As you all know, I love me some Enid Collins purses. I have 32 of her box purses, mostly displayed proudly as art on my craft room wall:
Enid Collins was a designer based right here in the Hill Country of Texas in the 50s through the 70s. Mostly during the 1960s her purses were sold in high end stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks 5th Avenue. Her bags were THE thing to carry. They were either wood box purses or canvas bags, all decorated with jeweled pictures of flowers and animals. She began in the 50s making bags out of her home with the help of her husband Frederic. By the 1960s they were being sold across the country! In the 70s she sold the company to the Tandy Leather Corporation. Now for the fun part – pictures of my bags!
This one is one of my all time favorites. I think it’s pretty rare because I’ve only ever seen one like it come up on ebay, and it was in bad condition. But seriously — My Heart Pants 4 U?? How freakin adorable is that?
I also really love this Love Birds bag. It sort of reminds me of my chickens. I especially love the mod colors and design of it. It’s a bit different than the usual Enids.
I’m pretty wild for these skunks, called 2 S¢ents Worth. And they’re picking flowers for each other! Awwww….
And how cute is the little worm on this Early Bird? Little does he know he’s about to become breakfast…
From 1966-1968 papier mache purses were created in Puerto Rico. They are much more rare, and often smaller than the wood box purses. Don’t you just love this little owl?
They were signed a little differently inside, and usually were painted inside rather than bare wood.
You can also sometimes find papier mache jewelry made from this venture. I have a turquoise flower brooch that I just love. These will always be signed on the back.
Purses were often created in series. In this shot you can see a couple more owl bags, and a couple of ones with cats.
I love the colors in this For the Birds bag as well as the more uncommon, large square shape.
Money Tree was another often repeated theme. I especially love the mid century modern design of the trees on this one.
This Money Tree has some scratches, but I just love the plastic starbursts, the aqua, and the design of the bird!
Transportation was another common theme for Enid’s purses. This Cable Car bag is too darn sweet with its pink and gold and flowers!
And here are a couple featuring sea life. This one is called Gifts From the Sea (a nod to Ann Morrow Lindberg perhaps?)
And this one is called Sea Fare. There is nothing cuter than a seahorse, no?
Peacocks were yet another popular theme. Here is one example:
I have one bag with the original tag – this Roadrunner. And why yes, I DO have a flair for the truly distinctive, thankyouverymuch!
Notice how all the bags shown so far have a lowercase ec in the bottom right corner. This means the bags were produced prior to Enid selling the company to the Tandy Leather Corporation in the 70s. After that, the bags were marked with a Collins of Texas logo instead, like as seen on this child’s size purse:
Also seen above is one of the many do-it-yourself kits made for people to try to replicate an Enid Collins purse at home. These are NOT Enid Collins bags. When buying, be sure to look for one of the two marks – the ec or the Collins of Texas logo. There are many knockoffs out there.
I have some canvas bags I could post pics of and my papier mache brooch if anyone would like to see those too, but otherwise that wraps up my Enid Collins collection! Hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I do!
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
44 COMMENTS
Kathy Scott
12 years agoI have what I believe to be a paper mache box purse. It is a style I haven’t seen before. Saw one very similar but the daisies were rounded where mine are pointed. This purse is signed on the bottom but the inside is just green and has a rectangular mirror in the lid. Can you help me identify this one. Am sure it is daisy something? The bag is brown with white daisies on the sides and top. Center of daisies have gold gems and has one handle. Has a metal closure that latches. Thank you.
Betty
12 years ago AUTHORKathy, can you email me a photo?
Mary E Manoogian
12 years agoMy mother-in-law who passed away acouple years ago had a Enid Collins Box Bag (Cable Car). It is in blue and white stones on the outside with 4 small white stones also on the front. On the inside is A round mirror and on the left side (if you were looking at it after you opened it, it would be the top of the box and it says (Enid Collins’ Original Box Bag and on the right side of the mirror it says (by (picture of a horse) Collins of Texas. I have looked on alot of websites and have not found this box purse. The only one I find is the one that you have on this website that has pink on it. My husband and I would like to know if it is valuable or should we put in a Rummage Sale that we usually have once a year? We would really appreciate it if you give us some information on this box purse. Thanks so much.
Betty
12 years ago AUTHORMary, Enid did several series of a certain design, like Cable Car, Money Tree, or Pavan. So there are lots of different looking Cable Car Enid Collins bags that were produced. It’s hard to gauge value, because a lot depends on condition and desirability of the design. Cable Car bags I would estimate could sell for anywhere between $30 – $120. Good luck!
