Antique 20th Century Louis Vuitton Hat Trunk In Monogram Canvas, France c.1910

An exquisite “malle haute“ (tall trunk) by Louis Vuitton, early 20th century. The malle haute is the largest of the standard sizes, any trunk larger than this one would have been cus...

An exquisite Louis Vuitton trunk from the early part of the 20th century. An absolutely essential item for elite travellers of its time the trunk is adorned in the iconic LV monogram...

An early-20th Century Louis Vuitton Trunk. An absolutely essential item for elite travellers of its time, the trunk is adorned in the iconic LV monogrammed canvas, accented by lozine trim and brass fittings. This trunk stood as the epitome of luxury throughout the years. A brief history about Louis Vuitton trunks: Louis Vuitton was born in 1821 to a farmer and milliner and came from a long-established working-class family in eastern France. Vuitton grew up understanding the effects of perseverance and a strong work ethic from watching his family. At the age of 16, he made the decision to walk 292 miles from his hometown to Paris to try and make a new life for himself. When he arrived the city was in the midst of industrialization with current modes of transportation evolving quickly allowing for longer journeys. With this came the need for sturdy travel pieces. Vuitton was taken as an apprentice for a successful box maker and packer named Monsieur Marechal. He learned to craft durable containers and how to pack them properly – a well-respected profession at the time. In 1854, years after he had mastered his craft and became well respected for it, Vuitton ventured out on his own to open a shop on Rue Neuve des Capucines. It was here that he began to establish himself as a luggage maker. Then, in 1858, Vuitton designed the first Louis Vuitton steamer trunk. At the time trunks had rounded tops to allow for water to run off but this did not allow for convenient stowage. Vuitton introduced a flat, yet waterproof...

An exquisite “malle haute“ (tall trunk) by Louis Vuitton, early 20th century. The malle haute is the largest of the standard sizes, any trunk larger than this one would have been cus...

A stunning Louis Vuitton trunk circa 1935 with LV monogram pattern canvas, lozine trim, brass fittings and leather handles. Has original painted initials, N.G.P, on the ends of the trunk. The interior has the original lining, with cage and tray. The Louis Vuitton label is also present. From humble beginnings, Louis Vuitton laid the foundations for a luggage enterprise serving the upper echelons of 19th-century society. His son, Georges, expanded on his father’s work throughout the 20th century. Louis Vuitton was born on 4 August 1821 in Anchay, a rural village in Eastern France. His father, Xavier Vuitton, was a farmer, his mother, Coronne Gaillard, a milliner. In 1835, aged 13, Vuitton left Anchay on foot for his two-year journey to Paris. He found work as a layetier – a maker of wooden boxes and cases for transporting travelers’ possessions – and was selected as the personal layetier to Empress Eugénie de Montijo, a Spanish Countess and wife of Napoleon III. In 1854, at 4 Rue Neuve de Capucines, Paris, Vuitton launched his enterprise, gaining recognition among Parisian nobility. A second Parisian store opened at 1, Rue Scribe, after the 1871 Siege of Paris. Striped “Rayée” canvas and the first Vuitton Wardrobe Trunk arrived in the 1870s, expanding abroad to 289 Oxford Street, London, and introducing the Damier canvas in the 1880s. Louis Vuitton passed away in 1892, leaving the business to his son, Georges. He set about expanding the family firm even further, selling out at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. J.P. Morgan and family became valued clients, and Georges patented the iconic LV monogram design in 1896, paying homage to a medieval Franc box rosette motif from his personal collection. The early 1900s saw the Steamer Bag launch and new premises on the Champs Élysées. Georges was never one to shy away from a bespoke order; customers could, and regularly did, request whatever their heart desired. Legendary commissions included a “Malle Lit” explorer’s camp bed trunk...

This superb Louis Vuitton steamer trunk features hand painted stenciled monogram canvas, honey color lozine trim, LV stamped solid brass lock, clasps and studs as well as leather sid...

This superb Louis Vuitton steamer trunk features stenciled monogram canvas, honey color lozine trim, LV stamped solid brass locks and studs as well as leather side handles and brass ...

LOUIS VUITTON Monogram canvas cabin trunk with stencil, circa 1920. It has dark brown Lozine borders, brass central, brass central lock side locks, handles, and painted metal corne...