LV trunk - value and how to sell?

My cousins with the wonderful stuff have gotten busy looking for fungible items again, and I'm happy to help. Here's a Louis Vuitton steamer trunk, and the question is whether it's especially valuable and if so how best to sell it.

Her forebears traveled with it. She sent me 10 photos but I'm posting a few here. Let me know if more would be helpful!

 

Huh, I don't know why that one photo shows upside down. Anyhow, it's serial number on lock 065234, not sure if that's just for the lock or the whole trunk. Is there a way to look this up by serial number?

 

Value is going to be based on condition and what someone is willing to pay for it. Condition is everything when it comes to these trunks. Below is a link showing comparables:

http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/searchresults.aspx?entry=VUITTON TRUNK&searchtype=p&searchFrom=auctionresults



Where to sale? IMO, a reputable auction house.

 

Here's a very similar example with a numbered lock: http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/...3083&sid=6c961476-ce8b-49b0-9075-779690c390ff

As you can see from the above, condition is one of the factors that helps push the price ($17K+).

 

This is delightful information. I've asked my cousin if hers has any condition issues.

 

Apparently no major issues, but not pristine. Another cousin has a second one, a bit smaller and a more conventional design. Our challenge will be getting such big pieces from rural Virginia and Vermont to the big city, assuming that Christie's is willing.

Thank you so much for your help!

 

Do you have the top drawer and compartment that fits underneath the hanger section? I sold one on ebay several years ago, a dealer in London bought it and paid $700 to have it shipped overnight.
Mary

 

I've given my cousin the link to this discussion. I am not sure.

I noticed that the Christie's auction was in London. Maybe the market for these is strong in Europe.

 

This trunk looks very much like the Louis Vuitton's c1920 "Malle Armoire" trunks on the following website. There are 2 of them about 1/2 way down the page. They are both showed standing on end. If you click the pics you can see the interiors. One of them has very similar compartments to yours. I have also included a link to the one with similar compartments.

Page with all the LV trunks, the 2 like yours are 1/2 way down the page:
http://www.pullmangallery.com/subcat/36/138/Vuitton-Trunks

The one with similar compartments:
http://www.pullmangallery.com/item/36/138/1808/‘Malle-Armoire’-trunk-by-Louis-Vuitton,-1920

--- Susan

 

Thank you that does seem to be the trunk. By the code, "££££ = denotes an item priced between £12,000 - £25,000." Unfortunately, my cousin says the parts that cxgirl mentions seem to be missing.

 

Oh well, in that case, value is negligible. Just send it on to me; I'll dispose of it for you.

 

Hi Silver!

 

Back at you! Love your little beastie.