Rare Customized Raleigh "Royal Roadster" Bike by Hermes
View Similar Items
Rare Customized Raleigh "Royal Roadster" Bike by Hermes
About the Item
- Creator:Hermès (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 39 in (99.06 cm)Width: 69 in (175.26 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1990's
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: accessory1261stDibs: LU78381130030
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.
- Rare Korrigum Skull with Custom Nickel Mount 1970sLocated in New York, NYKorrigum skull with custom fabricated nickel mount, American, 1970s. The Korrigum is from Burkina Faso (West Africa) and they very are few in number. This type of skull is extremely ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Sculptures
MaterialsNickel
- Karl Springer Rare "Royal Palm 4 Door Cabinet" in Lacquered Goatskin ca. 1990By Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NY"Royal Palm 4 Door Cabinet" in olive/beige color lacquered goatskin by Karl Springer, American ca. 1990. Interior is finished in green lacquer. This cabinet exemplifies Karl Springer...Category
1990s American Modern Credenzas
MaterialsGoatskin, Wood, Lacquer
- Telephone Table by Mary Forssberg, Custom-MadeBy Mary ForssbergLocated in New York, NYTelephone table shown here in hand-stitched leather with inset shagreen top on polished brass castors designed by Mary Forssberg for Lobel Modern. This table is exceptionally crafted. It can be made in any size and color and in a variety of materials. Lead time is 12-16 weeks. Mary Forssberg worked closely with Karl Springer as his Miami showroom manager in the 1980s and early 1990s, and began designing her own line of furniture in 1993. She is, as Karl Springer was before her, a devotee of using the highest quality craftsmanship and materials. She carries on that tradition using the same craftsman Springer did. Her pieces are covered in exotic materials and can be made in any size or color. Lobel Modern is proud to represent her. Forssberg is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in Interior Design. She was recruited by Baron Alexander Albrizzi, designer of Classic Perspex furniture...Category
2010s American Modern Side Tables
MaterialsLeather
$6,500 / item - "Windsor Coffee Table" by Mary Forssberg, Custom-MadeBy Mary ForssbergLocated in New York, NY"Windsor coffee table" shown here in embossed lizard leather designed by Mary Forssberg for Lobel Modern. This table can be made in any size, colo...Category
2010s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsLeather
$15,000 / item - Custom-Made Regency Style Wing Chair, 1950s, SignedLocated in New York, NYRegency style wing chair with carved arms and legs and original yellow faux leather upholstery by Mason-Art, American, 1950s (signed with origin...Category
Vintage 1950s American Regency Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFaux Leather, Foam, Wood
- Thad Hayes Custom Barrel Back Lounge Chair, 2000By Thad HayesLocated in New York, NYCustom barrel back lounge chair in leather on casters designed by Thad Hayes for William and Karen Lauder, American, 2000. This comes with a Letter of Provenance from Thad Hayes. It ...Category
Early 2000s American Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather, Foam, Wood
- 1964 Raleigh RM4 49CC MopedLocated in Houston, TXThis is a 1964 Raleigh RM4 moped. The Raleigh Bicycle Company is a British bicycle manufacturer founded in 1885, it is one of the oldest and largest, b...Category
Vintage 1960s English Sports Equipment and Memorabilia
MaterialsMetal
$2,200 Sale Price50% Off - Hermes Paris, Rare French Silver Smoking Set, c 1930By HermèsLocated in Buenos Aires, OlivosRefined "guilloché" smoking set for two people in silver. Contains match holders and ashtrays. Original case included. Very rare collectors piece. Hermès Each piece hallmarked, fur...Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsSilver
$2,800 Sale Price26% Off - Early 20th Century Raleigh Bicycles Shop Advertising FigureLocated in London, GBEarly 20th century Raleigh Bicycles shop advertising figure We share what we love, and we love this early 20th century charming Raleigh bicycles shop advertising figure. Made from wood and plaster with hand painted detail, in the form of Sir Walter Raleigh...Category
Vintage 1920s British Late Victorian Historical Memorabilia
MaterialsPlaster, Wood
- British Royal navy Cordite Charge Carrier rare 3 CannisterLocated in Surrey, BCThis is a rare example of the type of container that was used on Royal Navy ships to carry cordite charges. These were constructed of cork covered in canvas or leather. This one h...Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Nautical Objects
MaterialsLeather, Canvas, Cork
$1,170 Sale Price35% Off - Ciclotte Bike in Grey Steel by Luca SchieppatiBy Luca SchieppatiLocated in Brooklyn, NYCiclotte Bike is an innovative exercise bike, designed and made in Italy, that combines idea, form and technology rethinking the traditional aesthetic an...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sports Equipment and Memorabilia
MaterialsSteel
$14,213 / item - Ciclotte Bike in Green Steel by Luca SchieppatiBy Luca SchieppatiLocated in Brooklyn, NYCiclotte bike is an innovative exercise bike, designed and made in Italy, that combines idea, form and technology rethinking the traditional aesthetic an...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sports Equipment and Memorabilia
MaterialsSteel
$14,213 / item
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.