A new sports car, two house deposits, or five designer handbags by Hermès? Fellows Auctioneers has just sold five magnificent pre-loved handbags for a whopping full price of £55,059.40 (including fees) in the company’s best sale of designer accessories in 2020. Despite a year of behind-closed-doors and online auctions, the independent, 144-year old family business, with offices in Birmingham and London, has just pulled a phenomenal sale out of the bag. One designer handbag received 75 bids as the appetite for pre-loved items at auction is stronger than ever.
In a year of restrictions and lockdowns, the auction market is increasingly strong and Fellows Auctioneers’ recent sale is no exception. The Designer Collection, which ended on Monday 23rd November 2020 and was operated in a timed, online-only format, was filled with sought-after designer items which flew above their estimates. The best single price for an item was a 2006 Bordeaux Porosus Crocodile Birkin by Hermès which sold for £16,588 including fees. Just under 900 people were signed up to the auction, which is the record amount for the Designer Collection sale at Fellows.

Hermès Birkin handbags are some of the most illustrious and sought-after items in the world of fashion. Often described as elegance in motion, Hermès is known for its artisanal models. The company has remained faithful with their quality and craftsmanship that were used to craft their saddles over two centuries ago. Exceptional hand crafted bags that were created by Hermès post-1945 contain a date stamp so that their age can be determined. Such is the quality of Hermès Birkins, it takes designers 40 hours to craft a single handbag.
The concept of the Birkin was established between actress Jane Birkin and Jean-Louis Dumas, then creative director of Hermès on a flight in 1983. Jane Birkin’s contents in her handbag spilled and she then began to devise the idea of a new, perfect weekend bag. Thus, these beautiful handbags were born and Fellows’ highlight example, the 2006 Bordeaux Porosus Birkin, features premium leather and is in immaculate condition.

Sophie Higgs, Designer Collection Specialist at Fellows Auctioneers, said: “I have been working on Designer Collection auctions at Fellows for many years and these are some of the best prices we have ever achieved. Hermès was established in 1837 and the company was renowned for its handcrafted harness and bridles for carriages, catering mainly for European royalty at the time. The company started developing handbags in the 20th century and the idea for the Birkins, originating in the 1980s, was the basis for some of the most wonderful accessories in the world. To sell five stunning examples for fantastic prices shows the strength of the desire for these bags. The buyers have themselves a real treat in time for Christmas.”
A list of the Hermès Birkin handbags and their sold price is listed below (price realised is including all fees):
- Lot 136 - HERMÈS - a 2006 Bordeaux Porosus Crocodile Birkin 35 handbag. Price Realised: £16,588.00.
- Lot 137 - HERMÈS - a 2003 black Porosus Birkin 35 handbag. Price Realised: £11,484.00.
- Lot 138 - HERMÈS - a 2002 Matte Niloticus Crocodile Birkin 30 handbag. Price Realised: £14,036.00.
- Lot 139 - HERMÈS - a 2003 blue Birkin 35 handbag. Price Realised: £6,188.60.
- Lot 140 - HERMÈS - a 2007 olive green Birkin 35 handbag. Price Realised: £6,762.80.
Total price: £55,059.40