New York Central Railroad Baggage Check
date: label: date issued
content: 1862
name: label: Associated Name
content: New York Central Railroad
notes: label: Description
content: In the mid-18th century, large numbers of European emigrants crossed the Atlantic for a number of ports on the American East Coast. Railroads moved many emigrants from these ports to western lands. Some railroads operated special immigrant cars—economic cars with simple seats, community stove, toilet, and water. But usually the cars were old, reconditioned boxcars fitted with beds and seats.
label: Description
content: There were many things to confuse the new immigrant on arrival in America. Railway travel might have been a new experience to the poorest newcomers, but even those who had experienced European trains were surprised that personal baggage up to 150 lbs. was carried for free. This large diamond-shaped brass check was given to a passenger as receipt for any goods deposited with the baggage master. This baggage check and ticket was issued in 1862 by the New York Central Railroad. The baggage check notes the destination where the baggage master would off-load the baggage. Stamped on its face is "Castle Garden Emg. Bagg. Buffalo."
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
topic: label: Subject
content: Travel
label: Subject
content: Immigration
setName: label: See more items in
content: Work and Industry: Transportation, Railroad
label: See more items in
content: Transportation
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift: John H. White
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: TR.333735
label: catalog number
content: 333735
label: accession number
content: 304343
objectType: label: Object Name
content: baggage check
label: Other Terms
content: baggage check; Rail
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: paper (card material)
label: Physical Description
content: brass (overall material)