Vintage 1950s Robin Egg Blue Top Handle Handbag Italy for “The May Company”

Vintage 1950’s beautiful Robin Egg Blue Top Handle Handbag. The label inside reads; Made in Italy, Expressly for “The May Company” Cleveland. Interesting  tidbit: The first recorded use of Robin Egg Blue as a color name in English was 1873.  The handbag; Handle and frame (outer) and clasp are acrylic. The body is constructed with Robin Egg Blue plastic beads, woven coated straw material, with metal feet on the bottom. The inside of handbag is beautifully crafted, the lining was hand sewn (top stitch) to the gold tone metal frame and has a inside pocket with a metal- marked “Prentice” slide fastener (zipper)  5 1/2″ (see below)  Prentice history.  No tears, rips, or discoloration.  Condition: Excellent Vintage to Mint Condition, if the word “Expressly” on inside label had been clearer, I would of rated Pristine Condition.

Measurements of Handbag:

Height: 6″

Depth: 5″

Width: 3.5″

Length:10″

Strap drop: 4″

“Prentice” History:  In 1928, however, Prentice perfected his own design for a slide fastener and was granted a patent by the United States government. By 1930, zippers comprised 50% of Prentice’s output, which increased to 75% the following year, making it the second largest producer of slide fasteners in the world at the time. Connecticut Historical Society,

History– The May Company, was founded in Denver in 1888, first opened in Cleveland in 1899.  The May Company had a very good run of businesses. By 1950s  May Company expanded into the suburbs by 1979 it had nine branches throughout Northern Ohio. May Company downtown store ultimately closed in January 1993.

History Research Information from Cleveland Historical for “The May Company” and  Connecticut Historical Society for G.E. Prentice and presented by Da-Sebra Vintage. You are free to use any history information from my website, with proper credits to my website Da-SebraVintage.com

History Information Source: Written by Da-Sebra Vintage; History information from Da-Sebra Vintage.com where a wealth of historical context is available for your exploration. You are free to use any history information from website with proper credit to Da-Sebra Vintage.com

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