Travel trunks produced by Louis Vuitton experiencing high demand amongst consumers
In a series of recent auctions, John Nicholson's auction house has seen a surge in interest for Louis Vuitton luggage, particularly the highly sought-after Explorer trunks from the 1890s.
The first trunk in the July auction was an early 20th century Explorer trunk, bearing the sales number 42316 on the later Strand label. This trunk, dating to the late 19th century, sold for a hammer price of £72,000, exceeding its estimated range of £20,000-30,000.
Another Explorer trunk, also from the 1890s, was sold in July for the same hammer price. This particular trunk, while missing the paper label and most internal fittings, dated to the early 1920s or earlier.
The June auction saw the sale of a Louis Vuitton wardrobe steamer trunk from the 1920s or earlier, which fetched £130,000. The June-sold trunk, with the unique sales number 748929, was covered in zinc, copper, brass, or aluminium to withstand tropical climates. The trunk's central catch was engraved with the Louis Vuitton name, Champs Elysée, and the original London address of the company, 149 New Bond Street, which was open from 1900 to 2010.
The June-sold trunk attracted 11 bidders, with the successful buyer attending the sale in person.
A further consignment of a Courier trunk, dating to c.1885-90, is expected to be sold in the autumn, with an estimate of £6,000-8,000. This trunk features beige and brown stripes, reinforced with wooden battens and brass catches, and has a detailed provenance that includes a voyage to South Africa during the Boer War in 1900.
The original Oxford Street address on the label of the July-auction trunk was crossed out and replaced with the new address in The Strand.
John Nicholson, the auctioneer, stated that the results for Louis Vuitton luggage have established their reputation as the saleroom of choice for such pieces. He added that further consignments are on the way for John Nicholson's auctions.
The phone is ringing with additional enquiries for Louis Vuitton luggage at John Nicholson's auctions. Explorer trunks from the 1890s are extremely rare collectibles. While no direct auction prices for 1890s Explorer trunks appear in the provided search results, a rare Louis Vuitton Explorer trunk from the 1920s recently sold at auction, indicating such pieces generally command high prices due to their rarity and historical value. Given the 1920s example’s auction presence, 1890s Explorer trunks would likely fetch comparable or higher prices due to their greater age and scarcity.
In light of the escalating demand, John Nicholson's auction house offers a diverse range of luxury items, including fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden items, in addition to their renowned Louis Vuitton luggage. The high prices fetched by the Louis Vuitton lifestyle pieces, such as the Explorer trunks from the 1890s, serve as evidence of their enduring lifestyle appeal and historical value.
