Here we have an exceptionally rare Illustrated volume from the very roots of the House of Vuitton itself.
Le Voyage is an Illustrated history of travel, from early time though to the late 1890's,
the first book of its kind Vuitton produced, intended for clients and friends of the company.
This is a 1st edition volume published in 1894, inside is a dedication signed by George Vuitton,
the son of Louis Vuitton and designer of the LV monogram.
It was Georges Vuitton who created the iconic LV Monogram and Quatrefoil,
he promoted the company globally and it was his innovative thinking that
ensured the label became a pioneer in design as he propelled the the Vuitton brand to new heights.
The LV monogram developed by Georges Vuitton is at the brands core today,
it is his Monogram and Quatrefoil design are the driving force behind consumer purchases,
along with Vuitton being the most valuable brand in the fashion industry.
This volume is exceptionally rare, it is virtually impossible to purchase a signature by any of the Vuitton
Family and in this case it is inscribed on a book of historical interest in its own right.
As a 1st edition and having been possessed by Georges Vuitton himself,
it would be safe to assume that this copy was one of the 1st volumes in the entire 1st edition run.
Forty exquisite woodblock prints and two portrait etchings of Louis Vuitton and Georges Vuitton,
Le Voyage was printed in 1894 and 1901,
it was never translated in to other languages and so the entire text is in French.
The preface is written by Emile Gauthier, he was an illustrious journalist of the time with the Figaro newspaper in Paris.
• 1821 Louis Vuitton was born
• 1854 he opened his first store in Paris manufacturing trunks.
• 1870 Georges Vuitton, Louis Vuitton's son joined the family business
It was Georges who spearheaded the development of the company internationally
and so Louis Vuitton opened boutiques in first London and then New York.
This international expansion brought forward a problem which the Vuittons had not had before, counterfeiting,
• 1888 the first Damier type print was registered exclusively for the house
but the counterfeiting continued.
• 1892 Louis Vuitton died and Georges inherited the company.
• 1894 Georges Vuitton produced the volume Le Voyage a history of travel.
• 1896 to deal with the counterfeiting problem, George Vuitton developed what is recognized today
as the first designer logo on a product, the LV monogram print.
Georges Vuitton is also credited with developing Vuitton's unique five-combination lock and creating a new resistant material,
waterproof and lightweight gray canvas that perfectly replicated leather.
This canvas later gave birth to a new line of soft luggage which was easily transportable,
came in various sizes and was adapted to all types of travel.
The dedication loosely translated reads:
"My friend Georges Foulot, with fond memories of the lantern, G Vuitton".
The old style of book binding is achieved by folding a large pages into 4 or 6
which the reader would cut open with a paper knife.
This volume has been approximately half read and the remainder is still uncut.
The condition is good overall with firmness and strength in the bindings and pages,
the print is clear and strong.
Overall appearance is consistent with the age of a 118 year old book with foxing, some curling,
the paper has yellowed and the cover has slightly faded.
This is an incredibly rare item, it was brought to the UK from Paris France and is suitable for Museum exhibition.
Please contact for any queries or additional pictures.
