6 Insider Tips to Buying Hermes Bags at Auction
Hermès Birkin



6 Insider Tips to Buying Hermes Bags at Auction

Learn more about the benefits of buying Hermès bags at auction.
Learn more about the benefits of buying Hermès bags at auction.

Insider's Guide to Buying Hermès Bags at Auction

If you are new to purchasing Hermès bags at auction, our Handbag Specialists have provided their top six insider tips. Sotheby's is a leading seller of pristine and excellent condition Hermès bags. Buyers can purchase via auctions in Hong Kong, New York, Paris or Geneva. Expect to find both store fresh condition bags from the past 12 months, incredibly rare vintage Hermès bags and the newest Limited Edition bags. Each sale has a unique selection of Hermès bags so make sure to mark your calendars for our upcoming sales. You can expect to find a great assortment of Birkins and Kelly bags and other classic Hermès bags like the Constance, Evelyne, Picotin, Lindy and more. Most sales are open for two weeks and you can find the entire selection online. You can always contact a Handbag Specialist to learn more about a specific bag or request additional images. All sales also have an exhibit where you can arrange to view a bag.

Hermès Mini Kelly 20 II Metallic Dore Chèvre Chamkilight Permabrass Hardware

1. Want more than Two Quota Bags per Year

While we highly encourage building a relationship with an Hermès SA to purchase Birkin and Kelly bags from the boutique, many collectors want more than two quota bags (Birkin or Kelly bags) per year. It can also be difficult to get a basic neutral leather bag in your preferred size, color, hardware and material. It can also be very challenging to get offered a bag in one of Hermès' newest colors or styles when you want a very specific bag that is either very popular or rare. Buying an Hermès bag at Auction allows you to buy more than two quota bags per year. You also have the opportunity to select the exact color, material, hardware and size versus just accepting the bag offered by your SA.

Hermès Birkin 25 Togo Black Brushed Gold Hardware

2. Skip the Line

If you can't wait for your Hermès SA due to an upcoming gifting event, buying at auction is a great option. While a store fresh Birkin or Kelly bag at Sotheby's is likely to sell for a premium relative to the boutique price, there is a possibility the premium will be less than the fixed Buy Now prices. In general, auction reserves start below the full market value and depending on the bag, color, style etc, the prices at auction can vary relative to Buy Now. In some cases, the price for a bag can be much higher due to demand for that bag in that market or the bag is not available on any fixed price channel. Buying at auction is a great alternative if can't wait for your Hermès SA.

Limited Edition Hermès Midas Kelly 25 Sellier Black Box 18K Yellow Gold Hardware, 2023

3. Access to Newest Limited Edition Hermès Bag

The Fringe Birkin or the Sac Birkin Sellier Anate were introduced as part of Hermès F/W 2023 collection. Sotheby's handbag auctions are often the first place you will see the latest Hermès limited edition bags available after the runway. Our global seller network are often the first to purchase these bags from Hermès so you will often find them at Sotheby's soon after they reach top buyers.

Hermès Mini Kelly 20 I Black Shiny Porosus Crocodile 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Hardware, 1990s

4. Rare Vintage Hermès Bag

Most Sotheby's auctions have a selection of rare vintage Hermès bags that are either discontinued or have aged with a patina that can't be matched by a new bag. Some Hermès materials like Box leather are especially collectible due to the aging of the leather that ends up creating a unique patina that many collectors adore. The patina also makes each bag a one of one. The vintage mini Kelly shoulder is an example of a discontinued style that has gained in popularity in the last few years as collectors want more mini Hermès bags. Collectors looking for larger Birkin and Kelly bags should also seek out vintage Hermès bags if they are looking for a lower entry price point that is closer to current retail and in some cases priced below current retail.

Hermès 18K Rose Gold and Diamonds Collier de Chien Bracelet

5. Don't Miss No Reserve Hermès

Sotheby's Handbag Auctions always feature collectible Hermès accessories and bags priced at No Reserve. All bidding starts at $1 for these items. While an Hermès item has never sold for $1, there are often highly collectible home accessories, jewelry and other collectibles that are fun to browse and discover. These items are often new or in pristine condition. Sotheby's auctions are a great place to discover the range of Hermès products and potentially be the winning bidder at a great value.

