Mementoes of luxury cruises can give modern collectors a fascinating insight into the golden age of sea travel.

The development of the steam engine influenced ships even more than trains. It led to an explosion in ship building in the mid-19th century, when ships were mainly used for transporting mail. By the turn of the century large, often opulent, cruise liners were being built by vast shipping companies such as the Cunard Line and its competitor, the White Star Line, owned from 1902 by J. Pierpont Morgan’s International Mercantile Marine company. Ships included the Olympic, Titanic, Lusitania and Mauretania.

Another surge occurred after the 1920s and 1930s, when the Normandie, Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth were built. Used as hospitals during wartime, they played host to many of the wealthy and famous during peacetime.

The great ocean liners were matchless symbols of leisurely luxury. Their heyday was in more...

92 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Early ship's bell, chrome on brass large original ships bell

Vintage Chrome on Brass Ship's Bell - Large Original

Early ship's bell, chrome on brass large original ships bell

Decorative ship's wheel 78 cm diameter

Large Nautical Ship's Wheel for Decorative Home Display

Decorative ship's wheel 78 cm diameter

William Bligh, 'The log of H.M.S. Bounty 1787-1789 Genesis…

The Log of H.M.S. Bounty Limited Edition 476/500

William Bligh, 'The log of H.M.S. Bounty 1787-1789 Genesis publications 1975. Limited edition 476/500. Large quarts in slipcase and original posting box. Half leather, gilding to spine, illustrated end papers

James Cook, 'The Journal of H.M.S. Endeavour 1768-1771' Genesis…

"The Journal of H.M.S. Endeavour 1768-1771" Limited Edition

James Cook, 'The Journal of H.M.S. Endeavour 1768-1771' Genesis publications 1977. Limited edition 413/500. Large quarts in slipcase and original posting box. Half leather, gilding to spine. Numerous plates, some coloured

William Bligh, 'The log of H.M.S. Providence, 1791-1793'…

H.M.S. Providence Log, 1791-1793 Limited Edition 415/500

William Bligh, 'The log of H.M.S. Providence, 1791-1793' Genesis publications, 1976. Limited edition 415/500. Large quarts in slipcase and original posting box. Half leather, gilding to spine. Numerous folding maps

White star line limited share certificate, + United States…

White star line limited share certificate, + United States lines Comapny share certificate, both decorative, pin holes & hole [2], largest 28.5 x 28.5 cm

An antique Tasmanian oak boat hull with whale bone adornments,…

An antique Tasmanian oak boat hull with whale bone adornments, with Australian cedar base, 19th/20th century, 34.5 cm long overall

An antique ship's tar bucket, 19th century, 21 cm high

An antique ship's tar bucket, 19th century, 21 cm high

Ship's bell from the 'Bass Trader, Melbourne', with…

Ship's bell from the 'Bass Trader, Melbourne', with impressively worked rope handle, 20th century. The Bass Trader was built in Newcastle and launched in 1961 and spent her days plying the Bass Strait route from Tasmania to Melbourne, the bell 20 cm

A ship's lantern in copper, brass and glass, 19th/20th century,…

A ship's lantern in copper, brass and glass, 19th/20th century, 63 cm high overall

'Stelling' antique bronze ship's bell, 19th/20th, an impressive…

'Stelling' antique bronze ship's bell, 19th/20th, an impressive size of 29 cm high, 30 cm diameter

A ship's bulkhead lantern, displaying starboard and port side…

A ship's bulkhead lantern, displaying starboard and port side lights, 30 cm high overall

H.M.S. Jupiter 1897-1900: a collection of 281 annotated…

H.M.S. Jupiter 1897-1900: a collection of 281 annotated photographs (many dated) in a large album which belonged to Lieut. F.G. Loving, R.N. The images show scenes on board and at Plymouth, Gibraltar, Sardinia, Lisbon, Cernuschi bay, Arosa bay (Spai

'Log of H.M.S. Glasgow bearing (the English flag) of Admiral…

'Log of H.M.S. Glasgow bearing (the English flag) of Admiral Arthur Cumming C.B. Commanded by Captain T. Morton Jones Kept by James Knowles, Midshipman'

A complimentary ship model produced, R.M.S 'Orion' produced for…

A complimentary ship model produced, R.M.S 'Orion' produced for Orient Lines, mid 20th century, enamel painted galvanised metal in presentation box, with ship particulars and marking the passage between England and Australia, the model 16.5 cm long, Note,…

A 19th century Japanese ship's safe box, red lacquered wood…

19th Century Japanese Lacquered Wood Ship's Safe Box

A 19th century Japanese ship's safe box, red lacquered wood with fancy decorative ebonised metal fittings and top handle, the single door enclosing five drawers, two with locks. With key. 32 x 42.5 x 38 cm.

