Purse Masterpieces (Identification and Value Guide) by Lynell Schwartz                                                                                                                               ISBN 1-57432-363-6, Hardbound, 270 pgs, $29.95US, Collector Books, PO Box 3009, Paducah, KY 42002-3009, 1-800-625-5420(US), 270-898-6211(International) www.collectorbooks.com

Each time a new collectible bag book is authored and published, I add one to my bag book collection and am never disappointed.  Each bag book has valuable information and bag photos the other books did not; many of which are important to my beadwork studies.

“Purse Masterpieces” is the perfect description for Lynell’s newly authored book.  You will find page after page of magnificent bags in full color, fascinating facts about how bags were made, who the manufacturers were, tidbits about the era of these vintage bags, plus photos and drawings of the women who wore these bags. The old photos of women and girls wearing purses and bags exude a mood of that time period.  The historical information includes mesh, petit point, cross-stitch, knitted, crocheted, fabric, needlework, vanity bags plus many others.

You will find this book an easy, enjoyable read; taking you through a journey of history with bags.  Lynell is a master at telling the story and adding just the right amount of photos and illustrations.  I did not want to stop reading once I got started.

Each bag photo includes the price and identification.  There is information about how to recognize purses that are more rare and those considered artwork.

There are scenic bags made of cut steel beads that are as detailed as scenic seed bead bags.  The petit point scenic purses are wondrous tapestries .  The silk embroidered wallets/purses are beautiful; I have not seen many of these items in other books.

You will find an assortment of unique purse frames.  I especially like the frames that are compact style on the top of the bags.  The Bakelite crouching wolf handle and the domed Japanese umbrella frame top are two of my favorites.  The rare and unique bags include umbrella purses with gate-top frames; a netted bag with chenille thread, silver gilt and a blue silk octagonal base; and a tulip shaped purse of ombre silk that looks like it changes colors and has brass ribs and base.

There is a chapter about purse making with a great photo of a woman knitting and wearing a beaded bag from a past time; a partially knitted swag bag and even includes 1920’s instructions to make that bag and one other.  If you do not make bags, this information will give you a better comprehension of how a variety of beaded bags were made.

You will have more insight to what bags children liked, including little felt doll shaped bags and celluloid coin purses.  The photos of children and the bags are endearing.

What blew me away was the reticule bag knitted of pineapple fiber on page 40.  This is an amazing bag.  The base is worked in a basketry coiling method and then the bag is knitted.  I have never seen a bag like this before.

There is a superb section on mesh purses.  There are several examples I have never seen before.  There is a mesh bag that is cylindrical in shape, having intricate mesh panels, a celluloid bell pull and a mesh tassel at the bottom.  Mesh bag lovers will relish these pages.