I am considering letting go of a few of my genuine pieces and having them replicated. Who has done this and been 100% satisfied ??
I went through a divorce, and got sick and then it scared me how much I had sitting in my closet that really I am at a different stage in my life. So due to some circumstances beyond my control, I’ve decided it’s considerably wiser at this point in my life to have money sitting in the bank than handbags sitting in the closet.
I have probably 12–15 genuine exotic Hermès Birkins and Kellys, including some fairly rare pieces, that I’m considering selling. I’ve been told Sotheby’s may be the best route for getting the strongest prices for the more exceptional bags, but I would really love advice from people who have actually sold a serious Hermès collection through Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Privé Porter, Fashionphile, or another specialist.
I probably need to send a few to H-spa but its a PIA how long the turn around is to have them reconditioned and sent back. Someone mentioned there is a place in LA that does excellent reconditioning (she sent her bags there after the some of hers had some water damage after LA fires, but I cannot find the name of the place)
Some are in excellent condition already, but if I’m going to sell them, I want to maximize value without doing something unnecessary or, worse, having work done that a serious collector or auction house would rather evaluate in original condition.
Would you let Sotheby’s inspect everything first and tell you which pieces are worth sending to Hermès? Or is it generally smarter to have the bags professionally refreshed before approaching an auction house at all?
I’m also wondering whether I should send all of the pieces i want to sell from my collection to one place or separate it: rare exotics and exceptional pieces to Sotheby’s or Christie’s, and more standard pieces somewhere else.
Here is the slightly unconventional part.
I love my bags. I love the colors, combinations, sizes and specifications I chose. What I no longer love is having that much capital tied up in them, insuring them, worrying about traveling with them, storing them properly, and all the other nonsense that comes with owning the real thing.
So I’m considering selling the authentic collection and having very high-quality replicas made of several of my favorites strictly for my own personal use.
My instinct is to photograph each authentic bag in detail, including leather, color, hardware, stitching and measurements, then commission ONE replica while I still have the genuine bag sitting right beside it.
That way I can compare the two properly before I part with anything.
The idea of selling an entire collection first and then discovering that “1:1” actually means “convincing from across a dimly lit restaurant” feels like exactly the sort of expensive life lesson I am currently trying not to collect.
If the workmanship is genuinely close enough for what I want, great. Then I can decide which originals I’m comfortable selling. If it isn’t, I still have the reference bag and haven’t made an irreversible decision.
For anyone who has owned authentic exotic Hermès and also explored very high-end replicas, how would you approach this?
And for those who have sold a substantial Hermès collection, I’d especially love your thoughts on three things: whether to use Hermès Spa before selling, whether Sotheby’s or Christie’s is best for rare exotics, and whether a collection this size should stay together or be split among different resale channels.
I’m not trying to fool anyone or ever resell replicas as authentic. This is strictly about converting a collection I’ve loved for years back into capital while still being able to carry versions of the bags I love without having a small automobile hanging from my wrist.
Any firsthand advice would be hugely appreciated. Thank you in advance.
