Fun Stuff

Last Great Cruise passenger list from the month-long voyage around South America.  I have always dreamed of what it would have been like on this cruise.  Portions of it were very hot, but the chance… read more ›

Don’t you just love it when steamship lines did all the requisite and fun paperwork?  Cunard in the 1960s dotted all the “I’s” and crossed all the “T’s” when it came to stuff like this…. read more ›

I always try to bring you great items, but this one is doubly cool!  It is simultaneously the final dinner on the North Atlantic service for RMS Queen Mary, plus the commemoration of the ship’s… read more ›

Were you aware that the RMS Queen Mary went on a coastal cruise prior to her post-war maiden voyage in July, 1947?  I wasn’t, but here is the list to prove the trip was undertaken. … read more ›

White Star Line ink blotter showing the RMS Adriatic.  The only one of the Big Four not to be the largest ship in the world when she entered service.  Unused and in excellent condition.

Entry-into-service brochure for RMS Homeric from 1922.  Never had another one like this.  Shows amazing views, including such interesting scenes as the baker working in his kitchen and a greaser slapping the piston rods of… read more ›

Magnificent brochure for tourist class on both the MV Britannic and the brand new MV Georgic.  In very good condition and showcases the ships well.  They were White Star’s last ships, and the company was… read more ›

19th-century White Star Line memorabilia is tough to source.  Anything from the first RMS Britannic is even tougher.  Just think of the world of 127 years ago.  It feels almost unrecognizable compared to the modern… read more ›

Kosher menus from RMS Queen Mary are not common.  This one comes from the final crossing which makes it even more special.  “You could have had a V-8!”  

Aren’t these cute?  I have always thought so.  Bookmark given out to advertise the rather vast services White Star Line offered.  RMS Majestic, RMS Olympic, and RMS Homeric are advertised on the back.  Imagine this… read more ›

39 exciting fun-filled days aboard the most famous “Queen of the Seas.”  Here’s the brochure that Long Beach and Diner’s Club produced for the last, long trip to deliver the RMS Queen Mary to her… read more ›

The ship of the year!  I’ll say!  Nice foldout advertising the ss Normandie.  Mint condition and dated May, 1935.

Want to own something that traveled along on the ss Normandie’s maiden voyage in 1935?  Here is your chance.  In excellent condition.

White Star cruise baggage label. Late 1920s and obviously specifically for the cruise service.  In excellent condition.  Never seen another.

Stunning color cut-away of White Star’s Majestic.  In many ways, Majestic was a forerunner to ships such as Normandie (with divided uptakes, many public rooms being double height, etc.).  White Star cut-aways are a rarity,… read more ›

A very unusual log card from the second liner to be named RMS Mauretania.  She did only a precious few crossings before World War II broke out.  Under the command of A.T. Brown, who took… read more ›

These cardboard tags are tough to find these days.  This one is for the main express service from the 1920s and was meant to be used on RMS Olympic or RMS Majestic, for example.  This… read more ›

Oh-so-tough-to-come-by hardback wine list from the RMS Queen Mary.  Dated February, 1966.  These passengers could take comfort in the finest wines you could imagine.  Château Lafite 1959 at $8 a bottle.  Krug Private Cuvée 1955… read more ›

It is fascinating to me that Cunard spent this much money advertising in full color the airy delights of 3rd class travel on the RMS Caronia and Carmania.  The brand-new Carmania takes center stage here… read more ›

Silver tooth pick holder as sold on board the RMS Mauretania.  One of the most-famous ocean liners in the world and, for some, the most attractive and influential Cunard 4 stacker.  President FDR certainly thought… read more ›

A napkin ring from the souvenir shop on board Cunard’s second Franconia.  It is in excellent condition with no damage to the enamel badge and house flag.  I would love to have sailed on her… read more ›

Aquitania was the second-longest-serving Cunarder and one of the line’s most popular ships.  Yet the number of quality souvenirs for her in excellent condition does not reflect that popularity.  Good souvenirs for her are very… read more ›

12” silver serving tray from the ss United States made by International Silver and date marked 1952 from her maiden voyage.  What makes this more interesting is it also has its matching fitted silver cover,… read more ›

In the long and storied history of Cunard Line cruises, the Coronation Cruise of 1953 stands out as streets and streets ahead of any other.  The cruise lasted nearly 30 days, and it was all… read more ›

One of the nicest and rarest pieces of silver I have ever offered from the ss United States.  Highly sought-after silver salt-and-pepper caddy made by International Silver and dated coded 1952 for the maiden voyage… read more ›

