United States Lines

The United States Lines is just about the only company I can think of that offered both double-handled and handle-less bouillon cups for the obligatory deck-chair sip.  Why this was done is a mystery to… read more ›

Near mint with a few utensil marks.  Measures about 6.5″ in diameter.  These were purchased at the United States auction by the prior owner.   A small quantity available. By far my highest selling item of… read more ›

One of the harder-to-find items from the china service of the Big U.  The celery dish so named in her inventory measures 10″ x 4.75.”  Excellent condition with no chips, cracks, crazing and made by… read more ›

The famous grey star pattern as used on the super liner United States.  You all know I love a cup and saucer, partly because they display so well.  In this case, though, ss United States… read more ›

Dinner plate for the United States Lines.  Dinner plates are not quite as common as other pieces in this pattern for some reason, even though there were thousands on board.  About 9½” across.  Very good… read more ›

Nice little bowls in the Graystar pattern as used on the ss United States.  These come to us direct from the auction in 1984.  No chips, cracks, or crazing and made by Lamberton.  In the… 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 ›

Rarely seen salad bowl from the ss United States.  These come to us direct from the auction in 1984.  Our friend Mr. Fielding of Fielding’s travel-guide-book fame said if you wanted good food on the… read more ›

Side plate as used on board the ss United States.  Made by Lamberton china and comes to us directly from the 1984 auction of the ship’s fittings.  The auction catalog marks these, using original manufacturer’s… read more ›

Rarely seen soup bowl in the graystar pattern as used on the big ship ss United States.  More correctly called a “soup plate” (according to the manufacturer), there is only one available by Lamberton.  Measures… read more ›

Cute and desirable cordial glasses from the on-board service of the United States.  These were bought by the last owner in New York City at the traveling sale of fittings that preceded the auction of… read more ›

Hefty water tumbler as used in the staterooms on board the ss United States.  These came directly from a couple who purchased them at the auction of the ship’s fittings in 1984.  Measures about 4″ tall… 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 ›

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 ›

How American is this?  Let’s belly up to the bar and say “set’em up, Joe” with these cute in-service shot glasses for the United States Lines.  Measures about 2.5″ tall.   A few available.  Price… 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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

Individual silver butter pat dated 1967 from the ss United States.  They are cute at only 3.5″ across, and this one is in excellent condition with the usual use marks.  Of course, made by International… 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 ›

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 ›

Cute silver bowl in the Manhattan pattern.  Perhaps this is a finger bowl given the size.  Made by International Silver.  Very good condition with some use marks.  Measures about 4″ across x 2″ tall.

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 ›

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 ›

Isn’t the “Manhattan” pattern silver a stylish and classic design?  I love it and I love the Gorham version even more than that made by International Silver Company.  Happily, these serving trays are manufactured by… 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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

Silver-plated sugar bowl from the ss US.  Stands 3.5” tall (to finial) x is 4.5” from handle to handle.  Made by International Silver Co. and marked United States Lines, 62. In excellent condition with no… 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 ›

12-page brochure describing the interesting sand art in the Navajo Lounge on board the ss United States.  Measures about 6½” x 4½”.  Absolutely mint.  These have gotten very scarce in the past few years.

Absolutely superb brochure for the new ss United States.  24 pages with 20 full-color artist impressions of first, cabin, and tourist class.   Centerfold foldout is a broadside rendering of the new liner.  Dates to just… read more ›

Pre-maiden voyage brochure for the “superb new” ss United States.  12 pages with 8 color renderings, including  of her interiors.  In the back are some black & white photos of the ss America.

Let’s look inside the world’s fastest luxury liner!  23 photos of life and luxury on board plus opens to a full cutaway in color.  Quite nice and in great condition.  Once you get yours, you… 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 ›

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 ›

Miniature deck plan for the fantastic ss United States.  Some interesting interior photos for all classes, and of course, the plan covers the entire ship.  Measures about 20″ x 36″.

Great color-coded plan for cabin class (also known as second).  Lots of colorful interior images.  She had surprisingly spacious cabins in second class, and it seems that most cabins have at least showers.  Combined with… read more ›

Rarely seen plan for the third-class accommodations on board the United States.  Printed on glossy paper, this plan shows the added Writing Room and Library which were taken from first class around 1960 to increase… read more ›

Useful and cool stateroom hat hook from the Big U.  Use these in your home as I have done in mine.  I have a pair of them up in my garage, and I hang baseball… read more ›

Looking for the perfect way to enhance your display of ss United States china?  This tea towel was made for that purpose.  Sports the famous eagle logo and with “United States Lines” woven into the… 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.

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 ›

A story was told by the late John Maxtone-Graham that the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were notorious skinflints when it came to tipping cash–instead giving crew members on the great liners autographed photos of… read more ›

Many tens of thousands of passengers sailed on the United States during her career.  Her popularity was never in doubt, and even in her last year she averaged nearly 70% occupancy rates.  The 1953 annual… read more ›

On-board stationary from the famous ss United States.

Extremely rare and, I might add, quite lovely comforter as used in the suites on the ss United States.  This neutral pattern would be great in any home.  In those days of heavy smoking, loads… read more ›

Several years ago, I was called to help clean out the Dr. Forbes estate.  This process took a few years and was never really finished.  At the last minute, plans changed within the estate, and… read more ›

Abstract of log card from the ss United States’s voyage 307, westbound.  In near-mint condition.  A small quantity available.

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 ›

Did you know that the United States Lines produced an oversized “Book Post” card of the Big U?  I don’t think I was aware of that, but here it is.  A quantity available.  Price is… read more ›