Vintage 1950's ArtBag Creations, New York - custom made purse. It is a deep navy blue textured leather with a heavy gold chain top handle and ornate gold flip latch in the front. It is the ultimate of subdued elegance - of the New York lifestyle in the 1950's and 1960's - and could be used for both business events or evening wear. It shows minimal wear due to its age.
The purse is 8" wide and 6" high - and is approximate 2 1/2" wide at the bottom expansion area - the top is 1 1/2" discount wide for proper closure. The interior is lined in deep navy blue leather with an interior zipper pocket lined in red, and two slip pockets. It would easily accommodate a 6 1/8" cell phone.
This was my mother's purse - an elegant and always impeccably dressed New Yorker. ArtBag Designs were the secret of the upper crust of New York. For more than 85 years, Artbag has been the "secret" of New York's society and celebrity circles—bringing the ultimate in top quality leather goods, high fashion and great prices to smart New Yorkers and customers throughout the world. The ArtBag story: "Hillel Tenenbaum founded Artbag in 1932, a former professor at The Fashion Institute of Technology. He had a passion for perfection instilled into his son-in-law and future business partner, Louis Rosenberg.
Rosenberg, a tinsmith by trade, brought his knowledge of metals and quality artistry to Artbag. He was considered the king of "quality control" well before it was a catchphrase in today's society.
In 1993, Donald Moore, protégé of Hillel Tenenbaum and business partner of Rosenberg, purchased the business. Mr. Moore began his career at Artbag in 1959. He worked alongside Mr. Tenenbaum for over two decades, learning pattern making and handbag construction. The knowledge enabled Moore to create new styles and recognize flaws and potential issues with the designs of other handbag makers."
Product code: Vintage ArtBag - New York - Custom Made Purse - Navy discount Blue - 1950's