Normandie

[Manton]

I don't know how many folks here are into ocean liners, but to those who are, I highly recommend John Maxtone-Graham's new book on the incomparable Normandie. It is a stunningly produced book, with photos never before published. Awesome illustrations, full deck plans, great interviews with former passengers and crew.

I was at the book launch at Rizzoli last night, and the ship geeks -- me included -- were drooling.

Congratulations, John!

 

[Manton]

 

[Manton]

Iconic Art Deco poster, an actual CGT (French line) advertisement from the '30s:

 

[LabelKing]

I believe that famous poster was by the illustrator Cassandre, who also did the iconic YSL logo.

The Normandie had exquisite interiors which really showcased the supremacy of high French taste. More modest among ships, Maison Jansen once also did a beautiful liner's interior, which was apparently never used and gutted for some kind of war effort.

I especially remember the Normandie had an uncommonly grand First class dining room.

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

I believe that famous poster was by the illustrator Cassandre

Indeed it was.

I especially remember the Normandie had an uncommonly grand First class dining room.

Three decks high, and impossibly long, owing to the divided funnel uptakes. French line publicity boasted that the room was "slightly longer than the Hall of Mirrors."

 

[LabelKing]

 

[Renault78law]

Originally Posted by Manton

Iconic Art Deco poster, an actual CGT (French line) advertisement from the '30s:


Coicidence, I own a cheap print of that.

 

[Maharlika]

Love Ocean Liners. I used to sail trans - Pacific with my mother when I was a youngster. I recently was on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 that sailed in Southampton. No other way to travel.

Docked at Cannes, on my way to St. Tropez.

 

[LabelKing]

How were the staterooms on the Queen Mary 2?

Modern liners always seem to have rather minimalist decor, not unlike high-end hotels. Not very distinctive, in my opinion.

 

[Maharlika]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

How were the staterooms on the Queen Mary 2? Modern liners always seem to have rather minimalist decor, not unlike high-end hotels. Not very distinctive, in my opinion.
Incidentally, the original Queen Mary is docked in Long Beach not too far from L.A. The newer QM2 tries to carry on the grandeur of the former liner but due to fire and safety codes, they can't really use the same materials like oak, mahogany etc. Cunard continues to maintain the old guard standards in the British tradition of service and deportment. The dress code is strictly enforced and formal dinners are at least 3 to 4 times a week. My stateroom has it's own private balcony and the decor is 'Art Deco" but in a more modern concept. Their spa wonderful is run by the Canyon Ranch spa and offers world class services. Their high tea at 4:00 can rival the tea room at the Savoy in London. Cunard still manages to adhere to the "Old World" days of Ocean travel. I could not be on the more mass scale cruise ships like Carnival or even the Royal Carribean. I would love to go back on the Mary and maybe this time schedule a "World Cruise" for three months.

 

[Mustapha]

Manton,

I also read and collect books and images about old ocean liners. I suppose it's a variation of the spirit that makes men into trainspotters or aircraft spotters. :&gt

Some out of print books that I have and recommend hunting down include: 'The Queen Mary' by C.W.R. Winter, published in 1986 by one of her officers who commissioned with her launching. 'The Adventures of a Naval Paymaster' by W.E.R. Martin, a RN officer at the turn of the century is VERY good. 'The Romance of a Modern Liner' [R.M.S. Aquitania], by her Captain E.G. Diggle is also excellent and takes you back in time.

I once stayed a night on board the moored Queen Mary in Long Beach. It was interesting and am glad to have done it, but it was ultimately unsatisfying.

Here is a link to a 'copy' of the Il de France's dining room in Montreal. I hope to get there someday and check it out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eaton's_Ninth_Floor_(Montreal)