All About Purses 

OK guys (if you're really a guy you might want to omit this page) here's some of my purses that I absolutely LOVE. This is by no means all of my collection but just a sampling of what I have pictures of. 

NEWS!

If you are looking for purses that I'm willing to part with then please look here.  Yes, you read that right - some I'm willing to now pass onto another purse-o-file like myself. 

Please don't hate me because of my beautiful purses. *smile* Oh and if you're in the market for any of these beauties let me know I can more than likely get you something similar at a reasonable cost. If I can't then I might be persuaded to let them go but for a price! 

And if you're wondering yes I do use these purses. They decorate the house but I use them when I go out. My running joke is that if a robber came in the house they'd never know which purse to grab as there are so many! 

In case you were wondering about Lucite it was a material that was thought to be quite durable. Its one fault however is that it can crack easily but if they are the heavier sort of pieces they take a lot of knocking to break. I have heard of people who repair Lucite however, I've not run across anyone who does. The other caveat is do not put the purses in plastic bags. This prevents the Lucite from breathing and will cloud over the Lucite in time, it will also give off an ammonia smell. 

Lucite purses came into their own in the 1950's. They were marketed to the well to do woman who wanted a purse to last a lifetime. Thankfully it seems some people cared for them and they have made their way onto the market. Goodness knows that I've bought enough in my lifetime that hasn't helped the shortage problem!  

Apparently the really treasured Lucite purses are ones of colour. I've not found my hot pink or deep blue Lucite purse, yet! But I'm going to give it a good shot! 

I have put these purses into categories as it is becoming quite large! By the way, the answer is no I am not going to downsize either! And now onto the purses: 

Beaded Purses

This one is unusual in that it has a satin material sewed onto the outside first before the beads.  However, it looks new and I think the bag bit is old and the material/beads are newer.  In any event, it is still nice and I of course got it at a cheap price!

Pearl beaded with a larger pearl for the button bit.  Lovely blue glass beads are the accent.

A zippered top and beaded with pearl beads and accented with glass bugle bead and oblong shaped pearls.

Another beaded confection which is again quite heavy and made in Japan.

Lovely pearl beaded bag with again glass beads for the design and accented by pearl beads for the centres.

Zipper closure but very nice bag and made in Japan.

Pearl beaded with frosted glass bugle beads for the design.  Tag looks like it was cut out but suspect it was made in Hong Kong or Japan.

This one is brand new and still in its original box!  What a find!

Most recent purchase of of eBay - yes, steal as per usual and missing a few beads here and there but they are still in great condition. 
 

Brass/Metal Purses

This is a Dorsett-Rex 5th Avenue purse. The neat thing about this purse is that it's like a picnic box. It's among one of my favourites. 

NOTE: I got from the library a book by Kate Dooner called A Century of Handbags. Inside is a picture of this purse! Click here to view it! 

Yes!  I finally got an all gold-coloured Dorset-Rex picnic purse.  Inside was a bit crummy but some glue and a mirror replacement did the trick.  I got it for under £40.00 off of yes, eBay!

This again is a Dorsett-Rex 5th Avenue Purse. It's not as roomy as the above one but it has kewl factor. 

This purse my sister gave to me. I don't know where she got it but it is totally kewl! The chain can disappear into the purse if I don't want to have it hang from my shoulder. From the book's description it is from the 1920's-1930's, maker unknown.  

NOTE: I recently got from the library a book by Kate Dooner called A Century of Handbags. Inside is a picture of this purse! Click here to view it! 
 

Cloth Type Purses

This purse my friend Vicki gave to me for my birthday last year. It has changeable covers (brown, yellow, and a white eyelet type material) and there were two buttons missing from it. So ever the resourceful one I put some glass buttons on it and Voila, a kewl purse! It has a plastic tortoise coloured handle. I recently saw a purse similar to this one on the Bag Lady's page - of course its been sold!  Apparently, they are referred to as Bermuda Bags.  Well I do have one that is about the same as above but with a wooden handle and got that for yes - a sickening price of $2.00 - at Good Will in St. Petersburg, Florida.  Will work on a picture of that one. 

