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French fashion designer and businessman (1821–1892) who had been appointed as trunk-maker to Empress Eugénie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III, and founded the Louis Vuitton brand of luxury leather goods now owned by LVMH. ADS in French, signed “L. Vuitton,” one page, 8.25 x 10.5, September 13, 1859. Handwritten invoice addressed to Count Alexander Yegorovich Timashev, famous general at the Court of Russia. He served under Emperor Alexander III and would become Minister of Internal Affairs in 1868. In full (translated): "I the undersigned declare that I am shipping to Mr. Général Aide de Camp Timacheff, Sergeskaia Street, St. Petersburg: A second-hand trunk for clothes, 3 boxes including books, 30 mouth-rinses, 2 champagne carafes, 1 Chinese dinner service for tea, with cafetiere and teapot, Some second-hand toys for children, 1 chair-camp bed. Total 2000 francs to be insured." Below, Vuitton writes a remark about accountability, requiring special arrangement for these clients "as we need their recommendation." In fine condition.
Louis Vuitton created his company and set up shop at 4 rue neuve des Capucines in 1854, specializing in trunk making and packing. In 1858, inspired by H.J. Cave & Sons of London, Vuitton introduced his revolutionary rectangular canvas trunks at a time when the market had only rounded-top leather trunks. The demand for Vuitton's durable, lightweight designs spurred his expansion into a larger workshop in Asnières-sur-Seine in 1860. This document, dating to 1859, demonstrates the early growth and international expansion of Vuitton's firm, as well its commercial relations with the Russian court. Vuitton's autograph is extremely scarce in any form—this is just the third we have offered, and by far the earliest.
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