A charming as well as early bit of ephemera from Lurline. This is a race card given to potential wager-makers on board the vessel on Monday, September 7, 1937. The cover features colorful graphics, and the names of the mounts are intentionally humorous. A neat piece from quite early in the vessel's career.

A wonderful bit of ephemera from Matson, with an added bonus from the Southern Pacific Railroad! Wonderful Hawaiian-themed artwork decorates the outside of this ticket envelope which contains a one-way First Class passage ticket receipt for a voyage from Los Angeles to Honolulu on board Lurline, departing 20 February, 1952. In addition to the Matson ticket, we found a ticket stub and baggage receipt for travel from San Francisco to L.A. aboard Southern Pacific's "Starlight". Though we could place these items in our railroad section, we think it best to leave all together and intact. Great mementos!

A small baggage check tag from Lurline's 8/4/65 westbound crossing to Honolulu. Orange with black print. Near mint with string attached, but marked with an "X" in the space indicated for the room number.

A wonderful, large, stateroom baggage tag from a 1965 crossing aboard Lurline. Used, but still in very nice condition.

This is a tasteful booklet by Richard Joseph, the Travel Editor of Esquire Magazine, titled: "How to be an Old Hand at Sea". 8 pages of valuable info for the traveler regarding crew identification, dining room seating, tipping, etc.. Invaluable!

This is a neat item, salvaged from the Mariposa at the end of her PFEL service. A laminate wall sign from the entry to the Marco Polo Room; a room which, we believe, existed on both Mariposa and her sister, Monterey. Though we have dated the piece 1970, it is likely "original equipment", and was probably placed aboard at the time of her entry into service for Matson. The sign is in wonderful condition, and a very nice piece of memorabilia.

A very nice, booklet format cruise brochure and deck plan for Mariposa & Monterey. Booklet format, 32 pages, and filled with color photos. The deck plans are color-coded as well, and the photos of the passenger cabins and public spaces are wonderful. Condition is excellent.

This is a tiny bit of ephemera from a trip on board a Matson liner in the 1950's. This little card was likely pinned to a ribbon on a gift basket or floral arrangement which was presented by the steamship line to the traveler. The card is printed simply "Bon Voyage", and the interior "Matson Navigation Company, J.E. Ryan, General Passenger Manager". The pin used to secure the card has left two holes at upper right. A neat little item.

A six panel brochure from the Merchants & Miners Line. Illustrated with black & white photos of shipboard life, and a nice portrait of the new SS Chatham. A small sheet with reduced fares has been tipped in. Additionally, a second folder of fares and timetables has been inserted. Both pieces in very nice condition.

Two pieces of ephemera from the Merchants & Miners Line. First is the brochure, nicely illustrated with graphics and black & white photographs. Within is the "diagram folder" or accommodation plan, featuring the deck plans for three classes of vessels. Both items in excellent condition. Always a pleasure to discover items from the lesser-known lines!

A charming seahorse appears on the cover panel of this brochure, advertising 1939 sailings on board the steamers of the Merchants & Miners Line. The brochure itself folds out to 16" x 18", and is illustrated with some very nice black & white photographs. Within was found tucked an additional schedule of proposed sailings, with a section advertising travel to the New York World's Fair. Both pieces are in excellent condition.

A great brochure from the Merchants & Miners Line. This timetable-size piece opens to an eight page, stapled booklet, illustrated with graphics and numerous photos. The brochure details tours to Annapolis, Washington, Old Virginia, the Smoky Mountains, the Shenandoah Valley, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and more! A neat, Art Deco illustration spans the two outer panels. A single, inner page exhibits a dog-eared corner (intact) but the piece is excellent overall.

Issue no. 5 of the "Aquarama News." This is a single-sheet flyer, most likely distributed on board, noting various scheduled events and facts about the ship. The ship's photo appears prominently at the top of the front panel, while two photos of local VIP's are included on the verso. An interesting bit of ephemera for Aquarama fans! Folded as found.

