Rating and value of your Kelly handbags from Hermès

If you own a Kelly bag, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services.

Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your bag, and provide you with an accurate estimate of its value on the current market.

Then, if you wish to sell your bag, we will direct you to the best possible device to obtain the optimum price. The price of a Kelly may vary depending on the year, leather, edition (limited or not), stones and metals used.

Rating and value of a Kelly

The Kelly is a Hermès staple, along with the Birkin. The two bags look alike, but don't serve the same purpose. The price at which it sells on the art and auction market ranges from €5,000 to €330 000, a considerable delta but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to your Kellys.

In 2022, the Kelly 25 Himalaya Retourne sold for €352,800, more than three times the high estimate made by Sotheby's.

Estimating the value of a Kelly from the simplest to the most prized

Reasons to sell a Kelly

The Kelly is a timeless bag, always in high demand on the auction market. Buyers are willing to pay unheard-of sums, as the house has made the it bag a rare item and almost impossible to obtain new.

At Hermès, you have to wait at least three to five years to hope to one day own this much sought-after bag, it's the rarest to obtain with the Birkin.

The most famous of the princess bags

The story of Hermès' Kelly begins, like that of the Birkin, thanks to an influential woman whose outfits and accessories are copied. Not just an actress this time, but a princess too: Grace Kelly.

Thierry Hermès first designed this bag christened " Haut à Courroies ". Hermès being a house of saddlers, their first items were made for equestrian use. The Kelly was therefore originally a rather large bag, designed to carry equestrian equipment.

In the 1930s, Robert Dumas wanted to transform it, and redesigned it to reduce its size and make it a bag that women could wear every day. The smaller model was then called " sac à dépêches ".

It was in 1958 that it got its current name when Grace Kelly descended from a plane and used her Hermès bag to hide her pregnancy. The house decided to rename the bag " Kelly ", and sales soared.

The story of this bag and the Lady Dior are similar, despite which the Kelly remains more in demand on the auction market and has a much higher rating on the luxury and auction markets.

Learn more about the incredible story of the Kelly

The buzz around the Kelly

If the Kelly is such a popular bag today, it's because it's timeless, as well as being practical and elegant. Wearing a Kelly is an experience.

Moreover, it's highly prized by buyers willing to put a lot of money into it because it's a luxury bag but without any big visible inscription or logo that might make the house name recognizable.

It's also a bag that lasts over time, thanks to the quality of the leather and metals used in its manufacture. This seems obvious, but other houses don't put so much care into the manufacture of leather goods and the choice of leathers.

Depending on the model, it is often smaller than a Birkin, but can also fetch very high prices at auction, and is prized by buyers the world over.

Evidently, the Kelly dresses up and transforms any outfit, and can be worn in all circumstances, thanks to its straight curves and practicality. It is one of Hermes' most prized bags.

The notoriety of Kelly bags on the auction market

Selling a Kelly bag by Hermès at auction has several advantages, including the possibility of reaching an international audience of collectors and luxury enthusiasts ready to invest in these iconic pieces.

The second-hand market for Hermès bags, particularly the Kelly models, is enjoying resounding success around the world. These bags, renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship and rarity, often see their value increase over time.

At auction, some Kellys sell for far more than their original asking price, particularly when they are in rare colors or leathers.

This phenomenon is fueled by the growing demand for pre-owned luxury items, seen not only as fashion accessories, but also as investments.

The prestige associated with Hermès and the universal recognition of the Kelly's design make it a coveted item that attracts bidders from all corners of the globe, reinforcing the notoriety and value of this legendary bag on the resale market.

The value of going through Auctie's

Trusting an Hermès bag to our auction house rather than selling it online offers several significant advantages.

Our auction house have unrivalled expertise in the appraisal and presentation of luxury pieces, ensuring that your bag will be optimally showcased.

They also attract an audience of discerning collectors and fashion enthusiasts, often prepared to pay top dollar for rare, authentic pieces.

In addition, auctions offer increased transparency and security, with rigorous verification processes that protect both seller and buyer, reducing the risk of fraud or disputes common on online platforms.

Finally, auctions can generate genuine competition between bidders, which can lead to a final sale price that's significantly higher than you'd get on a conventional resale market.

In short, entrusting a bag to an auction house maximizes not only its visibility, but also its potential value.

Recognizing an original Kelly

The counterfeit market is increasingly strong in making different bags pass for luxury ones. On online platforms, the resale of these items is steadily increasing, and many customers are being tricked.

That's why, even if techniques exist to recognize a real Kelly, such as looking at the seams, or the inscription of the serial number inside, it's essential if you think you own a Kelly to have it appraised.

Knowing the certain value of the bag

If you happen to own a Kelly bag or think you might, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using our form on our website.

A member of our team of experts and licensed auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your bag, not forgetting to send you ad hoc information about it.

If you wish to sell your bag, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives to dispose of it at the best possible price, taking into account market inclinations.