Kept in remarkable condition over the years, this Hermès diary from 1976 is a pristine time capsule, entirely unused and accompanied by several unusual bits of ephemera. It's incredibly unusual to find something like this today, owing to the ephemeral and single-use design of such objects. It would be an excellent gift to mark a special birthday for someone born in this year, or an individual interested in collecting the history of the 70s.
2026 is not only the 50th anniversary of the diary but the days and dates of the agenda align as well, making it possible to use this in the early days of the year, until the 29th of February, which is when things begin to diverge - 1976 being a leap year, while 2026 is not.
Still, the diary is a remarkable addition to any desk or study - its sturdy metal case is surprisingly heavy, and the front of this metal cover is decorated with a stylised "III" and the bottom right corner is slightly raised, rendering the corner of a turned page. On the reverse of this cover, engraved in very small print near the bottom, is a "Hermès Paris" signature.
Opening up the diary, we are greeted with a sturdy metal ring binder, which also assists in allowing the pages to lay flat for easy writing. The cover page features the interlocking Hermès logo in their signature colours. In addition to some of the major saints' days according to Roman Catholic tradition and their connection to France, as well as significant holy days. The layout is vertical, with 3 days to each page. The edges of each page have been gilded in bronze, and there is a section at the end reserved for addresses and phone numbers.
The diary is also accompanied by two small but interesting markers of the time - a small postage card where you can request your 1977 diary, as well as a small numbered card which the user can append to any complaints about the agenda.
If sold within the United Kingdom, this Hermès desk box will be subject to 20% VAT.