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#7,324
Hi Everyone

Does anyone know if there were any Sonomas made in Italy in 1997?

I love my Italian made Sonomas the best, and have been looking for more to add to my collection.
Especially in Marigold, a color only used in late 97 (maybe 98?).
All of the '97 Sonomas I own were made in Costa Rica, and
I'm thinking there might be a very good reason why I can't find one made in Italy.

The Salearea Italy guide mentions Italian production changing to dressier styles
at the end of the 90s; so maybe that means 1997?

Help & thoughts appreciated!
TIA!
 
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#7,325
Sonoma said:
Hi Everyone

Does anyone know if there were any Sonomas made in Italy in 1997?

I love my Italian made Sonomas the best, and have been looking for more to add to my collection.
Especially in Marigold, a color only used in late 97 (maybe 98?).
All of the '97 Sonomas I own were made in Costa Rica, and
I'm thinking there might be a very good reason why I can't find one made in Italy.

The Salearea Italy guide mentions Italian production changing to dressier styles
at the end of the 90s; so maybe that means 1997?

Help & thoughts appreciated!
TIA!
Click to expand...
I know that #4921 Sonoma Satchels were made in Italy in 1995 and 1996 and believe that a couple of other Sonoma styles may have been as well (during the lull period between the end of Madison line and beginning of Gramercy line production?).
 
#7,326
Sonoma said:
Hi Everyone

Does anyone know if there were any Sonomas made in Italy in 1997?

I love my Italian made Sonomas the best, and have been looking for more to add to my collection.
Especially in Marigold, a color only used in late 97 (maybe 98?).
All of the '97 Sonomas I own were made in Costa Rica, and
I'm thinking there might be a very good reason why I can't find one made in Italy.

The Salearea Italy guide mentions Italian production changing to dressier styles
at the end of the 90s; so maybe that means 1997?

Help & thoughts appreciated!
TIA!
Click to expand...

RL Bernstein said:
I know that #4921 Sonoma Satchels were made in Italy in 1995 and 1996 and believe that a couple of other Sonoma styles may have been as well (during the lull period between the end of Madison line and beginning of Gramercy line production?).
Click to expand...
Thanks RL!
FYI, these are the Italian made Sonoma styles I currently own :
Made in 1995 - a 4903 Flap and a 4933 Small Bucket.
Made in 1996 - a 4906 Medium Bucket, 4914 Double Zip, 4918 Small Zip and a 4921 Satchel.
The 1997 bags (if they exist) still elude me!
 
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#7,327
Sonoma said:
Thanks RL!
FYI, these are the Italian made Sonoma styles I currently own :
Made in 1995 - a 4903 Flap and a 4933 Small Bucket.
Made in 1996 - a 4906 Medium Bucket, 4914 Double Zip, 4918 Small Zip and a 4921 Satchel.
The 1997 bags (if they exist) still elude me!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the addl Sonoma E plant style numbers. I recall having had one or two of those pass through once upon a time. If I had to guess, I suspect that once Gramercy production ramped up at the E plant, it consumed the facility. Also, didn't several "new" offshore facilities come on line in 1997 and 1998 (U in Hungary, P in CR, N in Mexico, I in Turkey, ...)? I wonder what the thinking was behind the decision as to what line and styles would be produced where?
 
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#7,328
Hey vintage fans... Do you typically prefer to look for rehab jobs or to purchase a vintage bag that is in pristine condition? I'm in love with many of the old styles (and leather!), but I feel like I'm too much of a germaphobe to be dealing with heavily-used bags. :O Do you find that prices are too high for "new old stock" bags, or bags that are in mint condition?
 
#7,329
faintlymacabre said:
Hey vintage fans... Do you typically prefer to look for rehab jobs or to purchase a vintage bag that is in pristine condition? I'm in love with many of the old styles (and leather!), but I feel like I'm too much of a germaphobe to be dealing with heavily-used bags. :O Do you find that prices are too high for "new old stock" bags, or bags that are in mint condition?
Click to expand...
I'd prefer to buy in pristine condition, especially in lighter or brighter colors, because I want my bags to look perfect when I use them. I don't really worry about germs or dirt on bags I rehab because they will be perfectly clean once I dunk them. Except, I really regret buying that bag that had gum stuck inside the pocket.

Generally prices are too high for new condition, but sometimes you can find them. But you often find a great bargain on a slightly dirty bag because the seller doesn't know you can clean them. Sometimes the bags are in good condition but just misshapen and a bath will fix that. I've bought newer bags for a steal because the lining was dirty and had ink marks. Once I clean that, it is like having a new bag.
 
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#7,330
Hi rehabbers, I just purchased a Courier pouch from here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/509150960/vintage-coach-bag-coach-courier-bag-70s
I requested a couple of extra photos from the buckles (I got a photo from one of the buckles, it looks all right) and the strap, which looks distressed and shows some crackles. I bought the bag anyway and I hope that I can fix the strap just by bathing it and conditioning it? What is you more experienced people's opinion concerning those cracks/crackles? Here is the photo of the strap from the seller:
Courier2.jpg
 
#7,331
Ha sorry I was probably too sleep to post anything...
Of course this belongs to the rehab thread LOL!
I'll just copy my posting there, please ignore it:p
weiste said:
Hi rehabbers, I just purchased a Courier pouch from here:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/509150960/vintage-coach-bag-coach-courier-bag-70s
I requested a couple of extra photos from the buckles (I got a photo from one of the buckles, it looks all right) and the strap, which looks distressed and shows some crackles. I bought the bag anyway and I hope that I can fix the strap just by bathing it and conditioning it? What is you more experienced people's opinion concerning those cracks/crackles? Here is the photo of the strap from the seller:
View attachment 3658021
Click to expand...
 
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