PremiumJane PhareSenior Journalist·NZ Herald·23 Aug, 2026 02:00 AM9 mins to read‌How can a pre-loved handbag sell for more than $17 million? Photo / Alain Jocard and Jacques Demarthon, AFPHow can a pre-loved handbag sell for more than $17 million? Photo / Alain Jocard and Jacques Demarthon, AFP

A Hermès Jane Birkin handbag sells for a whopping $17.1 million, a baseball card sells for $21.4m, a Philip Patek watch sells for $54m and someone bids $3.77m for a pair of pre-worn sneakers. Jane Phare looks at some of the astounding amounts bidders will pay for something they must