Who would ever guess that an upscale, luxury handbag has its roots in a baseball glove?

The company known as Manhattan Leather Bags was taken over by Miles Cahn in 1950. Cahn had long noticed that baseball gloves became softer and more supple with use, and wanted to create a handbag with the same attributes. Using supple, high quality leather, six artists created a collection consisting of 12 handbags featuring excellent stitch work and craftsmanship. In 1962, the company hired Bonnie Cashin as its creative head (remember her from an earlier post?)  and she revolutionized the product’s design.  In 2000, the company changed its name to Coach.  We’re not sure when Coach released its first of at least eleven purebred dog key fobs, but a company representative told us it was a Parson Russell Terrier modeled after “Eddie,” from the hit TV show, Frasier. Subsequent “dog fobs” released have been either tied in to a Coach trend (the Scottish Terrier was released when Coach unveiled its tartan plaid handbag), or as an homage to a celebrity (the French Bulldog was tribute to Lady Gaga’s dog, Asia). The fobs are quite popular and retail from $75.