesn’t say what the dimensions are and I don’t want a little pouch scenario. Maybe I should just buy it and see what happens. I’m more worried about the hassle of a ghost seller & having to go through all the cancelling palava tbh
 
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#33
I picked up the small Murphy bag in pewter at the Mark Cross sale.
This is my first Mark Cross bag. My bag taste lately are bag that are functional, well made, and understated. This definitely fits the bill. I think the large size in the Murphy would be a fantastic larger day bag, but the small is also very roomy!
-Style wise it’s very close to my Hermès picotin 18, but the Murphy is slightly bigger and has the removable/adjustable shoulder strap.
-the leather is very close to Hermès clemence leather. The grain is similar,
The mark cross leather feels as though there is perhaps a coating on it? It has a little shine to it. Very soft.
-the color is pewter, I love it with the red fabric lining and the gold hardware.
I don’t have any grey bags in my collection so this was a nice way to try it out.
-the sale price of the bag with shipping etc. was $900. The bag got to me in a few days. It was packed in a huge box - but was packed nicely and the dust bag is really nice.

The size is ideal for me! It hold everything I need to carry day to day (LV six ring key holder, Chanel card holder, Hermès Bastia, small cosmetic bag, sunglasses phone) there is plenty of room to at bonus items.
I added ear phones and a cell charger and they fit easily with room.

I haven’t worn the bag out yet, so I will update later with mod shots. Below I’ve taken photos to compare the leather to my birkin 30, and size comparison to my picotin 18.

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#34
Elm1979 said:
I picked up the small Murphy bag in pewter at the Mark Cross sale.
This is my first Mark Cross bag. My bag taste lately are bag that are functional, well made, and understated. This definitely fits the bill. I think the large size in the Murphy would be a fantastic larger day bag, but the small is also very roomy!
-Style wise it’s very close to my Hermès picotin 18, but the Murphy is slightly bigger and has the removable/adjustable shoulder strap.
-the leather is very close to Hermès clemence leather. The grain is similar,
The mark cross leather feels as though there is perhaps a coating on it? It has a little shine to it. Very soft.
-the color is pewter, I love it with the red fabric lining and the gold hardware.
I don’t have any grey bags in my collection so this was a nice way to try it out.
-the sale price of the bag with shipping etc. was $900. The bag got to me in a few days. It was packed in a huge box - but was packed nicely and the dust bag is really nice.

The size is ideal for me! It hold everything I need to carry day to day (LV six ring key holder, Chanel card holder, Hermès Bastia, small cosmetic bag, sunglasses phone) there is plenty of room to at bonus items.
I added ear phones and a cell charger and they fit easily with room.

I haven’t worn the bag out yet, so I will update later with mod shots. Below I’ve taken photos to compare the leather to my birkin 30, and size comparison to my picotin 18.

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What a beautiful bag! Love the color. Congratulations! I really like this style. I had one in the early 80’s that I wore until it was a shadow of its former self. I really miss that bag because it was comfortable and held a lot of stuff. Enjoy your new bag. Wear it in good health.
 
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#35
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#37
doni said:
I was shocked to find out by chance that the actual bag Grace Kelly carried in Rear Window was auctioned by Christies only a few years ago and sold for $ 5000. What a bargain!

GRACE KELLY 'MARK CROSS' HANDBAG FROM "REAR WINDOW"

PARAMOUNT, 1954
www.christies.com www.christies.com

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I came here to say this! Not that much more than one of the reproductions cost today (around $4000). =|

Regardless the Rear Window bag is probably the next bag I'll be purchasing. So glad to see a Mark Cross thread here!
 
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#41
Elm1979 said:
I picked up the small Murphy bag in pewter at the Mark Cross sale.
This is my first Mark Cross bag. My bag taste lately are bag that are functional, well made, and understated. This definitely fits the bill. I think the large size in the Murphy would be a fantastic larger day bag, but the small is also very roomy!
-Style wise it’s very close to my Hermès picotin 18, but the Murphy is slightly bigger and has the removable/adjustable shoulder strap.
-the leather is very close to Hermès clemence leather. The grain is similar,
The mark cross leather feels as though there is perhaps a coating on it? It has a little shine to it. Very soft.
-the color is pewter, I love it with the red fabric lining and the gold hardware.
I don’t have any grey bags in my collection so this was a nice way to try it out.
-the sale price of the bag with shipping etc. was $900. The bag got to me in a few days. It was packed in a huge box - but was packed nicely and the dust bag is really nice.

The size is ideal for me! It hold everything I need to carry day to day (LV six ring key holder, Chanel card holder, Hermès Bastia, small cosmetic bag, sunglasses phone) there is plenty of room to at bonus items.
I added ear phones and a cell charger and they fit easily with room.

I haven’t worn the bag out yet, so I will update later with mod shots. Below I’ve taken photos to compare the leather to my birkin 30, and size comparison to my picotin 18.

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Let me get this straight, are you saying the quality is similar to Hermès?
 
#42
Does anybody out there have a mini Grace? Or have you seen them?

I was watching this review and this is adorable but it does not appear to be a 6 inch wide bag. Is he mistaken when he calls it a mini?
If he is correct in the mini is more spacious than it sounds on paper.

Thoughts?

 
#43
MidlifeFashionPrincess said:
Let me get this straight, are you saying the quality is similar to Hermès?
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Hello- my collection is primarily Hermès. Hermès is definitely my top brand.

Mark Cross, in my opinion, or at least this bag, (I can’t speak to other styles I don’t own) is a really solid “other brand” option.

Nothing is the same quality as Hermès. They are the best. But, for me, I have been much happier with this bag over my seasonal Chanel bags, and a few LV/Gucci bags I’ve owned. Also, as much as I would like, I can’t get every H bag I want, ha ha.

I would say this mark cross leather is *close* to clemence leather. Hence the leather comparison photo.

I’ve used this Murphy bag almost daily since getting it, and it wears much better then some other popular brands. I would buy another Mark Cross bag, especially seeing this one was on sale for under $1000.

hope that is clear! It’s not Hermès, nothing else is, but I would say as someone who likes quality bags, and timeless designs, it’s a good option.
 
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#44
Thanks, this is a great response.

I've actually only touched my first Hermes a few months ago (Berkin 25 in pink) and oh my! I instantly understood all that was right with the world.

I saw someone else call Mark Cross the Hermes of the US, and then I saw your comment, and became oh so curious. There are so many vintage MC bags for under $100. I might have to snag one. Maybe not the US Hermes, but solid "other brand" works for me.

Though I've never known much about MC, I've loved the Grace bag for some time. I have an Aspinal of London Maifair which is similar. I don't wear it much, but not because of the style. It's RED alligator embossed patent. It's not an every day bag, but I love its shape. I am warming up to a mini Grace, but am not sure if it would be too small.

I do need a backpack, so maybe MC may fit that bill.

I'm kind of a buy one sell one kind of gal (but 1 does not always = 1). And I don't love being overly branded. I have two LV Empriente bags. Maybe one will have to take the hit.
 
#45
I’m the same way! One in, One out. I had never seen MC bags in person before, then once I saw them in person I kept an eye out for a good price. There’s definitely a lot around. I’ve never seen a vintage one myself, but I am sure other PF Members will have some good advice.
Good luck finding your backpack!
 
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