Hermes Rare Vintage Paul Dupre Lafon Robot Desk Calendar
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Width: 8 in (20.32 cm)Depth: 4.75 in (12.07 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Working condition. It features some normal wear of use on leather. Please check the photos carefully and ask if you need to know more details or if you have any doubts.
- Seller Location:Rome, IT
- Reference Number:
Hermès
For Hermès, what began as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen would eventually grow into one of the most storied fashion labels in the world. In 1837, German-born French entrepreneur Thierry Hermès opened a saddle and harness purveyor in Paris. Gradually, the house extended into accessories and luggage for its riders, and today, in paying homage to its origins, the family-run luxury brand resurfaces horse motifs in everything from clothing and modernist jewelry to pillows and handbags.
The first top-handled bag ever produced by Hermès was the Haut à courroies, which made its debut in 1892. A tall bag secured with a folded leather flap (fastened with bridle-inspired straps), it was designed to transport riding boots and a harness. As the world made the switch from horse to automobile, the bag adapted, becoming a multifunctional travel satchel instead of a designated saddlebag. Today, 120 years later, the HAC remains in Hermès’s line — and its distinctive flap and clasping straps have laid the groundwork for some of the house’s other iconic bags.
In the 1930s, Robert Dumas (son-in-law to Émile-Maurice Hermès, Thierry’s grandson) designed a smaller, trapezoidal take on the flap bag with a handle and two side straps. Later, actress Grace Kelly, then engaged to Prince Rainier of Monaco, is said to have used one of these bags to conceal her pregnancy during the 1950s. Because she was photographed constantly, the coverage catapulted her handbag to international popularity. In 1977, Hermès officially renamed the model for her, and the Kelly bag was born. Each Kelly bag takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches owe solely to one Hermès artisan.
Robert Dumas was also responsible for another one of the brand’s most iconic offerings: the launch of its first silk scarf on the occasion of Hermès’s 100th anniversary in 1937. Based on a woodblock designed by Dumas and printed on Chinese silk, the accessory was an immediate hit.
Today, vintage Hermès scarves, typically adorned in rich colors and elaborate patterns, serve many functions, just as they did back then. Well-heeled women wear it on their heads, around their necks and, in a genius piece of cross-promotion, tied to the straps of their Hermès bags. Kelly even once used one as a sling for her broken arm.
In 1981, Robert Dumas’s son Jean-Louis Dumas, then Hermès chairman, found himself sitting next to French actress and musician Jane Birkin on a plane, where she was complaining about finding a suitable carryall for the necessary accoutrements of motherhood. After the two travelers were properly introduced, Birkin helped design Jean-Louis’s most famous contribution to the Hermès canon: the Birkin bag, a roomy, square catchall with the HAC’s trademark leather flap top and the addition of a lock and key. Owing to the brand’s legendary commitment to deft, handcrafted construction, the Birkin is an investment that is coveted by collectors everywhere.
While the Kelly and Birkin may be standouts, gracing the arms of everyone from royal heiresses to hip-hop stars in the past few decades, the handbags are but a small part of Hermès’s fashion offerings. Since the 1920s, the brand has produced some of the most desirable leather goods in the world. There’s the Constance bag, a favorite of Jacqueline Kennedy, the recently relaunched 1970s-era Evelyne and, on the vintage market, a slew of designs dating back to the 1920s.
Good design never goes out of style. Find a variety of vintage Hermès handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Rome, Italy
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Gucci Vintage Gold Metal Letter Opener Brown Leather HandleBy GucciLocated in Rome, RomeVintage Gucci letter opener a gold-tone metal. Brown leather with gold metal hardware and GG logo on handle. Total lenght: 10.5 inches - 26.6 cm. 'Gucci taly' engraved at the base of...Category
20th Century Italian For The Desk
- Gucci Vintage Burgundy Leather 5 Ring 1976 AgendaBy GucciLocated in Rome, RomeElegant vintage 1976 agenda by GUCCI crafted in burgundy leather. It features a five ring binder inside and daily sheets of the year 1976. 1 pen holder, 1 open slot inside for papers...Category
20th Century Italian For The Desk
- Gucci Vintage Rare Metal Round Gold and Silver Table ClockBy GucciLocated in Rome, RomeRare Vintage Desk Clock by Gucci. Gold -tone & Silver-tone metal. Round- shaped. Quartz Movement. Roman numbers. 'GUCCI - Italy' engraved on the bac...Category
1970s Italian Decorative Objects
- Persol Ratti Berry Torino Vintage Sunglasses Keyring CharmBy PERSOL RATTILocated in Rome, Rome- Sunglasses-shaped keyring/charm by PERSOL RATTI - Rare & Collectibles item! - Crafted in brown plastic - 'BERRY' & 'TORINO' embossed on the sunglasses...Category
1980s Italian Curiosities
- Cartier Vintage Sterling Silver Mini Salt and Pepper Shakers SetBy CartierLocated in Rome, RomeVintage Cartier mini salt & pepper shakers in sterling silver. One of the shaker has a gold wash lid. Presented in red case. Measurements (height): 1.25 inches - 3.2 cm / (length):1 ...Category
20th Century French For The Table
- Gucci Vintage Engraved Silver Metal Table Lighter Home DecorBy GucciLocated in Rome, RomeVintage GUCCI table lighter. Cube-shaped. Silver metal with engraved motif. GG logo on the front. Marked 'Gucci - Italy' on the base. Height: 3 inches - 7.6 cm. Width: 2 inches - 5.1...Category
1970s Italian Decorative Objects
- Zenith Pilot Stainless Steel Mens Chronograph Watch 03.2430.4054 - Automatic. StBy RolexLocated in Dallas, TXRolex Leather Portfolio with Caran D'ache Pen - Green leather zip-around Rolex portfolio with creme interior, gold-tone hardware, 8 pockets, pen loops and Caran d'Ache for Rolex ballpoint pen...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss For The Desk
- 70s Parker fountain pen set, gold plated, caseLocated in VALLADOLID, ES70s Parker fountain pen set, gold plated, case Fountain pen manufactured in the United States by Parker in the mid-sixties. Pair of PARKER 45 CUSTO...Category
1960s American For The Desk
- S.T.Dupont red lacquer and plated gold lighter collectionBy S.T. DupontLocated in VALLADOLID, ESLuxury lighter from the prestigious S.T. Dupont, plated in yellow gold and decorated in authentic Chinese red lacquer, framed between gold profiles. It is engraved with initial...Category
1990s French For The Desk
- Pair Spanish Gold Bronze Busts of Horses in the Hermes styleLocated in VALLADOLID, ESGorgeous and large busts of a Spanish horse in solid and gold bronze. The busts are represented on a keyhole-shaped car-touche with a composition of riding crops and high equine reli...Category
1960s Spanish For The Desk
- Louis Vuitton 1980 Shop Window Display Airplane ModelBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-ouen, FRA French 1980 handmade wooden model airplane from a Louis Vuitton shop window display. Beautiful brass stand. This item is very unusu...Category
1980s Decorative Objects
- Chanel Black and White Game Series Rugby FootballBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Black and White Game Series Rugby Football is in pristine condition. Rare and collectible item. PBF 13076Category
21st Century and Contemporary Decorative Objects
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Hermès Passe-Guide Bag Might Not Be as Well Known as the Birkin or Kelly, But It’s Every Bit as Chic
Find out why this under-the-radar piece is so exceptional.
How to Spot a Fake Hermès Birkin Bag
The iconic Birkin bag is much coveted — and often copied. Find out how to tell the real deal from a convincing fake. Of course, you don't have to worry about this on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.