Hermès sacs

1938

Mallette, 1950

Sac à Dépêches, 1938-early 1940s

1. Don't know much about this style, but it's sick isn't it? Definitely a bag that Hermès should think about reintroducing (though maybe with a closed top...).

2. Wealthy women in the 1950s and 60s would use this Mallette bag to store their fine jewelry in while traveling. It has a separate jewelry compartment in the bottom with two locks for extra security.

3. This very briefcase, that belonged to JFK, has quite the history. His father, Joseph Kennedy, bought it on Bond St. for him when he was a temp/intern at an Embassy in London. He apparently purchased it to symbolize the start of his son's promising career. JFK used it to store his 'most top-secret papers' up until his death, even when it was falling apart. His aides begged him to purchase a new one but he would instead send it off to get repaired, time and time again. At his funeral the family gave it to his longtime secretary, Evelyn Lincoln. It was in her possession up until 1998 when it sold for $700,000 at auction. 

FIT museum / MET archive / Cottonblanc