Two 70s/80s made-in-NYC bags, going through baths, documentins pics, as was requested

[Couturexec]

I recently picked up my second "made in NYC", vintage Coach bag, and a request was made on this thread -- http://forum.purseblog.com/coach/theres-nothin-like-the-oldies-657855-4.html#post17868212 -- that I take pics during the "rehab". I decided to do it in a new thread, and will be taking plenty of pics during the bath, rinse, drying, and conditioning. (I'll warn you now, I usually don't work on the brass, primarily because we're very careful about chemicals in our house due to our flock of pet parrots. Birds are more sensitive. Apple conditioner doesn't worry me, but I'm usually pretty careful about any other chemicals I may get on my hands.)

And I also do want to point out that there is already something similar to this out there, for a different vintage bag. It's over in bunnymasseuse's thread, here: http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-sh...-an-outlet-fiend-393463-158.html#post15610313 . She documented her "bathing" as well, of a 1998 (I believe, based on the creed number?) green bag. I know those were the pics that first gave me the gumption to do something like this.

Since I have two of these bags (heh, I "bag twinned" myself ), I'm going to put both of them in this thread.

Both are of the style "Basic Bag", both were authenticated here by either DemRam or Hyacinth, and both are made-in-NYC, late 70's/early-mid 80's (based on what DemRam and Hyacinth have said).

One is brown, with an old-style "Talon" zipper (that still glides *LIKE BUTTER*).
The other is black, with a YKK zipper.

First I'll post the brown one (which I only have before and after pics from), and then I'll do the black one, which I am literally right this moment bathing, and taking plenty, plenty of pics.


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[Couturexec]

Well, I was wondering what happened to what I tried to copy. Can someone please delete this?
Sorry!

 

[Wise24153]

If that lightness in color is due to dryness, then some good rounds of conditioning *will* restore some of the richness to the brown.

That brown bag in my early posts --- I originally thought it was supposed to be British Tan. Once conditioned, it returned to what I now realize was the original rich mahogany.

And as I replied to someone earlier, don't panic if the newly dried bag still feels really stiff. Just condition, condition, condition.

I also believe what you're saying about a sorority wanting Coach. My first introduction to Coach was actually during graduate school, in the mid nineties. A good friend of mine (who was also a fellow grad student) used to tell me how her mother only wanted Coach, and my friend and her many siblings used to pool their money to buy their mother Coach bags for birthday/Christmas. She used to show me the Coach in the Macy's display case, and they were these very same bags of thick, unlined leather, that we're now rehabbing and calling "vintage". But I have to say, my friend's mother was absolutely right.


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I bought a Basic Bag expecting dark brown, but after the "Big Reveal" have a gorgeous, vintage Mahogony! Love her and the color is rich and beautiful -- congratulations on yours!

 

[Wise24153]

Thank you I will check it out!

I have been getting Leather CPR through Wal-Mart.com. It ships direct from LeatherCPR, to my mailbox, and free shipping. No upcharge like some other web sites....