1st Class Collection

First Class Waiting Room at Paddington Station, 1912
First Class passengers were able to wait for their trains in the comfort of this waiting room at Paddington station in the early 20th century

The International Exhibition: Belgian first-class railway-carriage, with smoking-saloon... 1862. Creator: Unknown
The International Exhibition: Belgian first-class railway-carriage, with smoking-saloon attached - from a photograph by the London Stereoscopic Company, 1862

Early railway Coaches, the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, England, 1831, (c1900-1920). The first steam locomotives with three different classes of railway travel

First Class Saloon, Restaurant Car, 1946
An interior publicity shot of the first class saloon in composite restaurant carriage no.9672, with passengers enjoying refreshments served by GWR staff. This carriage was built in 1938 to diagram H57

First Class Saloon, Restaurant Car, 1938
An interior view of the first class saloon in composite restaurant carriage no.9674. This carriage was built in 1938 to diagram H57

The first luxury Pullman Sleeping Car, 1865 (colour litho)
PNP246935 The first luxury Pullman Sleeping Car, 1865 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Naval Uniforms (engraving)
1609074 Naval Uniforms (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Naval Uniforms. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 12 September 1857)

The Order of "Victoria and Albert"and the "Victoria Faithful Service Medal"(engraving)
1057939 The Order of " Victoria and Albert" and the " Victoria Faithful Service Medal" (engraving) by English School

First Class-The Meeting. "And at first meeting loved. ", 1855
First Class-The Meeting. " And at first meeting loved.", 1855

First class passengers, 1844. Creator: Unknown
First class passengers, 1844. Travellers in a railway carriage. Although comfortable enough, there is little sociability in a first-class carriage on a railway; everybody seems to have an idea that

Allan Line to Canada, c1900. Creator: Unknown
Allan Line to Canada, c1900. Passengers on the deck of an ocean liner. The Allan Line ran steamships between Liverpool in England, and Montreal and Quebec in Canada. Postcard

A Tea Car, London and North Eastern Railway, 1930. Creator: Alfieri
A Tea Car, London and North Eastern Railway, 1930. From " The Wonder Book of Railways", edited by Harry Golding. [Ward, Lock & Co. Limited, London and Melbourne, 1930]

Interior of Pullman Car, Marjorie, Southern Railway, 1930. Creator: Unknown
Interior of Pullman Car, " Marjorie", Southern Railway, 1930. From " The Wonder Book of Railways", edited by Harry Golding. [Ward, Lock & Co. Limited, London and Melbourne, 1930]

Coming to see the coronation procession, 1902. Creator: William Ralston
Coming to see the coronation procession, 1902. A first class compartment on an early suburban train. The coronation of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

First Class Smoking-Room in the Cunard Liner Franconia, . Creator: Unknown
First Class Smoking-Room in the Cunard Liner " Franconia", . From " The Wonder Book of Ships", edited by Harry Golding. [Ward, Lock & Co. Limited, London and Melbourne, ]

The Lavishly Decorated Main Dining Saloon of the Leviathan. c1930
The Lavishly Decorated Main Dining Saloon of the " Leviathan". c1930. From " The Wonder Book of Ships", edited by Harry Golding. [Ward, Lock & Co. Limited, London and Melbourne, ]

First-Class Dining Saloon in the Queen of Bermuda, 1937
The First-Class Dining Saloon in the Queen of Bermuda has a well-opening in the centre to give increased height and added illumination, 1937. From Shipping Wonders of the World, Vol

Coloured view of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway, 1832-1833. Artist: SG Hughes
Coloured view of the Liverpool & Manchester Railway, 1832-1833. The worlds first steam railway opened on 15 September 1830

First Class Dining Saloon on board Victoria, 1931. Victoria by Italian cruise company Lloyd Triestino. Its maiden voyage from Italy to Egypt, decomissioned in 1974

First Class Cabin de Luxe on board Victoria, 1931. From The Studio Volume 102, [London Offices of the Studio, London, 1931]

