Vintage handbags are all the rage!

This 1964 wooden handbag is designed by Enid Collins. For all you vintage handbag collectors, you already know that discovering a new Enid Collins handbag in excellent condition can be compared to discovering gold back in 1850. Each bag is a work of art, encrusted with sparkling rhinestones, hand painted and signed with her very own unique style. The bags are leather trimmed, with polished brass hinges and a round mirror is included inside and to top it off each bag is titled. The name of the bag to the left is “Cable car”.

Collins created some of the most exquisite and beautiful handbags around. One particular line of her handbags is favored by collectors. “Glitterbugs” are also wooden box shaped handbags but covered with rhinestone studded beetles, bee’s, and butterflies. These bags are treasured by collectors, and finding one in good to excellent condition is somewhat of a challenge. She also created a beautiful line of bucket purses that are absolutely extraordinary.

Collins honed her unique design style from 1959 to 1970, and she successfully developed some of the most creative and totally unique handbags around. Not only did Neiman Marcus think so, but Saks Fifth Ave did as well. Both department stores jumped at the opportunity to offer Enid Collins original Sophistikits, Glitterbugs and Buckets.

Early Collins handbags are signed “Enid Collins”, although some are signed with an "ec" or "c" as well. Her bags are all the rage today and they can command some hefty prices anywhere from $35 to well over -$400, depending on the condition.

The Stanislaus County Insider

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