The first ever Birkin bag—born in 1984 at the request of actress Jane Birkin for a bag designed for motherhood—heads to auction

The first Birkin bag that was designed by French luxury brand Hermes for actress Jane Birkin in 1984, will be auctioned in Paris on July 10, auction house Sotheby’s said Thursday.

The large black leather tote, whose design went on to become one of the most famous and expensive bags in the world, will be the centrepiece of the “Fashion Icons” sale, the auction house said.

This “historic, handcrafted prototype”, engraved with the initials J.B., has several unique features, Sotheby’s said...