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

[WilsMT]

Hey doc-

I’m interested in purchasing a vintage box leather bag from 1993, however I am informed there is mold on the inside (particularly in the seams.) I’ve seen the previous threads regarding this, but my biggest question is if it can even be professionally repaired, or it has gone past the point of no return. Any advice would be helpful


Hope all is well on your end,

M

 

[docride]

Hey doc-

I’m interested in purchasing a vintage box leather bag from 1993, however I am informed there is mold on the inside (particularly in the seams.) I’ve seen the previous threads regarding this, but my biggest question is if it can even be professionally repaired, or it has gone past the point of no return. Any advice would be helpfulView attachment 4732930View attachment 4732931


Hope all is well on your end,

M

Hi there M,
Yes i'm well thank you I hope you and yours are also
I wouldn't be scared to have this bag personally, it loooks like a straight forward fix. So how does the rest of the bag look?
All the best,doc

 

[cocoforeverever]

Hi Doc, I’ve won the bid on this 1979 Kelly retourne 28. For the price I’m ok with the condition. Just curious whether the crack on the flap and the handle are somehow fixable? If not, can it be minimized from further cracking ?

Appreciate your response

 

[classicgirll]

Hello Docride, hope you're well! I've been thinking about purchasing this H Kelly 28 - Clemence Leather
However, due to outside pressure, there are some "press marks"/dents in the leather. I've attached a picture. Is this something that can be fixed or repaired? If so, how? Would appreciate any advice. Thank you!!

 

[docride]

Hi Doc, I’ve won the bid on this 1979 Kelly retourne 28. For the price I’m ok with the condition. Just curious whether the crack on the flap and the handle are somehow fixable? If not, can it be minimized from further cracking ?

Appreciate your response

Hi there, those cracks are going to stay although you can try using some crack stabilizer or filler this isn’t really a fix but can help a bit
Still a very cool Kelly
Good luck
Doc

 

[docride]

Hello Docride, hope you're well! I've been thinking about purchasing this H Kelly 28 - Clemence Leather
However, due to outside pressure, there are some "press marks"/dents in the leather. I've attached a picture. Is this something that can be fixed or repaired? If so, how? Would appreciate any advice. Thank you!!

Hi there
I haven’t got a fix for you Aside from placing a stiff handbag liner inside to try and give it some support . Seems like I may have heard of some people who have had their leather ironed to flatten it but it could also cause harm so I’m not recommending that as a home project on an Hermes bag. . Sorry
All the best doc

 

[cocoforeverever]

Hi there, those cracks are going to stay although you can try using some crack stabilizer or filler this isn’t really a fix but can help a bit
Still a very cool Kelly
Good luck
Doc

Thank you Doc!

 

[WilsMT]

Hi there M,
Yes i'm well thank you I hope you and yours are also
I wouldn't be scared to have this bag personally, it loooks like a straight forward fix. So how does the rest of the bag look?
All the best,doc[/


Underneath the flap and one corner seems to have most damage.

 

[docride]

Hi there,
This looks like cosmetic damage (spa can make it look much better but not like new) , its a rare bag and vintage , a wonderful and adorable find!
I hope this helped?
doc

Hey I'm not sure why but the quote isnt showing up, this response is for WilsMT

 

[docride]

Hi there,
This looks like cosmetic damage (spa can make it look much better but not like new) , its a rare bag and vintage , a wonderful and adorable find!
I hope this helped?
doc

 

[docride]

Hi there,
This looks like cosmetic damage (spa can make it look much better but not like new) , its a rare bag and vintage , a wonderful and adorable find!
I hope this helped?
doc

 

[docride]

Alright everyone ?
Feel free to ask any questions

 

[BeeTee222]

Hey there
Long time lurker but first time poster here Firstly thank you so much for how generous you are to us all with sharing your advice and seemingly inexhaustible knowledge. These bags can be such huge purchases for many of us and having someone to objectively and honestly help with those decisions is such an amazing resource.

I should then say that instead of doing the sensible thing and posting here pre-purchase, I have let my heart rule my head and been swept away with the romanticism and history of this poor old girl pictured below(and also a little by your call to quarantine action to attempt some resuscitation projects during all this free time) She’s into her seventies now, dating from 1948 and she is very much showing her age! But I honestly couldn’t help myself...

