Fun Stuff

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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

According to ship’s inventory, these are cocktail glasses.  They are not the champagne glasses as they are too small at 3 1/4th ounce.  I have measured them and they do hold exactly 3 1/4th ounces…. 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 ›

9 glossy full-color photos of life on board the great Cunard liners in the heyday era of the 1950s.  Has its original embossed paper blurb offering crossings.  Comes in a cardboard holder with a nice… 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 ›

Not typically seen is stationery from the ss United States. The previous owner took it off the ship himself when he visited her in 1986. Both the logo and the ship’s name are embossed onto… read more ›

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 ›

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 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 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 ›

RMS Caronia…. The world’s wonder cruise ship.  She did three Mediterranean cruises each year–each one longer in length than the last.  This brochure dates to 1965 and is the shortest of the cruises at an… read more ›

Just acquired a pair of bar stools from the Midships Bar, which was installed in the famous Long Gallery circa 1964.  The original Long Gallery is my favorite room on board!  How about you?  These… read more ›

The mid 1950s were, in my opinion, not the best time for Cunard’s advertising department.  The artwork, brochures, flyers, posters, even the passenger lists are relatively bland.  Then they hit upon what might be the… read more ›

I haven’t offered you one of these in quite some time.   A souvenir tie bar from the ship’s on-board gift shop.  Use it for your next event where you want to show off your collection.

Here is a rarity indeed.  The launch brochure for the ss America dated August 31, 1939, and launched by Eleanor Roosevelt.  Sports a fantastic tipped-in full-color image of the ship.  In fact, the photo on… read more ›

When I was a boy, my grandparents (both sets) had a plastic dispenser hanging in their bath room that held waxed-paper “Dixie Cups.”  I suppose this was considered the height of modernity in the 1950s… read more ›

Very fine tissue deck plans for the RMS Adriatic of 1907.  Famous member of the Big Four ships built from 1901-1907.  Covers her first class.  By this time, White Star Line was calling this cabin… read more ›

Iconic advertising poster and the first one of its type I have had the pleasure of offering for America’s most-important ocean liner.  I very much lament the relatively sparse number of promotional pieces for the… read more ›

The big version of what must have been one of the first and certainly the finest of the brochures produced for the newly merged Cunard White Star Line circa late 1936 or so.  It runs… read more ›

Over 15 years ago now, I had the pleasure to pick the choicest items from the amazing Dr. Forbes collection when I helped clean out her storage units after her passing.  Dr. Forbes was the… read more ›

Attractive sherry glass used on board the ss United States.  This came from a manager of the United States Lines, who was able to acquire it before the auction of the ship’s fittings in 1984,… read more ›

Here is one I haven’t had in some time.  A cute brochure for the RMS Mauretania.  Using fold outs it covers the majority of the first-class sections of the ship.  Circa 1922-1925ish she is still… read more ›

The odd and lengthy story of this saucer is quite interesting.  I first saw one back at a THS convention for Titanic’s 80th anniversary over 30 years ago in 1992.  At that time a liner… read more ›

Here is something I have never had before.  10 days before her final departure from Southampton, the officers threw a Grand Farewell Ball in the lounge.  They were pulling out all the stops to celebrate… read more ›

Very fine tissue deck plan for the RMS Georgic of 1932.  As you know, she was the last White Star Liner constructed.  Dated March, 1932, the plan measures about 34″ x 22″ and is in… read more ›

Very fine tissue deck plan for the RMS Georgic of 1932.  As you know, she was the last White Star Liner constructed.  Despite her being mortgaged to the hilt (with like 4 or 5 loans… read more ›

Very fine tissue deck plans for the RMS Baltic of 1904.  Famous member of the Big Four ships built from 1901-1907.  Covers her first class.  By this time, White Star Line was calling this cabin… read more ›

Here is another item I have never had before.  A crossing-the-line proclamation from the ss United States while on a cruise in February, 1968. She did so few cruises that crossed the equator that there… read more ›

“Your crossing on the United States or the America is so much more than a way to ‘get there’…. it’s a holiday in itself” says this interesting brochure for both ships.  Full color with loads… read more ›

I have not had this brochure before.  It is a large and interesting study of the second-class cabins on both the ss Levithan and ss George Washington.  Must date to about 1923 or so.  Runs… read more ›

