ANON. Claridge's, London.
Original hotel luggage label, c.1955. 100 x 140 mm.
William and Marianne Claridge ran a hotel from a single house at 51 Brook Street. In 1854 they bought the adjoining five buildings and Claridge's opened in its own right in 1856.
As Claridge's reputation grew, it soon became a favourite of Royalty throughout Europe including Queen Victoria.
In 1893 the hotel was bought by Richard D'Oyle Carte, owner of the Savoy Hotel. The hotel was closed for five years whilst it underwent a significant re-design. Many heads of state seeking refuge stayed during the second World War.
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