Mary E Manoogian
12 years agoThanks you so much for your response.
Karen Crabtree
12 years agoBetty I have Money Tree wooden purse that my grandmother left me when she passed away a few years ago. She left it to me cause it was one of my favorite purses she had when I was little. It still has the mint gum smell when you open it cause she always kept gum in her purse and would give me a piece in church every Sunday. It is in top condition and so I was wondering do you think that it will raise in value the longer I have it? Not that I want to sell it just wondering. To me this purse is priceless cause of all the wonderful memories it brings me of my wonderful grandmother. Thanks so much for your time and God bless.
Sincerely,
Karen Crabtree
Betty
12 years ago AUTHORKaren, I’m not sure about how these bags will appreciate over time. They are pretty sought after right now, which makes them valuable. It stands to reason that over time, as they become more and more scarce, that they will become more valuable. If you love it, hold on to it! Especially because of that gum smell – how nostalgic for you!
Janet
12 years agoI have a wooden Enid Collins bag called Pussy Foot. Can you tell it’s value and how rare it is? Thanks!
Betty
12 years ago AUTHORJanet, Pussy Foot is a generally rare and sought after design, but of course it all depends on condition! If it’s in great condition with all its stones, you could get a couple hundred or more for it!
Ellen
12 years agoI just wanted to ask Janet, who recently posted about her Pussy Foot bag if she is interested in selling it. I’ve been looking for one for a long time! Please let me know if you’d like to sell it. Thanks!
Deloris Harris
12 years agoI have a Enid Collins Original Box Bag that does not have the handle on it. It is a money tree some wear but otherwise in pretty good condition. How would you value this without the handle?
Betty
12 years ago AUTHORDelores, it’s very hard to say without seeing the bag. But generally I would thing purses without the handle would be very hard to sell and the value would be greatly diminished.
Lynne O.
12 years agoI have wooden purse by Enid with a horse drawn carriage in beige & browns. A very small piece of leather for closure is missing. Would this have any value? I can forward a picture if you can look at it.
Thanks. LO
Betty
12 years ago AUTHORLynne, does the missing leather prevent the purse from being closed? If so I would think that would greatly diminish the value, as it couldn’t be carried.
Kristy
12 years agoHi…WOW! What a collection…I’ve been wanting an Enid Collins bag for a while. I love both the bucket style & the boxes. I’m used to seeing her bucket bags with the white leather handles & finish, but lately I’ve seen some really different colors in the leather like reds, greens, blues, & black. I’m no expert, but skepticle those are authentic. Did she use colored leather on her bags besides the white?
Thanks for sharing your wonderful collection,
Kristy
Betty
12 years ago AUTHORHi Kristy –
She did sometimes use different colors of leather. The way to tell if they are authentic or not is to check for either the “ec” or “Collins of Texas” logo on the bottom corner of the bag.
Karla
12 years agoHi, I’ve always loved Enid’s work and recently bought a peacock pavan linen bag. I’m trying to decide if I should keep it or sell it! It is in great condition with one gem missing. What’s your opinon on the value and should I try to replace the gem? Great site and you have an awesome collection. Thanks
Betty
12 years ago AUTHORHi Karla! It’s hard for me to say because I’m not as knowledgeable about the canvas bags – my specialty is the box bags. But considering the good condition and one missing jewel, and the fact that it’s a Pavan, which is a desirable design, I would estimate in the $45-$95 range.
Karla
12 years agothank you so much!
Ilana
12 years agoHi Betty, I have a Roadrunner purse with the little “ec” and “c” in the bottom right hand corner, with the signature on the inside. It’s a different style then the one you have in your collection, so I was wondering if you were interested in buying it. I would be happy to send pictures if you are, or if you know anyone looking for one. Thanks! : )
Betty
12 years ago AUTHORHi Ilana – I’d love to see pictures! Send em on over 🙂
Sharon
12 years agoI went into a thrift shop today and they have three Collins of Texas Box Bag, I bought the Birds of a Feather and it is in excellent condition but I can’t find any info on it to know it’s value. It has the horse in the right bottom corner on the outside and on the inside lid it has orginial box bag by Collins of Texas. Thinking of going back and getting the other two which I located on but will have to look again forgot the name and the other one if flower something with lots of flowers a bee flying in top left and either a butterfly or ladybug bottom left.
Laurie
11 years agoHi There!