NEW: I recently saw the movie I.Q. that starred Meg Ryan and guess what?!  Yes, she was carrying a purse exactly like above (of course minus my glass buttons!) - I nearly died!  

This is purse that has a set of changeable covers. This one is a tapestry type of cloth material, while there is also a blue one too.  Very good condition but it is a bit on the small size even for me. 

This one is again from my friend Vicki - a birthday present I believe.  It also has a comb and a satin change purse inside - oh and a mirror on the lid!  Small little crystal studs go around the purse.  I don't know who the maker is and I can discern the type of fabric used - perhaps something like velvet but it is kewl.

Leather Purses

OK, finally this is my binocular case! It is now restored and looks great.  I love this purse as it can smash into anything and I won't damage it one bit. Yes, I know I'm weird! I mean who would look at an empty binocular case and think purse? You have to have vision is all I can say! 

This purse my friend Vicki gave to me. It's a dark navy blue purse with brass handles. It has this flame red interior and although it can't hold much it is a show stopper! 

This one is a new purchase - yeah so what? =)  Very roomy for those big bag days when the smaller ones just won't do.  Love it to bits and of course it's an Aigner one as well.  I have another one that I got for yes, $7.00 at a tag sale as Martha says but as yet haven't gotten around to get a piccy of it - will do one of these days!

This is part of a set of changeable covers. This one is black patent leather - although it isn't in the best of condition it is a bit on the small size even for me. 

Lucite Purses

This is a clutch Lucite purse by Ilene and on the front is rhinestone bees!  
Neat or what? Not much can be carried in it but oh the kewl factor is off the scale! Can you believe that I actually saw someone refer to them as flies?! 

This isn't signed but is what I call a suitcase or hat box purse. It's in very good condition and quite roomy for all those girl things. 

This was my first Lucite purse I bought. It is made in France and although not a typical 50's design I believe it is from the mid to late 60's.  

This purse is a bit bigger than the one above and it also still has the keys to it. It is a tortoise swirl sort of colour although the picture doesn't show that too well. Maker unknown.  I'm willing to sell this purse - if you want to make an offer (beginning at over £50 only please, e-mail me - address on front page).

Miscellaneous Purses

This one isn't that old but it has kewl factor written all over it. It's a metal lunch box and has ribbon which is made stiff and lacquered hard and then attached to the box itself. I don't know how the rest of the purse was made but it sure is different. 

Plastic Purses

I don't use this but rather decorate with it. It is plastic and has a Lucite handle along with a few rhinestones. 

Tapestry Purses

It is a Tapestry purse with Lucite trim.  Unfortunately, there isn't a maker's label inside. 

Wicker Purses

This is a new addition which is made by Etienne Aigner who is one of my favourite designers. He's gone now but came to America during the middle of the 20th century and started making equestrian styled belts and then progressed onto designing handbags and shoes.  Unfortunately the designs are only available in America, however I have hope that one day their designs will be available in the UK.  

NEW: I just found out that there is an Aigner store in London - will make it in there on my next trip down there. Will keep you posted on what I find! Still not gotten there but perhaps after Thanksgiving I might get down to London!

This is a more recent acquisition of mine. Quite roomy and nothing wrong with it in the least. Again it is made by Etienne Aigner.  

NOTE: I recently got from the library a book by Kate Dooner called A Century of Handbags. Inside is a picture of this purse! Click here to view it! 

This is another Etienne Aigner purse. It's in the what I call Nantucket style. It's among one of my favourite purses to carry. The bottom picture is mock scrimshaw, which is on top of the purse. 

This white wicker strawberry basket purse is neat. The strawberries are decoupaged onto the top. Both flaps open up the purse. 

Wooden Purses

This one is signed Billie Ross and is wooden with decoupage music sheets and roses on it. The handle is Lucite. 

This is a wooden one with a tortoise type Lucite handle. It's decoupage with seed packets from ironically Rochester, New York! 

This purse isn't mine however, I did get it for my best friend, Vicki. She is into everything red, white and blue. You only have to tour her house to pick that hint up! =) Anyway, it's a Betsy B box purse and has kewl factor all over it! 

Visit my page with places to visit that relate to purses!

Revised: 26 March 2007.