MOYNAT Book Édition Limitée

My book arrived today! I am such a sucker for all things limited, so when I found out that Bernard Chauveau has an Édition Limitée book about Moynat, I knew I would move heaven and earth to acquire one.  I called them using my elementary French and was so happy to know that they still had three copies left. Limited to only 39 print editions (mine is number 21) the book is encased in a "coffret" designed like the limousine trunks that Moynat is known for. They also make a regular print version which is available in a handful of Parisian bookstores.

Below is the description from Bernard Chauveau:

Moynat : la réussite d'une audacieuse

"Have you ever heard of Moynat? Yes, undoubtedly but your recollection is vague. And why is that? In the universe of chic luggage, the brand has been sleeping for the past forty years. So why would somebody want to wake it up now and how can that be achieved?

After consulting/ perusing the archives, the answer is obvious. The story of this leather luggage-maker begins with the growth of the transportation sector in the middle of the 19th century. Its creations accompanied the lives of refined people from their first journeys through Europe to the early days of the automotive industry that required tailor-made luggage. Moynat also shone in every universal exhibition, notably the Arts Déco exhibition in 1925 in Paris.
A woman embodied the French brand -which was named after her- and achieved its high level recognition: Pauline Moynat. Although she could have remained a little girl from France’s Provinces moving to Paris to find a fortune, she succeeded in moving with the times as she kept up with the French capital, completely transformed by the bold Baron Haussmann. She understood the expectations of a clientele who demanded that creativity and novelty go hand in hand with durability and know-how.
Moynat’s luggage have seen the start of two centuries: from the first wicker trunks also called “English trunks” («Malles anglaises»), the steamer trunks, the trunks tailor-made and adapted to each automobile, the tea and picnic sets, etc… And let’s not forget the ladies’ bags that Pauline introduced to the universe of trunk-makers for the first time. Newspapers of the day extolled the virtues of the brand’s luggage: “they are the most beautiful”.
Moynat remains loyal to its heritage in two ways: the new store has opened its doors on 348, rue Saint-Honoré (Paris) not far from the original store and the brand has drawn on its rich heritage to perpetuate timeless design suitcases and bags. The sophistication of the materials and the refinement of the finishing are inherited from the past but the colours are definitely today’s. A new invitation to travel is launched with this exceptional book."

Michèle Lécluse

WHERE TO FIND THE BOOK IN PARIS ?
- Colette;
- Artcurial Bookshop;
- Bon Marché Bookshop;
- 7L Bookshop;
- Galignani Bookshop.

Standard Edition
Bound, enhanced a small piece of / 100 colour illustrations
Size: 40 x 27 cm / 176 pages
Publication date: December 2011
ISBN: 9782363060204
75EUR

Limited Edition
Book shown in a deluxe box remembering the form of a famous trunk Moynat
Size: 50 x 35 cm
Print run: 39 copies
Publication date: December 2011
200EUR