Travel

November 25, 188., – Italy, Italian Fleet (Navigazione Generale Italiana) Florio & Ribattino: lunch

July 24, 1892 – Italy, Royal Naval Academy, Warship Vittorio Emanuele: lunch

June 7, 189., – Italy, National Society of Maritime Services: lunch

August, 9 1903 – Italy, Italian Fleet (Navigazione Generale Italiana) Florio – Ribattino: lunch

March 7, 1905 – Italy, Marine Military, Royal Ship Carlo Alberto: lunch

May 9, 1909 – Italy, Italian Steamboat Fleet of “La Veloce”: standard menu

September 20, 1909 – Italy, Italian Steamboat Fleet of “La Veloce”: lunch

September 22, 1909 – Italy, Italian Steamboat Fleet of “La Veloce”: lunch

September 23, 1909 – Italy, Italian Steamboat Fleet of “La Veloce”: lunch

September 1, 1910 – Italia, Italian Maritime: lunch

circa 1910 – Italy, Italian Fleet (Navigazione Generale Italiana) Florio – Ribattino: standard menu

November 14, 1927 – Italy, Italian Fleet (Navigazione Generale Italiana), Motonave “Augustus”: menu of the day

February 21, 1928 – Italy, Lloyd Sabaudo, steamship “Conte Biancamano”: lunch

March 31, 1938 – Italy, Lloyd Triestino, Piroscafo “Colombo”: lunch

November 30, 1938 – Italy Lloyd Triestino: lunch

Dining onboard large ships quickly became a central part of the travel experience. The menus presented to passengers were made with care and printed on large pieces of card stock. They were very beautiful and often passengers would take them home as souvenirs of their trip.

In the Academia Barilla Menu Collection, there are many special menus from meals served at sea. For example, there is a very rare handwritten menu from warship Vittorio Emanuele from 1892 and a simple menu from the Navigazione Generale Italiana from 1880s. There are uncut, but colorful, menus from the “La veloce” company and the Navigazione Generale Italiana Florio-Rubattino.

There is also a series of menus published by the Stabilimento Marzi di Roma, featuring with the twelve most famous and picturesque places of Italy at the beginning of the 20th century. There is also the extraordinary menu from 1928 of Lloyd Sabaudo, decorated with seagulls and golden clouds, and a unique handmade menu from Royal Ship Carlo Alberto in 1905. The fascination with the East is apparent in the disturbing gaze (for the period) of a charming Berber girl who eyes the spectator from a paper menu made for the Italian National Society of Maritime Services, datable from the 1910s.

Within the collection, the travel category of menus is one of the largest and even includes modern-day menus. In the virtual gallery, we have decided to present the oldest and most interesting pieces from the collection.

