Cover Artcurial auction house has confirmed that next month will mark the opening of its summer programme of sales—with the Hermès Summer Collection leading the event. (Photo: Getty Images)

Paris-based auction house Artcurial will hold its prestigious Hermès Summer Collection in Monaco on July 19, 20, and 21

Ask any handbag enthusiast or fashion fiend and they’ll be quick to let you know: there’s nothing quite as prestigious as an Hermès handbag—especially if said handbag is a Birkin or a Kelly.

Related: Post-Covid-19 Boost: Hermès Earns $2.7 Million In Sales After A Flagship Store In China Reopens

The elusive saddler bags have over the years made a name for themselves for their quiet notoriety and respectable investment potential with next month’s Hermès Summer Collection auction in the Riviera demonstrates exactly that.

Paris-based auction house Artcurial has confirmed that next month will mark the opening of its summer programme of sales—with the Hermès Summer Collection leading the tempting event.

The timeless pieces from the House of Hermès will be offered by specialist Alice Léger of the Hermès Vintage & Fashion Arts department. Léger has curated some of the “finest special orders and limited edition pieces” which includes a “so black” Birkin handbag, expected to fetch between US$17,000 to $28,000, a collection of evening clutch bags in rare materials like crocodile, lizard, and ostrich, and a rare graffitied Birkin handbag customised by street artist JonOne also expected to top US$17,000.

Clients will also have the opportunity to bid on other extremely rare lots, including a Louis Vuitton x Supreme trunk, exceptional Art Deco-era jewellery, a selection of rare vintage watches including a war-era Rolex GMT Master ref 1675 purchased in Vietnam, and more than 80 rare and exceptional collectors cars.

The Articurial office in Monaco will be reopening to welcome buyers and sellers after the lockdown period of COVID-19 in time for the auction, with the summer residence at the Hotel Hermitage playing home to the prestigious event. To find out more or register for the event, visit the official Artcurial website.

See also: Pierre Hardy: The Man Behind Hermès' Exceptional Jewellery