Antique BOSCA BUILT, tooled leather purse, Art Nouveau order design, whip stitched, leather straps, two compartments, ca 1912, HAERTIG collection

This antique hand tooled leather purse was made by the Bosca Built Company in the early 1900s. This company is still in business in Ohio. You can go to their website and watch a Youtube video about the founding of the company.

Quote from their website: "The Bosca story is the Italian-American immigrant story. Hugo Bosca traveled from Italy to The United States at the turn of the 20th century to pursue the American dream. Using his Italian artisan skills in 1911 he founded and built a company."

This is one of those early Bosca Built leather purses tooled in the style of the Art Nouveau period. Art Nouveau was an art and design movement that grew out of the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th Century. Art Nouveau highlighted curvaceous lines, often inspired by plants and flowers, as well as geometric patterns.

Evelyn Haertig wrote in her book "More Beautiful Purses" page 95:
"It is doubtful that any purse ever made could tolerate as much punishment and remain as enduring a favorite as the tooled leathers which first made their appearance in America at the turn of this century."

Evelyn has an extensive chapter in her book on the history of leather purses and mentions the Bosca Built company.

This Bosca Built purse is hand tooled leather with leather whip stitching on the edges, fold over snap closure, whipped stitched leather straps and two compartments on the inside for a lady's mirror, comb and other small items. The center section has a metal frame with a push back clasp. There are 3 pockets on the inside. It is lined with soft tan suede and stamped with the company logo. 7" wide x 6.25" tall straps 7" above the purse.

Condition: good vintage condition with typical wear for a purse over a 100 years old.
Needs cleaning and some small repairs to the whip stitching on one edge and one strap.

An excellent addition to any well rounded antique purse collection.

FREE Priority shipping to USA only.

NOTE **** When you purchase more than one item from this shop I can combine all the items into one package and refund you any overage shipping charges. Books excepted as they go Media Mail. ****

************************************
Evelyn Haertig, with her photographer husband Milt, wrote 3 books on antique purses and hair combs. The books are available in this Etsy shop and sold by their daughter.

This shop has many more vintage and antique purse frames, purses and other interesting and fine items from the Evelyn Haertig collection.

PLEASE LOOK AT THIS SHOP.

VISIT www.EvelynsPurses.com
to learn about Evelyn and Milt Haertig order and read about their books on purses.
**************************************

195H - 499ow