Eclectic Amanda: art

Recently, we have been overwhelmed with people seeking appraisals on their "designer" handbags. I personally evaluate at least two a week. Why is this happening? Are people needing money and deciding to liquidate their valuables? That's possible. Are people still buying them at purse parties? I know eBay is cracking down on people selling "designer" items without proof. So, I suppose that's another reason people are having their bags, "appraised".

Coach seems to be the bag to copy these days. In the past month, I've personally evaluated and disappointed four "Coach" owners. So, as a public service let me post some information.

If you are considering buying a Coach bag from an online auction: Beware if the seller has only provided one photo of each of the purses. I would also suggest checking out their feedback. Another tip would be to contact the seller and ask if they can provide a store receipt for the handbags.

Tips for Buying Genuine Coach Bags:
*Coach does not sell to wholesalers or middle men. They only sell their bags through Coach, Coach Outlet, The Coach website and authorized high-end retailers.
*Coach does not sell blemished or seconds. If someone is selling the item as a "second" beware its a fake.
*Coach should be numbered and have a creed.
*Coach should come with a dustbag, usually a deep chocolate with red drawstring and white letters. (There are now newer dustbags, with the company colors)
*The Coach price tag is a bi-fold tag with the word COACH written in brown centered in the front. The interior is imprinted in black are the style number, colors, the SKU number & bar code, a brief abbreviated description, and the price.
*Coach only uses superior craftsmanship. Every detail should be perfect including the evenness and number of stitches on the leather.
*Coach only uses genuine leather.
*Coach CC's are centered and run horizontally never vertically.
*Coach uses heavy thread and double stitches seams.

The following information is directly from the Company Profile Page on Coach.com

Coach was founded in 1941 as a family-run workshop. In a Manhattan loft, six artisans handcrafted a collection of leather goods using skills handed down from generation to generation. Discerning consumers soon began to seek out the quality and unique nature of Coach craftsmanship.

Now greatly expanded, Coach continues to maintain the highest standards for materials and workmanship. Coach’s exceptional workforce remains committed to carefully upholding the principles of quality and integrity that define the company. We attribute the prominence of the Coach brand to the unique combination of our original American attitude and design, our heritage of fine leather goods and custom fabrics, our superior product quality and durability, and our commitment to customer service.
During the last decade, Coach has emerged as America's preeminent designer, producer, and marketer of fine accessories and gifts for women and men including handbags, women’s and men’s small leathergoods, business cases, weekend and travel accessories, outerwear, scarves, jewelry, fragrance and related accessories. Continued development of new categories has further established the signature style and distinctive identity of the Coach brand. Together with our licensing partners, we also offer watches, footwear, and sunwear bearing the Coach brand name.
Coach’s distribution strategy is multi-channel. There are currently over 400 Coach stores in the United States and Canada, with more slated to open this calendar year. In addition, Coach has built a strong presence in the United States through Coach boutiques located within select department stores and specialty retailer locations. In 1999, Coach launched its online store at www.coach.com and evolved it into an important sales channel in the United States, and an effective marketing and advertising vehicle for Coach both domestically and abroad.
While Coach continues to be one of the most recognized accessories brands in the United States, its long-term strategic plan is to increase international distribution and target international consumers. Through Coach Japan, wholly owned by Coach since 2005, the company leverages a large growth opportunity in this important market for imported handbags and accessories. Similarly, the Company acquired its retail businesses in Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China in 2009. As this emerging market rapidly grows, the Coach brand enjoys increased recognition. Intent on maintaining a consistent brand strategy domestically and abroad, this ownership structure provides Coach with complete control of its distribution in Japan and China. With a global vision in place, Coach is available at over 900 department store locations in the United States, 159 international department stores, retail stores and duty free shops in over 20 countries, 155 department store shop-in-shops and retail and factory stores operated by Coach Japan, and 28 company-operated locations in China.

Coach’s corporate headquarters remain in midtown Manhattan on 34th Street, in the location of our former factory lofts. Coach is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, traded under the symbol COH.

Welcome to the first in a series of informational articles we are calling Saturday Spotlight! Those of you who are fans of the Elsie C. Historical Company on Facebook are familiar with our Item of the Day game which has inspired us to create the Saturday Spotlight. While trying to come up with items to stump our armchair appraisers we decided some of the items we've stumbled across are just too rare, too unique, too special or downright too strange not to investigate further. So, here it goes a semi-weekly, but always on Saturday, special treat to our readers. We hope to inform, entertain and engage you. Without further ado and fan fare.........(drum roll please....) Here is the....

Saturday Spotlight! Volume 1:

Antique Needle Cases
What are antique needle cases and why might they be different from those little plastic things that are glued to cardboard and have twisty spinny sides out of which you can dump a sewing needle? Well, thank you for asking. (You didn't ask?? Well, if you are still reading it was an implied request for more information. ) Needlecases have been around since the Viking times....maybe longer but we'll start there. Needles were and are still an important domestic tool. To protect this magical little item and keep from having them strewn about willy nilly....cause that could be dangerous (imagine a big ole Viking with a needle stuck in the bottom of his foot cause his wife didn't put them away properly) needle cases were invented. Needle cases come in the most basic forms from a simple small canister with a lid, to a piece of cardboard and foil holder to elaborately carved bone and ivory cases to delicate porcelain cases, cases made from precious metals and even whimsical cases. Today the our needle cases are plastic and easily disposable but in days gone bye needle cases much like many other household tools were a work of art. We'd like to share some of our favorites with you and welcome your own posts sharing your favorites. So here we go.....

Pictured to the left is a sample of a Viking needle case which would have been worn attached to a woman's clothing. Needles during that time period would have been an expensive household item so all joking aside about the Viking with a needle in his foot, needle cases were meant to protect needles. Today needle cases range in value from $5-$1000 depending on their rarity and materials.