West Sea Co. OCEAN LINER Catalog Page 17

West Sea Company

OCEAN LINER

Catalog Page 17

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17.02 CUNARD TABLE WARE. Genuine creamer and matching sugar from English passenger liners. These silver plate items are marked “Cunard White Star” and “Cunard” respectively on their bottoms. The creamer is also marked “Elkington Plate” with the hallmarked date letter “D” indicating manufacture in 1939. The sugar is similarly marked with the Cunard logo of a lion holding the world and letter “T” indicating 1954. The creamer is in fair condition showing minor dents and scratches and measures 3 inches tall by 4 ¼ inches wide. The sugar is in good condition and measures 2 ¼ tall by 4 ¾ inches wide. 95 for both.

BOTTOMS

8.85 STATEROOM LADDER. Genuine stateroom bunk ladder identified as having come from the Grand Old Lady of the Atlantic, the RMS QUEEN MARY. This authentic ship’s relic is of the finest quality construction, made of solid mahogany with mitered dove tail joints, plug and dowel fasteners and heavy brass fittings. Each of the 5 ladder rungs is inlaid (not simply covered) with ribbed non-skid rubber. The top and bottom rungs are additionally strengthened with cross braces and the bottom rung is further reinforced on both sides. Speaking to the care lavished in it s construction the ladder tapers slightly on both the front and sides and the rungs are inclined at a comfortable 15°. Two heavy brass hooks secure the top while a third “keeper” is affixed to the second rung. The ladder bears the engraved brass plaque reading “The R.M.S. Queen Mary” just below the top rung. It measures nearly 55 inches long overall and stands 14 ¼ inches wide at the base tapering to 12 inches wide at the top. Outstanding original condition, showing expected careful use. 549

Construction of the ship known simply as "Yard Number 534", began on December 19, 1930 by the John Brown Shipbuilding Company in Clydebank, Scotland. Due to the Great Depression, the Cunard Steamship Line merged with its rival, the White Star Line in April 1934. The QUEEN MARY, thusly owned and financed, was launched on September 26,1934, but completion took another 3½ years.

The ship was named after Queen Mary, who was the consort of King George V. Until launching the ship’s name was a closely guarded secret. Cunard had intended to name the ship VICTORIA in keeping with company tradition of giving its ships names ending in "ia". However, when company representatives asked the King's permission to name the ocean liner after Britain’s "greatest queen," he declared that his wife was delighted with the honor.

RMS QUEEN MARY sailed on her maiden voyage from Southampton May 27, 1936, but she still fell short of the gross tonnage registered by her rival at the time, the lovely French liner NORMANDIE, which held the Blue Riband for Atlantic crossings.

In August 1936, QUEEN MARY captured the blue Riband from NORMANDIE with average speeds of 30.1 knots westbound and 30.6 knots eastbound. That prize she kept until the SS UNITED STATES surpassed the record in 1952.

In late August 1939, QUEEN MARY was on a return run from New York to Southampton. She arrived safely, and set out again for New York in early September. By the time she arrived, World War II had begun and she was ordered to remain in port until further notice alongside the NORMANDIE. In 1940 QUEEN MARY and NORMANIDE were joined by QUEEN MARY’s new sister ship, QUEEN ELIZBETH, fresh from her secret dash from the Clydebank. There, the three largest liners in the world sat idle for some time until the Allied commanders decided that they would be used as troopships.

QUEEN MARY departed for Sydney, Australia where she and several other liners were converted into troopships. Eventually joined by QUEEN ELIZABETH, they were the largest and fastest troopships involved in the war, often carrying as many as 15,000 men on a single voyage.

In an unfortunate incident on October 2, 1942, QUEEN MARY sank one of her escorts, cutting through the light cruiser HMS CURACOA off the Irish coast. The accident cost 338 lives. Due to the constant danger of U-Boat attack, her captain was under strict orders not to stop for any reason, and the remaining Royal Navy escorts accompanying her were ordered to reverse course and rescue survivors.

During the war, the QUEEN MARY carried British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill on several occasions. On those voyages the feisty Prime Minister insisted that the lifeboat assigned to him be fitted with a machine gun so that he could "resist capture at all costs".

From 1946 into 1947 QUEEN MARY was refitted for passenger service. Following the refit QUEEN MARY and QUEEN ELIZABETH dominated the transatlantic passenger trade well into the 1950s. But by 1958, the first transatlantic flight by a commercial jet began a new era for the “Cunard Queens.” Beset by age, lack of public interest and inefficiency in a new market, Cunard announced that the “Queens” would be retired. Many offers were submitted, but Long Beach, California won out over the Japanese scrap merchants. As such QUEEN MARY retired from service in 1967 and her sister ship, QUEEN ELIZABETH, withdrew in 1968. RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 took over the transatlantic route in 1969, and was joined by QUEEN MARY 2 in 2004

