Nancy Reagan's personally-owned purple satin-and-velour purse by Renaud Pellegrino of Paris, France, featuring a flap with snap closure and decorative jewel. In fine condition. Provenance: The Private Collection, President & Mrs. Ronald Reagan, Christie's, September 2016. Accompanied by the Christie's auction tags and a University Archives authentication tag signed by John Reznikoff. Petite and almost always impeccably dressed, Nancy Reagan was well known for her interest in designer classics and her elegant sense of style. Although criticized in 1981 for wearing designer outfits during a recession, the first lady recalled in her memoir My Turn: 'If I had suddenly started dressing differently, how would that have helped the economy? On the contrary: I was told that because so many women look to the first lady as a fashion leader, I provided a great boost for fashion designers.'
