LOUIS VUITTON ALUMINUM TRUNK - EXPLORER

Although aluminum has taken over virtually every area of everyday life, there was a time when aluminum was worth more than gold .   

In 1807 a British physicist named "aluminum" a metal which he assumed to exist.

In  1854  a French chemist presented the first aluminum ingot to the Academy of Sciences.

The Emperor Napoleon III finances the production of aluminum with his own money .

In 1855 , the first aluminum ingots were presented at the Universal Exhibition in Paris , to the admiration of the crowd for this revolutionary metal. Malleable, flexible, hardly oxidizable and very light. It is then called Napoleon's white gold.

At that time aluminum was very expensive to produce due to its chemical process, considered a precious metal , so it was more expensive than gold. It  is used  to produce:

• High jewelry jewelry
• Works of art and prestige
• Medals
• Change 
• Luxury goldsmith 's
• Statues  
• Military objects which had to be as light as possible. 

Aluminum was then the most precious and luxurious in France at that time. The biggest are interested in it like the goldsmith Christofle who very early shows an interest in this metal, he files patents and he imagines elitist products . The Sèvres manufacture will also be interested in it. Napoleon III will give an aluminum bracelet to Queen Victoria . And  Eugenie, wife of Napoleon, eager for progress , ordered several aluminum parts.

So when the Emperor Napoleon III received distinguished guests, they were served in aluminum dishes, the others had to be content with gold dishes.

It was not until 1907 that aluminum became a more industrial product thanks to a new electrolysis process. The more production increases, the more its price drops: this is the main reason for its success .

In 1910 aluminum cost a little more than tin, was worth twice as much as copper and, above all, eight times as much as lead and zinc.

In 1955 , the scale of selling prices reflected a reversal of the situation: copper and aluminum were at the same price.

Until the 1st World War, France was the leading producer of aluminum.

Aluminum production for France per year: 

• 1855 : 0.3 tons
• 1895 : 269 tons
• 1918 : 12,000 tons
• 1945 : 37,000 tons
• 2015 : 400,000 tonnes

From 1852 Mr Louis Vuitton personally took care of the toilets of Empress Eugenie , wife of Napoleon III.

Put in context, total or partial aluminum trunks are exceptional, it is the height of chic ! Combining new technology , precious material and French know-how. The aluminum trunks will be produced in very small quantities given the price of the raw material. Louis Vuitton aluminum trunks are trunks for a clientele of elegant explorers and travelers . The trunks covered with a thin layer of metal are resistant and waterproofthanks to a patented system. Imposing, this luggage is not heavierthan their leather or canvas counterparts .  

To our knowledge, all Louis Vuitton aluminum trunks were produced during the year 1892 in an ultra confidential manner.

Louis Vuitton Cabin Trunk 

Year: 1892 

Exterior: Solid aluminum  

Border and corners: Solid aluminum 

Lock and clasps: Solid aluminum 

Studs: Solid aluminum Marked Louis Vuitton 

Dimension:  Dimension: 80 cm x 49 cm x 33 cm 

Louis Vuitton Cabin Trunk

Year: 1892   

Exterior: Solid aluminum 

Border and corners: Solid aluminum 

Lock , clasps and handles: Nickel-plated brass

Nails: Aluminum 

Dimension: 73 cm x 44 cm x 33 cm 

Louis Vuitton low Courier trunk

Year: 1892 

Exterior: Solid aluminum 

Border and corners: Solid aluminum 

Lock, clasps and handles: Solid aluminum 

Studs: Solid aluminum Marked Louis Vuitton 

Dimension: 75 cm x 43 cm x 42 cm

This trunk broke the world record for auction sales at Christie's .

Louis Vuitton High Courier trunk

Year: 1892 

Exterior: Solid aluminum 

Border and corners: Solid aluminum 

Lock, clasps and handles: Solid aluminum 

Studs: Solid aluminum Marked Louis Vuitton 

Dimension: 77 cm x 45 cm x 54 cm 

This ultra rare and most expensive trunk in the world has been restored in our workshops.

Louis Vuitton Courier trunk

Year: 1898 

1st generation orange Vuittonite canvas 

Border and corners: Solid aluminum 

Lock and clasps: Nickel-plated brass 

Nails and spikes: Solid brass 

Dimension: 47 cm x 45 cm x 82 cm

Louis Vuitton hat trunk

Year: 1898  

Monogram woven canvas 

Border and corners: Solid aluminum 

Lock and clasps: Nickel-plated brass 

Nails and spikes: Solid brass  

Dimension: 52 cm x 52 cm x 102 cm

And finally, not to confuse , a trunk with a steel border that has been stripped and polished, with a trunk with an aluminum border.

In the first case we are on the " low end " version of the brand, in the second in aluminum  it is the " ultra high end " version.

Some merchants try  to fool customers. Our buying guide will help you see things more clearly.