Photos of your less than perfect vintage Hermès and share experiences

[Anthropolo]

1956 Kelly 35 retourne in (I think) Rouge H Box. Needs some restoration, but not too much. A little bit of imperfection makes her look like the grand dame she is. I was floored at the quality!!!View attachment 5082515

So frustrating they wouldn‘t do anything about it?! It looks in untouched condition. But be aware, a handle replacement will cost you over 1000usd. If Hermès keeps refusing to SPA it, I would take it to leathersurgeons and ask them to do it. It looks like the handle needs a new „under-piece“ and overall a bit of color touch ups and potentially re-sewing. They are alot cheaper as well and will do things Hermès wouldn‘t. Honestly I‘ve seen bags return from the SPA looking almost as bad as they were before. Sometimes they just don‘t want to touch much of the bag. And a heavily used bag with a brand new handle will just look silly.

Great find, and I assume you got it at a great price as well! Well done.

 

[BowieFan1971]

So frustrating they wouldn‘t do anything about it?! It looks in untouched condition. But be aware, a handle replacement will cost you over 1000usd. If Hermès keeps refusing to SPA it, I would take it to leathersurgeons and ask them to do it. It looks like the handle needs a new „under-piece“ and overall a bit of color touch ups and potentially re-sewing. They are alot cheaper as well and will do things Hermès wouldn‘t. Honestly I‘ve seen bags return from the SPA looking almost as bad as they were before. Sometimes they just don‘t want to touch much of the bag. And a heavily used bag with a brand new handle will just look silly.

Great find, and I assume you got it at a great price as well! Well done.

The handle is structurally great and doesn’t need replaced. It just needs that underpiece. Santana Leather here in Atlanta has it…I should have her back in 3-4 weeks. They are also going to do some inside pocket repair Hermès wouldn’t. I am excited to get a bag back that I can use with confidence for a long time. Even with repairs, it was only $3000 AND I get a piece of history that isn’t any run of the mill Kelly. No offense to those with new or newer Kellies, but I am and always has been a vintage girl!

 

[BowieFan1971]

Do you have the option of taking it to another H boutique? I have read so many, many stories here about terribly inconsistent treatment between boutiques (and SAs within boutiques).

Whatever approach you take, wishing you and your lovely bag the best luck!

No other H boutiques within a reasonable distance, so no. I have it in with a local shop that has a great reputation. Should have her back in 3-4 weeks. So excited!

 

[Anthropolo]

The handle is structurally great and doesn’t need replaced. It just needs that underpiece. Santana Leather here in Atlanta has it…I should have her back in 3-4 weeks. They are also going to do some inside pocket repair Hermès wouldn’t. I am excited to get a bag back that I can use with confidence for a long time. Even with repairs, it was only $3000 AND I get a piece of history that isn’t any run of the mill Kelly. No offense to those with new or newer Kellies, but I am and always has been a vintage girl!

You're doing everything correctly. Taking your business somewhere where it is appreciated. But...

Please mention to your local shop that you want hand-sewing only. I've seen too many vintage kellies butchered simply because they tried to do certain tasks with a machine to save some time (like on the one I'm fixing up myself at the moment). There is no fast way to fix an Hermès bag.

I don't want to worry you, but I did look up Santana Leather and they don't have as great reviews as you said they have a reputation. I am always a bit worried for others if they send their bags to a shop that has no experience working with Hermès bags, and I've only found one review from a woman who brought a Kelly bag in and claims because of what Santana did, the bag started getting cracks all over and was returned with additional stains on the leather. I don't know how honest either party is when it comes to these things, but I would definitely ask Santana beforehand what exactly they are planning to do with the bag in detail, and what happened to the other ladies bag. You don't want an apprentice, or an impatient craftsman having a go at a 3000usd bag. Just saying this, so I don't feel bad about not having said anything in case this doesn't work out the way you hoped.

 

[BowieFan1971]

You're doing everything correctly. Taking your business somewhere where it is appreciated. But...

Please mention to your local shop that you want hand-sewing only. I've seen too many vintage kellies butchered simply because they tried to do certain tasks with a machine to save some time (like on the one I'm fixing up myself at the moment). There is no fast way to fix an Hermès bag.

I don't want to worry you, but I did look up Santana Leather and they don't have as great reviews as you said they have a reputation. I am always a bit worried for others if they send their bags to a shop that has no experience working with Hermès bags, and I've only found one review from a woman who brought a Kelly bag in and claims because of what Santana did, the bag started getting cracks all over and was returned with additional stains on the leather. I don't know how honest either party is when it comes to these things, but I would definitely ask Santana beforehand what exactly they are planning to do with the bag in detail, and what happened to the other ladies bag. You don't want an apprentice, or an impatient craftsman having a go at a 3000usd bag. Just saying this, so I don't feel bad about not having said anything in case this doesn't work out the way you hoped.

Thanks. I asked around first and spoke to SAs at several designer stores. Santana’s name came up several times. When I asked the SA at Hermès if there was any reason NOT to take my bag there, since he was not allowed to give me a referral, he said no, not at all with a relieved smile, since he obviously felt bad about turning me away and did not agree about the bag being “damaged beyond repair.”
While I could ship my bag off to somewhere like NYC, there is no direct contact, no way to see the bag before having to accept it and take it out of the shop. If I get the bag back and I am not happy, the bag gets lost or damaged in shipping or there is a misunderstanding in communication, I am the one who is screwed and have to try to get resolution via phone/email/etc. No thanks!
So I wanted to deal with someone local and they had the best reputation. I had a thorough check in, feel everything was addressed, there was a meeting of the minds and left with a good feeling. The price was in the range of what I expected. I will pick it up in person and if it is not done right, they will have to do it again. I don’t want or expect a brand new looking or perfect bag, but I do want the repairs done well so I can use the bag for many years to come. I have no plans to ever resell this bag.

