A Closer Look at Rare Hermès Birkin and Kelly Handbags
Learn more about the Limited Edition Birkin and Kelly bags that are unlikely to appear at auction again.
Rarest Hermès Bags
Take a closer look at Limited Edition and HSS Hermès bags that are unlikely to come to auction again. When creating this list, we didn't focus just on the most expensive Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags, but on models with very short production periods, very limited edition styles and even a custom designed bag.
Hermès Birkin 35 HSS Clou Medor Rockstud
Sotheby's sold an HSS Birkin 35 from the personal collection of Kelly Chen in 2024. The HSS Birkin 35 Clou Medor Rockstud from 2011 was designed exclusively for Ms. Chen by Hermès. The Birkin 35 incorporates one of Hermes' signature designs, the Medor rockstuds, which are featured in various core styles and models, including handbags and accessories. Crafted in Hermès Box leather, the leather is known to develop a patina with use over time. This bag sold for 336,000 HKD or almost $44,000 and is a one of a kind Birkin.
Hermès Birkin 35 Faubourg Tropical
Octave Marsal and Théo de Gueltzl created the Faubourg Tropical pattern, where the maison’s iconic flagship store on 24 Rue de Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris is covered in tropical foliage, within which jungle animals such as monkeys, cheetahs and cockatoos also hide. The Faubourg Tropical Birkin 35, featuring palladium hardware and the pattern embroidered on Toile de Camp fabric is a rare find indeed. The delicate embroidery is done using a French technique known as Luneville, a process that can take up to 18 hours to complete, and the pattern extends on to the white Swift leather flap as well, showcasing the skill it takes to convey it across two different materials. The Limited Edition Birkin 35 Faubourg Tropical sold for 533,400 HKD or almost $70,000 in 2024.
Hermès Micro Birkin 15
The rarest Birkin size is the Micro Birkin 15 only produced in 2011 and 2012 created by Jean-Paul Gaultier. Sotheby's has only sold one Micro Birkin 15 Epsom in Bleu Mykonos with a 2012 date stamp. The bag sold in 2023 for 254,000 HKD or about $33,000. Given the very short production period, very few Micro Birkins come to the secondary market.
Hermès Kelly Feather
A limited edition Hermès Kelly 32 Feather So Black sold for 2,032,000 HKD or $264,000 in 2023. The Hermès So Black collection was designed by Jean-Paul Gaultier when he was the creative director. Introduced in 2010, the So Black Collection was shown as part of Gaultier's final runway show with Hermès. The So Black Collection featured all black elements including the packaging and black PVD hadware. The So Black Kelly 32 Sellier from 2010 is crafted from black Box leather and saturated-black natural feathers along with distinct black PVD hardware. Hermès partnered with Maison Lemarié, the Haute Couture feather métier founded in 1880. Hermès artisans handpicked the finest feathers, and attached them onto the Kelly one at a time. The beautiful feathered panel makes this So Black Kelly truly rare and collectible.
Hermès Kellywood
The Limited Edition Hermès Kellywood Perspective Cavaliere Kelly 22 sold for 1,143,000 HKD or about $149,000. First released in 2020, the Kellywood introduced a new size for the iconic Hermès Kelly bag: 22. Originally produced in Bog Oak with an innovative Larmé inlay technique, the latest version features a body of solid beechwood. The front panel has a Bauhaus-inspired “Perspective Cavalier” pattern designed by the art collective Anamorphée. This Kelly bag requires joining six different types of leather, spanning eleven different colors, totaling 60 pieces. The front flap is made out of Fauve Barenia leather with white contrasting stitching further demonstrating the highly precise mastery of Hermès artisans. Produced only in an extremely limited quantity, the Kellywood Perspective Cavaliere is one of the rarest collectible bags
Hermès Kelly 25 Midas
The Limited Edition Hermès Kelly 25 Midas sold for about $157,000 in 2024. The Midas in the name refers to the Greek mythological figure King Midas, who can turn everything into gold by touching it. Drawing inspiration from the myth, the Kelly 25 Midas design features a unique hardware pairing leather with solid 18K yellow gold weighing 183.18g. It is as if Midas himself had touched the Kelly handle and turned it into gold. The remarkable fusion of leather and gold requires a meticulous assembly ensuring the metal follows the leather to precision. Over the years, Hermès has developed many ways to treat leather for its designs but there are certain types of leather that have a special place in the heritage of the brand and black box calfskin is one of them. Every artisan starting out at Hermès begins their training by constructing a Kelly Sellier in black box calfskin and it is said that if an artisan can put together a flawless version of that bag, then that artisan is skilled enough to tackle every other design in the Hermès family.
