Vintage Coach Photos & Chat

[Hyacinth]

Hey everyone! =)
Think I’m going to get this USB with vintage Coach catalogs.
Just wanted to post here first.

1.
Has anyone tried this item?

2.
I’m assuming this type of resource doesn’t exist online for free?

I don’t think that it does, but wanted to check before I purchase the USB.
I realize that there are lots of vintage Coach catalog images on Pinterest and Google Images, but the images aren’t organized by catalog. (The images also often don't have the the style names or numbers of the bags that are shown.)
When looking for something specific, it can be difficult to find.
I’m thinking that the USB would be much better.


Item: “Vintage Coach Bag Catalogs-1981-2002- Scanned to 4GB Bracelet USB Flash Drive”
Link: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/233247765599?ul_noapp=true
Seller: 2bluethumbs


See that someone asked about this item once, a while ago, back in 2016 (https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club.833400/page-783#post-30448497).

The scans are the same as on the CD that was available on Ebay about 10 years ago, originally made by a rather well-known ("infamous" to some of us) seller. I use it constantly but there are a few weak points. The newer scans leave something to be desired, he must have been getting tired by that time after scanning 40-some catalogs, many of them skip pages especially the ones showing smaller accessories, and the "1997 Legacy" catalog in the list is actually the Fall 1993 book. Also I don't remember 1988 Spring being on my CD but I have the actual paper version so it doesn't bother me. All in all, a good deal since so many Ebay sellers right now seem to be pricing their old catalogs in the 25 dollar apiece range, which is obscene.

Just a heads up too, for anyone who who might be tempted to brag about the USB or CD to a friend who happens to work at the FBI - selling those scans is actually illegal. Coach doesn't like people reproducing their copyrighted catalogs and making money from it, and neither do the Feds. Just FYI.

 

[vickenator]

I have been trying to wade through the 1400+ pages on the Rehab & Rescue thread, but I have to thank the posters here as well, because I've gone through the most recent posts since January and discovered something... the bag I was planning to do my first attempt at a rehab on -- I think it's a Compact Pouch -- appears to be an NYC bag! I'm still new to interpreting creeds, so if anyone can tell me more details about its actual age, I'd appreciate it. I think it's from the early 80s but have no idea.



So while it definitely needs a bath and conditioning, as well as attempts at removing the pen marks, I think I'll try rehabbing something a little less vintage!

 

[Lake Effect]

Thanks for bringing up that the selling of copyrighted info is illegal.
ETA not that it stops people from doing it!

 

[Lake Effect]

^^^^^^ keep forgetting to insert quotes!

The scans are the same as on the CD that was available on Ebay about 10 years ago, originally made by a rather well-known ("infamous" to some of us) seller. I use it constantly but there are a few weak points. The newer scans leave something to be desired, he must have been getting tired by that time after scanning 40-some catalogs, many of them skip pages especially the ones showing smaller accessories, and the "1997 Legacy" catalog in the list is actually the Fall 1993 book. Also I don't remember 1988 Spring being on my CD but I have the actual paper version so it doesn't bother me. All in all, a good deal since so many Ebay sellers right now seem to be pricing their old catalogs in the 25 dollar apiece range, which is obscene.

Just a heads up too, for anyone who who might be tempted to brag about the USB or CD to a friend who happens to work at the FBI - selling those scans is actually illegal. Coach doesn't like people reproducing their copyrighted catalogs and making money from it, and neither do the Feds. Just FYI.

 

[ChaosBurger]

I believe that long ago one of our very talented rehabbers was also selling this on Ebay, I have not visited the thread that much lately so I am not sure if she is still active.

I collect the catalogs, I have about 30 from 1985 to 2010, and let me tell you that "if" there was some type of whatever source to search by name, style number.. something that would speed the process, I would pay good money for it, LOL

Having to go through pages and pages, or folders and folders is very time consuming, reason why I can not thank enough the authenticators on this forum, because they are so fast and helpful.

i bought this a while ago.. i think the seller is awesome.. by day i work as a ~computer programmer~ , so I actually wrote a little bit of code that extracted the text from the catalogs with the end goal of actually turning the resource into a searchable application for my use... i haven't gotten that far on the project yet, but having the catalog text has been helpful for me because i can just search the text and then look up the catalog page...

i can share the text in a google sheet if people are interested and then you can just do ctrl+f "9085" for example on the google sheet to at least find pages / catalogs for the duffle sac..

 

[Catbird9]

i bought this a while ago.. i think the seller is awesome.. by day i work as a ~computer programmer~ , so I actually wrote a little bit of code that extracted the text from the catalogs with the end goal of actually turning the resource into a searchable application for my use... i haven't gotten that far on the project yet, but having the catalog text has been helpful for me because i can just search the text and then look up the catalog page...

i can share the text in a google sheet if people are interested and then you can just do ctrl+f "9085" for example on the google sheet to at least find pages / catalogs for the duffle sac..

That sounds like it would be very useful!

 

[WishingonaCoach]

The scans are the same as on the CD that was available on Ebay about 10 years ago, originally made by a rather well-known ("infamous" to some of us) seller. I use it constantly but there are a few weak points. The newer scans leave something to be desired, he must have been getting tired by that time after scanning 40-some catalogs, many of them skip pages especially the ones showing smaller accessories, and the "1997 Legacy" catalog in the list is actually the Fall 1993 book. Also I don't remember 1988 Spring being on my CD but I have the actual paper version so it doesn't bother me. All in all, a good deal since so many Ebay sellers right now seem to be pricing their old catalogs in the 25 dollar apiece range, which is obscene.

Just a heads up too, for anyone who who might be tempted to brag about the USB or CD to a friend who happens to work at the FBI - selling those scans is actually illegal. Coach doesn't like people reproducing their copyrighted catalogs and making money from it, and neither do the Feds. Just FYI.

