Study for a Luggage Label, Orient Line
Februrary 25, 1935
Medium
graphic design
Classification
graphic design
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer
Accession Number
1963-39-560
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Study for a Luggage Label, Orient Line** *E. McKnight Kauffer, American, 18901954, February , 1935* Created by the innovative American graphic designer E.Knight Kauffer, this study for a luggage label captures the glamour of 1930s transoceanic travel. Kauffer, known for blending fine art with commercial design, crafted this piece on February 25, 1935, during a golden age of luxury liners when companies like the Orient Line promoted voyages to exotic destinations such as Australia and the Far East. Luggage labels were more than functional tags—they were collectible souvenirs and bold advertisements, often featuring striking graphics to evoke adventure and prestige. As a work in gouache or similar media typical of graphic studies, it exemplifies Kauffer's modernist approach, emphasizing clean lines, vibrant colors, and symbolic imagery to convey speed and elegance. Donated to the Smithsonian American Art Museum by Mrs. E. McKnight Kauffer, this artifact highlights the era's fusion of art and commerce, showcasing how designers elevated everyday branding into cultural icons. Though research continues, it offers a window into the visual language of pre-war travel posters that influenced modern advertising. (178 words)