On August 26, 1981, the first-class purser's safe of the Italian liner Andrea Doria was recovered from the wreck, just over 25 years since the Doria had plunged to the bottom.  The salvagers didn't know what they would find in the safe, but when it was opened on live television on August 16, 1984, three years after its recovery, hundreds of dollars and lira bills were found along with some American Express travelers' checks.  Professionally mounted into acrylic blocks, each of the bills is a unique reminder of the Doria.  These days, they are difficult to find as most are held in private hands.

This dollar bill comes complete with the original presentation box and the booklet that gives the principal particulars of the Doria and a brief history of the disaster, the recovery of the bills, and what the salvers thought they would find.  This booklet was also signed to John on January 18, 1986, by Peter Gimbel and Elga Anderson, the expedition leaders.  Also included is a flyer on how to take care of the acrylic.

The bill, box, and booklet are all in near-mint condition.  $425.

Many divers have risked their lives to recover a memento of their arduous dive to the Andrea Doria.  Now you can have an item in your collection from the most famous of diveable liners without risking life and limb.  What an item it is too!  Very good condition with a flea bite out of the rim and some haze from its decades on the bottom of the North Atlantic.  I have been told that this hazing is because of the electrolytic action as the metal of the ship and the glass react to their salt-water environment.  Measures about 4¼" tall x 3" at the rim.  $695.

The Africa was built in 1952 for the African service of Lloyd Triestino.  This tissue deck plan is dated April, 1952, and is very likely the first deck plan for her.  It covers both first and tourist class.  When open, the plan measures about 19" x 13".  Very good condition.  $40.

Built in 1953 for the Asian service of Lloyd Triestino, the Asia and her sister Victoria were two of the prettiest colonial-service liners built by the Italians.  This tissue deck plan for the Asia, dated January, 1966, covers both first and tourist class.  When open, the plan measures about 19" x 14".  Mint.  $40.

Silk souvenir gala night hat ribbon measuring 33" long.  From her earliest days as an N.G.I. liner.  Excellent condition.  $75.

Supple and extremely well-made leather photo album with a post card of the Augustus in the front.  Fantastic NGO logo in gold.  Great pre-war souvenir from a crossing.  Put your own trip pictures in them.  Four slits on each page to hold the corners of the photographs.  Measures about 8" x 5".  A pair available.  Both in very good condition.  $40 ea.

Fantastic silver lapel pin with an Imperial Roman eagle over the enameled name Augustus, dating from her early period when she was still an NGI liner.  Made in Italy.  Excellent condition.  Measures 1" across.  Wear it on your next cruise!  $75.

A hard-to-find deck plan for Italy's second post-war liner, and what a beautiful ship she is!  Dated September, 1956, this tissue deck plan opens to about 37" x 29" and covers the entire ship.  One photo of the ship at sea.

Sadly, this beautiful liner, symbol of the Italian Merchant Marine's renaissance after the devastation of WWII, was only recently scrapped.  Mint.  $45.

Measuring over 37" long.  I think this might be from the pre-war Augustus, but I put it under the post-war ship to be safe!  A couple of tiny pin holes and stains but does not affect the ship's name or flags.  $45.

Excellent tissue deck plan for the Conte dated September, 1954.  This plan is as thin as tissue deck plans get.  Folds open to about 39" x 27".  Covers all three classes with a large legend.  No holes, no damage.  One image of the ship.  Mint.  $45.

Great real-photo card of this beautiful Italian liner.  Unused and in excellent condition.  Slight fold to one corner.  $30.

Excellent snapshot of the Conte departing New York with the Santa Elena leading the way.  Fortunately, the photographer was a stickler for detail and has marked the date, the weather, the time, and other information on the back.  Measures about 4" x 3".  Excellent condition.  $25.

Well known for their exquisite art, the liners of the Italian fleet were quite literally floating art galleries.  Drawing on the finest talent that Italy had to offer, each vessel was packed with art expressly designed for the liner.  The Italians were justifiably quite proud of this fact and produced brochures for each of their ships.  I've had them for much of the fleet, but this is the first I have had for the Conte Grande.  20 pages with 20 photos of the art on board.  The text is in Italian.  These types of brochures are always one of my best sellers.  I can't keep them in stock!  Near-mint condition.  $95.

