berikrown Report post Posted March 25, 2013 I purchased this purse from a yard sale quite a few years ago. I recently decided to do some research on it to try to find out some history on it, as well as some kind of value. I am not able to find ANY information on this company. Inside the purse is a hand written note detailing the purse. The outer leather is steer, the inside is imported pig skin. The lacing is goat skin. The front slide fastener is sterling silver. There are 2 tags, 1 on the purse, and 1 inside that was attached to the handle (I am assuming). They both say Harkness Built. The note inside also says, Harkness Bros our label is your guarantee. Please, please, please...if you can help me out with ANY information on this company, or anything, I would GREATLY appreciate it!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
berikrown Report post Posted March 25, 2013 I am not sure how well you can see the pictures. It all looks to be hand tooled. The purse has a doe on the front and 2 bucks on the back. It came with 2 straps, 1 long, and 1 short. It also came with a matching tooled coin purse, and note pad. The inside is red in color, and the inside tag looks exactly like the one shown, which was the extra one, i am assuming from the strap, when purchased. Thanks again for any information on it!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northmount Report post Posted March 26, 2013 (edited) I am not sure how well you can see the pictures. It all looks to be hand tooled. The purse has a doe on the front and 2 bucks on the back. It came with 2 straps, 1 long, and 1 short. It also came with a matching tooled coin purse, and note pad. The inside is red in color, and the inside tag looks exactly like the one shown, which was the extra one, i am assuming from the strap, when purchased. Thanks again for any information on it!! A little more information could be of help. What part of the world do you live in, or where the purse was purchased, down to at least the city and state? How long has it been in your possession, something to help with possibly determining a rough age or time period? Better photos would help too. Try about 800 pixels wide so we can see some detail. Adjust the contrast and mid tones to improve what we can see. I can find some info on Harkness, but won't spend the time if the locations don't compare. My grandmother was a Harkness. I think I can contact some of her family's descendants if the location fits. Tom Edited March 26, 2013 by northmount Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
berikrown Report post Posted March 26, 2013 (edited) Tom, Thank you for your response. I live in Yakima Washington, in the United States, which is where I purchased this purse. I have had it for possibly 10 years, and it was quite old then. I can try to take some better photos, and post them as soon as I am able. I have found information on the Harkness name, but nothing remotely close to any leather working, or "Harkness Built" as the tag says. On the hand written note that was inside, it has a slogan...Harkness Bros....Our name is your guarantee. Again, no information found on this either. It has become very intriguing to me, since I am not able to find ANY information on it! Thank you again for any information you might know, or find. Sincerely, Keri Edited March 26, 2013 by berikrown Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Northmount Report post Posted March 27, 2013 Tom, Thank you for your response. I live in Yakima Washington, in the United States, which is where I purchased this purse. Long way from North Dakota, so probably not the same clan. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
