{"product_id":"antique-louis-vuitton-damier-malle-courrier-trunk-c-1888-1900","title":"Louis Vuitton Damier Canvas Malle Courrier Trunk with Key \u0026 Repair Certificate, Initials T.M., c.1888–1900","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"jp-product\" data-world=\"Japan Luxury Archive\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-lede\"\u003eBefore Monogram, there was Damier. This low Louis Vuitton courier trunk is attributed to about 1888–1900, the first years of the checkerboard canvas, and its pattern now shows through a veil of age, the kind of depth newer decorative trunks try to imitate but rarely capture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Piece\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis early Louis Vuitton trunk is covered in historic Damier canvas and attributed to approximately 1888–1900, the formative period when the checkerboard pattern, introduced in the late nineteenth century, was still a comparatively new visual language. Made in France, it is a classic low travel trunk, approximately 100 cm wide, 50.5 cm deep and 32.5 cm high, quieter and more architectural than later Monogram pieces and deeply connected to railway and steamship travel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe model is identified as a Malle Courrier, the French name for this low courier trunk, with the precise period catalog designation offered as attributed in the absence of archival documentation. Across the exterior run aged wooden reinforcing slats, metal rivets, corner reinforcements, front lock hardware, side fittings and leather and structural trim over a wooden body. Time has softened the original contrast of the brown Damier, which now reads through patina, abrasion and oxidation, while the metal fittings have darkened and the wood has developed variation in tone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLouis Vuitton established his reputation through the engineering of luggage, designed for repeated handling, stacking, moisture and the increasingly standardized dimensions of railway carriages and steamship cabins. The flat-topped trunk mattered because it stacked far more efficiently than the curved-lid luggage before it, and this example preserves that disciplined, functional philosophy. Damier belongs to the vocabulary the house developed before Monogram became dominant, placing the trunk within one of the most historically important periods of Vuitton trunkmaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trunk bears the initials T.M. and comes with its key and a repair certificate. At one meter wide it commands a room without reaching the scale of a full wardrobe trunk, as a coffee table under a removable glass or acrylic top, a salon centerpiece, library storage, a dressing-room or hotel interior piece, or an archival object beneath protective glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"jp-details\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaker:\u003c\/strong\u003e Louis Vuitton\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Malle Courrier (low travel trunk)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e Attributed to c.1888–1900\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e France\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Historic Damier coated canvas over a wooden body; wooden reinforcing slats; metal corners, rivets, lock and clasp components; leather and structural trim; interior lining\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Brown Damier checkerboard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Width approx. 100 cm · Depth approx. 50.5 cm · Height approx. 32.5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e Key; repair certificate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMarking:\u003c\/strong\u003e Initials T.M.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-grade\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJaponista grade B\u003c\/strong\u003e · Good, with visible wear consistent with use; fully functional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrade B: antique condition with extensive age-related patina and wear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScratches, dirt, slight deformation, soiling to the interior, metal discoloration, oxidation and rust, and general age-related wear; pronounced patination throughout the canvas, slats and metal components.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe interior carries evidence of age and use rather than cosmetic refinishing; as with most trunks of this age, interior discoloration, surface marks and faint odor traces may be present.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe aging is cohesive across canvas, wood and metal, which is precisely what an antique collector looks for; buyers seeking pristine modern-condition luggage should consider a later piece.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthenticity \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe trunk bears the initials T.M. and comes with its key and a repair certificate. Damier canvas characteristics, proportions, slat construction, riveting, lock architecture, corner hardware, interior structure, Louis Vuitton markings, repair history and key compatibility are reviewed in a final archival inspection before dispatch. Every piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDelivery from Japan\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCrated in Japan and shipped insured by air or sea freight. A freight quote is confirmed with you before dispatch through our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/museum-grade-logistics-suite%E2%84%A2\"\u003eMuseum-Grade Logistics Suite™\u003c\/a\u003e. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our \u003ca href=\"\/policies\/refund-policy\"\u003epublished policy\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"jp-closing\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsidered offers are welcome through Send an Offer, and each one is reviewed personally. Pieces over $1,000 may be reserved over several payments with \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/japonista-layaway-privilege-program\"\u003eLayaway Privilege™\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContinue browsing: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/louis-vuitton-trunks\"\u003eLouis Vuitton Trunks\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/collections-luxury-archive-designer-treasures\"\u003eJapan Luxury Archive\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/louis-vuitton\"\u003eLouis Vuitton\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-related\"\u003eRelated pieces: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/louis-vuitton-monogram-shoe-trunk-no-296360-four-removable\"\u003eLouis Vuitton 1920s Monogram shoe trunk\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/products\/louis-vuitton-monogram-wardrobe-trunk-closet-full-set\"\u003eLouis Vuitton vintage Monogram wardrobe trunk\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/products\/louis-vuitton-antique-damier-trunk-late-19th-century-hand-painted-canvas-travel-chest\"\u003eLouis Vuitton antique Damier travel trunk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"jp-cta\" data-world=\"Japan Luxury Archive\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-cta-eyebrow\"\u003eThe Maison Archive\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLooking for a particular reference, leather or year? The Hunting Salon™ searches Japan’s private collections on your behalf, and Layaway Privilege™ lets you reserve a major piece over several payments. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hunting-salon%E2%84%A2\"\u003eRequest a maison search →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-search\"\u003eCollectors also search: antique louis vuitton damier trunk · louis vuitton malle courrier · louis vuitton damier trunk 1890s · 19th century louis vuitton trunk · louis vuitton checkerboard trunk antique · antique louis vuitton trunk with key\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Louis Vuitton","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54012628893989,"sku":null,"price":53616.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0758\/8829\/6229\/files\/antique-louis-vuitton-damier-malle-courrier-trunk-c-1888-1900-01.jpg?v=1791645391","url":"https:\/\/japonista.com\/products\/antique-louis-vuitton-damier-malle-courrier-trunk-c-1888-1900","provider":"Japonista","version":"1.0","type":"link"}