I have a purse and I don't know much about it and I want to learn more.

Where do I begin?

WHY is mine?

What do I want to know about it?

Where can I go for information?

MY CASE STUDY

I am a purse collector and I am already familiar with many styles and eras, but there is always something new and interesting out there. I love finding it and exploring. I happen to love history too. 

The Purse example does not have any counterparts that I'm familiar with. that makes identification much more difficult.

It is visually interesting and looks both new and old at the same time. It is missing most of its lining, which makes identification harder.

1. WHAT  do you see? That includes the purse body, the materials, the colors, the condition, the frame, handle and interior including pockets and accessories.

2. WHAT do I know, and what do I think I know? What do I want to know?

3. WHO is it from? A relative, friend, or seller?

4. WHERE can I go for information? 

5. WHEN was it created?  

6. WHY was it made, sold , given

TAKE PHOTOS 

In my case, I took interior exterior, close-ups

EXAMINE THE MATERIALS

I suspected the material was not silk, but rayon and because of the condition I was able to use threads from the interior lining and a piece of silk thread froma spool I had and I did a burn test 

ASSESS THE CONDITION

The condition assessment is important because it will give you clues to how it was stored and how it aged. In this case, the inside lining was gone. Collectors are familiar with frayed linings because of the dyes used in the early part of the 20th century  on materials like silk and rayon were not  stable and are prone to shredding

Sometimesthe condition also says: 'somebody really love this purse' !!!💕

ASK SOMEONE KNOWLEDGABLE 

The Antique Purse Collectors Society has a Facebook page where people post a picture and ask a question?

LOOK FOR COMPARISONS 

research using museum websites, auction sites, books, articles

INTERNET / GOOGLE / AI