Woven Material Backpack – Is it authentic Dooney & Bourke?

Hello Paula,

I just viewed your site and would like to get your opinion on a Dooney Backpack I purchased on eBay several years ago. It is a beautiful bag, but the material it is made from is very different. It is a cream colored bag with light brown trim. The appearance of the material looks like a type of weave. Everything on the bag appears authentic and has the red white and blue tag sewn in with number a210947. I have never used it and is  still like new, the only defect is that the tag is snipped. The bottom of  the bag is solid with small metal posts in which to set it down. It also has  a handle that has the appearance of bamboo. I would like to sell it and need to get an idea of what it is worth. Thank you for you time!

Tambra

Hi Tambra,

Since this is not an All Weather Leather bag and it is not a vintage bag, I am not personally familiar with it.

But I do see it in my Spring 2000 catalog which means it came out around that time period. I don’t know exactly when it was released or for how long it was offered but I do see it on page 14-15 of that catalog.  So it is at least 13 years old.

It is part of the Panama Collection which is highlighted in that catalog so likely was a new offering. . The exterior is a linen weave that has been treated.

Yours is Backpack I 912 – that is a capital I in front of the 912 not a one.

Yes, that is a bamboo handle.

The retail price in 2000 was $335.

However, because yours has a snipped tag, it was likely sold as a second, defective, and without a registration card, possibly at an outlet store.

Hope this helps.

Paula

Can You Help me Identify this backpack?

Hello Paula,

So I have this leather Dooney and Bourke backpack, and I’d like to know its worth. I’ve tried searching online both, the number on the metal clasp, and the number on the back of the tag, but I can’t seem to find any information about this bag. Could you please help?

Thank you

– Aryel

Aryel,

This is a little out of my realm since we deal in vintage All Weather Leather bags. But I looked it up in my catalogs and here is the scoop.

I see it in my 1999 catalog

It is from the Cabrio Leather Collection

Backsling 614

11 3/4 x 9 1/4 x 4 /2

One outside pocket

One inside pocket

Sold new for $295 in 1999.

You show the back of the tag but not the front. Does it say Made in USA?

As far as its worth, I can’t tell from photos – that will depend on condition.

Damage, soil, stains, odors………..

Paula

Palomino and British Tan Sherpa Backpack – Dooney & Bourke All Weather Leather

The Sherpa Backpack is HUGE. Because you can really load it up, it comes with padded, two-tone shoulder straps for carrying comfort  – and they are adjustable so you can position the load where you want it.

The Large Drawstring Sherpa Backpack has the number 13 and when the bag has British Tan trim, the designation is R in front of the number.

So this rare Palomino Sherpa Backpack is R13.

Palomino Sherpa Backpack

Palomino Sherpa Backpack

Vintage Dooney & Bourke All Weather Leather Made in USA bags – miscellaneous Q&A

Hi Paula.

I really like this bag.  It is the AWL drawstring sling in  Navy.   It is listed as small.  Does it come in any other  sizes?

Vintage Navy All Weather Leather Dooney & Bourke Drawstring Bag P64

If you look on on the Drawstring Handbag Page

you will see Small and Large bags, so yes, this does come in Large.

Dooney & Bourke often uses the word Small just to differentiate between various models of the same bag – the small bags are often quite roomy. Use the dimensions to tell you if the bag seems small or large to you !

And, when do you replenish inventory?

We replenish inventory weekly This week we will be adding backpacks. New bags show up on our “new items” page
so you can look at that every so often to see what we have just listed.

My main question is about the price. I see some bags listed for $275 when it states that it  retailed for $265 in 1996.  Why would a used bag cost more than a new  one?

The prices includes shipping to the US. These are vintage collectible bags because they are the ones made in the USA. Dooney & Bourke bags are no longer made in the USA. The vintage All Weather Leather bags that we carry were made in the USA.

What about the rating system?

Bag Condition Score Guidelines
10	Like New	Just like new. Shows virtually no signs of use. All bags are pre-owned but the bags in this category do not appear to have been used.
9.5	Almost New	May have faint signs of use (will be noted specifically in description) but is almost new. There might be a scratch or light wear on the brass or a tiny scuff or stain on the leather. Read the details and look at the photos.
9	Excellent	No major problems. Everything is structurally in very fine shape and the bag has been very well cared for. Any slight problems will be noted in detail. There might be a scuff on the leather duck, or a very small stain inside. Read the details and look at the photos.
8	Very Good	Normal wear but very good care. May have a minor issue such as one small ink mark or slight darkening of leather in a spot. All problems will be noted in detail. Read the details and look at the photos.
7	Good	A bag that was used, well cared for and not abused. Will likely show some noticeable wear such as scuff marks on the bottom piping, some darkening of leather where handled such as the strap and fasteners. Read the details and look at the photos.
6	Fair	Might need a cleaning, minor repair – details will note this. These bags are usually located in our Grab Bag section. Some might be in excellent shape except for one stain or blemish. Read the details and look at the photos.

We usually only try to offer bags that are 9s and 10s but sometimes when someone wants to sell us a lot, it might contain some 7s and 8s or perhaps even a 6. When we buy those lots, we put the more worn bags in our “grab bag” section.

I went to the mall today and every D&B I looked at was Made in China.  I called the Dooney & Bourke web site and they wouldn’t  tell me which purses were made where.  I  really want a Dooney made here but I don’t know if new is an option  anymore.
Please advise.  Thanks so much. Michelle

Dooney & Bourke no longer makes any bags in the US. All are made overseas, mostly China. That’s why we started our store ! Paula