Stackable travel trunks were the first products crafted by the renowned French luxury brand Louis Vuitton. Today, vintage Louis Vuitton trunks, which became available as railway travel was gaining popularity in the 1850s, are typically used as practical pieces of furniture or welcoming decor in modern homes.
The young Louis Vuitton (1821–92), who was born in Anchay, France, and founded his packing company in Paris in 1854 after apprenticing as a packer and box maker, began to make travel trunks as train travel expanded during the 19th century. Offering these new goods in his retail space on rue Neuve des Capucines would meet the demands of the clients who were shuffling on and off railcars in the country’s bustling capital. Trains as well as steamships were carrying travelers near and far, and Vuitton’s handcrafted rectangular trunks — an improvement on the standard round trunks, which didn’t store well — were soon coveted by the modern nomad. Initially, the wood trunks featured gray trianon canvas and, then, striped canvas of varying colors before they would proudly wear the famous Louis Vuitton monogram (integral to determining the authenticity of the brand’s revered handbags).
Louis Vuitton’s upright trunks — a variation on the brand’s first trunks that were introduced in 1858 — made for proper transportation of garments and doubled as actual wardrobes, ensuring that the finery of the day traveled wrinkle-free. Regardless of the orientation, the popular steamer trunks were equipped with bands to secure travel documents as well as convenient shelves and compartments of varying sizes for every possible traveling necessity, including barware.
In 1929, orchestra conductor Leopold Stokowski commissioned Georges Vuitton to design a special trunk. Georges was the only son of Louis Vuitton and had taken over the company’s operations when his father died in 1892. This special commission would yield no ordinary piece of luggage: Stokowski was music director of the Philadelphia orchestra, conducted the classical works for Walt Disney’s Fantasia and would help form the New York City Symphony.
He traveled the world with frequency and basically needed a portable office. Thus, the Secretaire Stokowski was covered in rugged canvas that was branded with the famous Louis Vuitton insignia, featured hardware in solid brass and stood over two feet tall. It was fitted with a foldout desk (subsequent models offered a desk finished in solid beech), drawers for sheet music and a box crafted specifically to hold Stokowski’s typewriter and more.
Today, Louis Vuitton’s furniture lines include sofas and edgy lounge chairs by the likes of designers such as Marcel Wanders and stools by Tokujin Yoshioka, but for vintage collectors and interior designers creating stylish living rooms, it’s usually all about the trunks.
Featuring exterior fabrics such as the brand’s signature Damier (French for checkerboard), heritage Louis Vuitton trunks nowadays add a rich air of nostalgia to contemporary homes more often than they do in private railcars. Whether they’re used as durable coffee tables, nightstands or case pieces, these time-tested steamer trunks are versatile. The right vintage Louis Vuitton trunk can prove a dynamic home accent for modern interiors or, nestled alongside distressed exposed brick walls, a sophisticated furnishing for rustic loft spaces. Find yours on 1stDibs today.
Antique 1890s Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk 90 cm with Unique Woven Canvas
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Antique end of the 19th century genuine and superb Louis Vuitton "Malle Courrier" or steamer trunk, medium size, rare and sought after" Tissé" monogram canvas, black metal bound with...
Brass, Steel
Checkers Louis Vuitton Trunk, 85 cm Damiers Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This elegant Louis Vuitton features the very sought after checkers pattern.In some of the checkers, it is written "L.Vuitton marque de fabrique déposée". It also features silver stee...
Steel
Louis Vuitton Trunk in Woven Canvas, 70 cm Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Antique end of the 19th century genuine and superb Louis Vuitton "Malle Courrier" or steamer trunk, small size, rare and sought after tissé monogram canvas, black metal bound with br...
Brass, Steel
$1,538Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.93 in W 37.8 in D 25.2 in
Antique Travel Trunk, English, Pine, Zinc Lined, Carriage Chest, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique travel trunk. An English, pine and zinc lined carriage chest dating to the Victorian period, circa 1900. A substantial, appealing ...
