In December 2018, a rare aluminium explorer trunk created by Louis Vuitton himself in the year 1892, sold for a record $290,000 AUD at Christie’s in London.
Christie’s is a global auction house founded in 1766 by James Christie. It hosts and showcases the most celebrated fine decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. They take pleasure in the extraordinary and uniqueness of every day and antique items. The range of items for sale range in value from $200 to $100 million dollars. Christie’s provides detailed articles and videos on objects on offer for both private and online sales.
The trunk that sold was crafted by renowned high fashion brand founder Louis Vuitton. Vuitton was an elite trunk-master crafting products for the upper class’ precious possessions to travel in. His adoption of new technologies and materials helped him become a highly sought after market leader. Upon his death, his sons continued working on his legacy by developing the famous monogram synonymous with the luxury leather and lifestyle brand.
The trunk was auctioned by Rachel Koffsky at Christie’s. It has a width of 75cm, depth of 42cm and height of 43cm. It is made of zinc and copper with an aluminium overlay to protect items against oxidation, humidity, insects and corrosion. Aluminium was very expensive to produce in 1892 as it was flexible and lightweight. It was even considered more precious than gold.
Christie’s Head of Handbags and Accessories, Mathew Rubinger explains “Aluminium is today one of the least expensive materials on earth because it is so abundant, but affordable mass-production methods didn’t exist until the 1920s…. aluminium was considered a very precious metal in France…. for a period it was even worth more than gold”.
The trunk is also a product of Vuitton’s innovation brilliance. The flat-top lid was one of the first of its kind, allowing the trunks to be stackable (prior they had curved lids). It also boasts his ingenious creation of the unpickable watertight lock, bestowing it as a true treasure chest.
The lock was created by the father and son team, Louis and Georges. They invented the single lock system with two spring buckles. They believed that it was so effective they challenged the famous American escape artist, Harry Houdini to escape from a trunk with the lock. While he didn’t rise to the challenge, the lock is still used today, a testament to its indisputable effectiveness.
There are only two known trunks left in existence making them extremely rare and a priceless treasure to own. One is held in the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris and the other went for auction at Christie’s in December 2018.
The exorbitantly made trunks by Vuitton were the beginning of a 167-year high fashion business that boasts ultimate luxury. The brand now includes various fashion and lifestyle products but still sports the same LV monogram created 124 years ago. Today Louis Vuitton offers the same style of trunk made out of leather, wood and canvas. They range in size and price from $50,000 – $70,000 AUD. Louis Vuitton the brand, own and embrace their heritage by continuing on the traditions established by their fore founders.
