An early vintage Louis Vuitton Flat Steamer Trunk
View Similar Items
An early vintage Louis Vuitton Flat Steamer Trunk
About the Item
- Creator:Louis Vuitton (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 13 in (33.02 cm)Width: 43.5 in (110.49 cm)Depth: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Early 20th C or earlier
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Very good vintage condition, with residues of stickers on surface, abrasion and wear on surface and edeges expected from the age. No major tears or gouges. Interior is very clean.
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: U1201219045268
Louis Vuitton
The story behind iconic luxury brand Louis Vuitton — best known for its esteemed handbags, crossbody bags, leather goods, ready-to-wear clothing and more — is one of craft and innovation in the worlds of fashion, jewelry and furniture.
The company’s modest origins can be traced back to when its founder, Louis Vuitton (1821–92), wishing to free himself from the conventional lifestyle in his provincial French city of Anchay as well as a difficult stepmother, left in the early 1830s to make a new life in Paris. The young Vuitton was 13 at the time and would need to travel on foot to get to the capital, which was hundreds of miles away. With stops along the way to make money so that he could forge ahead, the journey took a couple of years, but reward was close at hand.
When he arrived in Paris, Vuitton made a living with his hands. He toiled as a box maker and packer for more than a decade and built relationships with royals and members of the upper class while working for the empress of France, Eugenie de Montijo. In 1854, Vuitton launched his namesake company. The craftsman opened a humble workshop on rue Neuve des Capucines and advertised his services with a small poster that read: “Securely packs the most fragile objects. Specializing in packing fashions.”
Long before his brand would become known globally for its exemplary top-handle bags and stylish totes, Vuitton produced stackable and rectangular trunks. The most common trunks of the era were round, which weren’t ideal for toting and storing. In 1858, Vuitton debuted his lightweight, handcrafted canvas trunks, which were sturdy, rugged and equipped with convenient compartments. Travel’s popularity broadened in the late 19th century, and Vuitton’s trunks could easily be packed into train cars and ships — upright trunks meant hanging wardrobe storage that would allow his clients to transport their sophisticated garments without worry. Demand increased and the company grew. When Louis Vuitton died in 1892, control of the luxury house was passed onto his only son, Georges Vuitton.
In 1914, a Louis Vuitton store opened at 70 Champs-Élysées. The largest travel-goods store in the world at the time, it became the company’s flagship.
The Louis Vuitton brand embodies all the attributes of luxury, from the craftsmanship, exclusivity and relevance to heritage. It’s only appropriate that it boasts one of the most recognizable insignias — the imaginative interlocking of letters and fleurettes — in the fashion world. The famous LV monogram was first used in 1896 as part of an initiative by Georges to prevent counterfeiting of his coveted new line of travel trunks. It’s one of the earliest examples of fashion branding.
The LV monogram would soon appear on everything from bags and various fashion accessories to alligator-skin champagne cases, from stylish apparel and earrings to teddy bears and airplane models.
On 1stDibs, the unmistakable insignia can be found on both modern and vintage Louis Vuitton shoulder bags, suitcases, original 19th-century trunks, jackets and more.
