Lucite Purse in Unusual Diamond Shape. 1950s. Maker: Wilardy. Fabulous and rare diamond-shaped grey marbleized Lucite bag with unusual handle.

Of course I have a story about it! My husband found it many years ago, when I first started collecting purses, in a decrepit old store/warehouse/barn in Hemet, California. He paid $12 for it.

The first picture below is of the purse itself. The second picture is my dad and his cousin some time in the mid-1950s. My dad was cute, wasn’t he? And his cousin's dress is gorgeous! But… CHECK OUT THE PURSE SHE’S CARRYING! It’s similar to mine, and not just because it’s Lucite. It's kind of hard to make out, but look at the distinctive shape.

I’ve posted these pics and other never-before seen photos on my new website, The Vintage Purse Gallery, a virtual purse museum featuring my vast purse-onal collection.

I’m in the process of developing a traveling exhibit, so please let me know if you are affiliated with a museum or other venue that may wish to put some of these beauties on display. And don’t forget to like The Vintage Purse Gallery on Facebook!

Check out our new site!

NEW! We are in the process of creating THE VINTAGE PURSE GALLERY, a virtual museum featuring photos of the incredible purses collected over two decades by author and speaker Wendy Dager.

We are also offering a traveling exhibit of some these purses. If you are affiliated with a museum, gallery or other exhibition venue, please e-mail info(at)wendydager(dot)com for more information.

If you would like to advertise on THE VINTAGE PURSE GALLERY, please e-mail info(at)wendydager(dot)com.

Vintage Purse a Day will remain on blogger and continue to be updated. Thank you so much for your patronage. We love our visitors and we love vintage purses!

THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL POST! Make sure you read the whole thing and scroll down for pics.

Wicker Las Vegas Casino-Motif Purse. 1960s. Maker: Faye Mell. Natural wicker purse with cloth front encased in plastic. Behind the plastic are matchbooks from old Las Vegas casinos. It also has miniature playing cards, a fake ten-dollar bill and a tiny roulette wheel. Rhinestones, sequins and brass hardware complete the look. Tag says "Handmade Exclusive Faye Mell Design Fleurette, Inc. Miami, FLA."

Faye Mell Designs by Fleurette of Miami is one of my very favorite designers of the mid-century. I was surprised to learn, via the website Findagrave.com, that Faye Mell moved from Florida to Los Angeles, very near me, in her later years. I'm disappointed that I was never able to interview this talented lady, who passed away in 2010, but glad to know that she received a nice tribute on this page.

Here’s my purse in natural wicker.

I also have a variation of it in brown wicker.

And black wicker.

Let’s not forget the gold lamè.

Did I mention I have TWO in gold lamè?

Don’t hate. It’s not nice.