We are always happy to answer inquiries from our clients. Ocean Liner Memorabilia encompasses a wide range of items, and it is often difficult to find information on a particular piece. We are always available to supplement our catalogue information, or help you to identify and date an item you may have found.

Although we welcome your inquiries, we have discovered that many people have similar questions and interests. Following are our answers to some of the most commonly asked questions:

The dictionary defines memorabilia as something remarkable and worthy of remembrance or record. We define ocean liner memorabilia as any item used by a passenger, or purchased as a memento of a voyage. Also any item manufactured for on-board use, or for use to represent or promote a particular ship or shipping line. Our definition does not encompass ‘nautical’ items such as binnacles, ships’ wheels and compasses; however, some items used by a ship’s crew can be considered as memorabilia if they can be authenticated as having come from a particular ship. Ocean liner memorabilia can be divided into several sub-categories: paper and ephemera, (deck plans, postcards, programs & menus); souvenir items, (items available usually in an on-board gift shop, or given to passengers to commemorate a certain event); china, glassware, silver & furnishings, (items meant to be used by passengers, but to remain on board); and promotional items, (travel agency signs, brochures, displays & models).

An ocean liner is a passenger carrying vessel intended to ferry passengers from point A to point B, much as today’s airliners do. These ships worked a regular schedule, due to the fact that they were the only way to travel, prior to the jet age.

A cruise ship may travel from point to point, but usually has an "itinerary", and makes several stops along the way. Most cruise voyages are "out and back", and the ship usually returns to its point of departure. The purpose of sailing on a cruise ship is the cruise itself, and not the final destination. The opposite is true of an ocean liner. Some liners in service during the first half of the century occasionally sailed on cruises, however the modern "cruise era" is generally accepted to have begun in the late 1960's.

In most cases, items from the ‘better known’ liners command higher prices. This can be attributed to a variety of factors. Many people traveled on the "famous" ships, and a collector is more likely to have an historical connection to a ‘well known’ vessel; e.g. a relative who traveled on board. Also, a ship that has had a ‘mishap’ becomes instantly famous, and depending on the magnitude of the tragedy, sometimes finds a prominent place in history. The rarity of an item does affect its value, but not always. Items from the Queen Mary are relatively common, but more valuable than identical items from her fleet mates because of her fame, enduring reputation, and popularity among collectors.

We do offer an appraisal service for a fee, but generally appraise collections as opposed to single items. If you have an item that you’d like to sell, we’d be happy to consider it. We do have a strict policy regarding items that we purchase, and that is: we do not make offers. We will be happy to assist you in researching and authenticating your item, and we will gladly advise you as to what we have paid for similar items in the past. We strongly feel, however, that the price of a particular item is a personal decision that must be decided on by the item’s owner.

We are often offered items for which the owner is only interested in an appraisal, and has no intention of selling. Our business is to sell memorabilia for a profit. Obviously we must purchase memorabilia at a lower price than that at which we sell. We are happy to purchase items at what we consider to be a fair price. There are many cases in which we have paid more than the asking price when we felt that the owner had undervalued an item. We try to maintain a positive relationship with all of our clients - buyers and sellers. We believe this is the key to good business!

Nautical items for use in decorating are available from many sources. Many of our items might be considered appropriate for accessorizing a room. A custom built model always makes a great conversation piece! Our menus are suitable for framing. We also have large ocean liner prints and travel agency signs. We do not carry reproduction signs or posters. All of our items are authentic pieces, and are priced as such.

We do not carry items such as fish nets, ships’ wheels, compasses or binnacles. You may check our LINKS page for references to these items.

Over the years, we have been approached by numerous people looking for ‘Titanic’ items. Memorabilia that can be authenticated as actually coming from the ship is exceedingly rare. We do occasionally have postcards - issued both prior to and following the disaster, but they tend to come and go rather quickly! There are many White Star Line items in our inventory, and several items relating to ‘Titanic’s’ sister, ‘Olympic’. These items are becoming increasingly collectible, due to their relationship to ‘Titanic’.