CHICAGO, IL.- Continuing a trend that does not appear to be losing momentum interest in the rare and beautiful Hermès luxury handbags remained high at Heritage Auctions' Summer Luxury Accessories Signature Auction which closed June 28. Over $2 million was spent on 657 lots with all top ten lots adorned with the exquisite Hermès branding and made of either crocodile or alligator.

The handbag featured on the back cover of the Summer Luxury Accessories catalog, an Hermès 35cm Matte Cactus Alligator Birkin Bag with Palladium Hardware achieved a final sales price of $50,000, along with the front cover feature, a one-of-a-kind Hermès Shiny Cactus Alligator & Feather Stromboli Bag with Sterling Silver Hardware, $38,750.

"Whether in person, on the phone or virtually, we were thrilled to bring our bidders from around the globe to the world-class city of Chicago," said Diane D'Amato, Director of Luxury Accessories at Heritage Auctions. Added D'Amato, "This particular collection featured rare, vintage, and 2017 handbags from Hermes with over one hundred handbags on display for viewing at our newest Heritage Auctions Gallery in Chicago's River North neighborhood."

A stunning Hermès 25cm Matte White Himalayan Nilo Crocodile Birkin Bag with Palladium Hardware took top lot honors with a final sale price of $68,750 going to a live phone bidder.

To celebrate the inaugural Chicago summer Fine Jewelry and Luxury Accessories auctions, Heritage Auctions hosted an online auction with proceeds benefiting PAWS Chicago. Online bidding for a pair of Cicada Coral, Diamond, Platinum Earrings and a beautiful Celine Black Leather & Natural Python Case Flap Shoulder Bag raised almost $5,000.

The demand for Hermès Birkin handbags kept the style in four of the top five high value positions with the lone Kelly handbag in the top five an Hermès 20cm Shiny Black Porosus Crocodile Sellier Kelly Bag with Palladium Hardware realizing $42,500 and the last two top five positions being filled by an Hermès 35cm Shiny Makassar Porosus Crocodile Birkin Bag with Gold Hardware and an Hermès 35cm Matte Feu Alligator Birkin Bag with Palladium Hardware each selling for $40,000 apiece.

Other luxury handbags in the front running group of Hermès were:

• Hermès Shiny Blue Electric Alligator Kelly Pochette Bag with Palladium Hardware; realized $36,250

• Hermès 35cm Shiny Fuchsia Porosus Crocodile Birkin Bag with Palladium Hardware; realized $32,500

• Hermès 35cm Matte Miel Porosus Crocodile Birkin Bag with Gold Hardware; realized $30,000

• Hermès 25cm Shiny Black Nilo Crocodile Sellier Kelly Bag with Gold Hardware; realized $30,000