Vintage Bags anyone?
- Thread starter S'Mom
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Hello
I got this Gherardini bag a while ago, but don't think I ever posted a pic up on here. I've no idea of it's vintage - probably not all that old, but I'd guess it's a couple of decades old at least. It only cost me two or three pounds to buy...
Rear view and close up of leather...
Braided strap detail....these are beautifully thick and lustrous...
And, inside...
Although this isn't really a practical bag for me (it's more like a document case), I like to look at it. And it has heft, despite being quite little!
- Lips
It's a gorgeous bag, great when you have a lot to carry...
And for less than the price of a Starbucks Frapuccino!!!
You can't go wrong for that and the quality looks superb!
Absolutely gorgeous! I always consider myself lucky when I find a vintage Koret bag. The quality & construction are really top-notch.
They also manufactured handbags for Givenchy and Dior back in the day, so that certainly says something.
You can find a little more info about the Koret handbag company here:
http://www.bagladyemporium.com/BLU/index.php?n=Main.KoretInc
Great find, by the way! I'd say late 40s to 50s as a good estimate for your lovely clutch. The attached coin purse feature was pretty much phased out by the 1960s.
I think nowadays more people have heard of the Koret clothing line than the Koret bag company -- they are indeed completely different companies...Koret bags are on the high-end, and Koret clothing is a lower-to mid range (boring IMO) old-lady sportswear line. That might be why you got such a good bargain!
And I've never seen a fake Koret bag. Really, knock-off bags didn't become a problem until the mid 70s or so when people became more obsessed with brand names...most of it started with vintage Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
Value is a bit trickier, but if I had that in my Etsy store, I'd price it in the $40-$60 range. I've seen some vintage Korets (rhinestone encrusted minaudieres) go for closer to $100.
I'm curious if u have the knowledge,or know how to obtain it,dealing with vintage bags/belts,etc. that are Earlier than the replica-boom,like 50s,60s. I came across a Chanel small bag,when they placed white labels at the bottom,and there is none on this one after 60 years--there is only the 2 C's on the front flap. It is ulra-soft leather(raw suede inside) The stitching has 10 points per inch,and the hardware says "Crownhock Patent 39383". I wonder if there is an historical handbag book/manual that gives specifics and identifiers of authentic very vintage bags that didnt come with stamps or numbers. I will share in the future if I dig anything up. Any ideas?
OK,I'm not referring to the interlocking C hardware that Lagerfeld rebirth,i'm talking about the embossed stitching of the interlocking C s on the leather.
COCO introduced this logo when she originally opened her stores much much earlier than 1980s.
If there's is anyone that can enlighten us and (from factual documentation)when the first chanel bag was made with this simple raised stitch logo .
Identifying a need to liberate womens hands from the encumbrance of a hand held bag, Chanel conceived of a handbag that would accomplish this stylishly. Christened the 2.55, the date of the bags creation, February, 1955, its design, as with much of her creative inspiration, was informed by her convent days and her love of the sporting world.
The original version was constructed of jersey or leather, the outside featuring a hand-stitched quilted design influenced by the jackets worn by jockeys. The chain strap was a nod to her orphanage years, reminiscent to Chanel of the abbey caretakers who wore such waist chains to hold keys. The burgundy red uniform worn by the convent girls was transmuted into the bags interior lining.
The bag design went through a reincarnation in the 1980s when it was updated by Karl Lagerfeld. Known as the Reissue, the bag retained its original classic shape, with the clasp and chain strap differing from its initial form. Lagerfeld worked the House of Chanel logo, "CC" into the rectangular twist lock and wove leather through the shoulder chain.[111]
This is an authentic late-1950s Koret (USA)
I have a black leather (red leather lined) Koret handbag with pull out (but attached) travel wallet. They are superb bags and very undervalued
Congratulations on such a pretty bag
Hello
I got this Gherardini bag a while ago, but don't think I ever posted a pic up on here. I've no idea of it's vintage - probably not all that old, but I'd guess it's a couple of decades old at least. It only cost me two or three pounds to buy...
Rear view and close up of leather...
