Customer Reviews

The Handbag: An Illustrated History

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This is a good quality book that 20th century handbag collectors will enjoy. It is well laid out and nicely photogrpahed, with plenty of text to accompany the pictures. However, I was hoping for more pictures of antique purses, especially 18th and 19th century examples. Having said that, there are several wonderful prints showing early reticules, which have not been seen before. The emphasis is placed on mid-late 20th century purses, which will appeal to vintage purse collectors. Celebrities are pictured with their own purses, which adds an interesting highlight. The Amazon.com price is very reasonable for this nicely produced book.

I thought this book would have a bit more. I love handbags and received this book as a gift. I tried to read it several times, but found it a bit boring. I have skimmed and looked through it now two times and I find it is almost like a whose-who...which handbags certain celebrities used. Some of the history/origin of the handbag was amusing, but it was lacking in information. Like why and what methods were used to construct the bag. Personally, I would spend my money elsewhere.

The model on the cover needs a good manicure. How can photographers, editors, and the author miss that?