Blind Stamp
Letter+number identifying Hermès production year.
The Blind Stamp is the production year stamp embossed inside Hermès leather goods. The stamp identifies the year of production via an alphabetic code system that has changed over Hermès' history. Pre-1971 bags have no year stamp. From 1971 to 2014, the stamp consisted of a letter inside a square or circle. From 2015 onwards, the alphabet resumed inside a square (no circle since 2014).
History
Hermès introduced the Blind Stamp system in 1945 (some sources cite 1949) to mark production batches. The original purpose was internal quality tracking. Collectors and authenticators have used it since the 1980s as a reliability cue, and the year-letter mapping is well-documented across major reseller sites.
How to identify
Located inside the bag, typically on the strap near the closure or inside the front near the leather lining seam. The stamp is small (~2-3mm) and embossed dry into the leather. Adjacent marks include a single letter or numeral identifying the craftsman who hand-finished the bag.
Price impact
Stamp year affects collectibility, especially for vintage and rare allocations. Some collectors specifically seek certain years (e.g., 'Y in a square' for 2020 production). Modern same-year stamps from current production have minimal pricing effect.
Used by: Hermès
Frequently asked
Can the Blind Stamp tell me the exact production date?
It gives you the production year. Within a year, there is no public information to identify month or day.
Are missing or faint stamps a problem?
Faint stamps occur naturally on heavy-use vintage pieces. Missing stamps are more concerning — pre-1971 production is the only legitimate explanation for a missing year stamp.
Does the stamp tell me if my bag is real?
Not on its own. The stamp is one of many authentication signals — alignment with the bag's wear pattern, leather characteristics, hardware, and stitching all need to be consistent.
Related terms
- Togo · Grained calfskin, soft hand, retains shape.
- Epsom · Embossed calfskin, stiff, holds vibrant color.
- Clémence · Heavy baby-bull leather, slouchy, matte.
- Swift · Smooth calfskin, color-saturated, scratches show.
- Box Calf · Smooth lustrous calfskin, archival prestige.
- Chèvre · Goatskin, scratch-resistant, lightweight.