2024 Fall-October Update to GLL!

Wow  .. this update is absolutely loaded with American items  .. mostly from the Mighty SS United States as she continues her plight in Philly harbor … all too soon it sounds like she will move to Norfolk for remediation work and eventually to the Destin, Florida area for reefing. Maybe fate will have another twist to her long life story for us.

I’ll also be listing a number of excellent books that I recently purchased at auction.

Don’t miss the wide array of souvenirs, brochures, souvenirs and general ephemera available on the site. Lots of nice smaller items too: log cards, menus, postcards and various service booklets. I plan on listing over 30 new items in this new update … get them before they are gone.

A little about me:

Like many of you, I am a lover of all things “Ocean Liner.” I have been collecting liner items for about 40 years and have been able to make many friends and contacts during that time. I am a Phi Beta Kappa honors graduate of Purdue University and I hold degrees in Design and in Art History.

I have a great network of supportive folks that continue to encourage my ocean liner hobby and a website such as this was a logical step. Quite simply, if you take my love for ocean liners and marry that with a general love of collecting; you can see how I have easily gotten to an inventory of items that could be offered to other collectors.

Some of the listed items maybe duplicates from my own collection and others could be articles that I find in an obscure place in the hopes of finding them a good permanent home. My goal is to list items that will be interesting and relevant to other collectors and provide them at a good value. I hope to offer a wide variety of items, from the simple to elaborate, that will appeal to all types of collectors.

 

Three Great Influences:

The SS Keewatin:

The SS Keewatin is a retired great Lakes CPR steamship that for almost 45 years had been moored in Douglas, Michigan as a steamboat museum and local attraction. I was about 6 when my parents first docked our boat near her at Tower Marina. It’s easy to imagine how I became ship lover spending weekends on our tiny boat in the shadow of the Kee. Since then , Peterson family has sold the Kee back to a Canadian group. She has arrived in  Port McNicoll where she will be the centerpiece museum in their waterfront revitalization project. I’m so happy she is home … but I do miss her dearly!

The SS United States:

The SS Unites States has been my favorite ship for many years now and she holds a special place in my heart. I was 19 when I was given permission to visit her in Newport News (by then owners USC.) Every moment of those visits are etched into my memory. All of my best wishes and happy thoughts are with her as she fights to find a life as a vibrant 21st century attraction. You can become a part of this gallant grassroots effort on the SS United States Conservancy website.

Frank O. Braynard:

FOB: Frank Osborn Braynard: I do not think it is possible that there will ever be another man quite like him. I was a pen and phone pal with Frank for many years and I have kept every one of his letters. I know he was a phenomenally-encouraging mentor to me, as well as certainly many other enthusiasts. Frank was a pivotal player in my being granted permission to visit the SS United States. Though I never had the chance to meet him in person, I feel I meet him each time I read one of his books or visit with his daughter Noelle. I could never thank him enough for the gift of his time and encouragement.

Three Awesome Friends and Fellow Ship Guys You Should Know:

Don Leavitt:

Don is the owner of Nautiques and has been a great friend and comrade for over a decade. We have had the good fortune of traveling around New England together and I especially love the times we have spent ocean liner “antiquing” and climbing the mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire.

Brian Hawley:

Brian is another really good liner guy and owner of LuxuryLinerRow. Brian travels quite extensively and is an expert on everything Cunard and White Star, especially china and fine tableware. He is particularly interested in the Caronia of 1949 and has co-authored a great book about her with the “encyclopedia-like” and energetic Bill Miller.

Peter Knego:

What can I possibly say about Peter other than WOW! PK is a tremendously nice guy who shares many of my same interests and values. I’m always fascinated by his tales of Alang and the relics he saves and shares with others through his site midshipcentury.com.