“Show me your luggage and I’ll tell you who you are”
August 24, 2017 4:40 AM   Subscribe

The lost art of hotel luggage labels: a blog post featuring a selection of vintage luggage labels from graphic designer Tom Schifanella's extensive on-line collection 'Art of the Luggage Label' (flickr).

An interview with Mr. Schifanella giving some background to his collection.

Vintage Luggage Labels: The Art of the Suitcase - a short article at abebooks by Richard Davies.

A book on the subject.

Previously at MeFi.
posted by misteraitch (9 comments total) 14 users marked this as a favorite
 
I've wondered so many times why luggage labels haven't made a big comeback. You've got shops all over the airports selling small souvenir-type items that identify a city or state, as well as every gift shop at every tourist attraction selling branded souvenirs. And then you've got all the people tying ribbons or belts on their luggage to personalize and help identify it. It seems like a great business - nice luggage stickers that would be so easy for the shops to stock and sell, and so useful for people, as well as satisfying the need for a souvenir. I don't understand why nobody's done it yet.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 5:27 AM on August 24, 2017 [1 favorite]


I've wondered so many times why luggage labels haven't made a big comeback.

Perhaps hotels got tired of dealing with annoyed customers complaining somebody's slapping goddamn promotional stickers on their nice luggage?
posted by Dr Dracator at 5:38 AM on August 24, 2017 [1 favorite]


I've wondered so many times why luggage labels haven't made a big comeback.
1) Ye Olde Timey luggage had stiff, flat walls that accepted labels well and displayed them to advantage;
2) Ye Olde Timey travellers often checked their luggage with hotel staff, who were apparently the ones that attached the labels;
3) Consequently, modern travellers had no habit of affixing labels themselves or any real place to put them.

I agree that it's a nice idea, though.
posted by Joe in Australia at 5:47 AM on August 24, 2017 [3 favorites]


My guess is it's partly because hotels will never give away something they can make people pay for, and mostly because even hotel owners know that ubiquity through corporate merger has sapped any potential for romance or novelty out of stickers touting the same Marriott hotel in over 500 different cities, multiplied by the multitude of sub-brands like the JW Marriott, Courtyard Marriott, Springhill Suites Marriott, Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott...
posted by ardgedee at 5:55 AM on August 24, 2017 [2 favorites]


I've wondered so many times why luggage labels haven't made a big comeback.

Similarly, I very rarely see bumper stickers on cars anymore.

I can remember my grandparents' suitcases being covered in stickers, thought (at least in my hazy memory) not the beautiful stickers highlighted in the FPP. But at one point it was a more common thing by cruises and tour companies, as well as hotels. I assume there was sort of a status thing to it (like those people who leave their ski pass hanging on their jacket for weeks after) that let people know you traveled a lot?
posted by Dip Flash at 6:03 AM on August 24, 2017


One more link: João-Manuel Mimoso's pages on hotel luggage labels.
posted by misteraitch at 6:05 AM on August 24, 2017


These are amazing! So many interesting fonts, as well.
posted by Azara at 7:08 AM on August 24, 2017


corporate merger has sapped any potential for romance or novelty out of stickers touting the same Marriott hotel in over 500 different cities, multiplied by the multitude of sub-brands like the JW Marriott, Courtyard Marriott, Springhill Suites Marriott, Fairfield Inn & Suites Marriott

Steve Marriott
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 7:19 AM on August 24, 2017


I've wondered so many times why luggage labels haven't made a big comeback.

From one of the links

"Labels fell from favour as soft luggage started to replace rigid suitcases, and as the grand independent hotels were bought up by chains with centralized marketing departments."
posted by freakazoid at 7:47 AM on August 24, 2017 [2 favorites]


« Older Because you should dance in the living room   |   Stone sky Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments