Cracking the Code: Understanding Hermès Date Stamps
Hermès bags are coveted for their luxury, quality, and timeless style. But if you're considering buying a pre-owned Hermès piece, understanding the year your Hermès bag is manufactured could be one of the most important piece of research you need to do. As the year of production can greatly affect the price, with more recent pieces fetching a more hefty price.
Hermès Blind Stamps: A Discreet Mark of History
Hermès employs "blind stamps" – subtle markings embossed on the leather – to indicate the year of manufacture. These stamps are often hidden inside pockets, straps, or under flaps, ensuring a clean, unblemished exterior.
Decoding the Alphabet Soup: A Look at Hermès Date Code Formats
Hermès uses single letters in alphabetical order to represent production years. However, to accommodate more than 26 years, the system incorporates shapes:
- 1945 to 1970: No shapes were used. Just a lone letter!
- 1971 to 1996: The letter appeared within a circle.
- 1997 to 2014: The letter was framed by a square.
- 2015 onwards: Hermès returned to a simpler format, using just the letter again.
Beyond the Date: Artisan Stamps
The date stamp is usually accompanied by another stamp – the artisan's stamp. This identifies the craftsperson who meticulously crafted your Hermès good.
Sometimes the Hermès bag can have more than one artisan stamp, if it has been worked on by more than one craftsman like being repaired at a later date.
Where to Locate the Stamps
Birkin:
Look under the left strap (pre-2016) or on the interior left side near the back flap (post-2016).
Kelly
- Pre-2016 Kelly Bags: Look under the left strap.
- Post-2016 Kelly Bags (except Kelly 20cm): Look on the interior left side near the back flap.
- Kelly 25cm: Check the vertical stamp on the rear pocket.
Constance:
- The stamp might be on an interior panel.
Bolide
Evelyne
This crossbody bag can be a little more challenging. The stamp might be tucked discreetly on an interior panel near the base or under the front flap close to the closure.
Garden Party
This casual tote typically has the stamp hidden on an interior panel, often near a seam.
Herbag
The stamp on this canvas tote is usually located on an interior panel near a seam, similar to the Garden Party.
Lindy
This versatile bag often has the stamp on an interior panel close to a side seam, or it could be placed under the front flapnear the clasp.
Picotin
The cute bucket bag can be a bit tricky. The stamp might be tucked away on a small, interior leather panel near the top closure or base.
Small Leather Goods
- Interior
