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 Location August 1942: Soure' Bag Co. August 1942 "Luggage & Leather Goods," page 38 New York Stores Usher In Fall Handbag Season  Genuine corde underarm in the popular long narrow silhouette. Has a top zipper and two swagger pockets. Collar trimming is a strip of braided corde that goes around both sides. A smart, simple style to retail for $10. One of a large group from Soure Bag Co.  August 1942 "Luggage & Leather Goods," page 54 Soure Enlarges Corde Line "A wide range of styles in corde handbags appears in the fall collection at the Soure Bag Co. Amply proportioned fashionable designs are shown in tailored and softer styles in top handle and underarm types. Bags are all made on the premises and only the finest corde thread is used. Trims of braided corde strips, lucite and metal snap locks, as well as non-priority closings are features of the line." (Handbag News August 1942 "Luggage & Leather Goods," page 54) The same issue carries this display ad on page 57.  The 1950s Bags for Spring 1956 were presented on January 3, 1956 by agreement as a member of the National Authority for the Ladies Handbag Industry. 1956NationalAuthorityMembers GALLERY After WWII, Soure' produced a myriad of embellished and collage bags, many with needlepoint details, some actually constructed on unfinished needlepoint canvases. While the proof has eluded me to date, I assume post-war European warehouses were full of luxury good materials for with there was no European market and many workers had no factories in which to work. So there was likely a lot of unfinished canvases or many workers available cheap, because these bags are plentiful to this day. This closeup shows the variety of materials used to embellish these bags. The Base material is needlepoint canvas. Glass beads are applied with glue. The flowers cut from another piece of needlepoint and glued to the center, along with gold plastic leaves and faceted plastic jewels. Condition is critical to value on these bags. Most often, they have lost a lot of their charm along with many of their trims. If stored improperly, dust will accumulate and there is no cleaning them! Other makers of bags in this manner are LlewellynInc and Caron of Houston.  This example sold for $9.99 in a 2005 auction. The entire back was plain canvas.   A00331: Unusual understated Black Jersey Handbag by Soure’. The front is embellished with stylized leaf forms in black vinyl appliqued with raised cord edging. The back of the bag is plain vinyl. The spotless black faille interior features a large elastic-edged open pocket. The bag’s only flaw is a small fused area in the gusset, near the back of the bag. Measures 12 ˝ x 3 x 8 ˝” with a 13” handle. Available for $45 at Bag Lady Emporium This fabric-under-vinyl style was a big mid-50's trend. Bags stored properly, away from UV light and heat, will be bright, unyellowed, uncracked and supple, as this one is. Note the unique color combination!  C00262: A colorful Soure' fabric under vinyl handbag in shades of blue-gray , purple, and apple green. The ample interior is fully lined in vinyl coated beige linen with a single open pocket. Spotless condition inside and out. Measures 13 1/4 x 4 x 9 1/2 inches with a 9 1/2 inch handle. Available for $80 at Bag Lady Emporium |
