Louis Vuitton Brass Bound Courier Trunk
View Similar Items
Louis Vuitton Brass Bound Courier Trunk
About the Item
- Creator:Louis Vuitton (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 24 in (60.96 cm)Depth: 43.25 in (109.86 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1916
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU96006800111
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.
- Louis Vuitton Leather Cabin Trunk, circa 1930By Louis VuittonLocated in London, GBA well proportioned natural leather covered Louis Vuitton cabin trunk that has built up an attractive patina with age. Has original leather handles & brass fittings and has its original interior in-tact (including the original tray); Circa 1930. One of the original handle supports is a newly made replacement of the original, that was beyond repair. Provenance: From the collection of Anouska Hempel, noted interior designer, hotelier and taste maker. Dimensions: 91 cm/35⅞ inches (length) x 52 cm/20½ inches (depth) x 34.5 cm/13⅝ inches (height). About Louis Vuitton From humble beginnings, Louis Vuitton laid the foundations for a luggage enterprise serving the upper echelons of 19th-century society. His son, Georges, expanded on his father’s work throughout the 20th century. Louis Vuitton was born on 4 August 1821 in Anchay, a rural village in Eastern France. His father, Xavier Vuitton, was a farmer, his mother, Coronne Gaillard, a milliner. In 1835, aged 13, Vuitton left Anchay on foot for his two-year journey to Paris. He found work as a layetier – a maker of wooden boxes and cases for transporting travelers’ possessions – and was selected as the personal layetier to Empress Eugénie de Montijo, a Spanish Countess and wife of Napoleon III. In 1854, at 4 Rue Neuve de Capucines, Paris, Vuitton launched his enterprise, gaining recognition among Parisian nobility. A second Parisian store opened at 1, Rue Scribe, after the 1871 Siege of Paris. Striped “Rayée” canvas and the first Vuitton Wardrobe Trunk arrived in the 1870s, expanding abroad to 289 Oxford Street, London, and introducing the Damier canvas in the 1880s. Louis Vuitton passed...Category
Vintage 1930s French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Louis Vuitton Monogram Cabin Trunk, circa 1905By Louis VuittonLocated in London, GBA wonderful brass bound Louis Vuitton LV monogram cabin trunk that is taller than usual and would be perfect as a coffee table. Comes complete with its original interior and tray. Th...Category
Antique Early 1900s French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Exceptionally Large Louis Vuitton Wardrobe Trunk, circa 1955By Louis VuittonLocated in London, GBA rare, very large scale brass bound Louis Vuitton wardrobe trunk in LV Monogram with lozine trim and original interior fittings providing hanging space; circa 1955. Has the original...Category
Vintage 1950s French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass, Metal
- Louis Vuitton Leather Suitcase, circa 1935By Louis VuittonLocated in London, GBA lovely 'Vache Naturelle' case by Louis Vuitton. With original tray and leather lined interior that would have held a range of fittings; Circa 1935. This case also has three keys. ...Category
Vintage 1930s French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Louis Vuitton Leather Case, circa 1935By Louis VuittonLocated in London, GBA beautiful Louis Vuitton leather overnight case, circa 1935 in exceptional original condition, ideal for an overnight or weekend away. With original le...Category
Antique 1830s French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Louis Vuitton LV Monogram 'Alzer' Suitcase, circa 1995By Louis VuittonLocated in London, GBLouis Vuitton large ‘Alzer’ suitcase in LV monogram pattern coated canvas with edges trimmed in lozine and unpolished brass fittings. The lid of the case is secured by a central spru...Category
1990s French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Louis Vuitton Courier Steamer TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in Water Mill, NY44" long vintage Louis Vuitton footlocker with four trays, leather handles and keys.Category
Vintage 1950s French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
Price Upon Request - 20th Century Louis Vuitton Courier Trunk, France c.1930By Louis VuittonLocated in Royal Tunbridge Wells, KentAround 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 ...Category
Vintage 1930s Other Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Louis Vuitton Wardrobe Trunk , Louis Vuitton Trunk, Vuitton Steamer TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRThis impressive Louis Vuitton wardrobe features monogramm canvas, lozine trim, LV stamped solid brass locks and studs as well as solid brass corners. It has got a lift top that close...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- Louis Vuitton Wardrobe Trunk, Vuitton Trunk, Louis Vuitton Steamer TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRThis superb Louis Vuitton wardrobe features stenciled monogram canvas, lozine trims and solid brass lock, clasps and studs. Lock, clasps and studs are all marked Louis Vuitton. Customised hand painted French flag on its top and on its bottom adds some personality and elegance.It also features a couple of travel labels. Its interior is complete with its original hangers, a folding hanging section, and a series of drawers with leather pulling handles. Its drawer's inside are very clean too and all original.Its last compartment was used to store 2 pais of...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- 1920's Louis Vuitton Trunk, Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk, Louis Vuitton Hat TrunkBy Louis VuittonLocated in Saint-Ouen, FRSuperb Louis Vuitton steamer trunk featuring stenciled canvas, all leather trim in deep chocolate color, solid brass Louis Vuitton stamped clasps, lock and studs, solid brass corners...Category
Vintage 1920s French Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
- 20th Century Louis Vuitton Courier Trunk In Monogram Canvas, France c.1910By Louis VuittonLocated in Royal Tunbridge Wells, KentAround 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 ...Category
Vintage 1910s French Other Trunks and Luggage
MaterialsBrass
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.