	November 25, 188., – Italy, Italian Fleet (Navigazione Generale Italiana) Florio & Ribattino: lunch Onboard Menu Written in Italian – International Cuisine 2 pages, letterpress (in English) with handwritten menu items (in Italian) Menu from the 1880s with average dishes. The graphics are extremely modest and functional. The list of beverages, and their relative prices, is written in English on the back of the menu. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.02 – INV. 3793.
	July 24, 1892 – Italy, Royal Naval Academy, Warship Vittorio Emanuele: lunch Onboard Menu Written in Italian – International Cuisine 2 pages, letterpress with handwritten menu items Simple menu with minimal graphics. The menu comes from the table of commander Reymondi. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Reign of Italy – Military Schools]. COLLOC. A.1175.03,04– INV. 4323, 4324.
	June 7, 189., – Italy, National Society of Maritime Services: lunch Onboard Menu Written in Italian – International Cuisine 1 page, color chromolithograph with handwritten menu The inviting look of the young Berber girl brings this art nouveau menu to life. The menu is composed of first class dishes. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.04 – INV. 3795.
	August, 9 1903 – Italy, Italian Fleet (Navigazione Generale Italiana) Florio – Ribattino: lunch Onboard Menu Written in Italian – International Cuisine 1 page, color chromolithograph print with handwritten menu items, Stab. A. Marzi, Roma Menu from the beginning of the 20th century with modest menu items. The art nouveau style design includes an image of the eruption of Vesuvius [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.14 – INV. 3803.
	March 7, 1905 – Italy, Marine Military, Royal Ship Carlo Alberto: lunch Onboard Menu Written in Italian – Italian Cuisine 2 pages, design in India ink, handwritten menu items; back page includes musical program with a symbol printed in two-toned lithograph Menu from the beginning of the 20th century for a holiday lunch, featuring Italian and foreign opera singers. The drawing in India ink of the port of Genoa is signed “F.” It is a unique, extremely rare piece. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Reign of Italy – Military Schools]. COLLOC. A.1172.39– INV. 4371.
	May 9, 1909 – Italy, Italian Steamboat Fleet of “La Veloce”: standard menu Uncut onboard menu with list of passengers Written in Italian – Italian Cuisine 2 pages, color chromolithograph with blank space for the handwritten menu items, letterpress used on back page Litografia SAGA Armanino, Genova Multicolored menu from the beginning of the 20th century. It is uncut with black space for writing in the daily menu. The menu design is art nouveau and includes an image of the port of Genoa, the headquarters of the fleet and the silhouette of the steamboat on the horizon. There are also international flags waving in the wind. The list of passengers who boarded the steamboat headed to Spain on May 1909 is on the back of the menu. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.55 – INV. 3810.
	September 20, 1909 – Italy, Italian Steamboat Fleet of “La Veloce”: lunch Onboard menu Written in Italian – Italian Cuisine 2 pages, color chromolithograph with handwritten menu items, Litografia Richter & C., Napoli Menu from the beginning of the 20th century with standard menu items (and ice cream served at tea time.) The art nouveau style graphic design depicts a scene aboard the boat in first class. The silhouette of the steamship is visible in the distance. The design is simple, yet powerful. The list of beverages is printed on the back of the menu. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.18 – INV. 3808.
	September 22, 1909 – Italy, Italian Steamboat Fleet of “La Veloce”: lunch Onboard menu Written in Italian – Italian Cuisine 2 pages, color chromolithograph with handwritten menu items, Litografia Richter & C., Napoli Menu from the beginning of the 20th century with standard menu items. The art nouveau style graphic design depicts a young man in the foreground and the silhouette of the steamboat on the horizon. The design is simple, yet fascinating. The list of beverages is printed on the back of the menu. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.17 – INV. 3807.
	September 23, 1909 – Italy, Italian Steamboat Fleet of “La Veloce”: lunch Onboard menu Written in Italian – Italian Cuisine 2 pages, color chromolithograph with handwritten menu items, Litografia Richter & C., Napoli Menu from the beginning of the 20th century with standard menu items. The art nouveau style graphic design is of a scene aboard the boat. There is a barman in the foreground and the silhouette of the steamboat on the horizon. The design is simple, yet fascinating. The list of beverages is printed on the back of the menu. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.19 – INV. 3809.
	September 1, 1910 – Italia, Italian Maritime: lunch Onboard menu Written in Italian – Italian Cusisine 1 page, color chromolithograph print with handwritten menu items, Litografia Armanino, Genoa Menu from the beginning of the 20th century with standard menu items. The art nouveau style graphic design includes an image of the three ships of Christopher Columbus. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.34 – INV. 3824.
	circa 1910 – Italy, Italian Fleet (Navigazione Generale Italiana) Florio – Ribattino: standard menu Onboard menu 2 pages, chromolithograph print in color on the front and two-toned on the back, illustration by Roberto Cavi, Stab. A. Marzi, Rome Menu from the beginning of the 20th century with standard menu items. The art nouveau style graphic design includes a view of Florence from piazzale Michelangelo, signed by the famous Italian commercial artist Roberto Cavi (XIX–XX sec.). This menu is part of a series of twelve menus with images of Italy’s most famous and picturesque places – including the Valentino castle in Turin, Bellagio on Lake Como, the Genoa coastline, the gulf of Sorrento, the ruins of Pompei, Garibaldi’s house in Caprera, and Taormina, Sicily. The entire series was hand-drawn by Cavi and published by the Stabilimento Marzi di Roma. The menus were personalized for various promotions of the company (from maritime transportation, as in this case, to mineral water,) as was common during the time. On the back, there is a reproduction of a lithograph of the view of lantern of Genoa. There is also black space where the daily menu would have been written. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.39 – INV. 3831.
	circa 1910 – Italy, Italian Fleet (Navigazione Generale Italiana) Florio – Ribattino: standard menu Onboard menu 2 pages, chromolithograph print in color on the front and two-toned on the back, illustration by Roberto Cavi, Stab. A. Marzi, Rome Menu from the beginning of the 20th century with standard menu items. The art nouveau style graphic design includes a view of Florence from piazzale Michelangelo, signed by the famous Italian commercial artist Roberto Cavi (XIX–XX sec.). This menu is part of a series of twelve menus with images of Italy’s most famous and picturesque places – including the Valentino castle in Turin, Bellagio on Lake Como, the Genoa coastline, the gulf of Sorrento, the ruins of Pompei, Garibaldi’s house in Caprera, and Taormina, Sicily. The entire series was hand-drawn by Cavi and published by the Stabilimento Marzi di Roma. The menus were personalized for various promotions of the company (from maritime transportation, as in this case, to mineral water,) as was common during the time. On the back, there is a reproduction of a lithograph of the view of lantern of Genoa. There is also black space where the daily menu would have been written. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.39 – INV. 3828.
	circa 1910 – Italy, Italian Fleet (Navigazione Generale Italiana) Florio – Ribattino: standard menu Onboard menu 2 pages, chromolithograph print in color on the front and two-toned on the back, illustration by Roberto Cavi, Stab. A. Marzi, Rome Menu from the beginning of the 20th century with standard menu items. The art nouveau style graphic design includes a view of Florence from piazzale Michelangelo, signed by the famous Italian commercial artist Roberto Cavi (XIX–XX sec.). This menu is part of a series of twelve menus with images of Italy’s most famous and picturesque places – including the Valentino castle in Turin, Bellagio on Lake Como, the Genoa coastline, the gulf of Sorrento, the ruins of Pompei, Garibaldi’s house in Caprera, and Taormina, Sicily. The entire series was hand-drawn by Cavi and published by the Stabilimento Marzi di Roma. The menus were personalized for various promotions of the company (from maritime transportation, as in this case, to mineral water,) as was common during the time. On the back, there is a reproduction of a lithograph of the view of lantern of Genoa. There is also black space where the daily menu would have been written. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.36 – INV. 3829.
	circa 1910 – Italy, Italian Fleet (Navigazione Generale Italiana) Florio – Ribattino: standard menu Onboard menu 2 pages, chromolithograph print in color on the front and two-toned on the back, illustration by Roberto Cavi, Stab. A. Marzi, Rome Menu from the beginning of the 20th century with standard menu items. The art nouveau style graphic design includes a view of Florence from piazzale Michelangelo, signed by the famous Italian commercial artist Roberto Cavi (XIX–XX sec.). This menu is part of a series of twelve menus with images of Italy’s most famous and picturesque places – including the Valentino castle in Turin, Bellagio on Lake Como, the Genoa coastline, the gulf of Sorrento, the ruins of Pompei, Garibaldi’s house in Caprera, and Taormina, Sicily. The entire series was hand-drawn by Cavi and published by the Stabilimento Marzi di Roma. The menus were personalized for various promotions of the company (from maritime transportation, as in this case, to mineral water,) as was common during the time. On the back, there is a reproduction of a lithograph of the view of lantern of Genoa. There is also black space where the daily menu would have been written. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.37 – INV. 3829.
