Whiting & Davis Gold Metal Mesh Handbag with Box

Additional Information:
Whiting and Davis was started in 1876. They made and promoted a wide range of products including wallets, cosmetic cases and other items but are most widely known for their quality metal mesh handbags and snake coil bracelets.

The brand has been extremely popular from the average housewife of the early 1920s straight though to businesswomen and today's celebrities. According to fashion reports people like Eva Longoria, Paris Hilton and Rene Zellweger have all been seen carrying Whiting and Davis bags in recent years.

This is an original vintage bag direct from a Boston estate. This purse or handbag dates to approximately the early to mid 1920s and appears unused in like new condition.

This bag along with the other two we currently have listed belonged to my Grandmother, who died in 1977, and my Aunt who is now 80 years old provided the approximate dates of purchase.

This large sized handbag or evening purse is a beauty! It is Gold in color and appears to have never been used and is still in the original Whiting and Davis box. It measures approximately 8" wide at the bottom by 5 1/2" tall, has a chain and clutch top and is fully lined. We believe the fabric is satin and there is one interior pocket. The pocket holds a small bag that contains a double sided mirror in wonderful condition. There is also a cloth label inside that reads Mesh Whiting & Davis Co Bags Trade Mark Reg Made in U.S.A.

This bag or purse is marked on the inside of each side on the metal with the Whiting & Davis Cartouche as well as Made in U.S.A. This marking was not used until 1921. This handbag appears to have never been out of the original box. The box says $10.50. Don’t you wish you could still buy one for that today? The model number is somewhat confusing in that the bottom of the box says 7500R – Gold and the lid says Fine Mesh Bags No. 7502-2. So we are not sure which is correct. Perhaps both are. The 7500 may indicate the range and 7502-2 may indicate the actual bag itself. This bag dates to the early to mid 1920s and is in like new condition.

While almost all of the Whiting and Davis jewelry is marked it is not uncommon to find their older mesh bags unmarked.

Whiting and Davis Corporation of Plainville, Massachusetts was established in 1896 when Charles Whiting and Edward P. Davis bought out the Wade Davis Company. They began production of their famous metal mesh bags and changed the name of the company. In 1907, Whiting bought out Davis's interest in the company and incorporated, keeping the company name.

Also in 1907 they added jewelry of Victorian and Art Nouveau influences. Their mesh spiral snake bracelets are highly sought after by collectors and we have one of those listed along with a total of three different mesh handbags.

The Whiting & Davis application for a trademark indicated that they made "Metal Mesh Bags, comprised wholly or in part of metal that is not precious, in all sizes and forms, both soldered and woven mesh." They give the date of July 29, 1921 as the first use of their logo. Prior to that time no logo was used.

This is the perfect opportunity to add a beautiful prized handbag to your collection. Enjoy it by using it, just looking at it or give it as a gift.

Item # 310

Whiting & Davis Gold Metal Mesh Handbag with Box

Price:               $134.95

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