Silver-plated sugar bowl from the ss US.  Stands 2¼” tall x is 4½” from handle to handle.  Made by International Silver Co. and marked “US Lines 52.” In excellent condition with no dents.  Has the… read more ›

This box is interesting in and of itself as a fascinating souvenir from Cunard’s most-successful four stacker, RMS Aquitania. Doubly so when I realized it was sterling silver, and I looked up the hallmarks.  It… read more ›

Listed in the USL silver inventory as a “soup cup,” I have never seen a photo of one being used.  Not at all common.  It measures about 3″ tall and 5″ handle to rim.  Made… read more ›

One of the best things I ever found was a silver, china, and crystal inventory for items used on board the ss United States.  It has helped me immensely over the years figuring out what… read more ›

Kosher china bread plate from the maiden voyage era of Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2.  Manufactured by Steelite, you can tell QE2 maiden voyage china apart from that made for the ship after 1972 as its… read more ›

Individual silver butter pat dated 1952 and from the maiden voyage of the ss United States.  They are cute at only 3.5″ across and this one is in excellent condition.  Of course, made by International… read more ›

Cute and tough-to-source lemon dish from the on-board service of the ss United States.  Made by Lamberton and in excellent condition.  It measures about 4″ across.  This was purchased at the 1984 United States auction… read more ›

Private snapshots taken on board Carpathia are almost unheard of, and these are by far the best I’ve seen!  Six private photos taken during a crossing of various spots on deck and on board.  Whoever… read more ›

Perhaps no steamship line in the 1950s was making a bigger deal out of caviar service than the United States Lines.  Silver service table side was and still is a requirement in my mind for… read more ›

Superb gouache painting of the Cunarder liner Servia.  Dated 1884, this painting shows the popular liner, which was the first Cunarder to be fitted with electric lighting throughout and the first to be built of… read more ›

Rarely seen and much-sought-after passenger list from the RMS Carpathia, rescuer of the Titanic survivors less than two years after this list was printed.  Dated July 7, 1910, this first-class list is for her voyage… read more ›

Souvenir log book purchased in the on-board gift shop of Lusitania.  This from a voyage in late September, 1909.  The passenger has filled in the days with the log detail.  A nice item to survive 115… read more ›

Extremely rare table number from the first-class dining room of the French Line flagship ss Normandie.  Made of chrome plated brass, I believe.  Stands about 5.5″ tall with a little paint missing from both sides. … read more ›

Very dramatic photo of the wreck of the Caribia (formerly the Cunarder RMS Caronia) on the breakwater at Apra Harbor, Guam.  Taken shortly after she ran aground, this is before she broke into three pieces… read more ›

One of the earliest on-board ship newspapers you’ll ever find!  This one is from Cunard’s RMS Campania and is dated June 6, 1904.  Runs 8 pages with lots of interesting items.  My favorite is probably… read more ›

Extremely rare piece of stationery from a cruise on board Aquitania with a color rendering of the liner at the top.  Folded but in great condition.  Never seen another!

Stunning stand-up dinner menu for the post-war service of Aquitania before she was returned to Cunard for her post-war refit.  Embossed Cunard logo surrounded by garlands, the ship is labeled as “HMT Aquitania.”  Measures about… read more ›

Extremely hard-to-find menu from the Aquitania’s post-war service while she was still in government service.  Dated March 28, 1919, this menu has a note on the back that it was kept by an officer returning… read more ›

Fine second-class Lusitania passenger list for her voyage from Liverpool to New York on 30 December 1911 with the ever-popular Captain James Charles in command.  Aquitania is listed as “building.”  Some foxing throughout.

Lovely petit brochure for the Aquitania, probably dating the 1920s.  10 photos, including one lovely portrait photo of her at sea.  Measures about 5.75″ x 3.5″  Excellent condition.

A set of four photographs taken by the ship’s photographer during a storm in mid-Atlantic in March, 1930.  That would have been quite a ride!  How would you like to have been on board?  They… read more ›

Press image of the interior of the ss Normandie after she burned.  Per the blurb: “Taken during the actual fire Monday…” meaning that this photo was taken before she capsized early in the morning of… read more ›

Running 24 pages and full of information with 16 rarely seen photos.  She was an absolute beauty and is a ship I would love to have tried!  I always found it interesting that CGT, unlike… read more ›

Never seen another of these!  Tourist-class brochure for one of the French Line’s greats.  16 pages with 13 images, most of which I have never seen before.  It’s like a tour of tourist class!  Dated… read more ›

Lovely postcard of the ill-fated RMS Lusitania on the stocks at John Brown’s yard shortly before her launch.  What a day that must have been!  Unused and in excellent condition.