Here is something I don’t believe I have ever had before.  A passenger list dated August, 1936, for third class on board the ss Normandie.  She was making money on this trip.  The French Line… read more ›

A fascinating brochure for the French Line from the ss Normandie era.  As it says itself: “Who would dispute the statement that, without its personnel to give it soul, the most gigantic, most lavishly decorated… read more ›

A real photograph of the launch of the famous Big Ship.  Mrs. Tom Connolly, wife of the Texas senator, performing the honors.  40,000 people were on hand to witness this event in 1951.  Excellent condition. … read more ›

For some reason, you don’t see too many RMS Caronia log abstracts out there.  I am trying to collect the whole set for my personal archive; so if you find one and you don’t want… read more ›

This is a Cunard Line pocket-sized wine and tobacco list.  They also produced a full-sized version.  I would love to know why 2 sizes/  They both had the same cover.  Not dated but judging by… read more ›

What an unusual and rare item!  A first-class cabin key for the ss Normandie.  Tag and key are both marked “CGT,” and the tag is also marked “Normandie.”  These rarely come up for sale so… read more ›

After her retirement and an aborted cruise under new ownership, Cunard’s RMS Caronia spent years wandering aimlessly throughout New York Harbor.  In 1974 Caronia’s owner decided to sell the furniture and fittings from this most… read more ›

Over the past few years at Luxury Liner Row, I have been fortunate to sell about a dozen beautiful mahogany second-class chests of drawers from the RMS Queen Mary, and they have all sold quickly. … read more ›

The quality of everyday items from 1907 is really refreshing in our outsourced world of plastic and cheaply manufactured junk.  Have you heard of designed obsolescence and the other ridiculous ideas brought to us in… read more ›

Ballin’s pre-war trio for HAPAG.  ss Imperator, ss Vaterland, and ss Bismarck.  Unfortunately, two of them were only in service a few years before the outbreak of World War I, and the third was finished… read more ›

Exquisite five-lobed oyster dish from Cunard’s pre-WWI service.  This pattern was famously used on board in both first and second class and pieces of this pattern have been salvaged from the RMS Lusitania and RMS… read more ›

Highly detailed wooden model of the famous United States Lines vessel by Richard Wagner.  These German-made models are highly collectable for many reasons.  The size is handy to display, measuring about 14.5″ long, including the… read more ›

The Cunard Line was really proud of the remodeled and renamed RMS Franconia, formerly the RMS Ivernia.  This first-class deck plan is more of a brochure for the redesigned liner’s life as a cruise ship. … read more ›

RMS Franconia spoon.  Clearly dating to the 1963 RMS Franconia, this souvenir spoon is in mint condition.  Purchased on board during her new life sailing to Bermuda.  Chrome plated and in excellent condition with no… read more ›

RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 spoon.  Clearly dating to the earliest years of this famous Cunarder.  The spoon is in mint condition.  Perhaps purchased on board before the Trafalgar House takeover in 1972?  Chrome plated and… read more ›

Another one of those rare items that Luxury Liner Row is known for!  A superb serving platter for the British & North American Royal Mail Steam Packets (later known as Cunard Line).  Agreed among steamship… read more ›

I have never had another one of these before.  A souvenir wine bottle opener from the gift shop on the RMS Queen Mary.  In excellent condition.  Brings to mind the old adage “I love cooking… read more ›

Unusual set of views on board the ss Olympic.  From a rare series of postcards printed in the 1920s.  Misprinted on the back with the tonnage of Majestic!  This has been blacked out and another… read more ›

Outstanding brochure for the Africa and Europa, which sailed on the South Africa express service of Lloyd Triestino. Dating to 1955, this booklet runs 36 pages with lots of on-board and exterior photos and deck… read more ›

A very rare puzzle of the French liner Liberte (the ex-NDL liner Europa!) arriving in New York.  May be taken from a photo of her arriving on her maiden voyage, given all the tugs around… read more ›

You will go many years before you have the opportunity to acquire a unique crew chair like this from the RMS Queen Mary as very few pieces of crew furniture ever come onto the market. … read more ›

Uniform button as used on board the ss United States.  Measures almost 1″ across.  Comes with a round display container.  Not at all common.

