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

[docride]

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

Hello again,
There are some great deals out there now for vintage Kelly's. With that in mind, I think how much you paid would play into this so i could give you better guidance. you can PM me if you like (so you aren't public with your private stuff) ?
doc

 

[Skybunny]

Hi Doc, is there any chance of getting the scratches off this Epsom wallet or is it a lost cause? Thank you so much

 

[jesschr]

Hi Doc,

I'm looking to purchase my first Hermes from a popular consignment store. The price is pretty good for a Constance 23 however the reason for that is because there is significant cracking on the straps. Will I be able to get this fixed by Hermes/ Leather Surgeons? Or will I need to replace the strap completely? Would Hermes even accept the bag for repair as I am not the original owner? I also notice that the sides have alot of wrinkling. Will the sides also start cracking as well? Sorry for the dumb questions, I'm totally new at this!

 

[docride]

Hi Doc, is there any chance of getting the scratches off this Epsom wallet or is it a lost cause? Thank you so much

Hi there, Looks like you have a little wear with color-loss? That could be fixed with a spa but I think it might be a bit hard to get a perfect matched touch up and then you may notice it more when the color oxidizes (looks like it doesn't match) at a different rate than the rest of the wallet. Suffice to say most shops will want to recolor the whole wallet so everything looks uniform.. however IMO you might lose the lovely hand feel.. its a crap shoot.....
all the Best,doc

 

[docride]

Hi Doc,

I'm looking to purchase my first Hermes from a popular consignment store. The price is pretty good for a Constance 23 however the reason for that is because there is significant cracking on the straps. Will I be able to get this fixed by Hermes/ Leather Surgeons? Or will I need to replace the strap completely? Would Hermes even accept the bag for repair as I am not the original owner? I also notice that the sides have alot of wrinkling. Will the sides also start cracking as well? Sorry for the dumb questions, I'm totally new at this!

Hey there,
Those wrinkles and cracks are not going to be repairable to smooth, Hermes or another shop may replace the strap for you but that's not going to repair the leather wrinkles on the sides.
My thoughts are to put your money toward a bag which needs less work and will be more serviceable after such work ?
Id look at cost of the bag and then how much it would cost to replace the strap add that up and then consider your bag would be away in a shop and not being worn by you ...then think hmm if I add all that up now how much do I have too spend on a Hermes Constance? Start shopping ... I'm happy to have a look for you when you find other bags you are uncertain about. How does that sound ?
I hope that was helpful?
All the best,doc

 

[Skybunny]

Hi there, Looks like you have a little wear with color-loss? That could be fixed with a spa but I think it might be a bit hard to get a perfect matched touch up and then you may notice it more when the color oxidizes (looks like it doesn't match) at a different rate than the rest of the wallet. Suffice to say most shops will want to recolor the whole wallet so everything looks uniform.. however IMO you might lose the lovely hand feel.. its a crap shoot.....
all the Best,doc

Wow so much detail, thank you so much for that advice Ann x

 

[Bishka14]

Debating whether to purchase this epsom Kelly as love the colour. However, the leather quite damaged at the top on both sides. Could it be fixed or has it gone too far? If it could be fixed how close to the rest of the leather would the repaired area look? Thanks in advance

 

[jesschr]

Hey there,
Those wrinkles and cracks are not going to be repairable to smooth, Hermes or another shop may replace the strap for you but that's not going to repair the leather wrinkles on the sides.
My thoughts are to put your money toward a bag which needs less work and will be more serviceable after such work ?
Id look at cost of the bag and then how much it would cost to replace the strap add that up and then consider your bag would be away in a shop and not being worn by you ...then think hmm if I add all that up now how much do I have too spend on a Hermes Constance? Start shopping ... I'm happy to have a look for you when you find other bags you are uncertain about. How does that sound ?
I hope that was helpful?
All the best,doc

Hi Doc,


Thank you so much! Amazing reply. Price may be on the cheaper side but you are right, I have to consider other costs like strap repair/replacement. Cost of gas to drive to the Hermes store (it’s about an hour away from me one way) or to ship to Leather Surgeons in the US (I’m in Canada). It may not even be all that worth it plus I prefer grained leather and this is smooth. If I’m paying that much for Hermes, it should be something that I want and not something I should settle for. Thank you for your offer and support

 

[docride]

Debating whether to purchase this epsom Kelly as love the colour. However, the leather quite damaged at the top on both sides. Could it be fixed or has it gone too far? If it could be fixed how close to the rest of the leather would the repaired area look? Thanks in advance

Well hello there,
Beautiful color! You have some worn areas with color loss ....this could be recolored by a restoration shop however they usually will want too recolor the whole wallet so everything is uniform and matching ... personally if these smallish flaws bother you now a less than perfect repair might make you feel unhappy or bonkers (only you know you after all)

So, could the color worn areas be recolored ? Yes.

