Travel, or decorate, in grand style with Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton's flat-topped trunks revolutionized travel in the 19th century, and both antique and modern versions remain in demand.

By Matt BallAugust 13, 2026

Above: This Louis Vuitton travel trunk, reputedly owned by Eleanor Elkins Widener (1861-1937), sold for $25,000 plus buyer's premium at Alderfer Auction, Hatfield, Pennsylvania, in March 2026. Image courtesy of Alderfer Auction and LiveAuctioneers.

In 1837 a 16-year-old Louis Vuitton arrived in Paris and started apprenticing for a Monsieur Maréchal in his box-making and packing workshop. Seventeen years later he left to set up his own business at 4 Rue Neuve-des-Capucines near the Place Vendome. Louis noticed how many travel trunks of the time had a rounded top to encourage water to run off when it rained. He decided to make luggage with a flat-top that was lightweight and airtight so that they could be easily stacked, making them convenient and desirable for travel.

Early 20th century Louis Vuitton cabin steamer trunk sold for $13,500 plus buyer's premium at Weiss Auctions, Lynbrook, NY, in November 2025. Image courtesy of Weiss Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.

In 1859 the business was so successful that Louis opened a new workshop in Asnières. Located just northeast of the center of Paris, the premises started with 20 employees and grew quickly. Thefts from travel trunks, however, were rife and so his son George invented a new closing system, a single lock system with two spring buckles. After several years of development, George patented this revolutionary system and even challenged escapologist Harry Houdini to escape from a Vuitton box and lock (Houdini did not take up the challenge). From 1886 Louis Vuitton luggage used George's locking system and became even more popular. By 1900, the Asnières workshop employed almost 100 people and by 1914 there were 225 employees.

This 19th century Louis Vuitton trunk, fitted with six drawers, sold for $15,000 plus buyer's premium at Eden Fine Antiques Galleries, Marietta, Georgia, in July 2025. Image courtesy of Eden Fine Antiques Galleries and LiveAuctioneers.

The company still makes travel trunks today – as well as smaller pieces of luggage and bags – although buyers at auction can choose from both recently-made items and antique versions. The older trunks often come with nicks, scuffs, and even stickers showing where they have traveled to and are sometimes bought not for travel but to be used as storage or as decoration in store premises.

This is a more recent Louis Vuitton monogram steamer trunk, made in c.2018. It sold for CA$32,000 ($23,000) plus buyer's premium at A.H. Wilkens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in March 2026. Image courtesy of A.H. Wilkens and LiveAuctioneers.

Occasionally, a piece comes up at auction that was owned by someone famous. This can attract many bidders – and high prices.

A Louis Vuitton small trunk, covered in natural cowhide leather and fitted with brass mounts and side handles, sold for $27,000 plus buyer's premium at Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, Thomaston, Maine, in June 2026. Image courtesy of Thomaston Place Auction Galleries and LiveAuctioneers.

For example, according to family history, American heiress and socialite Eleanor Elkins Widener (1861-1937), who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912, owned the trunk that sold for $25,000 plus buyer's premium at Alderfer Auction, Hatfield, Pennsylvania, in March 2026. Authenticity is also important. Counterfeiting is rife in the luxury goods market, from handbags to watches, and brands like Louis Vuitton are a frequent target. It is easy to find videos and articles posted online offering tips on what to look for when determining a fake vs. real Louis Vuitton trunk, but buying from reputable sources and consulting experts is always solid advice.