 

[girlhasbags]

Hello everyone

I wonder if I could get some Vintage Hermès Lovers opinion on something.

I recently obtained this vintage Kelly Bag from 1970 (Stamp Z) in Crocodile leather. It‘s seen better days, but I thought I could potentially get it fixed up. Hermès would not, as the bag has been worked on probably in the late 80‘s. The original owner probably got the job done by a cobbler, it was quite horrendous, but luckily not THAT visible. (some doubled up stitching on the gussets and badly installed rivets on the flap hardware)

Anyways, as you can see with its age came the sacking effect, so the corners all fell into themselves. I was wondering if I should get them re-inforced professionally (meaning the bag being taken apart and new stiffener glued between crocodile and lining) so that the corners would lift, or if this is part of the vintage bags charm.

I will definitely get the tears on the gussets fixed as minimally invasive as possible anyway, but the corners seem to be another story.

Let me know what you think!

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Contact leather surgeons that will be able to help you

 

[Anthropolo]

Contact leather surgeons that will be able to help you

Thanks for your response. But the question was not who can do it (as I could take the bag apart myself to reinforce it). But my question is if I should or shouldn't. I'm on the fence whether or not the corners kind of have a charming effect or if they are very distracting. But I think I'm gonna leave them this way. They are a sign of the bags age which I'm not trying to hide. And the process of disassembling the bag and re-sewing it entirely is in no relation to how little it bothers me (or my mother, as she's going to be the one to use the bag).

 

[Tonimichelle]

Thanks for your response. But the question was not who can do it (as I could take the bag apart myself to reinforce it). But my question is if I should or shouldn't. I'm on the fence whether or not the corners kind of have a charming effect or if they are very distracting. But I think I'm gonna leave them this way. They are a sign of the bags age which I'm not trying to hide. And the process of disassembling the bag and re-sewing it entirely is in no relation to how little it bothers me (or my mother, as she's going to be the one to use the bag).

Just my opinion but I like the corners as they are. The only thing that would concern me would be if they are likely to hasten cracking or splitting in that area, but I’d probably go with stuffing the bag when not in use sufficiently to keep them straight, then allowing them to slouch however they like in use. I have absolutely zero experience of exotics though so it may not work like that! That’s a really beautiful Kelly by the way!

 

[Anthropolo]

Just my opinion but I like the corners as they are. The only thing that would concern me would be if they are likely to hasten cracking or splitting in that area, but I’d probably go with stuffing the bag when not in use sufficiently to keep them straight, then allowing them to slouch however they like in use. I have absolutely zero experience of exotics though so it may not work like that! That’s a really beautiful Kelly by the way!

You are absolutely right, it can definitely start cracking. Fortunately on this bag the leather in the corners is still rather soft, so by treating it with some leather wax I‘m hoping that it would not further dry out and start crumbling away. I‘ve tried everything to stuff the corners but unfortunately nothing works very well. It‘s a very tricky placement and on the inside is barely any space, as the gusset itself lays almost flat on the corner. Thank you!

 

[Anthropolo]

I can‘t believe it, there was a local online auction and there was a 1970‘s black box Kelly in good condition that not many seemed to be interested in. At 1400usd that‘s a steal for a K28. It doesn’t have a zipped pocket yet, as it is the older model, the Clochette is missing, and theres some rubs on the corners all around, but no cracks and no tears or holes. No smell either. Crazy.. I‘m really surprised it went for that little.

 

[WhiteBus]

What a great find.
Are you going to refurbish it yourself or are you near enough to be able to drop it in to Hermes for spa.
Good vintage pieces are really loved by the artisans.
Refurbishing it yourself could be a really satisfying project: Saphir Renovateur and Saphir Creme Universelle. Docride has some useful tips and she does have a video on YouTube.

 

[Anthropolo]

What a great find.
Are you going to refurbish it yourself or are you near enough to be able to drop it in to Hermes for spa.
Good vintage pieces are really loved by the artisans.
Refurbishing it yourself could be a really satisfying project: Saphir Renovateur and Saphir Creme Universelle. Docride has some useful tips and she does have a video on YouTube.

I think if this bag will be restored it‘s going to be Hermès’ honor. This bag has never been touched, and Hermès will not offer their repair service once it has been by someone else. Although the Hardware seems good now, in the future it‘d be good to be able to get it replaced. Theres not too much that has to be done, just the edges and potentially some edge coating. =)

 

[WhiteBus]

That is a very sound approach.
Do get it spa-ed sooner than later; around $300 to get that leather conditioned and the corners touched up is small price to pay.

 

[girlhasbags]

That is a very sound approach.
Do get it spa-ed sooner than later; around $300 to get that leather conditioned and the corners touched up is small price to pay.

I agree

 

[girlhasbags]

I can‘t believe it, there was a local online auction and there was a 1970‘s black box Kelly in good condition that not many seemed to be interested in. At 1400usd that‘s a steal for a K28. It doesn’t have a zipped pocket yet, as it is the older model, the Clochette is missing, and theres some rubs on the corners all around, but no cracks and no tears or holes. No smell either. Crazy.. I‘m really surprised it went for that little.

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Congrats!!! What a find