Antiques Know How Research
Notable Steamer Trunk Brands
Our analysis of several eBay sales and auction results suggests that branded antique steamer trunks can sell for a few hundred dollars to $50,000 or more for rare trunks from top makers. Most notable brands and designs are Louis Vuitton’s monogram and Damier steamer trunks, Goyard’s Chevron trunk, Aux Etats‑Unis’ orange‑diamond canvas trunks, and Hartmann’s Gibraltarized wardrobe trunks. To spot a valuable trunk, check for the brand label, original hardware, exterior and interior features, and period‑correct fittings.
Antiques Know How
Almost every house has a steamer trunk gathering dust in the cellars or basements. You go there, see them, put your belongings down, and leave. That’s what happens to most steam trunks.
But it won’t be the same if you knew that certain old trunks from certain brands are actually worth a BIG fortune today. And by big, I mean tens of thousands of dollars!
In this list, you’ll get to know the most renowned antique trunk brands and their most popular designs that collectors are actively looking for!
Why Are Steamer Trunks Collectible?
Steamer trunks were popularized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly for long-distance trips via steamships. The name came from their low profile, measuring just 14 inches in height, making them fit perfectly under a passenger’s bed.
Besides, they were made to be sturdy and stylish with wood, brass, and canvas or leather finishes.
From Louis Vuitton to Hartmann, several manufacturers made one-of-a-kind steamer trunk designs with craftsmanship that today’s manufacturers can barely reproduce, making the originals collectible.
Notable Brands & Their High-Value Steamer Trunks
Below are some highly respected makers whose steamer trunks are premium collectibles today, along with their most notable designs, values, and identifiers.
1. Louis Vuitton
Founded in 1854, Louis Vuitton began making trunks for wealthy travelers as luxury rail and steamship travel rose. Their flat-top design was a practical improvement over the rounded and domed styles of the time; it was easier to stack and handle.
The brand name, practicality, and craftsmanship of the steamer trunk have made Louis Vuitton’s steamer trunks the most valuable, worth tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars!
Average Value: $2,000 – $50,000+ (High for pristine examples)
Most Notable Designs:
- Flat-top Trianon or Damier Canvas Trunks
- Monogram Steamer Trunks
- Wardrobe Trunks with Drawers & Hangers
- Colored Vuittonite trunks
Monogram Steamer Trunk
This is a large flat-top steamer in the classic LV monogram canvas, dated 1900–1908. It features the early dark-brown monogram pattern, original brass hardware with leather strap reinforcements across the front, and heavy lozine trim.
Monogram trunks from this pre-WWI window are among the most desirable and valuable LV pieces.
Damier Steamer Trunk
Introduced in 1888, the Damier canvas is rarer than the monogram and commands strong premiums. This example shows the dark checkerboard pattern with horizontal wood slat banding and original brass studs. The high value is proof of the demand for Damier trunks.
How to Identify?
On authentic LV trunks, the outside canvas is applied by hand with the classic LV Monogram (1896), the earlier striped canvas, or the Damier check. All hardware, including interior tacks and studs, is brass.
Brass locks are stamped “Louis Vuitton” and usually engraved with a key number. Look for a paper or leather label inside the lid, which can help you date the trunk, along with a nearby serial number stamped nearby.
2. Goyard
Goyard has been making trunks in Paris since 1853. Their Chevron canvas — a pattern of Y-shapes formed by tiny dots — launched in 1892 and remains their most recognized feature. The brand has never advertised and still doesn’t sell online.
Their client list has historically included European royalty, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Karl Lagerfeld. That quiet exclusivity is a big part of why Goyard trunks are so scarce and so valuable today.
Average Value: $1,500 – $30,000+ (High for unused examples)
Collectible Designs:
- Chevron-pattern Goyardine Trunks
- Cube / Hat Box
- Trunk Shoe Trunk (specialized storage)
- Wardrobe Trunk with Fold-Out Drawers
Cube Hat Trunk
This small cube-form Goyard trunk is a rare find. These compact boxes, specifically made for hats, had lower production and don’t surface often. This example with heavy wear sold for $500, which means a pristine example can easily reach $3,000–$5,000.
