This was a question I recently received from a client. Simple answer is “No”.
It is true, that most artists do. This includes early artists, such as Philippe Ledoux, Xavier de Poret and Henry de Linares.
But then there is Hugo Grygkar, who designed the very first Hermes scarf, Jeu des Omnibus et Dames Blanches in 1937 and so many others.
Monsieur Grygkar never signed any of his creations. Christiane Vauzelles preferred to leave her 26 designs unsigned including her Caraibes.
Now it can also happen that you come across a scarf, that you know was originally signed but this one lacks the signature.
A perfect example of this is the ever-so-popular Astrologie (also known as Dies et Hore because that is what it says on the scarf itself and it is commonly assumed that that is the name of the scarf.
Artist: Francoise Faconnet
Year: 1963, 1970s, 1980, 1988, 1999, 2003, 2008, 2010 (as Dip Dye 90cm)
What I have come across is that seen with some re-issuesthe signature on a re-issue or the signature, originally in black ink now on a particular reissue where the background is also black
I have just today decided to find out about a Hermes Rocaille scarf my husband bought for me in the early 90s. I opened the box. Looked at the scarf and thanked him. I put it in a drawer and have only looked at it 2-3 times. I did not know it was expensive. I did not want to hurt his feelings. Today I was visited by a family friend’s daughter who was wearing a scarf that she got in a thrift store. Said she loved old things. She about 27 or 28, PhD in one of the heavy sciences, super bright young lady. I told her I had an old scarf I had never worn and brought it out to show her. Her face lit up. So I gave it to her. She removed the scarf she was wearing and tied this on in such a way that I regretted parting with it. The borders were gray-green with salmon colored shells, etc. I did not deserve the scarf but I did at least keep it and its box in pristine condition for over 30 years. Not sure why I’m a bit sad. It’s not the money. I have many nice things. It’s just that I did not appreciate the item because I had never even taken the time to research or even properly thank hubby for the thought. He did not know either. His flying buddy just said you need to get one of these. The girls will really like them. He didn’t think so. But bought it anyway.
Thank you for sharing, Brenda. Please don’t be too hard on yourself; by keeping the carré in pristine condition for 30 years, you actually preserved a masterpiece by a much loved Hermès artist, Valerie Dawlat, for the perfect moment. Your generous gift will be, I believe, treasured for decades, and seeing the young woman’s face light up is a lovely way to honor the thought your husband put into it. ❤️
I LOVE YOUR BLOG. AS A LONG-TIME COLLECTOR OF HERMES SCARVES (SINCE 1987) I HAVE ACCUMULATED OVER 100 VINTAGE SCARVES AND AM ALWAYS INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT THEIR “STORIES”.
Thank you so much! Congratulations on what must be quite an amazing collection.