Hi, everyone,
I hope it's okay to post this request for help here. I'm an occasional poster in the Balenciaga forum but wanted to ask you Chanel connoisseurs for some advice and help, please.
I have a beautiful, beautiful Chanel bag that I bought as a leaving present when I left France to return to live in England. This was back in around 1994 and was bought from, if I remember correctly, the Chanel boutique in either Printemps or Galeries Layfayette.
Unfortunately, I am certainly no expert in Chanel, although I do have (and love) a few items from my time living in France. So I am relying on you to please tell me a little more about my bag, if possible.
My bag measures 19cm x 11cm x 7cm (7.5" x just over 4.5" x 2.75") and I shall post some photos below. I've kept everything - the dustbag, Carte d'Authenticité, the box, ribbon, carrier bag - and I had to chuckle as I've just noticed that there are even some Chanel perfume samples in a miniature carrier inside, too - I'd totally forgotten they were in there!)
Firstly, does anyone know the style name of the bag, please?
Also, would it be in lambskin or Caviar? (I'm afraid I don't even have any idea of the difference between the two!)
Is this style model still in production?
Finally, please could someone let me know the approximate value today?
I have a big decision to make. Although I love this bag, I have only used it once (for a couple of hours only) and am wondering whether to trade it in for a BBag. Part of me thinks it would be far more sensible to buy another Bal, which I know I'd get loads of use from, rather than a gorgeous Chanel that just sits in my wardrobe and is only taken out to be admired once every 5 years and never actually used - but there's a little part of me wondering whether I might regret selling it.
As well as info on my bag, I'd be very interested to know your views on whether or not I should keep it. I know I must make the decision for myself but some different viewpoints might help me to finally decide.
Thank you all so much for any help you can give me.
(Please excuse my dreadful looking hands and fingernails in the photos - I've ruined them as I'm currently in the middle of sanding down and painting our wooden bannisters and staircase! )