Restoring & Collecting Antique Beaded Purses by Evelyn Haertig (1990, Hardcover)

This is a magnificent book for anyone collecting antique purses. Extensive history of the purse, purse manufacturing and collecting purses is fully explained. This book is used by museums throughout the world. Here are what some other reviewers have said:

Louisville Kentucky Filson Club Historical Society: "More Beautiful Purses is a godsend to those of us in the museum profession; we are saved extraordinary amounts of time in research when there is such an excellent source as this to which we can refer."

Reference and Research Book News: "A comprehensive reference for collectors, costume designers, museums, and antique dealers. The research is serious and thorough, the writing clear, and the production values - color, paper stock, design - exemplary. A formidable achievement (and investment), particularly for a small press."

Mary Gotschalk, Fashion Editor, San Jose Mercury: "A sumptuous 6.5 pound feast of informative, entertaining text accompanied by 574 color and 341 black and white photographs. The definitive book on antique handbags."

Joan, purse collector: "I enjoy the book on two levels: the clear, logical organisation and the serious research provided. An extraordinary piece of work."

Charles Whiting: Retired President, Whiting & Davis Co. Inc.: "More Beautiful Purses is the most accurate, informative and beautiful book ever written on the subject of purses. Metals are especially well done."

Emyl Jenkins, Author, A.S.A.: "It is hard to say enough about Evelyn Haertig's splendid book More Beautiful Purses. Many books stun you with gorgeous pictures. Others hold you with fascinating historical information. Few successfully combine the two. Haertig has so masterfully woven an immensely readable text with exquisite pictures in this handsome volume, that you will move it back and forth from your reference shelf to your coffee table, for it is equally at home in both places."

Matt, Contemporary Purse Designer: "Thank you for the gift of knowledge and providing me with such a wonderful resource."

Beadwrangler.com: "I just received this book for review and it is truly the most comprehensive material I have ever seen on beaded, needlework and mesh purses. The first words that come to mind are 'awesome, inspirational, extraordinary, and magnificent.' You will find page after page of exquisite photographs of beaded purses....."

Patricia Holt, Book Editor, San Francisco Chronicle: "A gorgeous oversized book with 574 color plates. Haertig provides both scholarship and toung-in-cheek commentary as she describes fashion trends in purses."

Judith Hunt, purse collector, This Old Purse on Ruby Lane: "More Beautiful Purses is considered by most serious purse collectors to be the “Bible” of purse collecting. Ms. Haertig does an outstanding job of taking us through the history of purses, the process of constructing all different types of purses, different styles of purses, purse frames, beads and so, so much more. Her book is augmented by some of the most unique and gorgeous purses ever to be seen. If anyone is a serious purse collector or even interested in this fabulous lost art, this is definitely the first book you should buy."