Welcome to the second half of the November BagWorld Auction Calendar. In a packed week of upcoming sales in Paris, renowned auction houses Bonham's, Artcurial and Gros & Delettrez will showcase a spectacular array of mostly vintage Hermes handbags, each telling its own story of luxury and sophistication. From the vintage allure of classic designs to the modern charm of recent creations, these auctions are set to enthrall connoisseurs and collectors alike with rare finds and iconic pieces.
Bonham’s Los Angeles Online November 20 12:00 PM PST- Collecting Classic Luxury
Bonham’s first effort since hiring Marissa Speer to head their US Designer Handbags & Fashion department features only a handful of Hermes bags, the most notable of which is a Bolide 45 from 2000 that is cataloged as Vache Naturelle, but looks more like Barenia to me. Either way, it’s rare to find these in nice heritage leathers, which are oh-so-satisfying to the touch.
Artcurial Paris Online November 21 14:00 CET- Hermes Vintage Online
A classic Paris smattering of vintage bags, home goods, clothes and more, Artcurial’s Hermes Vintage Online Sale features of handful of bags worth noting.
A Rouge H Box Retourne Kelly 28 with Palladium hardware from 2005 has a tantalizingly low estimate of €3,000 - €5,000.
A Vert Clair Courchevel Retourne Kelly 32 with Gold Hardware and a canvas strap dating from 1989 is a striking combination that has a pleasing cluster of scratches that, in my opinion, really add to the visual effect and feed into the ‘beat Birkin’ aesthetic.
Gros & Delettrez Paris Mens’ November 21 14:00 CET- Hermes au Masculin - Coll. d’un Passionne
EXHIBITIONS - Salle 2 - Hôtel Drouot , 9, rue Drouot 75009 Paris
18 November 11:00 - 18:00 CET
20 November 11:00 - 18:00 CET
21 November 11:00 - 12:00 CET
A well-curated auction of men’s Hermes (and some other brands) presents a great selection of good work and travel bags in dark neutrals and sturdy leathers. A few standouts deserve extra attention:
An Ebene Barenia Shark Bolide is a very rare example of this limited edition that kicked off the craze for seasonal 45cm Bolides. Most of these bags were made in Togo leather, but a small group were made in Barenia, which is nearly never seen on the market.
A Volynka Plume 40 is another good travel bag made in an extremely rare leather. Originating in 1920s Paris, Cuir de Russie was famed for its distinctive aroma, a blend of lapsang souchong, cigar, and peated whisky. This robust, water-resistant leather, initially used for soldiers' boots, became a symbol of Russian imperial trade. Rediscovered in the 1970s from a sunken ship's cargo, Hermès revitalized this leather through a six-year investigation during which craftsmen, using traditional tanning methods with vegetable tannins and birch oil, were able to recreate this lost leather enabling its modern revival.
Bonham’s Paris Live November 23 14:00 CET- The Art of Luxury Hermes
EXHIBITIONS - 6 avenue Hoche, Paris, 75008
18 November 12:00 - 18:00 CET
20 November 10:00 - 18:00 CET
21 November 10:00 - 18:00 CET
22 November 10:00 - 18:00 CET
Bonham’s The Art of Luxury Hermes auction has a tight selection of mostly vintage and larger bags, with one notable exception.
A Blue Faubourg Birkin leads the sale with a pre-auction estimate of €80,000 - €100,000, well below the average $183,500 the bags have previously achieved at auction.
A 2009 Vache Naturelle and Vert Olive Officier Canvas Birkin 30 with Palladium hardware appears quite well preserved with an A- condition rating (wouldn’t it be nice if we could standardize condition rankings?).
Gros & Delettrez Paris Live November 28 11:00 CET - Hermes Vintage
EXHIBITIONS - Salle 4 - Hôtel Drouot , 9, rue Drouot 75009 Paris
25 November 11:00 - 18:00 CET
27 November 111:00 - 18:00 CET
Closing out Paris Auction Week, this sale has a handful of good Birkins and Kellys and some nice vintage pieces, the most notable of which, in my opinion, are:
A Blue Jean and White Courchevel Il de Shiki from 1996 presents a striking color combination that is fresh and summery, both nautical and preppy.
A pair of silver pieces, a necklace and a bracelet by Martin Szekley for Hermes dubbed Reine de Saba (Queen of Sheba) are both extremely rare designs. The provenance states these were acquired from a 2011 auction of the collection of Rena and Jean Louis Dumas, a fascinating sale to peruse that sheds light on the sources of inspiration for many of Dumas’ designs for Hermes.
Bonus Lot:
Hôtel des Ventes Orléans- Madeleine has a very early Hermes Verrou clutch in their November 24th sale, that is worth a look if only to see the slight design differences between the original Verrou and the new: a ball on the hardware, clipped corners on the flap, are there other differences you notice?
As November's auctions draw to a close, it's clear that the world of collectible Hermes remains a vibrant and dynamic arena. The exquisite bags presented by Bonham’s, Artcurial, and Gros & Delettrez in Paris not only captivate bidders but also highlight the enduring appeal and craftsmanship of these luxury items. From vintage treasures to modern masterpieces, each auction offers a unique glimpse into the rich history and evolving trends of Hermes' exquisite creations. These events stand as a testament to the timeless allure and ongoing fascination with the artistry and elegance of Hermes handbags.