High demand for Louis Vuitton travel suitcases
In a recent auction, several Louis Vuitton trunks from the late 19th and early 20th centuries were sold, fetching impressive prices.
The Courier trunk, featuring beige and brown stripes and reinforced with wooden battens and brass catches, was estimated to sell for £6,000-8,000. However, it attracted 11 bidders and eventually sold for £6,000. This particular trunk has a detailed provenance, including a voyage to South Africa during the Boer War in 1900.
Another interesting piece was a double hanging wardrobe trunk, missing the paper label and almost all internal fittings. Despite its incomplete condition, it sold for £5,400. The trunk, identified by sales number 30539, had an initial estimate of £4,000-6,000.
The highlight of the auction was a Louis Vuitton Explorer trunk, also dating from the early 20th century. This trunk, with sales number 42316, sold for £72,000 in July. It's worth noting that Explorer trunks from the 1920s are highly valuable and collectible, with recent examples selling for around £130,000 at auction.
In fact, Louis Vuitton trunks from the late 19th century are among the earliest luxury travel luggage pieces and are prized by collectors for their age, rarity, and status as forerunners to the brand's iconic styles. Given that 1892 is very early in Louis Vuitton’s history, trunks from that year would be extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors, though specific auction results for 1892 models are less commonly publicized compared to 1920s Explorer trunks.
John Nicholson, the auction house's specialist, stated that the auction house has established a reputation as the saleroom of choice for Louis Vuitton luggage. He also revealed that further consignments are already on the way. A further consignment of a Courier trunk dating to c.1885-90 is expected to be sold in the autumn.
The trunk sold in the current auction was later than the earlier ones, with a move taking place in 1889. The interior label of the July-sold trunk originally had the Oxford Street address, which was crossed out and replaced with the address on The Strand. The surviving central catch of the June-sold trunk was engraved with the Louis Vuitton name, Champs Elysée, and the original London address of the company, 149 New Bond Street.
Interestingly, the trunk sold in June had unique sales number 748929, while the trunk with sales number 30539 was sold in June. The June-sold trunk was covered in zinc, copper, brass, or aluminium to cope with tropical climates.
A Louis Vuitton wardrobe steamer trunk, dating from the 1920s or earlier, also sold for £130,000 in June. This auction house has become known for its impressive selection of Louis Vuitton trunks, attracting bidders from all over the world. The successful buyer of the June-sold trunk attended the sale in person.
In summary, Louis Vuitton trunks from the 1920s typically fetch over £130,000 due to their rarity, historical importance, and craftsmanship, while earlier trunks from 1892, if authenticated, would be regarded as even more exceptional collector’s items, commanding high value though less frequently seen at public auctions.
[1] "Louis Vuitton Trunks: A Collector's Guide." Antiques Trade Gazette, 15 June 2022. [3] "Louis Vuitton Trunks: A Journey Through Time." The Telegraph, 10 July 2022.
- The rising demand for Louis Vuitton trunks extends beyond travel luggage, as they have become a sought-after piece in lifestyle and home-and-garden collections.
- For avid collectors of fashion-and-beauty history, Louis Vuitton trunks, especially those dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, are invaluable treasures, offering a glimpse into the brand's roots and early designs.
