This exquisite volume presents the best vintage exotic skin handbags by the most renowned designers of the past century and a half. Intended particularly for fashionable women, design students, collectors, dealers, and clothing historians, it outlines the fascinating history of alligator and crocodile handbags, the ultimate status symbol since the 19th century. Many prestigious designers are featured, like Coblentz, Evans, Gucci, Hermes, Judith Leiber, Lucille de Paris, Koret, Martin Van Schaak, Rosenfeld, Nettie Rosenstein, and Vassar. Illustrated with 522 color photographs show beautiful examples of the handbags as well as international fashion ads and journals. Learn how to distinguish alligator and crocodile from turtle, ostrich, lizard, and snake. Includes tips on finding, evaluating condition, proper care, and the wearability of these special fashion accessories. Especially useful is the chapter on how to wear vintage with a modern wardrobe. Over ten years in the making, this rare study is destined to become an important guide to the luxuries market and a useful reference for smart-dressing shoppers everywhere.