Third-class plan, measuring 34" x 20½".  Five images.  Must date to before 1935!  Some tears at folds, but otherwise great.  $45.

SOLD!

Nice plan for this pre-WWI HAPAG liner.  This appears to be a first and second class plan, but a notation says "Mediterranean express line winter service.  All accommodation reserved for first cabin.  No second cabin."  Measures 19" x 11" and is in very good condition.  She later became the Empress of Scotland for Canadian Pacific.  $85.

Superb photo of the Captain of the Cap Norte and a guest while giving a tour of the bridge in 1932.  Great detail can be seen of the engine telegraph they are standing next to.  Also included is a photo of the Cap Norte.  Both photos measure about 7" x 5".  $15.

Very crisp and clear stereoview of the Deutschland's boat deck, most likely showing the royal party.  Dated 1902. Mint condition.  $20.

Super "scary wave" card.  $10.

Built in 1926, the Hamburg and her sisters provided service between Germany and the US between the wars until the advent of Bremen and Europa.  Mined and sunk in 1945, she was raised by the Soviets in 1950 and "restored."  Like all the German ships captured by the Russians after the war, she was put to dubious uses.  Stein is in excellent condition and stands 2" tall.  $25.

Exquisite hard-cover brochure in German.  In the front, there is a beautiful gossamer-like patterned tissue between the photo on the frontispiece and the title page.  Many tipped-in photos showing the suites, the Ritz Carlton, the smoking room, the lounge, the swimming pool and the Turkish Bath, the galleys, shipping the rudder, among many, many others.  In short, one of the very best you will see for a ship we see very little for.  54 pages.  Two slight scratches to the cover otherwise mint.  $395.

Amazing pre-maiden voyage brochure for HAPAG's Imperator.  She was first of HAPAG's huge trio which was built to compete directly with White Star's new giants.  For as impressive as her interiors were, I never warmed up to her exterior.

The brochure runs 20 pages with 21 illustrations (both renderings of her interiors and photos of the launch and some of the machinery being built).  There is a centerfold cut-away of the liner with 35 important items listed and numbered, from the wheelhouse to the double bottom.  Among the renderings of her interiors are the dining room, the Ritz-Carlton restaurant and winter garden, a sitting room of a suite, the pool, etc.  There are also three photos of the Imperator's turbines under construction.  This is a ship we few nice items for, and this is one of the best brochures I have ever had for her.  Excellent condition with some edge issues on the cover but nothing major.  For completeness, I should mention that the back cover has a corner bend and that the staples are rusty, but this has not affected the paper.  $295.

Superb Persian-style soft wool carpet from a first-class stateroom on board the Imperator.  Measures about 62" x 50" (a little over 5 feet x 4 feet), and the name of the liner is woven into the carpet itself on the reverse.

One of the only chances you may ever have to own a carpet from this great HAPAG liner.  Stunningly beautifully was my first thought when I opened this rug up and set it out.  The size is also important as this is nearly perfect for use in a modern home.  It fits nicely between the bed and dresser in my smallest bedroom for example.  As far as I can see, there are no issues with the carpet in any way.  No tears, holes, or worn spots.  Note archival for similar carpets in use on the ship.  A superb opportunity for you!  $695.

Period envelope with a portrait of the Imperator passing the New York skyline.  She is listed as the "largest ship in the world, to be followed by two sister ships of similar dimensions."  This must have been an official HAPAG envelope because the back has the return address of the Hamburg-American Line in New York.  Addressed to a Miss Elise U. Kleiber in Newark, NJ.  Included is the letter in German that was inside.  It's in the old German script so I can't decipher what it says, but it is written on a plain piece of paper and is dated July 4, 1914.  Envelope in excellent condition.  $20.

Lovely stand-up first-class cold dish menu for August 24, 1913, on board the Imperator.  English on one side and German on the other.  Measures 5¼" x 3½".  These menus are quite rare.  Lots of gold used and in excellent condition.  $85.

Stand-up first-class "suggestion" menu for August 24, 1913, on board the Imperator.  English on one side and German on the other.  Lots of gold used.  Measures 5¼" x 3½".  In very good condition but has some discoloration to English side and some issues with the paper next to the ship's name on the German side.  $75.

SOLD!

