The Thomas Cook Collection

Thomas Cook uniform cap, 1950s.

This beautiful painted relief wooden sign evokes the glamour of the 1920s.

Thomas Cook was originally a family company that provided sporting and social activities for its workforce.
This small silver badge in the shape of a curling stone was presented to a winner of a curling competition. Stamped 'Cook Shield' on the front and 'Presented by H W Fikkert Esq' on the reverse. Hallmarked Birmingham 1913.

Advertising material includes some quirky items like this board game which was made in 1972 by Invicta Plastics , a company based in Oadby in Leicestershire whose most famous product was the board game Mastermind.

Uniform worn by British Caledonian Airways Cabin Crew.

British Caledonian operated out of Gatwick Airport during the 1970s and 1980s.
In December 1987 British Airways (BA) gained control of the airline. In 1999, Thomas Cook acquired it and merged Caledonian Airways with Flying Colours to form JMC Air Services, a forerunner of the UK arm of the later Thomas Cook Airlines.

From the ski slopes to poolside, travel agent shops to airline crew, there was a uniform that helped make the Thomas Cook staff identifiable with the branding of the time. The collection includes a variety of uniforms from the early 20th century and shows the changes in the company's branding as well as the other travel companies that they acquired over the years.