Ostrich Hermès Bags
Ostrich bags from Hermès are a unique subset of exotics. CITES restrictions don’t apply meaning there’s no risk with international travel or shipping, and yet the value of this rare material on the secondary market comes up short when compared to its exotic sisters Lizard, Crocodile and Alligator. Hermès has limited their Ostrich production further in recent years. Quality skins with even and plentiful quills are becoming harder and harder to find, particularly in large sizes. The 35cm Ostrich Birkin, once a staple of every Hermès collection, has all but disappeared from production. The Ostrich Birkin 35 had its peak media moment when Victoria Bekham carried her Fuchsia Ostrich Hermès Birkin 35 with a matching pink dress to the announcement of her husband David joining the LA Galaxy soccer team in July 2007.
Ostrich Hermès Birkin
Ostrich Birkins sell at auction around twice as often as Ostrich Kelly bags. The 30cm Birkin is by far the most numerous on the secondary market and holds a rather steady auction average between $23,000 and $26,000 for at least the last five years. 25cm Ostrich Birkins have proven quite rare with only 25 examples selling at auction in the last decade, though their average selling price has only recently overtaken the 30 with averages topping $35,000 since 2020. Sotheby's sold a 2021 Noir Ostrich Birkin 25 for $40,320 in it's 2022 June New York Handbag Auction. The 35cm Ostrich Birkin, though, has struggled since its late 2000’s heyday, with average dropping to nearly $15,000 in 2018 and only topping $20,000 in 2020 before dropping back under $19,000 in 2021.
Ostrich Hermès Kelly
When it comes to Ostrich Kelly Bags, Sellier dominates the market, with more than four times as many examples sold as Retourne Ostrich Kelly Bags. While 25 and 28cm Kellys have averaged around $25,000-$35,000 for the last five years, the 20cm mini Kelly II has beaten them out from the start, averaging around $40,000 since their 2019 auction market debut. In 2022, Sotheby's sold a very rare Hermes L4 Bubblegum Ostrich Mini Kelly 20 Palladium Hardware for a significant premium since this color Larger 32 and 35cm Ostrich Sellier Kellys average less than $16,500 at auction. Average prices for Retourne Ostrich Kellys climb as their size diminishes with larger 35 and 32cm versions averaging less than $15,500, 28cm versions averaging just over $20,000 and 25cm Ostrich Retourne Kellys averaging over $30,000. Vintage Ostrich Kellys average less than $13,500 at auction with the exception of vintage 20cm Ostrich Kellys which average close to $25,000.
Ostrich Hermès Pochettes
Introduced during Jean-Paul Gaultier’s first year at Hermès, the Kelly Pochette has become a must-have for collectors. In recent years, the popularity of the Kelly Pochette has skyrocketed. Most of this increase has been for leather Pochettes but Ostrich bags have risen in tandem. Prior to 2020 Ostrich Kelly Pochettes averaged under $20,000, but then the auction results jumped, climbing to almost $27,500 on average, and rising again to over $28,000 in 2021. In 2022, Sotheby's sold the above Kelly Pochette Gris Perle Ostrich for $32,760 during it's New York Handbag Auction.
Ostrich Hermès Constance
Prior to 2018, Ostrich Constance bags were vintage rarities averaging around $8,500 at auction. Hermès started producing Ostrich Constance bags in 18cm and 24cm sizes more regularly beginning in 2018. Since then about 25 bags have been sold at auction. Average prices have remained steady for 18cm Ostrich Constance bags, between $17,000 and $19,000. The Constance 24 has been more volatile averaging between $15,000 and $20,000. Average prices for Vintage Ostrich Costance bags remains consistent around $8,500.
