See You Later, Ligator. . . .

. . . . in a while, crocodile!

But you won't want to wait to see this beautiful vintage Italian purse. Elegant, yet sizable, this drawstring tote combines high fashion with utility. 

The haute handbag comes with its original dust bag, which carries the name of "Acutis Pelletterie."

Inside are two tags, one engraved "Piero Acutis Made in Italy" and the other, with an image of a crocodile, states "Ligator di Vero Coccodrillo," which translates to "ligator of crocodile skin." Ligator is a process in which genuine crocodile or alligator skin is treated, dyed, polished to a high gloss, then backed with leather. The Acutis Pelletterie was founded in 1942 in Turin (Torino). A family-run atelier, Acutis soon gained a reputation for craftsmanship and the use of fine and costly materials. However, the third generation did not want to continue in the family's leather goods business; the company was subsequently purchased by another Italian premium leather company, Trakatan, which combines the traditional craftsmanship of Acutis with modern design.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

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Unforgetable. . . .

They say an elephant never forgets. Well, this unusual and elegant elephant table is certainly memorable!

Of bronze, with a leather-covered base and a beveled glass top, this extraordinary end table is by Paul Maitland-Smith Ltd. and dates from the 1970s-80s.  Paul Maitland-Smith began his career as a London antiques dealer, specializing in rare and unusual finishings and decorative items. In 1979, he founded his eponymous company in Hong Kong, reproducing Chippendale chairs well as other 18th Century furniture and decorative accessories. His carefully curated creations, crafted by hand, often used unique or costly materials, such as brass, bronze, eggshell, lacquer, leather, mother-of-pearl, porcelain, stone, and wrought iron. Skilled artisans reproduced intricate designs in marquetry, inlay, reverse-painted glass, and gilding. In 1981, he opened a factory in the Philippines and was one of the first entrepreneurs to operate in Vietnam. Maitland-Smith valued his employees and artisans, paying them good salaries and providing on-site health centers and shower facilities at his manufacturing operations. In recognition of his contributions to interior design and the home furnishings industry, Maitland-Smith was a 2019 inductee into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame. Maitland-Smith Ltd. still is renown for its high-end handcrafted furnishings incorporating exotic or whimsical elements inspired by antique and modern design and its vintage pieces are highly sought after by collectors and designers.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

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Touchdown!

That's what you'll make if you take home this vintage leather football helmet from our trove.

Up through the 1890s, football players had no protection against concussions, other than growing out their hair to provide some padding against head-on collisions. Various sources credit either football player George Barclay or United States Naval Academy Midshipman Joseph M. Reeves with the creation of a leather helmet as a protective device. By the 1910s, the helmet had increased padding and holes in the earflaps to allow players to hear each other on the field.

A significant step in safety was the invention of a system of internal straps by University of Illinois football coach Robert Carl Zuppke in 1917. The straps absorbed and distributed the impact, plus allowed better ventilation. Rawlings, the manufacturer of this helmet, was one of the first companies to adopt what was known as the "ZH" or Zuppke helmet. 

Rawlings was founded in Saint Louis,Missouri in 1887 by brothers George and Alfred Rawlings. Although originally the company sold goods for a wide variety of sports, including baseball, tennis, and football, today they are mainly specialize in softball and baseball gear and equipment.

In 1939, the John T. Riddell Company, a Chicago sporting goods firm, introduced the first plastic helmet. Although the initial helmets could shatter on impact, Riddell quickly improved the design, The plastic helmets were lighter, waterproof, and allowed more padding and cushioning. A decade later the National Football League officially adopted plastic helmets (the delay was caused in part by the scarcity of plastics during WWII).

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

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How Ladylike!

Godey's Lady's Book, founded by Louis A. Godey, was an American monthly magazine published from 1830 to 1878. Next-to-New's treasure trove contains this handsome leather-bound volume for 1865.

Each edition included stories, poetry, music, articles, and illustrations, many from prominent writers and artists of the period. Prior to the Civil War, it was the most widely circulated magazine in the United States.

It addition to its literary offerings, the magazine included patterns and instructions for embroidery, sewing, and other handicrafts.

However, perhaps its most striking feature was that every edition included "La Belle Assemble," a beautifully detailed and hand-colored fold-out fashion plate showing elegant ladies and pretty children adorned in the last fashions.  

If you are a fashion historian or a simply lover of history, this beautiful volume deserves a prominent place in your library.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly!

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Iconic

It is not often that beauty and utility can be combined in one object, but this large and lovely  shoulder bag is as artsy as it is useful.  By the Los Angeles company Icon, this fine-quality leather purse has all-season styling, which makes it the perfect year-round accessory, from a carry-on for a summer vacation flight to attending the office holiday party.

Icon entered the fashion scene with a flourish in 1999 by introducing the first of its art-printed leather products, the Andy Warhol Campbell Soup Sneaker.  Icon incorporates classic and contemporary art works on its high-quality fine-fashion leather shoes, handbags, and accessories. Using only licensed art pieces, Icon's products are produced in limited quantities, ranging from 50 to 200 pieces per style.  So purse is both uncommon and collectible.  

This unusual and unique accessory is in excellent condition and comes with its own protective Icon storage bag.  It is truly next to new and it is on offer at Next-to-New for far less than its original retail price!  It is the perfect purchase for a fashion icon.