Vintage Coach Photos & Chat

[Morgan_Bellini]

I'm curious if the leather/feel is different depending on the year and country? For example, not sure if specific to Court, but I think I've read that some find the Costa Rica leather really nice. I would run by whatever bag you are interested in on the AT thread before you even consider bidding or anything (just to be safe you are getting an authentic bag).

Two of my Court bags are USA made (pre-1994 and 1995) and two are Costa Rican made (1998 and 2001). The USA from 1995 and the Costa Rican from 2001 both have the softest, most luxurious feeling leather. They both badly need to be rehabbed but I'm afraid to dunk them because I don't want to change the feel of the leather. Of my four, the 2001 Costa Rican bag is my favorite because of how soft the leather is. The pre-1994 USA bag is my least favorite because of how stiff the leather feels as compared to the other three. It was my very first rehab attempt tho, but I chose it to be my first rehab because I already didnt like how it felt. Not sure if this really helps, and it's only my own opinion.

 

[whateve]

Two of my Court bags are USA made (pre-1994 and 1995) and two are Costa Rican made (1998 and 2001). The USA from 1995 and the Costa Rican from 2001 both have the softest, most luxurious feeling leather. They both badly need to be rehabbed but I'm afraid to dunk them because I don't want to change the feel of the leather. Of my four, the 2001 Costa Rican bag is my favorite because of how soft the leather is. The pre-1994 USA bag is my least favorite because of how stiff the leather feels as compared to the other three. It was my very first rehab attempt tho, but I chose it to be my first rehab because I already didnt like how it felt. Not sure of this really helps, and it's only my own opinion.

I have similar experiences. For me, the 90s and early 2000s have the best leather.

 

[Morgan_Bellini]

I have similar experiences. For me, the 90s and early 2000s have the best leather.

Agreed!

 

[Lake Effect]

Two of my Court bags are USA made (pre-1994 and 1995) and two are Costa Rican made (1998 and 2001). The USA from 1995 and the Costa Rican from 2001 both have the softest, most luxurious feeling leather. They both badly need to be rehabbed but I'm afraid to dunk them because I don't want to change the feel of the leather. Of my four, the 2001 Costa Rican bag is my favorite because of how soft the leather is. The pre-1994 USA bag is my least favorite because of how stiff the leather feels as compared to the other three. It was my very first rehab attempt tho, but I chose it to be my first rehab because I already didnt like how it felt. Not sure if this really helps, and it's only my own opinion.

I have similar experiences. For me, the 90s and early 2000s have the best leather.

I don’t have any Costa Rican bags, but I have handled them (thrift, consignment shops, and owned by friends) and they are smooshy, sigh. Interestly , it seems like my smooshiest bags (lol, only here we don’t have to explain that!) are a Pocket Bag and Oliver, both from 1990 that were like new when I bought them and a late 90s Bancroft tote, very little wear.
I’m sort of pumping the brakes on purchases for now, waiting for something fabulous either in burgundy or Costa Rican to appear. Or with all the recent posting, a Crosby.

 

[CoachMaven]

I swear I just saw a vintage Crosby for sale on Etsy. It was either black or dark navy.

 

[Eugooglizer]

Just came across this bag on ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-1970s...865728?hash=item4439e1a6c0:g:EQcAAOSwtM9coCm7. I've no idea whether or not it's authentic, but it caught my eye as it looks a lot like the Crosby we've been discussing. But unlike the Crosby, the strap passes all the way underneath the flap. Did this style of strap ever occur in vintage bags, as opposed to attaching to the sides with hardware or being sewn on?

ETA: I think I just answered my own question lol. It's an Avenue, yes?

 

[whateve]

Just came across this bag on ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-1970s...865728?hash=item4439e1a6c0:g:EQcAAOSwtM9coCm7. I've no idea whether or not it's authentic, but it caught my eye as it looks a lot like the Crosby we've been discussing. But unlike the Crosby, the strap passes all the way underneath the flap. Did this style of strap ever occur in vintage bags, as opposed to attaching to the sides with hardware or being sewn on?

ETA: I think I just answered my own question lol. It's an Avenue, yes?

Looks like an Avenue bag, and it is authentic. Obviously it isn't from the 70s, it was probably made around 1990. Coach used that method of strap attachment on several styles, including Madison, and something similar on the geometric clutch. It's nice if you want to use it without a strap as there are no attachments showing on the outside of the bag.

