An olive green crocodile and sterling silver large wallet. This is a stunning and very early unused, or "New Old Stock" leather accessory from when Gucci was starting to take the luxury world by storm. The 1950's was a very exciting time for Gucci in terms of both products being introduced; the iconic horse-bit loafer. It saw the opening of the first store in Milan. ThenGucci becomes a pioneer of Italian design in the U.S. when Aldo opens the first American store in the Savoy Plaza Hotel on East 58th Street in New York. This is likely where this wallet was purchased from.
The skin used on the outside of the wallet is Crocodylus porosus. This particular species of crocodile is sourced from Asia or Australia, and is characterized by a tiny, distinct pore close to the edge of each of each scale, giving the species its name.This pore is a remnant of a hair follicle. Alligators have no pores. It is a very fine and small scale so from the belly of a smaller crocodile.
Acting as a clip to secure the wallet is a sterling silver hinged closure. On the front of which is set a real, original silver Denarius Roman coin. The coin is a very interesting off-struck silver piece on one side featuring on one side a Roman portrait, and on the other side a chariot being led by a number of horses. It is believed to be a coin minted by Julius Brusio in 85 B.C. It is very interesting to see Gucci using Roman coins in there earlier pieces, as this is something that today we only associate with Bulgari. This makes this a very compelling pieces of early Gucci design.
The wallet is accompanied by its original card outer box which has a beautiful and unusual Gucci logo and font printed to it. Also, note only four locations; Florence, Rome, Milan and New York at this time. The piece is accompanied by a note card envelope with an address on the back from a Mr. George Haggarty from Detroit. If this is the same Mr. Haggarty, was an American basketball and baseball player, track athlete, golfer, horse racing advocate, and attorney. He was the winner of the retrospective Mr. Basketball of Michigan award as the best basketball player in Michigan during 1921. He won the 1966 United States Seniors' Golf Association championship. He was also an attorney with the Detroit law firm of Dickinson Wright for 20 years. This adds a great history to the background of who purchased this beautiful wallet.
A beautiful piece of not only fashion history, but also Gucci history. It is wonderful to see this early logo on the original packaging. To find pieces from Gucci unused, in perfect condition is a real rarity. With the brand having undergone a renaissance of late, it only adds to the splendor of this piece. It illustrates the quality and workmanship that made this brand one of the super powers in fashion for over a century.
