Antique 20th Century Rare Louis Vuitton Train Trunk, France, circa 1900

Gorgeous and most importantly complete, this early 20th century Louis Vuitton trunk was the must have item of any elite traveller. Covered in the world famous LV monogrammed canvas, ...

Around the turn of the 19th and 20th century Louis Vuitton had established himself as a market leader in trunk making and needed to set his now famous brand apart from the imitators and competitors. They decided to come up with a logo, a monogram, which was indeed the famous and very recognisable print we are so familiar with today. The very first run was only made for about six years from 1895 and the print was woven into the canvas. This example dates to around 1900 and is a perfect example of such trunks. With its steel trim, brass studs and locks it still shows the same elegance as it did well over 100 years ago and is a testament to the durability of the best trunk maker in the world. Today it makes for a wonderful piece of interior design, both decorative and useful. 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...

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 ...

Around the turn of the 19th and 20th century Louis Vuitton had established himself as a market leader in trunk making and needed to set his now famous brand apart from the imitators ...

Louis Vuitton's elegant and exclusive Malle Cabine trunk, the Maison's travel icon. The sophisticated creation, with its compact design, was intended to be stowed under the cabin bed...

Louis Vuitton's elegant and exclusive Malle Cabine trunk, the Maison's travel icon. The sophisticated creation, with its compact design, was intended to be stowed under the cabin bed...

LOUIS VUITTON Monogram canvas cabin trunk with stencil, circa 1920. It has dark brown Lozine borders, brass central, brass central lock side locks, handles, and painted metal corne...

Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk, an early model, French, late 19th to early 20th Century with the serial # 148289, and monogrammed "E. M. D." with "Baltimore" to both ends. Interior lab...