Louis Vuitton Reade Bag

The Louis Vuitton Reade belongs to the first wave of Monogram Vernis launched by Marc Jacobs in the late 1990s. A small shoulder tote with leather handles, leather trim and a magnetic closure, it took its name from Reade Street in TriBeCa, New York. Our catalog gathers nearly 400 pre-owned Reade bags authenticated by our experts, in PM, MM and GM sizes, in several Vernis colours that are now hard to source new.

Sizes: Reade PM, MM, GM

Three formats. The Reade PM (24 × 18 × 7 cm) is the most common — a mini-tote ideal for essentials. The Reade MM (28 × 23 × 8 cm) holds a bit more, perfect as a daily shoulder bag. The Reade GM (35 × 26 × 11 cm) is rarer and works as a mini-tote. The Vernis range has covered Pomme d'Amour red, Rose Indien, Amarante beige, framboise, bronze, black and indigo.

Patent Vernis leather and care

The Monogram Vernis patent leather is calfskin embossed with the monogram and sealed with a protective lacquer that creates its signature shine. On the resale market, two points matter: colour, which can transfer or yellow if pressed against tinted leathers or dark denim for long, and corner condition (more exposed to pressure marks). The microfibre lining tinted to match the exterior is a useful authenticity reference.

Pre-owned pricing and value

At retail, the Reade PM sat around $1,500 and the MM near $1,800. Pre-owned, expect from roughly $400 for a well-loved PM and $800 - $1,200 for a lightly worn MM or GM in a sought-after colour. Rare hues (Pomme d'Amour, Bronze) and seasonal editions hold higher prices and tend to appreciate over time.

Authentication and alternatives

Every Reade bag is inspected: date code, patent finish and stitching, magnetic closure, lining. If you are looking at other Vernis pieces or small totes, our Wilshire, Bellevue, Houston and Alma pages cover the Vernis and adjacent ranges. Selling a Reade is straightforward — collectible colours move quickly.