Victoria Stowe Collection

This beautifully illustrated and thoroughly researched fashion encyclopedia outlines the 100-year history of prestigious exotic skin handbags, and their place in fashion as ultimate status symbols recognized since the 19th century.

It features the exquisite, meticulously edited and curated collection of luxury handbags handcrafted by renowned mid-century American and international designer brands.

They include Cartier, Chanel, Christian Dior, Coblentz, Deitsch, Dofan, Evans, Gucci, Hermes, Judith Leiber, Koret, Lederer de Paris, Lesco, Louis Vuitton, Lucille de Paris, Mark Cross, Martin Van Schaak,  Jacomo, Palizzio, Andrea Pfister, Nettie Rosenstein, Rendl, Rosenfeld (Harry Rosenfeld), Roberta Di Camerino, Bellestone, Manon, Tiffany, Finesse, Prestige, Sterling U.S.A., Vassar, etc. 

The research was conducted with archived issues of the New York Times, period Vogue and Harper's Bazaar magazines, the Montgomery Ward and Sears Merchandise catalogs, among other reputable titles and pre-Internet sources on fashion collectibles.

The timeline is illustrated by hundreds of ads from period fashion magazines, as well as the author's original photography and graphic illustrations of her fabulous handbag collection. 

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service requirements with regards to the Endangered Species Act and CITES are also presented and discussed in detail.

In addition, it provides helpful, hands-on tips on how to find a fine collectible handbag, determine its age, evaluate its condition and value, care for it, and wear with style with your modern outfits - to create your unique, personal look!