DETAIL

RUNGS

17.03 CUNARD WHITE STAR TUREEN. Authentic covered silver plate tureen bearing the markings of the famous “Cunard White Star” line. This handsome relic of the golden age of transoceanic liners is of all brass construction with a very heavy electroplated silver finish. It is of classic form with a globular bowl resting on a circular multi- ringed base. Lovely scalloped handles are attached on either side. The matching lid has a prominent lifting knob and a protruding lip which seats nicely into the bowl. A small notch in the rim is fitted to accompany a ladle or serving spoon. The inside of the lid is marked “CUNARD WHITE STAR.” The bottom is marked “GLADWIN Ltd. SHEFFIELD Embassy HARD SOLDERED / 1 ½ PINT / MADE IN ENGLAND CUNARD WHITE STAR.” 8 ½ inches wide by 6 ¼ inches tall. Good original condition showing expected minor scratches and dings indicative of long, careful use. 395

The merger between the two English giants of steam passenger ship trade took place on May 10, 1934, creating Cunard White Star Ltd. White Star contributed 10 ships to the new company and Cunard 15 ships. In 1947 Cunard acquired the remaining interest in Cunard White Star which it had not previously owned, and on December 31, 1949 the firm name became simply "Cunard."
According to English silver plate hallmarks, Gladwin, Ltd. of Sheffield operated its “Embassy Works” from 1926-1936. Accordingly the date of this Tureen can be accurately narrowed to the time frame of 1934-1936.


BOTTOM	LID

17.01 FRAMED “NORMANDIE” PRESENTATION. Original drinking coaster from one of the largest and most beautiful ocean liners ever built, the French Line’s S.S. NORMANDIE. This large two tone paper coaster boldly proclaims “NORMANDIE, French Line, THE WORLD’S LARGEST SHIP” with an image of her three huge stacks in the center. In turn it is framed and backed on a piece of stationary, embossed with the colorful ship’s crest reading “NORMANDIE French Line * Cie GLE Transatlantique.” The coaster is toned and exhibits some minor losses on the left periphery. 4 ¼ inches in diameter. The overall presentation measures 5 ½ by 7 ½ inches. A bargain! 59

The S.S. NORMANDIE was built in Saint-Nazaire France for Compagnie Générale Transatlantique. She had a length of 1,029 feet and a displacement of 71,300 tons. When launched on October 29, 1932 she was the largest and fastest ship in the world. Even today she maintains the distinction of being the most powerful steam turbo-electric passenger ship ever built. Her elegant design and lavish interiors have many historians concluding she was the greatest ocean liner ever built!

During World War II S.S. NORMANDIE was undergoing conversion to a troopship at the New York Passenger Ship Terminal. On February 9, 1942 sparks from a workman's welding torch set her ablaze. Firemen were able to control the blaze, but the huge liner capsized and sank as a result of the tons of water used to extinguish the fire. Although she was refloated at great expense, restoration was deemed too costly, and she was finally scrapped in October 1946.

DETAIL

17.99 “QUEEN MARY” LIFEJACKET. Authentic passenger lifejacket from the Grand Old Lady of the Atlantic the RMS QUEEN MARY. This World War II era life preserver is made of cotton duck sewn over kapok or similar such substances used for flotation 70 years ago. It is stenciled “FRONT QUEEN MARY” on the obverse and “VICTORY” on the back. Both shoulders bear a variety of markings including a crown, the inspector’s mark and the notation “D.W.J. LIVERPOOL” and the bold letter “P.” This adult lifejacket has its original cotton cords for securing front and back. Approximately 20 inches long by 14 12/ inches wide. Spotless, amazing original condition evidencing absolutely no wear or distress! Complete with an original wooden hanger incised “CUNARD LINE.”

Construction of the ship known only as "Yard Number 534", began on December 19, 1930 by the John Brown Shipbuilding Company in Clydebank, Scotland. Due to the Great Depression, the Cunard Steamship Line merged with its rival, the White Star Line in April 1934. The QUEEN MARY, thusly owned and financed, was launched on September 26,1934. Ultimately her completion took 3½ years.

The ship was named after Queen Mary, who was the consort of King George V. Until the ship’s launch the name was a closely guarded secret. Cunard had intended to name the ship VICTORIA in keeping with company tradition of giving its ships names ending in "ia". However, when company representatives asked the King's permission to name the ocean liner after Britain’s "greatest queen", he declared his wife to be delighted with the honour.

RMS QUEEN MARY sailed on her maiden voyage from Southampton May 27, 1936, but she still fell short of the gross tonnage registered by her rival at the time, the lovely French liner NORMANDIE, which held the Blue Riband for Atlantic crossings.

In late August 1939, QUEEN MARY was on a return run from New York to Southampton. She arrived safely, and set out again for New York in early September. But by the time she arrived, World War II had begun and she was ordered to remain in port until further notice alongside the NORMANDIE. In 1940 QUEEN MARY and NORMANIDE were joined by QUEEN MARY’s new sister ship, QUEEN ELIZBETH, fresh from her secret dash from the Clydebank. There, the three largest liners in the world sat idle for some time until the Allied commanders decided that they would be used as troopships.

Unfortunately, on October 2, 1942, QUEEN MARY sank one of her escorts, cutting through the light cruiser HMS CURACOA off the Irish coast. The accident cost 338 lives. Due to the constant danger of U-Boat attack, her captain was under strict orders not to stop for any reason, and the remaining Royal Navy escorts accompanying her were ordered to reverse course and rescue any survivors.

During the war, the QUEEN MARY carried British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill on several occasions. On those voyages the Prime Minister insisted that the lifeboat assigned to him was fitted with a machine gun so that he could "resist capture at all costs".