Apartments in the First Class area on board the S. S. Empress of Britain, 1931. Artist: Stewart Bale Limited
Apartments in the First Class area on board the S.S. Empress of Britain, 1931. The Empress of Britain was launched 11 June 1930 by HRH Prince of Wales

The new Orient Liner contributes toward a new standard of decoration, 1935. Designs for a special First-class Stateroom and a Tourist-class Cabin on the RMS Orion

First class smoking room on board the P&O steamship SS India, 1901. A photograph from The Magazine of Art, Cassell and Company, Limited, 1901

Pullman drawing room car on the Midland Railway, England, 1876. The Midland Railway was formed in 1844 as an amalgamation of the North Midland, Midland Counties and Birmingham & Junction Railways

Dinner time in the first class dining saloon of an Atlantic steamer on a stormy day, c1890. From The Sea: Its Stirring Story of Adventure, Peril & Heroism by F Whymper

Behind the Scenes, 1881. Refreshments at railway stations differ between the first and second class refreshment rooms. From Punch, or the London Charivari, December 3, 1881

Patent First-Class Costume for the Collision Season, 1876. Artist: Charles Samuel Keene
Patent First-Class Costume for the Collision Season, 1876. Travel by train was a risky business in the 1870s and collisions were not uncommon

Tout Vient A Qui Sait Attendre, 1875. Artist: Charles Samuel Keene
Tout Vient A Qui Sait Attendre, 1875. Frightened passengers in the first-class compartment call to the guard, asking why the train has had to come to such a sudden halt

A Pleasure Excursion - First-Class!, 1824. Artist: Joseph Swain
A Pleasure Excursion - First-Class!, 1824. A mixed group of passengers enjoy the comforts of first-class railway travel. The large gentleman in the top hat claims to be a director

Necessitas Non Habet Bye-Laws!, 1874. Artist: Charles Samuel Keene
Necessitas Non Habet Bye-Laws!, 1874. The perils of over-indulgence and mistaking the alarm bell for one that summons servants are illustrated in this cartoon about the gentleman travelling first

First Class Travelling, 1864. Artist: Charles Samuel Keene
First Class Travelling, 1864. Various Evolutions Performed by Mr. M Lankie, after the Eighth Hour of the Journey from Edinburgh to London, in the Vain Endeavour to Obtain Relief for his Legs

Wife 1st Class Sirday Pause BoC.s India 1886
Wife of 1st Class Sirday - Pause BoC.S; India; 1886 - 1889; Albumen silver print

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"Journeying in Style: The Evolution of First Class Travel Through Time" Step back in time to the year 1912, where the opulent First Class Waiting Room at Paddington Station welcomed distinguished travelers with its grandeur and elegance. As early as 1831, the Liverpool and Manchester Railway introduced the concept of first-class coaches, setting a precedent for luxurious train travel that would endure for centuries. Fast forward to 1946, when the allure of train travel reached new heights with the introduction of the First Class Saloon Restaurant Car. Passengers indulged in exquisite dining experiences while admiring breathtaking views from their window seats. This innovation was preceded by a similar offering in 1938, showcasing how railway companies continuously strived to enhance their passengers' comfort and satisfaction. Even before these advancements, history witnessed another milestone – the birth of luxury Pullman Sleeping Cars in 1865. These magnificent carriages provided unparalleled comfort and convenience during overnight journeys. Naval uniforms engraved with precision symbolized prestige and honor associated with first-class service. The Order of "Victoria and Albert" alongside the "Victoria Faithful Service Medal, " depicted through engravings, exemplified recognition bestowed upon those who served diligently within this esteemed class. Furthermore, love blossomed amidst first-class encounters as depicted in an enchanting painting titled "First Class - The Meeting: And at first meeting loved. " dating back to 1855. Capturing moments frozen in time are photographs depicting contented first-class passengers from various eras; one such image showcases individuals aboard an Allan Line ship bound for Canada around c1900. Another snapshot reveals a charming Tea Car on London and North Eastern Railway circa 1930 – a testament to refined British tea traditions even during rail journeys. Lastly, step into an interior view of Pullman Car Marjorie on Southern Railway circa 1930; witness plush seating arrangements exuding sophistication that defined this exclusive class.