There is a character in Billy Wilder’s movie Avanti!, Carlo Carlucci (played by Clive Revill), the manager of the hotel where the main action takes place. Carlucci is my favourite character in the film, although Jack Lemmon stars too, who portrays the perfect hotel manager, the man who sees, hears and knows everything: his customers’ secretes, love stories, intrigues. But every bit of information is safe with him, because he does everything with the hotel’s guests’ best interest in mind.
After reading Francisca Mattéoli’s Escape Hotel Stories: Retreat and Refuge in Nature, I couldn’t resist ordering another one of her books: World Tour: Vintage Hotel Labels from the Collection of Gaston-Louis Vuitton
It’s interesting to read a brief history of hotel labels and their important role in the world of travel in the first half of the 20th century. For example, did you know that they served a more discrete function too, enabling hotel stuff to pass coded messages and information about the owner of the luggage – especially regarding his or her propensity to leave tips? I like these insight tips.
The black and white photos of legendary hotels, of towns and exotic places, and the copies of vintage postcards attached to the book’s pages complete the image of the world of travel, as it once was. You yourself are a globetrotter adventurer who takes a trip back in time to the Golden Age of Travel and crosses paths with the great travel writers, painters, artists, authors, society people, fashionable ladies and aristocrats at the luxury hotels worldwide.
photos: by me, from the book World Tour: Vintage Hotel Labels from the Collection of Gaston-Louis Vuitton
I love Carlucci too! Avanti is one of my all-time favourite films; I have seen it so many times. This connection you have created, that is, between Avanti and Mattéoli’s book makes me more eager to get it. It looks like a good one!
Love the hotel labels tip ; – )
I’m just curious about the postcards. Is something written on the back of them or are they purely for decoration?
Lisa, on the back of the postcards it’s written the destination, year and copyright, with stamp frame and all. Just like the real thing.
Hey, Ada, this reminds me again about the book The Sun Also Rises because the characters are staying in a hotel in Pamplona and the manager is becoming the friend of Jake and knows everything about the amorous details of Lady Ashley. I think I need this book, Ada, you are always giving us great recommendations. And how lovely that you took the pictures in the grass :P. Kisses
That old photo of Venice is just so three dimensional and dreamy. You can’t get that kind of photo without the old film. Maybe the digital cameras are missing something now that I see how clear and crystal the people are in it.
Digital cameras are missing many things, Jody. The more I look at old photos, the more i realize this.
It looks like a beautiful book Ada and I love how you tied it in with Avanti!
p.s. I’m emailing you right now
xo Mary Jo
wow, that book looks like so much fun! i love the postcards and just the printing on the sides of the pages has me intrigued. thanks for another fabulous recommendation. i think this would make a really great gift (for myself . . . and someone else of course!).
That book looks like a perfect hostess gift. I like it and the photographs a enough a conversation starter.
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