- Rare Antique French Goyard Wardrobe Steamer TrunkLocated in Atlanta, GAA large and impressive E. Goyard steamer trunk, Paris, France circa 1900. It features a dome shaped trunk case covered with Goyard signature chevron canvas and befitted with patinate...Category
Early 20th Century French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBronze
- Vintage Goyard Crossbody Steamer BagBy GoyardLocated in Atlanta, GAA vintage crossbody type Goyard bag with its iconic chevron printed canvas, leather trims and brass hardware circa post 1965 when the flexible canvas was introduced, likely from 1970-80s. The bag has a streamer rectangular shape, but it is completely foldable into a smaller purse...Category
Late 20th Century Modern Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Japanese Namban Lacquer and Inlay Coffer Momoyama PeriodLocated in Atlanta, GAA rare Japanese Namban Lacquer domed coffer circa 1570-1610s of Azuchi-Momoyama to early Edo period. These types of lacquerware were made for export to ...Category
Antique 16th Century Japanese Japonisme Lacquer
MaterialsWood, Lacquer
- Chinese Folding Floor Screen with Stone InsetsLocated in Atlanta, GAA six panel hinged folding floor screen from China circa end of the 19th- early 20th century. Each panel features three sections of black lacquere...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture
MaterialsStone
$16,000 Sale Price20% Off - An Exquisite Antique Buddha Head StatueLocated in Atlanta, GAAn gilt and lacquered wood Buddha head with displayed on a metal and Lucite stand. stunning presence with its refined features and amazing details. The carving is of exquisite qualit...Category
Antique 18th Century Laotian Archaistic Busts
MaterialsGold Leaf
- An Antique Japanese Lacquer Maki-e TrayLocated in Atlanta, GAA fan shape black lacquer tray from Japan circa 1910-30s, late Meiji to early Showa era. Elaborated decorated with a bundle of yomogi blossom in a very fine Maki-e technique using both gold and silver powders. There is a Japanese symbol on the top left, which represents yomogiu, stemming from yomogi (蓬), a wild plant that belongs to the chrysanthemum family and widely grown in Japan. This name yomogui is from a scene in the Tale of Genji...Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Lacquer
MaterialsLacquer
- Early Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk, C. 1910By Louis VuittonLocated in Charlottesville, VAEarly Louis Vuitton trunk, c. 1910, with LV insignia pattern having one interior tray, Monogram travel labels, Interior label, Rue Scribe Par...Category
Vintage 1910s French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsWood
- Vintage Boho Louis Vuitton Steamer TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in west palm beach, FLA spectacular vintage Boho Steamer trunk. Made by the prestigious Louis Vuitton group. All over patina from time and use. This is a well loved trunk! Marked on the lock. Three interior stacking shelves...Category
Early 20th Century French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsWood, Leather
- Louis Vuitton Wardrobe Trunk , Louis Vuitton Trunk, Vuitton Steamer TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRThis impressive Louis Vuitton wardrobe features monogramm canvas, lozine trim, LV stamped solid brass locks and studs as well as solid brass corners. It has got a lift top that close...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Louis Vuitton Wardrobe Trunk, Vuitton Trunk, Louis Vuitton Steamer TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRThis superb Louis Vuitton wardrobe features stenciled monogram canvas, lozine trims and solid brass lock, clasps and studs. Lock, clasps and studs are all marked Louis Vuitton. Customised hand painted French flag on its top and on its bottom adds some personality and elegance.It also features a couple of travel labels. Its interior is complete with its original hangers, a folding hanging section, and a series of drawers with leather pulling handles. Its drawer's inside are very clean too and all original.Its last compartment was used to store 2 pais of...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- 1920's Louis Vuitton Trunk, Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk, Louis Vuitton Hat TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRSuperb Louis Vuitton steamer trunk featuring stenciled canvas, all leather trim in deep chocolate color, solid brass Louis Vuitton stamped clasps, lock and studs, solid brass corners...Category
Vintage 1920s French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Orange Louis Vuitton Trunk, Vuitton Courrier Trunk, Louis Vuitton Steamer TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRThis magnificent little Louis Vuitton courrier trunk features the very sought after orange canvas , Louis Vuitton stamped solid brass locks, studs and latches as well as beautiful la...Category
Antique Early 1900s French Art Deco Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake Louis Vuitton
What are the telltale signs that you're holding a real Louis Vuitton and not a knockoff? We spoke with expert Diane D’Amato to find out. Of course, you don't have to worry about fakes on 1stDibs, where every seller is highly vetted.
Inside Louis Vuitton’s Most Popular Handbag Collaborations
The venerable brand has earned accolades (and gained new fans) for partnerships that meld fashion with art.