More light has been shed on an intriguing slice of Birmingham's history discovered as part of the Midland Metro tram extension.
Earlier this month, the Post reported that a sign had been uncovered while engineers were reshaping the rear entrance of the Waterstones building in Stephenson Street to accommodate turning trams.
After removing the bookseller's branding, workers found a hand-crafted sign which reads '& SON RAILWAY AND STEAMSHIP PASSENGER AGENTS'.
Our story prompted Thomas Cook archivist Paul Smith to get in touch and explain that the company had started running a travel agency in the building in 1878.
Mr Smith sent the postcard image above, which dates back to 1911 and clearly shows a 'Cook's Tourist Office' sign on the outside of the building, and also a clipping from the Birmingham Daily Post from April 1878, which is in the gallery below.
He said: "Thomas Cook opened this office in 1878, to replace its earlier office in Exchange Buildings which had opened in 1872.
"The Birmingham Daily Post story was later reprinted in Thomas Cook's own newspaper, Cook’s Excursionist.
"Thomas Cook retained its office on the corner of Stephenson Place and Stephenson Street until the autumn of 1931 when it moved to 'commodious' new premises at 124 New Street.
"Henry Gaze & Son, as agent for the London & North Western Railway had an office within the LNWR Excursion Offices in Stephenson Place. Thomas Cook was agent for the Midland Railway.
"I do not know when this office opened but it is described as 'Gaze's New Tourist Office' in the summer 1883 issue of 'Gaze's Tourist Gazette'."
Transport bosses confirmed this month that the sign would be covered up once work on reshaping the building had been completed.
Centro said: "Owing to cost and time constraints in getting the shop frontage ready in time for the Christmas period it has been decided that its removal will not be part of this project."
