CLASSIC WALLETS

[shamus]

I thought I'd post a pic of some of my vintage wallets showcasing the different hides that are out there.

I think the wallet is one of those items that many forget about to finish the look....I mean, that's why there is that pocket on the inside....

From Left to right...

Basketweave by Anticoli
Alligator
Cowhide
unsure - Bally
Ostrich
"hand stained?" by Bosca
Pinseal
Buffalo calf by Rolfs

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

Those are cool!

Do you have any tips for how to identify vintage wallets?

 

[shamus]

well for starters those are all from my grandfather. So tip one: get them from someone who bought them new...

Things to look for are the actual hides. Alligator is very hard to find, mostly it's crock from asia today... pinseal today? I don't think so.

Wallets actually don't change much over the years. Of course these don't have cut outs for credit cards as they didnt' have them back then. So avoid the ones with slots for cards... unless it's alligator.. then pick it up.

Actually the alligator one in the photo had a newspaper cut out from the early 50's about my grandfather. He as the head of the Atomic Division for Westinghouse. But I"m pretty sure they're not radio-active!

 

[Vladimir Berkov]

Are those wallets fairly large, sort of like a modern checkbook?

 

[shamus]

Yes, these are for the inside pocket of your jacket. They're made so the money isn't bent. Lays flat.

 

[Zach R.]

I've always wondered about vintage wallets, so what do they look like on the inside?