Vintage crocodile handbag

[Yoosia]

Hello everyone, I would be very pleased if someone could help me. I received a vintage handbag from my German employer. He’s very rich, it belonged to his wife. I’m wondering if it’s made of real crocodile skin, there is no label/tag inside, not even a small text anywhere. Please help

 

[Christofle]

Looks to be two caiman pelts sown together in the middle of the bag. It’s in the crocodilian family but the caiman. The interior is pigskin suede.

 

[Yoosia]

Looks to be two caiman pelts sown together in the middle of the bag. It’s in the crocodilian family but the caiman. The interior is pigskin suede.

Thank you very much Christofle, do you know what is the value of handbag like this (somewhere about)? Will be grateful for your help. Regards!

 

[Christofle]

Sorry I can’t help in that regard. My suggestion would be to take it to a consigner or take a look at completed eBay listings to ascertain it’s rough market value.

 

[Yoosia]

Thank you, I really appreciate your help

 

[aiyamei]

Hi everyone! The OP’s bag is so lovely. I’m thinking of buying a similar vintage crocodile bag. The vintage style appeals to me, as does the fact that you can get something of such high quality for (relatively) little money. However, I’ve only just started collecting / paying close attention to handbags, and I’m not sure of my judgment.

I know it’s a long shot, but would anyone be willing to help me make a choice?

Here are the bags I’m considering. I’ve looked carefully at each one and they appear to all be genuine crocodile - I can see the iso pores, at least. Of two the brand is known, and of two it is not.

Bag A :


Bag B :


Bag C :

(modern long flexible strap in leather not pictured)

Bag D :


Bag A is by the house of Grimaldi, while Bag C is by Louise Fontaine of Brussels, although a late model and I gather not from her glory years(??). The other two are unsigned vintage Italian bags, according to the sellers hand-made.

Anything jump out at you? I’m having so much trouble deciding. But I need to choose soon - it’s for a gala celebrating my husband who just won a major literary award. So exciting.

 

[ccbaggirl89]

Hi everyone! The OP’s bag is so lovely. I’m thinking of buying a similar vintage crocodile bag. The vintage style appeals to me, as does the fact that you can get something of such high quality for (relatively) little money. However, I’ve only just started collecting / paying close attention to handbags, and I’m not sure of my judgment.

I know it’s a long shot, but would anyone be willing to help me make a choice?

Here are the bags I’m considering. I’ve looked carefully at each one and they appear to all be genuine crocodile - I can see the iso pores, at least. Of two the brand is known, and of two it is not.

Bag A :
View attachment 5227222

Bag B :
View attachment 5227223

Bag C :
View attachment 5227224
(modern long flexible strap in leather not pictured)

Bag D :
View attachment 5227225

Bag A is by the house of Grimaldi, while Bag C is by Louise Fontaine of Brussels, although a late model and I gather not from her glory years(??). The other two are unsigned vintage Italian bags, according to the sellers hand-made.

Anything jump out at you? I’m having so much trouble deciding. But I need to choose soon - it’s for a gala celebrating my husband who just won a major literary award. So exciting.

I cant help to tell if they are real or not, but A looks like it has held up really well for a vintage bag and looks suited to a more formal event than the others. C looks too shiny and perfect - maybe embossed?

 

[Mariapia]

I cant help to tell if they are real or not, but A looks like it has held up really well for a vintage bag and looks suited to a more formal event than the others. C looks too shiny and perfect - maybe embossed?

+1

 

[aiyamei]

Thanks, CCbaggirl89 and Mariapia! So the votes seem to be coming in for Bag A!

 

[cecchetti]

Looks to be two caiman pelts sown together in the middle of the bag. It’s in the crocodilian family but the caiman. The interior is pigskin suede.

That’s exactly what I was about to write and the majority of my bags are exotic-I have a Caiman bag and whoops just bought a real crocodile Birkin style bag….

 

[cecchetti]

Hi everyone! The OP’s bag is so lovely. I’m thinking of buying a similar vintage crocodile bag. The vintage style appeals to me, as does the fact that you can get something of such high quality for (relatively) little money. However, I’ve only just started collecting / paying close attention to handbags, and I’m not sure of my judgment.

I know it’s a long shot, but would anyone be willing to help me make a choice?

Here are the bags I’m considering. I’ve looked carefully at each one and they appear to all be genuine crocodile - I can see the iso pores, at least. Of two the brand is known, and of two it is not.

Bag A :
View attachment 5227222

Bag B :
View attachment 5227223

Bag C :
View attachment 5227224
(modern long flexible strap in leather not pictured)

Bag D :
View attachment 5227225

Bag A is by the house of Grimaldi, while Bag C is by Louise Fontaine of Brussels, although a late model and I gather not from her glory years(??). The other two are unsigned vintage Italian bags, according to the sellers hand-made.

Anything jump out at you? I’m having so much trouble deciding. But I need to choose soon - it’s for a gala celebrating my husband who just won a major literary award. So exciting.

I don’t want to put you off but you might be better with a really good mock croc bag.
You are by your own admission not an exotic expert.
I think they look real but you don’t know their history.
Or try finding a new Caiman bag which is much cheaper -mine is Rodania …

 

[aiyamei]

I don’t want to put you off but you might be better with a really good mock croc bag.

thanks for the advice, cecchetti! But I guess I’m confused as to what the difference would be. If these vintage bags are such good imitation croc that you can see the iso pores, they’re perfectly symmetrical belly skin, etc., then isn’t that the same as a really good mock croc? And in the case of the Louise Fontaine, say, if it is fake you know it’ll be the best mock croc around, given the brand. I guess I’m not clear what I have to lose. Either it’s real - big win - or it’s not, in which case I end up with a good-looking mock croc. To me it seems unclear why I’d be better off starting out with the mock croc idea from the get-go. Or is that not what you meant?
Also I want to mention how much I appreciate the input! Means a lot!

 

[cecchetti]

I’m not trying to put you off crocodile but by your own admission you don’t have experience.

I’ve heard horror stories about diseased alligator skins, bags stored with mould etc.

My bags were 90% bought new, kept in dust bags and I know their history.

There must be a reason why a crocodile bag costs the same as a mock croc

A good quality mock croc will last years-I have one too, and you know where it’s been!

I’ve been trying to answer your question for 3 1/2 hours, don’t know whether it’s my iPad or purse forum being so busy , I hope you get this message ❤️❤️

There’s a reason why crocodile is so expensive ..

It’s up to you, but I started with mock croc, and nobody will know the difference If it’s a good one

I hope this post posts as I’ve written to you about 6 times!

Hope this helps!

Lots of love and big hugs

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

It wouldn’t let me put in your quote or like your post-just crashed!

I’ll try later but I hope this posts xxx

 

[cecchetti]

thanks for the advice, cecchetti! But I guess I’m confused as to what the difference would be. If these vintage bags are such good imitation croc that you can see the iso pores, they’re perfectly symmetrical belly skin, etc., then isn’t that the same as a really good mock croc? And in the case of the Louise Fontaine, say, if it is fake you know it’ll be the best mock croc around, given the brand. I guess I’m not clear what I have to lose. Either it’s real - big win - or it’s not, in which case I end up with a good-looking mock croc. To me it seems unclear why I’d be better off starting out with the mock croc idea from the get-go. Or is that not what you meant?
Also I want to mention how much I appreciate the input! Means a lot!

Just wanted to make sure you got my post❤️

 

[aiyamei]

Thanks so much cecchetti !!! ❤️ Trying to answer more thoroughly but also running into crazy glitches - sorry they hit you too. Will try again in a couple hours, hope the site gets things straightened out!!