A truly rare bit of ephemera from a little-known line. The Shepard Line operated a fleet of four, small steamers, sailing from Boston to Seattle through the Panama Canal. We cannot help but list the line's delightfully named vessels: SS Sage Brush, SS Timber Rush, SS Windrush, and SS Harpoon. It appears that the passenger accommodations were rather limited on these vessels, as the dining rooms featured only a single, albeit long table. The brochure is a timetable size, four panel fold-out, printed in black and blue, with five black & white photos. A truly neat piece for those collectors of unusual examples of steamship ephemera!

This is a wonderful booklet, titled "A Hundred Golden Hours at Sea"; produced for the Southern Pacific Steamship Lines. The text is a narrative which describes a trip on board SS Creole. Certainly intended as a promotional piece, this is something one might also have been given to pass the time in your deck chair while en route. Illustrated with black & white photos as well as color plates, this is a charming, period piece. 50 pages; the centerfold contains a map of the continental U.S., showing Southern Pacific's rail & steamship routes - another map of the east coast appears on the final page. The cover is embossed and printed with metallic gold ink, though this has dulled a bit over the years. The condition is excellent overall, and this is certainly a rare and delightful bit of ephemera from Southern Pacific.

A great double deck of Congress Playing Cards from the States Marine Lines. One deck in deep red with gold trim and edges, the second in dark, navy blue with silver trim and edges. 52 cards and two Jokers each deck - untouched condition. The slide box features a wonderful logo: the line's house flag appears in a life ring with the line name. Minor damage to the outer box. A very nice and unusual example.

A wonderful item from States Marine Lines - two decks of Congress playing cards still encased in their original cellophane. One deck is dark blue with metallic silver trim, the second red with metallic gold. The box is red plastic with a hinged, clear plastic lid. Some very minor scratching to the box as expected, otherwise near mint.

Another unusual piece which came to us with various ephemera from a mid-1970's cruise. This is a brightly printed plastic laundry bag featuring the Sun Line logo. Items such as these might not have a great deal of value currently, but we hesitate to dispose of them because some day...!

An undated booklet from a cruise aboard Stella Oceanis. The booklet features a detailed description of shore excursions, and tucked in the center are the separate daily programs from the voyage - one from each day of the 7-day cruise, (a duplicate of Saturday's program makes a total of 8). The booklet and programs are printed in four languages. Excellent condition.

An unopened deck of playing cards from the Sun Line. Dark blue with white and metallic gold detail. Made in Austria, cards still in their original cellophane.

An unopened deck of playing cards from the Sun Line. Bright red with white and metallic gold detail. Made in Austria, cards still in their original cellophane.

Ephemera from the Swedish American Line. This is a prepaid ticket receipt and ticket issue for a 1935 westbound crossing on Kungsholm. Though the ship is not indicated on either piece, these items were acquired with a large lot of items from a Kungsholm crossing. The prepaid receipt is dated 28 June, and the ticket, 2 August. Both in excellent condition.

A very nice label from SAL, featuring an image of the Town Hall at Stockholm. This example shows some wrinkling, but is unused with adhesive intact. We would classify this sticker as quite uncommon.

A neat memento from SAL - a laminated wood clothes hanger printed with the line name in both Swedish and English. Measuring 16½" across. Showing expected wear, but still very nice condition, and an unusual item!

A nicely designed tag for UAL in joint service with HAPAG. Both logos appear on this handsome green-on-white tag. The card stock used for this tag is quite a bit heavier than the typical tag stock. Minor wear, but unused on baggage.

Saved from an August, 1947 voyage on board Chiriqui is this passenger information booklet, describing various services available on board the ships of the Great White Fleet. 32 pages with line drawing illustrations. Very nice condition, and a delightful read!

A truly wonderful baggage tag from the Chiriqui. This tag has been pre-stamped with the ship's name and date of sailing: 14 August, 1947. Unused and in exceptionally fine condition, featuring wonderful graphics!

