BELMAL Collection, Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk of 1875 (on Cunard Lines, S/S Scythia and S/S British Queen)

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Research and restoration project of an 1875 Louis Vuitton steamer trunk

Pictured above, the trunk in the state it was received, awaiting restoration (the brass rivets had meanwhile been polished). Worthy of note here is, for example, the colour of the trunk's canvas. It's green Trianon, not "Gris Trianon" nor the striped beige and red Trianon canvas launched in 1873. This dome trunk, sold by LV in 1875, is one of only a few LV trunks still around nowadays that that have a dual-curve (or dome, camelback) lid. In the 1870s the Louis Vuitton house was already manufacturing many trunks with flat lid tops. It is therefore believed that this trunk may either have been manufactured on special commission, at a time when dome trunks were still very popular in the USA, and that the buyer, an American, actually preferred such a shape, and colour. It could also be that this trunk was in-stock, and that it was made in the years preceding the one it was sold in. That second possibility is less likely, based on the fact that the type of wood, the shape of the wood-slats, and the absence of large brass nails on the slats and corners of this trunk, are reminiscent of the LV trunk designs of the 1860s.

This 1875 trunk has the "Louis Vuitton Emballeur" label on the inside of the lid, with the "1 Rue Scribe" address, encircled by "Ci-devant Rue Neuve des Capucines, 3" and "Ancienne Sellerie du Jockey-Club". There is no mention of the trunk's serial number, though such is usually found on LV trunk labels. The explanation is that this trunk precedes the year 1878, the year as of when the sequential ('perpetual') numbering of trunks and other objects manufactured was introduced by the LV company. Information is scarce about Vuitton trunks made during the twenty-five years between 1854, the year Louis Vuitton started his company, and 1878, the year of the Exposition Universelle de Paris. The other 19th century exhibitions held in Paris, and in which the Louis Vuitton House participated, were those of 1867, 1899, and 1900.

The first owner of our steamer trunk was an American financier from New York (Mr. N. C. full name is known, but public disclosure withheld). A short biography is available at BelMal, as well as details about the westbound transatlantic travel of Mr. and Mrs. N.C. (aboard the S/S British Queen, Cunard Lines; from Le Havre to Liverpool, and from Liverpool to New York, aboard the S/S Scythia). There is also some information about the successors (Mrs. J.D F., Ms. N.D. F.), and about the warehousing of the trunk in movers' storage facilities in the course of the 20th century.

After a phase of reflection about "what to do" with this trunk, it is a full renovation that is underway (the entire exterior canvas has been replaced by new one). Restoration to its original shape and finish was not possible due to numerous cracks in the wood and tears in the canvas, plus a very large hole in the lid and two severely damaged corners and hinges. Display in an "as is", but mechanically speaking very shabby condition, would not have been acceptable. All of the original lining, labels, etc have nevertheless been preserved separately. Pictures of the various stages of the renovation will be available in due course.

Location of this trunk: Belmal Collection Museum, Belgium. This trunk is not for sale.

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