Completed in 1922 for Lloyd Sabaudo, the Conte Rosso was named after Amadeus VII, Count of Savoy.  She was the largest liner built for Italy to date.  Known for her lavish interiors (some might say "over the top"), the Conte Rosso eventually became part of the Italian Line fleet.  She was torpedoed on May 24, 1941, with a loss of about 1,300 lives.

This brochure runs 36 pages with 30 photos and 3 renderings of her interiors.  Nearly every image is a full page.  Covers both first and second classes with lots of photos of the public rooms in each class, including a two-page centerfold for her first-class dining room.  Excellent condition.  $95.

SOLD!

Much sought-after brochure covering the art on board the Doria's sister ship.  20 glossy pages with 20 photos of the art on board, mostly in color.  Text in Italian.  Measures 9" x 8".  Excellent condition.  $95.

Superb pre-maiden voyage tissue deck plan for all three classes, dated various dates February, 1955, April, 1954 etc.  As close as you can get to a Doria deck plan without spending hundreds of dollars.  Measures 39" x 27".  Excellent condition.  A quantity available @ $30 each.

First-, second-, and third-class plan for the Colombo.  12 photographs, both on board and exterior.  Ship's particulars in Italian and English.  Measures 32" x 29".  Various dates.  By this time, she had been repainted with the white hull.  Mint condition $18.

Great souvenir china pin tray as sold in the on-board gift shops on the Colombo and other Italian liners.  I consider those Italian ships of the 1950's to be some of the most stylish ever built.  Made by Verbano and measures just over 5" across.  $95.

SOLD!

Superb set of three photos of the rand-new Italian liner Cristoforo Colombo arriving in New York at the end of her maiden voyage.  She's dressed overall and is looking beautiful.  Some worn paint on the bow!  Measures over 4" x 3".  The ship's name on the back of all three images, and one also has notes stating that this is the maiden arrival.  $50 for the set.

The Colombo's a pretty sight and how about that yacht!?  Super-clear, deckle-edged post card of the Colombo in her home port of Genoa.  Very clear and unused.  Some damage at the very top edge but does come close to affecting ship.  $10.

SOLD!

Deckle-edged post card of one of the most beautiful ships ever built.  Postally used and in excellent condition.  $15.

Built in 1952 for the African service of Lloyd Triestino, the Europa and her sister Africa were two of the prettiest colonial-service liners built by the Italians.  This tissue deck plan for the Europa, dated April, 1954, covers both first and second class.  When open, the plan measures about 19" x 13".  She was sold to a Saudi Arabian buyer in 1976 and just two months later caught fire in Jedda, Saudi Arabia.  She was a total loss and was eventually scrapped in 1980.  Excellent condition.  $40.

Six-page fold-open flyer for the Europa and Africa of Lloyd Triestino for their Italy to South Africa service.  Ten interior photos and one on-deck scene by the pool.  Also included in the flyer are sample luncheon menus from first and tourist class.  $25.

The cover is made of very thick cardboard, much sturdier than a normal brochure cover, almost like a hard cover but not quite.  32 pages with 28 full-page photos of her interiors and one of her exterior.  Included are some very rarely seen parts of the ship, such as the bridge, the Marconi cabin, the second-class barber shop, a second-class bathroom, etc.  Text is in Italian.  Completed in 1922 by Swan Hunter on the Tyne for the Navgazione Generale Italiana, the Giulio Cesare like so many Italian ships was sunk by Allied bombing in 1944.  Excellent condition.  $135.

Amazing full-color brochure for these two post-war sisters. The first passenger liners built for Italy after World War II, the Augustus and Giulio Cesare set the standard that the Italian Line would follow for years.  16 pages with 20 full-color and black-and-white photos of their interiors, this brochure gives a superb look into these liners.  As you all know, the Augustus is still with us and is preserved in still-running condition in Manila.  Preservationists are trying to return her to Genoa to become a museum.  Let's hope they succeed.  $85.

Excellent fold-open deck plan for Italy's first post-war liner.  Dated September, 1956, this tissue deck plan opens to about 37" x 29" and covers the entire ship.  One photo of the ship at sea.  She was a beauty!  Mint.  $45.

Stunning photo card of the Giulio Cesare in her home port of Genoa.  Deckle edged and extremely clear.  Postally used.  $18.