 

[Hyacinth]

Just came across this bag on ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-1970s...865728?hash=item4439e1a6c0:g:EQcAAOSwtM9coCm7. I've no idea whether or not it's authentic, but it caught my eye as it looks a lot like the Crosby we've been discussing. But unlike the Crosby, the strap passes all the way underneath the flap. Did this style of strap ever occur in vintage bags, as opposed to attaching to the sides with hardware or being sewn on?

ETA: I think I just answered my own question lol. It's an Avenue, yes?

Probably, but the photo of the base, flat with a vertical center seam, must be from a different bag (if that's what it's supposed to be). The Avenue Bag's base is very different, it's an unstructured roll-type and as someone mentioned a few weeks ago, can't be made to easily stand up on its own. This is what the Avenue Bag's base looks like:

ETA - The seller DOES have a Willis listed which would match the base in the photo but the color of the bag looks a shade darker. Could just be the lighting though.

 

[whateve]

Looks like an Avenue bag, and it is authentic. Obviously it isn't from the 70s, it was probably made around 1990. Coach used that method of strap attachment on several styles, including Madison, and something similar on the geometric clutch. It's nice if you want to use it without a strap as there are no attachments showing on the outside of the bag.

Probably, but the photo of the base, flat with a vertical center seam, must be from a different bag (if that's what it's supposed to be). The Avenue Bag's base is very different, it's an unstructured roll-type and as someone mentioned a few weeks ago, can't be made to easily stand up on its own. This is what the Avenue Bag's base looks like:View attachment 4390218

ETA - The seller DOES have a Willis listed which would match the base in the photo but the color of the bag looks a shade darker. Could just be the lighting though.

Gosh, I missed that! I must be distracted.

 

[Eugooglizer]

Looks like an Avenue bag, and it is authentic. Obviously it isn't from the 70s, it was probably made around 1990. Coach used that method of strap attachment on several styles, including Madison, and something similar on the geometric clutch. It's nice if you want to use it without a strap as there are no attachments showing on the outside of the bag.

I hadn't thought about it, but that's a very good point about it being nice if you want to just carry the bag by the top handle. I love bags with both handles and long straps, but when removing the strap leaves "lonely" attachments, I often feel that it looks a bit awkward.

Probably, but the photo of the base, flat with a vertical center seam, must be from a different bag (if that's what it's supposed to be). The Avenue Bag's base is very different, it's an unstructured roll-type and as someone mentioned a few weeks ago, can't be made to easily stand up on its own. This is what the Avenue Bag's base looks like:View attachment 4390218

ETA - The seller DOES have a Willis listed which would match the base in the photo but the color of the bag looks a shade darker. Could just be the lighting though.

I just did a search in this thread for the Avenue and read the post you mentioned, and yes, the picture of what appears to be the base in the listing definitely does not match up. It certainly does look like the the bottom of a Willis.

 

[polkadots55]

So are we thinking the Crosby has a flat bottom (like the Court style; with no visible seam)?


Also, I am not an AT expert, but I believe I found a powder blue Gramercy north/south style no, 7003. https://poshmark.com/listing/Coach-Mint-Green-Double-Handle-Handbag-5c759e3f93f97e48d8aab302 I hadn't considered this style before but I do like it (am still decided between Sonoma Satchel 4921 and Sutton Satchel 4410 & possibly others lol). I totally thought about buying this bag (despite its needed rehab just because of the price). But I had to be honest with myself that I don't think the color is a good fit for me (prefer less delicate light color items). Does anyone know if the Gramercy N/S 7003 came in any other color other than black, powder blue, and wheat? Just wanted to share in case this was one anyone's wishlist.

 

[Eugooglizer]

So are we thinking the Crosby has a flat bottom (like the Court style; with no visible seam)?

Based on this 1992 catalog photo, it does appear that the Crosby has a flat bottom like you're talking about, although I'm sure others with first-hand knowledge of the bag can provide more details.

 

[houseof999]

Based on this 1992 catalog photo, it does appear that the Crosby has a flat bottom like you're talking about, although I'm sure others with first-hand knowledge of the bag can provide more details.

Yes it's completely flat. I wish it had feet. [emoji16]

 

[Ireiki4u]

This is my new derby bag, this might be a silly question but I’m having trouble figuring out how to snap the flapback down?

 

[theblissfullyobsessed]

This is my new derby bag, this might be a silly question but I’m having trouble figuring out how to snap the flapback down?


View attachment 4390414

Derbys are so cute! Love yours in green!

Springlock closures can be tricky. It should be easier to close when your bag has stuff in it. That’s part of the reason I use a felt insert in my Crosby. I find it easiest to place a finger on the leather on either side of the button to push it closed. Hope that makes sense. The button can also be pulled out as you push the flap closed.