13279  Samaria                                    Abstract of Log Card

Souvenir log given to passengers for the April 15, 1954, crossing, which lasted 7 days 10 hours and 15 minutes.  Some very slight soiling on the back, but overall in excellent condition.  $12.

Unusually rare menu for the war-time service of the Saxonia.  She was one of a few lucky Cunarders to survive hostilities, finally being sold to Dutch ship breakers in 1925.  Excellent condition.  $25.

13264  Saxonia (1954)                        Photograph

Excellent stern view of the Saxonia in Ocean Dock on November 14, 1959.  This info inked in on the back.  6½” x 4¾”.  Mint condition.  $12.

SOLD!

A travel reviewer from 1958 had this to say about Scythia:

"Elderly, poky relic....which is gasping her last as a Cunarder.  Scheduled to be scrapped any month now, and let's hope it's soon." 

I have been wanting to use that review of her for months.  Now I get my chance.  The ship buff in me feels a bit sad at the aging Scythia's description.  I would love to have seen her as a time capsule of 1920s Cunard, but now at least I can in the color photos included in this plan as it appears Cunard did not update her much in the postwar refit.  Aside from some furniture and a new cinema, she's vintage 1920s (in color!).

This first-class plan dated March, 1952, is in full color on glossy pages.  Full color painting of her inside.  Near mint condition.  $25. 

Extremely nice cabinet photo of the Umbria.  On a heavy card backing with gilt edge.  One rarely sees photos like this for 19th Century Cunarders.   As you can see, it's a very sharp image and would scan nicely.  Some staining in the sky which can be fixed in Photoshop with ease.  Measures about 8½" x 5¼".  $75.

Program for a charity concert held on board on August 26.  Oddly, no year is given, but probably dates to 1901 given the information contained inside.  In great condition with a nice portrait of Umbria/Etruria on the back.  $25.

Let me start by saying this is a fantastic and interesting ashtray.  You might occasionally see these ashtrays being mentioned as pre WW1.  It is easy to see why the pre-war Cunard belt logo on this ashtray is as confusing as it is desirable.  After a lot of careful thought and reviewing the available evidence, I believe that these were not on-board pre-WWI items is as often quoted but rather souvenirs made by Stuart Crystal and sold in the gift shops on board Cunarders in the 1950's and 1960's.  Let me explain.

The apparent discrepancy in age and the use of the pre-WWI logo on this ashtray is probably just a case of Cunard (or their souvenir suppliers) picking and choosing logos.  For example, the lovely Cunard White Star double house flag souvenirs (such as the Staffordshire pin dishes and mugs) almost certainly date to the 1950's and 1960's, even though the company officially became Cunard again in 1950 (although they did continue to use the name Cunard White Star on some printed material until the 1960's).  It seems that Cunard chose whatever logo suited them even if it was not the "official" company logo in use at the time.  This is especially true from a marking and gift-shop standpoint. A further example of Cunard picking and choosing logos on gift-shop items are some pre-WWI souvenirs.  Many Cunard souvenirs at the time were produced with a swallow-tail flag, identical to that used by White Star and not the rectangular flag their ships flew.

This ashtray is in excellent condition.  $135.

Copper ashtray probably dating to the 1920's.  Great condition with just a touch of pitting.  $25.

25678   Cunard White Star                Ashtray

Much sought-after bakelite "toilet" ashtray marked Cunard White Star.  In very good condition.  Measures about 4½" from front to back.  Can be seen in use in the archival photo at left.  This is my last one!  $95.

Wonderful ashtray dating to the 1950's and often referred to as the "toilet" ashtray because of its shape.  Excellent condition with just the tiniest fleabite in the black section of the rim and a touch of scuffing.  This style of ashtray was introduced on board the Queen Mary at the time of her maiden voyage.  This is the much-sought-after large size.  Some rusting to the screws, and there is a small crack under one of the cigarette rests on the back; otherwise great condition.  Someone has taped a photo of the Queen Elizabeth to the bottom of the ashtray and written her name and a date.  Perhaps this is from the Elizabeth and was "liberated" as a souvenir of the crossing.  Comes with a book of Cunard matches.  $125.

Fraser & Glass Ltd ashtray from the onboard service.  Measures just under 6" in diameter.  Flea bites to the rim otherwise very good condition.  Several available. $35.

Fraser & Glass Ltd ashtray from the onboard service.  Measures just under 4" in diameter.  Near mint with just the merest hint of fleabites to the rim.  Several available. $25.

Fraser & Glass, Ltd., ashtray from the onboard service.  Measures just under 6" in diameter.  Several available. $18.

Fraser & Glass, Ltd., ashtray from the onboard service.  Measures just under 4" in diameter.  Some flea bites to the rim.  Several available.  $12.

Outstanding example of a pre-World War I blotter for Cunard.  The service to Fishguard is mentioned, which was not resumed after the war. Great graphics on this rare piece!  Measures about 9" x 4".  $40.

"Cunard Line and the World's Fair, Chicago 1893."  Gives extensive, detailed information about Cunard, the history of the company, a fleet list, a deck plan of Britannia, and lots of great photos.   Runs 82 pages.  The covers are in great shape, but the fly page has come loose.  The fly page is signed with the compliments of the Cunard Steamship Co., 1894.  Some water damage to the edges of some pages but gets much better as you go through.  Does not really detract.  Small spine repair on the inside back cover.

Great gold leaf on the cover.  Considering its age, good condition.  $275.

Early pre-World War I music book, identical to those used on Lusitania.  Among the selections is Songe d'Automne, considered by some historians to be the last piece played by Titanic's  band just before the ship went under.  Embossed gold Cunard logos on cover.  In excellent condition with some slight soiling on the cover.  $45.

