Exceptional Hermès Passe Guide Bag Shiny Ebene Porosus Crocodile Ghw RARE
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 7.49 in (19 cm)Width: 3.08 in (7.8 cm)Length: 9.26 in (23.5 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:Crocodile
- Condition:
- Seller Location:FR
- 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: France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Exceptional Hermès Vintage Bolide Bag Velvet Leather Soies Volantes Unique PieceBy HermèsLocated in FRExceptional Authentic Hermès Bag "Bolide" travel bag Print: "SOIES VOLANTES" (flying silks) Designed by Loic Dubigeon in 1991 Unique piece, created ...Category
1990s French Top Handle Bags
- Rare Hermès Vintage Sumac Travel Riding or Picnic Bag Canvas Leather 50 cmBy HermèsLocated in FRRARE Authentic Hermès Bag "SUMAC" Made in France Stamp X in circle (1994) Made of : Canvas (Toile), grained and smooth leathers, golden hardware Colorways: Beige, White, Naturel...Category
1990s French Top Handle Bags
- Exceptional Hermès Vintage Mini Kelly Sellier Bag Satin and Doblis Gold Hdw 20cmBy HermèsLocated in FRExtremely Rare Authentic Hermès Bag "Mini Kelly" Sellier version, rigid, so Chic ! Collector piece ! Only a few in the world. A true collector bag Made in France Stamp U in a c...Category
1990s French Top Handle Bags
- Hermès Vintage Pola Purse Clutch Evening Bag 2 ways Black Ostrich Golden HdwBy HermèsLocated in FRRare and Beautiful Authentic Hermès Purse "Pola" Made in France No stamp but vintage Made of Ostrich Leather and Golden Hardware Ostrich ...Category
Late 20th Century French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Exceptional Hermès Shoulder Bag Purse Green-Grey Lizard Gold Hdw RAREBy HermèsLocated in FRGorgeous and rare Authentic Hermès Bag Made in France Vintage bag, no stamp Made of Lizard and Golden Hardware Lined with smooth lambsink Leather Colorway: green-grey 1 main co...Category
1980s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Hermès Vintage Lantern Lock Cadenas Kelly Bag Charm Limited Edition 1991By HermèsLocated in FRSuper Cute Authentic Hermès Padlock In shape of a Paper Lantern Made in France Made of non-precious metals Vintage Item, from 1991 Colorways: Silver-Tone and Golden "HERMES" an...Category
1990s French Decorative Objects
- Celine Trapeze Medium Tri-Color Suede and Leather HandbagBy CelineLocated in Boca Raton, FLCompany-Celine Model-Trapeze Medium Color-Tri Color White Black and Orange Date Code-S-AT-4184 S-CU-5104 Material-Leather and Suede Measurements-11.75" L x 7"W x 8.25" H Strap-14....Category
2010s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Fendi Black Leather Crocodile Print Shoulder Bag 1970s VintageBy FendiLocated in Brindisi, BtFendi shoulder bag vintage 1970s. Black, 100% crocodile leather. Adjustable shoulder strap, can also be carried by hand. Clip button closure. Internal zip pocket. Made in Italy. Exce...Category
1970s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Hermes Kelly 25cm Black Togo Palladium Shoulder Bag U Stamp, 2022By HermèsLocated in New York, NYHermes Kelly 25cm Black Togo Palladium Shoulder Bag U Stamp, 2022 A most superb mini black Kelly that exudes an effortless elegance. Just purchased from Hermes...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Chanel Vintage Rare 90's Black Top Handle Quilted Lambskin Small Briefcase BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Vintage Rare 90's Black Top Handle Quilted Lambskin Small Briefcase Bag circa 1994 black leather quilted finish gold-tone hardware internal logo stamp foldover top internal s...Category
1990s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel 2000 Brown Multicolor Patchwork Mink Fur Chain Shoulder Tote BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Brown Multicolor Patchwork Mink Fur Shoulder Bag Brown Mink Interlocking CC Logo Gold-Tone Hardware Chain-Link Shoulder Strap Leather Lining &...Category
Early 2000s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Hermès Raisin Togo Kelly Retourne 35 PHWBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYHermès Raisin Togo Kelly Retourne 35 PHW SKU: 111993 MSRP: Condition: Pre-owned (3000) Condition Description: Handbag Condition: Very Good Condition ...Category
2010s Shoulder Bags
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.