Yes, thank you and I know that Coach is serious about protecting their stuff, didn't they stop sellers on Ebay from selling the hang tags a long time ago? I think I remember something about it.

Yes again... being illegal is not going to stop people from buying them, the smart thing is not to advertise it

 

[Minchanka]

i bought this a while ago.. i think the seller is awesome.. by day i work as a ~computer programmer~ , so I actually wrote a little bit of code that extracted the text from the catalogs with the end goal of actually turning the resource into a searchable application for my use... i haven't gotten that far on the project yet, but having the catalog text has been helpful for me because i can just search the text and then look up the catalog page...

i can share the text in a google sheet if people are interested and then you can just do ctrl+f "9085" for example on the google sheet to at least find pages / catalogs for the duffle sac..

I am a data person too. Can you share the text (maybe send a link via pm), and I’ll see what I can do?

 

[Hyacinth]

i bought this a while ago.. i think the seller is awesome.. by day i work as a ~computer programmer~ , so I actually wrote a little bit of code that extracted the text from the catalogs with the end goal of actually turning the resource into a searchable application for my use... i haven't gotten that far on the project yet, but having the catalog text has been helpful for me because i can just search the text and then look up the catalog page...

i can share the text in a google sheet if people are interested and then you can just do ctrl+f "9085" for example on the google sheet to at least find pages / catalogs for the duffle sac..

I did basically the same thing but did it manually, catalog by catalog into text files with numbers and names, some descriptions, etc from both the CD and my paper catalogs. It took forever but I'd recently retired and had time on my hands. It was worth the effort.

 

[Hyacinth]

Yes, thank you and I know that Coach is serious about protecting their stuff, didn't they stop sellers on Ebay from selling the hang tags a long time ago? I think I remember something about it.

Yes again... being illegal is not going to stop people from buying them, the smart thing is not to advertise it

I think it was Ebay that tried to put a stop to the sale of hangtags, since some fakes sellers were buying and attatching real hangtags to their fake bags. Coach, like too many other major companies, has tried to stop resellers from listing on Ebay at all, but all they can do legally is limit the number of items that one buyer can purchase from the store or website at one time. Unless you're Asian resellers on one of those shopping junkets, then you can buy out the entire store and Coach will even supply extra-large bags so you can carry your goodies back to the tour bus.

 

[ChaosBurger]

I am a data person too. Can you share the text (maybe send a link via pm), and I’ll see what I can do?

I'll get it in a google doc and send it via PM. I'm going to get home late tonight so look for a message later on this evening!

I did basically the same thing but did it manually, catalog by catalog into text files with numbers and names, some descriptions, etc from both the CD and my paper catalogs. It took forever but I'd recently retired and had time on my hands. It was worth the effort.

That does sound awesome and worth the effort. And as if you weren't already a Coach Genius, certainly exercise of transcribing the catalogs could build a person's knowledge!

 

[Hyacinth]

I'll get it in a google doc and send it via PM. I'm going to get home late tonight so look for a message later on this evening!



That does sound awesome and worth the effort. And as if you weren't already a Coach Genius, certainly exercise of transcribing the catalogs could build a person's knowledge!

Not a genius, just someone with a good memory and a lot of experience.

Yep, writing something down tends to fix the info in the brain a bit more permanently. The one thing I wished I'd done is add the catalog date and page to those files, but I'm adding that as I come across that info again. With everything saved as .rtf files using WordPad I can add more info on individual styles as I find it. Since I don't have any word processing program or version of Office it's the only practical method.

 

[Ava_13579]

Before purchasing, I talked with the seller, who mentioned they'd been selling the catalog USB for seven years. I figured that if Coach or eBay hasn't taken issue with the item by now, it's fine.
After all, this item is on eBay, which is major marketplace, and pretty regulated one. And this item is easy to find.
That's just the assumption I made.
Though I don't see an issue with purchasing the item.

 

[Ava_13579]

i bought this a while ago.. i think the seller is awesome.. by day i work as a ~computer programmer~ , so I actually wrote a little bit of code that extracted the text from the catalogs with the end goal of actually turning the resource into a searchable application for my use... i haven't gotten that far on the project yet, but having the catalog text has been helpful for me because i can just search the text and then look up the catalog page...

i can share the text in a google sheet if people are interested and then you can just do ctrl+f "9085" for example on the google sheet to at least find pages / catalogs for the duffle sac..

I am a data person too. Can you share the text (maybe send a link via pm), and I’ll see what I can do?

I'm in the same world as you guys.
Interesting! Mind looping me in via PM, please?
I'd love if you could please share the Google Sheet!
Btw if you do whip something up, source code would be a-mazing!

 

[coach943]

Hey everyone! =)
Think I’m going to get this USB with vintage Coach catalogs.
Just wanted to post here first.

1.
Has anyone tried this item?

2.
I’m assuming this type of resource doesn’t exist online for free?

I don’t think that it does, but wanted to check before I purchase the USB.
I realize that there are lots of vintage Coach catalog images on Pinterest and Google Images, but the images aren’t organized by catalog. (The images also often don't have the the style names or numbers of the bags that are shown.)
When looking for something specific, it can be difficult to find.
I’m thinking that the USB would be much better.


Item: “Vintage Coach Bag Catalogs-1981-2002- Scanned to 4GB Bracelet USB Flash Drive”
Link: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/233247765599?ul_noapp=true
Seller: 2bluethumbs


See that someone asked about this item once, a while ago, back in 2016 (https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/coach-rehab-and-rescue-club.833400/page-783#post-30448497).

That listing is a blatant violation of copyright laws. The seller knows it, yet is somehow allowed to continue selling anyway. I would not recommend buying it.