Vintage Coach Photos & Chat

[aerinha]

I got a courier pouch recently and when I purchased it I was aware of some repairs that had been made, but now that I have it person I'm wondering the extent of the repairs.

I noticed the binding repairs and the parts that hold the buckles was shortened, but in person Im wondering if the interior pocket was removed and replaced and the metal coach logo reattached.

When searching for a comparison bag I'm also seeing ones with differences on the underside of the tongue, slightly different shaped buckles on the purse and ones with and without buckles on the strap, probably from a different size bag or different time of manufacture? Clicking on every bag, then clicking through all the pics to see if the inner pocket has a creed or tag is becoming maddening. Even then, I don't know if the comparison bag is the same size/style or if it is authentic. I didn't want to clog up the authentication thread with all my questions.

The bag measures approx 9"W x 10"H, strap is 36"
View attachment 4478489

Front and back of buckles, original buckles?
View attachment 4478490

Shortened buckle tab with new cut out?
View attachment 4478506


New inner pocket with metal tag?
View attachment 4478491

Backside of tongue and front and back of strap grommets, not sure if its the original strap
View attachment 4478492

I wasn't really sure where to post, please let me know if there is a better spot.
I can also add pictures of the not-so-great repairs to the piping/binding if helpful.

Thank you for any help!

I don’t know that the pocket should pull out of the bag like that. Mine is not pre creed but the interior pocket is firmly attached

 

[seekingvintage]

I got a courier pouch recently and when I purchased it I was aware of some repairs that had been made, but now that I have it person I'm wondering the extent of the repairs.

I noticed the binding repairs and the parts that hold the buckles was shortened, but in person Im wondering if the interior pocket was removed and replaced and the metal coach logo reattached.

When searching for a comparison bag I'm also seeing ones with differences on the underside of the tongue, slightly different shaped buckles on the purse and ones with and without buckles on the strap, probably from a different size bag or different time of manufacture? Clicking on every bag, then clicking through all the pics to see if the inner pocket has a creed or tag is becoming maddening. Even then, I don't know if the comparison bag is the same size/style or if it is authentic. I didn't want to clog up the authentication thread with all my questions.

The bag measures approx 9"W x 10"H, strap is 36"
View attachment 4478489

Front and back of buckles, original buckles?
View attachment 4478490

Shortened buckle tab with new cut out?
View attachment 4478506


New inner pocket with metal tag?
View attachment 4478491

Backside of tongue and front and back of strap grommets, not sure if its the original strap
View attachment 4478492

I wasn't really sure where to post, please let me know if there is a better spot.
I can also add pictures of the not-so-great repairs to the piping/binding if helpful.

Thank you for any help!

I have a pre-creed Courier with the leather imprint Coach mark, and it has a hanging pocket just like yours, with seams on the left and right. Also, the leather on the back of the tongue looks just like your bag, and the buckles look just like your buckles. I can send pics if you like.

 

[Yrelle]

What colors were available for Court bags? Does anybody have a catalog picture? I have the black and British tan. I know there is red and camel tan, anything else? Thanks

 

[Catbird9]

What colors were available for Court bags? Does anybody have a catalog picture? I have the black and British tan. I know there is red and camel tan, anything else? Thanks

The Court Bag was introduced in Fall 1989. Produced over many years, it has been available in Black, Blue, Bone, British Tan, Camel, Forest Green, Grey, Mahogany, Navy and Red. Possibly also Burgundy, Putty, Tabac and White.

It was also made in a Spectator two-tone version. Spectator colors were Black, Bone, Forest Green, Navy and Red, all with Tabac trim. Possibly also White with Tabac trim, and I have seen Navy with White trim.

Fall 1989:


Early 1990s:


Fall 1993, Green:


1997 (not pictured, but text lists Court Bag colors)::


Wayback, 2000:

 

[Yrelle]

The Court Bag was introduced in Fall 1989. Produced over many years, it has been available in Black, Blue, Bone, British Tan, Camel, Forest Green, Grey, Mahogany, Navy and Red. Possibly also Burgundy, Putty, Tabac and White.

It was also made in a Spectator two-tone version. Spectator colors were Black, Bone, Forest Green, Navy and Red, all with Tabac trim. Possibly also White with Tabac trim, and I have seen Navy with White trim.

Fall 1989:
View attachment 4479942

Early 1990s:
View attachment 4479948

Fall 1993, Green:
View attachment 4479949

1997 (not pictured, but text lists Court Bag colors)::
View attachment 4479950

Wayback, 2000:
View attachment 4479951

Thank you! I find it interesting how the new Casie looks a lot like it. Can’t go wrong with that silhouette.

 

[ProfessorLV]

I can't tell if it is or not, it was just my first impression, based on looking at the repairs. It was beginning to get pretty frustrating trying to find a bag to compare to.

The varying stitch length and thread colors, led me to think that there were repairs done at different times over the years. The leather on the pocket looks nearly perfect, better than what I would expect to see on the outside of a new bag made today. Some bags I have, the pockets are really scratched and worn, with the creeds barely visible. I think I just expected to see a lot more wear on the pocket, especially for a bag this old and used long enough to need repairs a couple of times.

