The original Birkin bag sold for a record €8.58 million ($10 million) at auction, showing demand remains robust for unique luxury collectibles.
The black leather Hermes handbag made some 40 years ago for the late singer and actor Jane Birkin was sold in a bidding war that lasted more than 10 minutes at Sotheby’s in Paris on Thursday. Valuence Japan, a Tokyo-based re-seller of designer goods, said it was the buyer. Bidding was conducted via telephone, according to the auction house.
The price shattered the previous record for a handbag at auction, a rare Himalaya Kelly bag in crocodile with a diamond, also by Hermes, that sold at a Christie’s sale in 2021 for $4 million Hong Kong dollars ($510,000.)
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