Meet little Gracie from Italy - An Unusual Rehab!

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#18
I am amazed at how beautiful this bag looks in the after pics. You are the :queen:of rehabs. And btw, I think this Gracie bag is as classic a Coach as one could get. I'm eyeing the auctions myself to see if I could score one. I think it is the most feminine bag with the most functional qualities! Congrats! I am so happy for you and your awesome score!
 
#24
Mariquel said:
Katev, you always find such great deals at the thrift stores.....you make me just want to run to the nearest SA/Goodwill shop when I see your buys. You really deserve to find these treasures, because you're one of the best in appreciating them and bringing them back to life! Congrats!
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It's a lot of fun to make a great vintage find and rehab a beautiful bag!

Just a word of caution, I have seen some fakes at thrift shops but I try and be careful and not spend much money. So far I've only purchased one fake (I'm so embarrased because there were mis-spelled words in the creed! Now I am more careful!) But thanks to our wonderful authenticators so far I haven't wasted my time and efforts on rehabbing a fake!
 
#25
happybag said:
Oh she is adorable! And $2 for genuine Italian-made Coach? AMAZING!! What a one-of-a-kind classic! Enjoy her!
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Thanks! But she was $2.90 if you add in the cost of the dust bag! I have a feeling that this really was Gracie's original dust bag. I have never seen a Coach dustbag for sale at the SA store before (they probably have sold some but they are not common.) Plus it was exactly the right size and era for Gracie so I think they started life together; I am happy to reunite them in my closet!

Gracie really was a surprising find. The local SA store usually puts vintage desinger bags that are in decent condition on a rack behind a cash register at the front of the store. You have to ask for assistance to examine them and I think that they are often rather overpriced for beat-up, used purses. Plus I have seen some fakes mixed in with the genuine bags and tagged with a high price.

But Gracie was out among the general stock, mixed in with the cheap, plastic purses and with a $2 price tag stapled to her! (I really wish that they wouldn't use staples!) I don't think that they realized that she was a genuine bag; perhaps because she doesn't look like the typical, vintage coach purse.

Well, I am happy that she has found a good home now!
 
#26
What a fabulous find! You are one lucky ducky!! You did a great job getting her back to the condition she deserves. Bravo on such a wonderful rescue!! :woohoo:
 
#27
proffashionista said:
I am amazed at how beautiful this bag looks in the after pics. You are the :queen:of rehabs. And btw, I think this Gracie bag is as classic a Coach as one could get. I'm eyeing the auctions myself to see if I could score one. I think it is the most feminine bag with the most functional qualities! Congrats! I am so happy for you and your awesome score!
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Why thank you! Gracie really is a classic bag but very tiny (only 7x7x3 inches!) She will make a great small, classic bag for a special occassion.

I have been searching this forum and learned that Gracie is a Madison bag that was part of the Kelly line. The line included some larger bags called Biltmore and Copley. Here's some informaton from Hyacinth on the subject:
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/co...3-post7933793.html?highlight=4413#post7933793
 
#28
That purse turned out beautifully. :woohoo:

I would not used metal for a strap as it would probably damage the leather by rubbing at the connection point and on the flap edges.

I first pictured typical strap metal rings but after seeing your picture and the hidden leather loops I think you need to find something soft.

Actually, I personally would just leave it as a top handle.

(I'll keep my eye open if the strap should turn up later.)
 
#29
Thanks, you are probably correct in that a metal strap would rub against the delicate leather surface. Since we frequent some of the same thrift shops I really appreciate that you will be on the lookoout for a suitable replacement strap.

Here are photos (NMAs) of a NWOT beechnut Gracie, the same color as mine, which show the bag with the long strap. Also some photos of a used red Gracie with detailed pics of the strap and the snap-closure.

Thanks a lot!

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Coach-MADIS...342?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item1e5fec115e

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-COACH-4...720?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item2a0e3286a0
 
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