DALLAS, TX.- One of the rarest handbags ever created, the Hermès 25cm Matte White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Kelly, dazzled bidders in Heritage’s Oct. 9 Autumn Luxury Accessories Signature® Auction, realizing $125,000 and leading the event to a $2,401,279 finish.
The myth and magic that surround the Himalaya Kelly can be traced back to its predecessor: the Himalaya Birkin, which was originally sold only to the most dedicated and loyal Hermès collectors. A masterwork of craftsmanship and exquisite artisanry, the legendary creation is fashioned from the hide of the Niloticus crocodile, whose scales are large and symmetrical, ensuring meticulous uniformity. The hide is hand-dyed and painstakingly bleached to create an ombre of smoky gray, which fades into a luminous white, evoking the snowcapped Himalayas.
“The Himalaya Kelly is simply legendary,” says Diane D’Amato, Heritage Auctions’ Director of Luxury Accessories, Private Sales & The Boutique. “It’s flawless, timeless and effortlessly graceful — and it’s the perfect size.”
The Himalaya Kelly joined a trove of other exceptional Hermès handbags in the auction, including a bevy of on-trend smaller bags, which continue to own the market. Among the petite beauties were the 25cm Matte Rose Mexico Alligator Kelly Retourne, which realized $47,500; the limited-edition 20cm Chamois Grizzly Suede, Alezan Swift Leather & Shearling Teddy Plush Mini Kelly, which sold for $42,500; the special-order Horseshoe 25cm Shiny Jaune Ambre & Beige Sable Alligator Kelly, which brought $40,000; and the limited-edition 20cm Grizzly Suede & Shearling Teddy Plush Mini Kelly, which realized $37,500.
Another highlight was the whimsical Hermès Vert Fonce & Vert Peppermint Quelle Idole Kelly Doll, complete with moveable arms and legs. The playful creation sold for $51,250.
Also grabbing bidders’ attention was a duo of eye-catching and brightly colored Hermès bags: the 30cm Shiny Colvert Porosus Crocodile Birkin, which realized $47,500, and the special-order Horseshoe 28cm Shiny Blue Electrique & Bleu Marine Niloticus Crocodile Kelly, which brought $42,500. For the neutral lovers, there was the Hermès 25cm Craie Togo Leather Birkin, which realized $32,500, and the Hermès 25cm Fauve Barenia Leather Birkin, which sold for $28,750.
Other auction highlights included but were not limited to:
• Hermès 25cm Bleu Navy Togo Leather Birkin: $27,500
• Hermès 35cm Matte Amethyst Alligator Birkin: $27,500
• Hermès 30cm Ébène Clemence Leather & Houndstooth Wool Birkin: $27,500
• Hermès 30cm Rouge H Niloticus Crocodile Birkin: $27,500
• Hermès 30cm Shiny Black Niloticus Crocodile and Togo Leather Touch Birkin: $26,250
• Hermès 30cm Matte Geranium Niloticus Crocodile Birkin: $26,250
• Hermès 42cm Gris Misty Togo Leather Kelly Retourne Maxi: $25,000
• Hermès 25cm Nata Swift Leather In and Out Retourne Kelly: $25,000
• Hermès 25cm Étoupe Togo Leather Birkin: $25,000
• Hermès 25cm Étoupe Epsom Leather Kelly Sellier: $25,000
• Hermès 32cm Shiny Black Niloticus Crocodile Kelly Sellier: $25,000
• Hermès 20cm Black Box Calf Leather Mini Kelly: $25,000
