How do you authenticate a vintage Kelly?

To authenticate a vintage Kelly handbag, look for a heat stamp under the front flap on the outside of the bag. On authentic pieces produced after 1954, the stamp will read “Hermès Paris Made in France” in gold or silver. Earlier versions may have a colorless stamp and slightly different wording, but regardless of age, the stamp should be straight, have evenly-spaced letters and be deeply set into the bag. On 1stDibs, find a range of authentic vintage Hermès Kelly handbags from some of the world’s top boutiques.