NEW YORK – With the ever-popular TV series Sex in the City in its umpteenth season of reruns, those impossibly chic fashionistas Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda continue to reinforce the message that girls of all ages love their designer labels.
With the gift-giving holiday season in full swing, it couldn’t be more timely for a first-class selection of Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Judith Leiber handbags to make an appearance at auction. On Dec. 15, Last Chance by LiveAuctioneers will present a sale of 140 exquisite designer bags, scarves and travel goods, with free shipping on all lots.
For those who seek the crème de la crème of Hermes productions, go straight to the top of the best dressed list with Lot 140, an exotic ivory lizard Birkin bag (above) in the 25cm size. In excellent condition with gold hardware and a clochette with keys and lock, the rare bag is accompanied by a dust cover and estimated at $57,600-$81,600.
Another seldom-seen beauty, Christian Dior’s tricolor hot pink, lavender and black leather Lady Di handbag (below) is entered as Lot 123. “Lady Di” bags – named for the beloved and always fashionable Diana, Princess of Wales (nee Lady Diana Spencer) – are among the most sought after of all Dior accessories. Bright, fresh and impeccably presented, the bag to be auctioned is estimated at $3,240-$4,320.
Nothing is quite as elegant as an understated “little black dress” or black Chanel suit, since both serve as a flawless neutral palette for a well-accessorized ensemble. As handbag choices go, either would look sensational with Lot 32, a Chanel black and white beaded patent leather flap “boy” bag (below) with a cube pattern and chain and patent leather shoulder strap. This limited-edition design was made for one season only and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Complete with dust cover and authenticity card, it is expected to attract a winning bid in the vicinity of $8,775-$11,700.
Several fabulous Judith Leiber evening bags and minaudieres are included in the auction, each tastefully adorned with Austrian-made Swarovski crystals. Among them are Butterfly and Mouse minaudieres, a Sunflower “caskit,” and other bags depicting a lion’s head, mouse and teddy bear. Lot 90, a stunning Red Rose minaudiere (below) with a rose-blossom exterior studded with pink, red and clear crystals, is lined in gold leather and has a concealed chain shoulder strap. It comes with a coin purse, pocket mirror and dust cover and is estimated at $3,375-$4,500.
Even if you aren’t a movie star or millionaire, you can still travel like one with vintage luggage and accessories by Louis Vuitton. In addition to an outstanding array of LV handbags, a tote, backpack, shoulder and duffel bags, the Dec. 15 auction includes a number of luxury-travel classics: three jewelry cases with interior trays (Lots 137, 138 and 139), and four antique trunks. Lot 103 is a circa-1920 “green-stripe” monogram trunk, $20,250-$27,000; while Lot 106, a circa-1900 red Vuittonite cabin trunk, is estimated at $6,750-$9,000. Two antique LV productions come with celebrity provenance. Lot 104 is a circa-1910 monogram wardrobe previously owned by pianist Liberace, and before him, the cabaret singer Hildegard. Lot 105, a circa-1910 “cube,” is emblazoned with the initials “PG” for Peggy Guggenheim. Each is estimated at $21,600-$28,800.
All items in the Dec. 15 auction are described in detail and illustrated with multiple images on LiveAuctioneers. Shipping is free on all items in the sale. Sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the auction is taking place at http://www.LiveAuctioneers.com.