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The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Global Airline Luggage Labels Special Collection
SDASM.SC.10003
SDASM.SC.10003
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Title: Airline Luggage Label Special Collection
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10003
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
1.2 Cubic feet
3 binders
Date (inclusive): 1920-1960
Abstract: This collection contains luggage labels from a variety of global airlines. The majority of the labels date from before World
War II.
Interesting design and oftentimes colorful airline labels were in abundance in the golden age of air travel, and their function
extended to displaying and conveying the glamour of air travel. It also highlighted those who could partake in the as yet
exclusive lifestyle of traveling by air. The labels themselves, small “works of art,” also doubled as airline advertisement,
and the popularity of these labels were at a peak in the 1920s up to WWII. After WWII, traveling by air became much more economical,
and the appeal and glamour of air travel all but disappeared. For example, in Britain during the war, most airlines became
part of the military, when the focus on colorful labels also disappeared. As airlines and routes developed, the use of labels/tags
became more utilitarian and focused on tracking and identification. Today, collecting labels is a hobby that started in the
1930s.
Conditions Governing Access note
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Acquired by museum before 1978 fire; original donor name lost.
This series contains various airline luggage labels and related stickers and baggage tags from international locations, including:
North and South America, Australia, Asia and Europe.
[Item], [Collection], Archives, San Diego Air & Space Museum
Related Archival Materials note
Airline Special Collection
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Deutsche Lufthansa (1593-).
KLM (Airline).
Pan American Airways Corporation.
Concorde (Jet transports)
Graf Zeppelin (Airship)