Hermès Himalaya Matte Crocodile Birkin expected to bring $80,000+ at Heritage Auctions

Hermès 40cm Matte Bleu de Malte Alligator Birkin Bag estimated at $55,000+; fine Chanel, Gucci, Vuitton bags, accessories, and jewelry round out the May 3-4 New York event at Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion

NEW YORK – One of the single most sought after handbags in the world, an ultra rare Hermès 30cm Himalaya Matte Crocodile Birkin Bag with Palladium Hardware, in pristine condition, is estimated to bring $80,000+ as the top lot in Heritage Auctions’ May 3 Signature Handbags & Luxury Accessories Auction, at the Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion, 2 East 79^th Street.

“There are few handbags in the world that can compare with the Hermès Himalayan Crocodile Birkin,” said Matt Rubinger, Director of Luxury Accessories at Heritage Auction. “Being one of only a very few in the world, this could be the most sought after bag to ever go to auction. The Himalaya coloring of the crocodile is what makes this piece so desirable.”

In most any other auction an Hermès 40cm Matte Bleu de Malte Alligator Birkin Bag with Palladium Hardware, estimated at $55,000+, would likely receive top billing, but in this instance this very rare bag, in pristine condition, plays a happy second fiddle.

“This bleu de malte Birkin in alligator will be a cornerstone piece for an advanced collector,” said Rubinger. “Its 40cm size, in alligator, in pristine, unused condition with plastic still protecting all hardware, makes this bag incredibly special and collectors know it.”

A fine sampling of other brightly colored, pristine condition Hermès Birkin and Kelly handbags support the two top bags, including an Hermès 30cm Violet Chevre Leather Birkin Bag with Palladium Hardware, estimated at $12,000+ and an Rose Shocking Chevre Leather Rigid Kelly Bag with Palladium Hardware, which is expected to bring more than $6,000.

An amazing collection Chanel alligator bags compliments the Hermès grouping, with a Chanel Shiny Sky Blue Alligator Large Classic Top Handle Flap Bag, in excellent condition, expected to bring $10,000+, a Chanel Bright Red Shiny Alligator Classic Clutch Bag with Gold Chain Strap and Snap Closure, is estimated at $5,000+.

Vintage Gucci is always a staple of fine Luxury Accessory auctions, and the May 3 auction will deliver Gucci aficionados plenty to cheer about, led by an important 1960s Special Order Bordeaux Crocodile Heritage Logo Weekender Bag, estimated at $10,000+, and a 1960s Bordeaux Shiny Crocodile Large Top Handle Bag with Signature Gold Stirrup Hardware, estimated at $4,000+.

“These top two Gucci lots are very special pieces,” said Rubinger. “The crocodile Weekend Bag is by far the best of its kind I’ve personally seen and, between the quality of its skins, the rare deep red color, and the incredible condition, is really one of the most impressive pieces in this auction.”

Superb Louis Vuitton from some of the most well-received and sought after runway collections of the past 20 years is represented in the auction by a very rare and pristine Louis Vuitton 2001 Stephen Sprouse Green Graffiti Speedy Bag, expected to bring $2,000+, and nicely complemented by a very rare Louis Vuitton 2002 Conte de Fees Collection Papillon Butterfly Bag, also in pristine condition, which could bring more than $700 when it comes up for auction.

Great full bead crystal minaudieres proved quite popular in the inaugural Heritage Luxury Accessories auction in December of 2010, and the May auction has assembled a whole new grouping of minaudieres for collectors led by a charming Judith Leiber Full Bead Silver, Purple, Gray, and Green Arabian Karma Camel Minaudiere, in pristine condition, estimated at $2,500+, and a very special collection of exceedingly rare Kathrine Baumann minaudieres, which rarely surface at auction, led by a whimsical Kathrine Baumann Full Bead Special Perrier Jouet Champagne Bottle Minaudere, expected to bring $2,000+.

In addition to the collection of exceedingly rare bags and leather goods is an impressive collection of more than 120 pieces of fine costume jewelry by Chanel, YSL, and Dior, anchored by a Chanel 1982 Ebonized Wood, Gold Gilt, and Gripoix Bangle Bracelet (Estimate: $1,500+) a Chanel 2008 Turquoise, Red, & Black Gripoix Stones and Diamante Crystal Lion's Head Cuff Bracelet (Estimate: $2,000+) and an Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Ceramic Runway Necklace (Estimate: $1,500+).