Louis Vuitton " TOOLBOX " c.1912

Superb Louis Vuitton tool trunk dating from 1912, a custom-made automotive model designed to equip the very first motor vehicles. This type of trunk was mounted on the running boards of early automobiles and held all the essential accessories for the chauffeur — such as a vise for changing wheels, a hammer, a crank handle, and a wrench.

Underneath the trunk, the original mounting holes are still visible; they once accommodated threaded rods used to secure the box firmly to the car with bolts.

The exterior was specifically engineered for the automotive world. The waterproof canvas provides excellent protection against weather, while the black lozine borders, more durable than leather, echo the color of early car bodywork. The unpickable lock ensures optimal security, and a leather handle, restored to match the original design, adorns the top.

The interior is lined with washable yellow Vuittonite, a hallmark of Louis Vuitton’s technical creations in the early 20th century. The authentic Louis Vuitton label remains perfectly legible, displaying the historic store addresses and the serial number of the trunk.

In very good overall condition, the canvas shows a beautiful original patina, and the structure remains solid and stable. Only a few minor surface cracks on the lozine trim reflect the trunk’s age.

Rare and emblematic, this automobile tool trunk perfectly illustrates Louis Vuitton’s spirit of innovation and exceptional craftsmanship, conceived to meet the technological advances of the early motor age.

EXCLUSIVELY IN LOS ANGELES

This trunk is currently available exclusively at Maxfield in Los Angeles, where you are warmly invited to view it on Melrose Avenue.