Mint-condition log abstract from the RMS Majestic of 1889.  Dated September 19, 1906, the log is for a Liverpool to New York voyage and tells us that Captain B.F. Hayes is in command.  Hayes was… read more ›

Here is a rarity for one of you.  The bedspread from the Executive Officer’s cabin on the ss United States.  It is in excellent condition with no holes or tears, and it has just been… read more ›

Picture it.  Norfolk, VA.  1984. Famed ocean-liner memorabilia dealer Ken Schultz visits the ss United States shortly after the 1984 auction of her fittings.  During his visit, this pair of running lights was removed personally… read more ›

Impressive advertising tin produced by the Cunard Line for the ill-fated RMS Lusitania circa 1907.  Very detailed.  For an advertising piece, it’s incredibly detailed down to the crow’s nest bell and the whistles.  In remarkable… read more ›

Embossed menu from Cunard Line’s famous RMS Carpathia.  The ship that rescued RMS Titanic’s passengers needs no introduction.  The menu is also quite nice with embossed grape leaves and vines and an image of the… read more ›

Extremely tough to find salt and pepper shakers from the first-class dining room of the ss Ile De France.  Made by Christofle and in very good condition.  They have the CGT logo in the silver… read more ›

One of the final rates and sailing schedules ever issued for the famous RMS Lusitania.  Dating from March, 1914, the cover art still shows Lusitania in her pre-maiden voyage paint job.  She cuts a bold… read more ›

Stunning tissue first-class deck plan for the revolutionary CGT liner Ile De France.  Measures about 42″ x 39″.  Dated January 1, 1928, which makes her less than a year old.  Color coded and in near-mint… read more ›

I haven’t seen one of these in a long time.  A souvenir portrait lapel pin from the RMS Queen Mary.  Dating to the time of the ship’s maiden voyage, the pin sports images of the… read more ›

Extremely rare and desirable sugar tongs from the Ile de France.  Not only are they super cute, but they are in fantastic condition.  Measuring about 5″ and made by Christofle. 

A Cunard White Star Line souvenir mechanical pencil from the on-board gift shop of the famous four stacker RMS Aquitania.  Still works and still has its lead.  Just for fun, I used it to pay… read more ›

Lovely pepper grinder for Italia with a pre-war crown logo so likely to have been used on the ss Rex or ss Conte di Savoia.  No loss to silver and extremely rare.  This will highlight… read more ›

One doesn’t often run across cool on-board souvenirs from the famous Italian liner Rex.  Dates to the 1930s and likely awarded to a lucky passenger for winning some on-board game on her famous Lido Deck. … read more ›

How cool to have a certificate of discharge from the White Star Liner ss Nomadic?  Well, it’s not the tender Nomadic you are thinking of but still a cool piece!  This is from the 1890s… read more ›

Really iconic silver-plated nut dish in the shape of a sea shell.  Identical dishes like these were made for and used on the ss Normandie.  The logo makes me think this dish dates to the… read more ›

Leave it to the Cunard Line to provide your swizzle sticks shaped like little oars!  These are cute, useful, and date to the 1950s.  They were all dirty and looked a mess due to age,… read more ›

A Cunard White Star Line lapel pin sold in the on-board gift shops of this the famous last-sailing ship of the White Star Line fleet, which dates to the 1950s.  I have often wondered why… read more ›

Like a lot of our favorite collectibles, one could say “these used to be much more common.”  A 1950s or 1960s lapel pin from NDL.  Measures about 1″ across and mint.

Very uncommon button from a Cunard crew member’s uniform, which dates to the 19th Century.  By the time Lusitania and Mauretania arrived, the buttons had the Cunard lion on them with which we are all… read more ›

Following the summer sun with RMS Caronia’s world cruise of 1965 sounds like a plan, doesn’t it?  As usual for Caronia, she goes the “wrong way” in my opinion, losing time throughout the trip as… read more ›

I have never had another one of these.  I am not even sure what it is.  A wine bottle coaster?  Got any suggestions?  What makes it interesting is that it’s NGI and thus predates the… read more ›

Very nice pin dish for the Italian Line during the 1950s on the “Sunny Southern Route.”  Measures about 5.5″ x 5.5″.  No chips, cracks, or crazing.

