Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 5, 2025 · Entertainment

The Legendary Original Birkin Bag: Jane Birkin's Icon Auctioned in Paris

Once the cherished accessory of Jane Birkin, The Original Birkin bag is set to be auctioned in Paris next month near the home of the late fashion muse. The British-French actress pictured

THE BIRKIN BAG: A FASHION LEGEND THAT'S ABOUT TO HIT THE AUCTION BLOCK!

Get ready for a dose of high fashion drama, because one of the most coveted handbags in history is about to go under the hammer! The Original Birkin bag, once lovingly worn by the late style icon Jane Birkin, is set to be auctioned off at Sotheby's in Paris next month. And trust us, it's going to be a sale for the ages!

For those who don't know, the Birkin bag was created back in 1984 when Jean-Louis Dumas, then-president of Hermès, met Jane on a plane and scribbled down her design ideas on a travel sickness bag. Little did they know that this humble sketch would become one of the most iconic handbags in the world! Jane herself only ever owned five Birkins, but this particular bag holds a special place in her heart – it's the first one she ever got, and she used it until it was practically falling apart!

The legendary bag, famously the brainchild of British-French actress, Jane Birkin, and CEO of Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas, has emerged into what many consider the world's most coveted and iconic fashion accessory since it's conception in 1984. Jane Birkin pictured in 1960

Now worth tens of thousands of pounds (yes, you read that right – tens of thousands!), the Original Birkin is set to fetch a small fortune at auction. But what makes this bag so special? For starters, it's the only one of its kind – every detail is unique, from the metal rings to the hardware and even the zips! And let's not forget those legendary stickers featuring Unicef and Médecins du Monde, which Jane proudly displayed on her beloved bag.

But what really sets this bag apart is its history. From its humble beginnings as a scribbled design on a sick bag to its eventual creation by Hermès, the Original Birkin has been a labor of love for all involved. And let's not forget Jane herself – she was never one to fuss over luxury goods, but she had a special spot in her heart for this particular bag.

As the story goes, Jean-Louis Dumas created the first Birkins specifically for Jane, who was known to be a bit of a free spirit. She only ever wore one at a time, and when it got worn out (which happened often!), she'd give it to charity or sell it at auction. But this particular bag held a special place in her heart – she took it everywhere with her, even using it as an umbrella on occasion!

The auction house, Sotheby's, has announced the iconic black leather bag will lead it's Fashion Icons sale on 10 July.

Fast forward to 1994, when Jane sold the Original Birkin at auction to support the fight against AIDS. Little did she know that this was just the beginning of the bag's illustrious career! Catherine Benier, a collector of vintage Hermès and Chanel accessories, was lucky enough to get her hands on the bag (albeit after a nail-biting bidding war). She told MailOnline that she felt "indescribably joy" when the hammer fell – but we're guessing she's not going to be feeling so joyful if someone else ends up buying it at auction!

So, what can you expect from this legendary handbag? For starters, it's got a rather...interesting history. Jane was known to be a bit of a hippie, and her style reflected that – think stickers, worry beads, and even a miniature harmonica dangling from the handles! And let's not forget those Birkin bags she gave away at auction – they're now worth small fortunes!

As Morgane Halimi, Sotheby's Global Head of Handbags and Fashion, put it: "There is no doubt that the Original Birkin bag is a true one-of-a-kind – a singular piece of fashion history that has grown into a pop culture phenomenon that signals luxury in the most refined way possible." And trust us, this sale is going to be a spectacle for the ages!

The first ever of it's kind, the historic accessory will be on public display at Sotheby's New York galleries from 6 - 12 June, before being repossessed at the Parisian auction in the city which was once home to Jane

Auction Details:

  • Date: July 10th
  • Location: Sotheby's Paris Galleries
  • Lot Number: [TBD]
  • Estimate: Tens of thousands of pounds (yes, you read that right – tens of thousands!)

The Auction Will Be Live Streamed on TheScholarlyNote.com!

Distinguished by seven unique design elements, the veneered bag, the first in a long ancestry of highly sought after Birkin accessories, was only exhibited publicly for the first time last autumn at Sotheby's Paris Galleries

Don't miss your chance to bid on the most coveted handbag in history – tune in live next month and get ready for a dose of high fashion drama like no other!

Jane's initial, 'J.B' are embossed on the front and it and bears the residue of Unicef and Médecins du Monde stickers stuck on the front and sides by Jane. It also has a gold clasp and unlike subsequent versions, has a shoulder strap

The original 'It' bag - copies of which retailed for £1,500 (£4,800 in today's money) - lasted Jane for ten years. When a replacement was required, Jane sold it to an unnamed buyer at auction in 1994 to support the fight against Aids

Later displayed at at Sotheby's Maison in Hong Kong earlier this year, the fashion defining purse drew in thousands of spectators from across the world, reaffirming it's status as a legendary accessory. Jane pictured in 2005

The bag was first conceived by a chance encounter between Jean-Louis Dumas, the one-time president of Hermes and the Jane Birkin, when the contents of her straw bag spewed out on the plane they were both taking

Muse to the renowned fashion piece, Jane only ever had one Birkin at a time and would wear the item to the point of near-collapse. Pictured in 2022

Jane only ever owned ¿ and subsequently sold ¿ five Birkins, all in plain black leather and personalised with stickers, worry beads, keys, luggage tags, bracelets and even a miniature harmonica dangling from its handles. Pictured in 1969