Vintage Dresden Mesh Purse -Enamel Frame & Autumn Color

Whiting & Davis

A premier example of style and ingenuity

I usually deal primarily in sterling antiques... now it seems, I have ventured into Vintage sales. We lucked into a cache of over 180 Whiting & Davis purses... the conditions ranging from brand new (obviously purchased as a gift in the 20s or 30s but never used) to gently used. Some of the designs have not seen the light of day for over 75 years. No two are alike and every one of them is just plain beautiful. I will be offering them gradually... both in a no reserve auction, and here, in my Ebay store - Sterling_Remembered.

Offered at auction is a lovely example of the decorative styling of the 20s & 30s.

Whiting & Davis bought the patent for the metal mesh process back in the early 1900s and took the world of haute couture by storm. No lady worth her salt would be without her Whiting & Davis handbag

So many of the W&D purses generally available today are rather drab and worn looking from age. This handbag, while lightly used, is still distinctive with a mottled array of autumn colors... brown, orange, red, green and blue... with a nicely enameled frame in deep brown and summer tan.

The silver tone enamel frame and heavy link handle show mild wear. The hinges move freely and the clasp closes securely. The Dresden mesh body of the purse is securely fastened to the frame in neat little gathers.

Usually, I sew in a new lining when the old one has deteriorated beyond all hope of repairs, but I have heard from collectors that they much prefer to purchase the purse as is... with no repairs or alterations.

This is only my opinion, but the lining serves to give body to the purse as well as fortify the structure. Very few vintage purses exist with their original lining intact and undamaged... deterioration is just the nature of time. And, as tempting as it may be, it is sheer foolishness to use an antique Whiting & Davis purse without a lining. So just in case, I am including a custom cut and sewn lining of a nice silky black fabric for you to sew in to further protect this purse. If you wish for me to sew it in for you, please let me know at the time of purchase and allow me an extra day or so to get it sewn in.

I found no significant wear on the mesh body. The bottom seam is still tight and unusually formed zigzag skirt does not look like it was ever seriously snagged or compromised.

The purse is of a medium.  When laid flat, it measures 6 1/2 inches from the purse top to the bottom... the  frame is 3 3/4 inches wide at the hinges and the bottom flares out to 5 1/2 inches. The heavy link  handle is 12 inches therefore giving a total drop of 12 1/4 inches from handle top to the very bottom of this unique purse.

 Please view the pictures carefully. I generally take my photographs outside in sunlight to accurately depict the colors and conditions of the items I am offering. So, if you see any discolorations or other anomalies that would indicate damage, it is either the sun, the clouds, the trees, or me.

When it is safely possible, I try to combine shipments to save on postage and packaging requirements. There are some instances where that may not be possible, so if you have won more than one auction, please wait until you receive an invoice from me. 

Also, per new EBay rules, the shipping insurance is included in the shipping costs.

I have had requests to ship in a padded envelope instead of a box...while this may save some in shipping costs, it is a risky endeavor with delicate items, so please don't ask. I usually ship Priority Mail flat-rate (mainly because they supply the boxes which can get obscenely expensive)

As always, shipping amounts are estimates only and I always refund any overages that may occur. If you cannot understand the reasoning for my shipping method, and will later complain that my shipping costs are too high, please buy from someone else... there's plenty of sellers that just don't care. I take great pride in the condition of the items that I am trying to protect, and I am determined to get them to you, the buyer, in the same exceptional condition.

I try to fully and faithfully disclose any irregularities I find but I am far from perfect and some things may escape my detection. When damage (no matter how minute) I try to make sure that it is clearly depicted in the photos.

I believe that I have described the above auction offering accurately and in detail. Please consult the photographs or Email me with any questions.

My word is my bond. If you are unhappy with your purchase, please contact me within 3 business days to arrange return and a refund of your purchase price. Shipping charges are not refundable.

The items that I am currently listing are not my property and as such, I am unable to make a 'deal' or entertain a 'Best Offer' scenario. They belong to a friend who is in the precious metals business. He has a warehouse that is stockpiled with vintage and antique items that he has purchased over the last 28 years of business, including more than 100 different silver flatware sets. With the soaring price of silver, he had decided to send them all to the smelter to be melted down.

Instead, I convinced him to let me try to offer them on Ebay so that they would not be destroyed. I know that there are silver lovers out there that wish to harken back to the days of genteel dining and gracious living. Besides, I have come to genuinely appreciate anything that is older than me and still survives.

Due to recent complications with International bidders and shipping policies, I will only ship via Express Mail International with full insurance. I WILL NOT alter the final bid price on the required customs forms.