How well it could be done would depend entirely on the restoration specialist.

Really how rough does this Kelly (wallet? ) look in its entirety and from a normal using distance? You have it on super close up .... how does it look from arms length? So I'd start with thinking about those answers.

As an aside: Funny thing most folks think they want Epsom because they think its not going to scratch or get wear... which isn't really true although textured leathers tend to be a bit scratch resistant and smooth leathers tend to show scratches easily . All leathers and skins can scratch and will get wear. IMO smooth leathers are far easier to blend scratches on and restore in general that textured leathers thinking specifically of box calf leather the scratches all blend eventually and become part of a beautiful patina . Kinda weird huh?

Anyhow its super pretty and if its a great price for a pink colored Hermes it might be worth having soe TLC spa done. Keep in mind that most shops will recolor the entire item (rather than spot touch ups) and that will effect the hand feel of the item (it might not feel or even look as luxurious as it once was with the normal use wear even).

I hope this helped? and I wish you the best of luck with your shopping choices.
Sincerely, doc

 

[Bishka14]

Well hello there,
Beautiful color! You have some worn areas with color loss ....this could be recolored by a restoration shop however they usually will want too recolor the whole wallet so everything is uniform and matching ... personally if these smallish flaws bother you now a less than perfect repair might make you feel unhappy or bonkers (only you know you after all)

So, could the color worn areas be recolored ? Yes.

How well it could be done would depend entirely on the restoration specialist.

Really how rough does this Kelly (wallet? ) look in its entirety and from a normal using distance? You have it on super close up .... how does it look from arms length? So I'd start with thinking about those answers.

As an aside: Funny thing most folks think they want Epsom because they think its not going to scratch or get wear... which isn't really true although textured leathers tend to be a bit scratch resistant and smooth leathers tend to show scratches easily . All leathers and skins can scratch and will get wear. IMO smooth leathers are far easier to blend scratches on and restore in general that textured leathers thinking specifically of box calf leather the scratches all blend eventually and become part of a beautiful patina . Kinda weird huh?

Anyhow its super pretty and if its a great price for a pink colored Hermes it might be worth having soe TLC spa done. Keep in mind that most shops will recolor the entire item (rather than spot touch ups) and that will effect the hand feel of the item (it might not feel or even look as luxurious as it once was with the normal use wear even).

I hope this helped? and I wish you the best of luck with your shopping choices.
Sincerely, doc

thank you so much for your advice, confirmed my suspicions. Will have to put my thinking cap on. Leaning towards leaving and trying to find a chevre one! X

 

[Fabbag22]

Hi Docride - I have a HAC32 in Vache Natural I would like to give her a nice condioning and a waterproof treatment. What do you recommend?

 

[momasaurus]

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

We are all crazy here. Some people get upset when their bag gets a nearly invisible scratch. I love your bag! My rouge H kelly has a huge scrape across the front. I bought it that way, and love it. I hope you and @docride can sort out your feelings on this. Wishing you the best!

 

[docride]

Hi Docride - I have a HAC32 in Vache Natural I would like to give her a nice condioning and a waterproof treatment. What do you recommend?

Hi
I have a nice list of products I recommend for each leather type elsewhere in the Hermes reference section If you can’t find it I’ll find you a link
I’m on my phone now
Vache natural is wonderful leather very special
And Increasingly rare these days ... with care it potentially gets one of the most beautiful Patinas of the Hermes heritage leathers
all the best doc

 

[petitefee]

Hi !
(sorry if it was already discussed before)
I have found an old vintage Kelly 32 black Retoune in swift dated 1982.
It is in good shape and leather is still brilliant BUT I noticed a few blister... I guess that they were due to humidity or rain and the owner did not immediately care about it. I have sent an email to Hermes as I do not have a Hermes store here.
Is this bag can be saved?
Here some pictures

Thanks a lot

 

[ukonvasara]

Hi dear Docride - I have an LV alma in Vache Natural with some cracks on top of the bag. I would like to give her a nice condioning to prevent the cracks going bigger. can I treat it with liquid mink oil?

and the shoulder strap has some dry cracks, too.

sorry if the LV bag question does not belong here. I think the leather is very like the hermes vache naturelle.

many thanks!