A rare Louis Vuitton “malle secretaire” desk trunk in monogram canvas, France, early 20th century
A rare Louis Vuitton “malle secretaire” desk trunk in monogram canvas, France, early 20th century
One of the rarest and most desirable trunks ever produced by Louis Vuitton, the malle secretaire (or desk trunk) represents the pinnacle of functional luxury travel. This exceptional example dates to the early 20th century and remains completely original. Opening to reveal a fitted interior with drawers and a pull-out writing surface, it was designed for travellers who wished to conduct correspondence and business while on the move. Pieces of this type are exceedingly scarce, and their combination of ingenuity, craftsmanship, and romance places them among the most sought-after Louis Vuitton trunks ever made.
The trunk shows beautifully preserved monogram canvas, original brass hardware, and a richly fitted interior that speaks to the extraordinary quality of Vuitton’s workshop at the height of its trunk-making tradition. One can easily imagine the journeys it accompanied, the hotels it visited, and the letters written at its fold-out desk. For collectors, the malle secretaire is widely regarded as the ultimate statement piece: rare, evocative, and undeniably iconic.
Founded in Paris in 1854, Louis Vuitton began as a maker of high-quality travelling trunks, quickly earning a reputation for innovation and craftsmanship. Vuitton revolutionised luggage design by introducing flat-topped trunks, which were lighter, more practical, and easier to stack than the domed trunks commonly used at the time. These advances, combined with meticulous construction and durable materials, made Vuitton trunks the preferred choice of aristocrats, explorers, and international travellers.
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Louis Vuitton had become synonymous with luxury travel. The introduction of the now-iconic monogram canvas in 1896 helped combat counterfeiting while establishing a visual identity that remains instantly recognisable today. Early trunks, particularly rare functional models such as wardrobe, library, and secretaire trunks, are now among the most collectible luxury objects of their era, prized for both their history and their exceptional craftsmanship.
Condition: overall good antique condition, with light surface wear, patina to the brass fittings, and minor marks consistent with age and use. The interior remains complete and well preserved. Please refer to photographs.
Dimensions: 57cm wide, 90cm high, 52cm deep
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REFERENCE: L2559