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.

1.2 Cubic feet 3 binders

Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.

The collection is open to researchers by appointment.