Absolutely stunning real-photo postcard of the brand new Imperator about to leave her fitting-out berth.  Unusual view to say the least and quite clear with lots of detail on the ship visible.  According to the late Frank Braynard, Imperator and her sisters represented Ballin's hope for peace expressed in real terms both physically and as a cash investment.  The irony is that his huge ships were lost to Britain because of the war.  Mint condition and unused.  $60.

Ballin's triumphant imperial eagle on the bow of the Imperator.  Clear real-photo postcard of the liner, possibly leaving the builder's yard.  Great real-photo cards are nearly impossible to find.  The image says it all.  In excellent condition written on the back but not mailed.  $50.

Very unusual post card of lifeboat drill being held on board the Imperator.  The text at the bottom mentions that she carries 83 boats.  Considering what had happened the year before, I guess HAPAG wanted to make sure people knew there were enough lifeboats for all!  Unused and in very good condition.  $40.

Great real-photo card of the Imperator, still sporting that massive eagle, taken from a departing tender.  Super view!  I have a used and an unused version.  The used card is postmarked May 22, 1914.  Both are in great condition.  $45.

Impressive set of 17 postcards for Cunard's R.M.S. Imperator.  Cunard operated the seized German liner for about a year right after the war before re-naming her Berengaria.  One wonders why they waited to change the name.  Perhaps they considered keeping her name as Imperator.  If they didn't, then the company certainly produced a fair bit of publicity material with the ship’s original German name.  Because the liner is still listed on the cards as "Imperator," I have put these cards here under her original name and not in the Cunard section.

I had not seen most of these cards before I bought this set.  They are quite unusual and hard to find.  Each card has the particulars of the ship on the back and the full Cunard belted and crowned logo.  Some intriguing views shown on these cards include the Grill Room, “Swimming Pool Rest Room” (which looks like the cooling room of a Turkish Bath), a view of the cabin-class dining room, etc., etc.  I have never seen most of these areas of Imperator before.  All cards are postally unused.  A rare chance to own a set in one go.  Some bumped corners otherwise excellent condition.  $145.

Ridiculously cool real-photo postcard of Imperator (probably in Southampton) during the short time as a Cunarder before she was renamed Berengaria.  Part of the writing on the back reads: "Imperator, Cunard Co, July 25 - 31st 1920."  Never mailed and in very good condition with just the slightest corner bumps.  $35.

Artist rendering card of the new HAPAG giant Imperator.  Used just about 5 weeks after the maiden voyage.  Postmarked on July 20, 1913, in New York.  Very good condition.  $20.

Post card showing the difference in size between the newly built Imperator and the newly rebuilt St. Michel's Church in Hamburg.  The Imperator was twice the size!  Good condition with some bumped corners.  $25.

Artist rendering card of the Imperator at full speed.  Must have been a company-issued card because the back states: "On board the quadruple-screw steamship Imperator"  Unused and in excellent condition.  $20.

Hard-to-find artist rendering card of the Cunard liner R.M.S. Imperator.  She was finally renamed Berengaria in 1920.  Unused and in very good condition.  $30.

Built in 1906 for HAPAG, the Kaiserin Auguste Victoria was named after the last Empress of Germany.  The liner was surrendered to Britain after World War I and was chartered to Cunard for 1920.  She was then sold to Canadian Pacific and became their Empress of Scotland.  After a few years of Canadian Pacific service, she was sold to the breakers in 1930.

This gold-toned souvenir spoon dates to her pre-war days and has a portrait of the liner and her name in relief in the bowl.  All surmounted by the flag of the German empire on the handle.  Very good condition with some rubbing to the gold.  $165.

12-page brochure for the Hamburg-America liners Orinoco and Iberia, which ran service from Europe to Mexico via Cuba.  The brochure covers first, second, and third class and has 30 photos of the interiors of the liners and some of the ports of call.  Text in German.  Brochure is near mint.  $85.

42443    Vaterland                            Photos

Set of three snapshots from a passengers visit to or trip on the Vaterland.  She only made a few voyages so the timeline for getting pre-war shots of her was short.  Unusual views and a ship you don't see too many personal snapshots for.  Each measures about 2½" x 1½"  In excellent condition.  $30.

14915    Vaterland                            Post Card

Unusual post card showing the Imperator standing in for the Vaterland.  Note the bridge front.  Very good condition with one bent corner and some marks on the back where this had been attached to an album.  $8.

