Vintage Coblentz Original handbag – black patent leather with gilt chains, 1950s–60s

Vintage Coblentz Original handbag in black patent leather with gilt chains – 1950s–60s

An elegant vintage handbag in glossy black patent leather by the American maker Coblentz, marked inside ‘Coblentz Original’ and ‘Genuine Patent Leather’. The sleek, rectangular frame bag has two patent leather handles attached with gilt curb chains, and gilt corner mounts on the flap of the front pocket.

The bag is cleverly organised: a central compartment with a gilt bow-shaped clasp, an open compartment on either side (accordion style) and a zipped pocket inside. At the back is a pocket with a press stud and flap, stamped in gold ‘Passport – Tickets – Currency’: a true travel bag from the early days of air travel (photos 6 and 12). The matching mirror in a red marbled plastic case with the Coblentz logo is still included (photo 13).

Coblentz (Coblentz Bag Company, founded in 1935 in New York by Louis J. Coblentz) made luxury handbags for the better American department stores until around 1980. The shape, hardware and label are consistent with the 1950s–60s.

Why we chose this piece

A bag with a story: sleek and timeless, yet with that clever layout for the passport, tickets and money of the 1960s traveller. Complete with its original little mirror, and still perfectly usable.

Style and interior

A classic vintage designer bag for lovers of mid-century fashion: lovely with a little black dress or a sharp suit, and a beautiful object in a cabinet or on a sideboard too. A great gift for collectors of vintage handbags and 1960s fashion.

Dimensions: 28 cm wide, 20.5 cm high, 10.5 cm deep; height including handle 41 cm
Material: black patent leather, black ribbed fabric (faille) lining, gilt metal; mirror in a plastic case
Maker: Coblentz, New York (label ‘Coblentz Original’)
Period: 1950s–60s
Origin: United States
Condition: good, used vintage condition. The patent leather still has a lovely shine, with light scratches and the fine crease lines typical of patent leather, mainly on the flap of the front pocket (photo 1). The gilding of the rings at the handles and of the corner mounts shows light wear (photo 8). Interior and zips clean and complete. The mirror case has light scratches from use (photo 13).

Price:
€ 165

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