In preparation for our New Year 2005 cruise and lecture series on board the SS Universe Explorer, we are preparing a number of models of the Mooremack twins at different times during their careers. These models are currently under construction, and will be offered for sale at the time of the cruise. These beautiful, one-of-a-kind custom conversions are based on the original kit models of SS Brasil and SS Argentina, which were manufactured by Revell to coincide with the vessels' entry into service in 1958. The models will be super-detailed, and fitted with photo-etched brass rails and detail. We are keeping a construction log online, which you will find by clicking the link below. There will be no more than eight models built, two of which (the ships as SS Bermuda Star and SS Queen of Bermuda) will remain in our collection. Should you wish to reserve one of the models currently under construction for your own, or should you wish to commission a model of either SS Brasil or SS Argentina at a specific time in their long histories, please contact us for details.

A delightful invitation to a cocktail party, 9/7/62, held in honor of the Golden Wedding Anniversary of passengers Mr. & Mrs. Charles R. Cary. 5" x 4", no envelope, but excellent!

A truly pristine example of the passenger list from s/s Brasil's April 27, 1962 round-trip voyage from New York to Nassau. This forty-year-old item looks as if it was printed yesterday. The right edge will appear rough in the image, but this is as intended. A wonderful memento from the Brasil.

A pristine and unused luggage label, saved from a 1962 voyage on board the s/s Brasil. Printed in red on white, and intended to be attached to baggage intended for the passenger's First Class stateroom. A nice example.

An adhesive label, saved from an April, 1962 voyage on board s/s Brasil. Some passenger information has been added, but the label was apparently never used. Printed in green on white.

A near mint condition "Stateroom" baggage tag, saved from an April, 1962 voyage on board s/s Brasil. Printed in red on white, and never filled out. A very nice example, featuring the ship's image.

An unused baggage tag from the Brasil - this for First Class "Baggage Room" baggage. Saved from an April, 1962 voyage. Perfect condition - never filled out.

A First Class "Baggage Room" tag from the Brasil, filled out with passenger information for an April, 1962 voyage. The tag appears in pristine condition, and was apparently never used, and saved as a souvenir of the trip.

A great cabin key from the Uruguay, which once opened the door of stateroom 138 on B Deck. The fob is a stamped, composite material bearing the name of the ship and line, and indicating that the item should be dropped in the mail if inadvertently "carried away." A very nice example.

A rare baggage tag from the SS Munargo of the Munargo Line. Wonderful, Art Deco graphics in sage green and maroon. The sailing date was 20 April, 1939, bound for Havana. This tag was indeed used, and shows some soiling - mostly on the reverse. Still a very unusual and hard-to-find example from the Munargo Line.

Horse Races, programs for the 3rd through the 6th day of races. Obviously held on non-consecutive days as they are dated 1/29/36 - 2/8/36. Identical covers, but interior printed in red or black. 7 of these available - neat items!

An incredible 8x10 publicity still, one of three we recently acquired. This is a close-up of Europa's starboard side, looking up & forward, taken from the dock. Stamped on reverse: "...with compliments of NGL......." Amazing!

Another 8x10 publicity still, provided ".....with compliments of NGL...". This shot taken from the floor of the dry-dock, looking directly at her bulbous bow. The walls and floor of the dock have been airbrushed to make them "fade". Very nice!

This great shot of Europa has been "doctored" to the extent that it appears she was probably docked at the time, but the dock has been "removed" to make her appear at sea! An incredible 8x10 promotional still.

A great cruise plan for the Europa. Nearly identical to her standard plan, including the photos. A large, broadside illustration of the ship appears on the first panel. Each page, mapping her accommodations, is a different color, keyed to a cutaway diagram. Fine condition.

A truly rare travel agency item - a world map with NGL's routes indicated, and a great illustration of the Bremen (Pasteur) at the bottom. Linen-backed paper, this piece has survived with only some minor edge wear. I don't expect to see another!

Very simple, but wonderful and uncommon 3rd Class baggage tag for NGL, printed in black on a tan card stock. Unused, and in excellent condition.

A very nice, single sheet accommodation plan for the "new" Bergensfjord. This large plan measures 27½" x 32" when fully opened, and as it is printed entirely on one side, is especially suitable for framing. A nice memento from this lovely vessel.

This deck plan is printed on stock slightly heavier than the typical tissue plans. Brochure format, these plans, printed on one side, open to 27" x 33". A nice item.

A wonderful and rare deck of 52 playing cards (no Jokers) in their original box from the Norwegian America Line. The card backs feature a mirrored artist's rendering of Bergensfjord at sea. Excellent used condition - a small section of the outer box is missing, but as it has done such an excellent job of preserving its contents, this is easily overlooked! These are quite unusual, and the first deck featuring this particular decoration that we have seen.

