Ocean Liner Collectibles

Catalog of ship related collectibles such as gifts, plates, promotional materials, and various ephemera.

The ‘SS United States’ was a great symbol of post-World War II American genius. She was the most advanced ocean liner of her time―modern, innovative and hugely powerful. Designed to be a commercial liner but easily convertible to wartime troopship, she entered service in July 1952, seventy years ago, to rousing triumph and success. She captured the prized Blue Riband for transatlantic speed, brought glory to America and her owners, and enjoyed great success for a full decade. But after trans-ocean jets arrived, her success slowly faded until fully decommissioned by 1969. Over fifty years of idleness, revival plans and schemes, and neglect and decay followed. To this day, the ‘United States’ waits silently at a Philadelphia pier. This is the story of a very great and beloved ship―her glory days, but also her days of struggle and indecision.

Previously unpublished photographs and rare memorabilia, including work from maritime artist Robert Lloyd, enrich this photographic history of one of Cunard's most beloved liners Painted in shades of green and known affectionately as the "Green Goddess," Cunard's Caronia of 1949 ushered in the era of modern cruising, and here is her incredible story. She represented Britain's recovery and the rebirth of the world's maritime industry after the devastation of World War II, designed almost exclusively for an untapped passenger market: luxury cruising. With such illustrious Cunard predecessors as the Queen Mary, the ill-fated Lusitania, and the record-breaker Mauretania, Caronia was an instant favorite with the world's rich and famous. She gathered an exclusive, often American, clientele--the "mink and diamonds set"--who sailed on her year after year. Many passengers lived on board for years, giving her the air of an ultra-wealthy country club. While under tow to the breaker's yard, she met her end on the rocks at Guam after running aground during a typhoon. Her subsequent salvage was the largest ever undertaken by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Cunard, the most famous name in shipping, turns 175 years old in 2015. Cunard began back in 1840 with paddlewheel steamers, but grew and progressed and created some of the largest, fastest and most luxurious liners in their time. The final 'golden age' on the Atlantic run between Europe and North America was in the 1950s when the company slogan 'Getting there was half the fun' seemed so apt. Cunard had twelve liners running Atlantic crossings in 1958 but the same year saw the introduction of the speedy and efficient passenger jet that immediately stole transatlantic travellers. The Cunard 'cast' of the late 1950s includes such celebrated ocean liners such as Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth as well as others like Mauretania, Caronia, Britannic, Saxonia and small ships including the Media and Parthia. Conquest of the Atlantic: Cunard Liners of the 1950s and 1960s is the story of these great ships that are all still remembered with much fondness and of the life onboard them. Cunard would face furious competition with jet aircraft and by 1969 be reduced to one Atlantic liner, the legendary and iconic Queen Elizabeth 2.

DIVMore than 100 ships documented, including Leviathan, America, Independence, President Polk, and United States. Detailed captions list tonnage, speed, size, and passenger load. Bibliography. Index. Approximately 200 photographs. /div