Are you familiar with Caro-Nan bags? These handpainted basket bags were made in the 1960s and 70s and sold in dress shops throughout the South (and maybe beyond?). My mother had a few Caro-Nans in the mid-70s and I had totally forgotten about them until I stumbled upon one on eBay. It brought back so many memories - they way things from your childhood can when you see or hear them for the first time in several decades. But, the bags aren't just nostalgic - they are also cute and practical. You can guess where this is headed - I found myself bidding on one, then another one, on eBay.
The Caro-Nan signature bag has buildings painted around the bottom - these are labeled with the names of real places in the towns where they were sold. My large bag was sold at a shop called 'Lady Jane' in Savannah, hence the Savannah landmarks: The Herb House, Colonial Dames House, Independence Presbyterian Church, etc.). It also features one of the cornerstones of 1970s crafting - decoupage. (Remember Mod Podge?) Many of the Caro-Nan bags also had a penny, from the current year, decoupaged on the top. I'm keeping an eye on eBay for one that has a penny from my birth year.
The bags have gingham linings and are very sturdy and roomy and are signed on the inside lid. There are bags featuring lots of different cities and towns, plus many other charming motifs (turtles, golf, tennis, flowers) - I'm sure there's one that's perfect for you! (And, in these lean times, these bags can be a great deal - much cheaper now than when they were new! Watch eBay for a few weeks and you'll see several in great shape for less than $30 - if you're not worried about the condition you may find one for under $10.)
I've used the 'Savannah' bag the whole summer and am using the 'Turtle' bag to store stationery in my office. I'd love to find out more about Caro-Nan, but there is very little information online. Was she a mom who painted purses as a sideline? Did she visit all the cities represented on her bags, maybe for signings? Did she start out to paint a bag for herself and end up with a successful business? We may never know, but we can enjoy her work.If you're hooked on other vintage bags, I'd love to hear about them!
I love your bags! I know what you mean about that nostalgic thing. I bought a vintage wicker bag a few years back that still had the tags on it. I do believe it is my favorite purse and I only paid $5!
ReplyDeleteAmy - how exciting to find a vintage bag that was brand new (not the mention the great price)! Thanks for stopping by. Leah
ReplyDeleteI have one from Albrecht's in St. Paul, Minnesota.
ReplyDeleteJust got a 1964 Caro Nan purse featuring Cincinnati locales. I was sooo excited to see it at a local consignment shop and had to have it. My Mom and all her friends carried these purses....good memories.
ReplyDeleteI own 4 caro-nan purses. I'm from Oklahoma and found them all in the same town, but they are from various locations. I too have been trying to find out more, but haven gotten very far yet.
ReplyDeleteI remember my Mom saving up to purchase her Caro Nan purse. She actually had the purse in lay-a-way in a little dress shop in Nocona Texas, where we were living at the time. I was always fascinated with her purse and the little penny stuck on top (which I tried to pry off but couldn't).
ReplyDeleteI just googled about these purses and found your blog! I was intrigued because I found one in great condition at a thrift store today for less that $5 and didn't get it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for starting this, I'm hooked too! I remember admiring a display in Andrade - an upscale dress stop in Honolulu. Now I own two and am still looking for a Hawaiian theme in any size.
ReplyDeleteWHO IS CARO NAN?! I'd love to know more about this artist. Aloha, Dawn
I now have two of these bags - One of them has been carried every spring and summer since I bought it (and two others for gifts) in 1973. It seems that everywhere I go someone starts talking to me about it - everyone loves it! I have been told that these purses were done by 2 ladies (Carolyn and Nancy) and were customized for the locations where they were sold. I have also been told that the 2 ladies were living here in Houston, Tx, but have not been able to confirm that fact. I absolutely love my purse and recently bought another one in a garage sale but haven't switched over to it yet.
ReplyDeleteMy good friend, Anne Steele Riley, glued the lucky penny on each bag. Her mom, Nancy Steele, and friend Carolyn McDaniel of Jackson, Mississippi, started the Caro-Nan purse business in their garage as a hobby in the mid 60's.