Braided strap detail....these are beautifully thick and lustrous...
And, inside...
Although this isn't really a practical bag for me (it's more like a document case), I like to look at it. And it has heft, despite being quite little!
- Lips
This is an alligator (real) bag from the late-1960s/early 1970s
I know you have had it a while but congratulations
That's the bag I have in black leather (mine is huge BTW). Siblings of a 1950s bag
what are the odds 
That's the bag I have in black leather (mine is huge BTW). Siblings of a 1950s bag
wow, a big koret bag, nice!
Here's some more info about vintage handbags by Koret:
KORET
Success is in the Bag! Koret, Inc. (NYC, USA, 1929-present). Founder: Richard Koret who also established the National Authority for the Ladies' Handbag Industry (NALHI) in 1935. Specialty: cool, whimsical, luxurious exotic skin handbags popular with rich & famous in the '50s-'60s. Sold by: Jay Thorpe, Saks Fifth Avenue. Signature features: extravagant travel bags & mallets, sophisticated daytime bags, sensible pocketbooks, generous totes, stunning evening alligator and crocodile handbags gleaming with gems & gilt. Affiliation: Tresor, Inc, Koret USA, Koret Classics, Koret America. Licensing arrangements: Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, Hubert de Givenchy. Known under the variant name of Koret Givenchy, Inc. After 8 decades of successful history, the firm is still in operation. Mark: Koret.
http://www.exoticskinhandbags.com/#!__designers
And some pics of vintage Koret handbags and ads: http://www.exoticskinhandbags.com/#!...ckergallery1=8
Hope it helps
Here's some more info about vintage handbags by Koret:
KORET
Success is in the Bag! Koret, Inc. (NYC, USA, 1929-present). Founder: Richard Koret who also established the National Authority for the Ladies' Handbag Industry (NALHI) in 1935. Specialty: cool, whimsical, luxurious exotic skin handbags popular with rich & famous in the '50s-'60s. Sold by: Jay Thorpe, Saks Fifth Avenue. Signature features: extravagant travel bags & mallets, sophisticated daytime bags, sensible pocketbooks, generous totes, stunning evening alligator and crocodile handbags gleaming with gems & gilt. Affiliation: Tresor, Inc, Koret USA, Koret Classics, Koret America. Licensing arrangements: Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, Hubert de Givenchy. Known under the variant name of Koret Givenchy, Inc. After 8 decades of successful history, the firm is still in operation. Mark: Koret.
http://www.exoticskinhandbags.com/#!__designers
And some pics of vintage Koret handbags and ads: http://www.exoticskinhandbags.com/#!...ckergallery1=8
Hope it helps
thanks for the great info and links; it makes me appreciate my Koret even moore!
Thank you, katev!
Just in case the link didn't go through, here it is again (it takes time to load):
http://www.exoticskinhandbags.com/#!__designers/photostackergallery1=8
Koret alligator and ostrich bags from the 1930s-1960s (in unique styles and excellent condition) are quite rare and expensive. But their leather handbags from the 1940s-1980s can be found for $20-$150 (depending on style and condition). There are also vintage Koret ca 1970s-1980s embossed alligator shoulder bags that are pretty affordable. You can find them on eBay or Etsy, etc.
Quite expensive and collectible are their textile bags from the 1930s with jeweled handles, if they're in excellent condition.
Also, there was a line of their novelty wicker baskets from the 1950s-1960s made in Italy. Those came in many different styles and colors, lined with contrasting leatherette. So cute! Marked "Koret Made in Italy", they were produced in very limited spring-summer collections (often sold in Florida and California). The price range is $30 and up, depending on the rarity (style, color combination, condition). Some of them are very collectible. Here's the example of the rare one: http://www.exoticskinhandbags.com/#!__boutique/productsstackergalleryv22=46
Is this the style? if so, I have the same bag...one of my most favorite bags ever! I swear its indestructable!! (& I like that it's not something you see around town on just everyone. It took me a while to find this one in a decent condition)
here's mine
By jessi319 at 2012-02-27
I have collected 3 one is white one is the same color as yours and i have a black one