A Vintage Collection - the downside

Collecting vintage items is fun, searching for and finding a bargain, having beautiful and unique garments and accessories to wear, a bit of old world style and glamour in this age of mass production and synthetic fibers.
The downside is illustrated by my photograph. This is an example of what can happen with vintage items.
Recently I went to an 'Allo 'Allo themed event, dressed in my glamorous 40's frock with 40's shoes, hair swept up in a Victory roll, red lipstick, the works...my chosen handbag for the evening was a 1960's one, being the only thing I had that would accommodate all my 21st century essentials...mobile, fags, purse etc.
After a while one side of the handle snapped off so I clutched bagged it for the rest of the evening.
On my return home the bag was in a very sorry state indeed, with the stitching split, the ancient glue had perished revealing it's innards of cardboard (used to support the leather). Obviously this bag was not of the highest quality, given to me by an old lady of 102, and I'm afraid didn't last as long as her.
Like many old things, age makes them frail and delicate, susceptible to be damaged easily.

My advice is - just to be careful with your treasured items, wear them of course but always remember it might be their demise. Enjoy them but don't forget to have a photo taken BEFORE you go out!