In 1946 and 1947 QUEEN MARY was refitted for passenger service. Following the refit QUEEN MARY and QUEEN ELIZABETH dominated the transatlantic passenger trade well into the 1950s. But by 1958, the first transatlantic flight by a jet began a new era for the “Cunard Queens.” Beset by age, lack of public interest and inefficiency in a new market, Cunard announced that the Queens would be retired. Many offers were submitted, but Long Beach, California won out over the Japanese scrap merchants. As such QUEEN MARY retired from service in 1967 and her sister ship, QUEEN ELIZABETH, withdrew in 1968. RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 took over the transatlantic route in 1969, and was joined by QUEEN MARY 2 in 2004.


BACK	DETAIL

17.29 EARLY LINER TRADE CARD. Rare, second half of the 19th century ocean liner trade card advertising the "Royal and United States Mail Steamers WHITE STAR LINE" as printed on banners surrounding a large 4-masted steam/sail ship with two funnels. This beautifully chronomlithographed advertising flier is printed on a heavy stock card measuring 3 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches. The reverse is printed with much information extolling the virtues of the company's fleet, entitled in part: "The Splendid Steamers of the WHITE STAR LINE Sailing Weekly Between Liverpool and New York, Are all, without exception among the largest and fastest of Ocean Steamers..." Card is in excellent condition noting some toning to the back and just one small loss on one corner. 250

This rare card was issued more than a quarter century before the appearance of the most famous liner in the White Star fleet -- indeed the most famous liner of all time -- the RMS TITANIC!

REVERSE

17.97 LIFE BOAT BAILER from FAMOUS LINER. Unusual hand-carved wooden scoop stenciled "SS WASHINGTON" on the bottom. The trough terminates in a carved wooden handle which is rove through with a section of hemp line spliced in a seamanlike manner. This valuable shipboard tool was obviously prized, owing to its neatly carved construction and the fact that it is identified with the vessel's name! Such a scoop was required in early lifeboats for the purpose of bailing water shipped on board in heavy seas. It was carved of wood is so that if it were accidentally lost over the side, it would float and could be retrieved! This example evidences little if any use, although it certainly shows good signs of age. 14 inches long and 5 inches wide, 29 inches long overall, inclusive of the line. Original old gray painted surfaces with the hemp line showing age. A wonderful, scarce relic from one of America's most famous passenger ships.

The grand passenger liner S. S. WASHINGTON was ordered by the Transatlantic Steamship Company and laid down on January 20, 1931 at the New York Shipbuilding Yard, Kearney, New Jersey. When she was launched on August 20, 1932 Transatlantic Steamship's assets had been acquired by International Mercantile Marine, and S.S. WASHINGTON went into service for the United States Lines following delivery on May 2, 1933.

At the time of their construction, WASHINGTON and her sister ship MANHATTAN, were the largest liners ever built in the United States, a status they held until the 1939 launch of S. S. AMERICA. WASHINGTON's accommodations were 580 in Cabin class, 400 in Tourist, and 150 Third class. The ship had a reputation for a very high standard of service and luxury.

WASHINGTON joined her sister ship on the New York-Hamburg route until Italy declared war on Great Britain and France in June 1940. With the increasing danger from German submarines, WASHINGTON and MANHATTAN were shifted to the New York-San Francisco service via the Panama Canal.

On June 6, 1941 WASHINGTON was requisitioned by the U.S. Navy and converted to a troopship at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. She was commissioned USS MOUNT VERNON (AP-22) on June 16, 1941. In Naval service, MOUNT VERNON frequently sailed in company with the other United States Lines liners MANHATTAN (USS WAKEFIELD) and AMERICA (USS WEST POINT). The most notable of these voyages was a secret assignment carrying British troops to Singapore in a convoy mission which began a month before Pearl Harbor.

In January 1946 MOUNT VERNON was decommissioned and returned to the U.S. Maritime Commission under her original name, S. S. WASHINGTON. Her luxurious appointments had been carefully removed and stored, and she returned to commercial service in February 1948. However, only one deck was restored to its pre-war standards which provided accommodations for 1106 passengers in a single class. United States Lines returned the ship to the U.S. government in October 1951. The final chapter in her career found her transporting soldiers and their families between Bremerhaven and New York. After being laid up in reserve in the Hudson River, she was ultimately scrapped at Kearny, New Jersey in 1965.


SCOOP	UNDERSIDE	SHIP

17.95 LINER LOVING CUP. Handsome, very stout trophy commemorative from the famous French Lines passenger liner SS LIBERTÉ. Engraved on the front is the inscription "PAQUEBOT "LIBERTÉ."" Behind the right handle it is hallmarked "8† UWV1+". 7 1/4 inches high by 6 inches wide. Surprizingly heavy and in outstanding original condition!

The SS EUROPA (renamed SS LIBERTÉ) was one of two fast ocean liners built by Blohm & Voss shipyard, Hamburg, Germany in the late 1920's for the Norddeutscher Lloyd Line (NDL) to ply the transatlantic passenger service. EUROPA was launched August 1, 1928 and made her maiden voyage to New York on March 19, 1930. She was a vessel of 936.7 feet in length displacing 49,746 gross tons. Her four steam turbines generated 105,000 shaft horse power propelling her to a speed of 27 1/2 knots. She had a passenger capacity of 860 first class, 500 second class, 305 tourist class, 617 third class and a total crew of 965.