Set of utensils from the first-class dining room of the only four stacker ever built by France.  All three made by Christofle.  The longest of the three is the knife, and it measures about 9.75″… read more ›

Very rare unused invitation to visit the Ile de France before she entered service.  Embossed CGT flag with day’s schedule on the right.  Measures 11″ x 4.25″.

Lovely Lucite cigarette case from Cunard’s Green Goddess with a reverse painted image of the ship.  Sold on board in the ships souvenir shop, souvenirs from Caronia are harder to find than from most other… read more ›

Unusually shaped silver fork from the famed ss Normandie.  From her second-class service, this fork was made by Ercuis and is complete with hallmark.  Measures about 5″ long.

Very hard-to-find maiden voyage certificate for the return maiden voyage of the amazing ss Normandie.  Made out to Miss Ray Senior.  How cool would it be to find a passenger list for this voyage with… read more ›

Lovely and rarely seen fish knife by Christofle as used in the first-class dining room of the ss Normandie.  Measures about 8.25″ in length.  A touch of wear to the CGT logo on the back.

A lovely wool cabin blanket from the French liner Normandie.  Has “CGT” and “1935” embroidered on both ends with lovely satin trim on either end.  Measures about 70″ x 53″.  In great condition with no… read more ›

Second-class silver dish from the French Liner ss Normandie.  Made by Christofle and in excellent condition.  I had several of these many years ago, and now this one has come back to me from a… read more ›

Souvenir plaque from the ss Normandie.  These types of plaques sometimes turn up for the RMS Queen Mary, but this is the first time I have had one for the Normandie.  Made of a type… read more ›

Very dainty and extremely attractive demi-tasse cup and saucer from the first-class à la carte restaurant of HAPAG’s ss Imperator, later Cunard’s Berengaria.  Marked with a super intertwined HAL logo on the cup, the cup… read more ›

Another one of those “Wow” items!  A tea tray in a pattern used on board Cunarders in the pre-World War I period.  This is a part of the tea set from ships like Lusitania and… read more ›

A lovely White Star Line knife in the reed-and-star pattern as used on board the RMS Olympic ad RMS Titanic.  Produced by Harrison Bros & Howson and marked with the White Star Line name and… read more ›

In a very unusual turn, I can definitely say that this glass is from the RMS Queen Mary.  How do I know?  Here’s a little background:  A gentleman in his late 80s who lives in… read more ›

The cabin door info plaque from the ss United States.  Entirely complete including the card which gave your steward’s name.  Often these cards are missing.  Mount one of these to your own interior door.  I… read more ›

Elkington-plate ashtray used on board the White Star Line.  Not a souvenir.  This is an in-service silver ashtray.  Date coded to 1929.  Perhaps made for the new RMS Britannic which came out in 1930 or… read more ›

Were you aware that there were 6 different sized meat dishes provided by International Silver to the United States Lines?  The line chose various sizes from 10″ to 22″ for use on board the Big… read more ›

Were you aware that there were 6 different sized meat dishes (platters) provided by International Silver to the United States Lines?  The line chose various sizes from 10″ to 22″ for use on board the… read more ›

Perhaps the most loved item of silver from the USL stewards’ perspective.  This “utility tray: was a catch all.  It was meant to go under just about anything.  The International Silver Co.’s catalog lists it… read more ›

The holy of holies.  The highly sought after champagne bucket from the ss United States.  Like all of you, I just love the seashell handles.  This bucket is the equivalent to getting your checker crowned… read more ›

A gorgeous and extremely hard-to-find silver fruit bowl from the on-board service of the ss United States.  Made by International Silver Company and date coded most interestingly to 1963.  It’s not very often that I… read more ›

Oh, how I wish we had an inventory giving the exact number of each type of silver item used on board the ss United States.  This the pastry tray has to be one of the… read more ›

Saddle up to the bar and enjoy a whiskey sour out of glassware from the famous ss United States.  Holding 5 ounces, these are a first for Luxury Liner Row as I haven’t ever had… read more ›

A useful silver bread tray by International Silver and date coded to the maiden voyage of the ss United States.  Of particular interest is the “CD” stamped into the bottom of the piece.  This is… read more ›

Isn’t this just the dish?!  Fantastic-condition White Star Line reed-and-star dish from the on-board service.  Measures about 10.5″ x 7.25″,  Made by Elkington plate and dated to 1932, meaning it was probably made for the… read more ›

