20thC Louis Vuitton Presidential Briefcase In Monogram Canvas, France c.1980

A charming Louis Vuitton hard-sided case, late 20th century, the exterior finished in the famous monogram canvas with brass fittings. This beautiful example is in great condition, al...

This very unusual trunk, dating from around 1911, was specially commissioned by Encyclopaedia Britannica and is associated with Cambridge. As described in 100 Legendary Trunks by Louis Vuitton, the idea was both ingenious and practical: rather than having to decide what essential reading material one might bring to a desert island, why not take the entire Encyclopaedia Britannica? Recognised as the most comprehensive and well-researched collection of knowledge, the encyclopaedia was continuously revised and updated, making it not only an indispensable source of learning but also an ideal companion for long journeys. In 1910, the publisher—linked to Cambridge University—placed an order for 1,000 trunks a full year before the eleventh edition was released. Each trunk was designed to house twenty-nine volumes, totalling roughly 28,000 pages (excluding the index) and containing 40,000 articles, all carefully edited to expand its market reach in North America. Louis Vuitton was at the forefront of luxury trunk design during this era, and his library trunk...