Understanding vintage items
Most of the Louis Vuitton products we sell are from the 80s and 90s. Just as charm increases with the progress of time, we would like to introduce you to some wonderful points relating to vintage products.
The French Company USA
From the middle of the 1970s until around the middle of the 1990s, The French Company's products were only licensed to be made and sold in North Amercia, and were sold with completely different designs and parts. There were no date codes, and the zippers were made by TALON, ECLAIR or C&C, with the Speedy and Keepall using a tucky, tuck lock system. They were also not made with tan leather, but rather with leather that had been coated. Because the design and parts were made using different, non-standard, parts many of the products today are considered counterfeits.
Keepall 45 The French Company USA
Bucket PM The French Company USA
Keepall or Sac Souple (Single & Double zipper model)
Both the Keepall and Sac Souple have single and double zipper models. From the beginning of the 1980s, there were only Single zipper models, and many people who are unaware of this often mistake them for imitations. The Single zipper model allows a lock to be passed through the zipper tab and an attachment on the side of the bag. The Double zipper model allows a lock to be passed through the two zipper-pulls and a hole in the leather zipper tab. The zippers on the Single zipper model are produced by ECLAIR.
Keepall 55 (Double zipper model)
Keepall 55 (Single zipper model)
Sac Souple 55 (Double zipper model)
Sac Souple 55 (Single zipper model)
Malletier imprint
As a general rule, where the "Made in France" mark would normally be found the name MALLETIER can often be found in its place. You often find it printed on Keepall, Noe, Petit Noe, Speedy, Saumur etc. In this case the majority of serial numbers will either be FC or FH etc... and will be made at American factories. If you compare various parts on the "Made in France" and MALLETIER products you may notice small differences in shape, but otherwise it will be difficult to tell them apart. Unfortunately, many products are mistaken for fakes if they do not have the "Made in France" imprint.
Keepall 50 Malletier
Noe Malletier
Vintage Lock
Among vintage collectors the dial lock is very popular. There is no need to worry about missing keys, as is common with the currently used key lock. As there are now very few of these dial locks in existence they are considered rare.
Dial Type Lock
Spring Street's change to gold.
This was a silver "Spring Street", that changed into a lovely gold color over time. From the beginning there have never been any gold "Spring Streets" produced. As you may be aware, Vernis Silver is a patent leather, which has the tendency to change color over the years. It is very rare to find an example of one like that below, which shows uniform discoloration, and for this reason is likely to fetch a high price.
Spring Street (Vernis Silver)
3 generations of the monogramed Papillon
Typically the monogram Papillon (26 and 30) has 3 generations of models, with a slightly different finish. On the photographs below you will see the tan leather model and both the earlier and later tanned leather models. Before the now standard tan leather model, brown leather was used, with the earlier version having a slight reddish tinge. Compared to the later version the handle leather was slightly narrower and the leather was also marginally thicker. Many products of this model use ECLAIR zippers. The later model uses the standard brown colored leather, and the embossing on the leather is clearly visible. On the tan leather model the all leather has been changed.
Papillon 26 (Tan leather model)
Papillon 26 (Later model)
Papillon 26 (Earlier model)
The Sharon Stone designed Vanity Bag
The vanity bag, Amfar Three, designed by Sharon Stone has also become a vintage item with the passing of time. The strap attachments have been designed not to tear and with its superior design it is able to hold a lot. Sharon Stone’s signature has been stamped onto the leather patch located inside the bag. It is now very rare to find an Amfar Three in good condition.
Sharon Stone Amfar Three
Stephen Sprouse designed Monogramed Graffiti
The graffiti idea started when Marc Jacobs saw a scribbled on monogram trunk, at his friend’s house, actress Charlotte Gainsbourg. He drew inspiration from that and later asked his friend, Stephen Sprouse, if he would come up with a design, which is said to be the beginning of the monogramed graffiti line. Unfortunately, Stephen Sprouse died on March 3rd, 2004 after suffering heart failure due to the complications of lung cancer (Aged 50). Even after his death, as homage to his friend, Marc Jacobs has developed many different designs. Even now the graffiti design can fetch high prices.
Speedy 30 (Monogram Graffiti)
Takashi Murakami's Monogram Multicolor
The Monogram Multicolor, the collaboration of Marc Jacobs and the contemporary artist Murakami Takashi, first made its appearance in the Spring Summer Collection of 2003. Louis Vuitton's standard models: Speedy, Keepall, Trouville, Alma etc... were all produced in the monogram multicolor style. After a dozen years in production the line was discontinued in July of 2015. Currently, besides the Monogram Multicolor, Takashi Murakami has produced various designs that feature unique, colorful characters.
Keepall 45 (Monogram Multicolor)
Papillon 30 (Pink Monogram Cherry Takashi Murakami 2003 Ltd Edition)
Yayoi Kusama's Polka Dot Design
Kusama, who chose to express her outlook on life through polka dots, teamed up with Marc Jacobs to produce a collection in 2012. As the number of items produced is very few they tend to fetch a high price.
Zippy Wallet (Monogram Pumpkin Dot)
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