Type

Louis Vuitton

This particular piece I am told links back the the Van Alen family of William Van Alen, Architect of the famous Chrysler Building in New York. This is a travel "steamer" trunk manufactured and labeled by Louis Vuitton of Paris, France, circa 1930's. A LV monogram pattern canvas covered trunk with faux leather edge bindings, brass slat clamps, lock, and other hardware, with narrow hardwood protective slats. The trunk serial number is 300899, which is stamped on the fabric lining beside the Louis Vuitton script signature style label, which is in excellent condition. There is also a label from "John Wanamaker, Sole Agents for New York and Philadelphia" which was the retailer of the trunk. The sides of the trunk are stenciled with a monogram of initials which appear to be a V and A combined, within a black circle. It was typical to have the owners' initials or monogram painted on the sides of their trunk. The trunk was made sometime between about 1935 to 1940 based on the serial number. Louis Vuitton began making trunks in 1854 and by the later 1800's was known as a premier trunk maker of Paris, France. The company grew and expanded it's major sales branches to Nice, Lille, London, and later New York City. The John Wanamaker company was the agent for sales in New York and Philadelphia for a while and later the LV trunks were also sold by Saks Fifth Avenue. The 1914 Louis Vuitton catalog shows this style trunk, with the monogram pattern canvas and describes the interior options and sizes. Ladies trunks in excellent condition and complete are harder to find than the wardrobe trunks and are therefore sought after by collectors. Louis Vuitton made trunks in six grades, which they listed as "Leather, Vuittonite, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades". This trunk is a 1st grade model, with canvas covering, leather and fiber bindings, and all solid brass hardware. These trunks in excellent condition are one of the most collectible of Louis Vuitton items. Approximate measurements: 43 1/4" wide, 22 3/4" tall, 22" deep.