Most Expensive Hermès Bags: First Half of 2022
Explore the most expensive Hermès bags from the first half of 2022, including record-breaking Himalaya, Metallic, Rose Sakura and limited-edition Birkin bags.
Hermès Mini Bag Mania
Smaller Hermès bags dominated the first half of 2022, achieving some of the highest prices across auction and Buy Now. Leather Hermès bags also commanded higher premiums relative to retail than many exotic bags, with a few notable exceptions.
The Mini Kelly 20 led demand, averaging higher prices than other Birkin and Kelly sizes. The Birkin 25 and Kelly 25 ranked as the next most popular sizes, followed by the Kelly 28 and Birkin 30. Condition and recency also influenced pricing. Buyers generally paid premiums of 10% or more for new bags from 2021 and 2022 with protective plastic still on the hardware compared with older examples or pristine bags without the plastic.
Prices for Birkin and Kelly bags increased by an average of approximately 10% during the first half of 2022. Leather Mini Kelly 20 bags averaged $28,500 at auction, while Kelly 25 bags averaged $25,000, Kelly 28 bags $21,000 and Kelly 32 bags $13,500. Among Birkins, the Birkin 25 averaged more than $23,750, compared with $19,000 for the Birkin 30 and $12,500 for the Birkin 35. These averages included bags in varying conditions, with store-fresh examples from 2021 and 2022 generally achieving higher prices depending on color and material.
Limited Edition Shadow Birkin Bags
The Shadow Birkin emerged as one of the few limited-edition Hermès bags to show upward momentum during this period. The Birkin 25 Shadow had appeared on the auction market for only about a year by the first half of 2022, but prices were already trending upward.
In April 2022, an Etoupe Shadow Birkin 25 sold for $51,385, exceeding the $46,500 auction average for the style at the time. Older Birkin 35 and Birkin 40 Shadow bags also showed signs of rising demand, although no examples appeared at auction during the first half of the year
Record-Breaking Rose Sakura Birkin 25
Hermès Rose Sakura Birkin bags first appeared on the auction market in 2016 and remained a collector favorite in 2022. The delicate pink shade, inspired by Japanese cherry blossoms, appeared primarily in Swift leather.
In April 2022, a Rose Sakura Swift Birkin 25 with Palladium Hardware sold for $64,230, setting a new auction record at the time for a leather Birkin or Kelly bag. Birkin bags in this color and size had averaged more than $30,000 at auction since 2020, reflecting particularly strong demand for smaller Birkins in sought-after colors like Hermès pinks.
Rare Metallic Birkin Bags
Hermès first released Metallic Birkin bags in connection with the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, producing Gold, Silver and Bronze Chèvre examples in extremely limited quantities. Few have survived in excellent condition because the metallic finish can wear with use, making well-preserved examples particularly rare.
On April 29, 2022, the third Metallic Birkin ever sold at auction achieved $136,490. The possibly unique Silver example with Bronze piping set a new record at the time for a leather Hermès bag, surpassing the previous record of $126,000 set by a 2004 Metallic Silver Chèvre Birkin 25 in December 2021.
The Growing Demand for Hermès Gold
Gold has ranked among Hermès' staple colors for decades, but demand for store-fresh Birkin and Kelly bags in the classic neutral rose considerably by the first half of 2022. Collectors showed particular interest in recent examples from 2021 and 2022 with their protective plastic still intact.
In March 2022, a Gold Togo Birkin 30 with Palladium Hardware sold for $44,618, then the second-highest price paid for a neutral leather Birkin or Kelly. Only a 5P Pink Epsom Birkin 30, which sold for $47,500 in June 2020, had achieved more. In October 2021, a Gold Epsom Kelly 28 with Gold Hardware also set a record at the time for a regular leather Kelly when it sold for $45,374.
Another notable result camein April 2022, when a Gold Epsom Birkin 35 in rare Sellier construction achieved $41,750. By comparison, regular Gold Epsom Birkin 35 bags had previously averaged less than $8,000.
Demand also extended to leathers closely associated with Hermès' equestrian heritage. A Fauve Barenia Faubourg Birkin 30 with Gold Hardware sold for $38,538 in April 2022, setting a record at the time for a bag in any type of Barenia leather. Hermès has long used Barenia leather in its saddlery, making it a favorite among collectors. The house later introduced Barenia Faubourg, which features a distinctive grained texture. By the first half of 2022, only eight Barenia Faubourg Birkin and Kelly bags had sold at auction.
Hermès Himalaya Bags Lead the Season
Two Hermès Himalaya bags achieved the top auction results of the first half of 2022. A Himalaya Kelly 32 set a record for the size when it sold for $163,800 in June, while a Himalaya Birkin 30 achieved $208,750 in April. By comparison, the Himalaya Birkin 30 had averaged approximately $146,500 at auction over the preceding five years.
Diamond Himalaya bags commanded even higher prices. In 2022, a Diamond Himalaya Birkin and Diamond Himalaya Kelly each sold via private sale for more than $450,000, placing exceptional Himalaya bags among the most valuable Hermès handbags on the secondary market at the time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the most expensive Hermès bags in the first half of 2022?
Hermès Himalaya bags achieved some of the highest prices during the period. A Himalaya Birkin 30 sold for $208,750 in April 2022, while a Himalaya Kelly 32 achieved $163,800 in June. A Diamond Himalaya Birkin and Diamond Himalaya Kelly also each sold via private sale for more than $450,000 in 2022.
Which Hermès bag sizes were most popular in early 2022?
Smaller Hermès bags led demand, with the Mini Kelly 20 commanding some of the strongest prices. The Birkin 25 and Kelly 25 also ranked among the most popular sizes, followed by the Kelly 28 and Birkin 30.
How much did a Mini Kelly 20 cost at auction in 2022?
During the first half of 2022, leather Mini Kelly 20 bags averaged approximately $28,500 at auction. Color, leather, condition and whether the bag qualified as a recent store-fresh example all influenced the final price.
Why are Hermès Metallic Birkin bags so rare?
Hermès produced Metallic Birkins in extremely limited quantities in Gold, Silver and Bronze Chèvre in connection with the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Because use can wear away the metallic finish, collectors rarely encounter examples that retain their original condition.
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