The Untold Tale of a Red Sticker

Red Rot

The discoloration often observed on vintage leather isn't the result of the original Bordeaux dye; instead, it's due to a process referred to as red rot, also known as leather rot, within the leather industry. This reaction is not only characteristic of the era in which the leather was processed, but for me, it’s also a part of the bag’s unique history and authenticity.

In the period these bags were made, tanneries were not as high-tech as they are today. The leather processing technique involved a step known as liming, utilizing lime and sulfur compounds to remove hair from the animal hides. When exposed to moisture or humidity, these acids break down and infiltrate the leather, leaving behind a red powder on the surface.

The red powder can spread throughout the bag's interior. As the bag is used and moved around, the powder is often dispersed by the airflow. However, the powder that comes into contact with the adhesive sticker can become trapped, seep into the sticker, and gradually discolor it. That's why you first notice it around the outer edges of the sticker before the center becomes affected. If it were a result of the dye, we'd expect the opposite pattern, as dye tends to be more prominent on flat surfaces rather than the edges. What begins to form that “red frame” around it then ultimately spreads, covering the entire sticker.

This occurrence is particularly noticeable on stickers with serial numbers ranging from 27 to 4X. There are two factors that caused this.

First, the liming technique was widely used during this era.

Second, this specific type of serial number sticker is composed of cotton, meaning high absorption rates! Unlike the rest of the stickers where the materials are not as absorbent. 

I want you to know that authentication isn't just a matter of matching serial numbers and cross-verifying them with your Sales Associate - yes, I'm looking at you, dear authenticator friend reading this right now. It's an art, a blend of historical understanding, scientific investigations, and LOTS OF RESEARCH.

So, to my scam artists and sticker swappers, it's really silly not to know your trade! At least impress me when you do your thing! You should at least nail the basics - what I've shared here is just the beginning! Looking for the advanced stuff? Well, you'll need to wait for my upcoming book.

Stay tuned because it’s going to be a rollercoaster of revelations!

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