This beautifully designed midcentury chic black leather handbag is part of a former ambassador’s fascinating and rather posh Long Island NY estate. Started in 1931 by designers Herbert Bienen and Edwin Davis, the company quickly became the rage among NYC fashionistas as well as Hollywood movie people. This particular purse, which was found carefully wrapped in a drawer in the ambassador’s wife’s closet, is in quite good vintage condition and remains as stylish today as it was when it was purchased in the 50's (see photos). The handbag, which is distinctive for its classy brushed gold frame and playful “Space Age “ themed early plastic clasp, is small enough to be dressy, but large enough to be roomy, measuring about 8-3/4” in width by 12” high, including the arched leather strap, which measures 12”. The bottom gusset opens to about 2½” wide (see photos).