50cm Louis Vuitton Trunk, 1940s France
About the Item
- Creator:Louis Vuitton (Fashion House)
- Dimensions:Height: 7 in (17.78 cm)Width: 20 in (50.8 cm)Depth: 15 in (38.1 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1940s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1853330126642
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Louis Vuitton Trunk, 1940s FranceBy Louis VuittonLocated in Los Angeles, CACustom vintage Louis Vuitton trunk from the 1940s. Stunning display piece with irregular shape/opening. Perfect for storing papers, books o...Category
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Goyard Trunk, 1940s FranceBy GoyardLocated in Los Angeles, CAClassic vintage Goyard trunk. Wooden frame wrapped in the iconic Goyard canvas print with saddle leather and brass hardware. Incredible patina and colori...Category
Vintage 1940s French Mid-Century Modern Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- 1950s Louis Vuitton 50 cm Duffel BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Los Angeles, CAClassic vintage Louis Vuitton 50 cm duffle bag. Perfect for weekend trips, this LV monogram print duffle is made with saddle leather and brass hardwar...Category
Vintage 1950s French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Leather Doctors Bag, 1940s FranceBy Jacques AdnetLocated in Los Angeles, CASubstantial cowhide bag with brass hardware and closure. Used a travel bag for physicians to play tools and prescriptions in. Perfect as a purse or for tra...Category
Vintage 1940s American Colonial Revival Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Louis Vuitton Steamer BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Los Angeles, CAClassic vintage Louis Vuitton steamer bag. Large, oversized bag, perfect for weekend trips. LV monogram print with saddle leather and bra...Category
Vintage 1970s French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Goyard Lingerie Trunk, 1920s FranceBy GoyardLocated in Los Angeles, CAClassic vintage Goyard trunk. Made in the 1920s. Large wooden frame wrapped in the iconic Goyard canvas print with saddle leather and brass hardware as w...Category
Vintage 1920s French Mid-Century Modern Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- 1930’s Louis Vuitton Monogram Cabin TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in Bridgeport, CTA well worn and well-used Vuitton Cabin Trunk from the Golden Age of Travel bearing the marks, tears and losses of a well-travelled piece. Worn label insi...Category
Vintage 1930s European Hollywood Regency Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Antique Scandinavian Round Storage Box “Tejne” Decorated Pine, Late 19th CenturyLocated in Aarhus C, DKLarge Antique Scandinavian storage box made from wood, made in the last half of 1800. It's most likely from Sweden or Denmark. It's a so called "Tejne" made for storing and transp...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsWood
- Antique 20th C Handmade Crocodile Travel Overnight SuitcaseLocated in Leuven , BEAntique early-20th century British made crocodile overnight travel case, with original cotton lining and small document holder on the inside. The case is oozing style and elegance, t...Category
Antique 19th Century British Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsLeather
- Articulated Artist Dummy, France, 1940Located in Milan, ITAn articulated mannequin of a small-sized painter, with a metaphysical face. The mannequin is made of carved mahogany wood. The support is in brass and the base, made out of ebon...Category
Mid-20th Century French Figurative Sculptures
MaterialsBrass
- Folk Art Hand Made Simplex 1909 Model Car in Copper and Brass 1940sLocated in Tilburg, NLFolk Art Hand Made Simplex 1909 Model Car in Copper and Brass, United States, 1940s. This is really something very special. A one-off model car, made by a skilled craftsman around t...Category
Early 20th Century North American American Craftsman Antiquities
MaterialsBrass, Copper
- 19th Century Mexican Inlaid Wood Marquetry Trunk from JaliscoLocated in Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX19th Century, This particular craft/technique was imported from the Colonial period from Morroco to Spain and then to México, locally known as Taraceado, and or Jaleño due to the fact that is was made in Jalostotitlan, Jalisco. It depicts wonderfully a proud version of the Mexican Eagle, Claiming ``Viva La Republica Mexicana´´in Mother of Pearl Inlaid. This small trunks...Category
Antique 19th Century Mexican Neoclassical Blanket Chests
MaterialsWood
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.