I’m actually terrified about what you’re going to say and am almost certain you’re going to view this as a mistake but as I say, I fell in love and that was that. I know that she will never look anywhere near pristine but that’s absolutely not my aim. I love that she has so much history and character and I usually select my vintage classic bags because they are not perfect and prissy but proudly display their life experiences. That said, I am now curious about how I can help her to look her best and more importantly give her as much life as possible. I know I’ll never be able to cram her full with all the crap I usually lug around day to day Etc and that she’ll for sure be more of a special day kind of a girl but I do hope that you can help advise me on how to make that a reality, and for her to not have to live out the rest of her days Rotting away on a shelf. I work in the music industry so am more often than not in Uber casual environments but surrounded by people who think nothing of buying multiple brand new Kelly’s each season. I’m in now way wanting to compete or compare with those brand new bags but have always adored the look of a vintage Kelly and wanted my own with her own story to tell.
Any advice you can give on how best to resuscitate / preserve her and what I can reasonable expect would be very much appreciated. I know she’ll have to go to a professional To have the tear patched from the inside and that From the looks of things she’s had a recoloring treatment that may be masking all sorts of other sins She’s also incredibly dry and is likely suffering from leather rot and the cracks on the sides and the folds are also very concerning but I’m still holding out hope that you can give me any positive news at all that may indicate she still has some useable life in her. I believe the leather is box but I’m guessing and would love your thoughts on all of the above. Thank you so much and whilst I’m clinging to a sliver of hope that it may not all be bad news I’m ready for your inevitable candor

 

[docride]

Hey there
Long time lurker but first time poster here Firstly thank you so much for how generous you are to us all with sharing your advice and seemingly inexhaustible knowledge. These bags can be such huge purchases for many of us and having someone to objectively and honestly help with those decisions is such an amazing resource.

I should then say that instead of doing the sensible thing and posting here pre-purchase, I have let my heart rule my head and been swept away with the romanticism and history of this poor old girl pictured below(and also a little by your call to quarantine action to attempt some resuscitation projects during all this free time) She’s into her seventies now, dating from 1948 and she is very much showing her age! But I honestly couldn’t help myself...

I’m actually terrified about what you’re going to say and am almost certain you’re going to view this as a mistake but as I say, I fell in love and that was that. I know that she will never look anywhere near pristine but that’s absolutely not my aim. I love that she has so much history and character and I usually select my vintage classic bags because they are not perfect and prissy but proudly display their life experiences. That said, I am now curious about how I can help her to look her best and more importantly give her as much life as possible. I know I’ll never be able to cram her full with all the crap I usually lug around day to day Etc and that she’ll for sure be more of a special day kind of a girl but I do hope that you can help advise me on how to make that a reality, and for her to not have to live out the rest of her days Rotting away on a shelf. I work in the music industry so am more often than not in Uber casual environments but surrounded by people who think nothing of buying multiple brand new Kelly’s each season. I’m in now way wanting to compete or compare with those brand new bags but have always adored the look of a vintage Kelly and wanted my own with her own story to tell.
Any advice you can give on how best to resuscitate / preserve her and what I can reasonable expect would be very much appreciated. I know she’ll have to go to a professional To have the tear patched from the inside and that From the looks of things she’s had a recoloring treatment that may be masking all sorts of other sins She’s also incredibly dry and is likely suffering from leather rot and the cracks on the sides and the folds are also very concerning but I’m still holding out hope that you can give me any positive news at all that may indicate she still has some useable life in her. I believe the leather is box but I’m guessing and would love your thoughts on all of the above. Thank you so much and whilst I’m clinging to a sliver of hope that it may not all be bad news I’m ready for your inevitable candor View attachment 4741408

Well that is a lovely message, thank you for it and welcome! She's a grande Dame of a Kelly.. I totally et the wish to adopt her. I understand you want to use this bag with care, a round of two of conditioning would be a good start (sapphir,meltonian leather lotion,cadellac select are good brands). You might want to take care not to carry this bag open and without having the straps on the turn lock as this would cause additional stress to the already tearing sides. Maybe you can get a cobbler or trusted hand bag restoration specialist to re-enforce the area which is weak and tearing .... in the mean time I'd say its a good idea to use a hand bag insert/organizer so to again reduced stress to weakened areas . I hope this helps ?
All the best, doc

 

[BeeTee222]

Well that is a lovely message, thank you for it and welcome! She's a grande Dame of a Kelly.. I totally et the wish to adopt her. I understand you want to use this bag with care, a round of two of conditioning would be a good start (sapphir,meltonian leather lotion,cadellac select are good brands). You might want to take care not to carry this bag open and without having the straps on the turn lock as this would cause additional stress to the already tearing sides. Maybe you can get a cobbler or trusted hand bag restoration specialist to re-enforce the area which is weak and tearing .... in the mean time I'd say its a good idea to use a hand bag insert/organizer so to again reduced stress to weakened areas . I hope this helps ?
All the best, doc

Thank you so so much for such a quick response and for not totally dashing my hopes. I’ll begin the conditioning ASAP and have already spoken to a reputable specialist repairer about needing to get the tear repaired and reinforced to prevent further damage. In your opinion though, do you think she’s worth saving and that if I’m careful I should be able to get some ongoing wear out of her? I’m just trying to figure out if this was an expensive and ridiculously regrettable flight of fancy or whether she is at least a somewhat hopeful case. Obviously your expert opinion is far better and more valid than my amateur wishing it was so attitude lol. Overall would you rate her as worth doing the work to save or am I a crazy lady who’s obsessed with a lost cause? Thanks so much again