LUGGAGE THAT RYANAIR WOULDN’T APPROVE OF | A 19TH CENTURY CARRY-ON BY J. W. ALLEN
J.W. Allen, established in London in 1798, was a distinguished manufacturer of trunks and military outfitting equipment. Operating primarily from various locations on the Strand, notably 22 and 37 Strand, the company earned a reputation for producing high-quality campaign furniture and travel goods. Their product range included portmanteaus, trunks, and leather traveling bags, as well as barrack furniture such as portable armchairs, washbasins, and beds. Allen’s commitment to excellence was recognized through prize medals and the prestigious appointment as Military Outfitters to the Prince of Wales. The company remained active until its last known listing in the London Trade Directories in 1913.
Lot 46 in this week’s Interiors Auction features a 19th-century campaign trunk by J.W. Allen. This interesting piece showcases a woven wicker framework clad in leather and rigid fiber paneling. The cloth-lined interior is fitted with a lid satchel bearing a tooled leather crest that reads: “By Appointment, Allen, 37 Strand, London, Prize Medals Awarded for General Excellence.” Measuring 60 x 70 x 54 cm, this trunk exemplifies the superior craftsmanship and design that made J.W. Allen a renowned name in travel goods and military outfitting.
This auction presents a unique opportunity to own a piece of history from one of London’s most esteemed trunk makers.
Ross Ó Súilleabháin | Associate Director & Head of Sales
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