A reproduction ship's telegraph ornament, late 20th century, 50…

20th Century Reproduction Telegraph Ornament: 50 cm High

A reproduction ship's telegraph ornament, late 20th century, 50 cm high

'Pomona' and 'Amity' Sydney, pair of antique life buoy picture…

Antique Life Buoy Picture Frames, 19th Century

'Pomona' and 'Amity' Sydney, pair of antique life buoy picture frames, 19th century, 27.5 cm diameter

Two ship's crystal decanters, 20th century, 26 cm and 27 cm high

Pair of 20th Century Ship Decanters

Two ship's crystal decanters, 20th century, 26 cm and 27 cm high

Arnold (?) (Germany) tinplate 'Queen Mary' liner. Uncommon…

Arnold Tinplate 'Queen Mary' Clockwork Model Ship

Arnold (?) (Germany) tinplate 'Queen Mary' liner. Uncommon pre-war clockwork model with red hull, black upper, cream superstructure, with 3 funnels which are red/black, masts intact. Integrated hull stand for display, motor functional. Small dent to hull…

Bassett Lowke tinplate live steam Launch. Attractive sleek grey…

Sleek Grey & White Tinplate Live Steam Launch

Bassett Lowke tinplate live steam Launch. Attractive sleek grey and white painted, with gold trimmed hull. Fitted with boiler and basic motor. No burner. Some repainting. Hull in very good physical shape. Length 50 cm

Fleischmann Germany tinplate clockwork tanker, c.1930s.…

1930s Fleischmann Tinplate Clockwork Tanker Ship - Esso

Fleischmann Germany tinplate clockwork tanker, c.1930s. Comprising red lower and black upper hull, grey deck with white superstructure, Esso to single funnel, two lifeboats, four ventilators, includes deck detail, and flags to both masts and stern,…

Arnold Germany clockwork tinplate 42 cm Three-Funnel Twin-Screw…

Arnold Germany Tinplate Twin-Screw Liner

Arnold Germany clockwork tinplate 42 cm Three-Funnel Twin-Screw liner. Hull painted in black and red with white stencilled anchor and porthole details, cream deck and superstructure, 20 fixed lifeboats and mast. Deck and superstructure paint crazed,…

Marklin Ocean liner Viktoria #16150. A reissued large,…

Marklin Ocean Liner Viktoria - Clockwork Tin Plate Toy

Marklin Ocean liner Viktoria #16150. A reissued large, clockwork, tin plate liner, with red lower hull, black upper hull, white superstructure with detail printing to deck, with deck fittings, including masts, rigging, lifeboat, ventilators, flags etc.…

Arnold, or similar, tinplate clockwork liner. Three funnel…

Tinplate Arnold Clockwork Liner, 42cm

Arnold, or similar, tinplate clockwork liner. Three funnel liner with red and black hull. Horizontal key wind from the prow (spring broken). Two broken railing stanchions at the stern, otherwise good. Length 42 cm

Early Arnold tinplate clockwork boat. African Queen-esque river…

Arnold Tinplate Clockwork River Cruiser

Early Arnold tinplate clockwork boat. African Queen-esque river cruiser with flat lead Captain under awning. Fixed key has tension, though motor not running and propellor loose on the shaft. Generally excellent original paint with some losses to the hull.…

Large ship's propeller low table, with a circular glass top,…

Ship Propeller Glass Table

Large ship's propeller low table, with a circular glass top, diameter 157 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, Sydney

'Orient Line Guide - Chapters for Travellers by sea and by land…

'Orient Line Guide - Travellers by Sea and Land'

