Posted 4 years ago
pjrondina
(1 item)
Just picked up this old trunk from a Newport RI estate. Has a few markingss on the hardware, looks like maybe S.J. and the hanges have a May 3, 1887 patenant date. Looks like a Louis Vuitton but I dont think it is. Maybe a very early copy? And halp would be appreciated. Thanks
It's a french "Damier " meaning checkered pattern (cabin) trunk.Desirable as you don't see them very often. Mr. Vuitton was the first to use it the pattern in 1888 ,others copied and followed. This includes Au Touriste, Moynat, Au depart, and others. As for the markings "DEPOSE"means registered. BTE is abbreviation for Brevet'e meaning patented or patentee. S.G.D.G. stands for San Garantie Du Government. It Means Patent without Government guarantee. The S. J.
is more than likely the hardware manufacturer, as it is a popular french marking.
It might help to have images of the interior or exterior bottom, to help identify it further. This model is a higher end french trunk. I.E. Leather banding, Brass carrying handle. higher end lock and brass lid guides. My guess is Moynat, or AuTourist'e due to the two rivets in the brass corners as they both tended to do this quit a bit. Having said that ,without a true label it is hard to say.
As for the Trunk stay hinges , They are an American patent by Frank W. Mix he was a dominant hardware maker with many patents to his name.They were obviously used by the french as well. there is a link below.
https://patents.google.com/patent/US362305A/en
Much Luck with it thanks for the post.
its LOUIS VUITTON!!
L.V. does not put brass handles or lid guides on the front of their trunks. They also didn't use that lock. So if it is, it is very doctored repair. Those lid guides typically would be used for the side of the trunk as would the brass handle. Most makers didn't put them on the front. As for the pattern , L.V. placed a Monogram in the pattern. He was big on putting his name on it, nails, locks, labels, he even numbered every trunk. See the link below.
http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/media/images_thumbnails/filer_public_thumbnails/filer_public/00/49/00493209-73a0-4b64-b9c0-33e638c789d4/8-louis-vuitton-damier-and-monogram-canvas.jpg__760x0_q75_crop-scale_subsampling-2_upscale-false.jpg
In an effort to help,Here are two links to French trunk experts that would
know more that I. Maybe it would be worthwhile to contact them ,even send pictures as they
might be helpful in restoration.Much luck!
https://www.malle2luxe.com/trunk-louis-vuitton/
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=https://www.la-malle-en-coin.com/fr/&prev=search
Having just listed one myself. This one is certainly not LV as Drill mentioned. LV checkered pattern carries a monogram in the pattern at random locations, this one does not. Drill has paved the way here for this item. I however after saving the photo and using zoom you can noticed that the front view of the fabric/canvas foundation is cracked like crazing in pottery which to me indicates a much thicker & cheaper canvas. The one I have is very thin canvas and well used, yet does not have this reaction to the fabric/canvas. The fabric alone on this one with the heavy stippling under the print pattern as seen in the hinge shot may help in finding the source of the maker if you have a photo of an item for comparison. Just an observation.
saw this item. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-AMAZING-WALCKER-Bazar-du-Voyage-Paris-CHECKERED-Canvas-Steamer-Trunk-/163970316024?hash=item262d6476f8%3Ag%3A%7EsgAAOSw54Nd5MrB&nma=true&si=Y%252BSKLKCw47imNNdhOCdRfrEldh8%253D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
That particular Bazar Du Voyage is extremely rare. A much smaller establishment than Vuitton and no where near the longevity of production.Wonderful to see it.