Hermes Victoria 43 travel bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Style:UNKNOWN (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:PARIS, FR
- Reference Number:
Hermès
For Hermès, what began as a maker of leather equestrian goods for European noblemen would eventually grow into one of the most storied fashion labels in the world. In 1837, German-born French entrepreneur Thierry Hermès opened a saddle and harness purveyor in Paris. Gradually, the house extended into accessories and luggage for its riders, and today, in paying homage to its origins, the family-run luxury brand resurfaces horse motifs in everything from clothing and modernist jewelry to pillows and handbags.
The first top-handled bag ever produced by Hermès was the Haut à courroies, which made its debut in 1892. A tall bag secured with a folded leather flap (fastened with bridle-inspired straps), it was designed to transport riding boots and a harness.
As the world made the switch from horse to automobile, the bag adapted, becoming a multifunctional travel satchel instead of a designated saddlebag. Today, 120 years later, the HAC remains in Hermès’s line — and its distinctive flap and clasping straps have laid the groundwork for some of the house’s other iconic bags.
In the 1930s, Robert Dumas (son-in-law to Émile-Maurice Hermès, Thierry’s grandson) designed a smaller, trapezoidal take on the flap bag with a handle and two side straps. Later, actress Grace Kelly, then engaged to Prince Rainier of Monaco, is said to have used one of these bags to conceal her pregnancy during the 1950s. Because she was photographed constantly, the coverage catapulted her handbag to international popularity.
In 1977, Hermès officially renamed the model for her, and the Kelly bag was born. Each Kelly bag takes between 18 and 25 hours to produce, and its 680 hand stitches owe solely to one Hermès artisan.
Robert Dumas was also responsible for another one of the brand’s most iconic offerings: the launch of its first silk scarf on the occasion of Hermès’s 100th anniversary in 1937. Based on a woodblock designed by Dumas and printed on Chinese silk, the accessory was an immediate hit.
Today, vintage Hermès scarves, typically adorned in rich colors and elaborate patterns, serve many functions, just as they did back then. Well-heeled women wear it on their heads, around their necks and, in a genius piece of cross-promotion, tied to the straps of their Hermès bags. Kelly even once used one as a sling for her broken arm.
In 1981, Robert Dumas’s son Jean-Louis Dumas, then Hermès chairman, found himself sitting next to French actress and musician Jane Birkin on a plane, where she was complaining about finding a suitable carryall for the necessary accoutrements of motherhood. After the two travelers were properly introduced, Birkin helped design Jean-Louis’s most famous contribution to the Hermès canon: the Birkin bag, a roomy, square catchall with the HAC’s trademark leather flap top and the addition of a lock and key.
Owing to the brand’s legendary commitment to deft, handcrafted construction, the Birkin is an investment that is coveted by collectors everywhere.
While the Kelly and Birkin may be standouts, gracing the arms of everyone from royal heiresses to hip-hop stars in the past few decades, the handbags are but a small part of Hermès’s fashion offerings.
Since the 1920s, the brand has produced some of the most desirable leather goods in the world. There’s the Constance bag, a favorite of Jacqueline Kennedy, the recently relaunched 1970s-era Evelyne and, on the vintage market, a slew of designs dating back to the 1920s.
Good design never goes out of style. Find a variety of vintage Hermès handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: PARIS, France
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Louis Vuitton Black Graphite Damier SuitcaseBy Louis VuittonLocated in PARIS, FRLouis Vuitton Black Graphite Damier Suitcase. Louis Vuitton Graphite suitcase very good condition. Show some light signs of use and wear but nothing visible. What is more usefull than a suitcase ? Louis Vuitton Damier travel...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Duffel Bags and Carry-On Bags
- Louis Vuitton Alzer 70 TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in PARIS, FRLovely Louis Vuitton Alzer trunk with keys and its insert. Good preowned condition: patina in hardware and some lights scuff on the lozine. ...Category
1990s French Suitcases and Trunks
- Goyard Monogram Pink Suitcase with Ken profileBy GoyardLocated in PARIS, FRKen Goyard Monogram Pink Suitcase. One of a kind, special order painted and customize in the Goyard Ateliers - Very good condition. Very slight traces ...Category
2010s French Suitcases and Trunks
- Louis Vuitton LED Light KeepallBy Louis VuittonLocated in PARIS, FRLouis Vuitton Keepall Light Up Monogram Bag - Very good condition. Small signs of use in the canvas.Item has been gently used. There is a small hairline ...Category
2010s French Duffel Bags and Carry-On Bags
- Chanel Large Black Logo Tote bagBy ChanelLocated in PARIS, FRChanel Large Black Logo Tote bag. Very good condition, show some light signs of use and wear but nothing visible. A beautiful piece to add in your closet ! Chanel cabas with two chai...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Tote Bags
- 1997-1999 Chanel Black Leather ToteBy ChanelLocated in PARIS, FR1997-1999 Chanel Black Leather Tote - Good condition, with slight wear over time. - Chanel tote bag. Black leather. - Flat leather shoulder ...Category
1990s French Tote Bags
- Dsquared2 Black Striped Mens Weekend BagBy Dsquared2Located in Montreal, QuebecThis DSquared2 weekend bag is made out of a woven fabric with white stripes and features suede handles, silver tone hardware, two exterior zip pockets, black woven fabric lining, and...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Luggage and Travel Bags
- Chanel CC Sport Line Duffle Travel BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLCHANEL CC Sport Line Duffle Travel Bag Year: 2001 {VINTAGE 21 Years} Black nylon Dual flat canvas shoulder straps Logo embroidery Dual rolled handles ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Duffel Bags and Carry-On Bags
- Cartier Signature Monogram Textured Coco-Brown & Gold Hardware Covered NotebookBy CartierLocated in New York, NYCartier wonderful signature textured coco-brown calfskin covered notebook detailed with their signature monogram on the exterior cover. The in...Category
Early 2000s French Wallets
- Chanel Coco Cabas Cabas Overnight Tote Black Microfiber Nylon Weekend BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Travel Weekend Overnight Microfiber Tote Bag Year: 2010 Silver Hardware Black texturized nylon Patent leather CC stitched logo Classic interwoven patent chain strap Grey thi...Category
2010s Italian Tote Bags
- Louis Vuitton Vintage Monogram Canvas Garment Bag Chasse M41140By Louis VuittonLocated in Rome, RomeLouis Vuitton Chasse Garment Bag in Monogram canvas. 2 internal compartments, one on each side. It features rounded handles and a removable and ad...Category
Early 2000s French Suitcases and Trunks
- Louis Vuitton BNIB Monogram Chess Keepall 50By Louis VuittonLocated in West Hollywood, CALouis Vuitton Fall Winter 2022 designed by Virgil Abloh, monogram chess keep all 50. Handle drop 4.5”. Shoulder strap drop 14”, adjustable. C...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Luggage and Travel Bags
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
The Hermès Passe-Guide Bag Might Not Be as Well Known as the Birkin or Kelly, But It’s Every Bit as Chic
Find out why this under-the-radar piece is so exceptional.
How to Spot a Fake Hermès Birkin Bag
The iconic Birkin bag is much coveted — and often copied. Find out how to tell the real deal from a convincing fake. Of course, you don't have to worry about this on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.