Antique Au Départ Steamer Trunk, France, 1910s

A glorious trunk by the French maker Au Départ. With brass fittings and leather trim. Circa 1910. The damaged original cotton lining to the interior has been replaced with a similar one to match. Dimensions: 101 cm/39¾ inches (length) x 53 cm/20? inches (depth) x 47.5 cm/18¾ inches (height). Au Départ are one of the Grande Marques of French luggage makers. They were founded in 1834 around the advent of railway travel; Au Départ literally means 'at departure'. In 1847, Au Départ first opened at 7 Boulevard Denain in Paris selling luggage and travel goods, positioned opposite the newly opened Gare du Nord railway station. However, it wasn't until 1871 that the company really began to expand, when it was taken over by the Bertin brothers, Ernest and Paul who had started their business selling haberdashery at the Saint-Quentin market and then expanded to include bags and baskets. Under the stewardship of the Bertin brother’s, a second Paris shop was opened in 1874 at 29, Avenue de l’Opéra, while the Boulevard Denain store expanded its product offering to include armoury, hunting and fishing equipment...

A rare antique flat top trunk made in Paris, France by Au Depart. Interior with removable tray.

This magnificent shoe trunk features the very unusual and original "au touriste" motifs canvas, solid brass locks, as well as brass studs and large leather side handles. It still has...

An exceptional bespoke leather Goyard steamer trunk with original interior. Circa 1910. The lock plate for this trunk has been changed at some point in it's history. In 1853 Françoi...

Early Louis Vuitton trunk, c. 1910, with LV insignia pattern having one interior tray, Monogram travel labels, Interior label, Rue Scribe Par...

Large steamer trunk by Goyard in their signature 'Goyardine' chevron pattern canvas covering with polished brass lock, catches & handles; circa 191...