Luggage labels were used quite frequently during the period of 1900 to 1950. They served two main functions, which were to display the places a traveler had visited and for advertising purposes. Airlines and hotels began printing luggage labels and giving them to their guests. This turned into a very popular trend that gave travelers a sense of pride and gave hoteliers as well as airlines a great vehicle for advertising. There are many types of luggage labels available, including vintage labels, retro labels, and others.
During the 1950s, many travelers used hard-shell suitcases and would decorate them with luggage labels from their travels. The luggage labels became a collection hobby for people along their journeys to document their travels. Each luggage label would represent a travel adventure. The idea began with the airlines and spread to the hotel industry as a form of advertisement. This was a great way to let the world know about an airline or hotel.
Vintage luggage labels are considered collectible items and draw a large following of collectors. The nostalgic look of the vintage travel bags from the early 1900s can be considered remnants of an era where many airlines and hotels experienced the height of business. This was a time when the images of glamorous vacations and the fun and fancy-free life were commonly seen in magazines and on billboards.
Retro labels and other types of luggage stickers can come in art deco designs and also have a unique set of collectors. This type of label is self-adhesive and includes destinations from around the world. They represent an era of time when traveling gained in popularity, but they have a new look that is different from the original labels from the 1950s. Overall, the retro labels can add a bit of flair to most luggage sets, although the adhesive works best on harder surfaces.
Today, many travelers place importance on the types of luggage and luggage labels they use. There are many different types that now can be used on luggage accessories as well. Some may be signatures of particular brands of luggage, or others are meant to be fun and stylish. Using luggage labels can personalize bags or even distinguish belongings apart from others, making them easily visible at the baggage claim after travel. There are functional labels that serve specific purposes as well as funky and stylish labels to make a fashion statement.