The blind stamps on a Hermes bag – the embossed markings that record its maker, date and other details – are among the most important features for authentication and understanding a bag, but finding them requires knowing where to look. These discreet, ink-free stamps are placed in specific locations that vary by model. This guide serves as a blind stamp locator, explaining what the stamps are, where to find them on different bags, and how to read them.
It is part of our terminology glossary hub and connects to our date code guide.
What the blind stamps are
Blind stamps are embossed markings without ink, pressed into the leather of a Hermes bag to record information such as the maker, the date of production, and other details. Called blind because they lack ink, these stamps are discreet and require good light and close examination to read. They are a key part of a bag’s identity, carrying information valuable for dating, authentication and understanding the piece.
Learning to locate and read the blind stamps is an essential skill for collectors, as they reveal much about a bag. Because they are subtle and placed in specific locations, knowing where to look is the first step, as our date code guide explores regarding one of these stamps.
Types of stamps
A Hermes bag carries several blind stamps, each conveying different information. These include the HERMES PARIS MADE IN FRANCE logo stamp, the date code indicating the year of production, the craftsman or artisan identifier, and, on special orders, the horseshoe stamp. Together, these markings record the bag’s origin, age, maker and any special status, forming a constellation of details that collectors and authenticators examine.
Understanding the different types of stamps and what each conveys helps you read a bag’s full story. Each stamp has its purpose, from identifying the maker to dating the bag, and knowing them all enables a complete reading of the markings, as our terminology guidance details.
Where to find them
The blind stamps are typically located in specific areas that vary by model. Common locations include the interior of the bag, on or near the straps, under the flap, or on interior panels, depending on the design. On a Birkin or Kelly, for instance, the stamps are often found on the interior straps or panels. Knowing the standard locations for a given model helps you locate the stamps, which can otherwise be easy to miss.
Because placement varies, familiarity with where stamps appear on different bags is valuable. Consulting a locator reference for a specific model guides you to the right areas, and once you know where to look, the discreet stamps become easy to find and read, as our styles guide touches on regarding different models.
The craftsman stamp
Among the blind stamps is the craftsman or artisan identifier, a marking that indicates the individual artisan or workshop responsible for the bag. Because each Hermes bag is hand-made by a single artisan, this stamp connects the bag to its maker, adding a personal dimension to its story. The craftsman stamp is part of the constellation of markings and contributes to the bag’s identity and, in authentication, its consistency.
This marking reflects the individual craftsmanship behind each bag, a reminder that a real Hermes bag is the work of a skilled artisan. For collectors, the craftsman stamp adds to the appreciation of a bag as a hand-made creation, as our craftsmanship guide explores.
Reading the stamps
Reading the blind stamps involves examining them in good light, often with magnification, to discern the embossed details. The logo stamp confirms the maker, the date code reveals the year, and the craftsman stamp identifies the artisan. Reading these accurately requires familiarity with their appearance and meaning, and reference resources help interpret them, particularly the date code with its evolving system.
With practice and good lighting, reading the stamps becomes straightforward, unlocking the information they carry about a bag’s origin, age and maker. This skill is valuable for both appreciation and authentication, allowing you to understand a bag fully, as our date code guide supports.
Learn every stamp and term in our terminology glossary.
Stamps and authentication
The blind stamps are central to authentication, as their correct form, placement and consistency are important indicators of genuineness. Authenticators examine the stamps for the right font, crispness, location and internal consistency, and stamps inconsistent with the bag’s features or era are warning signs. However, as with all details, the stamps must be assessed holistically alongside craftsmanship, hardware and construction, and professional authentication is advised for high-value bags, as our authentication guide stresses.
Stamp locations by model
Because stamp placement varies, knowing the typical locations for each model is genuinely useful. On the Birkin and Kelly, stamps are often found on the interior straps and panels; on other bags, they may appear on interior pockets, under flaps or in other discreet spots. Consulting model-specific guidance helps you find them quickly, and once familiar with a model, locating its stamps becomes second nature. This model awareness is part of the collector’s toolkit for reading any Hermes bag confidently, as our styles guide supports.
Building familiarity with where different models carry their stamps saves time and ensures you do not miss important markings when examining a bag.
The evolving stamp system
As with the date code, the blind stamp system has evolved over the years, with variations in format, placement and details across eras, and recent updates to the approach. This means the stamps on a vintage bag may differ from those on a modern one, and understanding these variations is essential for accurate reading and authentication. Applying modern expectations to an older bag could mislead, so awareness of how the stamps have changed over time is important, as our date code guide explores.
Reference resources reflecting these historical variations are invaluable for interpreting stamps correctly across different periods.
Stamps and provenance
The blind stamps contribute to a bag’s provenance, recording its origin, age and maker in a way that supports its story and authenticity. For collectors, this documented provenance adds value and interest, connecting a bag to its moment of creation and its artisan. Well-preserved, readable stamps are part of what makes a bag’s history verifiable, enhancing both appreciation and confidence in its genuineness, as our vintage guide touches on.
Learning to locate stamps
Learning to locate and read the blind stamps is a rewarding skill that deepens your engagement with Hermes bags. With practice, you become adept at finding the stamps quickly and interpreting them accurately, unlocking the information they carry. This skill enriches both appreciation and authentication, making you a more knowledgeable collector able to read a bag’s markings with confidence, as our collector community guide encourages.
Frequently asked questions
What are Hermes blind stamps?
They are ink-free embossed markings pressed into the leather, recording details like the maker, date of production and artisan. Being blind, they lack ink and require good light to read.
Where are the blind stamps on a Hermes bag?
In model-specific locations such as the interior, on or near the straps, under the flap, or on interior panels. On a Birkin or Kelly they are often on interior straps or panels.
What is the craftsman stamp?
It is a marking identifying the individual artisan or workshop that made the bag, connecting each hand-made bag to its maker and adding to its identity and authentication.
How do I read the blind stamps?
Examine them in good light, often with magnification, to discern the logo, date code and craftsman markings. Reference resources help interpret them, especially the date code.