Whiting & Davis White retailer BeadLite Mesh Purse, Model 2906, 1930s/40s

retailer Charles Whiting and Edward Davis established Whiting & Davis in Plainview, MA in 1896, specializing in fine jewelry and their unique products made from finely woven metal mesh. Initially ring mesh was painstakingly hand-made and used for very costly fashion handbags, jewelry, protective gloves and a variety of other products. In 1912, the firm engaged the services of inventor A. C. Pratt who developed a machine to automatically manufacture metal ring mesh "fabric" and by 1920 Whiting & Davis became a leading international manufacturer of mesh products for the fashion industry. (You can read more about this fascinating company, still in business today, on their website, www.whitinganddaviscollection.com)

This bag features W & D's "beadlite" mesh, introduced in the late 1930s, which consists of thousands of tiny linked squares impressed with tinier raised half spheres. This purse has the Model No. 2906 stamped on the inside of the frame, which is a relatively early production number. The Whiting & Davis Mesh Bags trademark is also impressed in the frame. The fabric label bearing Whiting & Davis Co. Mesh Bag, MADE IN THE USA, is sewn into one of the two pockets.

The lining is a beautiful shimmering dark gold fabric, probably silk, which has two pockets and is in excellent condition. There is a small matching coin purse also. The handle is 14 inches long and made of strong white enameled mesh, of the flat, not beaded, variety. It is connected at opposites ends of each side of the frame which is an interesting security feature not commonly used today. The tiny mesh squares of the body of the purse are linked with a gold metal which gives the purse an overall ivory, rather than pure white, appearance. The beautiful graceful frame is a deep burnished gold-tone metal with a simple kiss clasp.

Regarding the condition: there is a small stain in the lining near the very bottom of the purse (which looks like ink - see photo #4), a few of the tiny bead mesh links are discolored (see photo #3), there is a faint discolored stripe on one side (photo #1), and some hairline scratches on the frame. Otherwise, this purse is in good vintage condition and ready for a night out on the town.

This bag measures 7.5 inches wide and 8 inches high.