For fashion connoisseurs and collectors alike, the Hermès Birkin is more than an accessory—it’s a cultural artifact, a symbol of status, and, increasingly, a sound investment.
Yet even for those with considerable means, securing one is no simple feat. Waiting lists stretch into years, and exclusivity is fiercely guarded. But now, the ultimate sartorial trophy, the very first Birkin bag ever created, is set to go under the hammer.
Sotheby’s Paris will unveil this historic piece in its Fashion Icons sale on July 10, offering a rare chance to own the prototype that launched a global phenomenon. Estimated to start bidding around $10,000, this isn’t just any Birkin—it’s the original, once carried by its namesake, Jane Birkin herself.
Crafted in supple black leather with gleaming gold hardware, the saddle-style bag bears the engraved initials J.B., a testament to its personal connection with the British-French icon. Its provenance is as legendary as its design: conceived in 1984 during a chance encounter on a flight, when Birkin’s straw tote spilled mid-air. Over a casual conversation with Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas, the blueprint for the Birkin was sketched on an airplane sick bag—an origin story befitting fashion folklore.
The bag was gifted to Birkin, who later sold it in 1994 to raise funds for AIDS research. It eventually landed in the hands of a private collector, known only as Catherine B. Now, three decades later, it returns to the auction stage, where it could very well shatter records.
Sotheby’s has remained tight-lipped on the reserve price, but expectations are high. “The Original Birkin holds the potential to redefine records,” says Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s global head of handbags and fashion. The current auction record for a handbag stands at $510,000, set by a diamond-encrusted crocodile Birkin in 2017.
Before the Paris sale, the bag will be exhibited at Sotheby’s New York from June 6 to 12, followed by a showcase in Paris. Online bidding opens June 26, closing on July 10—marking the end of an era for one collector, and the beginning of a new chapter for another. For those who covet not just luxury, but legacy, this is the ultimate acquisition.
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