Why is Hermès so special?

Hermès is so special for a few reasons. The French luxury house is one of the most storied fashion labels in the world and has a rich heritage that dates back to 1837.Hermès began in Paris as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen. The house later 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 jewelry to pillows and handbags .Hermès artisans spend years honing their craft as apprentices before they produce Hermès pieces in premium materials. For example, the Kelly bag , which was named in tribute to one of its biggest fans, Grace Kelly, takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce , and its 680 hand stitches are made by one Hermès artisan. Each Birkin tote is also hand-sewn according to Hermès’s centuries-old saddle-stitching technique, and its exotic leathers , a variety that includes ostrich and crocodile , are subsequently painted and polished by house craftsmen in France.On 1stDibs, explore a selection of vintage Hermès handbags and accessories.

What is the oldest Hermès bag?

The oldest Hermès bag is the Haut à Courroies or HAC. It debuted in 1900 and has a trapezoidal shape. Originally, the purpose of this first handbag was to carry personal belongings while riding a horse. As a result, the HAC’s design allowed it to easily attach to saddles. Find a variety of Hermès bags on 1stDibs.

Vintage Hermes Bags

Vintage Lizard

Kelly Sellier Hermes Gold Hardware

Hermes Made In France Stamp

1970 Hermes Purse

Hermes Canvas

Hermes Box Leather Kelly Shoulder Strap

Hermes Crocodile Handbag

Box Calf

Recent Sales

Unavailable

Vintage Hermès Red Evening Clutch

By Hermès

Located in Paris, FR

Really nice Hermes Evening Cluth in good condition, just some small signs of wear in the leather but ATTENTION sold at this price cause the press button is quite hard to open once cl...

Category

1980s French Evening Bags and Minaudières

H 6 in W 10 in

Pristine Hermes Vintage Black Crocodile 'Sac Cordeliere' with Gold Hardware

By Hermès

Located in London, GB

In pristine condition, inside and out, this Beautiful Hermes Vintage Handbag is finished in Black Shiny Porosus Crocodile, accented with Gold 'Cordeliere' Hardware. The rigid design ...

Category

Late 20th Century French Top Handle Bags

Vintage Hermes transparent clear vinyl Kelly bag, Japan limited Edition. Rare.

Unavailable

H 11.8 in W 15.7 in D 4.3 in

Vintage Hermes transparent clear vinyl Kelly bag, Japan limited Edition. Rare.

By Hermès

Located in Kashiwa, Chiba

Beautiful vintage condition! 1990s. Vintage Hermes rare, clear transparent vinyl Kelly bag, Japan limited Edition.

Category

1990s Top Handle Bags

VINTAGE Hermes Beige Tan Box Calf Leather Canvas Gold Hardware "Trim 31" Bag

Unavailable

H 11.5 in W 3 in L 12 in

VINTAGE Hermes Beige Tan Box Calf Leather Canvas Gold Hardware "Trim 31" Bag

By Hermès

Located in Chicago, IL

Color: Beige,Brown,Gold, Style: Trim Made In: France Fabric Content: Box Calf Leather, Canvas Item Specifics & Details: VINTAGE "Trim 31" style shoulder bag by Hermes circa 1982. Bei...

Category

1980s French Shoulder Bags

Unavailable

Hermes Vintage Kelly 28 Rouge Garance Red Box Calf Leather Gold Metal Satchel

By Hermès

Located in Kowloon, HK

Color: Red / Rouge Garance (designer color) Material: Box Calf Leather Condition: Rank A Overall: Good, few minor defects Surface: Minor Stains Corners: Minor Stains & Stains...

Category

1990s French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Vintage Kelly 35 Noir Black Box Calf Leather Gold Metal Top Handle Bag

Unavailable

Hermes Vintage Kelly 35 Noir Black Box Calf Leather Gold Metal Top Handle Bag

By Hermès

Located in Kowloon, HK

Material: Box Calf Leather Condition: Rank B Overall: Fair, few defects Surface: Obvious Scratches Corners: Obvious Scratches Edges: Obvious Scratches Handles/Straps: Obvious Scra...

Category

1990s French Top Handle Bags

1960 Hermès Kelly 35 Rouge H Vintage

Unavailable

1960 Hermès Kelly 35 Rouge H Vintage

Located in Milan, IT

This iconic HERMES Kelly 35 vintage is in bordeaux box leather. The hardware is gold plated. Included : a clochette, keys and padlock. This bag is marked by the stamp S, meaning of...

Category

1960s Top Handle Bags

Unavailable

H 5.91 in D 3.55 in L 9.06 in

Hermes vintage Constance 23 in brown crocodile

By Hermès

Located in London, GB

A gorgeous and rare Vintage Constance in Shiny Croc with Gold Hardware. Colour: Brown Colour Code: n/a Leather: Shiny Croc Hardware: Gold Stamp: F in circle (1976) Condition: Excell...

Category

1970s French Top Handle Bags

Hermes Lindy 26 Blue Swift Leather Silver HW PHW D Stamp Shoulder Bag

$5,000

W 10.24 in

Hermes Lindy 26 Blue Swift Leather Silver HW PHW D Stamp Shoulder Bag

By Hermès

Located in Guangzhou, CN

Condition: hermes lindy 26 handbag blue stamp d France swift，The corners are worn, and there are scratches on the hardware. Accessories: Dust bag. size: Width:26cm Designer: Herme...

Category

2010s French Structured Shoulder Bags

Located in Zürich, CH

This 100% authentic Hermès Kelly 32 Sellier Bag in Marron is exquisitely crafted from shiny porosus crocodile leather, showcasing a rich, deep brown hue with a luminous finish. Const...