Despite employing many thousands at sea where a uniform with company-issued buttons was required, these double-house flag brass buttons are tough to come by.  A small quantity is available with some various levels of wear… read more ›

This 1960s deck plan for RMS Caronia is not as easily found as some of her other Cunard sisters.  The reason is a bit obscure, but I think I know why.  Starting in the late… read more ›

These silver-plated souvenirs for the liners were made in Birmingham, England, and in this case, for the Cunard Line’s RMS Carinthia of 1925.  In excellent condition with no damage to the enamel.

Souvenir doll made by Empire from the gift shop of the RMS Franconia of 1963, formerly Cunard’s Ivernia.  These are similar to the Nora Welling’s dolls, but they aren’t quite as creepy looking in the… read more ›

Cunard 1907-era bone-china demitasse cup and saucer as used on board the RMS Lusitania and other ships of the fleet. I found this while looking through an antique store during a Titanic convention in August. … read more ›

Like the RMS Mauretania?  Who doesn’t?  This cool medal is just about the only thing I can think of that crosses over for both ships, the 1907 Cunarder and the one from 1939.  The medal… read more ›

One of my favorite items on Luxury Liner Row–a solid brass porthole dog from the RMS Queen Mary.  One of the most work-a-day items taken off the ship when she was converted, the City of… read more ›

Lovely souvenir lighter from the RMS Queen Elizabeth.  There were several different colors made by Rolstar, this one being the ivory version.  Near perfect condition. Stands about 2″ tall.

Fraser & Glass, Ltd., ashtray from the on-board service of Cunard Line.  These were used on the Queens and other post war ships.  Measures just under 4″ in diameter.  These used to be quite common… read more ›

Fraser & Glass, Ltd., ashtray from the on-board service of Cunard Line.  These came in two sizes and were used on the Queens as well as other post war ships.  Measures about 5 7/8″ in… read more ›

One of the most iconic ashtrays used by any ocean-liner company.  The only one that might be better known is the ss France funnel ashtray.  Known throughout the collecting world as a “toilet” ashtray given… read more ›

Hand-painted creamer in the Bird of Paradise pattern as used on board (and also sold in the gift shops) on Cunard’s Big Three in the 1920’s.  As you know, this pattern was used for tea… read more ›

Absolutely stunning model of the HAPAG liner ss Imperator.  Although I usually don’t deal with modern items, this model is so lovely, I couldn’t resist.  Extremely detailed right down to the famous eagle on her… read more ›

RMS Carpathia.  The name conjures up a night long ago when the largest ship in the world struck an iceberg and sank on her maiden voyage.  As we all know, the Cunard liner Carpathia rescued… read more ›

One of the rarest pieces of Cunard china that I have ever been able to offer.  In 2007, some very limited salvage work was done on the Cunard liner Carpathia of Titanic fame.  A number… read more ›

I have sold quite a number of second-class cabin night stands from the beloved RMS Queen Mary.  So many over the years, in fact, that I have actually lost count.  Removed during the “conversion” (or… read more ›

When the estate of Dr. Sarah Forbes (owner of the Windmill Point Restaurant in Kitty Hawk, NC) was being settled, I was asked to help clean out her storage units. Her collection, while vast, was… read more ›

When they say that the United States didn’t have wood on board, don’t believe them!  This muddler was bought at the auction of fittings from the Big U in 1984 by Dr. Sarah Forbes, who… read more ›

Superb poster for Cosulich.  One of the most dramatic posters ever done for any ship or line.  A lovely representation of the ss Saturnia.  Linen backed and measures about 39″ x 27″ (not including the… read more ›

Silver pin dish hallmarked 885 (or 885 parts of silver per 1000).  Sterling silver is set by law at 925.  In its original box.  Dish measures about 3.75″ across and is in mint condition.

Turbinen Schnelledampfer!  Or fast steamer.  I’ll say!  The Bremen and Europa were the bee’s knees in 1930.  An attractive bisque ashtray in a pale pink for this famous German liner.  Measures about 3.5″ x 3″… read more ›

Bone-china pin dish from the gift shop of the ss Bremen of 1929.  In excellent condition with just the tiniest of gold wear on the rim.  Measures about 4″ across.  Has been mounted to a… read more ›

Straight from the on-board gift shop and likely dates to the post-war resurgence era after 1958.  These brass cufflinks would dress up any collector or collection.  Measures about 1″ across the face.  In very good… read more ›

A complete sheet of 24 buttons from Norddeutscher Lloyd (NDL).  Mint condition and still wrapped in the original packing.  Use them on your own sports coat!