Found an 1800s Goyard Aîné trunk with some cool Chicago history (Mrs. Wirt Dexter) USA
Hey everyone, I recently picked up this antique Goyard and I’m trying to piece together exactly what I have here.
The label inside is for Goyard Aîné at the 233 Rue Saint-Honoré address. It also mentions the "Ancienne Maison Morel," which I believe dates this to the period after François Goyard took over but before the branding was simplified. The hardware has a fair amount of oxidation but it feels very solid.
The Provenance:
This is the part that fascinates me. There is a shipping tag for a Mrs. Wirt Dexter. After some digging, it turns out she was Josephine Moore Dexter, a major figure in 19th-century Chicago society. Her husband, Wirt Dexter, was a massive deal—a legendary lawyer and President of the Chicago Bar Association. They lived on Prairie Avenue back when that was the spot for the city’s elite. Given she lived in Boston and Switzerland later in life, this trunk has definitely seen some miles.
A few questions for the experts:
• Serial Number: I’ve looked around the lock and the label but can't find a stamp. Does anyone know if Goyard hid serial numbers in specific spots during the mid-to-late 1800s?
• To restore or not? I’m torn. The "Mrs. Wirt Dexter" tag and the overall travel-worn look feel like they add to the story. Would a full restoration kill the value for a piece with this much specific history?
• The Key: I actually have the key which is usually the first thing to go missing.
I've attached a few more photos of the exterior and the handwritten markings I found. Any insight on the specific year or the best way to preserve this would be amazing. Thanks!