Category

1990s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags

Hermes Kelly Depeche 25 Pouch Blue Nuit Togo Palladium Wrist Strap Sac Travel

$8,760

H 7.9 in W 1.6 in L 10.7 in

Hermes Kelly Depeche 25 Pouch Blue Nuit Togo Palladium Wrist Strap Sac Travel

By Hermès

Located in Miami, FL

- Blue exterior - Made in France - Palladium hardware - Comes with dustbag Condition: The pouch is in overall great condition with no major imperfections Measurements: ( ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Clutches

Hermès Blue Jean Clemence Leather Lindy Bag with Palladium Hardware

$7,500

Hermès Blue Jean Clemence Leather Lindy Bag with Palladium Hardware

By Hermès

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Absolutely Stunning Authentic Hermes blue jean Lindy bag in excellent condition. Classic blue jean clemence leather exterior trimmed with shining silver palladium hardware. Two side ...

Category

Early 2000s Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermès Bordeaux Shiny Mississippiensis Alligator Leather Constance 24

$36,168

H 6.7 in W 9.06 in D 2.76 in

Hermès Bordeaux Shiny Mississippiensis Alligator Leather Constance 24

By Hermès

Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire

Hermès Bordeaux Shiny Mississippiensis Alligator Leather Constance 24 Product Details Brand: Hermès Model: Constance 24 Product Title: Bordeaux Shiny Mississippiensis Alligator Leat...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags

Hermes Constance Long To Go Wallet Etoupe Gold Hardware Epsom Leather

$14,580

Extraordinary Legacy in Diamond Form Harry Winston 28.13ct Masterpiece

By Harry Winston

Located in Chicago, IL

An Extraordinary Legacy in Diamond Form: The Harry Winston 28.13ct Masterpiece When rarity meets refinement, the result is nothing short of legendary. This original Harry Winston cre...

Category

Early 2000s American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

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Vintage Hermes Bags For Sale on 1stDibs

Find an extraordinary variety of vintage hermes bags available on 1stDibs. Our collection of vintage hermes bags includes a variety of colors, spanning Black, Brown, Red and more. Making the right choice when shopping for these accessories may mean looking at versions that date from different eras — you can find early iterations from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century, all of which have proven very popular over the years. There aren’t many items for unisex if you’re seeking these accessories, as most of the options available are for men and women.

How Much are Vintage Hermes Bags?

Prices for vintage hermes bags can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $240 and can go as high as $127,709, while these items, on average, fetch $5,282.

Hermès for sale on 1stDibs

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.

Finding the Right Handbags And Purses for You

An integral part of fashion, handbags and purses have been indispensable accessories ever since we began to carry around personal items. Level of craftsmanship, style and shape matters — from coin purses in ancient Greece to early 20th-century opera bags and onward, handbags have evolved considerably over the years to meet our needs and desires, whether or not you happen to be prioritizing functionality over a flashy exterior.

Once, a single “It” handbag ruled each fashion season. No more. Today, lovers of vintage handbags are savvier and have a wider range of shopping options. Nevertheless, classics created by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.

“It is not a fashion bag — it is a statement bag,” says Mightychic's Debra Kent of Hermès's widely beloved accessories. “When you carry an iconic Hermès bag — Birkin, Kelly, Constance — no one knows how long you have been into this culture or if you are a newbie. Your status is validated immediately.”

First released in 1997, Fendi's Baguette rose to fame along with Carrie Bradshaw, the Sex and the City character portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker. Recently, the design has seen such a resurgence in popularity that Fendi has reissued it.

They are part of design history, so owning a handbag has meaning. As New York–based fashion historian Sarah C. Byrd says, “You have made the choice to invest in this piece because you understand the value of it in the past and in the future to come.”

From a 1980s Chanel black leather quilted mini buckle bag to the rare Hermès Birkin 30cm Himalayan with diamond hardware to a range of 19th-century bags, find a rich variety of vintage and designer handbags and purses spanning numerous brands on 1stDibs — seasonal “It” designation no longer needed.

Questions About Hermès

Why is Hermès so special?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024
Hermès is so special for a few reasons. The French luxury house is one of the most storied fashion labels in the world and has a rich heritage that dates back to 1837.

Hermès began in Paris as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen. The house later 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 jewelry to pillows and handbags.

Hermès artisans spend years honing their craft as apprentices before they produce Hermès pieces in premium materials. For example, the Kelly bag, which was named in tribute to one of its biggest fans, Grace Kelly, takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches are made by one Hermès artisan. Each Birkin tote is also hand-sewn according to Hermès’s centuries-old saddle-stitching technique, and its exotic leathers, a variety that includes ostrich and crocodile, are subsequently painted and polished by house craftsmen in France.

On 1stDibs, explore a selection of vintage Hermès handbags and accessories.
What is the oldest Hermès bag?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
The oldest Hermès bag is the Haut à Courroies or HAC. It debuted in 1900 and has a trapezoidal shape. Originally, the purpose of this first handbag was to carry personal belongings while riding a horse. As a result, the HAC’s design allowed it to easily attach to saddles. Find a variety of Hermès bags on 1stDibs.

Beyond the Birkin: 10 Hermès Bags with ‘If You Know, You Know’ Appeal

What these styles lack in name recognition they more than make up for in cachet.

Dress Like Your Favorite NFL Player with an Hermès HAC Bag

Before the Birkin there was the Haut à Courroies, which has become the chic carryall of choice for the league's most stylish athletes.

This Hermès Picnic Garden Party Bag Is Elegant and Errand-Friendly

Does wicker get more high-end than this?

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.