Vintage Coach Satchel (Made in NYC!) and Vintage Coach Briefcase (Made in the USA!)

[tweedydon]

Vintage Coach Satchel.



Made in Coach's original factory in New York City!​

Founded in 1941 as Manhattan Leather Bags, Coach was originally started to produce handbags that had the suppleness and longevity of a baseball glove. While its high-quality products were very much in demand, the company really took off after 1962 when it hired the American sportswear fashion designer Bonnie Cashin, who specialized in highly functional, minimalist designs.... in eye-popping hues such as lime green, pink, and scarlet for its women's lines.

In 1979 Lew Frankfort joined the company, and in just a few short years transformed it from a company centered on New York to one with an international reputation. Naturally, this expansion meant that Coach had to open several more factories--first in the United States, and then off-shore.

Not surprisingly, Coach's US-made products are considerably more desirable--both because they are more true to the company's American origins and original ethos, and because it is believed that they are made in better working conditions (almost certainly correct) and are of higher quality (quite possibly true). And of the USA-made products those made in Coach's original factory in New York City are the most desirable of all!

I'm thus very pleased to offer this beautiful Coach satchel--made in the original Coach factory in New York City, and identified as such on the interior label.

While dating early Coach products is more of an art than a science (the serial numbers on bags produced prior to 1994 were unique to each bag, and cannot be readily deciphered as Coach didn't use any standard numbering system then) a lot of information can be gleaned from the interior label.

The earliest Coach bags (i.e., prior to the mid 1970s) lacked the Coach "creed", and featured only the Coach logo. The Coach creed started to be placed on the bags in the mid-1970s, while the New York City stamp was phased out in the early 1980s, being replaced with the more generic "Made in the United States". Since this satchel features both the creed and is identified as being "Made in New York City" it dates from c.1976 to c.1984, and was made in Coach's original New York factory.

This bag is thus between 35 and 40 years old... But you'd never guess this from its condition and classic timeless design! (Indeed, the condition of this bag is a testament to the incredible quality and craftsmanship of Coach's early New York products; you'd never guess how old this bag was just by looking at it!) Made from chestnut brown chrome-tanned cowhide this is a classic satchel with a large zippered main compartment with a side pocket on either side. It has a full-length interior open pocket in the main compartment; this is divided in two for ease of storage or smaller items. The handles are attached to vertical reinforcement straps on each side of the bag; these are firmly double-stitched to the sides of the bag for additional support while it is being carried. The edges of the bag feature wrapped leather seams for strength and durability.

The main zipper is a heavy-gauge Talor brass zipped with an oversized ringpull for each of use; this moves beautifully smoothly with barely a hint of lag. The rest of the hardwear is also heavy-duty brass.

It still has its original oversized leather tag--a design feature that allowed customers to feel the quality of the leather without having to caress the bag in the store! There is no separation at all between the two halves of the hangtag, which shows just how well made this bag is.

This bag does show the usual patina of scuffs and wear a bag of its age--if anything, this is lesser than would be expected, with no major marks at all! Given this, it is in Very Good condition--and would look absolutely beautiful with reconditioning.

This will easily give you another three or four decades of use, and so is a bargain at just $115, OR OFFER, boxed, shipped, and insured in the USA!

Measurements:

Height: 10 3/4"
Length: 17
Width: 2 3/4 (although this is designed to expand)

 

[tweedydon]

VINTAGE COACH BRIEFCASE!



Made in the USA​

This is an absolutely beautiful, classic Coach briefcase that was Made in the USA (as Coach should be, given its heritage!)

True to Coach's origins as a company founded to produce handbags that were similar to baseball gloves this briefcase is cut from wonderfully supple and durable glove-tanned cowhide. Constructed as a flapover briefcase this features a wide, deep, main compartment which includes a small interior pocket on which the Coach logo and creed and printed. A narrower, shallower compartment is attached to the front of the briefcase, allowing for ready organization of materials; both this and the main compartment are covered by the flap when the briefcase is closed. The briefcase has a full-length compartment on the back.

The flap is secured by a heavy-duty brass latch; the other hardware is also brass.

The briefcase has both a carrying handle, and an adjustable carrying strap; it also comes complete with its original Coach hangtag, that was intended to allow customers to assess the quality of the leather without having to handle the bag.

This bag has the usual patina you'd associate with a vintage bag--but this just adds to its appeal! (Please note that it has two very small white marks on the underside of the main flap, as shown; these have possibly been there since the Reagan administration!) It is thus in Very Good condition, and is a bargain at just $125, or offer, boxed, shipped, and insured in the USA... and will give you decades of service!

Measurements:

Height: 10 3/4"
Length: 15 1/4"
Width: 2 3/4" (designed to expand)

 

[Whittsend]

If it's still available I'll claim the briefcase in post two.

 

[tweedydon]

If it's still available I'll claim the briefcase in post two.

PM sent!

 

[tweedydon]

The briefcase is SOLD