All the best to you on National Handbag Day!
October 10, 2017
Celebrating the national holiday this year after an outing at Antique stores in the beautiful town of Snohomish and found old time glamorous purses by Whiting and Davis. This is the oldest handbag company in the US. It's remained so artistic throughout the decades and is still creating beautiful purses and jewelry, scarves, clothing, wallets, belts, and much more in Massachusetts.
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| In 1892 Mr. Whiting designed the first mesh bag. Mr. Whiting began in the company as an errand boy in 1876. He worked his way into manhagement and eventually became a partner in 1886. By 1907 he was sole owner. The company started as a true cottage industry, hiring women to hand make the bags in their homes by linking together the tiny metal rings that made up the mesh. By 1912 demand was so high they were pushed to develop an automated mesh making machine. |
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| The mesh bags are all made of metal and they have such a luxurious feel. They're so light to carry. Here you see a bag circa 1920, when a wormn didn't need to carry much in her handbag. These Flapper style purses sparkled and delighted on an evening out. |
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| Here's a close up of the Art Deco clasp and frame. You can also see here the detail of the sewn mesh links. So sorry to see that the colors have faded with time, but you still see the suggestion of its original beauty. Inside the lining is a yellow, satin lining that is so sleek to the touch. Included is a petite interior pocket as well. |
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| Speaking of sparkles, this is a real treasure. In the early days of production, most Whiting & Davis bags were made of sterling silver. This is a real silver tin mesh purse. As more bags were made by machine, they were able to experiment with other, cheaper metals. |
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| This large, round, chain mail style, beautifully shaped pouch bag has an unbelievably smooth and soft feel to it and is incredibly light to carry. You hardly know you're holding anything in your hand or on your wrist with the double chain. |
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| It was celebrity endorsements beginning in the 1920's that kept Whiting and Davis such coveted bags. |
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| Here you can see how flexible the gold chain link is, actually puddling on the table, and turned inside out you can see the matching gold, silk lining. |
Thank you Whiting and Davis!
And whatever you're carrying, Enjoy your National Handbag Day
