Louis Vuitton Damier Steamer Trunk

An excellent Louis Vuitton ‘Malle Courrier’ trunk finished in Damier pattern canvas with leather trim and polished brass fittings. Verified by Louis Vuitton’s Patrimoine department as being originally sold circa 1896. 

This trunk has an interesting provenance and comes by direct descent from the family of a prominent American family living in Paris. The trunk belonged to Millie Harjes, daughter of John Henry Harjes, first President of the American Hospital of Paris and founder of the banking firm Drexel, Harjes & Co. This firm later became Morgan, Harjes & Co. with J. Pierpoint Morgan as principal partner. Millie’s sister Nelly married the jeweller Jacques Cartier. 

The trunk was well-loved and well-travelled, retaining a selection of its shipping labels which we have conserved. At some point in the past some restoration work to the trunk included replacement of the leather trim around the extremities of the trunk with an inferior material. Our restorer has skilfully returned the trim to leather and patinated it to blend with the overall feel of the trunk.

Dimensions: 101 cm/39¾ inches (length) x 54.5 cm/21½ inches (depth) x 57.5 cm/22⅝ inches (height).