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Handbags & Purses

For as long as there has been a need to carry things, there have been bags to facilitate carrying. But bags have moved beyond pure utility and into highly sought-after fashion. Designer brand bags in particular have upped the ante with finely crafted handbags and purses.

Whether at retail or auction, shoppers will find a dizzying array of available purses and handbags. Popular designer carryalls found at auction provide quality and style at reasonable prices, including Coach bags, Tory Burch bags, and Kate Spade bags. Then there are higher-end options such as Marc Jacobs handbags, created by the namesake designer who honed his skills at Louis Vuitton. For those in the market for something other than the usual suspects, new and up-and-coming designers may fit the bill.

In their countless incarnations, designer bags continue to have lofty status as accessories at the epicenter of the luxury fashion world. Rare, limited edition, and vintage handbags are often competitively bid on when they come up for auction.


Quick Facts

  • The most expensive designer handbag ever sold at auction was a fuchsia-colored crocodile skin Hermès Birkin bag with diamond-studded gold hardware. It sold at Christie’s in Hong Kong in June 2015 for a record $221,846
  • In October 2015, an Italian-made Marc Jacobs Victoria style blue calfskin leather hobo shoulder bag with multi-tiered fringe sold on eBay for $1,125
  • At a 2012 Heritage auction, a rare Louis Vuitton Art Deco-style top-handle bag in navy blue Lucite sold for $325

Recommended Items at Auction

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LOT OF 3 VINTAGE LEATHER SADDLEBAGS
Oct 22, 9:00 AM MST
LOT OF 3 VINTAGE LEATHER SADDLEBAGS
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$1209 Bids
A number of lunch boxes/bags
Oct 07, 10:00 AM AEDT
A number of lunch boxes/bags
by Theodore Bruce
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD407 Bids
Four Purses
Oct 07, 9:00 AM EDT
Four Purses
by Dovetail Auctions, LLC
Est: $5- $500
$407 Bids
Antique Purses
Oct 07, 9:00 AM EDT
Antique Purses
by Dovetail Auctions, LLC
Est: $5- $500
$407 Bids
Three Purses
Oct 07, 9:00 AM EDT
Three Purses
by Dovetail Auctions, LLC
Est: $5- $500
$356 Bids
15 Wedding Garment Bags prepacked
Oct 07, 10:00 AM AEDT
15 Wedding Garment Bags prepacked
by Theodore Bruce
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD406 Bids
Art Nouveau Goldtone Mesh Bag
Oct 05, 10:00 AM EDT
Art Nouveau Goldtone Mesh Bag
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $1,000
$85 Bids
Three Purses
Oct 07, 9:00 AM EDT
Three Purses
by Dovetail Auctions, LLC
Est: $5- $500
$455 Bids
Atelier Viola Leather Purse, Stone Clasp
Oct 05, 10:00 AM EDT
Atelier Viola Leather Purse, Stone Clasp
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $1,000
$215 Bids
Tapestry Purse
Oct 05, 10:00 AM EDT
Tapestry Purse
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $1,000
$64 Bids
Three Purses
Oct 07, 9:00 AM EDT
Three Purses
by Dovetail Auctions, LLC
Est: $5- $500
$204 Bids
Six Purses
Oct 07, 9:00 AM EDT
Six Purses
by Dovetail Auctions, LLC
Est: $5- $500
$304 Bids
Three Purses
Oct 07, 9:00 AM EDT
Three Purses
by Dovetail Auctions, LLC
Est: $5- $500
$304 Bids
Sterling Silver Lipstick, Mesh Coin Purse
Oct 07, 10:00 AM MST
Sterling Silver Lipstick, Mesh Coin Purse
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$304 Bids
Tapestry Purse
Oct 05, 10:00 AM EDT
Tapestry Purse
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $1,000
$104 Bids
Beaded And Brass Purse
Oct 05, 10:00 AM EDT
Beaded And Brass Purse
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $1,000
$113 Bids
Handmade Needlepoint Floral Handbag
Oct 25, 10:00 AM EDT
Handmade Needlepoint Floral Handbag
by The Benefit Shop Foundation Inc.
Est: $50- $100
$22 Bids
A box lot of garbage bin bags, lunch bags, etc
Oct 07, 10:00 AM AEDT
A box lot of garbage bin bags, lunch bags, etc
by Theodore Bruce
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD152 Bids
Vintage Art Deco Mesh Enameled Handbag
Oct 25, 10:00 AM EDT
Vintage Art Deco Mesh Enameled Handbag
by The Benefit Shop Foundation Inc.
Est: $40- $80
$22 Bids
Hunting Season Black Crocodile Leather Purse
Oct 05, 10:00 AM EDT
Hunting Season Black Crocodile Leather Purse
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $1,000
$22 Bids
Four Purses
Oct 07, 9:00 AM EDT
Four Purses
by Dovetail Auctions, LLC
Est: $5- $500
$102 Bids
3 x ladies handbags, 2 x zip bags, 2 x wallets.
Oct 10, 7:00 PM AEDT
3 x ladies handbags, 2 x zip bags, 2 x wallets.
by Bargain Hunt Auctions
Est: AUD0- AUD0
AUD302 Bids
TWO CONTINENTAL INLAID PURSES AND A BOULLE WORK INLAID BOX, LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY
Oct 04, 10:30 AM EDT
TWO CONTINENTAL INLAID PURSES AND A BOULLE WORK INLAID BOX, LATE 19TH/EARLY 20TH CENTURY
by Potomack Company
Est: $400- $600
$2252 Bids
Vintage Gold Tone Mesh Crystal Coin Purse
Oct 25, 10:00 AM EDT
Vintage Gold Tone Mesh Crystal Coin Purse
by The Benefit Shop Foundation Inc.
Est: $30- $60
$11 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Handbags & Purses


Barry S. Slosberg Inc

Barry S. Slosberg Inc

Designer Homes of Central Florida

Designer Homes of Central Florida

Berner's Auction Gallery

Berner's Auction Gallery