perumbula
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,439 
Location: Idaho
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Post by perumbula on Oct 20, 2017 19:07:28 GMT
I bought a bag with a label that says Dooney and Bourke at a thrift store. I like that bag and will continue to use it no matter its authenticity, but it would be nice to know. (It's not often I can find real leather in my price range, tbh.) What do I look for to check?
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Post by baylorgrad on Oct 20, 2017 19:17:25 GMT
I found this list on eBay...I also always heard that if the duck has an eye/eyeball, that means it's likely authentic.
AUTHENTIC DOONEY & BOURKE BAGS 101
Here is your quick checklist on what to look for in a Dooney & Bourke bag!
If the bag has a buckle it should say 'solid brass' on it
If the bag has rivets they should say 'Dooney & Bourke'
Your bag will be made/assembled in one of 4 places
~USA (stated on red/white/blue D&B label & sales tag)
~China (black or white label)
~Italy (ALTO bags~stated on leather label)
~Assembled in Mexico (on leather label and sales tag if attached)
The bottom line of the 'D' and the center line of the 'B' connect EXACTLY
(this is for bags with D&B logo on them i.e. IT, quilts & signature)
The 'D' & 'B' will go both frontwards AND backwards on all collections showing the DB signature EXCEPT for bags from the 'Large Quilt' collection.
'Large Quilt' collection bags have the 'D' & 'B' facing frontwards ONLY and 'quilt' lines that run diagonally between each set of initials.
If the bag has feet they will be in an even number
(i.e. 4 or 6 feet. ONE EXCEPTION, some vintage bags have 5)
All bags WITH LINING will have a 'Dooney & Bourke' leather label SEWN inside
(NOT GLUED!)
All bags have quality stitching!
You will NOT find a first quality, authentic Dooney with crooked stitching or a needle hole with no thread!
If the bag has a duck, the bill will be detached from it's body
*EXCEPTION*
East/West FLAP bags will have a SOLID duck on the medallion that the leather strap goes through! (no eye, no detached bill)
Charms/'fobs' are ALWAYS connected with leather!
(Either a leather strap connects it to a handle, or a small piece of leather will connect it to the zipper! You will NOT find a 1st quality authentic Dooney with a charm connected DIRECTLY to the zipper, or connected with chain!)
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Oct 20, 2017 19:23:30 GMT
There is a Facebook page called Authenticate My Dooney & Bourke. They even have many of the older catalogs to compare your purse to.
The sewn in tags will be either red/white/blue and have the serial number on the back of the tag. Vintage D&B will have a green tag. Also, D&B does have some bags made in China, so if the secondary tag says that, it doesn't necessarily mean that it is fake.
Is your bag an all weather leather?
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perumbula
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,439
Location: Idaho
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Post by perumbula on Oct 20, 2017 20:54:18 GMT
It is all weather leather. It has a leather lining and no tag anywhere I can see beyond the brass fob and leather oval on the outside of the bag. Is the tagging different for those?
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perumbula
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,439
Location: Idaho
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Post by perumbula on Oct 20, 2017 21:01:12 GMT
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Oct 20, 2017 21:17:15 GMT
Actually, it isn't bad news! The bags in the 1980's and 90's didn't have the sewn in tags. I just went and pulled out my DB Small Hobo and checked. It is definitely authentic as it came straight from DB in the mid 90's as a replacement bag for the small duffle I wore out. Not a sewn tag to be seen. The leather of the older bags will have some heft to them compared to new bags. The stitching should be solid and even. The fobs in the early 80's were the style on your bag. Sounds like you did indeed find yourself an authentic DB bag! |
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perumbula
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,439
Location: Idaho
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Post by perumbula on Oct 20, 2017 21:19:39 GMT
very cool. I'm actually super excited it's probably not only authentic, It's vintage. It's definitely got some heft to it. It's not a lightweight bag. The only that makes me sad is that it didn't have the shoulder strap. I paid $17 for it, so not a bad buy all around.  |
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Oct 20, 2017 21:34:33 GMT
The only that makes me sad is that it didn't have the shoulder strap. I paid $17 for it, so not a bad buy all around. You can check Vintage Dooney and see if they have one. They sell replacement parts for the older DB bags. And $17 is a great buy! My thrift store always prices the vintage DB and Coach leather bags between $40 and $70. They do tend to sit for awhile, but eventually they all get bought. |
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perumbula
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,439
Location: Idaho
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Post by perumbula on Oct 20, 2017 22:26:45 GMT
thanks! You've been great.  |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Oct 20, 2017 22:31:06 GMT
I'm no help with authenticating, but I like the bag -- that's such a classic style.
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Post by paigewh on Oct 20, 2017 23:24:16 GMT
I have that exact bag! It's even green ... I can pull it down from my closet and check the inside. It's from the early 90s for sure. |
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