Docride's Hermes Lazarus Thread (can this Hermes be Saved? )

[docride]

What a rare Monitor lizard Kelly ! Well it’s certainly a cool find . As to fixing —- conditioning may help but I can’t repair cracks … I think you’d want to decyif you’ll want to eventually replace the handle if the crack gets worse .. if the handle bases and base pads ( attachment to handle D rings ) is sound then you might be ok to use it very carefully for a while. Keeping in mind this bag with cracks in one place… may indicate that leather /skin has weakness in other areas as well unseen .
If you got the bag at a great price abd you factor in future repairs does the bag still come in as a deal ? Only you know .
That’s my take …
It’s a cool bag with a vintage chic feel .
If that’s the look you’re going for and the other boxes are ticked then keep … if not return it.
I hope this helped ?
All the best,doc

 

[j3ns]

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[j3ns]

Thank you! As is your Vache Liegee! It’s Cuivre (copper) Fjord. Fjord wasn’t on my initial leather wishlist, but upon receipt, I’ve loved the velvety texture, and prominent veining.

Update, per Bababebi, it’s actually Etrusque Fjord (!).

 

[j3ns]

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Delighted that my first Hermeś is this warm, (very!) well-worn 2000 Cuivre Fjord Kelly 35. Not expecting to fully remedy defects (pen, lock-smiles, dinged corners etc. etc.), so much as to embrace the bag with them. Planning a trip to the Hermeś Spa after I enjoy her a bit. Interim recommendations welcome!

Update, per Bababebi, it’s Etrusque, not the more-recent-than-2000 Cuivre.

 

[fashion16]

Hi doc. I bought a birkin from 1998. The leather felt a bit dry to me and it has a “dusty” look under the flap so I used a conditioning milk which helped lot but it still looks dry.

I also noticed the stamp is no longer metallic. I presume that is just a sign of age.

Anything to be worried about with the chalky appearance of the leather? Reason I ask is that it isn’t uniform on the bag. Areas where it is exposed to air look supple, in creases and under flap, a bit chalky and dry.

First pic, mostly supple. Second pic to show dryness



Thanks!

 

[docride]

Hi doc. I bought a birkin from 1998. The leather felt a bit dry to me and it has a “dusty” look under the flap so I used a conditioning milk which helped lot but it still looks dry.

I also noticed the stamp is no longer metallic. I presume that is just a sign of age.

Anything to be worried about with the chalky appearance of the leather? Reason I ask is that it isn’t uniform on the bag. Areas where it is exposed to air look supple, in creases and under flap, a bit chalky and dry.

First pic, mostly supple. Second pic to show dryness



Thanks!

Hi there !
I’m not seeing in the photos “dryness” however you are able to perceive it because you can touch the bag .. has the bag faded some perhaps ?
Show me up close stitching holes 🕳️ photos ? I can make some better determination
Does the bag feel too stiff ? What other than the color…. Makes you feel it’s too dry ?
Thank you
I’ll check back …
All the best doc

 

[fashion16]

Hi there !
I’m not seeing in the photos “dryness” however you are able to perceive it because you can touch the bag .. has the bag faded some perhaps ?
Show me up close stitching holes 🕳️ photos ? I can make some better determination
Does the bag feel too stiff ? What other than the color…. Makes you feel it’s too dry ?
Thank you
I’ll check back …
All the best doc

Thank you for the reply.
The bag feels slightly dry in spots, mainly the flap and under the flap.

I don’t believe it has faded at all, it just feels a bit more dry to the touch, almost like running your finger over paper vs running your finger over soft leather. Maybe I would describe the parts that feel dry as feeling like new togo whereas the rest of the bag feels like worn in Buffalo? I am probably not doing this description justice but that’s all I’ve got.

I am taking pics of stitching holes and also the corners of the area which is dry (the front panel that would be covered up by the flap). I can’t tell if the lines on either side of the front part of the bag are cracks or just marks.

 

[fashion16]

 

[fashion16]

 

[fashion16]

 

[fashion16]

The bag was described as “good vintage condition” which I realize is subjective. Perhaps this is normal handle wear but I also saw this on the under side of the handles.
Overall, the leather still feels pliable and has movement. Absolutely no “stiffness”.

 

[docride]

View attachment 5884711View attachment 5884712View attachment 5884713View attachment 5884714

Thank you for the reply.
The bag feels slightly dry in spots, mainly the flap and under the flap.

I don’t believe it has faded at all, it just feels a bit more dry to the touch, almost like running your finger over paper vs running your finger over soft leather. Maybe I would describe the parts that feel dry as feeling like new togo whereas the rest of the bag feels like worn in Buffalo? I am probably not doing this description justice but that’s all I’ve got.

I am taking pics of stitching holes and also the corners of the area which is dry (the front panel that would be covered up by the flap). I can’t tell if the lines on either side of the front part of the bag are cracks or just marks.

Hi there
Sometimes you are actually feeling the finish on the leather and not really getting a sense of the leather below the finish , sometimes also we might have mistaken the leather type for another type and get confused because we encounter profound differences . For instance Ardennes leather was replaced by Togo leather at Hermes. Many times people sell the similar leather Ardennes as Togo because they don’t know it’s not togo. Ardennes leather is stiffer and has a sheen where as togo tends to be less stiff and more matte … is it possible you have an Ardennes leather there ? What is the year stamp?
All the best , doc

 

[fashion16]

It is a 1998, claim it is Clemence leather. I was using the other leathers as a comparison for feel based on my experiences with other bags.

As long as it doesn’t look damaged, I am ok

 

[docride]

It is a 1998, claim it is Clemence leather. I was using the other leathers as a comparison for feel based on my experiences with other bags.

As long as it doesn’t look damaged, I am ok

Looks not damaged

 

[Lohjon23]

Hi doc,

I’m interested to purchase a vintage box calf mini Kelly, and noticed some veining (?) on the leather. Is this from the leather “shriveling” up? Not sure if it’s because the bag was over-moisturized and this caused a negative effect on the leather? Or is this completely normal and just a characteristic of the leather used?

Thank you!