Fellows used to only tag a selection of handbags onto the end of its accessories sale but the demand became so high that it now hosts separate handbag-only auctions. Yesterday\u2019s saw a surge of eager women ready to bid on an array of Mulberry<\/a>, Louis Vuitton<\/a>, Prada<\/a> and Chanel<\/a> bags.<\/p>\n While the Herm\u00e8s bag made a record-breaking price for Fellows, other bags can be picked up at auction for much less \u2013 some \u00a3100 \u2013 and yet still be a glamorous investment. The benefit of auctions are that it\u2019s likely that you\u2019ll be able to snap up much more of a bargain than in a boutique.<\/p>\n We spoke to Alexandra Whittaker of Fellows Auctioneers following its summer showcase sale, The Designer Collection<\/a>, to give you a guide on how to tackle the auction room in the search of the best deals on the most desired designer totes. We also asked her how handbags in the sale did to give you an idea of the price range.<\/p>\n Like any outing to find treasured antiques<\/a>, it is essential to do some research. \u2018Take a look at what the item you are interested in sold for previously to make sure you are prepared to pay enough,\u2019 advises Alexandra.<\/p>\n Most modern auction houses provide an archive of results to help bidders gain insight into the history of the products and their anticipated prices.<\/p>\n You might also like<\/strong> collecting vintage wristwatches<\/a><\/p>\n Of course when buying anything antique or pre-owned you don\u2019t expect the condition to be as new, but it also doesn\u2019t mean that it should be completely worn. A quality bag or purse would hold its original form with the linings still intact.<\/p>\n Catalogues will depict what the product is, but won\u2019t always tell you what it\u2019s like in the flesh. \u2018It is important to read the condition report to find out if there are any scuffs or marks,\u2019 ensures Alexandra.<\/p>\n When it comes to handbags, designer labels are marks of promised quality. That said, don\u2019t let the emblem of a renowned designer be the sole reason for purchase when investing in a vintage<\/a> piece if the insides are on their way out.<\/p>\n You might also like<\/strong> how to buy vintage sunglasses<\/a><\/p>\n After trawling the catalogues and looking through condition reports you\u2019ll no doubt feel more clued up. Although it may be fun scouting for gems online, \u2018take advantage of an auction that\u2019s local to you,\u2019 says Alexandra. \u2018There is no substitute for viewing a lot in person as it lets you imagine owning it and reduces the chance of buyer\u2019s remorse!\u2019<\/p>\n You might also like<\/strong> collecting vintage jewellery<\/a><\/p>\n For a first time bidder, learning how to bid can seem like a daunting task. There\u2019s being in the auction room itself but there are also three options if you can\u2019t make it: commission bidding, telephone bidding or live internet bidding.<\/p>\n For those who worry they might get carried away in the atmosphere of the auction, commission bidding is for you. \u2018You simply specify a maximum amount that you are willing to go up to and then the auctioneer will bid on your behalf,\u2019 Alexandra explains.<\/p>\n If you are feeling a little braver, however, phone or internet bidding may be the way. When phoning, an auction house employee will be your first port of call as they relay what\u2019s happening, but you have total control of your bidding. The same can be said for live internet bidding, as you watch everything from your screen and hit the bid button as you go.<\/p>\n You might also like<\/strong> a beginners guide to buying at auction<\/a><\/p>\n Auctions are very different to the average retail experience. \u2018Unlike the faceless internet corporations auction houses are relatively small and accessible with specialists that are passionate about their subject,\u2019 says Alexandra. \u2018Don\u2019t be afraid to ask or call the experts if you have any worries!\u2019<\/p>\n By Joe Feehily Published: Friday, 22 July 2022 at 12:00 am In October 2016 a red Porosus Crocodile Birkin 35 handbag from Herm\u00e8s sold for \u00a318,000 at Fellows Auctioneers in Birmingham. It\u2019s the sign of a growing trend for women seeking out covetable, and collectable, handbags at auction. Fellows used to only tag a selection […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":13201,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"5"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/07\/a-guide-to-buying-vintage-handbags-at-auction.jpg",1200,801,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/07\/a-guide-to-buying-vintage-handbags-at-auction-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/07\/a-guide-to-buying-vintage-handbags-at-auction-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/07\/a-guide-to-buying-vintage-handbags-at-auction-768x513.jpg",768,513,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/07\/a-guide-to-buying-vintage-handbags-at-auction-1024x684.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/07\/a-guide-to-buying-vintage-handbags-at-auction.jpg",1200,801,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2022\/07\/a-guide-to-buying-vintage-handbags-at-auction.jpg",1200,801,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Joe Feehily Published: Friday, 22 July 2022 at 12:00 am In October 2016 a red Porosus Crocodile Birkin 35 handbag from Herm\u00e8s sold for \u00a318,000 at Fellows Auctioneers in Birmingham. It\u2019s the sign of a growing trend for women seeking out covetable, and collectable, handbags at auction. Fellows used to only tag a selection…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/13200"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13201"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13200"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13200"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Top tips for buying vintage handbags at auction<\/h2>\n
Do Your Research<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/19\/2016\/10\/1-4ebf6d9.jpg?quality=90&resize=1000%2C668"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Read Everything<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/19\/2016\/10\/2-4a581f2.jpg?quality=90&resize=1000%2C665"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>View the handbag first<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/19\/2016\/10\/3-1069ce5.jpg?quality=90&resize=1000%2C659"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>What type of bidder are you?<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/19\/2016\/10\/4-528d3f5.jpg?quality=90&resize=1023%2C683"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Ask if you\u2019re not sure<\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/19\/2016\/10\/5-03e755e.jpg?quality=90&resize=1022%2C552"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"