Usually included in CSK's Interiors sales, the trunks clearly benefited from this fresh approach with crossover appeal, helping the 20-lot section offered on January 23 to better pre-sale expectations, with all bar two lots getting away.
The stand-out lot, and the most expensive item of the sale, was a 2ft 4in x 3ft 4in (71cm x 1.01m) striped canvas high trunk from the late 19th century, pictured here Its £4000-6000 estimate proved way off the mark as multiple bids from the phones and the room took it to the knock-down price of £30,000.
Why?
"It was primarily due to the fact that it was an early model covered in the dark and light beige version of Louis Vuitton's striped canvas which was introduced first in 1876," said Clare Borthwick, specialist at Christie's. "It is quite rare that one comes up for auction especially in such excellent condition.
"The other reason it did so well was simply because a number of people wanted it."
Although believed to be a record price for a Louis Vuitton trunk at auction, there have been others that have also brought substantial sums of late. In August 2012 an early 20th century wardrobe trunk found in an attic in Camden, Maine, sold at James D. Julia for $30,000 (£20,000).
