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Authenticity is Everything
Captain John Pritchard 1906 Signed Log R.M.S. Carmania
Cunard Log signed with steel nib and ink. Personal family portrait as well; the photographic postcard shown is apparently unique and bears a Reverse message in Welsh describing Pritchard's new appointment to the new Cunard flagship R.M.S. Mauretania in October of 1907. This original and unique 1906 log is from the R.M.S. Carmania, also shown in a unique and unpublished photograph C. 1909, which had steam turbines as Mauretania would shortly after - a trial vessel of sorts. Pritchard was the first man to navigate the Ambrose Channel into NY Harbor. The image upper right, a rather common Davidson Brothers postcard, shows Pritchard on the bridge of the Mauretania in the first week of November 1907 during her formal trials. I just purchased a large format photograph of Pritchard and about 40 dignitaries taken during Mauretania's delivery trip to Liverpool on October 22-24th, 1907. In this document shown, complaints are logged about the quality of New Jersey anthracite - which is interesting because in my work as an authenticator for various museums and collectors of nautical artifacts from the Cunard and White Star Lines, I have often encountered relatives of Harland and Wolf(White Star/Titanic) workers who simply insist these vessels burned NOTHING but coal from England, and that is simply not true. My friend author John Maxtone-Graham (The Only Way to Cross(1972), 1929-2015) documented this. About 1/5 of the coal sampled from the wreck of Titanic is factually from New Jersey. The papers proving so have been removed from the internet. I have some samples in my collections though. It simply does not make sense to carry all that coal, about 1000 tons a day mind you, across the North Atlantic from England for a journey back. Nonsense. It was from the Eureka Coal Mines of New Jersey, as my photographs document. Anyway, I hope this is of interest.
Eric
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Comment by Eric Keith Longo on October 3, 2016 at 12:24am
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Does anyone else have any Cunard Captains or other vessel Masters? I also have Captain Ian McNaught (SP?), or the QE2, as I designed a certificate for her final cruise (maybe someone has one?), but that is a quite recent affair.
Eric
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Yes, I know, not autographed, but very handmade and interesting!
A genuine (with meaningful papers) fragment of the hull of the Cunard liner R.M.S. Lusitania (sunk May 15, 1915) - inside a box made from her sister - a pocket watch case with all brasses and the glass insert made by Hughes Bocklow during the scrapping of the Mauritania at Rosyth in 1935. This watch case would have been a presentation peice. Placing her sister gently inside was my idea and seems appropriate. I believe this is unique.
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The plaque (I have never seen another one quite like it and I have handled this wooden scrap "treen" for well over 10 years) says "Made from the Decking of the Old Lady of the Atlantic" which would be then either teak or pine. She used over 35 exotic woods in her construction - most all burned for firewood apart from her Lounge and a few other rooms which were preserved, such as a chunk or Pinewood Studios Boardroom (the Library) or the Java at Bristol (the Lounge). I authenticated and sold a Lounge segment, saved from the Blitz, to the Discovery Museum in 2010 where it remains on permanent display.
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From top left ACROSS:
1) A thermometer made from her teak railings, who shape has been retained here.
2) A section of hand-carved old growth African mahogany Lounge molding, with egg and dart motif, gold leaf and gold paint.
3) A section of a ram's head capital swag from a Lounge Pilaster (the one I authenticated and sold to the Discovery Museum).
4) A large section of a hand-carved walnut capital from the Grand Entrance on Boat Deck.
5) A set of book ends made from her decking.
6) (Row2) a Large teak ash teak decking (forecastle or poop deck - rest was pine) with an engraved insert cast from her propellers.
7) A very rare pre WW1 white metal die cast waterline model of the liner on wooden plinth; likely early Basset and Lowke manufacture.
8) An engraved Admiralty brass porthole dog - very rare.
9) (Third row) An original engraved brass turbine blade from her engines - largest in the world at the time. 70,000 HP.
10 Extremely rare pocket watch case with all brasses and black hammered lock/clasp intact, Fully original; with interior typical green felt and unique plaque. Holds hull fragment of her sister, Lusitania (5.07.15). Probably unique in this combination.
11) A small fragment of walnut carving, possibly from her Smoking Room judging by the motif.
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A section of a old growth walnut Grand Entrance capital with archival photo from 1907:
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For any Lusitania lovers...a better view with more data:
Hey All,
Been finishing up my Mauretania collection - used to span 1905-1936 but now down to just 1905 - late December 1907, with certain allowances for years before 1914 (things like passenger candids or interiors etc as I'd die of old age waiting for a GOOD 1907 candid of the Lounge or Smoking Room). I realized I needed some representation of her sister Lusitania. This is what I have come up with. Some has been switched out - some MV candids, a cyanotype candid (all hull really), other things.
Below is a unique unpublished 5x7 boat deck candid mounted to the card backing typical of this early period, taken in the summer of 1912. Next to this is a rather large 4.5" (1.5" thick!) box made very carefully of beautifully grained walnut, double brass hinges, "hammered" black metal "galleon" clap and the glass (intact!) with a special plaque (attached with hide glue) that I have never seen (and I have handled enough of this stuff to know this wooden treen by smell)...inside this "slab" is a fragment of the hull of Lusitania, perhaps Shelter Deck from where it was recovered by Oceaneering International in 1982, with signed photo COA from Eric Sauder. This box was made by Hughes Bolckow in 1935/36, perhaps as a presentation peice as no one I know has seen another. Intended to hold a pocketwatch, I felt it was the perfect item in which to entomb this small but potent fragment of her lost sister. I feel it is something John (Maxtone-Graham) would do. If you did not have the pleasure and privilege of visiting him, you'd just not believe what was on his walls. A section of eglomise (reverse painted gold and silver leaf glass panels, said to retain sunlight after dark) from Normandie he just handed me - on and on. A painting of Titanic (?) framed with Olympic wood. Carvings from the great liners decor including a large section from Olympic - a Normandie telephone! ("Pick it up! Listen closely!")...like kids on a couch looking at toys (kids lol - 120 years between us).
Anyway, the last bit here is a photographic print, not a PC, showing Lusitania and sister Mauretania on October 19th, 1909 at the Canada Basin, Liverpool. Not unique, but pretty scarce.
I hope you enjoy the little collection. Suggestions welcome.
Happy Holidays one and All,
Eric
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Comment by goodcat on December 19, 2017 at 8:18pm
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freakn great reports Eric
I can only aspire to your level of documentation
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Thank you Shawn :) The enjoyment of others it what makes this worthwhile.
What did John say ? "I'd love to turn you on..."? :D
e
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hahahaha
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I should note, these sorts of souvenirs, especially the numerous lesser toothpick barrels and letter openers, were often made by men who had previously suffered the loss of fingers or a limb in these early days on liner construction.
e
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