Before Louis Vuitton: Moynat

Today, Louis Vuitton is a household word.

However, in France, there were other important malletiers...trunk-makers,

or manufacturers of luggage and suitcases.

In 1849, 5 years before Louis Vuitton decided to start his own trunk-making business,

Jules Coulembier founded The House of Moynat.

Moynat was especially well known for their automobile trunks.

It was a time long before mini-vans and navigators...

a time when suitcases often rode on the outside of the car.

In the above ad, dated July 11, 1914,

Moynat is proud that they are the only one to guarantee their luggage for 5 years....

and have patented clasps on the ends, not available anywhere else.

The French dealer explained...

the thin, yellow trunk would have been tied down on the top of the car,

and the 2 smaller cases would have been on the rear trunk of the car (domed trunk on top).

I can imagine...gazing at a passing car with the tan, brown, and yellow trunks...

Not only beautiful, but aerodynamically sound.

The yellow trunk reminds me of French sunflowers.

It could wake up a room as a coffee table top!

If you can imagine one of these beauties in your home, send me an email.

I will return to France in a few weeks.