During the early years of World War II EUROPA, in German hands, was largely inactive. She was captured by the Allies in 1944 and subsequently pressed into service as a troopship. After the war she was turned over to the French as a reparation of war. In 1946, while being refitted for passenger service in Le Harve, France, she snapped her moorings during a storm, drifted into the wreck of the PARIS and sank. She was refloated and work continued. In 1950 she made her maiden voyage to New York under her new name, SS LIBERTÉ. After nearly 10 years of service she was finally retired in 1958, laid up in 1961 and scrapped in 1962.

Paquebot Ship Mail

In the early days of sail when lookouts spotted another ship on the horizon, the vessels would often attempt to make contact unless pirates were feared. Whaleships especially were glad to "speak ship" during voyages that sometimes lasted years. It was literally the only way to convey news. A long boat was lowered, captains visited each other, often dined together, and sometimes even the crews were allowed to exchange visits.

If one of the ships was homeward bound it would deliver the mail it accumulated from such visits. Word of an arriving ship spread quickly through the port and residents eagerly awaited the news. But what about ships sailing to ports in foreign countries? How was that mail delivered and who paid the postage?

That question led to an international agreement about Ship Mail known as "Paquebot", French being the world's official postal language. The concept was that the ship is actually the territory of the country under the flag which it sails. Therefore, by international convention, when a letter is written on the high seas a stamp issued by the ship's country is valid world wide. In theory, that meant when the ship entered a harbor the mail clerk was able to hand the mail over to the local post office in any country and it was to be delivered without additional charge. It was left to the individual countries to set their procedures and to determine what the value of the stamp should be.

(See items 17.84 and 17.93)


PERSPECTIVE	HALLMARK	SHIP

17.94 FAMOUS OCEAN LINER KEYCHAIN. Lovely, original high relief keychain struck in the form of a silvered bronze medal to commemorate the "LIBERTÉ" as embossed on the obverse. The medal depicts a port quarter view of the magnificent liner above which is written "Compagnie Général Transatlantic." Below the vessel name is written, "LeHarve, New York, French Line." The reverse bears the lovely semi-nude depiction of Liberty, having broken the bonds of chains. She stands in a conch shell flanked by stylized dolphins on either side. The medal is attached to a chain and locking clip for holding keys. The rim of the medal is hallmarked and it measures 1 1/4 inch in diameter. The overall size of the keychain is 3 inches. Excellent condition showing wear from actual use. 95


REVERSE	LIBERTY	SHIP	SHIP

17.93 FAMOUS LINER TUMBLER SET. Complete set of 8 matched drinking glasses from the pride of the U.S. Lines' fleet, the S.S. UNITED STATES. Each glass bears the distinctive, beautifully etched emblem of the spread-winged American eagle clutching olive branches and arrows in its talons with the inscription "UNITED STATES LINES" below, encircled by a knotted ropework border. Each glass measures 5 inches tall by 2 3/4 inches in diameter. Absolutely mint, unused condition, as stored in their original box on the ship. A rare find! 395/set

Inspired by the British liners RMS QUEEN MARY and RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH which transported hundreds of thousands of troops during World War II, the United States government decided to sponsor construction of a large and very fast merchant vessel capable of transporting large numbers of soldiers. Designed by renowned American naval architect and marine engineer William Francis Gibbs, the liner's construction was a joint effort between the United States Navy and United States Lines. The U.S. government underwrote $50 million of the $78 million construction cost, with the ship's operators, United States Lines, contributing the remaining $28 million. In exchange, she was designed to be easily converted into a troopship or a hospital ship in the event of war.

The S.S. UNITED STATES was built by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Newport News, Virginia. Her keel was laid on February 8, 1950 and fittingly she began her maiden voyage on July 4, 1952.

The UNITED STATES was built using the largest amount of aluminum in any construction project up to that time. The monumental use of aluminum provided huge weight savings and contributed to her record setting speed. With a 106 foot beam, the massive UNITED STATES was built to still be able to clear the Panama Canal locks. Her engines were the most powerful in any vessel up to that time! Only recently have the latest U.S. Navy super carriers surpassed her power. She was capable of steaming astern at over 20 knots and could carry enough fuel and stores to cruise non-stop for over 10,000 nautical miles.

When she embarked on her maiden voyage the UNITED STATES smashed the 14 year transatlantic speed record held by the QUEEN MARY by over 10 hours, making her crossing from the Ambrose Lightship, New York Harbor to Bishop Rock, Cornwall, England in 3 days, 10 hours and 40 minutes at an average speed of over 35 1/2 knots! She also broke the westbound record by returning to America in 3 days 12 hours and 12 minutes at an average speed of 34 1/2 knots, thereby obtaining both the eastbound and westbound Blue Ribands. The UNITED STATES maintained this incredible 30+ knot crossing speed during her North Atlantic service for more than 17 years. She was very popular with passengers and proved to be a worthy competitor for the Cunard Line's "Queens."

When the UNITED STATES entered Newport News for overhaul in 1969, her owners decided to take her out of service and she was laid up. A few years later she was moved to Norfolk. Since then, ownership passed between several companies. In 1978 the vessel was sold to private interests in hopes of revitalizing her as a time share cruise ship.