ReplyDeleteCaro-Nan was based out of Jackson, Mississippi.
ReplyDeleteCaro= Carolyn McDaniel
Nan= Nancy Steele
The two owned and operated the store in the 60s and manufactured, distributed, and sold their purses with the help of local housewives needing to make some money at the time,were hard working, and who possessed a creative mind set in MS at the time. Nancy’s daughter Anne Steele Riley had the honor of placing the lucky penny on certain bags during the mid 60s, adding a unique touch to the bag before they were hand signed Caro-Nan on the inside and later occasionally on the outside as well. They became very unique and popular must have items and began to circulate to specific shops around the State and then around the Nation.
The two currently still reside in Jackson but have not made purses for some time now. These are truly very unique and timeless pieces. I grew up seeing them around Nancy’s house for ever and always knew that they were quite unique. - RR
I heard that the penny on top is the year the purse was made. Does anyone know if this is true? I have one with a 1957 penny.
ReplyDeleteI found a Nan-Caro at a local consignment shop that was made for Fedway in Longview, Texas. It features local businesses, many of which like the Fedway Department Store, no longer are in existance. It's like a scrapbook of my town.
ReplyDeleteI love the story behind these bags. I've begun collecting them. I'd love to find one from Charleston WV. I'm also looking for a round one. I've been seeing them for sale on Ebay and Etsy.
ReplyDeleteI love Caro Nan- I used my little bags for years while I was a waitress at a 50's theme restaurant. They have been in storage, never thought about actually using them for practical reasons.. very cute. I have one from Scottsdale, AZ that is darling. I will have to check the penny. So happy to find out some information. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI HAVE A Carp-Mam purse with Owls painted on it. Excelent condition. Will sell for $50.00 you pay shipping. bmw10@blomand.net
ReplyDeleteThe purse above is a Caro-Nan with owls. not Caro-Mam. contact bmw10@blomand.net
ReplyDeleteI found a Carolina Nan Dallas themed with a 1959 penny. Any chance that is was made that year?
ReplyDeleteMy mom used her San Antonio, TX Caro-Nan purse for many years in the 70's. She finally decided to let it go a couple of weeks ago after having it in a box in the garage. I was going to take it to Salvation Army but after researching the purse I am going to hold on to it as well as the memories of my mom using it when I was a child. It's in good shape so I will find a clever idea to use it in my home. Thanks for all the information!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed reading about the origin of these purses. I just unearthed mine from 1964 while clearing out a closet. The shops depict the village of Hinsdale, IL where I grew up. Anyone else from Hinsdale still have theirs?
ReplyDeleteI have 3 Caro-Nan purses that were custom made for a woman from Lasalle-Peru IL and her daughter (Joan Flemming) 2 were the mothers, and one the daughter's (Joan) I found them at the Salvation army store for 95 cents each! They are personalized with home address hobbies, husband's business name, friends, children.. 2 are tall ones and one is a shorter. The shorter one is very unique- monogramed on the lid, but matchbook covers from hotels and restaurants around the world! I am using one - was thinking about putting on ebay- but having found the history of the owners really don't want to separate the 3 and have thought about the historical society since they cam from LaSalle-Peru IL residents?
ReplyDeleteWhat I was wondering was where did Carolyn and Nancy buy the baskets from originally?
Does anyone know?? Karin
I do not think the purse I have is a Caro-Nan original. The paintings of the buildings from Monore, La. are different than those I saw on the Caro-Nan purse from Ebay. My Mother-in-law was from the Monroe, La. area and she had several of these purses. I think she had someone local in Bunkie, La. where she lived paint the purse. Her Mother-in-law also had several. In cleaning out her home, I found a blank one in the closet after she passed away and would really like to do something with it. But am stumped on how to proceed.
ReplyDeleteI understand the feeling of nostalgia. When I use the purse, I feel really close to her. I feel she would approve. Kimberly