Stunning pre-war souvenir fan from the Victoria Luise's on-board gift shop.  This particular fan was produced for a Westindienfahrt or West Indian Cruise.  The route of the cruise cleverly spreads out on the fan blades.  The Victoria Luise was most likely the world's first purpose-built cruise ship and made her first West Indian cruise in 1901.  She had a short career, however.  About five years after her debut, while on a West Indian cruise, on December 16, 1906, her captain Captain Brunswig mistook the lighthouse at Plumb Point for that at the westernmost point of Port Royal Jamaica. Heading north at 14 knots, the ship hit and climbed onto the rocks bow first at about 9 o’clock in the evening.  After evacuating the passengers, Brunswig went to his cabin and shot himself.  The ship was a total loss and was scrapped on the spot.  Any pre-war HAPAG souvenir is exceedingly rare, and one for a ship that was in service for only five years is impossible to find.  The fan is in excellent condition with no cracks or damage.  Measures about 5½" high X 11" across when spread open.  $145.

Although not as well known or popular as the famous funnel ashtrays of the France, this one is still pretty cool.  Stand about 3½" tall and about 4" from front to back.  Marked on the bottom "S.P.M. Walküre, Bayreuth, Bavaria, Germany."  In excellent condition.  Great piece for your coffee table!  $45.

Small celluloid box with the HAPAG logo on the top.  Measures about 2" in diameter.  Lovely shade of mottled green.  Excellent condition. Likely 1930's.  $30.

Very rare sailing and first-class rates brochure in English.  Advertising their regular Mediterranean service and a special one-time sailing of the Deutschland to Italy.  A blurb inside is of special note:  "The precautions which have been taken in this regard make the Deutschland practically unsinkable."  16 pages.  In great condition with lots of information.  Has been folded.  Some discoloration.  $25.

Made by Fürstenberg in Germany, this exquisite fine bone-china cup and saucer date to the time of the Bremen (ex-Pasteur).  According to Bill Miller, the Germans were prevented from owning any liners after WWII for a period of 10 years.  They were further restricted from building or even owning new ships for a period of 20 years.  Hence the purchase of the Pasteur used in the later part of the 1950's.  Although not the shape of a typical demi-tasse cup, it holds the same amount of liquid.  Absolutely mint, just like it came out of the wrapping.  You can't ask for better condition than this!  A pair available @ $75 ea.

Early souvenir lapel pin measuring about 1" in diameter.  A couple of very slight cracks to the finish.  More than likely dates to the pre-WWI period.  $30.

Very early lapel pin made by Whitehead and Hoag and dates to the turn of the last century.  These were sold to visitors when they boarded the liners, and the money was given to charities.  About ¾" in diameter.  Excellent condition.  $30.

Souvenir pocket note pad from the on-board souvenir shop of the "new" HAPAG liners Albert Ballin, Deutschland, Hamburg, and New York.  They were advertised as "the ships without seasickness" and as having Frahm's anti-rolling tanks.  Great condition with a rough spot on the leather on the back.  Calendars for 1930 and 1931 in the back.  Measures about 3¼" x 2½".  Pages all edged with gold leaf.  $35.

Judging by the logo, I have a sneaking suspicion this dates to the 1960's, may be from the Bremen.  6" from handle to handle and stands 2" tall.  In very good condition with no loss of plate.  Made by Gebrüder Hepp who also made large amounts of silver service for Hitler.  $35. 

Huge serving piece as made for the Imperator class when she entered service.  Dated 1914 on the bottom with an unusual HAPAG logo (H.A.L) engraved on the front.  Measures 10½" from handle to handle and stand about 3" tall.  Some loss of silver from inside the bowl from use and a few dings on the outside otherwise in very good condition.  $175.

22654     H.A.P.A.G.                          Silver, Sauce Boat

Lovely silver sauce boat identical to what was used on board Imperator.  Measures 6” from handle to spout and 4” from foot to top of handle.  Nice clear logo, dated 1910.  Very good condition with some use marks and small dings.  $115.

22043     H.A.P.A.G.                         Silver, Tea Pot

Small silver individual tea pot.  Probably pre-WWI.  No plate loss and a few small dents.  Excellent clear logo.  Stands 4” tall.  $145.

42379     H.A.P.A.G.                         Wallet

From the on board gift shop a leather pocket note book.  I am glad to say it comes with it's original and unused pencil.  How do I know it is not a replacement?  Because the pencil is marked Hamburg Amerika Line.  Measures about 6¼" x 4" when not opened.  Most likely dates to the 1920's or 1930's.  In very good condition with some scuffing to the leather at the edges.  $30.