Rare Hermès Sac à dépêches briefcase in Rouge brique calf box leather, GHW
View Similar Items
Rare Hermès Sac à dépêches briefcase in Rouge brique calf box leather, GHW
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Style:Dandy (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Paris, FR
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1402215672112
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.
- Louis Vuitton document holder in brown monogram canvasBy Louis VuittonLocated in Paris, IDFLouis Vuitton document holder in brown monogram canvas, gold metal hardware. Top and zip closure. Brown leather interior. Dimensions: 28....Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Briefcases and Attachés
- Chic Goyard Ambassade PM briefcase in Grey Goyardine canvas and leather, SHWBy GoyardLocated in Paris, IDFElegant Goyard Ambassade briefcase in grey Goyardine canvas and grey Cervon calfskin leather , silver metal trim, double grey leather handle ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Briefcases and Attachés
- Louis Vuitton Altona PM Briefcase in brown checkerboard canvas and brown leatherBy Louis VuittonLocated in Paris, IDFVery Chic Louis Vuitton Altona PM Briefcase in Ebony canvas and brown leather, golden brass trim, a brown leather handle for a hand carr...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Briefcases and Attachés
- Chic Hermès Buenaventura briefcase in beige canvas and gold barenia leather, SHWBy HermèsLocated in Paris, IDFHermes Buenaventura Briefcase in beige officer canvas and Barénia Gold leather, palladium silver metal trim, a handle in barénia gold leather...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Briefcases and Attachés
- Amazing Chanel vintage Briefcase in beige caviar leather, GHWBy ChanelLocated in Paris, IDFClassy Chanel Briefcase in beige caviar quilted leather, gold-plated metal hardware, a simple handle in beige caviar leather for a hand carry Patch pocket on back of bag Closure by f...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Briefcases and Attachés
- Amazing Hermès Birkin 30 handbag in Bois de rose Togo leather, SHWBy HermèsLocated in Paris, IDFExquisite Hermes Birkin 30 handbag in bois de rose Togo leather, palladium silver metal hardware, double handle in bois de rose leather allowing a hand-carried Flap closure Inside l...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Vintage Elizabeth Arden Leather Beauty Case.By Elizabeth ArdenLocated in London, GBA wonderful vintage leather beauty case by Elizabeth Arden. In a tan leather , the case has a leather handle and two locks. it has the initials JML. The interior is lined in pink fab...Category
1950s Briefcases and Attachés
- HERMÈS PORTE-DOCUMENTS VICTORIA GOLD Togo Leather with Palladium HardwareBy HermèsLocated in London, GBHermès Porte-Documents Victoria in Gold Togo Leather with Palladium Hardware U Stamp / 2023 Accompanied by: Original receipt, Hermes box, Hermes dustbag and Ribbon Measurements: ...Category
2010s European Briefcases and Attachés
- Hermès Rare Rouge H Men Toiletry CaseBy HermèsLocated in West Hollywood, CAHermes 1940’s rare and collectible men toiletry case. Rouge H box calf leather and 24kt gold hardware. Excellent condition with all interior parts in pla...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Briefcases and Attachés
- Rare 1960s Char Leather Briefcase Laptop Bag Floral distressed Vintage MexicoBy Char Leather, CharLocated in Wallkill, NYRare find here, 1960s Char Leather case. It has compartments. Wipstiched, Floral motif. Great distressed look. Measuring 13 in high x 17.5in wide x 2.5 deep. We have more Char pieces...Category
1960s Mexican Briefcases and Attachés
- New Hermes Sac à Depeche Crocodile Briefcase 41cmBy HermèsLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe Sac à Depeche briefcase from Hermès of Paris is one of the famed French luxury goods house's most coveted and exclusive items. This is a "Horeshoe...Category
Early 2000s French Briefcases and Attachés
- Louis Vuitton Monogramm Briefcase, Vuitton President BriefaseBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-ouen, FRThis elegant Louis Vuitton briefcase features monogram canvas and a large and comfortable leather handle. Closed by a solid brass lock, it is accompanied by two crafted brass trunk latches. Its trims are printed with the LV logo all around. Its interior is all original too in brown leather and it is very clean.It features a flat pocket to store documents.It is embossed Louis Vuitton . Embossed serial number. It comes with its Louis Vuitton leather name tag...Category
1980s French Briefcases and Attachés
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.