Advantages to Collecting Hermès on the Secondary Market
There are many advantages to buying Hermès bags at Sotheby's. As one of the largest and most established global luxury secondary markets, Sotheby's offers clients many unique advantages when growing an Hermès collection.
1. Access
Sotheby's is able to provide access to some of the most exceptional Hermès bags through its long established global network of sellers. Sotheby's is one of the few global luxury marketplaces that sells rare and impressive Hermès bags exceeding $100,000 in addition to classic leather Birkin and Kelly bags in store fresh condition. Our Handbag specialists are always sourcing the best Hermès bags. Sotheby's global presence also means we are sourcing a wide range of Hermès bags including timeless classics, special vintage finds and rare limited edition bags. Sotheby's also regularly sells incredible private collections that can include custom designed Hermès bags. If you are looking to build a collection of Hermès bags, Sotheby's provides access to contemporary, vintage and one of a kind rare Hermès bags.
2. Flexibility
Sotheby's provides multiple ways to purchase Hermès bags. While Sotheby's is most known for its global auctions, Sotheby's also sells Hermès online and also in salons in New York and Hong Kong. Sotheby's also offers a concierge service if you need assistance sourcing a specific Hermès bag that isn't available at auction or marketplace. Another advantage to Sotheby's is access to desirable Hermès bags that are special order and limited edition.
3. Value
While Hermès bags in pristine condition sell at a premium to retail, Sotheby's has bags for purchase at auction and marketplace in a range of the most desirable colors and materials. Secondary marketplaces like Sotheby's allow a buyer to purchase a store fresh pristine Hermès bag with the original box and all plastic still on the hardware without waiting for a call from an Hermès sales associate. While it is possible to purchase a bag at an Hermès boutique, it is hard to predict how long it will take. Additionally if you don't have an existing relationship at the store, it is even harder to pick the exact bag including size, color and hardware. In many cases you may be offered an Hermès bag that may not be your desired color or size. Buyers also come to Sotheby's since they want to purchase more than two Hermès quota bags in a year. While we encourage you to build a relationship with an Hermès Sales Associate, Sotheby's can save you time when purchasing an Hermès bag.
4. Discovery
One of the best parts of a global luxury secondary market is discovering unique pieces from decades earlier and custom designed one of a kind items. Sotheby's curated selection is always changing since Hermès is one of the top brands at Sotheby's. Each auction has a unique selection of Hermès bags that may be familiar but a slight variation, never before seen design or a vintage treasure that has been on your wishlist for some time. Browse our latest auction or curated selection to get inspiration when building a collection of both contemporary and vintage Hermès bags. You are likely to discover something new to you from Hermès.
Buying and Selling an Hermès bags at Sotheby's
Sotheby's has a curated selection of Hermès bags available to purchase online or in person in one of our global Salons. Sotheby's also sells rare and collectible Hermès bags at auction in New York, Paris, Zurich and Hong Kong. Shop the newest colors with 2024 date stamps, classic neutrals in all sizes and rare limited edition bags. Expect to find pristine Hermès bags in leather and exotic materials in a range of sizes priced between $5,000 to $100,000 plus. Shop rare and limited edition Birkin and Kelly bags, the newest Constance Elan and leather Bolide and Picotins in the most popular colors. New bags arrive weekly, so you can also check back regularly for the latest selection.
- Browse Hermès bags available for immediate delivery.
- Explore upcoming handbag auctions across the globe.
- Speak to a Salon Associate in New York, Zurich, London, Paris, or Hong Kong to schedule an appointment.
- Contact a Handbag & Fashion Specialist about selling an Hermès bag.
Trust our worldwide network of leading handbag specialists from a globally renowned auction house established in 1744.
