Hermes Bags Up For Auction At Christie's

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Nov 29th 2008 at 5:01PM

Proof that an expensive handbag isn't always a pointless extravagance can be found at Christie's where several upcoming sales show that Hermes bags can be an investment. On December 9 during the Jewels sale at South Kensington, London, Christie's will auction off 23 Hermes handbags including the Mini Kelly bag in forest green and the Sac Malette style in brown which, gilt with metalware, once belonged to Charlie Chaplin's wife. Shown at right is a rare Haut à Courroies bag. The bag was first designed by Hermes circa 1900 to carry equestrian gear but quickly became a popular travel bag. Hermes produces no more than five crocodile bags of this size a year. It is estimated to sell for £15,000 - £18,000.

Christie's is also offering Hermes bags during the Interiors sale in New York, December 18-19. A bright orange Hermes Kelly bag is estimated to sell for $4,000-$6,000. The Kelly bag has been a prized classic for decades and never goes out of fashion.

[via Vogue UK]

Tags: auction, handbags, hermes