When it comes to Hermès, it's not just about the iconic design and legendary status. Each bag is a work of art with its own unique stamp, indicating its creation year and the skilled artisan who crafted it. The date stamps also reveal key details such as names of colors and specific types of leather.
The name “blind stamps” signifies the challenge of finding them in Hermès’ bags. Depending on the age and style, they appear in various locations. If you know the most common spots, you’ll likely find them faster.
From 1945 to 2016, Hermès stamps appeared inside the closure strap for both Birkin and Kelly bags. The codes were heat-stamped onto the leather and placed on the left side. The brand no longer uses this location for new bags. By 2016, Hermès began placing date stamps inside Birkin and Kelly bags. They generally appear in the upper part of the interior left side, closer to the back flap.
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Since date stamps serve as a language unto themselves, how can we make sense of them? Hermès refers to them as “blind stamps.” Often used to authenticate bags, many consumers refer to blind stamps when purchasing used or pre-owned handbags.
Hermès classifies its bags by date using letters in alphabetical order. Shapes often surround them: From 1971 through 1996, the brand used a circular shape; from 1997 to 2014, it used a square. By 2015, Hermès had started using a letter in non-sequential order without any shape. Any additional numbers or letters next to blind stamps indicate the ateliers in which bag makers work.
When it comes to Hermes's exotic leathers, spotting the unique stamps next to the iconic 'Hermès Paris, Made in France stamp—they're key to identifying the material.
• Carat (^):
Indicates bags made with Crocodile Porosus.
• Dash (-):
Indicates bags made with Varanus Niloticus Lizard.
• Double Dots (..):
Indicates bags made with Crocodile Niloticus.
• Equal Sign (=):
Indicates bags made with Varanus Salvator Lizard.
• Square (☐):
Indicates bags made with Alligator Mississippiensis.
Specialized stamps include the following styles:
• Employee Stamp:
It features a debossed “S,” which indicates products purchased at discounted employee rates. In some cases, additional letters or numbers are included.
• Horseshoe:
Indicates customized Hermès products.
• Shooting Star:
Indicates a Hermes artisan who crafted the products for their personal use.
Yet date stamps don’t guarantee authenticity for Hermès. By copying authentic styles, counterfeiters often place blind stamps inside their versions. If you can’t purchase a bag directly from Hermès (either from its official website or a store), be sure to buy Hermès bags from a reputable reseller. At VLuxeStyle we carefully inspects every item to ensure authenticity—we’re 100% committed to selling authentic items. Explore our curated selection of authentic Hermes pieces.