Q: My mother-in-law gave me one of her old alligator purses. It’s in great shape and has a label inside that says “Rosenfeld.” Have you heard of that maker? How old is the purse?

A: Harry Rosenfeld was an American designer active from the 1930s into the ’70s. His designs were made by several different manufacturers. The bags were sold at high-end department stores and at Harry Rosenfeld Handbags, a shop on Madison Avenue in New York City. Rosenfeld designed bags in all sorts of styles using all kinds of materials. But it is likely your alligator purse dates from the 1930s, ’40s or ’50s, when alligator bags were at the peak of their popularity. The value of your bag depends not only on designer and condition, but also on style. It could sell for under $100 or over $300.

 

 

 

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