Zinc
Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk, Black Trianon Canvas, Circa 1898-1902
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Rochester, NY
A late-Victorian, early Belle Époque Louis Vuitton steamer trunk — a true piece of luxury travel history. Type: Steamer Trunk (flat-top travel trunk) • Period: Circa 1898–1902 • Wo...
Brass, Steel
$2,200
H 27.25 in W 38.25 in D 25.25 in
Antique Scandinavian Pine Baroque Folk Art Carved Dowry Chest Trunk Coffer 1780
Located in Portland, OR
A very good antique Scandinavian carved Baroque Folk Art dowry chest, Circa 1780. The chest having a gently domed top with a hinged lid having the original 'snipe' hinges, the edge ...
Pine
$4,433
H 27.76 in W 59.45 in D 25.6 in
1802 Dated Huge Antique Original Paint European Blanket Chest Coffer Trunk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, extra large circa 1802 dated aqua blue hand painted European clothes trunk or marriage coffer chest I have recently purchased ...
Pine
$3,751
H 29.53 in W 51.58 in D 26.78 in
1875 Large Antique Original Paint Romanian Blanket Chest Coffer Trunk + Drawer
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning, extra large circa 1875 hand painted Romanian clothes trunk or marriage coffer chest with rare base drawer I have recently purchas...
Pine
$3,650
H 25.75 in W 56.25 in D 22.25 in
Large Spanish Carved Wood Coffer Trunk, 18th Century, Geometric Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Spanish 18th century large size carved-wood coffer trunk. This Spanish trunk from the 18th century features a long rectangular-shaped top which rests above a beautifully carved case adorned with leaf motif moldings and geometrically designed panels with decorative accents within their centers. Front paw feet project out beneath the thickly molded skirt. The trunk's interior offers a large open storage space. This 18th century Spanish chest is an overall rich, brown color with beautiful aging throughout. The backside of this piece remains un-decorated, therefore best use would be against a wall, bed, or sofa. This 18th century coffer from Spain would be perfect at the foot of a bed, or within in a family/living room, with plentiful storage for blankets and pillows...
Wood
$24,000
H 22.75 in W 43.5 in D 22.5 in
Early Louis Vuitton Damier Canvas Steamer Trunk, circa 1890, #43934
By Louis Vuitton
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Early Louis Vuitton Damier Canvas Courrier Steamer Trunk, circa 1890 Early Louis Vuitton Damier canvas courier steamer trunk dating to approximately 1890–1895, retaining its origina...
Brass, Iron
$3,750
H 21.66 in W 49.41 in D 25.2 in
Extra Large Antique Original Paint European Blanket Chest Coffer Trunk c. 1800
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning, extra large circa 1800 hand painted European clothes trunk or marriage coffer chest with Acanthus leaf painting. I have recently purchased a very large collection of these original, antique painted wardrobes...
Pine
$4,419Sale Price|20% Off
H 21.07 in W 35.83 in D 19.69 in
Antique Master Shipwright's Chest, English, Mahogany, Tool Trunk, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique master shipwright's chest. An English, ebonized mahogany tool trunk with ornate interior, dating to the Victorian period, circa 1880. ...
Mahogany
$62,500
H 44.38 in W 25.75 in D 21.5 in
Louis Vuitton, Steamer Trunk, Monogram Canvas, Leather, Special Order
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Stamford, CT
Louis Vuitton, Steamer Trunk, Monogram Canvas, Leather, Special Order Style m12031 Custom with a wait time of up to two years. We are pleased to offer one of two large and impressi...
Brass
$4,150Sale Price|23% Off
H 13 in W 35 in D 20 in
Restored Crouch & Fitzgerald Leather Trunk, c 1920s, Signed
By Crouch & Fitzgerald
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully restored flat-top steamer trunk by renowned New York luggage maker Crouch & Fitzgerald, featuring its original enameled brass maker’s plaque on the lid, C&F ins...
