LOUIS VUITTON COURIER TRUNK OLD CHECKERED CANVAS

The mail trunk is higher than the cabin trunk. It is not used to transport letters, but is intended for long sea trips and also by train . The checkered canvas was created by Georges Vuitton in 1888, to succeed the striped canvas. When we received this checkered canvas trunk from Normandy, which dates from 1898, we were happy!

It is a 1st series model: leather and brass border finish . Which means it is in its most luxurious  coated canvas finish with the following features:  

• Leather trim 
• Brass corners 
• Capiton 
• Casters 
• Belt loops 
• Brass handles

The model is sought after, but the problems of this trunk are multiple:  

• Very damaged beech wood .
• The lock has been forced.
• Strongly oxidized brasses .
• The smelly interior .

As with each of our interventions, a photographic follow-up is carried out from its condition report to the rendering after restoration. It is the guarantee of respect for traditions and the preservation of inscriptions, such as for example his initials FB in a large original black rectangle.

We use new technologies in the field of restoration to refine and gain precision , even in the smallest corners , removing the minimum of material. Today, thanks to our know-how and these cutting-edge technologies, we remove 1 to 3/100 of a millimeter of material, or just the oxidation to find the golden brass. Beyond the aesthetic side and without comparison, the use of nylon brush removes 2 to 8/10 of a millimeter which is detrimental hence the condemnation of this type of practice.

The lock having been forced , it is dismantled, repaired and overhauled. The overhaul consists of disassembling all the elements, cleaning with ultrasound, polishing the parts that come into friction in order to facilitate movement by reducing friction. Our mechanism thus regains its original operating state . It can then operate with its key corresponding to the lock number. And if you didn't have it like on this luxury trunk , you can order it from Malle2luxe  to be re-manufactured.

The beech wooden slats were parasitized, wood powder came out of the entrances to galleries dug by insects. As always our wish is to have a healthy trunk to guarantee a quality of restoration and conservation for future generations . In this case there is no other choice but to replace these slats identically. The use of resin or other make-up is prohibited or reserved for the handyman.

By removing the antlers we had the confirmation of having made the best choice . Indeed the worms had attacked the entire structure which was literally crumbling under our fingers. The barrel of this trunk is made of solid poplar, this wood, unlike beech, is very rarely attacked by insects , this one is spared.  

After dismantling the interior and exterior, we pass 3 coats of xylophene treatment at 1 hour intervals in order to definitively protect this trunk from pest attacks.

Carpentry is our core business , the one that taught us rigor and perseveranceduring our 6 years of training:  

• Debit 
• straighten out 
• plan  
• split 
• and adjust 

The dimensions are identical to the slats removed, our wood comes from French forests.

We use wood of the same nature and the same finish for a perfect harmony. We patinate the woods so that the color is identical to the original one . Indeed over the years the wood oxidizes because of its environment , UV rays, humidity ... After traditional nailing of the slats we put the  wheels back in accordance with the origin.

We add 4 calles (removable) feet covered with glued felt, in order to  protect the floors from scratches caused by the wheels and to be able to slide the trunks on a smooth floor (parquet, marble, laminate, tiling ...). Very practical if it is a coffee table or if the trunks are stacked one on top of the other so as not to damage the top.

We had to remove the interior urgently in order to check that no insects, worms or eggs were present. Then we as explained previously completed a treatmentxylophene shock that will protect the trunk for the next decades . We also had to remove fungi from the fabric.

Peeling off the interior label in order to glue it back into the new interior. This old label, larger than that of the following generations, is punched, ie the serial number is cut from the label and not marked. At the back of these labels, written in carpenter's chalk, we often find the finishes (called Series), and dimensions of the trunk ordered , sometimes also the name of the customer.

In our case, we can interpret this  information  as follows: 

• I: Series 1 
• 90:  Length 90 cm 
• Courr: Courier model  
• Leather: Leather trim 

We have redone the entire interior identically. Canvas and quilting.

A perfect restoration can be judged by scrupulously respecting the finishes, materials and period design  . It must be flawless and invisible, even a trained eye must not say to itself: " this trunk is old but this area is new and not original" .

It must not distort the origin by modifying the finishes: nature of the fabric, quality of the quilting, repainting of the canvas, brushing of the brass, or other fanciful customization ... It is with great satisfaction  that we can admire the fruit of our long days work . Sometimes we do the same thing 2 or even 3 times until the perfect result, wasting days in the tiniest details that few of us will see. Make, undo and redo, because only the result matters to maintain the highest level of requirement that has made our workshops famousthroughout the world .