Ultra rare and highly sought after Lalique crystal glass from the on-board suites of the ss Normandie.  Made by and marked as such by the world-famous René Lalique.   A piece of Lalique that isn’t… read more ›

Sycamore first-class suite chair from the RMS Queen Mary.  As you can see, it is sexily Art Deco in the extreme.  I hesitate to say there was only one of these on board, but who… read more ›

What a cute and interesting item of United States Lines silver.  The inventory list for the silver used on board the ss United States shows this marked as a “casserolette.”  I suspect this was used… read more ›

My last and finest piece of pine decking from the famous liner RMS Olympic.  Comes not only with its original auction tag from when I purchased it at the Haltwhistle auction nearly 20 years ago… read more ›

Does your power go out?  If so, this might really fill the bill.  A silver-plated candle stick holder from the gift shop of one of the “Pretty Sisters,” Cunard Line’s RMS Caronia of 1905.  Stand… read more ›

Ah, the era before everything was plastic.  This lovely wooden serving tray comes to us from the RMS Queen Mary and was purchased from the estate of a woman who attended the sales in the… read more ›

What’s rarer than silver from the famous ss Normandie?  Third-class serving items from the ss Normandie!  Likely made by Gallia for or in conjunction with Christofle, this is marked Alfenide which is an alloy made… read more ›

When collecting Normandie, it is rare to see nice items from third class.  In fact, it is rare to see third-class pieces for the French Line at all. Measures about 5″ tall x 5.5″ handle… read more ›

Silver-plated creamer from the ssUS.  Stands 2.75” tall x is 3.75” from handle to spout.  Made by International Silver Co., and marked “US Lines 62.”  In very good condition with a few small dings and… read more ›

Silver-plated sugar bowl from the ss US.  Stands 2¼” tall x is 4½” from handle to handle.  Made by International Silver Co. and marked “US Lines 52.”  In great condition with no dents, just some… read more ›

Lovely passenger list for the first big cruise Cunard did after World War II.  The Great African Cruise of 1950.  Most of the world was still recovering from the devastation of the Second World War… read more ›

Rates brochure for the December, 18, 1964, Christmas cruise undertaken nearly 60 years ago now.  Someone, a travel agent I suppose, has written on the front that there were 694 passengers on board.  Back cover… read more ›

Miniature deck plan for the much-loved ss America of the United States Lines. Some interesting interior photos for all classes, and of course, the plan covers the entire ship. Measures about 27″ x 16″ and… read more ›

Dated October, 1954, which was prime time for the United States Lines.  This tourist-class deck plan for the beautiful ss America has eight very large interior images of the public room.  What a beautiful ship… read more ›

I haven’t offered a deck plan like this before.  As you know, first-class plans from the Big Ship are sought after; however, this one is rarer than most and is marked “preliminary” and dated to… read more ›

I haven’t offered one like this before.  This is marked “preliminary” and dated to January, 1952.  It is likely the earliest plan ever made for public consumption.  Excellent condition.  It has seven illustrations of the… read more ›

Abstract of log from the famous ss United States.  This is for voyage 71 westbound on August 25, 1955.  Already holding the speed record and with no need to prove herself with a high-fuel-consuming crossing,… read more ›

“A New Transatlantic Aristocrat.” As White Star Line said themselves, ” Our enthusiasm for the new Britannic would result in a description so flowery that the reader might be skeptical.” Running 24 pages and filled… read more ›

What can I say?  I have only had a few of these in all the years I have been in this business, and it is one of the rarest and most collectible paper Normandie items… read more ›

Direct to us from the ss United States and a fellow who attended her auction in 1984.  These are cocktail glasses according to the ships inventory.  They are not the champagne glasses as they are… read more ›

I have had a few of these before.  I wish I had saved my previous description but figured they aren’t common enough and I wouldn’t often be able to mark them restocked.  Well, they still… read more ›

Direct to us from the ss United States and a fellow who attended her auction in 1984. These are old-fashion glasses, according to the ship’s inventory.  I have measured them and they do hold exactly… read more ›

7 glossy full-color photos of life on board the great Cunard liners in the heyday era of the 1950s.  Comes in a cardboard holder with a nice image of Queen Mary’s first-class lounge on the… read more ›

“The Cunard company have been pioneers in the perfection of accommodations for Cabin and Second Class passengers.  Nowhere have developments been greater than in the new fleet of giant one-funnel oil-burning Cunarders.” I couldn’t say… read more ›

Interesting log abstract from the last transatlantic of the RMS Queen Mary.  From New York to Southampton.  She put up a very favorable speed of nearly 28 knots.  Captain Treasure Jones in command.  Made on… read more ›

5 cardboard signs from the Big U.  I think some of them might be for embarkation or disembarkation day.  “Temporary Sitting Today Only,” for example, sounds like the stewards were busy getting the ship turned… read more ›

Cunard Line, out of necessity and a sense for good management, invested a lot in their second-class accommodations in the 1920s.  This is likely the best brochures they ever produced for the service.  Obviously self… read more ›

On-board stationary from the famous ss United States.

