Wonderful book on the USS Von Steuben’s WW1 wartime service for the Stars and Stripes. She was built as NDL’s Kronprinz Wilhelm and at one time held the Blue Riband of the Atlantic. After the war, rumors abounded that she would be refurbished and used to show off America’s industrial might .. or even more service, but this was not the case and she was the first of the captured German four funneled liners to go to the breakers. Signed by the Author!

Stunning official NDL photograph of the racer Europa. The back contains statistical typed info in German and English … as well as some handwritten German text. The Europa was almost destroyed while under construction by fire , but hre germans rebuilt her. She briefly held the speed record.  The photo is approx. 7×7. The Image is crisp sharp and in wonderful condition.

NDL’s 4 funnel racer was caught at the onset of WW1 … and quickly put into service for the US Navy as the USS Agamemnon. After WW1 There were schemes to reactivate her for peacetime service alongside the Leviathan and other German ships … but she was kept in the backwaters of the reserve fleet and never used again. She remained in the backwaters until after WW2 , and was towed away as a rusty old gal to become pins and needles for American baby boomers. There is a 1″ chip out of the upper right hand corner.

Lovely souvenir back painted glass tray for the Europa. She started life as SAL’s Kungsholm .. and joined the Bremen V ( rebuilt French Pasteur from 1939) in the early 60’s. In excellent shape with no chips scratches etc.

Wonderful little booklet about the Bremen and her elusive dash out of NYC and homeward at the onset of WW2. She was painted grey at sea … and made it home to Bremerhaven via Murmansk. Great little German paperback …. Must have been important propaganda to publish this … paper and other materials sure would have been in short supply in Germany in WW2. The poor was Bremen burned out by the end of the war. Pretty rare little booklet… and neat photos! There is a tiny tear on the back cover does not detract in anyway.

Germany was depleted of almost all of their shipping tonnage after WW1 … but NGL was able to get the Bremen back into service. A neat little ship … her name would eventually be reused with the sparkling and amazing Bremen of 1929 (and then the Bremen (rebuilt Pasteur) of 1959. The plan certainly has browned, has some cello tape repair and a waterpoton a fold line … but Kind of rare to find something for one of the few members of the Post WW1 German fleet!

This elegant little 1926 menu dates long before she would have joind the KDF fleet. The menu is in German and English … the passenger must have been English  … as they have checked items on that site of the offering. I would have had the potato pancake with mashed apples for sure! YUMMY!

Nice little sheet and envelope from any member of the HAPAG fleet. It has yellowed with age.. and have a few spots … but still entirely useable!

Lovely little brochure for the German companions. The Bremen was basically the pre WW2 French liner Pasteur rebuilt from the hull up …. and the Europa was the postwar SAL Kungsholm with a few tweaks including new wallpaper and paint. Full of great full page photos, this is a great little reference items for the ships.

The mighty Imperator was the debut member of Albert Ballin’s ultra- luxuriant Big Three: Imperator, Valterland and Bismarck. She spent most of WW1 laid up in the River Elbe and came under Allied control at the end of the hostilities. She would eventually go to Great Britain as sort of a “consolation prize” for the loss of the Lusitania … becoming Cunard’s Berengaria. Super lucky for us, most of her original German furniture was kept onboard throughout the war years and then refurbished by Cunard for peacetime service. These first class dining room chairs have wonderful carved details on the wooden elements, legs and back structure … elegant blooming Roses and egg and dart-like frieze are featured in the carved details. The very top of the back is flattened … where the ivory carved seat number was once located during her years at sea (now long removed). A prior owner had the chairs refurbished sometime in the past 20 years or so: the upholstery, springs and seat undercover have all been replaced. The current velvety upholstery is very reminiscent of the original in both color, design and I’m guessing texture .. the Germans loved ornate floral brocade like velvets! Certainly some bumps and scratches from use. The only other flaw is this is missing the lacey trim around the front of the seat back. I’m happy to answer any questions.**** Shipping calculator will not be accurate for this item, I will need to quote shipping specifically ****

Awesome Bakelite ashtray for the German twin flyers! This was probably snitched from an onboard smoking room. Great bas relief image of the ships in the bowl … sporting their lower funnels … so it must be a pretty early item. Glad somebody slipped this into their pocket or steamer trunk!

Great little keychain … would have been offered out of the onboard giftshop. This cute little bugger could easily be converted into a stylish necklace!  I just loved the Hanseatic … you could always see the nuances of her Brittish CP interiors behind the newer German artwork and furnishings.

Nice stainless steel spoon from a NDL ship with a stamped key and anchor logo. Probably from the 60’s or 70’s. typical use and scullery wear and tear!

Nice stainless steel spoon from a NDL ship with a stamped key and anchor logo. Probably from the 60’s or 70’s. typical use and scullery wear and tear!

NDL: silver plated soup spoon. My guess is this dates from the 1930’s Bremen/ Europa/ Columbus era. This spoon is heavy and has the key and anchor logo, Typical marks from use and onboard scullery visits! I am sure it will clean up nicely!

NDL: 3 Big Silver spoons. I have no idea what ship these are from … but my guess is they date from the 1930’s Bremen/ Europa/ Columbus era. The spoons are heavy and have the key and anchor logo. Based on the little buffing I tried, I’m sure they willl clean up! Typical marks from use and onboard scullery visits!

NDL: 4 Silver spoons. I have no idea what ship these are from … but my guess is they date from the 1930’s Bremen/ Europa/ Columbus era. The spoons are heavy and have the key and anchor logo w/ a little rope design around the edge. Based on the little buffing I tried, I’m sure they willl clean up! Typical marks from use and onboard scullery visits!

NDL: 7 Silver spoons. I have no idea what ship these are from … but my guess is they date from the 1930’s Bremen/ Europa/ Columbus era. The spoons are heavy and have the key and anchor logo. Based on the little buffing I tried, I’m sure they willl clean up! Typical marks from use and scullery visits!

Hamburg American Line: Imperator. She was the first of Ballin’s big three and post WW1 became Cunard’s Berengaria. The famed cast iron eagle figurehead was short lived … the wings today are deteriorating someplace on the Atlantic seabed. This is one of the most impressive and very early brochures for her … and filled with crisp German photographs. Just stunning! I saw a ragged copy of this sell on Ebay for $375 this past month.. this one is near perfect (only slightly chipped cover edges) and a much better deal!

NDL Bremen5/ Europa: Mint unopened double set of playing card for the 60’s German Duo.

Very nice little Feb 1934 passenger list and log for the 11th Mediterranean cruise organized by James Boring. The list is in great shape: except someone did hole punch it and also folded a page corner at sometime in the past. The owner must have been a tourist class passenger.. there are red pencil tick marks next to several of the TC passengers and a name or 2 written into the list.

Nice folding deckplan from the early 60s for the Hanseatic. She was a very popular ship … till an engine room fire in NYC harbor cut her life short. She was quickly towed back to German and scrapped. The Zim line Shalom was quickly purchased as her replacement. Excellent condition w/ agency stamp.