Louis Vuitton trunk steams to thousands

An exceptionally rare Louis Vuitton wardrobe steamer trunk dating from the 1920s or earlier sold for £130,000 hammer at John Nicholson’s in Surrey on June 11. 

Although the metal covering identified it as possibly one of the limited number of hermetic Explorer trunks of the period, the interior was all but gutted, and the trunk had been used as a toolbox for many years by the consignor who had no idea of what it was. 

Louis Vuitton revolutionised the travel trunk, ignoring the curved tops of earlier trunks that allowed water run-off because they could not be stacked for storage. 

His flat-topped trunks became hugely popular and the Explorer was covered in zinc, copper, brass or aluminium to cope with the singular challenges of tropical climates. 

The company made just a few of these, and all in 1892, although released later. The 44 x 22 x 21½in wardrobe steamer trunk at John Nicholson’s Fernhurst rooms can be dated to the early 1920s or earlier thanks to its unique serial number, 748929. It was missing the paper label and almost all the internal fittings, though those that remained identified it as a double hanging wardrobe trunk rather that one with a chest of drawers to one side. 

The surviving central catch is engraved with the Louis Vuitton name, Champs Elysée and the original London address of the company, 149 New Bond Street, opened in 1900 and closed in 2010 when the store moved across the road. 

Considering its condition, the auctioneer had put a nominal estimate of just £300-500, but this proved to be a wonderful opportunity for a specialist restorer, and the trunk attracted 11 bidders, with the successful buyer attending the sale in person.