'Orient Line Guide - Chapters for Travellers by sea and by land Illustrated. The Third Edition, re-written, with maps and plans.' Edited by W.J. Loftie [London; Sampson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington], 1889; 438pp incl. advertising + maps. Dark blue…

Tsmv Manunda Australian Ships brass bell with Kookaburra Figure…

TSMV Manunda Brass Bell with Kookaburra Handle

Tsmv Manunda Australian Ships brass bell with Kookaburra Figure handle, and engraved MV Manunda, height 12 cm Note: The original passenger ship was converted to a hospital ship and was docked in Darwin Harbour at the time of the first Japanese raid in…

Pair of antique cast iron based swivel 1st class saloon chairs,…

Antique White Star Line Saloon Chairs from RMS Cedric

Pair of antique cast iron based swivel 1st class saloon chairs, as removed from the White Star line RMS Cedric in 1929, Ex Russell Nugent Collection Goodman's Sydney, May 1999 (2)

Six copper fish hooks made from ship's nails.

Ship Nail Fish Hooks

Six copper fish hooks made from ship's nails.

A pair of black leather armchairs, height 80 cm, width 76 cm,…

Black Leather Armchairs (or) Stylish Black Armchairs

A pair of black leather armchairs, height 80 cm, width 76 cm, depth 73 cm

HMAS Melbourne football team: c.1914 image real-photo postcard…

HMAS Melbourne Football Team in Jamaica, c.1914

HMAS Melbourne football team: c.1914 image real-photo postcard of the ship's football team wearing single-striped guernseys, one crew member in uniform, holding his HMAS Melbourne cap in his lap, annotated verso 'Taken at Jamaica'. The HMAS 'Melbourne' &…

Folk Art model of the steamship Otaio by Johanna Tyson and fish…

Driftwood Otaio: Folk Art Model and Painted Panel

Folk Art model of the steamship Otaio by Johanna Tyson and fish painted driftwood panel the Otaio made from found and painted driftwood 2011, pencils and nails

Ten ship's blueprints including two laid on board of sizes.

10 Ship Blueprints with On-Board Sizes

Ten ship's blueprints including two laid on board of sizes.

Miniature souvenir Lifebuoy from R.M.S. Niagara with painted…

R.M.S. Niagara Miniature Souvenir Lifebuoy

Miniature souvenir Lifebuoy from R.M.S. Niagara with painted frame and central photo of the ship, 13 cm diam. Built by John Brown & Co, Scotland and launched in 1912 the ship made 162 round trips between New Zealand, Australia and Canada. On June 19th…

A bronze ship's clock, signed to dial 'George Davies, Jarrow',…

Bronze Ship's Clock by George Davies, Jarrow

A bronze ship's clock, signed to dial 'George Davies, Jarrow', 19 cm diameter

A heavy brass ship's porthole, with opening mechanism and inset…

Brass Ship Porthole with Glass, 43.5cm Diameter

A heavy brass ship's porthole, with opening mechanism and inset toughened glass, 43.5 cm diameter, 14 cm deep

Bronze ship's bell, 19th century, marker's mark 'Pb' inside rim,…

19th Century Bronze Ship's Bell with 'Pb' Marker

Bronze ship's bell, 19th century, marker's mark 'Pb' inside rim, height 25 cm, diameter 30 cm

A ship's scullery hot drink dispenser serving coffee, beef tea…

19th Century Ship's Hot Drink Dispenser

A ship's scullery hot drink dispenser serving coffee, beef tea and hot beer, brass with porcelain liners and wooden handles, 19th century, 84 cm across

Late Victorian brass ship's kerosene lamp, height 56 cm

Victorian Brass Ship Kerosene Lamp - 56cm Height

Late Victorian brass ship's kerosene lamp, height 56 cm

Razzia - Louis Vuitton cup 2002, original offset print. Framed…

Louis Vuitton Cup 2002 Print

Razzia - Louis Vuitton cup 2002, original offset print. Framed and mounted. 790 x 59 cm

Ten vintage pond yachts, early to mid 20th century, the longest…

Vintage Pond Yachts Collection: 10 Early-Mid 20th Century Models

Ten vintage pond yachts, early to mid 20th century, the longest hull 51 cm

Antique Balmain Bug sailing boat wooden hull, with fitted…

Antique Wooden Balmain Bug Sailing Boat, 31cm

Antique Balmain Bug sailing boat wooden hull, with fitted rudder, and weighted keel, rigging unavailable, and metal deck attachments, length 31 cm.

