Vintage Cigarette Wrapper Purse Pocketbook Camel Pall Mall Jailhouse Tramp Art Tobacciana

Large and heavy vintage purse intricately made of Camel and Pall Mall cigarette pack wrappers. Some sellers call this "tramp art" or "jailhouse art". Reason being is that many of these purses were in fact made in prison for sweethearts or loved ones.

I don't know the provenance of this piece, so I am not sure where it was made or by who. It measures 12 1/4" long and 8" tall. The strap is 18" long. It is in really good shape for the age add there are only a few small areas where the cellophane coating of the paper has lifted a tad. I took lots of photos including the interior.

The top of the purse is curved and you can not bend it down. No clasp. Not sure if the design of this purse was they way it is intended or was it never finished? But if you look at the design, the red diamond shaped bottoms on the front of the purse match the tops of the red diamond shapes on the inside of the purse. So maybe tis was meant to be an open satchel style design? I can't imagine crafting this purse. It is an insanely intricate piece of art!

It is a great collectible regardless. Please ask questions or let me know if you need any additional photos. I am selling this piece for someone else, so all sales are final.