A simulated leather ticket, passport, and baggage tag wallet from NAL, saved from a voyage on either Vistafjord or Sagafjord. Printed in metallic gold both inside and out. This item was discovered amongst ephemera from both ships, so we are unable to attribute it to one or the other. Unused condition.

An unused luggage tag from a cruise on board either Vistafjord or Sagafjord. E found a number of these in a packet with ephemera from both vessels. Clean and crisp, with no creases or handwriting.

A wonderful, and certainly rare piece from the MS Island Venture. Considering the fact that she entered service in January of 1972 and was sold and renamed by September of the same year, one would guess that there were not many re-orders for these items! Wonderful laminated wood with the logo and ship's name stamped at the top on both sides.

A beautifully decorated deck of playing cards from the P & O. The cards feature an image of four Chimera-like Chinese figures placed in the center of a red, blue, and metallic silver geometric pattern. 52 cards with no Jokers. The box is rather worn, and the outer half of the double-slide has lost its top. These cards have been well-used and do show some soiling, but the interesting artwork makes up for it!

A First Class passenger list from Orsova, departing Hong Kong on June 2, 1963. The cover is a bit soiled, and the traveler had written on the cover, but hard to pass by as we see P & O items infrequently.

A neat, very colorful, award certificate from the Mariposa. No passenger's name has been added, so you may enter your own - of course, you'd probably want to know exactly what "Ka Pookela" is, before you could admit to accepting an award for doing it! Though the vessel is not named, this item came to us in the company of some menus from the ship. Light creasing, else very nice.

This is a truly delightful piece of advertising from the Panama Line - a booklet detailing the war service of the SS Ancon, SS Cristobal, and SS Panama. The story of each vessel's wartime experiences is related in turn, and many historical images are included, all credited as official U.S. Navy photographs. In addition to the booklet, there is a color portrait of the Panama on textured stock, which may possibly have been a menu cover, though there is no printing on the reverse to indicate this. A fascinating read!

This is a charming, holiday greeting card with a beautiful engraving of the "Golden City", most likely the line's first steamer, on the cover. A tiny tear on the lower edge does not detract from this excellent & unusual piece.

A wonderful passenger list from the City of Los Angeles, sailing to New York on 12/18/39 via the Panama Canal and Havana. This list includes an errata sheet, as well as a separate passenger info booklet and some miscellaneous embarkation tickets. Light soil to the textured stock cover.

On consignment: This is a very interesting item from IMM, advertising the second world cruise aboard the Belgenland. The folded and perforated card is actually an invitation to inspect the ship while she is in New York. One merely separates the two halves of the card, checks the appropriate box indicating a wish to either see the vessel or merely receive literature, and mail the card back to the Chicago offices of the IMM. The offices will then reply with tickets or brochures. This is a great little piece, decorated with a portrait of the ship set against a world map in metallic gold. Ephemeral indeed!

This is a beautiful double deck of cards in their original box. The decks are complete, though no Jokers are present; and the condition is magnificent. Riviera Cruises operated only one vessel, the "Riviera Prima", from 1962 until 1964, making these cards rather unusual. The Prima was built as "Lavoisier", a French vessel, in 1948. Following her brief stint with Riviera, she was sold to a Norwegian firm, but survived only until 1966, when she completely burned out from a fire which erupted during a cruise.

A nice passenger list from the Sun Viking, sailing May 26, 1973. Modern day passenger lists are seldom seen, as they have been phased out to a greater extent. An early list for the ship as her maiden voyage was 9 December of 1972. The cover is dark navy blue printed in metallic gold with the RCCL logo, and measures 7" x 9".

A wonderful bit of ephemera from the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company. This is a scorecard for Gentleman's Progressive Whist. This delightful item features a line advertisement on the reverse, and the cover is decorated with the colorful image of a 15th Century caravel. The ship's square topsail is the line flag, and the remaining sails have a diamond, club, heart, or spade - the artist, S. Scott. Wonderfully preserved in mint condition.

A complete deck of playing cards from the Royal Netherlands Steamship Company. We recently acquired two decks which had been placed, strangely enough, in a States Marine Lines box, so unfortunately the original box does not exist. The cards have been used, but are in very nice condition. Backs decorated in royal blue illuminated with metallic gold. The Jokers are charming!