Chevron Shoe Trunk
This antique flat-top Goyard shoe trunk features the signature black Chevron canvas, honey-colored lozine trim, and brass hardware. These specialized trunks came with fitted interior compartments for footwear.
Like hat boxes, these were also made in small numbers, making them significantly rarer than standard courier trunks.
How to Identify?
Look for the distinctive Chevron (Y-shaped dot) canvas. All hardware, including studs, locks, and latches, should be stamped “Goyard” or “E. Goyard.” And interiors are typically quilted linen, often in a characteristic Goyard color.
A brass plaque on one side of the trunk is common on authentic pieces. Hand-painted personalization stripes (often in two custom colors) are a Goyard signature.
3. Aux Etats Unis
Despite the name translating as “The United States,” Aux Etats-Unis was a French trunk brand. Founded around 1897, Unin’s trunks were made like other Parisian luxury makers: solid wood frames, coated canvas, brass hardware, and well-organized interiors.
Unis also produced a distinctive canvas inspired by the LV monogram, brown with orange diamond shapes, which is often mistaken for a Louis Vuitton variant.
Aux Etats-Unis trunks were built for the American export market, and the brand disappeared in the 1980s with no successor. This makes original pieces rare and collectible.
Average Value: $500 – $10,000 (used condition)
Collectible Designs:
- Monogram Diamond Canvas Flat-Top Steamer Trunk
- Monogram Diamond Canvas Compartment Trunk
- Leather Courier Trunk
- Hat Boxes
- Suitcase-Style Travel Trunk
Monogram Compartment Trunk
Here’s a classic Aux Etats Unis flat-top steamer in the brown diamond monogram canvas. It comes with original brass corner hardware, studs, and a central lock, and a removable tray with compartments on the inside.
Monogram Steamer Trunk/Luggage
This slimmer suitcase-profile Aux Etats Unis piece features the same orange-diamond canvas as their larger trunks, with brass hardware and a leather top handle. Although not exactly a trunk, these suitcase-style boxes are quite desirable.
How to Identify?
First of all, the distinctive orange-diamond canvas is a dead giveaway. Then, look for an original label inside the lid reading “Aux Etats Unis, 229 Rue St Honore, Paris,”
The main lock is often stamped “Aux Etats Unis.” Hardware, including corners, clasps, studs, and handles, is solid brass. Some examples may show a series number on the interior label as well.
4. Hartmann
Hartmann, established in 1877, earned a reputation as one of the more respected American trunk makers for its blend of durability and thoughtful interiors.
Their most popular piece was a wardrobe trunk, a standing trunk that when opened served as a closet on wheels, complete with a rod on one side and drawers or shelves on the other. It remains their most collectible piece today.
Another recognizable feature was the “Gibraltarized” finish, which was a proprietary treatment applied to the canvas and frame for extra durability.
Average Value: $800 – $2,500 (high for pristine condition)
Notable Designs:
- “Gibraltarized” Canvas Steamer Trunks
- Cushion-top Wardrobe Trunks (1920s–1940s)
- “Common Sense” line Flat-top Trunks
Gibraltarized Wardrobe Trunk
This is a “Gibraltarized” wardrobe trunk open to show its full interior. It usually has six graduated drawers on one side and a hanging compartment with original wooden hangers on the other. The exterior is black canvas with brass hardware.
The low value of over $300 for this example is because of its damaged condition; in good shape, these trunks can easily reach several thousand dollars.
How to Identify?
There’s Hartmann branding on the side, and the Hartmann label inside the lid or tray. “Gibraltarized” is often printed alongside the model name.
Also, wardrobe trunks have Hartmann-branded wooden hangers and usually include a fold-out ironing board. And there’s brass hardware throughout.
Whether you’re planning to buy or sell an old steamer trunk, these names should be at the top of your lists. Get more tips on identifying an antique trunk here!
Note: This article is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Some images are illustrative and may not represent actual brands, products, or related entities. All trademarks, product names, brand logos, packaging, and other intellectual property referenced remain the exclusive property of their respective owners. Any brand mentions or references are provided solely for descriptive and educational context and do not imply any formal or commercial association.