A nice tag from the United Fruit Company, in dark blue and red on white. A nice illustration of one of the fleet, with passenger info on reverse. The info side is showing some foxing, though the image side is excellent with only minor soiling.

A luggage sticker from the United Fruit Company on which the passenger info has been typed, omitting only the name of the steamer. The date is April 18, 1941. Adhesive intact, and apparently never attached to luggage. A nice example.

A large fold-out promoting "Cool Caribbean Cruises" on board the steamers of the United Fruit Company, with connections provided by the Illinois Central Railroad. This graphically rich piece opens to 31¼" x 18", and is filled with photos and illustrations. We have estimated the date of issue, as we are unable to find a date printed anywhere on the piece. Condition is excellent, with no separation at the folds. A nice example of United Fruit Company ephemera.

An exceptional promotional booklet from the United Fruit Company entitled: "Ships of the Great White Fleet." The booklet contains 34 pages plus covers, and is illustrated throughout with black & white photographs. A dozen of these are shipboard images, including some excellent images of public rooms and staterooms. The remainder of the booklet describes and illustrates the line's major ports of call. Condition is very good overall. There are a few very light notations within, and the two innermost leaves have separated at the staples. It also appears as if the booklet was folded open to page twelve for an extended period of time, as this and the following page exhibit wear and foxing that does not exist on the cover panels. In spite of this, this piece remains a rare and excellent example of United Fruit Company ephemera, more than compensating for its minor flaws.

A marvelous promotional booklet published by the U.S. Shipping Board to promote U.S. Liners. Featured, of course, is Leviathan, George Washington, America, and Republic of the United States Lines; but the booklet also describes the President liners operated by the Admiral Oriental Line and the Pacific Mail Steam Ship Company. 48 pages, 31 large black and white interior photos, 5 portraits, (one signed Worden Wood, and all likely by the artist), and a wonderful centerfold photo of Leviathan departing New York. (This leaf has separated from the booklet at the staples, but is otherwise intact). The condition of the piece is very good to excellent, with some minor foxing and discoloration. The photographs are delightful, most including models impeccably posed. A very nice and unusual item.

Eastbound aboard the SS America on July 11, 1952. This sailing followed the maiden departure of SS United States, and these passengers would return from Europe on her fourth westbound crossing. This Cabin Class list is in excellent condition, showing some light soiling to the cover stock only. The right edge of the cover has a "torn" effect - this is intentional! The tournament entry form which was tucked into each list has remained in this one - perhaps these passengers were not feeling competitive! A nice example from the America.

Cabin Class passenger list from SS America, sailing eastbound from New York on April 2, 1954. Some scuffing to the reverse cover, otherwise very good condition.

A very nice, Tourist Class passenger list from America's westbound voyage of 7/7/64. The list includes a large number of US Navy officers and their families, who must have spent Independence Day overseas. This piece has a wonderful striped cover with minimal soiling and wear.

A delightful, breast pocket size passenger list from the brand new Manhattan, sailing westbound from Hamburg for New York on May 3, 1933. The ship was in her first year of service, and everything must have sparkled! Of note is the name: "Harlow, Miss" with a first name or initial conspicuously absent as one or the other appears with every other "Miss" on board……..Jean, perhaps?

Westbound on board Manhattan, sailing from Hamburg on September 26, 1934. The traveler has noted "Homeward Bound" on the cover, and several acquaintances have been "checked" inside with a lavender colored pencil. No class is specified, however one might venture a guess based on the inclusion of several Rothschilds among the passengers. The list measures 5¼" x 7¾". Another nice, early piece from Manhattan.

A wonderful passenger list from Manhattan, quite early in her career. This is a Tourist Class list from an eastbound crossing departing New York on August 15th, 1934. Measuring 5¼" x 7¾". Simply done and in excellent condition.

An early luggage sticker, rectangular, 6½" x 3". This example bears the USL "flag" logo. A bit of roughness to the upper edge, and the remains of a second sticker which had adhered itself to the back.