Vintage Merchant Navy & Navy buttons & insignia including large…

Vintage Merchant Navy and Navy Buttons and Insignia Lot

Vintage Merchant Navy & Navy buttons & insignia including large quantity Union Steamship Company brass uniform buttons, marked verso for Fermin, London; a Union Steamship Company enamel badge; two various Naval embroidered cap insignias; and 6 various…

Good Lloyd Triestino souvenir letter opener marked to handle,…

Lloyd Triestino Souvenir Letter Opener with Retracting Knife

Good Lloyd Triestino souvenir letter opener marked to handle, with retracting knife, length 24 cm.

Lloyd Triestino shipping line pewter plate named 'Calcutta…

Mid-Century Lloyd Triestino Pewter Plate, Calcutta 1852

Lloyd Triestino shipping line pewter plate named 'Calcutta 1852', mid century, stamp makers mark, 21 cm diameter

Cut crystal ship's decanter

Crystal Ship Decanter - Elegant and Timeless

Cut crystal ship's decanter

A ship's scullery hot drink dispenser serving coffee, beef tea…

19th Century Ship's Hot Drink Dispenser

A ship's scullery hot drink dispenser serving coffee, beef tea and hot beer, brass with porcelain liners and wooden handles, 19th century, 84 cm across

A cedar and pine boat hull, Tasmanian origin, 19th century, 110…

Tasmanian Cedar and Pine Boat Hull, 19th Century

A cedar and pine boat hull, Tasmanian origin, 19th century, 110 cm long

Oval Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd meat plate

Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd Oval Meat Plate

Oval Adelaide Steamship Co Ltd meat plate

Five ship Graphics (i) O.W. Brierly and A.Willmore Twofold bay…

Five Ship Graphics Collection

Five ship Graphics (i) O.W. Brierly and A.Willmore Twofold bay engraving, hand coloured titled and with artists names lower margin 11 x 20 cm (ii) T.Baines and J.C Armytage Natives of Carpentaria engraving, hand coloured titled and with artist names lower…

Meissen 'Blue Orion' pattern porcelain platter

Meissen Blue Orion Porcelain Platter

Meissen 'Blue Orion' pattern porcelain platter

H.M.S. Achilles cap, with name band and photo, gilt lettering…

Achilles Cap with Gilt Lettering and Vintage Photograph

H.M.S. Achilles cap, with name band and photo, gilt lettering to the band, the black and white vintage photograph within an outline of Australia and with ship's name and detail 'Melbourne, Australia'.

Large oak framed black and white photograph Orient line R.M.S.…

Orient Line's R.M.S. Orion at Sydney Cove

Large oak framed black and white photograph Orient line R.M.S. Orion off Sydney Cove, overall 104 x 165 cm

Small advertising brass anchor, marked Lloyd Triestino (a…

Brass Anchor from Lloyd Triestino Shipping Company

Small advertising brass anchor, marked Lloyd Triestino (a shipping company). Approx 14 cm long

A ship's notice board wall cabinet from the P. & O. ship The…

Mid 20th Century P&O Himalaya Ship Notice Board Cabinet

A ship's notice board wall cabinet from the P. & O. ship The Himalaya mid 20th century 101 cm high, 65 cm wide, 7 cm deep

Collection of P&O Orient lines memorabilia, 1960s, including…

P&O Orient Lines 1960s Memorabilia Collection

Collection of P&O Orient lines memorabilia, 1960s, including Arcadia lamp, Orion calendar, Oriana cup & sewing kit etc

Orient line postcards framed display. Ormonde; Otranto; Orama;…

Orient Line Postcards Framed Display - 6 Ships

Orient line postcards framed display. Ormonde; Otranto; Orama; Orford; Oronsay; and Orontes. In gilt frame. 44 x 42 cm