Such lovely bags!
Question for you if you don’t mind! I came across a “Brilliant Bird” bag. The inside says “Copyright the Original Collins of Texas, Inc. It has a wall zipper pocket with the Collins Horse logo. The front of the bag has the Eagle with “Brilliant Bird” on the front lower right and the “Collins” signature with the Horse at the lower left.
Could you tell me a little about this bag? Is it rare? I haven’t been able to find any online. The only one I came across was on the purse forum but that was about 5 years ago.
Any information would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Betty
11 years ago AUTHORHi Laurie! It’s hard to tell without seeing a picture. Can you email me one?
Laurie
11 years agoHi Betty,
I e-mailed you the photos of the Enid Collins “Brilliant Bird” purse.
Thanks so much for responding and taking the time to look at them. It is much appreciated!
Thanks again!
~Laurie
Katrina
11 years agoHey! Sometimes it would be nice of you to follow up with the pictures, or comments about the outcome of the stories if you know them.
Betty
11 years ago AUTHORWas there something in particular you wanted to know or see?
Nanci
11 years agoI have a Collins box bag called “small talk” ..two birds talking …it has all the jewels and the handle and leather..inside is also in great shape. Inside says “original box bag by Collins of Texas” – any help on timeline of production and/or rarity/value?
Thank you so much for your help and time!
Betty
11 years ago AUTHORNancy, it’s hard to say without a picture. But if it’s market Collins of Texas rather than ec it’s probably from the 70s.
drue hartwell
11 years agoI’m dumbfounded. I went to a neigbors garage sale the other day and bought a misc. bag of jewelry and inside was a brooch with the initials e c on the back. Looking it up, I guess I have quite the find. How fun is that?
Betty
11 years ago AUTHORDrue, that’s quite a find! Was it a flower? It’s probably worth quite a bit more than you paid for the bag of jewelry!
Katrina
11 years agoAnyone know of the best place to get replacement pieces for Enid Collins purses?
Betty
11 years ago AUTHORKatrina, often you can buy replacement jewels on ebay. I’ve bought many there. Also, I have been known to buy a trashed Enid and use it for parts.
Carly
11 years agoHi! Just got my first bag today.. Trying to learn more about it and see if it is an original. Have you ever heard of the “flora” style? It has pink, yellow and orange flowers. Any info would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Betty
11 years ago AUTHORHi Carly! Yes, Flora was definitely an Enid Collins design!
Susan
11 years agoI ran across a purse today that says “Pavan” on it. It is the bucket type of purse. On the back of the inside of the purse there is a small zipper pouch and it says “Collins” with the horse logo………but it does not say “Collins of Texas”. Does this mean that it is a knock off? The materials seem substantial, so I thought it was a real one, but after reading some things on the internet, I’m thinking it may not be. What are your thoughts?
Betty
11 years ago AUTHORSusan, you do indeed have an Enid Collins on your hands! If it is stamped “Collins” with the horse logo, it’s legit.
Susan
11 years agoGreat! Thanks so much for the confirmation. 🙂
Susan
Cindy G.
11 years agoI’m looking for a box purse like the one I had as a teenager. Is there somewhere I can go to see all the styles of Collins purses? My was blonde wood, rectangle, with a horse on it. I remember it being in whites and silver. I can’t find it anywhere.
Betty
11 years ago AUTHORYou could try enidcollins.com
Cindy
11 years agoHi Betty,
What a stunning collection! I have a canvas bag, Knit 1, Purl 2, and it’s in wonderful condition. I have had it for about 15 years and have only ever displayed it, and it looks like it was never used before I got it. It has all of its jewels, none are missing that I can see.
I’m contemplating selling it now – any idea of what it may be worth? I suspect it’s a bit rare because it’s hard to find any information on it.
I have a few photos that I can send to you if you provide an email address.
It’s such a pleasure looking at your collection; thank you!
-Cindy
ellen
11 years agoHi. It was great to see the paper mache owl box bag. I have the same purse and love it. Do you have any idea of the value of the bag? Thank you 🙂
Betty
11 years ago AUTHORHi Ellen!
I really don’t know for sure what the value is. They don’t come up for sale often so it’s hard to tell but I’d guess somewhere around $300.
Doris Quilting Queen
11 years agoI bought a Enid Collins Jewel Lollipop Wooden Box Bag today at an auction. It is in great condition. I would love to part with it to someone who appreciates her bags. If you know of anyone, have them contact me.