<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"  When most travelers do their tour of Amsterdam, the usuals make the list \u2013 the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh, the Anne Frank House, maybe even the Stedelijk if it&amp;#039;s open. But our new pick for a must-stop spot? The Museum of Bags and Purses.  The museum&amp;#039;s 4,000+ bags \u2014 considered the largest collection in the world \u2014 are displayed in a restored 17th century canalside house and were mostly collected over a 35-year period by Hendrikje Ivo, an antiques dealer who eventually became enamored by the handbag and its myriad little accessories.   The range of offerings stops everywhere along the historical timeline, starting in the Middle Ages with unisex bags (some used for money and as oversized pockets, some used to catch fleas) from the 16th century to bag accessories from the 19th century (some to carry perfume, some for stamps) all the way up to the Fendi baguette and even Sex and the City&amp;#039;s Judith Leiber cupcake bag. Oddities include exotic bags \u2014 one made of an armadillo, another from Botswana actually made out of a leopard&amp;#039;s face \u2014 and a 1980&amp;#039;s American &amp;quot;telephone&amp;quot; bag, which, when plugged in, actually functions as a working phone.    The place feels like a highly specialized version of the Met Costume Institute, with luxurious rooms overlooking a courtyard garden (often the site of local tea parties) and a private, non-touristy feel. One section&amp;#039;s dedicated to rotating exhibitions, with Crystal Loves Leather, a collection of Swarovski-studded bags, currently on view.  Though the massive bag collection was on view in Hendrikje&amp;#039;s home outside the city for over a decade, its new home in Amsterdam proper is only three years old, meaning this place is just under-the-radar enough for irritation-free strolling and reading plaques at a leisurely speed.    The Museum of Bags and Purses is located at Herengracht 573. Open daily, 10am \u2013 5pm. \u20AC7.50 \u2014NATALIE HORMILLA "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.elle.com/fashion/news/a4332/the-museum-of-bags-purses-amsterdams-most-underrated-spot-432/>