Location July 1947:

Ronay Handbags
14 East 32nd Street
New York City

Location February 1950:
Handbags by Ronay
1 East 33rd St.
New York 16, NY

February 1942 Luggage & Leather Goods, page 40, carried an article about Fancy leathers including Morocco and Saffian.

"Morocco with its interesting, pebbly surface and Saffian with its finely ribbed finish, are well adapted to the strictly tailored and semi-tailored handbag styles which are so much a part of our fashion scene this season. These names refer to two distinct finishes applied to East Indian tanned goatskin. Both types are made from prime skins imported from British India. They are tanned and finished by specially trained American craftsmen. In the development of morocco, the natural grain is brought out by hand graining entirely . . . no artificial embossing or printing is applied.
For the past eighteen months morocco has been steadily gaining in popularity. The American tanned skins are comparable in every way to the ones formerly labeled "English Morocco" . . . these too were made of East Indian Goat.
Morocco is sold in different grades according to the type of skins used and the amount of work put into the finishing process. Preparing this leather takes unusual skill. A training period of from three to six months is required before a man is qualified to produce the type of hand grained surface that adds so much to its beauty."
This Ronay example illustrated the simplified styling with fewer ornaments so ideally suited for these luxury materials. Of course, the supply of this leather wouls shortly be limited severly by WWII.

"*Gahna Saffian leather in a severely tailored underarm bag. This is 18 inches long and particularly smart with a tailored suit. The fine graining adds interest to a simple style. Featured by Ronay."

Handbag News August 1942 issue of "Luggage & Leather Goods," page 55

Dressmaker Styles at Ronay

In addition to the large assortment of tailored bags in polished shoe calf, for which Ronay is so well known, the firm is doing a complete group of softer bags in crushed goat. These have dressmaker details such as knotted leather trimming and soft shirring and draping. All are lined with faille and have inside zippers. Colors include tan, dark green, kona red, brown, navy and black.
Also in the dressmaker are bags of 100'% virgin wool broadcloth. They are in large, soft styles, many featuring the important wide bottom, squatty silhouette. Covered wood frames are employed, many with prystal locks. Lucite zipper pulls are also to be seen.

Handbags Illustrated for July 1947 featured this Ronay Fall offering on page 4. The bag was listed as style 801 and was avaiable in calf leather in black, brown, wine, tan and green. Suede options were black and brown. Bags wholesaled at $8.50 each.

This "butter-smooth suede" Ronay bag was offered for Fall 1947 on page 29 of the same issue of Handbags Illustrated. It was style 801 and wholesaled for $8.50 each. Created in calf leather in black, brown, wine, tan and green or suede in black or brown, it was beautifully crafted.

"The graceful tailored line of a s.quare is adapted into rich, butter-smooth suede to make a bag an ideal addition to a fall wardrobe. The gold bar lifts to the top of the handle and when open the bag reveals an easy snap frame. Suggest it as an accompaniment to a soft dressmaker suit or coat. Well-crafted by Ronay Inc."

The 1950's

Full page ad "Handbags and Fashion Accessories" February 1950, page 4

Full page magazine ad February 15, 1950

'''Ronay Sees Double on the Spring Fashion Scene.
Ronay's delightfully pleasing idea to make sure you get the bag you like and the belt you like in the size you want. "Fort Knox," the treasure chest with filigree bronze. Large size in black, brown, nave red and tan calf, or navy suede, about $25. In faille or black pantent $12.95. Small "Fort Knox" in calf or suede about $10.95. In faille or Patent, $2.95, plus tax.
The "Swashbuckle" belt in wide width, $10.95. Narrow about $2.95. In black, navy, red, butterscotch....'''

Seasons and tastes change, an tapping into the process fuels profits. Softer lines for Spring are featured in the article,

The Soft Bag Is the New Breath of Spring

The gentler touch — the rolling contour, the ovaled corner, the curving line, even for tailored wear — is the sure sign of the smart bag of the season. Let this promotional theme help you sell more handbags"''' February 1950 issue of "Handbags and Fashion Accessories," page 45

"ITALIAN inspiration in supple calfskin bag by Ronay. Note horizontal sweep, deep - fitting rounded top, tab handles caught through loops with unusual effect. • Leather lined. Medium price."

This Ronay bag is an example of the Conversation print, so popular in the mid 50's. This illustration was included in an article about Travel bags and stressed flat packing and maximum carrying capacity. May 1955 Handbags & Accessories, page 14

The October 1955 "Handbags & Accessories" features an extensive collection of bags for The Holidays and these words of guidance for buyers looking for enticing possibilities.

Show novelties and classics for Christmas

MATERIALS: look for fur, the real thing and imitations thereof processed cowhide elegant calf, rich suede
DETAILS: note whangee touches, medallions tabs end buckles double entry openings
SHAPES: include severe through softened silhouettes continue the slim look

" WHANGEE accents aniline dyed cowhide bag in one of several shapes. From Ronay's Italia group. Dark and light brown tones. Brass sparks handle and closure"

"Handbags & Accessories" October 1955, page 16

Accessory market round-up

"Ronay offers a new slant on large calf casual travel bags. There are several large squared flat shapes to retail from $7.95 through $25. A huge vagabond satchel trimmed in calf has gold channeled corners, a luggage type handle, frcnch gussets, and grosgrain lining. Satin, velvet or tweed combine in a large double handled tote with gold tipped double bar top. There are two enormous outside pockets"

"Handbags & Accessories" October 1955, page 36

Out of the bag
by ALICE D. FEINSOD

"A vacationing contingent from Ronay headed for the Mt. Washington in N.H. The distinguished crew included Dick Bienen and wife, Marvin Levan, and other assorted gentlemen from the firm." "Handbags & Accessories" October 1955, page 43

Bags for Spring 1956 were presented on January 3, 1956 by agreement as a member of the National Authority for the Ladies Handbag Industry. 1956NationalAuthorityMembers

Makers