Name: Extremely Rare, 20th Century Arthur Conan Doyle Goyard Desk Trunk
Brand: Goyard
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

About the Item

Extremely rare, Goyard Desk Trunk Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a British doctor and writer famous the world over for his Sherlock Holmes series of stories, he began to write the detective fiction featuring Sherlock Holmes in 1891. Conan Doyle travelled widely and he enjoyed frequent correspondence with various great minds of the time including Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde. Such was his influence and popularity, it is said that King Edward VII knighted Conan Doyle in 1902 in order to encourage him to keep writing new stories. Designed by Conan Doyle with the Trunk maker Goyard in 1929, the trunk would have allowed him to work and write while travelling abroad. Unfortunately Conan Doyle never saw his finished trunk as he passed away in 1930. Only 7 "Conan Doyle" Goyard Travel Trunks were ever made, one resides in our collection; 2 are owned by Goyard themselves; 1 is on display in a private museum in France and 2 are in private collections and the last one has long been lost. Some feature a red interior, the others have a black or wooden interior like the first original desk trunk that was commissioned by Conan Doyle. This trunk was a complete mobile office, it could house all sorts of documents and accessories, commercial papers, samples, and even a typewriter necessary for a travelling writer. This trunk was the absolute companion for any globe trotting author. This trunk is not the first one made, ordered by Arthur Conan Doyle, but is part of the 7 ever made following Conan Doyle design. This trunk include: -on the inner side of the Lid, one compartment for files, two photo frames and a compartment for clock (clock not included) with on the back 3 small compartments -on the top of the bottom part, the wooden folding desk which reveals under a square compartment to hold the typewriter and a folder compartment to organise files alphabetically -at the bottom (only accessible when the front doors are open) 5 drawers of different shapes The keys are missing. Condition: Please view the detailed pictures as they form part of the description.

Creator:
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Designer),Goyard (Maker)
Dimensions:
Height: 35.04 in (89 cm)Width: 19.69 in (50 cm)Depth: 24.81 in (63 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Brass,Fabric,Wood
Place of Origin:
France
Period:
Early 20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1930
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor structural damages. Minor fading. Please view the detailed pictures as they form part of the description.
Seller Location:
Hong Kong, HK
Reference Number:
Seller: #114191stDibs: LU5609223571432

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Goyard

Few brands have stood the test of time as resolvedly as the French House of Goyard, a family-owned maker of luxury handbags, totes and accessories in chic and timeless styles and a vibrant array of colors. The internationally renowned bags were born out of the maison’s original business of making leather goods and other luxury travel wares — once the favorite of the French aristocracy, Goyard trunks are highly sought-after antiques today.

Originally known as House of Martin, the brand was founded in Paris in 1792 by trunk maker Pierre-François Martin. It quickly grew in distinction, and, in 1841, Martin hired and passed on the business to his employee, Louis-Henri Morel. In 1845, Morel himself hired a 17-year-old apprentice named François Goyard, who eventually took over and renamed the company Maison Goyard (House of Goyard).

François' son, Edmond Goyard, ushered the business into a new era when he became the head of the company in 1885. He focused increasingly on elite and international clientele to grow the brand's prestige. Edmond also created a "pet chic" line of Goyard dog collars and other accessories.

Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the younger Goyard was the Goyard signature canvas, as seen on the iconic luxury Saint Louis tote. Durable, lightweight and waterproof, it features a distinctive "Y" pattern created from three chevrons or different shades. This revolutionary canvas laid the foundation for the modern brand.

A daring innovator, Edmond Goyard took the brand to the World Exposition of Paris in 1900 and won a bronze medal. Gold medals at the World Exposition of Milan and the Franco-British Exposition of London followed. Goyard continued showing at World Expos, bringing the house even more international acclaim and the attention of esteemed clientele like Pablo Picasso, John D. Rockefeller and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.

In 1998, the maison was purchased by passionate Goyard bag and trunk collector Jean-Michel Signoles. With the help of his family, he re-established the brand as a purveyor of luxury bags that continue to garner recognition.

Find unique Goyard purses, crossbody and messenger bags, top handle bags, wallets and other accessories on 1stDibs.