Full-color glossy brochure for Home Line's new Homeric.  14 page with 28 full-color photos.  Built in 1931 as Matson's Mariposa, she was laid up after the war and finally purchased by Home Lines and entered their service in 1955.  The Homeric survived until a fire in 1973.  She was scrapped in 1974.  Mint condition.  Super brochure for this much-loved liner.  $65.

Bronze paperweight for these Home Line beauties.  Likely dates from the 1965 entry into service of the Oceanic.  Measures about 3" in diameter.  Made by Bertoli in Milan.  Excellent condition.  $40.

Great graphics on this baggage tag for the Homeric.  Mint condition.  $5.

Certifcate issue on the da Vinci to Mrs. Dubitsky for winning the duplicate bridge game.  Dates to a cruise in 1973.  Measures 17" x 12".  In excellent condition.  $15.

This thinner-format gala night ribbon is 36" in length and is in excellent condition.  $30.

Chock-a-block full of full-color photos, this large fold-open brochure has 18 interior and exterior photos for the last pair of super liners built for transatlantic service.  And what interesting/odd ships they were too with dramatic caged funnels and not a porthole in sight for most of her passenger cabins.  Folds open to 23" x 18".  Absolutely mint condition.  May be one of the last brochures issued for them as Italia gasped its last breath.  $20.

Excellent deck plan dated March, 1966, which shows all three classes.  Very detailed, even down to the placement of furniture in each cabin.  Unfolds to 27” x 26” and includes several interior and exterior photographs.  In excellent condition.  Great photo of the liner on the back cover.  No rips, tears, or misfolds.  Various dates.  A quantity available @ $20 each.

SOLD!

Heavy wooden paper weight with a fantastic wood grain back stamped in gold "t/n Raffaello.  Italia Navigazione."  From her on-board souvenir shop.  Measures a little over 3" in diameter.  Excellent condition.  $35.

There is something about Rex deck plans -- they're huge!!  Perhaps they wanted to give her the royal treatment....   This tissue deck plan is dated April, 1936, and measures 47" x 37" (about 4 x 3 feet!).  Color-coded plan for tourist and third class (along with a few interchangeable first-class cabins).  There's an interesting official modification on D Deck that has been pasted onto the plan and shows 52 new berths that had been added.  A passenger has circled their cabin in pencil.  In excellent condition with a few small holes at the holes.  $185.

From the "king" of Italy's liners, this hat ribbon measures 37" in length and is in mint condition.  $65.

This brochure, with 12 pages and 8 magnificent photos of her under construction, predates her entry into service in 1926, lists her as the eighth largest ship in the world, curiously with Leviathan listed as the largest.  She was huge and helped to establish the "Southern Route".   Each photo is dated.  Great color rendering of her as she would appear. Super N.G.I. logo on the back.  In Italian.  "S.P.Q.R."  Very good condition.   $125.

The best early brochure you can get for these two Italian liners.  *These ships became the mainstay of the fleet serving with distinction both before and after the war.*  Not only is it 58 pages long but it has 8 color illustrations of the liners' interiors among the brochures 21 illustrations and photos of the liners.  Soft cover and the text is in English.  The covers are scuffed and bumped at the edges, but the rest of the brochure is in excellent condition.  $175.

An early brochure for these sisters.  Produced when the ships were still sailing under the Cosulich flag, the brochure runs 32 pages with 24 photos, all full page.  Very tough to find good pre-war items for these ships.  A very nice overview of these underappreciated Italian liners.  $125.

NEW!

Superb post-war brochure which dates to the time of the Doria's fitting out which is how she is listed.  The Colombo had not yet been named and is mentioned only as the "turbo-vessel" under construction.  Heavily redecorated after the war, these lovely liners were the backbone of Italia's post-war fleet until the advent of the post-war new builds.  24 pages with 22 interior photos, a full-color centerfold of the liner at sea, and two cut-away views of a first-class single Verandah stateroom and a cabin-class two-berth Verandah stateroom.  It's amazing to compare the pre-war interiors from the 1920's with the post-war remodel.  This is such a great brochure that, when I was offered two, I bought them both!  $125 ea.

Originally built by Harland & Wolff in 1936 as Union Castle's Dunnottar Castle, she was bought by Incres in 1958, substantially refitted at Rotterdam, and renamed Victoria. After a brief time with Chandris, she was bought by Louis Cruises and in her final years of service, she was known as the Princesa Victoria.  She was broken up in 2004.

