1870s Louis Vuitton Rayee Hatbox Trunk

A well proportioned natural leather covered Louis Vuitton cabin trunk that has built up an attractive patina with age. Has original leather handles & brass fittings and has its original interior in-tact (including the original tray); Circa 1930. One of the original handle supports is a newly made replacement of the original, that was beyond repair. Provenance: From the collection of Anouska Hempel, noted interior designer, hotelier and taste maker. Dimensions: 91 cm/35⅞ inches (length) x 52 cm/20½ inches (depth) x 34.5 cm/13⅝ inches (height). About Louis Vuitton 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...

French, 20th century. A Louis Vuitton suitcase with a monogram canvas exterior, leather and brass-bound (all rivets and hardware are marked), opens to fitted interior with removable ...

A distinguished piece of travel history, this antique Louis Vuitton hardcase suitcase is a fine example of the craftsmanship that defined luxury travel in the early 20th century. Con...

Louis Vuitton Trunk Historical condition An exceptional rarity and a real collector's item for Louis Vuitton collectors The trunk was made in London and is completely covered with le...

A beautiful Louis Vuitton hat trunk, circa 1900's, featuring an extremely rare camel coloured “Vuittonite“ canvas, all brass hardware, and leather trims. It is in exceptionally good ...

Louis Vuitton Monogram Suitcase / Trunk, Alzer 80, Mid 20th Century A Louis Vuitton Monogramed Hard Suitcase. In good to fair conditio...

A 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...

This beautiful and very rare Louis Vuitton trunk features hand painted stenciled monogram canvas, honey color lozine trim, large leather side handles, sta...

Baule Louis Vuitton, elegante ed esclusivo, icona da viaggio della Maison. La sofisticata creazione, dal design compatto, era pensata per essere trasporto in carrozza, questo modello...

A very rare shoe trunk by Louis Vuitton dating to the early part of the 20th century (circa 1900/1910). Dating to the early part of the 20th century, covered not in the world famous ...

A very rare Louis Vuitton courier trunk covered in leather. Dating to the very early part of the 20th century, covered not in the world famous (but more common) monogram canvas but i...

Antique 19th Century Louis Vuitton trunk in striped canvas. The earliest Louis Vuitton trunks were revolutionary when they hit the market. It had a flat lid, rather than the domed li...

Rare Louis Vuitton steamer trunk with its original interior sticker showcasing its provenance and serial number. Adorned with sleek black metal trim and hardware which includes "LV"...

A highly unusual and exceptionally rare Louis Vuitton suitcase, originating from the early years of the 20th century, distinguishes itself not with the globally renowned monogram canvas but with a distinctive covering crafted from a singular piece of cowhide. This unique piece represents a special order from Louis Vuitton, showcasing the brand's historical commitment to utilising only the finest hides available. Unlike many of its counterparts, leather trunks and cases of this era often struggle to withstand the test of time, requiring regular treatments to prevent drying and disintegration. Remarkably, this particular example defies the odds, retaining the same supple quality it possessed on the day it first graced the shop floor. This suitcase belongs to Louis Vuitton's collection of "speciality materials," which encompasses a diverse range, including, but not limited to, zinc, copper, crocodile leather, and cow leather. 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, trunk that was easily stackable. The first of his trunks were outfitted with a grey canvas referred to as Trianon – it wouldn’t be until several decades later that the signature monogram would be introduced. With a burgeoning business, Vuitton moved his family and workplace to Asniere, where he employed twenty workers to craft his trunks. By 1900 he would have 100 employees, and in 1914 the company would more than double in size. After years of success, Vuitton began to experiment with the design of his luggage by introducing a new striped canvas pattern (1876) and later the still well-known Damier print (1888). The hand-painted patterns were developed to prevent counterfeits. Even in the late 1800s, Louis Vuitton was enough of a status symbol to warrant counterfeiting. In 1886, his son George invented and patented an ingenious locking system that made it impossible to pick the lock of their trunks. This lock is still used today. 1892 would prove to be a time of mourning for the family as Louis Vuitton passed...

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...

Exceptional Louis Vuitton wardrobe trunk features stenciled monogram canvas; brown loziné LV stamped solid brass locks and studs. Customized yellow and black stripes give a lot of ch...