The history of Hermès, creator of luxury goods that range from leather to home furnishings, jewellery and more, begins in the mid-19th century. In 1837 Thierry Hermès, recognising the demand for high quality harnesses for the carriages of the nobility, opened a shop in Paris. He soon became known as the best in his field, and he counted Napoléon III and his wife, the Empress Eugénie, among his clientele. Eventually, Thierry’s son Charles-Emilie would expand their product line to the manufacture of saddles, boots, whips and importantly, feeding bags, or nosebags. Incidentally, a nosebag is thought to be the design inspiration for Hermes later Picotin handbag. This expertise at working leather gradually evolved into the production of leather handbags, with Hermès releasing its first in 1922. By 1929 it had launched its first collection of women’s fashion, and throughout the 1930s it created many of its most iconic items, from the ‘Kelly’ bag (so-called only decades later, when it was made famous by Grace Kelly in 1956), to its famous silk scarves, later moving on into watches, then perfumes and silk ties in the 1940s. By the 1980s Hermès was a globally recognised brand. Its iconic Birkin bag — said to have been inspired after the director of Hermès sat next to Jane Birkin on a plane, where she complained of handbags never having enough pockets — remains a fashion standard to this day, while its engagement of post-modern fashion designer Martin Margiela and later Jean-Paul Gaultier put it at the cutting edge of fashion through the 1990s and beyond. Today it remains among the world’s most valuable brands.

Hermès

Handbags and Trunks: Including Property of An Important Private Collector

Hermès Black Madame Birkin 30 Sellier Palladium Hardware, 2021

Hermès Black Madame Birkin 30 Sellier Palladium Hardware, 2021 The interior is lined with tonal Chèvre LeatherIncludes clochette, lock, keys, felt, dust bag and boxDimensions: 30 x 22 x 16 cm

View 1 of Lot 25: Black Madame Birkin 30 Sellier Palladium Hardware, 2021

black madame birkin 30 sellier palladium hardware, 2021

Hermès Black Togo Birkin 25 Gold Hardware, 2024

Hermès Black Togo Birkin 25 Gold Hardware, 2024 The interior is lined with tonal Chèvre LeatherIncludes clochette, lock, keys, felt, dust bag and boxDimensions: 25 x 20 x 13 cm

View 1 of Lot 28: Black Togo Birkin 25 Gold Hardware, 2024

black togo birkin 25 gold hardware, 2024

Hermès Vert Veronese Matte Porosus Crocodile Birkin 35 Palladium Hardware, 2010

Hermès Vert Veronese Matte Porosus Crocodile Birkin 35 Palladium Hardware, 2010 The interior is lined with tonal Chèvre LeatherIncludes clochette, lock, keys and dust bagDimensions: 35 x 27 x 18 cm

View 1 of Lot 43: Vert Veronese Matte Porosus Crocodile Birkin 35 Palladium Hardware, 2010

vert veronese matte porosus crocodile birkin 35 palladium hardware, 2010

Hermès Vert Cypress Chèvre de Coromandel Birkin 30 Palladium Hardware, 2023

Hermès Vert Cypress Chèvre de Coromandel Birkin 30 Palladium Hardware, 2023 The interior is lined with tonal Chèvre LeatherIncludes clochette, lock, keys, dust bag and boxDimensions: 30 x 22 x 16 cm

View 1 of Lot 39: Vert Cypress Chèvre de Coromandel Birkin 30 Palladium Hardware, 2023

vert cypress chèvre de coromandel birkin 30 palladium hardware, 2023

Hermès Limited Edition Black Volupto Rock Birkin 25 Palladium Hardware, 2024

Hermès Limited Edition Black Volupto Rock Birkin 25 Palladium Hardware, 2024 The interior is lined with tonal Chèvre LeatherIncludes clochette, lock, keys, felt, dust bagDimensions: 25 x 20 x 13 cm

View 1 of Lot 27: Limited Edition Black Volupto Rock Birkin 25 Palladium Hardware, 2024

limited edition black volupto rock birkin 25 palladium hardware, 2024

Hermès White Matte Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Birkin 25 Palladium Hardware, 2015

Hermès White Matte Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Birkin 25 Palladium Hardware, 2015 The interior is lined with Gris Cendré Chèvre LeatherIncludes clochette, lock, keys and dust bagDimensions: 25 x 20 x 13 cm

View 1 of Lot 20: White Matte Niloticus Crocodile Himalaya Birkin 25 Palladium Hardware, 2015

white matte niloticus crocodile himalaya birkin 25 palladium hardware, 2015

Hermès Bordeaux Shiny Porosus Crocodile Birkin 35 Palladium Hardware, 2010

Hermès Bordeaux Shiny Porosus Crocodile Birkin 35 Palladium Hardware, 2010 The interior is lined with tonal Chèvre LeatherIncludes clochette, lock, keys and dust bagDimensions: 35 x 27 x 18 cm

View 1 of Lot 1: Bordeaux Shiny Porosus Crocodile Birkin 35 Palladium Hardware, 2010

bordeaux shiny porosus crocodile birkin 35 palladium hardware, 2010

Hermès Ardoise Evercolor Shoulder Birkin 29 Gold Hardware, 2025

Hermès Ardoise Evercolor Shoulder Birkin 29 Gold Hardware, 2025 The interior is lined with tonal Chèvre LeatherIncludes clochette, lock, keys, felt, dust bag and boxDimensions: 29 x 17 x 13 cm

View 1 of Lot 40: Ardoise Evercolor Shoulder Birkin 29 Gold Hardware, 2025

ardoise evercolor shoulder birkin 29 gold hardware, 2025

Hermès Bleu Marine Shiny Niloticus Crocodile Birkin 30 Gold Hardware, 2020

Hermès Bleu Marine Shiny Niloticus Crocodile Birkin 30 Gold Hardware, 2020 The interior is lined with tonal Chèvre LeatherIncludes clochette, lock, keys, felt, dust bag and boxDimensions: 30 x 22 x 16 cm

View 1 of Lot 37: Bleu Marine Shiny Niloticus Crocodile Birkin 30 Gold Hardware, 2020

bleu marine shiny niloticus crocodile birkin 30 gold hardware, 2020

Hermès Limited Edition So Black Box Birkin 30 Black PVD Hardware, 2010

Hermès Limited Edition So Black Box Birkin 30 Black PVD Hardware, 2010 The interior is lined with tonal Chèvre LeatherIncludes clochette, lock, keys, dust bag and boxDimensions: 30 x 22 x 16 cm

View 1 of Lot 26: Limited Edition So Black Box Birkin 30 Black PVD Hardware, 2010

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