This superb brochure (probably the best ever produced for her) is printed on glossy paper and is in full color.  22 pages with 32 photos, including a large centerfold painting of the ship and a tipped-in menu that opens.  This brochure is dated August, 1967.  Fantastic!  Mint condition with original plastic protective cover.  A beautiful ship that you just don't see much for.  $95.

Outstanding brochure for the Victoria and Asia, which sailed on the Italy-Pakistan-India-Far East service of Lloyd Triestino.  Dating to July, 1959, this booklet runs 36 pages with 57 on-board and exterior photos (most in color) and deck plans for the liners.  Lots and lots of unusual views.  In great condition.  $55.

Dated September, 1969, this tissue deck plan folds open to 19" x 14" and shows both classes.  In excellent condition.  Lloyd Triestino is as popular as it is hard to come by!  $45.

Absolutely huge deck plan for the Christmas and New Years1934/1935 cruise on board the Vulcania to the West Indies.  The cruise departed New York on December 22 and went to Kingston, Cristobal, Havana, Nassau, and back to New York on January 4.  One side of the plan has lots of photos of the interiors of the ship and the other is the deck plan.  When open, the plan measures a huge 46" x 34".  It always amazes me how big some deck plans are!  In almost mint condition with only the slightest pin holes at a few of the folds.  $145.

Tissue plan, measuring 38"x 27", for all passenger accommodation.  Oddly, this plan is dated both November, 1954, AND December, 1954.  In excellent condition with only a few small spots and an arrow pointing out a cabin.  One of Italy's longest-serving and best-loved ships.  $40.

Glossy deck plan in Italian and English dated January, 1962.  Getting late for this famed and long lived liner.  Seven photos.  Very interesting photo showing the pre-war first-class dining room still intact.  Compare this to the lower classes.  From the Frank Braynard Collection.  Excellent condition.  $35.

Hard-to-find in-service spoon from Cosulich.  How can you not like their logo?  In very good condition.  Measures about 5½" in length.  $20.

Very unusual ashtray.  Must date to the 1930's.  Small crack on one side that is about 1/2" long.  Some very slight crazing and some wear to the bowl.  Measures 6" in diameter.  Never seen another.  $75.

Mint condition unused cabin class baggage tag.  Still has its original string.  $6.

SOLD!

Excellent unused baggage tag for items not wanted on the voyage.  First class.  $6.

Fantastic cruise baggage tag with the funnels from the Michelangelo & Raffaello.  Unused and mint.  $6.

Very rare and quite interesting pre-World War II booklet covering "the church at sea on the southern route."  Describes the services available to Catholics who sail on the Italian Line.  Runs 20 pages with a photo of the chapel on the Rex and illustrations of the chapels on the Conte di Savoia and the Vulcania/Saturnia.  Has a centerfold with photos of the Rex, Conte di Savoia, the Roma, and the Vulcania/Saturnia. Also has some on-deck and interior views of the liners.  One of the most unusual brochures I've seen for the Italian Line.  Excellent condition with a touch of rubbing on the covers.  $50.

Exquisite tea cup and saucer as used on board the Andrea Doria.  Commonly known among collectors as the "Chinois" pattern, this style of china is decorated with many different Chinese scenes and is one of the most sought-after patterns of Italia china because of its close connection with the Doria from which a lot of identical pieces have been recovered.  Both pieces made by Schowald.  Near-mint condition.  No chips, cracks, or crazing, but has the tiniest spots on the blue rim of the cup.  $235.

42711  Italian Line                                China, Side Plate

7" side plate from the service of the post-war Italian fleet.  Identical pieces of this pattern have been brought up form the Doria.  Very rare and as such would make greatly enhance any Italia collection.  Made by Richard Ginori.  In near-mint condition.  $175.

Tea cup and saucer in the Chinois pattern.  Made by Richard Ginori and identical to that used on the Doria, but this is marked with a Finmare anchor logo.  In near-mint condition.  $85.

22318  Italian Line                                China

Pre-war and highly sought-after fine-bone china crescent dish.  Date marked “3-39” (March, 1939).  In the very late 1930's Italian Line china was ordered in mass in an effort to consolidate the logos and patterns used onboard.  In excellent condition.  No chips, cracks, or crazing.  The gold is near mint.  Made by Ginori.  Two available @ $195 ea.