Rms Queen Mary maiden voyage nickel plated souvenir ashtray,…

RMS Queen Mary Propeller Ashtray

Rms Queen Mary maiden voyage nickel plated souvenir ashtray, 27th May 1936, stamped on base 'This is a model of one of the propellers, made by the Manganese Bronze and Brass Co. Ltd. London, England, weight 35 tons', 9 cm high, 13 cm diameter

The Queen Mary Leaving Sydney Harbour, 1940, a framed…

Queen Mary Departing Sydney, 1940

The Queen Mary Leaving Sydney Harbour, 1940, a framed Photographic print, with Copies of Crew & Officer Records, 39 x 48 cm [photograph]

The Queen Mary 2, two framed prints', marine Art posters, Hull,…

Queen Mary 2 Limited Edition Marine Art Prints

The Queen Mary 2, two framed prints', marine Art posters, Hull, UK, no. 44 & 46, Limited edition no. 46/3000, 57 x 39 cm [each]

The Queen Mary on Course, a framed sepia print, 44 x 60 cm

Queen Mary at Sea

The Queen Mary on Course, a framed sepia print, 44 x 60 cm

Stephen J card, RMS Queen Mary, a framed print, published by…

RMS Queen Mary Print by Stephen J Card

Stephen J card, RMS Queen Mary, a framed print, published by Stephen J card, Bermuda, 1991, printed in the USA by Color service Inc, 41 x 66 cm

Brian Baigent, Oriana early Arrival, a limited edition print,…

Oriana's Arrival Print - Limited Edition Signed & Certified

Brian Baigent, Oriana early Arrival, a limited edition print, ed. 50/500, signed, with certificate of authenticity from Orion fine arts, 43 x 64 cm

The world's most Perfect Ship, French line, SS Normandie, a…

SS Normandie: The Perfect French Line Ship

The world's most Perfect Ship, French line, SS Normandie, a framed print, collection et marque, association French lines, 1999, editions clouet, 95 x 58 cm

Companie Generale Transatlantique French line, SS Normandie, a…

SS Normandie: A Transatlantic Masterpiece

Companie Generale Transatlantique French line, SS Normandie, a framed print, 97 x 68 cm

White star line, Southampton, a framed print, from an original…

White Star Line Print - Ropert Opie Collection

White star line, Southampton, a framed print, from an original in the Ropert Opie collection, Museum of advertising & packaging, Gloucester, 58 x 41 cm

French Art Deco Christofle champagne bucket. 'Ondulations' by…

Luc Lanel's Art Deco Champagne Bucket

French Art Deco Christofle champagne bucket. 'Ondulations' by Luc Lanel designed originally for Ocean Liner S.S Normandie. Approx 20 cm high, 19 cm diameter

A gold 'Oriana' Ship charm; 9ct rose gold. Payton, pepper &…

9ct Oriana Ship Charm by Payton, Pepper & Sons

A gold 'Oriana' Ship charm; 9ct rose gold. Payton, pepper & Sons, Birmingham. Weight 3.3g.

Royal Doulton small plate with coat arms NSW with two rare…

Royal Doulton & Rare RUSC Plates (Set of 3)

Royal Doulton small plate with coat arms NSW with two rare Royal Union Steamship Company plates (3) measure 13 cm diameter and 21.5 cm diameter

Adelaide Steamship Co. Ltd oval serving plate A/F

Adelaide Steamship Co. Oval Plate - Damaged

Adelaide Steamship Co. Ltd oval serving plate A/F

Large meat platter - Adelaide Steamship Co. Ltd

Adelaide Steamship's Meat Platter

Large meat platter - Adelaide Steamship Co. Ltd

Postcards of Orient Line S.S.Orford (that took 1934 team to UK)…

Signed postcards of Orient Line S.S. Orford and Warwickshire team

Postcards of Orient Line S.S.Orford (that took 1934 team to UK) each signed on reverse by Ben Barnett (5), plus c1905 postcard of Warwickshire team

RMS Queen Mary small plate circa 1930s, 16 cm diameter

1930s RMS Queen Mary Small Plate (16cm)