EMBLEM	CARTON	SHIP

17.92 GLASS ASHTRAY. Thick molded glass ashtray with the boldly stenciled name "CUNARD" on the bottom. 6 inches in diameter and 1 1/4 inches thick. Perfect condition. 79

The famous Cunard Line can trace its history all the way back to 1838 when shipping magnate Samual Cunard and others formed the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. Cunard faced many competitors from Britain, France, the United States and Germany, but survived them all. This was mainly due to a great focus on safety. Cunard ships were not the largest nor the fastest but they earned a reputation for being the most reliable and the safest. The prosperous company eventually absorbed Cunard's principal competitor, the White Star Line, owners of the ill-fated RMS TITANIC and the HMHS BRITANNIC.

By 1918 Cunard had built its European headquarters in Liverpool. The grand Cunard Building, a focal point of the Liverpool skyline, remained the company's headquarters until the 1960s.

For more than a century and a half, Cunard dominated the Atlantic passenger trade and was one of the world's most important companies, with the majority of their liners being built at the John Brown Shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland. Today the Line still operates two classic passengrer liners the RMS QUEEN ELIZABETH II and the RMS QUEEN MARY II.

(See item 17.86)

17.91 PORCELAIN ASHTRAY. Hard fired porcelain ashtray in a lovely Robin's egg blue glaze. The center of the ashtray is adorned with the house flag of the Chandris America Lines, and the sides are marked "Chandris America Lines." The bottom is marked "Thomas Germany." 5 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 inches high. Perfect condition. 49

The Chandris America Line was operated out of Piraeus, Greece with home offices in London. One of the line's primary routes was to Australia.

Chandris Line was formed by Anthony Chandris to operate a regular liner service between Greece and Australia. In 1960 their first vessel was purchased, and after minor alterations, entered the Australian trade as the PATRIS. The success of the single ship operation led to the purchase of a second vessel, the BRETANGE in 1961. That ship enabled Chandris to enter the lucrative North American cruise trade, only to meet a sudden tragic fate within months, when it was destroyed by fire.

As a replacement, Anthony Chandris purchased the first of several American liners that would grace his company. In 1964 he was able to purchase another American liner, which would become the most famous Chandris liner of them all the S.S. AUSTRALIS.

Chandris Line service from Europe to Australia lasted only 18. Yet in that brief period the company established itself firmly in Australian maritime history. One ship alone, AUSTRALIS, made 62 voyages from Europe bringing over 150,000 new settlers to Australia. It was AUSTRALIS that made the final voyage under the Chandris flag from Britain to Australia in December 1977.

BOTTOM

17.90 LINER ASHTRAY. Hard fired porcelain ashtray from the Norwegian Lines Steamship Company. The ashtray bears the Norwegian national ensign in the center rimmed by complementing colors. The bottom is marked with an anchor flanked by the letters "PP" above the number "55." Perfect condition. 4 3/8ths inches in diameter. 49

Norwegian America Line (Den Norske Amerikalinje), was a cruise ship line founded in 1910. Originally an operator of passenger and cargo ships, the company ran regular transatlantic service between Norway and the United states and later to East Africa. The establishment of the Norwegian America Line was a the statement of Norway's "maritime independence" following the dissolution of its union with Sweden in 1905. In 1971 the company discontinued transatlantic passenger service.

BOTTOM

17.88 SILVER ASHTRAY. Ornate silverplate on German silver ashtray bearing the high relief logo of the "Holland-America Line" in the center -- a massive liner overtaking a galleon, below which are two dolphins. The top edges of the ashtray bear very atttractive high relief floral designs. The bottom of the ashtray bears a hallmark which appears to be a pentagram followed by the enclosed letters "HH" and the number "90". 4 inches square. Very nice bright condition. 69

Holland America was founded in 1873 as the Dutch-America Steamship Company, a shipping and Passenger line headquartered in Rotterdam.

Within 25 years, the company expanded its fleet to six cargo and passenger ships operating between the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies via the newly constructed Suez Canal. The line was a principal carrier of immigrants from Europe to the United States until well after the turn of the century, carrying over 850,000 people to the New World.

Holland America Line produced some noted ships. In 1938 the 36,000 ton NIEUW AMSTERDAM was put into service. Then in 1959 the beautiful ROTTERDAM was launched, one of the first ships on the North Atlantic to be equipped for transatlantic crossings with 2 classes and luxury cruising with one class. But by the late sixties, the golden era of profitable trans-Atlantic ships was over, and passenger travel was taken over by the airlines.


LOGO	BOTTOM

17.87 PORCELAIN ASHTRAY. Hard fired porcelain ashtry bearing the logo NAC (Norwegain-American Cruise Lines). This diminutive ashtray has 18 raised nibs on its periphery to hold cigarettes. The bottom is signed and dated "Porsgrund, Norway 1980" with an anchor. 3 12/ inches in diameter. Perfect condition. 39

The company was founded as Norwegian Caribbean Lines in 1966 by Knut Kloster and Ted Arison with just one 830-ton cruise ship offering low cost Carribean cruises. Arison soon left to form Carnival Cruise Lines, while Kloster acquired additional ships for Caribbean service. NCL pioneered many firsts in the cruise industry and was responsible for many of the cruise innovations that have now become standard throughout the industry.