The stitching on the seam that goes across the back interior, attaching the pocket, is not as uniform and straight compared to other original stitching, or what I’m assuming is original stitching. At both sides, on the back panel by the buckle tabs, are what looks like un-dyed triangle areas. I have other bags that have this in different areas, but the white part corresponds to the shape of the seam. These look like an odd shape for this spot and don’t match to any seam, so I was curious if it was originally covered or taken apart and restitched differently.

I wasn't able to find many older courier pictures, much less any with metal tags. The newer ones look to have the back panel as the pocket, but that didn’t really help me much. I don’t even know if Im looking at the same model or same size bag and designs/construction change.

Having nothing to compare to, I can't tell if the buckles are original (some newer ones look to have a slightly curved buckle) or if the buckle tabs (not sure what those are called- the leather piece that holds the buckle) had been modified. There is a lot of different thread colors and stitching in those areas, and the newer ones look to have a longer tab, so I was wondering if maybe they had been worn out and shortened. The cut-out holes look really white, I expected to see more discoloring from wear and age. The rivets on that spot look partially worn to silver, I don’t know if thats to be expected or if they are replacements made of different materials. I didn't see any other silver spots on other hardware.

I guess maybe it doesn't make sense that someone who loved this bag and wore it long enough to have it repaired, maybe a couple times, would have the pocket replaced. I love the bags with history, I was just curious and didn't know what, if anything, had been changed and was having a hard time searching on my own.

If there are several different colored threads, that could indicate repairs. Regarding unevenness of stitching, however, don't take that to mean a repair. It's not at all uncommon to find uneven, missed, or crooked stitching in 1960s/70s era bags, in particular, given the nature of completely handmade bags. I hope Whateve's photos help!

 

[Aku_no_Hana]

I brought my lovely new Manor bag to work today. She was only $38 locally. She has a few scratches on the front but it is obvious she has never been used!!! I feel like she was in a time capsule lol

 

[whateve]

What colors were available for Court bags? Does anybody have a catalog picture? I have the black and British tan. I know there is red and camel tan, anything else? Thanks

The Court Bag was introduced in Fall 1989. Produced over many years, it has been available in Black, Blue, Bone, British Tan, Camel, Forest Green, Grey, Mahogany, Navy and Red. Possibly also Burgundy, Putty, Tabac and White.

It was also made in a Spectator two-tone version. Spectator colors were Black, Bone, Forest Green, Navy and Red, all with Tabac trim. Possibly also White with Tabac trim, and I have seen Navy with White trim.

Fall 1989:
View attachment 4479942

Early 1990s:
View attachment 4479948

Fall 1993, Green:
View attachment 4479949

1997 (not pictured, but text lists Court Bag colors)::
View attachment 4479950

Wayback, 2000:
View attachment 4479951

The 2001 spectators were camel, navy and wine, all with parchment trim.

 

[houseof999]

The 2001 spectators were camel, navy and wine, all with parchment trim.

Oh wow I have never seen this in wine? Is there a picture of it here somewhere?

 

[Yrelle]

I brought my lovely new Manor bag to work today. She was only $38 locally. She has a few scratches on the front but it is obvious she has never been used!!! I feel like she was in a time capsule lol

How do you like it? I’m petite so I am more of a small purse kinda girl. How much can you put inside?

 

[Yrelle]

The Court Bag was introduced in Fall 1989. Produced over many years, it has been available in Black, Blue, Bone, British Tan, Camel, Forest Green, Grey, Mahogany, Navy and Red. Possibly also Burgundy, Putty, Tabac and White.

It was also made in a Spectator two-tone version. Spectator colors were Black, Bone, Forest Green, Navy and Red, all with Tabac trim. Possibly also White with Tabac trim, and I have seen Navy with White trim.

Fall 1989:
View attachment 4479942

Early 1990s:
View attachment 4479948

Fall 1993, Green:
View attachment 4479949

1997 (not pictured, but text lists Court Bag colors)::
View attachment 4479950

Wayback, 2000:
View attachment 4479951

The 2001 spectators were camel, navy and wine, all with parchment trim.

Hmmm...Have you ever wondered what ever happened to all the other colors like forest green and blue? Seems to be black and tans are all I ever see. Not just the court but other bags as well. Maybe not too many sales for those other colors, huh?

 

[Aku_no_Hana]

How do you like it? I’m petite so I am more of a small purse kinda girl. How much can you put inside?

I love it! I like how it's divided by the center zip pocket. I can fit everything that fits in my Court with room for a small lunch and kindle.

 

[Aku_no_Hana]

How do you like it? I’m petite so I am more of a small purse kinda girl. How much can you put inside?

Today I have all of this in her, plus my mini skinny with my keys on it, my phone, and a small lunch and it all fit and wasn't too heavy cross body. (I'm weird, I carry an extra phone case to work.)

 

[Yrelle]

Wow! I don’t think the Court could hold all those. Thanks. Now, I want one.

 

[whateve]

Oh wow I have never seen this in wine? Is there a picture of it here somewhere?

I guess I didn't save a picture. I know I saw it on ebay a few years ago.

Hmmm...Have you ever wondered what ever happened to all the other colors like forest green and blue? Seems to be black and tans are all I ever see. Not just the court but other bags as well. Maybe not too many sales for those other colors, huh?

The blues were usually really dark. I think they made fewer bags in interesting colors because most people bought black, plus lighter colors didn't survive as well.