Whether travelling by rail, bus, ship or airline, mishandled baggage and lost luggage have always been an unfortunate part of the travel experience.

Now, an exhibition at the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum has recreated the feel of a historic railway station filled with an
assortment of ‘lost’ items.

The items span a range of dates and subjects, and while commonly lost items such as umbrellas and walking sticks are depicted, Art Gallery & Museum Director Shirin Khosraviani says more unexpected items also appear on the shelves.

“Reading through the lists of lost luggage printed in old newspapers, you come across the occasional odd finds such as a
pair of bellows or a horse’s bridle.

“It’s fascinating to ponder the story behind the item and the person who lost it.”

Luggage with no claimant was forwarded to the nearest city to be advertised and auctioned. Goods were sold as found - cases unopened, boxes and bags sealed, meaning the contents could be trash or treasure for those brave enough to bid.

“There was a charge for storing lost luggage, so in some cases, those who didn’t want to pay a hefty fee after a long period, would attend the auction and bid on their own suitcase in an attempt to pay less.”

To complement the exhibition, Shirin says the Gallery and Museum will be hosting a talk by Maryann and Olivera from Air
New Zealand in which they will share the airline’s history with lost luggage.

“They’ll also be discussing the concept of lost luggage, how to avoid it impacting your holiday, and share their tips on how to get your bags back as soon as possible.”

The one-hour talk will be held on Wednesday 15 January at 5.30pm.

Lost Luggage is on display until 16 March at the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum.