Stylemark by Mutterperl Red Box Purse

Red Faux Leather Box Purse. 1950s. Maker: Since 1901, Stylemark by Mutterperl, Made in USA. Lovely leather or faux leather (probably faux) classic oblong red box purse. Two straps, unusually-shaped snap closure, decorative-but-subtle white stitching. Lined in red grosgrain or similar fabric. Interior mirror. One pocket. Attached change purse. Four tiny metal feet.

This is a beautiful, well-made bag. When it arrived, I knew it would have some defects, including the fact that it needed to be re-glued on the inside, where there was a separation from the lining and the cardboard portion of the box. However, I soon realized that this was probably from age and that the purse was rarely or perhaps never used.

Here’s a link to Bag Lady University, with a history and photos of Stylemark purses: http://bagladyemporium.com/BLU/index.php?n=Main.StylemarkByMutterperl  

SPECIAL POST! RV Purse Museum News

Hi Vintage Purse People! A huge thank you to everyone who supported our Kickstarter. It didn't fund, but we're determined to complete our Rolling Vintage Purse Museum project. For more info, news, photos and updates, visit RVPurseMuseum.com.

RV Purse Museum - Where the Handbag Meets the Highway

Metal Filigree and Pink Plastic Child-Sized Pamart Box Bag

Metal Filigree and Pink Plastic Child’s Purse. 1950s. Maker: Pamart, Brooklyn, NY, USA. Adorable, tiny (5” wide by 3” high by 3” deep) filigree metal box bag with pink plastic (pretty sure it is not “Lucite,” as it is a thinner plastic) top and handle. Pink plastic rectangle inset at the bottom. Goldtone (now slightly tarnished) hardware.

My first Pamart purse! These are pretty pricey—even the tiny ones—so getting this for a reasonable price was very exciting. Granted, it's got some issues, but these are the type I only use for display and do not carry while I'm out. I save carrying for the heartier ones!

Here’s a link to Bag Lady University, with a brief explanation of Pamart purses, circa 1955: http://bagladyemporium.com/BLU/index.php?n=Main.Pamart

Three-Way Convertible Lumured Purse(s)

Three-Way Convertible Lumured Purse(s). 1960s. Maker: Lumured. This set consists of two bags; one can be turned inside out for the third bag. One side has the primary colored “candy dot” or “caviar” beads, and the other has pastel colored opaque beads. There’s another bag inside that has white and clear beads (note: the brown part is probably water damage). The white plastic handles unscrew to go on either of the three choices of handbag. Inside the white and clear beaded bag is a heavy cotton lining. Zip closure.

I’ve seen a lot of Lumured bags and have a few more, including one that’s reversible. This one is pretty special in that there are three bags to choose from—a very clever design!

SPECIAL POST! We just launched our Kickstarter!

Here's the link to our Kickstarter project:

A Rolling Vintage Purse Museum - Where the Handbag Meets the Highway

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2005273693/rv-purse-museum-where-the-handbag-meets-the-highwa

And the video:

Black Plastic-Rol Clutch Purse by Jolles

Black Plastic-Rol Clutch. 1940s. Maker: Jolles. Made in USA. Large clutch purse constructed with lengths of plastic tubing, cut in half and fastened with thread to a black lining. Zips. Has simple Lucite pull. Inside pocket. Has matching mirror case, but no mirror.

My understanding is that during WWII, factories needed to use materials that were meant for wartime applications, so they made unusual purses out of unconventional materials, such as these plastic roll ones, the coil (“telephone”) cord type and the tile ones that resemble Legos. This style reminds me of house siding. Or licorice. Definitely licorice. Yep, I’m on a diet so everything looks like food.

BONUS PIC! I have one in ivory, too.

SPECIAL POST! Vintage Purse Museum Questionnaire

Southern California Vintage Purse Museum Feasibility Questionnaire

If you would like to participate in a feasibility study as part of my certification in Art Museum and Gallery Studies, please copy and paste these questions and your answers and email them to me. Your answers to the questions below are not only a very important part of my final course in this program, but also extremely helpful in determining if the online-only museum, The Vintage Purse Gallery, can become a brick-and-mortar museum on the west coast. Please fill in as many answers possible and return this questionnaire to me at info@vintagepursegallery.com within two weeks. Thanks very much for your assistance. –Wendy Dager