A wonderful, early design baggage tag. This example is in excellent condition, one side written on, but obviously not used on luggage. Quite a nice and uncommon item.

Simple, yet very nice. A passenger list from the Harding's eastbound voyage #99, 5/26/37. The flag logo appears on the cover, and an early rope circle logo on reverse. A very tiny bit of paper, truly insignificant, remains on the back cover where this item was pasted to a scrap book.

Items with the personal touch! Four telegrams received on board the ship prior to sailing, two with the typical Western Union heading, and two with the "Bon Voyage" illustration at top. Again, truly ephemeral!

In honor of the fiftieth anniversary of the maiden voyage, we are pleased to offer this, a very early Cabin Class passenger list for Big U, departing Southampton on the return leg of her fourth voyage, August 14, 1952. This list has suffered some water damage at lower right, most prevalent on the reverse cover, but as it is one of her earliest, this does little to detract from its interest or value. It's truly difficult to believe this list was printed half a century ago!

A single deck of playing cards from the United States Lines. 52 cards (no Jokers) housed in a double-slide, blue velvet-covered box, with a sample card attached. The image is Aylward's portrait of Big U at sea in daylight. The cards are well-used, but have remained quite flat and devoid of dog-eared corners or creases. The box is in very nice condition.

An early passenger list from her westbound voyage of 8/13/53. Red & blue slick cover showing almost no defects whatever. There are a few penciled notations within, still an very excellent piece from early in her career. Captain J.W. Anderson commanding.

Passenger list, dated 4/10/54. Slightly rough cover in red and blue, but very nice inside with a number handwritten at the top of a few (3) pages corresponding to the number of passengers on that page. Lots of additional info!

News of the day aboard SS United States. This is an issue of the "Ocean Press", dated June 13, 1954. Dulles warns of US intervention in Southeast Asia, and Vice President Nixon's car is hit by a drunk driver! This is a 12 page issue on newsprint, with quite a few photos. Actor John Wayne appears twice, helping his son rehearse for his role in "The Long Grey Line", and in an ad for Camel Cigarettes. The number of European ads indicates this was likely during an eastbound crossing. The Tourist Class movie was "Tanganyika" with Van Heflin and Ruth Roman - (just over two years later Miss Roman would be dangling from a ladder as she escaped the sinking Andrea Doria!). Great reading!

SS United States on board newspaper, the "Ocean Press", dated Sunday, August 15, 1954. News of the day, (transmitted by the Radiomarine Corporation of America), ship's notices, and several charming advertisements. Printed on slick stock. Very nice condition.

Westbound from Southampton, Cabin Class on board the SS United States. Red, white, and blue, slick cover stock on this passenger list. Sailing from Southampton on Friday, June 7, 1957. Excellent condition.

A very nice Cabin Class list from the SS United States - this from an eastbound sailing, departing New York on 18 April, 1957. A couple of scratches on the cover - still excellent condition.

Westbound aboard SS United States , departing Southampton on Tuesday, October 17, 1961. Nearing 40 years of age, this First Class list is in wonderful condition. Acquired from the Nicrosi Estate, Mrs. Nicrosi and her daughter are listed as passengers. A very nice example!

A great, First Class passenger list; westbound, dated 5/17/63. Excellent condition, and including a tournament entry form, which was probably tucked into every list.

The "Ocean Press," published on board the SS United States during her voyage no. 251, westbound, July 26 (Friday) 1963. Among the news of the day, the U.S., Great Britain, and the Soviet Union ban nuclear testing in the atmosphere, and Nicklaus and Palmer were playing in the first round of the Western Open, in Chicago. The paper is in very good condition - folded twice, and exhibiting some toning overall.

The on-board newspaper from SS United States, dated Thursday, July 25, 1963. This paper was published during the vessel's westbound voyage no. 251. The paper has been folded twice, and shows some age toning overall, but is not brittle. Four pages of interesting reading!

