Special post: Purse mystery solved! A while back we posted a photo of what appeared to be a child-size replica of a 1950s acrylic (Lucite) handbag on our Facebook page. We consulted with Janice Berkson, author of“Carry Me: 1950s Lucite Purses – An American Fashion” and owner of Deco Jewels in New York. She was certain it was not a US-made bag from the 1950s, with which we agreed, mostly because of its heavier resin base (not lightweight acrylic) and jewelry box-style clasp. Someone posted another of these on our partner page, Vintage Purse Share and Information, and we were delighted when our friend Jeanne Little of Little Treasures Antiques and Vintage commented that she, too, had one and knew when and where she got it. Thank you, Jeanne, for your handbag myth-busting skills!
Here’s what she said: “I've seen these numerous times shared in different places as a vintage purse and wanted to clear up that misconception. I purchased this little purse in the late 1990s or early 2000s at a Hallmark store and, fortunately, part of the label is still intact. It is a darling little bag but strictly a modern collectible. This company (Midwest of Cannon Falls) has produced other small vanity collectibles including other small purse novelties that can still be found online.”
The Vintage Purse Museum reached out to Ganz, the company that acquired Midwest of Cannon Falls in 2012. They answered that they did not carry over all the items during their acquisition. So, even though this is NOT a 1950s child’s Lucite purse, or a salesman’s sample as some have speculated, it’s a sweet décor item or trinket box. Some might even consider it vintage because it is over 20 years old. Pictured on the left, Jeanne’s little pink purse, and on the right, the Vintage Purse Museum’s silvery-white one.
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