Hermès Blanc Matte Niloticus Himalaya Crocodile Kelly 25 Retourné 18 K White Gold Paved Diamond Hardware, 2022

6. Hermès Price Discovery

If you are new to handbag auctions, reviewing prior auction results is a good way to understand secondary market pricing and the difference between auction versus fixed price. You can also contact a Handbag Specialist if you have questions about pricing or looking for a specific Hermès bag.

Advantages to Collecting Hermès on the Secondary Market

There are many advantages to buying Hermès bags at Sotheby's. As one of the largest and most established global luxury secondary markets, Sotheby's offers clients many unique advantages when growing an Hermès collection.

1. Access

Sotheby's is able to provide access to some of the most exceptional Hermès bags through its long established global network of sellers. Sotheby's is one of the few global luxury marketplaces that sells rare and impressive Hermès bags exceeding $100,000 in addition to classic leather Birkin and Kelly bags in store fresh condition. Our Handbag specialists are always sourcing the best Hermès bags. Sotheby's global presence also means we are sourcing a wide range of Hermès bags including timeless classics, special vintage finds and rare limited edition bags. Sotheby's also regularly sells incredible private collections that can include custom designed Hermès bags. If you are looking to build a collection of Hermès bags, Sotheby's provides access to contemporary, vintage and one of a kind rare Hermès bags.

2. Flexibility

Sotheby's provides multiple ways to purchase Hermès bags. While Sotheby's is most known for its global auctions, Sotheby's also sells Hermès online and also in salons in New York and Hong Kong. Sotheby's also offers a concierge service if you need assistance sourcing a specific Hermès bag that isn't available at auction or marketplace. Another advantage to Sotheby's is access to desirable Hermès bags that are special order and limited edition.

3. Value

While Hermès bags in pristine condition sell at a premium to retail, Sotheby's has bags for purchase at auction and marketplace in a range of the most desirable colors and materials. Secondary marketplaces like Sotheby's allow a buyer to purchase a store fresh pristine Hermès bag with the original box and all plastic still on the hardware without waiting for a call from an Hermès sales associate. While it is possible to purchase a bag at an Hermès boutique, it is hard to predict how long it will take. Additionally if you don't have an existing relationship at the store, it is even harder to pick the exact bag including size, color and hardware. In many cases you may be offered an Hermès bag that may not be your desired color or size. Buyers also come to Sotheby's since they want to purchase more than two Hermès quota bags in a year. While we encourage you to build a relationship with an Hermès Sales Associate, Sotheby's can save you time when purchasing an Hermès bag.

4. Discovery

One of the best parts of a global luxury secondary market is discovering unique pieces from decades earlier and custom designed one of a kind items. Sotheby's curated selection is always changing since Hermès is one of the top brands at Sotheby's. Each auction has a unique selection of Hermès bags that may be familiar but a slight variation, never before seen design or a vintage treasure that has been on your wishlist for some time. Browse our latest auction or curated selection to get inspiration when building a collection of both contemporary and vintage Hermès bags. You are likely to discover something new to you from Hermès.

Buying and Selling Hermès Bags at Sotheby's

Sotheby's always has a curated selection of the top Hermès bags available for immediate shipping. Sotheby's also sells Hermès bags at auction in New York, Paris, Zurich and Hong Kong. Expect to find rare and collectible Birkin and Kelly bags in every sale in addition to other popular Hermès bags in pristine condition in the newest colors and classic neutrals. Sotheby's handbag sales include rare and limited edition Hermès bags in exotic materials, custom color combinations and even diamond hardware. Prices for Hermès bags range from $3,000 to $5,000 at the low end for the Herbag, Garden Party and Evelyne TPM. Prices for the most sought after Birkin and Kelly bags start at around $20,000 and can exceed $100,000 for the rarest and most desirable limited edition Birkin or Kelly bags.

Trust our worldwide network of leading handbag specialists from a globally renowned auction house established in 1744.

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