Brass
$28,000
H 23 in W 39.5 in D 21.5 in
Rare Early Louis Vuitton Damier Steamer Trunk with Ballantine Family Provenance
By Louis Vuitton
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Early Louis Vuitton Damier Canvas Steamer Trunk with Provenance to Charles Bradley of the Ballantine Family An exceptional and highly atmospheric early Louis Vuitton Damier canvas s...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 19.3 in W 39.38 in D 20.08 in
Antique 1890s Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk 100 cm with Unique Woven Canvas
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Antique end of the 19th century genuine and superb Louis Vuitton "Malle Courrier" or steamer trunk, large size, rare and sought after" Tissé" monogram canvas, silver metal bound with...
Brass, Steel
Sold
H 19.69 in W 47.25 in D 22.45 in
1910s Orange Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk, 120 cm Orange Louis Vuitton Trunk
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This unusual Louis Vuitton trunk features beautiful orange canvas, all leather trim in chocolate color, large leather side handles, as well as all Louis Vuitton stamped brass lock, c...
Brass
Sold
H 19.3 in W 35.44 in D 22.05 in
1910s Orange Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk, 90 cm Orange Louis Vuitton Trunk
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This unusual Louis Vuitton trunk features beautiful orange canvas, all leather trim in chocolate color, large leather side handles, as well as all Louis Vuitton stamped brass lock, c...
Brass
Sold
H 11.82 in W 43.31 in D 19.3 in
Louis Vuitton Trunk in Woven Canvas, Louis Vuitton 110 cm Steamer Trunk
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Antique end of the 19th century genuine and superb Louis Vuitton "Malle Courrier" or steamer trunk, large size, rare and sought after tissé or woven monogram canvas, silver color met...
Brass, Steel
Sold
H 22.05 in W 29.53 in D 18.9 in
Louis Vuitton Trunk in Woven Canvas, 75 cm Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Antique end of the 19th century genuine and superb Louis Vuitton "Malle Courrier" or steamer trunk, medium size, rare and sought after Tissé monogram canvas, black metal bound with b...
Brass, Steel
Sold
H 18.51 in W 43.31 in D 22.45 in
1910s Orange Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk, 110 cm Orange Louis Vuitton Trunk
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This unusual large Louis Vuitton trunk features beautiful orange canvas, all leather trim in chocolate color, large leather side handles, as ...
Brass
Sold
H 22.45 in W 43.31 in D 22.45 in
1910s Orange Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk, 110 cm Orange Louis Vuitton Trunk
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This unusual large Louis Vuitton trunk features beautiful orange canvas, all leather trim in chocolate color, large LV embossed leather side ...
Brass
Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk in Monogram Canvas, France, c. 1920's
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Ross, CA
As found Louis Vuitton steamer trunk, in the traditional pattern of an intertwined LV with a floral motif. The canvas is damaged or missing, all of the original hardware is intact. ...
Canvas
Sold
H 21.26 in W 29.93 in D 17.33 in
1920's Louis Vuitton Trunk, 70 cm Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk, Vuitton Hat Trunk
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Superb 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...
Brass
Sold
H 20.87 in W 29.53 in D 16.93 in
1920's Louis Vuitton Trunk, Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk in Monogram
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Superb 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...
Brass
Sold
H 19.69 in W 39.77 in D 20.08 in
Louis Vuitton Trunk in Woven Canvas, Louis Vuitton 100 cm Steamer Trunk
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Antique end of the 19th century genuine and superb Louis Vuitton "Malle Courrier" or steamer trunk, medium size, rare and sought after Tisse' monogram canvas, silver color metal bound with brass studs, reinforced with wooden laths, with wheels to the base and large leather handles to either end.Its handles are embossed Louis Vuitton on its flanges. It has got a very warm and lively look thanks to its patinated by time woven canvas. Its main lock, made of solid brass is stamped Louis Vuitton, as well as all its brass studs .Its lock number is stamped. Its interior is all original too, lined with a beige fabric but its quilting under its lid has been redone a while ago..It also has its 2 original removable trays Brand tag on the internal side of the cover reading "Louis Vuitton I. Rue scribe...
Brass, Steel
Louis Vuitton Malle Armoire. Parigi, 1930 ca.
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Milano, IT
Baule Louis Vuitton databile al terzo decennio del Novecento, restaurato e riportato alle condizioni originali. Si tratta di un Malle Armoire, ovve...
Brass