1.     Are you a collector, dealer, manufacturer or other? If other, please describe.
2.     Where do you live? (City, state.)
3.     On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest, how important is vintage fashion to you, either personally or in business?
4.     What type of vintage fashion interests you? (Name as many that apply: Clothing, jewelry, accessories, etc. Or, be as specific as you wish: e.g. 1920s mesh purses, midcentury Kelly bags, high-end costume jewelry, Shaheen Hawaiian dresses, etc.)
5.     What are your personal feelings about the establishment of a vintage purse and fashion museum on the west coast?
6.     Who do you think would be interested in going to this type of museum? (Is there a specific demographic—age, gender, socioeconomic status, etc.?)
7.     Is there a specific city, neighborhood or general area you feel would best suit its presence?
8.     Do you think such a museum would be successful in Ventura County?
9.     What sort of amenities do you think this museum should have (e.g. exhibit floor, private party room, museum store, café, other?)
10. What is the approximate minimum square footage you believe is necessary for such a museum?
11. What do you think a fair entry price would be? Should it offer senior/children’s/group discounts?
12. Did you know there is a purse museum in Littlerock, Arkansas? Have you visited it?
13. If there were a purse museum in Southern California, how often would you patronize it?
14. If you are a dealer or collector (or other, if applicable), would you be willing to provide temporary exhibits to this museum in exchange for publicity?
15. If this museum were to obtain nonprofit status, would you be interested in serving on its board of directors?
16. Would you be interested in attending or planning special events, such as fundraisers, auctions, fashion shows, or theme parties? (Please make event suggestions here.)
17. Do you know of any potential donors who would provide individual or corporate sponsorship?
18. Do you know of any art/fashion/museum students (or a school that would provide a pool of students) willing to work at such a museum for internship credit?
19. If you have any comments, concerns or ideas, please write them here.

Gold and Lucite Majestic Purse

Lucite and Gold Cylindrical Purse. 1950s. Maker: Majestic. Small, cylinder-shaped Lucite purse. The main purse portion has a shiny, loose, golden weave of threads within the Lucite. The ends of the purse are gold metal in a round flower shape. Trimmed in goldtone hardware. Four gold feet. Goldtone kisslock. Clear Lucite handle.

This is one striking purse! I only have one other Majestic bag in my collection and these little guys are getting pricey.

So, yep, you haven’t seen me here as often as I more active on Vintage Purse a Day’s sister site, The Vintage Purse Gallery. Right now I am in the process of getting a certificate in Art Museum and Gallery Studies, and would be very appreciative if you could help me out with my final project, a purse museum survey, which you can find here. Or if you prefer, copy and paste this link in your browser, http://www.vintagepursegallery.com/2014/09/special-post-vintage-purse-museum.html. Thanks!

Suki Box Bag with Asian Motif

Asian Motif Box Bag. 1950s. Maker: Handbags by Suki, Miami, FLA. Gorgeous cream-colored box purse with (yellowish, perhaps with age?) Lucite top that has a painted motif of an Asian woman with a floral covered fan hiding part of her face. Embellished with inset rhinestones. Lucite clasp and handle. Box portion is a molded rope design. Lined in lightly quilted ivory-colored fabric. Four metal feet.

Suki purses are very hard to find, and rather expensive. This one isn’t perfect, but I was so glad to discover it online at a reasonable price.

BONUS PIC! I have a similar one in black.

Cache-It Nylon Bra Purse

Cache-It Nylon Bra Purse. 1950s. Maker (Importer): Bandwagon, Inc. Novelty hidden bra purse in its original packaging. Made in Hong Kong of nylon, this bra purse has a self-closing flap.

I love interesting and unusual purses, but this one is special because it reminds me so much of my grandma. She would wrap her money in a hankie and safety-pin it inside her bra. I miss her.

BONUS INFO: I looked up Bandwagon, Inc. of Massachusetts and it’s still in business at the same address!

Set of 1960s Collapsible Purse Cups

Set of Collapsible Cups. 1960s. Maker: Tuckaway Cups (white and orange; green one does not have a maker imprint). Collapsible (or telescoping) portable thin plastic cups. White and orange cups have raised metallic-painted designs on top, and glued-on tiny plastic embellishments. Green one has a marbleized coloring. All cups have built-in pill container. On the bottom of the white and orange is the Tuckaway Cups imprint, Made in U.S.A., a number, the word “PATENTED,” and some very small print I can’t read. (Note: I tried looking up the number, which I assumed to be the patent number, but could not find any info.)

Among my collection are purse accessories, and these are a new one for me. Except, not exactly new, because when I was a little girl in the late ‘60s/early ‘70s, my grandma gave me a collapsible cup. I remember that it wasn’t embellished or fancy in any way, but my grandma gave it to me, so that made it special. She also gave me a few folding plastic rain hats and squeezy change purses, so maybe those are next in line to be part of the collection!