SOLD!

22445  Italian Line                                China

Beautiful pre-war side plate measuring 7¾” in diameter.  Made by Ginori and date marked "37-12" (December, 1937.)  Shows the typical utensil marks.  No chips, cracks, or crazing.  $145.

42500  Italian Line                                China

Pre-war Italia china was very colorful and decorative.  This side plate is no exception.  Made of bone china by our old friend Richard Ginori and date marked for November, 1939.  Measures about 7" in diameter.  Excellent condition.  $275.

22004  Italian Line                                China

Extremely colorful pre-war side plate made from fine-bone china in the pattern used on the Augustus of 1927.  Beautiful gold Richard Ginori logo on the back.  No chips, cracks, or crazing.  Near mint.  Measures 7½” in diameter.  $325.

Lovely diamond-shaped dish in the orange-rope pattern.  This pattern has the post-war crown and is identical to pieces recovered from the Andrea Doria.  Mint condition.  No chips, cracks, or crazing and no wear to the gold.  This is the larger size diamond dish, measuring about 9" x 5".  A quantity available.  Several by Ginori; several by Schonwald.  $125 ea.

26532  Italian Line                                China

Side plate in the orange-rope pattern.  Measures about 6½" in diameter.  Made by Ginori.  Very good condition with some slight signs of use.  $50.

Third-class demi-tasse cup and saucer as used on board the Doria.  Very heavy restaurant ware.  Made by Verbano and in mint condition.  A quantity available @ $125 each.

22922  Italian Line                                Crystal

Lovely post-war cordial glass, standing 2½” tall.  Near-mint condition.  A quantity available.  $65 each.

Large post-war silver creamer.  The large size suggests that it was meant for an entire table's use.  Measures about 5" tall and 6½" from handle to spout.  Made by Wellner. In very good condition.  $135.

35449    Italian Line                               Silver, Fruit Basket

Highly sought-after large silver fruit bowl as used on the Doria and Colombo.  Measures about 14" x 8" and stands 8" tall.  Items identical to this have been recovered from the Doria.  Made by Broggi.  In overall excellent condition with some plate loss to the bottom of the bowl.  Really large, bold logo.  $475.

22845    Italian Line                               Silver, Fish Knife

Silver fish knife bearing the post-war Italian crown.  8½” long.  Some wear to the crown.  Typical utensil marks.  Made by F. Broggi.  A quantity available.  $10 each.

22810    Lloyd Sabaudo                          Bedspread

Exquisite white bed spread, dating to the late 1920’s or early 1930’s.  This could be from the Conte di Savoia or one of the other Conte ships.  Woven into the spread is a pattern of grape vines and leaves.  What makes this weaving so beautiful is that parts are raised to give it a 3-D quality.

Amazing large Lloyd Sabaudo belted logo in the center.  The blanket measures about 76” x 54” (about 6½ feet x 4½ feet).  In the edge are the words “Macherio.  Ditta Rivolta, Carmignani & Co.  Milano.”  Underneath that is “Di Aldo & Ugo Rivolta”

A few very small holes and some very small wear to the spread.  A few light stains.  This could possible be dry cleaned out, but I’ll leave that to you.  On the whole in excellent condition.  $175.

SOLD!

Great unusual Lloyd Triestino ashtray.  Never seen another.  Measures about 4" across.  Three small nicks to the china otherwise excellent.  $45.

35808    Lloyd Triestino                         Ashtray

Ashtray as used on board.  Bottom marked Lloyd Triestino.  Don't you just love their logo!?  Measures 4" across.  In excellent condition.  $25.

SOLD!

On board dinner plate measuring 9" in diameter with a Lloyd Triestino logo.  Impress in the clay on the back is 5-59, maybe the manufacturing date.  Some slight loss to the gold rim and some usual utensil marks.  Otherwise excellent.  $65.

The Italian lines certainly liked to stick with their suppliers.  This NGI fish knife is made by Broggi who made the silver for the Doria two decades later.  How do we know we know it's a fish knife?  The shape as well as the beautifully engraved fish on the blade.  Measures 8½' long.  Excellent condition.  A quantity available @ $25 ea.