Luggage owned by a singing star held hostage by Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad members during a notorious hijacking is for sale.
The two pieces of Louis Vuitton luggage were owned by the legendary Greek singer Demis Roussos and his wife Pamela.
They are rare survivors of the 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847.
It was one of the most notorious airline terrorist attacks of the late 20th century.
The Boeing 727 was seized shortly after departing Athens for Rome.
The aircraft was forced to shuttle between Beirut and Algiers during a 17-day ordeal that gripped international headlines.
Among the passengers was the famous Greek musician Demis Roussos, who sold more than 60 million records worldwide over the course of his career, as reported by Need To Know.
He first achieved international success with the band Aphrodite’s Child before establishing himself as a solo artist with hits including Forever and Ever and Goodbye My Love Goodbye.
His distinctive voice and stage presence made him a household name.
Roussos, who turned 40 during the hijacking, was held alongside his wife Pamela Roussos for five days before being released along with other Greek nationals.
Demis died in 2015 but after the hijacking ordeal he recalled how the hostages recognised him immediately and asked him to sing during the time he was held.
The wider crisis continued for a further 12 days following Roussos’ release, tragically resulting in the murder of US Navy diver Robert Stethem.
Remarkably, the Louis Vuitton luggage Roussos had purchased in Paris as gifts for his wife Pamela, remained intact.
They were eventually recovered and later restored at Louis Vuitton in Paris in the 1990s and have since been kept carefully packed away by Pamela at the family home.
The first is a Louis Vuitton vanity case dating from the 1980s.
Crafted in the house’s signature monogram coated canvas with brown leather trim and brass hardware, it retains its internal fittings, including adjustable bottle holders, a removable mirror-lined compartment and central partition.
The case is monogrammed with the initials PR for Pamela Roussos.
It is priced at £1,800.
Accompanying it is a Louis Vuitton Monogram Alzer 80 suitcase, also from the 1980s.
Known for its structured form and reinforced brass corners, the Alzer was designed for long-haul travel and remains in production today, with contemporary examples retailing at £10,800.
This piece, complete with its interior tray and straps, has an estimate of £1,200.
“Demis chose the Louis Vuitton cases in Paris as a gift for me and they were always a pleasure to travel with,” Pamela said.
“They were beautifully made and incredibly practical, even after everything they went through, they remained remarkably intact.”
Expert, Jess Mackenzie, added: “Interest in Louis Vuitton luggage remains exceptionally strong.
“Collectors are particularly drawn to vintage and rare examples, which are admired for their quality, technical ingenuity and historic craftsmanship.
“These items are valued not only as luxury travel accessories but also as artefacts that reflect Louis Vuitton’s heritage.
“Celebrity provenance can add significant value and pieces such as these, linked to major cultural figures such as one of Greece’s most recognisable musical icons, or connected to defining historical moments such as the hijacking, are especially sought after.”
The luggage is being auctioned by Elmwood’s in London on 23 April.
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