Overview

• Sotheby’s Paris is auctioning the unique 1984 Birkin prototype today without a published reserve or estimate.
• The prototype was conceived by Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas following a 1984 in-flight incident in which Jane Birkin’s overfilled basket spilled onto his lap.
• It retains features abandoned in later versions—most notably a shoulder strap, extra-deep interior, brass fittings; it also incorporates a built-in nail clipper.
• Visible wear bears Jane Birkin’s initials alongside stickers applied by the designer, underscoring its provenance.
• Collectors expect the sale to set a new high-water mark for handbags given the Birkin’s status as a luxury collectible whose returns exceed those of gold, equities or real estate.