LV Billiard Balls.

[Ruperman]

Good afternoon.

I am writing in the sincere hope somebody might possibly be able to help fulfil a year-long quest, please?

Ever since Louis Vuitton launched its beautiful Billiard Trunk in May 2018, I have desperately sought to acquire a set of the accompanying LV monogrammed pool balls.

Over the past forty years I have gathered together the rarest and most desirable billiard balls from around the world, all now proudly displayed at my Billiard Ball Museum where their historical provenance can be recorded and preserved for future generations.

I initially reached out to a contact at the firm who manufactured the LV monogrammed balls (Aramith of Belgium) and she informed me that my only chance would be to write to Louis Vuitton directly. Alas, as yet, to no avail.

If anyone could somehow help me secure a set I would be deeply grateful.

Thank you so much.

Rupert.

 

[the_black_tie_diyer]

Hi Rupert,

The 2018 press release is pretty specific about that: "The unique pool balls will be sold exclusively with the limited‐edition Billiard Trunk, in Louis Vuitton stores worldwide."

http://www.saluc.com/press-release/Aramith-Vuitton.pdf

Now I do understand peoples passions for specific topics, and I understand you would want to add these to your museum and it's already extensive? collection. Is it open to the public/ non-profit? Website? (Quick google search didn't come up with results.)

May I ask how you contacted Louis Vuitton? Did you write to France, highlighting the purpose/nature of your request including some sort of provenance? (That is what I would do.)

Hope this helps.

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Ruperman]

Hello, Oliver.

Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to reply, sir. It is sincerely appreciated.

The billiard ball collection is indeed quite extensive, dear fellow; currently featuring over two-hundred and fifty sets considered to be the rarest and most desirable to enthusiasts of a similar interest. Some examples are valued well into four figures... not too impressive a figure by Louis Vuitton standards, of course, but still moderately surprising to many folks.

The Billiard Ball Museum is a fledgling enterprise borne of shared passions from several dedicated collectors on either side of the Atlantic. Pool balls are obviously made to be used so much of their precious history is inevitably lost; many rare and interesting sets have sadly gone forever. We hope to save at least one of each example to record its provenance for future generations.

I live in the United Kingdom, but the museum will soon be based permanently in Texas, United States. In the meantime, sir, I’d love to share a few images of our website which is currently under construction. Can one post photographs on this forum?

To answer your questions, Mr O: I first contacted Louis Vuitton via their European website, but also visited a New York outlet whilst on vacation. Alas, I haven’t received a reply as yet and the 5th Avenue store didn’t seem aware of the product at all.

I must confess to total ignorance of LV’s customary sales and marketing policy for product launches of this type. I’m way out of my comfort zone. Naively perhaps, I was hoping that (as the beautiful billiard trunk itself is clearly the star) it might be possible to acquire the accompanying ball set made by Aramith at an affordable price for our museum. There must be some spare prototype sets around somewhere.

Thank you so much once more for your help and advice, dear chap.

Rupert.

 

[the_black_tie_diyer]

Hello Rupert,

Thank you very much for the in-depth explanation! Sounds like a wonderful project to me!

You can upload images directly to a thread, by clicking "Upload a File" on the down right corner of the message editor.



This feature will become available to you, after a couple of posts. Once you advance from "New Member" to "Member".

In the meantime, feel free to use any image hosting service. I like to use picr.de (Although it is in German, it should be pretty self explanatory.)

What I would suggest is, that you write a letter to Louis Vuitton HQ in France. Namely, to Michael Burke.

https://www.lvmh.fr/groupe/identite/gouvernance/comite-executif/michael-burke/

Use this address:

M. Michael Burke -personal-
LVMH Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton
22, avenue Montaigne
75008 PARIS
France

Basically write him, what you wrote to me in response to my first reply. Maybe include a picture or two.

I think out of all possible scenarios, this will be your best chance to get a set of LV billiard balls to present and preserve in your museum!

Speaking of the boutiques: The sales assistants/ client advisors (should) have a folder on hand with many of the trunks and possible customizations thereof listed. You can make an appointment to outline/plan and order your bespoke trunk. I've never seen that billiard trunk in any boutique on display so far, (not saying it's not possible to stumble over it somewhere) and sadly, thinking they would have a spare set of billiard balls laying around in one of them is far off.

This is really something you need to establish personal contact with someone in management for. And maybe they are as intrigued as I am thinking of a billiard ball museum.

By the way, I think it's a great idea to preserve such a collection for future generations. Too much knowledge in all fields of expertise has already vanished.

I wish you the best of luck for obtaining those LV billiard balls!

Kind regards,
Oliver

 

[Ruperman]

Hello again, Oliver.

Thank you so much for such valuable information, advice and kind words. It really is all sincerely appreciated, sir. Rest assured that I shall be penning a polite enquiry to Mr Burke first thing tomorrow morning.

Also, dear fellow, upon returning home this evening I will endeavour to post up a few images from our collection for your interest.

Many thanks again, Oliver. Here’s wishing you a splendid evening.

Rupert.

 

[Ruperman]

 

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[Ruperman]

 

[Ruperman]

Good morning, Oliver.

Please see the half dozen or so images above as promised, sir.

The pictures represent a random selection of a few favourite pool ball sets from my own personal collection. What you see are actually copies of A5 information cards that sit beside items on display. As I mentioned earlier, dear chap, I'm merely one from a small band of fellow collectors who will be donating our respective treasures to the Billiard Ball Museum, hence the discreet "Ashford Collection" credit featured underneath the main photograph.

I thought you might be interested to see that last set, the Raschig Nine Ball Turniersatz, as it shares a rather unwelcome connection to Louis Vuitton's fabulous products... namely the deplorable counterfeits designed to deceive and defraud an untrained eye.

Best wishes,
Rupert.

 

[the_black_tie_diyer]

Good morning Rupert,

thank you so much for the pictures, this is amazing - I had no idea.

I hadn't heard of Raschig before, being German that is actually quite funny - and underlines the importance of preserving all this incredible knowledge - and beauty of those billiard balls presented.

The card balls are pretty much my favorite from the selection you posted, followed by those for the camel 8 ball. The Raschig Rings are also pretty intriguing!

Sadly my only experience with billiard is from "playing" as a teen with some friends. Nothing serious, just on those pay-per-game tables with a loaner queue ....

Thank you for sharing those with us on tPF!!

I really hope LV finds this as catchy and important as I do, and will provide you with a set of billiard balls!

All the best to you!

Kind regards,
Oliver