Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another vintage find. Today, I’m diving deep into my latest obsession: the Vintage Coach 9946 bag. Yeah, you heard that right, a classic piece of history that I managed to get my hands on. Let me tell you, the journey to find it was quite the adventure.
So, it all started when I stumbled upon an old forum post about vintage Coach bags. I’ve always been a fan of the brand’s quality, but I never really considered going vintage until then. The folks on the forum were raving about this particular model, the 9946, calling it a “timeless classic” and whatnot. My curiosity was piqued, to say the least.
The hunt began! I spent days scouring the internet, browsing through every online marketplace you could think of. I even went to the local thrift stores and vintage shops. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack, but I was determined. I’m not one to give up easily, you know? It was a ton of work, and I probably looked at hundreds of bags. Many of them were in rough shape, and some were obvious fakes, and the prices, don’t even get me started, they were all over the place, making it hard to know what was even reasonable.
Finally, after weeks of searching, I found it. There it was, a Vintage Coach 9946 in pretty decent condition. The leather was a bit worn, but hey, that’s part of its charm, right? It had that “MADE IN NEW YORK CITY, U.S.A.” stamp under the creed, which, from what I’ve read, means it’s the real deal, an authentic vintage piece. And guess what? No serial number! Apparently, that’s another sign of its age. I immediately reached out to the seller and struck a deal. It was not cheap, but it felt worth every penny. Especially considering Coach bags are known for holding their value over time, so I figured it was a good investment. Plus, I learned that those bags were made in the USA decades ago, and later, some of the 90s vintage bags were made in places like Hungary, Turkey, and Costa Rica. It’s crazy how much history is packed into these little things.
When the bag arrived, I was like a kid on Christmas morning. I carefully inspected every inch of it, admiring the craftsmanship. The leather felt so soft and supple, even after all these years. It’s amazing how well it has held up. They really don’t make them like this anymore, I’m tellin’ ya. The simple, classic design is just so elegant, it’s no wonder these bags are still popular after five decades! They’re simple, elegant, and they just scream quality.
Getting it Ready to Rock
- First thing’s first, I gave it a good cleaning. I used a gentle leather cleaner and conditioner to bring back some of its original luster. It was a bit of a process, but totally worth it.
- Then, I took it to a local leather repair shop to get the stitching touched up in a few places. I wanted to make sure it was in tip-top shape before I started using it.
- Next up was the hardware. The brass was a bit tarnished, so I polished it up with some brass cleaner. Now it’s shining like new!
Now, this Vintage Coach 9946 is my go-to bag. I carry it everywhere, and it always gets compliments. It’s not just a bag, it’s a conversation starter. People are always asking me about it, and I love sharing its story. It’s like I’m carrying a piece of fashion history with me.
So, there you have it, my journey with the Vintage Coach 9946. It’s been a wild ride, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. If you’re thinking about getting into vintage bags, I highly recommend it. It’s a fun and rewarding experience, and you might just find your own little piece of history.