Description

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Fascinating, fabulous, and fun twentieth century handbags are a delight to look at, to carry, and to collect. The best make you smile because they are especially well designed, beautifully constructed, and a pleasure to own. Examine 140 special handbags that made the author pause and judge them among the most fun she has encountered over many years in the fashion world. Presented in ten chapters, they range from "Past Pleasures" to "Future Collectibles," in 177 color photographs, including details and makers' labels. Full identification, special comments that individualize their best features, and a value range appear for each handbag; all you need understand what make's them special and fun. The top names in the handbag industry appear along with unmarked bags, but they all possess distinctive features that readers can fully enjoy. A resources section can lead you to more of them. This book is entertainment as well as research, and will be coveted by fashion enthusiasts who know that the best vintage style is creativity and fun.

About the Author

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Desire Smith is a major collector and has professional experience as a lecturer and consultant of antique clothing, textiles, and accessories. She received B. A. and M. Ed. degrees from Beaver College (now Arcadia University) and studied art history, filmmaking, and photography at Temple University, Moore College of Art, and Philadelphia College of Performing Arts in Philadelphia. She has written seven other vintage fashion books for Schiffer Publishing.