NCL made headlines with the acquisition of the FRANCE in 1979, rebuilding the liner as a cruise ship and renaming her NORWAY. At that time the NORWAY was significantly bigger than any other cruise ship, and exploited the extra space available by adding a large variety of onboard entertainment. Her success paved the way for a new era of giant cruise ships.

BOTTOM

17.85 IDENTIFIED LINER ASHTRAY. Heavy cast glass ocean liner ashtray bearing the charming logo of King Neptune with his long, flowing beard and trident above the script, "Matson Lines's". Surrounding Neptune are the names of the famous liners, "MATSONIA, MARIPOSA, MONTEREY, and LURLINE." 3 1/2 inches across. Perfect condition. 69

Matson Navigation Company's long association with Hawaii began in 1882, when Captain William Matson sailed his three-masted cargo schooner EMMA CLAUDINA from San Francisco to Hilo, Hawaii. Increased commerce brought a corresponding interest in Hawaii as a tourist attraction. Captain Matson expanded his fleet and by 1908 established passenger service to and from the mainland. The decade from the mid-20s to mid-30s marked a significant period of Matson expansion. In 1925, the Company established Matson Terminals, Inc., a subsidiary to perform stevedoring and terminal services for its fleet. With increasing passenger traffic to Hawaii, Matson added the S.S. MALOLO in 1927. Its success led to the construction of the liners MARIPOSA, MONTEREY and LURLINE between 1930 and 1932.

Immediately after the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the passenger liners MARIPOSA, MATSONIA, MONTEREY and LURLINE, and 33 Matson freighters were called into military service. The four passenger liners completed a wartime total of 119 voyages, covered 1 1/2 million miles and carried a total of 736,000 troops.

By 1956, as with most of the other transoceanic passenger lines, Matson left the passenger transportation business in favor of ocean freight, specifically container ships. The company still operates today.

17.84 SHIP WHEEL ASHTRAY. Solid, shiny metallic aluminum ashtray in the form of a classic 8-spoke ship's wheel. The center of the ashtray is inlaid with a large copper disc bearing the colorful cloissoné houseflag of the British India Steam Navigation Company below which is a banner reading "NEVASA." 6 inches in diameter and in good, used condition. 89

The twin screw, quadruple expansion steam propelled passenger ship NEVASA was built by Barclay Curle & Company in Glasgow, Scotland for the British India Steam Navigation Company Glasgow & London. She was a steel hull vessel 480 1/2 feet in length of 9071 gross registered tons. Launched late in 1912, the same year as theTITANIC disaster, NEVASA began her maiden voyage on March 22, 1913 from London to Calcutta. When the Great War broke out she was taken over as a troopship in 1914, then used as a hospital ship between 1915 and 1918. In 1919 she reverted to being a troop ship. In 1925 she was permanently rebuilt as a troopship. Used again for that purpose in World War II, she resumed commercial service after the War, but that was still in a chartered status, transporting troops home. She was scrapped in 1948.

BOTTOM

17.83 FAMOUS SHIP'S LIFERING. Authentic ship's life ring from one of the most famous passenger liners in history, the French Line's SS LIBERTÉ as boldly stenciled on the top front. This classic lifering is of standard old world construction having a solid cork core overlaid by heavy hand-stitched sail canvas and rimmed with a hemp rope grab line. The back of the ring is stamped "Bouee 75 Liege Homologation 55 ES Anciens Etd., Labbe, Nantse." 29 inches in diameter. Excellent original condition showing a few scuff marks and a couple of small holes in the fabric, as expected. 795

The SS EUROPA (renamed SS LIBERTÉ ) was one of two fast ocean liners built by Blohm & Voss shipyard, Hamburg, Germany in the late 1920's for the Norddeutscher Lloyd Line (NDL) to ply the transatlantic passenger service. EUROPA was launched August 1, 1928 and made her maiden voyage to New York on March 19, 1930. She was a vessel of 936.7 feet in length displacing 49,746 gross tons. Her four steam turbines generated 105,000 shaft horse power propelling her to a speed of 27 1/2 knots. She had a passenger capacity of 860 first class, 500 second class, 305 tourist class, 617 third class and a total crew of 965.


DETAIL	MAKER	SHIP

17.82 PILLOW. Commemorative pillow from one of the most famous ocean liners of all time, the SS NORMANDIE. This pillow is covered in a thick fabric with mutli-color machine embroidery depicting the grand liner underway at sea with a tugboat and sailboat to her port. It is boldly stitched "NORMANDIE Cie. Gle. Transatlantique / Compagne Générale ". The case is zippered on the bottom and contains the original clean contents. The embroidered pillow case is in outstanding condition with no tears, stains, flaws or distress of any kind. 34 inches long by approximately 6 1/2 inches in diameter. Possibly inteded for use at the base of a door to prevent drafts. 195

The SS NORMANDIE was built in Saint-Nazaire France for Compagnie Générale Transatlantique. She had a length of 1,029 feet and a displacement of 71,300 tons. When launched on October 29, 1932 she was the largest and fastest ship in the world. Even today she maintains the distinction of being the most powerful steam turbo-electric passenger ship ever built. Her elegant design and lavish interiors convinced many historians that she was the greatest ocean liner ever built!