RMS Queen Mary small plate circa 1930s, 16 cm diameter

1938 Australian Tour to England: 'Australian XI, English Tour…

1938 Australian Tour to England Signed Brochure

1938 Australian Tour to England: 'Australian XI, English Tour 1938', Orient Line brochure with pen-picture of each member of the touring party, and each nicely signed in ink by the player featured, a total of 17 signatures including Don Bradman, Stan…

Four English transfer printed steamship plates, 19th century,…

19th Century English Steamship Plates (4)

Four English transfer printed steamship plates, 19th century, the largest 25 cm

Album of photographs documenting the voyage of the H.M.S.…

Diomedes' Voyage: Sydney, Napier, Football and Group Shots

Album of photographs documenting the voyage of the H.M.S. Diomedes showing images of the Sydney Harbor Bridge under construction & its opening, Napier earth quake in New Zealand, football team photographs & group shots. 1920s to 1960s.

Four vintage S.S. Oronsay shipping souvenirs, comprising 2 hip…

Vintage S.S. Oronsay Souvenir Collection

Four vintage S.S. Oronsay shipping souvenirs, comprising 2 hip flasks, an ashbowl & wall plaque

Four R.M.S. Queen Mary plates, approx 22cam diameter (4)

Set of Four Queen Mary Plates

Four R.M.S. Queen Mary plates, approx 22cam diameter (4)

A brass H.M.S. Unseen crest. The Unseen was a British submarine…

Brass H.M.S. Unseen Submarine Crest

A brass H.M.S. Unseen crest. The Unseen was a British submarine scrapped in 1949. Height 45.5 cm. Width 35.5 cm

A metal Dunedin ship's crest on a wooden mount. Height 27 cm

Metal Ship Crest on Wooden Mount

A metal Dunedin ship's crest on a wooden mount. Height 27 cm

Antique paper tea packets by 'Christie's & Co' (4); 'Robur Tea'…

Antique Tea Ephemera Collection

Antique paper tea packets by 'Christie's & Co' (4); 'Robur Tea' catalogue 4th edition; menus (26) many for 'Huddart Parker Lines'; c1890 'Telegraph' Christmas card, ephemera etc. G/VG condition (41 items)

Three vintage volumes on architecture Fragments D'Architucture…

Vintage Architecture Books: Renaissance & Normandy

Three vintage volumes on architecture Fragments D'Architucture De La Renaissance Volume 1 and La Normandie 1 & 2

A naïve half hull model battleship, framed. Height 38 cm. Width…

Half Hull Battleship Model, Framed

A naïve half hull model battleship, framed. Height 38 cm. Width 88 cm

A cast brass ship's name plate 'Kiwi' with letters in relief.…

"Kiwi" Brass Ship Name Plate - 37.5cm Length

A cast brass ship's name plate 'Kiwi' with letters in relief. Length 37.5 cm

A large framed liner 'Orion' photograph. Height 70 cm. Width 83…

Orion: A Stellar Masterpiece

A large framed liner 'Orion' photograph. Height 70 cm. Width 83 cm

A section of a large wooden life boat oar reputably from the…

Recovered: MV Kaitawa Wooden Oar Section

A section of a large wooden life boat oar reputably from the wreck of the ship MV Kaitawa and found at Matapia North, 90 Mile Beach. Length 90 cm

A brass ship's Chandris Line standing ashtray with twist…

Chandris Line Brass Ship Ashtray - 60cm Height

A brass ship's Chandris Line standing ashtray with twist pedestal on circular foot. Height 60 cm

A brass floor standing ship's spittoon with tapered pedestal…

Brass Ship's Spittoon on Pedestal Stand

A brass floor standing ship's spittoon with tapered pedestal stand on wide circular base. Height 78 cm

A ship's brass 'Red Skin' brand spittoon. Height 25 cm

"Red Skin" Brass Spittoon - 25 cm Height

A ship's brass 'Red Skin' brand spittoon. Height 25 cm

The original bronze bell from the S.S. 'Torgauten', named and…

Antique Bronze Bell from S.S. Torgauten (1901)

The original bronze bell from the S.S. 'Torgauten', named and dated '1901'. Built by the Moss Iron Foundry & Mechanical Works in 1901, Norway, acquired by the West Coast Steamship Co. in 1904 then to the Maoriland Steamship Co., then in 1915 acquired by…