So you own a Louis Vuitton handbag. Of course it's one of the best designer bags to own. Of course it's a statement of sophistication. Of course it's instantly recognizable. But do you realize that you also own a piece of history?

Louis Vuitton was born August 4, 1821 in Anchay, Jura, France. This was the age that people were beginning to travel on ships and trains and then the automobile was invented. Louis Vuitton capitalized on that and began designing and manufacturing luggage. But, it couldn't be just any kind of luggage. It had to be durable and it had to make a statment since most of the people traveling at that time were people of means. He first invented two items - a large, flat case and a ?steamer? bag. Later, he added a third piece called a Keepall - which was a great grandfather to what we know of today as an overnight bag.

Louis Vuitton opened his first consumer outlet in Paris in 1854, at the age of thirty-three. Thirty one years later, at the age of sixty four, he opened his second store in London. Fast forward to the year 1977, 92 years after his London store opened, those two stores alone had annual sales of around $10 million dollars. Imagine that kind of revenue from only two stores! They began expanding their stores, and by 1989, there were more than 130 stores worldwide, most notably in Bejiing, Morocco, India, Russia and South America. From the original 3 items designed and produced, the Louis Vuitton luggage line now designs and manufactures everything from garment carriers, travel trunks, flight bags, and laptop cases to the more eccentric lines of dog carriers, hat boxes (yes there still is such a thing), jewelry cases, golf bags and even diaper bags.

But Louis Vuitton is also a handbag designer. In 1896, 4 years after his death, Louis? son, George, created the first monogrammed handbag. Some of the more notable ones are:

?The Noe - a drawstring bag with a square base. It was able to carry 4 champagne bottles! (deja vu since LV merged with Moet Hennessy in 1967)

?The Speedy - similar to the Keepall, only a handbag

?The Elipse - an oyster shell-shaped bag with grab handles

?The Papillon - a barrel bag with shoulder straps

?The Cherry Blossom print - a limited edition (if you have one, keep it!)

?The Theda - another limited edition. A slouch bag with drawstring sides and a large buckle

?The Neverfull - a large beach bag style available in 3 sizes

?That's Love - a canvas rectangular tote bag with the word LOVE written on the front. the L and V entwine to make the Louis Vuitton monogram

Today, the Louis Vuitton dynasty has branched out into pens and scrapbooks. In 2001, the jewelry line was launched and in 2002, the Tambour watch collection was launched.

So, the next time you grab your LV leather handbag out of its sleeper, remember that you own a piece of history and treasure it as such!

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