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Rare collection of 12 different antique “Hands Across the Sea” woven silk ocean-liner postcards, circa 1900–1915.
These beautiful early postcards feature actual woven silk panels mounted within embossed postcard surrounds. The designs depict clasped hands and crossed national flags, with the name of a specific ocean liner printed beneath the silk.
The collection includes:
- R.M.S. Baltic
- R.M.S. Campania
- R.M.S. Caronia
- R.M.S. Caronia, second variation with different flags
- S.S. Celtic
- R.M.S. Cymric
- R.M.S. Franconia
- R.M.S. Metagama
- R.M.S. Missanabie
- S.S. Arabic
- R.M.S. Virginian
- R.M.S. Victorian
The cards are from the well-known “Hands Across the Sea” woven silk series, often referred to by collectors as Stevengraph or Stevengraph-type silk postcards. These elaborate textile postcards were produced in Coventry, England during the great age of transatlantic ocean travel and were marketed as souvenirs to travelers.
Condition: Five of the 12 postcards are unused. Two are postmarked, while several others have period handwritten messages on the reverse. There is age-related foxing, toning and staining to varying degrees. One card has paper remnants/loss on the reverse from having previously been mounted in an album. Please examine all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.
The woven silk panels retain strong color and display beautifully.
An especially appealing collection because it includes 12 different ship/flag combinations rather than duplicates, including two distinct R.M.S. Caronia variations.
The ships represented include vessels associated with some of the most famous passenger lines of the period, including Cunard, White Star and Canadian Pacific.
