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#7,516
katev said:
I previously rehabbed an authenticated slim clutch zipper portfolio 9555 from the 1970s or 80s that has a strange feature which I have never been able to determine as original or a modification? It has a little hole punched in the side of the bag (no grommet) which may be for the hangtag chain. It also looks odd to me but I can't think of any other reason for punching a small hole in the side of the bag, see the pics below. Have any of you ever seen a similar feature on an older coach bag?
Click to expand...
Yours is not the first bag I've seen with this what I had suspected was an aftermarket modification (they all have typically been slim clutch styles), though whoever produced the hole in the one shown did a nice job using a punch and not an awl. Indeed it would be interesting to know who came up with this answer to the question of what to do with the bead chain lanyarded hang tags on bags that do not have straps or D-rings conducive for hanging them from.
 
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#7,517
RL Bernstein said:
Yours is not the first bag I've seen with this what I had suspected was an aftermarket modification (they all have typically been slim clutch styles), though whoever produced the hole in the one shown did a nice job using a punch and not an awl. Indeed it would be interesting to know who came up with this answer to the question of what to do with the bead chain lanyarded hang tags on bags that do not have straps or D-rings conducive for hanging them from.
Click to expand...

Interesting that this has come up, as I was just looking at clutches last night and saw a couple other examples like this. Here's a few I found on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/262926720573

https://www.ebay.com/itm/292076782275

https://www.ebay.com/itm/222326007382
 
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#7,518
RL Bernstein said:
Yours is not the first bag I've seen with this what I had suspected was an aftermarket modification (they all have typically been slim clutch styles), though whoever produced the hole in the one shown did a nice job using a punch and not an awl. Indeed it would be interesting to know who came up with this answer to the question of what to do with the bead chain lanyarded hang tags on bags that do not have straps or D-rings conducive for hanging them from.
Click to expand...
Why couldn't they put the hangtag on the zipper pull?
 
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#7,519
whateve said:
Why couldn't they put the hangtag on the zipper pull?
Click to expand...
That's probably where COACH attached it originally, but perhaps because it wound up inside the bag frequently enough, someone enamored with the display of the hang tag came up with this "solution?" And I believe that some of the NYC-made fold-over clutches (that didn't have exterior zippers) made post the 1971 decision to include hang tags on all offerings had a small hang tag attached to the metal zipper pull on an interior pocket to comply with that brand-identity choice.
 
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#7,521
rkiz said:
Interesting that this has come up, as I was just looking at clutches last night and saw a couple other examples like this. Here's a few I found on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/262926720573
https://www.ebay.com/itm/292076782275
https://www.ebay.com/itm/222326007382
Click to expand...
And I just looked at the two #9555 Large Slim Clutches I have upstairs (same style as the provided listings) and they both have punched holes at the ends for the hang tag bead chain. So perhaps this was a design feature after all and not an aftermarket modification.

ETA: Thank you @rkiz for the catalog page!
rkiz said:
View attachment 3674352 Ooh how about this one? Looks like it shows the tag going through a punched hole?
Click to expand...
 
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#7,522
RL Bernstein said:
And I just looked at the two #9555 Large Slim Clutches I have upstairs (same style as the provided listings) and they both have punched holes at the ends for the hang tag bead chain. So perhaps this was a design feature after all and not an aftermarket modification.

ETA: Thank you @rklz for the catalog page!
Click to expand...
I agree. I have two and they both have clean holes punched and their positioning is almost exact. They are clearly not an after market modification.
1492796971823.jpeg
 
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#7,525
RL Bernstein said:
Yours is not the first bag I've seen with this what I had suspected was an aftermarket modification (they all have typically been slim clutch styles), though whoever produced the hole in the one shown did a nice job using a punch and not an awl. Indeed it would be interesting to know who came up with this answer to the question of what to do with the bead chain lanyarded hang tags on bags that do not have straps or D-rings conducive for hanging them from.
Click to expand...

rkiz said:
Interesting that this has come up, as I was just looking at clutches last night and saw a couple other examples like this. Here's a few I found on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/262926720573
https://www.ebay.com/itm/292076782275
https://www.ebay.com/itm/222326007382
Click to expand...

whateve said:
Why couldn't they put the hangtag on the zipper pull?
Click to expand...

RL Bernstein said:
That's probably where COACH attached it originally, but perhaps because it wound up inside the bag frequently enough, someone enamored with the display of the hang tag came up with this "solution?" And I believe that some of the NYC-made fold-over clutches (that didn't have exterior zippers) made post the 1971 decision to include hang tags on all offerings had a small hang tag attached to the metal zipper pull on an interior pocket to comply with that brand-identity choice.
Click to expand...

rkiz said:
Ooh how about this one? Looks like it shows the tag going through a punched hole?
Click to expand...

RL Bernstein said:
And I just looked at the two #9555 Large Slim Clutches I have upstairs (same style as the provided listings) and they both have punched holes at the ends for the hang tag bead chain. So perhaps this was a design feature after all and not an aftermarket modification. ETA: Thank you @rkiz for the catalog page!
Click to expand...

houseof999 said:
I agree. I have two and they both have clean holes punched and their positioning is almost exact. They are clearly not an after market modification.
Click to expand...

rkiz said:
Must be how they were made! [emoji846]
Click to expand...

whateve said:
another mystery solved!
Click to expand...

Thank you all! I finally have confirmation that 9555 Slim Clutch Portfolio bag has not been modified! It was one of my early rehabs but it is a bag that I still use - a very handy size, but I am looking at it right now and it could use some TLC!

The before and after rehab pics are at the links below. I'm surprised that they couldn't come up with a better solution, or at least put a grommet around the punch hole so it doesn't look like an amateur effort.

I paid $8 at the thrift store for the bag and another $8 for a cobbler to repair the stitching on the strap. She is a sturdy and stylish vintage bag with many more years of value in her!

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club.624452/page-208#post-21897019

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club.624452/page-208#post-21897089
 
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#7,527
houseof999 said:
@katev how do you use your clutch? What do you usually put in it? Paperwork?
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I actually use it to store papers and small items in my car. Things that I want with me but I don't want to carry in my purse. I keep it stashed under the front passenger seat and I can easily grab it when I need it. Probably not the best use for a pretty bag but it works well for me.
 
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#7,528
katev said:
I actually use it to store papers and small items in my car. Things that I want with me but I don't want to carry in my purse. I keep it stashed under the front passenger seat and I can easily grab it when I need it. Probably not the best use for a pretty bag but it works well for me.
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Thanks for sharing! That's what I'll do with the black one. I will put it in the car glove compartment with car insurance and registration papers. The burgundy one will hold all my other important less used documents like passports, certificates etc. :)
 
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