During World War II SS NORMANDIE was undergoing conversion to a troopship at the New York Passenger Ship Terminal. On February 9, 1942 sparks from a workman's welding torch set her ablaze. Firemen were able to control the blaze, but the huge liner capsized and sank as a result of the tons of water used to extinguish the fire. Although she was refloated at great expense, restoration was deemed too costly, and she was finally scrapped in October 1946.


BOW	STERN	ZIPPER	SHIP

17.73 "QUEEN MARY" MEMORABILIA. Grouping of three items pertaining to one of the most famous passenger ships of all time, the grand old lady herself, the RMS QUEEN MARY. The grouping consists of a booklet entitled "The factual Story of a Great Ship RMS QUEEN MARY Superliner Pictorial." This full color booklet measures 8 1/2 by 11 inches and contains 48 pages including a full 3 page fold-out cutaway view of the ship on one side and a detailed cross section view on the other. This informative pictorial biography of the ship was published in 1971 by Command Publishing Co., Berkeley, California. Condition is near perfect. Accompanying the booklet is a unique writing pen with a see-through 'window' reading "THE QUEEN MARY, Long Beach, California, 1971." The reverse depicts a profile of the ship with the City of Long Beach in the background. As the pen is rotated, the ship appears to "float" in front of the city. The third item is an original Cunard White Star luggage tag depicting QUEEN MARY from her port bow. This paper label measures 4 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches in good condition with only one small loss at the top (shown). All three items. 99


COVER	PLATE	LUGGAGE LABEL

PEN

PEN REVERSE

17.72 LINER ART GLASS DOOR. Original, deeply etched and molded art glass panel removed from the Italian luxury liner the S.S. CRISTOFORO COLUMBO. This lovely sculpted glass is flat on the face (side with mahogany molding) with the varying depths of the glass on the reverse providing a backlit array of green hues which accentuate the beautiful subject of flying birds and flowers. The glass panel itself measures 16 1/2 inches wide by 36 1/2 inches tall. It is inset into a standard size, solid core wooden door measuring 24 inches wide and 80 inches tall. The door is complete with all solid brass hardware including functional door knob and flush mounted hinges. Door is ready to install. This is an authentic piece of original Italian art glass from one of the most famous passenger liners of the mid-20th century, priced at a fraction of the cost of an average contemporary designer door! 1195

The 700 foot Italian passenger liner CRISTOFORO COLUMBO was built by S.A. Ansaldo, Sestri Ponente, Genoa and launched in 1954 with a length of 700 feet, 29,100 gross registered tons, and designed to carry 1,250 passengers in three classes. She was the sister ship of the ill-fated ANDRIA DORIA which sank off of Nantucket Island in 1956. The Colombo met a less disastrous, if not somewhat more humble fate at the hands of the Kaohsiung salvers (see the "Meet Us" section of our Webpages, "The Early Years") in 1979, where we personally acquired this relic.


GLASS	DETAIL	SHIP

17.70 CRUISE TROPHY. High quality, silverplate loving cup with applied, high relief brass emblem reading "Awarded on Holland-America Line Cruises" depicting the line's house flag. This handsome cruise memento is said to have come from the famous pre-War liner NIEUW AMSTERDAM. It stands 6 1/2 inches tall and slightly more than 5 1/2 inches wide. Excellent original condition. 195

The Nederlands-Amerikaansche Stoomvaart-Maatschappij, popularly known as the Holland-American Line, was founded in 1873 and based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Neutral registry in World War I brought large profits to the company and it was in a position to expand. However American immigration restrictions following the War delayed construction of the company's flagship the NIEUW AMSTERDAM until 1938. When the Germans invaded Holland in May of 1940, they seized the OLENDAM while the STATEMDAM was destroyed in the fighting. The remainder of the company's fleet was chartered by the Allies for the war effort. The NIEUW AMESTERDAM in particular had a spectacular war career, performing troop carrying duties throughout the world until her triumphant return to her home port in April 1946.

17.69 FAMOUS LINER ADVERTISING. Period advertising chromolithograph depicting the grand liner S.S. AMERICA majestically steaming out of New York Harbor enroute to Europe. This colorful print captures AMERICA's exciting departure as the tug and pilot cast off and she leaves the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline behind. The image is signed lower right "W. J. Aylward" and measures 19 1/2 by 28 1/2 inches sight. It is housed in its original gray wooden frame with brass identification plate and measures 24 12/ by 33 1/2 inches overall. Outstanding original condition, ready to hang. 349

S. S. AMERICA II was built by the Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company in Newport News, Virginia and launched on August 10, 1940, christened by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. She was a steam turbine vessel of 723 feet in length, displacing 33,961 tons, making her the largest ship ever built in America up to that time. She continued to hold claim to that title until her sister super-liner the UNITED STATES was launched in 1952. As the war in Europe loomed, AMERICA was converted to a troopship soon after her launching and commissioned USS WEST POINT (AP-23) in 1942. After war duty she was renamed AMERICA and returned to the Atlantic passenger trade running between New York and Le Harve under the ownership of the United States Lines. She was sold to the Chandris Lines in 1964, renamed AUSTRALIS and was eventually scrapped. This very image is shown on page 95 of Gordon Newell's reference book "Ocean Liners of the 20th Century," 1963, Bonanza Books, New York.


