The beautiful diversity of high quality vintage purses is presented here through a friendly and informative text and hundreds of clear color photographs. Chosen from among the leading private, dealer and museum collections, these primarily nineteenth and twentieth century purses are among the finest glass and metal beaded, metal mesh, tapestry, embroidered, plastic, and home-crafted examples known. Also, purse frames, specialty vanity, dance, childrens" and curious styles are featured. Catalogs, advertising, trade cards and original drawings along with histories of the leading manufacturers such as Bliss, Napier, Whiting & Davis and Mandalian are included to anchor the purses in their period histories. The enormous amount of hand work accomplished at these companies and the excellent materials used in their construction are seen as reasons for the purses" continuing beauty decades later. This book will delight all fashion enthusiasts as it reflects all the art styles of the decades...