Vintage Luggage Labels

Luggage has always had to be distinguishable from the luggage of other travelers. Modern travelers have many choices when it comes to their luggage, and though many modern travelers choose the ubiquitous small black rolling bag, many others make their luggage an extension of their identities. They can do this through picking unique styles, materials, colors or shapes. Going further back in time and travel history, when travelers used steamer trunks predominantly, many tourists chose to individualize their luggage through the liberal use of luggage labels. Many of these labels were issued individually from the globes premiere hotels, ships and trains (and later, airlines).

Luggage labels were initially used to identify passengers as belonging to the group taking a certain train or staying at a particular hotel. They were used to ease the work of those porters and bell hops who needed make sure the luggage got to and stayed at the proper destination. However, they later became badges of honor. The traveling class would proudly display the luggage labels as emblems of their leisurely lives. The luggage labels marked them as proud members of a higher social stratum. Luggage...