Travel agents attended the unveiling of a new Cunard archive exhibition at the University of Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery & Museum.
Titled ‘Travel in Style – Iconic Cunard Advertising in the 1920s and 1930s’, the display covers the line’s seafaring heritage.
The exhibition, which opens to the public tomorrow (Saturday), features original marketing material and other documents from the past 100 years.
The wider Cunard archives are housed at the University of Liverpool library and contain most of the surviving business records produced since it became a limited company in 1878. Many of the records date from the early part of the 1900s.
Sian Wilks, archivist at the University of Liverpool library, said: “As a unique resource, the archive provides rich insight into the company’s history and the social history of thousands of people whose lives Cunard impacted, including members of its crew, office staff and passengers.
“The exhibition will give visitors to Liverpool the opportunity to view a selection of original Cunard travel posters that are not normally accessible due to their large size and preservation requirements.
“Printed advertisements and ephemera will also be on display, which will include examples of memorabilia that have been donated by members of the public, reflecting their personal experiences of travelling with Cunard.”
Cunard brand and product vice president Lee Powell said: “Cunard is world-renowned for inventing the golden era of ocean travel and this exhibition beautifully showcases the timelessness of our brand.
“Luxury, sophistication, and glamour are rooted in our DNA and these core values are as important to today’s guests as they were to travellers 100 years ago.
“Whilst we cherish our heritage, we also use it as inspiration for forward-looking ideas when we plan for the future.
“[New ship] Queen Anne is the next in a fine line for Cunard and she will be bursting with breath-taking moments around every corner; all of which contain subtle references to our history.”