Late last year Hermès (of which I am a bit of a fan 😉 ) released nine small books – sketchbooks or cahiers – with drawings by Philippe Dumas, heir and CEO of Hermès. The books have been published by the esteemed Parisian printing press Actes Sud.
The books include sketches and drawings (watercolours, pencil and ink) of artefacts of the Musée Hermès at 24 rue Faubourg St Honoré in Paris. They are grouped into various themes, many of which are horse-related, since the “Sellier” business is what Hermès started out with of course.
I wanted to share a few glimpses of what is inside these lovely volumes.
The Titles are La Mer, Vive le Cheval, La Route, Les Metamorphoses, Vive la France, L’Exotisme, La Vie á l’Air Libre, Le Soleil and Voyage en Extrême-Orient.
Variations of the famous Calèche motif that is part of the house’s logo.
Those sketches have even prompted me to try my own hand at drawing and it is not all that bad actually. Who knew I could draw a horse?! (Maybe one day, when I’ve practiced lots more, I’ll show you… )
My sons’ favorite motive – the sheep-drawn carriage. 😉
I love the water colours in this one.
Detail from La Mer.
Detail from La Route “The dangers of fast transportation”.
From Les Metamorphoses (btw, Metamorphosis was the theme of the house in 2014, this year it is Flaneur Forever! – I’m looking forward as to how they will interpret that, especially if/how Jean Claude Ellena will).
I love this deeper insight into the history of Hermès aesthetic and design. They draw on their heritage and celebrate continuity without ever being stale or old-fashioned. Not only their scarf and RTW designs but virtually anything that leaves the house is imbued with history, tradition and heritage. The motifs found in the books can be found throughout the world of Hermès, used in ingenious ways to make products that are functional works of art – just what good design should be.
I bought all nine cahiers, but gave one (Le Soleil) to my mother in law for Christmas, one is conspicuously absent from the photo shoot as it was in my handbag being toted around the city.
And best thing? These cost 10$ each. A truly affordable treat from Hermès for once. 😉
The cahiers are available on Amazon (UK here, US here).
Note: copyright owned by Hermès and Philippe Dumas, photos by me.
Olfactoria's Travels 
I love each and every single one! Beautiful books full of inspiration. I look forward to seeing your drawings. 🙂
The books are indeed wonderful!
$10 each? I was expecting an extra 0 there. Fabulous. I love the one with the colourful horses in full flight.
It would be great if these result in a new passion for you. Drawing a horse can’t be easy!
It is not easy at all. I got everything from a hare to a duck with ears in the process, but eventually a horse emerged. 😉
The price is lovely, an ideal gift.
Beautiful! I also am drawn to the drawing of the sheep drawn carriage…;)
And such good value. Do you have a favourite? Thinking they might make good presents for horse loving friends – or anyone really. My cousin was the cartoonist for Horse & Hound magazine over here and would have enjoyed these. Sadly long gone.
They are all my favorites, although I love the funny drawings best, like the sheep and there are several comical carriage mishaps depicted in La Route.
Horse&Hound! Hugh Grant worked for them too as I remember. 😉 (In the movie Notting Hill.)
Thanks for the info on the cahiers – of course the teal one would work best with my decor if I was going to keep one, hehe.
Didn’t know that about Hugh Grant, or had forgotten it maybe? My cousin also got the commission to design a personalised (horsey houndy) Valentine’s card for Prince Andrew to give to Fergie, shortly before he proposed. Though Andrew is a bit of a sensitive subject these days…;)
Ha, go for the teal one then! 😉
very cute. Do they sell them in the boutique? or just from booksellers?
In the boutiques and from booksellers.
Thanks, Birgit, I’ve put them on my Amazon “Wish List”. The illustrations that you posted are
lovely. Hermèes is my favorite house too. You come up with such nice items….
Great, glad you enjoyed the peek at them. Hope someone (or you yourself) will grant your wish! 🙂
🙂 I do have some of the old books – they were initially given to good customers many years ago, I thing they started 1989 or so. Mine are from the early 1990ies. So these are re-issues and make an excellent little gift. I bought some for friends for Christmas 🙂
Metamorphosis is the newest one for 2014 and I wonder what 2015 will bring?
Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
Thanks for the additional info.
I fear I will never be a “good customer” at Hermès, or my children will have to starve… 😉
🙂 I found mine on ebay long ago 😀 xo
😀
Thanks, I bought the lot, every single one of them. They are absolutely delightful and I’m very grateful for the recommendation. (I wish I were a bit better at drawing. OK, I wish I were a LOT better.)
Fantastic, Sarah! Enjoy them!
These are STUNNING!
They are! Glad you enjoyed the post.
Thank you for sharing! I wasn’t too eager to buy those, because of my truly bad french, but seeing the illustrations, I should consider adding them to my kids-book-collection.
They help polish up my rusty French, another unexpected benefit! 🙂
Those are very pretty!Lovely gift to an Hermés afficianado as well!Heading to Amazon….;-))
A great gift indeed. I hope you enjoy them, Johano!
Thanks for sharing these, Birgit. They have that “recapturing of a bygone era” romanticism about them … and only $10 each!!?? Even Dr. O can’t object to that, yeah? (Not that he objects … I know he thoroughly enjoys treating you to Hermes, while also creating his own version to compete with them.) 😀
Exactly! And it recaptures a period I would have loved to live in (only as a rich person though 😉 ).
What kind of sketch pencil was used? Does Hermes makes mechanical pencils?
Hi John,
I’m afraid I don’t know which pencil was used. Hermès makes regular (leather-wrapped) pencils, but to my knowledge no mechanical ones.