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 This product image provided by Heritage Auctions shows an Hermès Diamond Birkin handbag that sold for $203,525 in an auction that ended Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, in Dallas. Heritage spokesman Noah Fleisher said the bag, made of crocodile hide and featuring 18-karat white gold, diamond-encrusted hardware, went to a collector who wished to remain anonymous. (AP Photo/Heritage Auctions) 
 
 DALLAS - To the untutored eye, it looks a red alligator handbag. Ah, that is where a Dallas auction house says you missed your mark. 
 
 Heritage Auctions announced that it has sold an Hermes Diamond Birkin handbag for $203,150 in bidding that ended Tuesday. Heritage spokesman Matthew Rubinger said the bag went to a collector who wished to remain anonymous. 
 
 Rubinger says the bag is made of crocodile hide and features 18-karat white gold, diamond-encrusted hardware. He says a similar bag without the jewels and in lesser condition was sold for $77,000 at auction in England a year ago. 
 
 Rubinger says the vivid red color, diamonds and mint condition enhanced the value of the bag auctioned Tuesday. 
 
 In all, four Hermes handbags sold at auction Tuesday for a total of $432,938. ||||| BIRKINS AWAY: A Hermès handbag has set a world record for the highest price for a handbag sold at public auction, fetching $203,150 at a sale in Dallas, Texas. The bag, officially named Hermès Exceptional Collection Shiny Rouge H Porosus Crocodile 30 cm Birkin Bag with Solid 18K White Gold & Diamond Hardware, sold on Dec. 6 to a collector who wished to remain anonymous, according to Heritage Auctions. 
 
 “This is an extraordinary example of one of the world’s most exceptional handbags, and this was certainly an exceptional price, exceeding our highest expectations at every corner,” said Matt Rubinger, director of luxury accessories at Heritage Auctions. 
 
 Three other Hermès handbags set new records in the sale. An Hermès 35 cm Matte Brighton Blue Porosus Crocodile Birkin Bag with Palladium Hardware sold for $113,525; an Hermès 35 cm Shiny Braise Red Porosus Crocodile Birkin Bag with Palladium Hardware went for $95,600; and an Hermès Ultra Rare 30 cm Himalayan Crocodile Birkin Bag with palladium Hardware fetched $80,663.
– Recession is relative department: A Hermes handbag sold for a record $203,150 at auction in Dallas this week, reports the Houston Chronicle. The red alligator bag fetched way beyond expectations, helped along by the gold and diamonds embedded in its hardware. It's "an extraordinary example of one of the world’s most exceptional handbags," an official at Heritage Auctions tells Women's Wear Daily. The buyer remained anonymous, apparently not thrilled to be known as the person who shelled out 200 grand for a purse.