Identification
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Overview
An elegant mid-century structured vanity box bag clad in deep black velvet with a gilded brass frame and clasp. The interior is lined in black satin, featuring a built-in vanity mirror on the underside of the lid and the signature gold-stamped Coblentz 'C' arch logo.
Story
Coblentz Bag Co. was a prominent New York-based manufacturer of high-end handbags from the 1930s through the 1970s, known for supplying luxury department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue. Their mid-century designs are celebrated for elegant hardware, structured silhouettes, and high-quality interior fittings like built-in mirrors and coin purses. The secondary market for mid-century Coblentz evening bags is steady but accessible, driven by vintage fashion enthusiasts and collectors of 1950s vanity accessories.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
The valuation assumes the velvet is free of major crushing or bald spots, and the gilded brass frame retains its luster without significant oxidation. The presence of the intact interior vanity mirror and clean satin lining are critical to maintaining value in the upper half of the range.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
The secondary market for mid-century Coblentz evening bags is steady but accessible, driven by vintage fashion enthusiasts and collectors of 1950s vanity accessories. Structured box bags and vanity cases generally outperform soft-sided evening bags due to their architectural appeal and display value. Black velvet is a classic, highly wearable material, ensuring consistent demand, though it rarely reaches the premium prices of exotic skins or heavily beaded examples.
▲ Structured vanity box form commands a premium over standard evening bags.
▲ Built-in vanity mirror and branded satin lining elevate the piece as a complete accessory.
▲ Classic black velvet construction ensures broad wearability and steady vintage demand.
▼ Unverified velvet condition — crushed pile or bald spots at the corners would drop the value toward the $40 floor.
▼ Unverified mirror condition — a cracked or heavily desilvered vanity mirror reduces collector appeal.
Best Venue
List on a fashion-focused vintage marketplace like Etsy or Ruby Lane, where mid-century vanity accessories perform best. Price at $95 to allow room for offers, expecting a final sale in the $60-$80 range. Ensure photographs clearly highlight the interior mirror, the gold-stamped Coblentz logo, and the condition of the velvet corners.
Upside Potential
If the bag retains its original matching coin purse or comb, or if the gilded hardware features unusual jeweled or enameled accents not typical of standard production, the value could push toward the $140 ceiling seen in premium satin examples.