Unusual oval brochure dating to about 1911.  Mostly talks about third class and seems to be an attempt to fill the empty lower classes on the east -bound crossings.  Runs 16 pages with 17 illustrations.  The inside back cover is a full-color panel showing the various house flags and funnels of Cunard's competitors.  One wonders why they included this.  A one-inch tear to the spine and some "white out" on the inside front cover.  Also has some staining inside.  Unique advertising for pre-WWI third class.  Tough to find.  $95.

Pre-WWI brochure advertising the "new express route," Cunard's service to Fishguard.  White Star smartly transferred their main-line service from Liverpool to Southampton in 1907 in order to compete with continental steamship line, especially for the traffic to Paris.  Cunard, on the other hand, stuck it out in Liverpool until after World War I when they transferred to Southampton as well.  In 1909, Cunard instituted a call at Fishguard in Wales, to speed up the transfer of passengers to London.  Just before the war, this service was abandoned.

16 pages with 28 images of the ships, the ports, etc.  Some dirt on covers and some paper loss to the logo on the back cover.  $65.

Neat covers depicting a Cunard funnel make this pre-World War I brochure stand out.  Dates to about 1912.  Also dubiously mentioned is the fact that the Cunard company "fifteen months ago, submitted their plans to the Board of Trade for an installation of lifeboats to accommodate every passenger on board."

Folds out to show 24 pictures covering life onboard, the ships, and some ports but mostly the ships.  Most of the pictures I have never seen elsewhere.  Great color route map showing all services covered by the company.  In excellent condition.  $75.

This brochure starts off with a full-page photo of Berengaria in the floating dry dock in Southampton.  Too many images to list but many full-page photos.  Interesting and unique angles.  First and second class on many of the liners are covered.  Every bit of information you could want to know about meals, departure times, reservations, etc., etc.  In very good condition.  $45.

Beautiful covers on this brochure advertising the cross-channel service.  Lots and lots of photos, including some lesser-known ships like the Cameronia.  24 pages with almost a full page photo on each.  Excellent condition.  $65.

Have you ever wanted to see the first Saxonia in dazzle?  Or a photo of the first Franconia sinking?  Or the US Marine Band playing on board the Carpathia?  Did you know that Cunard made more than 500,000 shells for the war effort?  Did you know that Cunard carried 40.5% of American troops who embarked on British ships?

Exceptional booklet produced by Cunard to chronicle the war service of their liners.  Twenty pages with 34 images.  In excellent condition dated circa 1920.  $50.

Amazing brochure in Dutch for tourist-third-class service.  Filled with 19 amazing never-before-seen photos including ships you see very little for.  Examples include the tourist-third dining room on the first Caronia, the sitting room on the Aurania, and the smoking room on the Tuscania, to name just a few.  24 pages, measuring 9" x 6".  In near-mint condition.  $50.

"The Happy Medium in Atlantic Travel."  "Trick" fold-out brochure from the 1930's showcasing mostly the Queen Mary but has many other liners included such as Georgic, Britannic, Aquitania, Carinthia, and others.  10 photos and folds open to over 28" x 7".  Excellent condition with just the slightest bit of dirt on the cover.  $45.

Fairly ubiquitous, but if you don't have it, here's a chance to add it to your collection.  Cunard's own illustrated corporate history in brochure form.  Very well illustrated with ships past and present.  Dates to about 1949.  Excellent condition.  $20.

The Rising Tide!  Without question, one of the finest brochures Cunard produced after the war.  They finally got a clue that they needed to showcase how fun it was to be on a crossing.  Dated 1965.  Filled with full-color photos with amazing, dramatic images that you won't find anywhere else.  Shows parts of the ships that we usually don't see like a wine cellar.  I cant say enough about this.  You won't be disappointed!  Excellent condition.  $65.

SOLD!

22116    Cunard                                    Cards

Cunard Line playing cards from the 1920’s in original box and sleeve.  The edges of the cards are gold leafed.  The ace of spades has a Cunard lion in the center of the spade.  The deck is in near mint condition. In original box and sleeve.  Complete deck.  Dates to the 1920’s.  $35.

22556    Cunard                                    Cards

Deck of playing cards in its original sleeve with a four-funneled liner on the back of each card.  The edges of the cards are gold leafed.  In very good condition.  Complete deck.  Dates to the 1920’s.  $30.

22621    Cunard                                    Cards

Deck of playing cards from the 1950’s showing the Queen Elizabeth on the back of the cards.  Box was once taped, but otherwise in good condition.  Get two decks and have a Cunard Canasta game!  Complete deck.  $15.

Official company photo of Captain G. Gibbons bidding goodbye to Pilot J. Bird on board the Franconia.  Looks like they are giving each other a Masonic handshake.  Measures 10" x 8'".  Linen backed with a tag on the corner giving Gibbons's name.  Excellent condition.  Photo by Robert E. Coates.  From the Frank Braynard Collection.  $30.

Cunard's Captain W.A. Hawkes in his naval dress uniform as Aide de Camp to the King in 1934.  Crystal clear image.  Measures 10" x 8". Photo by Robert E. Coates.  Excellent condition.  From the Frank Braynard Collection.  $50.

SOLD!

25835   Cunard White Star                Souvenir Dish

Superb pin tray with the evocative double Cunard White Star house flag logo.  Excellent condition.  No chips, cracks, or crazing.  No loss of gold.  Made by Staffordshire and sold in the gift shops.  Measures about 5" wide.  $125.