My birthday bag

It was my birthday last week and I received the loveliest handbag! It is a wicker box bag by a company called Midas of Miami. They made fabulous bags which epitomise the 1950s style with gorgeous adornments.

This one has tiny white seed beads all over the front and lid, tightly packed together to give an amazing texture. It has silk flowers embroidered onto the beads in pretty pinks, green and coral which give the bag it’s delicate feel.

It has 2 handles which are covered in cream and gold that fold down either side of the bag. This is Midas’s trade mark handle. Inside is lined with a peach silk with compartments for your lipstick and mirror.

You sure were an elegant lady to have had one of these! Imagine her teaming the bag with a floral cotton day dress with nipped in waist and full skirt, flat pumps and sun hat, walking along the Miami promenade.

Here is a selection of my other 1950s American handbags including another great Midas one.

Dorset Rex lucite and metal woven box bag with matching compact.

Unmarked huge kitsch vinyl shopper with buttons and bows.

Atlas Princess Charming wicker bag with 3D kitty.

Atlas window pane bag with poodles and lucite handles.

Another Atlas one with butterflies.

Unmarked orange straw and vinyl shopper

Metal and embroidered Tyrolean, Inc

Classic 50s poodles by Midas of Miami. A similar one is shown in Judith Miller’s book “Handbags” on page 301. And when you have these lovelies you need a 50s drinks cabinet to display them (and keep the kids fingers off them!)

I wish it was my birthday every day!

(why not join our group on Vintage Network Worldwide called “I can’t live without my vintage handbags” to meet other handbags lovers and share photos)