Wow, that was a deal! I didn't bid because I already have the peacock blue/coral one.
Vintage Coach Photos & Chat
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Since this perhaps falls within my area of knowledge....
Anyone following the auction below for a "Bonnie Cashin Navy Blue Twin Handle Vintage estate item", please note that there appears to be something odd about the straps, even disregarding the claims made in the description prose. I'm suspecting that they are replacements since all five or six of the bags I've seen of this (and related) style are rigid handles and not flat straps. As I mentioned in a related recent "Post your vintage/classic pieces here" thread posting, on this particular design, by failing to provide binding stitches to hold the ends of leather adjacent to the loops together, COACH made a strap that was prone to developing serious structural issues over time. These handles were also common to the earliest Skinny Totes, which probably explains why I've seen briefcase style handles (from Handled Clutches and Slim Satchels) used as replacements on some Skinny Totes that come up for sale.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/311670400722?_trksid=p2060353.m1431.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
1 (of 3) photos from listing:
File photos: (in the archives photo, they're the two bags on the second shelf from the bottom along the left hand side)
Had it been me, I perhaps would have looked for rolled handles with a comparable drop from say a Beaumont, or even a newer style, if I couldn't salvage the originals and absolutely had to do a replacement.
Anyone following the auction below for a "Bonnie Cashin Navy Blue Twin Handle Vintage estate item", please note that there appears to be something odd about the straps, even disregarding the claims made in the description prose. I'm suspecting that they are replacements since all five or six of the bags I've seen of this (and related) style are rigid handles and not flat straps. As I mentioned in a related recent "Post your vintage/classic pieces here" thread posting, on this particular design, by failing to provide binding stitches to hold the ends of leather adjacent to the loops together, COACH made a strap that was prone to developing serious structural issues over time. These handles were also common to the earliest Skinny Totes, which probably explains why I've seen briefcase style handles (from Handled Clutches and Slim Satchels) used as replacements on some Skinny Totes that come up for sale.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/311670400722?_trksid=p2060353.m1431.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
1 (of 3) photos from listing:
File photos: (in the archives photo, they're the two bags on the second shelf from the bottom along the left hand side)
Had it been me, I perhaps would have looked for rolled handles with a comparable drop from say a Beaumont, or even a newer style, if I couldn't salvage the originals and absolutely had to do a replacement.
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Whoever put on those handles did a very sloppy job! I can't imagine any original manufacturer producing something that shoddy. It would be very difficult to find replacement handles in that color. If it was black, I might try it. Also the seller doesn't show any labels.
Finding handles the same shade would probably be impossible, so mixing up a batch of dye that yields the right color on whatever you're working with would be the order of the day. Just more work for anyone up to the task of replacing the inferior straps that are present.
As for labels, I suspect that someone probably pried it off if it was like the pewter colored COACH metal tag on the example of this style that I have (which is at least 50% larger than the typical black metal tags commonly seen on late 1960 to early 1970s bags). Good luck finding one of those or anything that fits the span of the two resulting slits where it was located in the leather brim.
The handles discussion made me get a couple of my Bonnie Cashin bags out to look at them. I don't think the leather on my little Bonnie Cashin tote is glove-tanned leather. I think I was told it was harness leather when I bought it, but that may not be correct. I can't remember now. I can't imagine trying to replace the handles with something else and having it be ok. Here's a picture of one of my little Bonnie Cashin totes and one of my big Bonnie Cashin totes.
At least 2 of my Bonnie Cashins came with the original harness leather tag so I believe that is what they used back then. It feels different to me but maybe it is just because they are so old. You have beautiful bags.
Thank you! I thought harness leather was correct. It feels different to me, too.
The seller claims: "Bonnie CASHIN was on her own long before working with COACH. This is a PRE COACH BONNIE CASHIN BAG. THIS BAG WAS MADE BEFORE THE COACH PERIOD."
Does anyone know if her claim is verifiable? It would be nice if the seller had posted at least one picture of the interior of the bag.
]]]The seller claims: "Bonnie CASHIN was on her own long before working with COACH. This is a PRE COACH BONNIE CASHIN BAG. THIS BAG WAS MADE BEFORE THE COACH PERIOD."
Does anyone know if her claim is verifiable? It would be nice if the seller had posted at least one picture of the interior of the bag.
Bonnie Cashin was designing bags and lots of other fashion accessories before she joined Coach, but I can't imagine that those handles are original, however. They look awful. I'd definitely insist on seeing pictures of the inside of the bag. The metal tag on one of mine pictured above has fallen off was lost before I got it, so that could be a possibility. My Cashin bags pictured above have striped lining. I'd be curious if the eBay listing also has striped lining.
I recently bought my first vintage coach station bag from ebay and I had a question regarding the differences in quality between each plant. Mine was made in the u-plant (Hungary) and several people have told me that the U-plant bags were made of lower quality than the ones made in say nyc, costa rica, etc.
Just wondering but is this true? The bag feels pretty nice and sturdy to me but I am a beginner at this so not really sure if my opinion is weighted much. I think the bag was made in 1997 (L7U-5130).
Just wondering but is this true? The bag feels pretty nice and sturdy to me but I am a beginner at this so not really sure if my opinion is weighted much. I think the bag was made in 1997 (L7U-5130).
I have several 9085 duffels made in Hungary and I think the quality is comparable to the other plants. They seem to sell for less for ebay than the US made ones. Maybe some buyers steer away from non US made bags?
I'm sure they do. On the other hand, I would feel more confident that a Hungarian bag was authentic. The counterfeiters prefer using US creeds.
And this is the early Duffle Sac that I let sneak away on Sunday thinking that it was under everyone's radar. But unfortunately, it wasn't. Bidding against resellers continues to leave a bad taste in my mouth. It would be one thing is they did any restoration work, or even some value-added cleaning. But even that seems to be too much for some flippers. Buy at $48, try to resell at $362. Unbelievable...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-woman...zeqMHSdxJior2H%2Fy7hU%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
https://www.etsy.com/listing/471803...llery&ga_search_query=Cashin&ref=sr_gallery_4
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-woman...zeqMHSdxJior2H%2Fy7hU%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
https://www.etsy.com/listing/471803...llery&ga_search_query=Cashin&ref=sr_gallery_4