	circa 1910 – Italy, Italian Fleet (Navigazione Generale Italiana) Florio – Ribattino: standard menu Onboard menu 2 pages, chromolithograph print in color on the front and two-toned on the back, illustration by Roberto Cavi, Stab. A. Marzi, Rome Menu from the beginning of the 20th century with standard menu items. The art nouveau style graphic design includes a view of Florence from piazzale Michelangelo, signed by the famous Italian commercial artist Roberto Cavi (XIX–XX sec.). This menu is part of a series of twelve menus with images of Italy’s most famous and picturesque places – including the Valentino castle in Turin, Bellagio on Lake Como, the Genoa coastline, the gulf of Sorrento, the ruins of Pompei, Garibaldi’s house in Caprera, and Taormina, Sicily. The entire series was hand-drawn by Cavi and published by the Stabilimento Marzi di Roma. The menus were personalized for various promotions of the company (from maritime transportation, as in this case, to mineral water,) as was common during the time. On the back, there is a reproduction of a lithograph of the view of lantern of Genoa. There is also black space where the daily menu would have been written. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.38 – INV. 3830.
	circa 1910 – Italy, Italian Fleet (Navigazione Generale Italiana) Florio – Ribattino: standard menu Onboard menu 2 pages, chromolithograph print in color on the front and two-toned on the back, illustration by Roberto Cavi, Stab. A. Marzi, Rome Menu from the beginning of the 20th century with standard menu items. The art nouveau style graphic design includes a view of Florence from piazzale Michelangelo, signed by the famous Italian commercial artist Roberto Cavi (XIX–XX sec.). This menu is part of a series of twelve menus with images of Italy’s most famous and picturesque places – including the Valentino castle in Turin, Bellagio on Lake Como, the Genoa coastline, the gulf of Sorrento, the ruins of Pompei, Garibaldi’s house in Caprera, and Taormina, Sicily. The entire series was hand-drawn by Cavi and published by the Stabilimento Marzi di Roma. The menus were personalized for various promotions of the company (from maritime transportation, as in this case, to mineral water,) as was common during the time. On the back, there is a reproduction of a lithograph of the view of lantern of Genoa. There is also black space where the daily menu would have been written. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.41 – INV. 3835.
	November 14, 1927 – Italy, Italian Fleet (Navigazione Generale Italiana), Motonave “Augustus”: menu of the day Onboard menu Written in Italian – International Cuisine 4 pages, color lithograph print with menu items printed with letterpress inside, Barbino & Graeve, Genoa Menu from the 1920s with good quality menu items. The graphic design is extremely linear and contains a nymph with swans, simply framed at the center of the page, like a postcard. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.78 – INV. 4002.
	February 21, 1928 – Italy, Lloyd Sabaudo, steamship “Conte Biancamano”: lunch Onboard menu Written in Italian and English – International Cuisine 4 pages, color chromolithograph with menu items printed with letterpress, Arti Grafiche Gaetano Schenone, Genoa Menu from the 1920s with very high quality food. The art deco graphic design includes golden clouds and seagulls in flight towards the horizon. It is an original and interesting composition. The menu items are printed on the back in Italian and English. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.20 – INV. 3850.
	March 31, 1938 – Italy, Lloyd Triestino, Piroscafo “Colombo”: lunch Onboard menu Written in Italian – International Cuisine 1 page, color lithograph with menu items printed with letterpress inside, illustration by Vittorio Accorsero, Tip. Barbino & Graeve, Genoa, 1937 Menu from the 1930s presenting modest level dishes. The art deco graphic design pictures a view of the Romanesque church of San Giovanni in Bellagio, on Lake Como. It is part of a series of images by Vittorio Accorsero da Testa (1896–1982) of picturesque and famous places in Italy. The painter, who was given the nickname of Victor Max Ninon in 1919, worked with the Italian publication “Il giornalino della Domenica,” and moved to Paris and then New York, where he became quite well-known. He returned to Milan in 1934 and actively began illustrating children’s books, from Adersen, to Perrault, to Grimm, to Poe, to Pinocchio and Cuore. He illustrated and personally wrote six volumes of fairytales. He also worked in theater, designing costumes and sets, as well as in painting and fashion. He designed over 300 scarves for Gucci, the most famous of which was called Flora and has created in 1967 for Grace Kelly. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.118 – INV. 3989.
	November 30, 1938 – Italy Lloyd Triestino: lunch Onboard menu Written in Italian – International Cuisine 4 pages, color lithograph print with menu items printed with letterpress inside, illustrated by Veneziani, Tip. Pizzi e Pizio, Milan–Rome Menu from the 1930s with a broad selection of menu items. The art deco graphic design depicts the view of the arch of triumph, constructed in Libya by the Italians on the new coastal road. In the list of dishes, there is a special menu for the diet-conscious and the words “Piatto Italiano” are used to indicate Italian dishes. [Academia Barilla Gastronomic Library - Italy – Transportation: Ships]. COLLOC. A.641.100 – INV. 3971.