Swann Auction Galleries' sale of Ocean Liner & Transportation Memorabilia begins tomorrow, Thursday Febuary 3rd.
Featuring the Kristin Johnson Collection the auction is highlighted by collectibles from the opening voyages of the Normandie French line.
Firstly, there is an official certificate given to maiden voyage passengers, this particular copy given to Marcel Olivier, Gouverneur Général of the French Line, after the blue riband winning westward crossing to New York in a magnificent mat and frame.
This is truly a choice piece of "Normandie" memorabilia and estimated at $5,000-7,500.
Secondly, there is a Paquebot "Normandie" Compagnie Generale Transatlantique which is a superb company-issued photo album containing 37 wonderful photos by Byron.
 Normandie photograph (Click to enlarge) |
Containing four full portraits of the ship in New York, two views of the engine room, one view of the wireless room, one view of the hospital, one view of the bakery, one view of the kennel, and the remaining are interior views of public rooms and accommodations in first, cabin, and tourist classes, including three photos of the deluxe suites "Deauville" and "Rouen."
This is listed at $8,000-12,000. The top lot however is likely to be a classic colour lithographed poster by Cassandre, circa 1938. There are at least seven variants of this poster, all with the bold image of the ship approaching. This is the only known variant without an overprint for a special event or advertising "service regulier."
 Normandie poster |
In 1938, the printer's mark was moved from the left side of the poster to the bottom margin, which is how this example is dated. In many respects it is the most beautiful of all the variants - the background color of the sky is a magnificent dark slate blue and shows off the smoke coming from the funnel. On the other variants the sky tends to a more greenish colour.
With very slight repairs in margins this is linen-backed; matted and framed it is valued at $15,000-20,000 in the auction which takes place in New York and online.
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