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Jane Birkin’s original Hermès Birkin prototype sold at Sotheby’s in Paris on July 10, 2025, for €8,582,500 including fees—about $10,052,940, according to Guinness World Records. The hammer bid was €7 million; the widely reported $10 million figure is the fee-inclusive total, not the winning bid alone. Guinness still listed it as the most expensive handbag sold at auction in September 2026.
How much did Jane Birkin’s original Birkin sell for?
The reported all-in price was €8,582,500, equivalent to $10,052,940 or £7,397,900 in Guinness World Records’ September 2026 account. The Associated Press reported a €7 million hammer bid and a total of about €8.6 million with Sotheby’s fees. A hammer price is the winning bid before applicable fees; the all-in figure is the better measure of the buyer’s reported cost. Guinness World Records and the Associated Press give the two figures.
Why was this particular bag so valuable?
This was not a standard production Birkin. It was Jane Birkin’s own original prototype, made by Hermès and associated with the creation of the Birkin line. Its historical provenance and singular construction distinguish it from later bags that share the Birkin name.
Personal and construction details
Guinness says Hermès completed the bag in 1985 and named it after Birkin. Its reported identifying features include a fixed shoulder strap, “J.B.” embossed on the front flap, a small nail clipper attached to an interior chain, and gilded-brass hardware with closed metal rings. Its proportions combine the height of a size 35 with the depth of a size 40. Guinness describes the bag as retaining its texture and engraving while showing marks of use. Guinness World Records’ account documents these details.
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There is a dating discrepancy in the coverage: Guinness identifies 1985 as the year the completed bag was made, while an AP photo caption calls it created in 1984. The completed artifact is dated to 1985 in Guinness’ account; the earlier date appears in the AP caption.
Who bought the original Birkin?
Guinness reported that Valuence Japan Inc. bought the bag. The company displayed it in a special three-day exhibition in Osaka and described it as cultural heritage to share publicly rather than resell for profit. Those are the buyer’s reported intentions and the status described in Guinness’ September 2026 account, not a guarantee of future ownership or public display. Guinness World Records reported the buyer and exhibition.
Rank #2
- 【Bag Size】13.5 x 5.5 x 11inch
- 【2-Piece Set】Comprises a chic shoulder bag paired with a compact wallet, ensuring seamless coordination for everyday essentials.
- 【Vegan Leather Material】Made from high-quality vegan leather, ensuring a stylish and ethical choice for your everyday use.
- 【Versatile Use】Seamlessly transitions from boardrooms to weekend adventures, its cross-functional elegance elevates every moment — a masterclass in adaptable design meeting multifaceted demands.
- 【Gift Choice】A soulful gesture for Valentine's Day, where every detail radiates heartfelt warmth and intentional care — a timeless symbol of love that turns ordinary moments into cherished memories.
How does the sale compare with other handbag auction records?
The 2025 result surpassed the previous overall handbag auction record, which the AP identified as $513,040 paid in 2021 for a Hermès White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Retourne Kelly 28. Later auction milestones apply to narrower categories, geographies, or sale formats rather than displacing the original Birkin’s overall record.
| Sale or record | Reported result | What the figure represents |
|---|---|---|
| Jane Birkin’s original prototype, Sotheby’s Paris, July 10, 2025 | €8,582,500; $10,052,940; £7,397,900 | Fee-inclusive result reported by Guinness in September 2026; AP separately reported a €7 million hammer bid and about €8.6 million including fees. Guinness; AP. |
| Hermès Kelly 28, 2021 | $513,040 | Previous overall handbag auction record, according to AP. AP. |
| White Hermès Faubourg Birkin, Christie’s Spring 2026 | HK$4,318,000 / US$551,243 | Christie’s reported a Faubourg-model record and the most valuable handbag sold in Asia. Christie’s. |
| Hermès Rainy Days Faubourg Birkin, Christie’s Spring 2026 | HK$3,746,500 / US$478,284 | Reported result in Christie’s Spring 2026 release. Christie’s. |
| Hermès shoulder Birkin, Christie’s Spring 2026 | HK$1,905,000 / US$243,195 | Reported result in Christie’s Spring 2026 release. Christie’s. |
| Birkin 20 Faubourg Rouge Sellier, Christie’s Paris online sale, June 2026 | €635,000 | Christie’s reported a record for this model. Christie’s. |
| Christie’s Paris online handbag sale, June 2026 | €5,836,666 | Total for a record-setting online handbag sale, not a single-bag result. Christie’s. |
Guinness still called Birkin’s prototype the most expensive handbag sold at auction in September 2026. A model, regional, or online-sale record is not directly equivalent to the overall single-handbag auction record. Guinness World Records and Christie’s 2026 results describe those distinct categories.
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- 【Bag Size】13.5 x 5.5 x 11inch
- 【2-Piece Set】Comprises a chic shoulder bag paired with a compact wallet, ensuring seamless coordination for everyday essentials.
- 【Vegan Leather Material】Made from high-quality vegan leather, ensuring a stylish and ethical choice for your everyday use.
- 【Versatile Use】Seamlessly transitions from boardrooms to weekend adventures, its cross-functional elegance elevates every moment — a masterclass in adaptable design meeting multifaceted demands.
- 【Gift Choice】A soulful gesture for Valentine's Day, where every detail radiates heartfelt warmth and intentional care — a timeless symbol of love that turns ordinary moments into cherished memories.
Could someone buy Jane Birkin’s original bag now?
No. The prototype sold at auction in 2025, and the reported buyer is Valuence Japan Inc. It is a unique historical object, not an item generally available through Hermès or an ordinary resale listing. A current Birkin or related handbag product is not a substitute for this specific bag.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Bag Size】13.5 x 5.5 x 11inch
- 【2-Piece Set】Comprises a chic shoulder bag paired with a compact wallet, ensuring seamless coordination for everyday essentials.
- 【Vegan Leather Material】Made from high-quality vegan leather, ensuring a stylish and ethical choice for your everyday use.
- 【Versatile Use】Seamlessly transitions from boardrooms to weekend adventures, its cross-functional elegance elevates every moment — a masterclass in adaptable design meeting multifaceted demands.
- 【Gift Choice】A soulful gesture for Valentine's Day, where every detail radiates heartfelt warmth and intentional care — a timeless symbol of love that turns ordinary moments into cherished memories.
Rank #4
- 【Bag Size】13.5 x 5.5 x 11inch
- 【2-Piece Set】Comprises a chic shoulder bag paired with a compact wallet, ensuring seamless coordination for everyday essentials.
- 【Vegan Leather Material】Made from high-quality vegan leather, ensuring a stylish and ethical choice for your everyday use.
- 【Versatile Use】Seamlessly transitions from boardrooms to weekend adventures, its cross-functional elegance elevates every moment — a masterclass in adaptable design meeting multifaceted demands.
- 【Gift Choice】A soulful gesture for Valentine's Day, where every detail radiates heartfelt warmth and intentional care — a timeless symbol of love that turns ordinary moments into cherished memories.
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