A Louis Vuitton "Lily Pons" show trunk in monogrammed canvas, France, circa 1930
A Louis Vuitton "Lily Pons" show trunk in monogrammed canvas, France, circa 1930
A remarkable Louis Vuitton “Lily Pons” trunk dating from the 1930s, beautifully finished in the iconic monogram canvas with brass hardware and lozine leather trim. This trunk was commissioned by the renowned French-American opera singer Lily Pons, who asked Gaston-Louis Vuitton to design a bespoke travel case to accommodate her extensive shoe collection while touring internationally.
Unlike standard trunks, the interior of this model is specifically designed to hold up to 20 pairs of shoes, offering a perfect combination of organisation, protection, and luxury. The meticulous craftsmanship is evident in every detail, from the secure fittings to the finely finished leather trim. This trunk represents the golden age of luxury travel, when bespoke Vuitton trunks were the ultimate statement of elegance and practicality. Highly sought after by collectors, the “Lily Pons” trunk is a true icon of twentieth-century design, a striking historical artefact and a functional piece that continues to capture the imagination of connoisseurs and enthusiasts of vintage Louis Vuitton.
Louis Vuitton was born in 1821 in eastern France to a working-class family of farmers and milliners. At just 16, he walked nearly 300 miles to Paris to start a new life. There, during a time of industrial and travel expansion, he apprenticed with a renowned box maker, Monsieur Maréchal, learning the art of crafting durable, elegant travel cases.
In 1854, Vuitton opened his own workshop on Rue Neuve des Capucines, marking the beginning of his legacy. Four years later, he revolutionised luggage design with his flat-topped, waterproof trunk—practical, stackable, and unlike the rounded models of the time. His early grey “Trianon” canvas soon evolved into striped and checkered designs, both beautiful and intended to deter counterfeits. In 1886, his son Georges patented an unpickable lock still used today, and in 1896 introduced the now-iconic LV monogram in honour of his father. By the turn of the century, Louis Vuitton had become synonymous with innovation, craftsmanship, and prestige. A legacy that continues to define luxury travel.
Condition: the trunk was purchased already refurbished, the interior believed to have been refurbished by Louis Vuitton in Paris but no documentation provided. Overall excellent condition. Please refer to photographs
Dimensions: 40cm deep, 61cm wide, 115cm high
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REFERENCE: H2514wd