Since the mid 1830s, the house of Hermes has been providing luxurious handmade leather goods to an elite wealthy clientele. However, the brand may be best-known for a handful of exquisite, classic-yet-contemporary bags designed and produced in the mid-20th century—a true testament to their enduring style.

Hermes bags became instantly recognizable during the post-war explosion of material wealth. Burgeoning media coverage heightened the public interest in celebrated figures. People were fascinated by the stars—and eager to observe the trappings of wealth and taste, where they lived, how they lived and what they wore.

The first bag to really achieve and retain a mythical status was carried by Grace Kelly. As the first American actress to become a real princess, her 1956 appearance on the cover of Time with a Hermes was enough to elevate the bag to legendary. That style became known as the Kelly. Later, in the 1970s, bohemian English actress Jane Birkin had a bag designed for her—a capacious style designed to carry every possible necessity. That bag was the Birkin.

Other famous faces were photographed carrying iconic Hermes styles, most notably the Trim, worn by Jackie Onassis. The Kelly and Birkin, however, are the brand's most sought-after bags, still conferring stardom on their owners half a century later.

New bags commonly sell for a higher price than the recommended retail, thanks to the Hermes marketing panache in controlling the available quantities each season. Each bag is still made by hand with signature craftsmanship. But the vintage bags are especially in-demand, both because they're rare and because age has rendered them beautifully burnished. They also carry elements of historical mystery. What secrets and dreams were contained within them over the years? And who were those enviable ladies who lived in such luxury?