I always love a good find, especially when it’s me doing the finding. Not the case for this story, but a good one none the less.

Recently, the California auction house, Harvey Clars, reported the sale of a vintage trunk made by Fracois Goyard recently sold for $5,629. This was against a pre-sale estimate of $1,500 – $2,500.

Ok so that’s not so special. Seems these days more than ever auction houses and getting a premium for a vast array of things consigned to them.

The great part of the story was how the trunk was acquired.

The consignors bought the trunk years ago at a yard sale for $20.  It was sold to them as just that; a charming old trunk – nothing more, nothing less.

It wasn’t until they were downsizing did they decide to sell it off and they chose Clars as the auction house to find a buyer.

The decorative arts specialist at Harvey Clars thought the trunk might be special, and quickly saw the period piece to be more than just nice luggage.  The latches were signed Goyard Aine, Monte Carlo, Biarritz Paris.  Also, the initials GNF, SF, No 4 were painted on the outside.

Francois Goyard was a luxury luggage maker in France at the turn of the century.  The trunk also offered travel decals from places such as France, Italy and England.

The hammer price is a new record for a trunk of this style by Goyard.

Did I mention I acquired 2 Louis Vuitton trunks recently?  Ok I didn’t – but a picker friend of mine did. A large trunk and a small makeup case.   He sold them to me, and I was thrilled to acquire them.  Truth be told, the large trunk weighs almost as much as I do, so I probably won’t keep it – but you can bet my makeup has never traveled in a fancier manner!

Happy Hunting!

Reyne