Lovely shield-shaped baggage tag for the famous French liner Normandie.  The French Line always produced amazing graphics!  Used by a Mrs. Hudson.

Grosvenor bone china side plate dated to late 1935 with the details pressed into the clay.  This was made for the maiden voyage of the RMS Queen Mary.  Measures about 6.5″ across and in excellent… read more ›

Bone china creamer from the on board tea service of the Cunard Line.  Made by Foley this creamer stands almost 3″ tall and is 2” square.  In excellent condition with no chips, cracks, or crazing…. read more ›

I haven’t had this one in a while.  A fantastic brochure for the French Line’s famous ss Ile de France.  What can be said about her–one of the most famous liners of all time and… read more ›

Andrea Doria.  The name conjures up images not only the tragic loss of one of the most beautiful ships ever built but also of one of the greatest sea rescues in history.  Premium items from… read more ›

Another one of those pieces I am extremely proud to offer, and rare is an understatement.  Only the second I have ever had.  A complete silver caviar serving dish by Christofle.  What makes this one… read more ›

This silver toothpick holder was made by Goldsmiths and Silversmiths in 1911 for use in the à la carte restaurant on board Olympic.  This exclusive and very well-made pattern of silver was used only on… read more ›

You know I enjoy bringing you something that really elevates a collection.  Well, this is one of those items!  A very highly sought-after bone-china serving dish from the first-class dining room as used on RMS… read more ›

Exceedingly rare and very desirable crystal wine glass as supplied to RMS Olympic and other White Star liners.  Identical pattern to that used on RMS Titanic and recovered from the wreck site.  Measures about 4″… read more ›

Normandie’s silver service was perhaps the finest ever used on any liner.  The Art Deco style and the distinctive ball handles are much sought after by collectors.  Marked with the classic CGT logo that has… read more ›

A Puiforcat dinner fork used exclusively in the first-class private suites of Normandie. Only the finest and most important passengers would have ever even seen this bespoke pattern. The almost inconceivable luxury of Normandie’s suites… read more ›

Poor Aurania.  She never saw commercial service and was being used as a transport for less than a year when torpedoed by the German U-Boat UB-67 during World War I.  Although taken in tow, she… read more ›

Exceedingly rare and very desirable crystal wine glass as supplied to RMS Olympic and other White Star liners.  Identical pattern to that used on RMS Titanic and recovered from the wreck site.  Measures about 3.5″… read more ›

Poor Aurania.  She never entered service for Cunard and was used as a transport for less than a year when torpedoed by the German U-Boat UB-67 during World War I.  Although taken in tow, she… read more ›

Who would have thought that the Santa Rosa, after a long and interesting career, would be taken out of layup in 1978 and be used as a stand in for the RMS Titanic in the… read more ›

Van Ryper.  When one thinks of models of ocean liners, this is one name that stands out.  This is a Van Ryper model of the Dollar Liner ss President Hoover of 1930.  The ship and… read more ›

Two names stand out when it comes to ocean liner models.  One of them is Van Ryper, and the models are in great demand by collectors.  The name is famous, and the models are outstanding. … read more ›

I have over the years had a number of these special Normandie desk-top souvenirs.  You can’t really call them common, in fact, they are quite rare in this size and condition.  Rare as hen’s teeth. … read more ›

I would have loved to see the presentation that went along with serving grilled meats on these skewers.  I’m assuming grilled?  I might say roasted, perhaps.  The charcoal grills used onboard the great liners suggest… read more ›

Stand-up dinner menu dated 18 November 1906 from the ill-fated RMS Republic.  Just over two years later, she was lying at the bottom of the North Atlantic after a collision with the ss Florida.  The… read more ›

Stand-up dinner menu dated 29 May 1904 from the ill-fated RMS Arabic.  Originally intended for the Atlantic Transport as their Minnewaska, the still uncompleted liner was transferred to White Star and renamed Arabic.  As with… read more ›