Inkipedia

SS Normandie Double Inkstand

Categories Souvenir
Type Transportation
Material Bronze finish
Markings Made in France
Manufacturer Undetermined
Origin France
Date or Era circa 1935
Measuring 10” x 4” x 2 ½” high

Metal inkstand with double inkwells featuring the profile of the French ocean liner, the SS Normandie, considered by many ship buffs to be the pinnacle of liner design. The styling is art deco, and the two lids on either side of the ship lift up to reveal the original and never used ink jars. The figural ship is depicted plowing through the waves. Marked “Made in France” on the bottom.

The SS Normandie was a French ocean liner built by the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (CGT) in Saint-Nazaire, France. She entered service in 1935 and held the distinction of being the largest and fastest passenger ship at the time. Her maiden voyage took place on May 29, 1935, and she became renowned for her luxurious interiors and innovative design. Normandie was powered by a steam turbo-electric propulsion system, making her the most powerful ship of her kind. Despite her grandeur, she faced commercial challenges and relied partly on government subsidies to operate.

The SS Normandie operated as an opulent ocean liner, competing with the RMS Queen Mary for the Blue Riband (fastest transatlantic crossing). Unfortunately, her career was cut short during World War II. In 1942, she was seized by U.S. authorities, renamed USS Lafayette, and converted into a troopship. Tragically, while undergoing conversion, a fire broke out, causing her to capsize in New York Harbor. Salvaged but deemed too costly to restore, she was eventually scrapped in 1946.

Sold for $200 in June 2024

Content disclaimer. The information posted is the owner’s best knowledge and may not have been vetted by the SOIC. We welcome comments, corrections, and additions, working to make our website information comprehensive and accurate.

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