Hard to split these up, so we won't! The Cabin Class passenger list from westbound voyage 362, departing Bremerhaven on 14 March, 1968, and the abstract of log from the same crossing. The abstract shows a bit of soiling, but the list is excellent. Among the passengers is Charles Gray, possibly the British actor on his way to Hollywood for a role in one of the James Bond films.

A wonderful brochure in timetable format with tabbed pages, describing the fare schedules in various classes for SS America and SS United States. This is issue number 3, dated April of 1957. The design closely parallels that of the deck plans from the same period. In addition to the fare schedule, additional information is included regarding transportation of pets, automobiles, etc.. Images of the ships appear on the page listing the line's world-wide offices. Light scuffing on the covers, still excellent condition overall.

An early baggage tag bearing the USL flag logo. This for "Stateroom Baggage", predominantly red, with white areas for passenger info. Unused and in excellent condition.

A rectangular luggage label, unused but with a small nip off of one corner. Still very good.

A very nice passenger list from Washington, dated 7/30/48, and including an unattached sheet of errata. Light blue cover, which has the USL flag on front, and the "eagle & rope" logo on reverse. Wonderful condition.

A wonderful luggage sticker from the Vaccaro Line. Circular, with an "H", and printed in deep navy blue and red on white. Extremely minor adhesive marks, apparently from a companion sticker. An unusual example.

This is a rare bit of ephemera from White Star's Arabic, the former Berlin of the Norddeutscher Lloyd. The concert was held as a special event commemorating the "Home-coming of the last British Troops to leave Constantinople after the evacuation of Turkey." The ship bears the "H.M.T." designation, and we must assume that she took part in the evacuation as an official transport vessel. A list of the Army and R.A.F. divisions on board appears in the program. The cover features the vessel's portrait as well as the "O.S.N.C" (Oceanic Steam Navigation Company) crest. The piece opens upward, as opposed to being in menu format, as one would normally expect. Condition is excellent overall. A very rare example, and a neat memento of an historic event.

This is a magnificent brochure for IMM, made even more so by the fact that nearly every photograph used to illustrate the amenities of the line's vessels is of the Olympic. Though titled: "Travel Map of Europe," a large portion of the large fold-out is dedicated (predictably so) to promoting the line itself. Measuring 24" x 36" when fully opened. Excellent condition, showing minor separation at the fold intersections. A nice item!

When we took a quick look at this photo we thought we had found a nice stern view of White Star's Suevic. Upon closer examination we realized that what we had was a nice stern view of two thirds of the Suevic! This small card of unknown origins features a photo taken in April of 1907 of the stern portion of the ship under tow to Southampton, following her salvage from the Lizard Rocks. Se appears to be making pretty good speed in this photo, and a number of her crew are visible on her aft (now forward) docking bridge. White Star historians will delight in this image!

Here is a rare opportunity to own this wonderful pair of authentic posters - the first from "Titanic" of 1953, and the second from "A Night To Remember" of 1959. Both are in excellent condition, and are from Mr. Matthew's personal collection. They will be sold as a set only. Great examples of the colorful, cinema graphic art of the period. The observant may note that the artist for "Titanic" was not terribly concerned with historical accuracy when it came to rendering the ship itself. He merely added four funnels to the image of the most luxurious liner then being publicized - the Andrea Doria. (Look closely!) One might opine that this was certainly a bad omen, though it would be another three years before the curse would take effect!

On consignment: A very interesting item from the IMM, listing sailings for the Atlantic Transport Line, the American Line, Leyland Line, Red Star Line, and the White Star and White Star-Dominion Lines. This is a large, four-page schedule, which has been folded twice, horizontally, certainly to be inserted in an envelope for mailing. The first page features a small portrait of Majestic, and lists a Chicago address for the IMM offices. There appears to have been a small leaflet inserted with this item at one time, which has caused light toning where it came in contact with the center panel. This is quite pale and of minimal consequence. A truly ephemeral item!