DETAIL	PLAQUE

17.65 LINER CRUET. Extremely nice very early 20th century passenger liner cruet etched on the front with the distinctive Matson Line emblem. This handsome molded glass table piece is octagonal in shape with a graceful handle and spout and is complete with its faceted ground glass stopper which provides a tight fit. The glass has acquired a very desirable purple hue indicative of the manganese used in manufacturing quality glass at the end of the 1800's into the early 1900's. 6 3/4 inches high. Perfect condition. 169

The famous Matson Liners ran between the mainland and the Hawaiian Islands during the golden age of ocean passenger travel. Matson Line collectibles are highly sought after. This is one of the nicest examples to be found.

MARK

17.59 OCEAN LINER COLLECTION. A particularly nice grouping of paper memorabilia relating to a variety of passenger liners from the early 1930's through the early 1950's. This hardbound scrap book contains 45 individual items including passenger lists, luggage tags, tickets, photographs, post cards, envelopes, menus, maps, brochures, and even a match book! Some of the ships and lines represented are Dollar Steamship, Cunard, Anchor Line, Panama Mail, S.S. UNITED STATES, Matson Lines, and the famed NORMANDIE. All items are in excellent bright condition and beautifully mounted. The scrap book itself measures 11 by 14 inches. Many of these items are highly collectible and worth a considerable amount individually. Here, the entire collection is available for well under the value of it combined contents. 295


PLATE 2	PLATE 3	PLATE 4

17.34 POSTER FRAGMENTS. Authentic early 1930's advertising poster for the "Compagnie Generale Transatlantique" touting their famous liners the ILE de FRANCE, the FRANCE, and the PARIS. These two parts of one larger poster were found sealed behind yet another later steamship poster as backing material and have not seen the light of day in over 60 years! They are perfect! The only problem is that they have been cut! Nevertheless, they are wonderful, identifiable examples of the lithographer's art, of the art deco period, and pre-date the famous liner NORMANDIE . Over $2,000 if in tact! 49 for the two.

17.30 TRADE CARD. Finely engraved 19th century American advertising trade card for the "National Line Steamships" with the colorful depiction of the clipper bowed S.S. ENGLAND under sail, flanked by a rope border emblazoned with flags of the United States and Britain. The reverse boasts "National Line, Passenger Steamship comprising twelve of the largest Ocean Steam Ships belonging to one company in the Atlantic Service..." Much information including a listing of of "Passage Rates" for which 1st Class Excursion is $120! The front of the card is signed "Hatch Lith. Co., NY" and measures 3 1/2 x 6 inches. Good condition with toning to the reverse and minor staining. Circa 1885. 195

REVERSE

2.15 CRUISE MEMENTO MODEL. Genuine passenger ship cruise trophy from the famous American President Lines cargo/passenger liner the "S. S. PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT" as identified in embossed letters below the model of the ship. This good likeness is formed of heavy cast metal done with faithful detail. It is faced by a brass plaque engraved "BRIDGE.". Excellent overall condition with good age patina and surface oxidation to the metal. 8 ½ inches long by 2 ½ inches wide. A very displayable and handsome authentic model. 69

Originally built in 1944 as the 18,920 ton Hawaiian Steamship Company's LEILANI the ship was purchased by the American President Lines in 1960 and renamed S.S. PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT. After an extensive refit in Seattle, the ship began service between the West Coast of the U.S and the Orient. Sold in 1970.

BACK

2.14 CRUISE MEMENTO MODEL. Genuine passenger ship cruise trophy from the famous American President Lines cargo/passenger liner the "S. S. PRESIDENT CLEVELAND" as identified in embossed letters below the model of the ship. This good likeness is formed of heavy cast metal done with faithful detail. It is faced by an engraved brass plaque reading “ACHIEVEMENT” and flanked by the embossed inscription “ACHIEVEMENT.” Excellent overall condition with a good age patina. 8 1/2 inches long by 2 1/2 inches wide. A very displayable and handsome authentic model. 69

The steam cargo/passenger ship SS PRESIDENT CLEVLAND was a P2 design ship built in 1947 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Co., Alameda California, Hull No. 9509. She had a length of 609 feet, a draft of 30 feet, displaced 23,404 tons and had a cruising speed of 20 knots. Designed to carry 379 First Class passengers and 200 economy, she also boasted a cargo capacity of 193,984 cubic feet. Homeported in San Francisco, the CLEVELAND along with her sister ship the PRESIDENT WILSON reestablished America’s preeminence in the passenger trade between the West Coast and the Orient. But in 1973, with passenger liner service no longer profitable, American President Lines sold the ship. It was scrapped a year later.

BACK

7.47 REFERENCE BOOK. Frederick Emmons, "The Atlantic Liners," 1977, Bonanza Book, New York. 160 pages including an Index of Ships. This hardcover book with dust jacket covers the major liners of the world that plied the Atlantic from 1925 through 1970. It is organized by country, and then by Steamship company, with a history of each company given. The remainder of the book is dedicated to detailed information on the ships themselves. Each entry provides a line drawn profile view along with a paragraph on the ship's characteristics, service history, and ultimate fate. An invaluable research tool! 39