VERY RARE 1929 MS Asama Maru NYK Line Luxury Ocean Liner Souvenir Bronze Bell For Sale

Up for sale is an incredibly rare, authentic piece of pre-WWII maritime history: an original 1929 passenger souvenir bronze bell from the legendary Japanese luxury ocean liner, M.S. Asama Maru.Know as the "Queen of the Pacific," this magnificent vessel debuted in 1929 as a pinnacle of luxury travel. During World War II, she served as an official diplomatic repatriation ship before tragically being torpedoed and sunk by a U.S. Navy submarine (USS Atule) on November 2, 1944. Because the ship rests on the ocean floor, original physical artifacts from her short 15 year life are exceptionally rare. It is estimated that only 250-300 of these bells were ever made.These custom-commissioned bronze bells were given exclusively as commemorative tokens to elite First-Class passengers who sailed on the ship's initial trans-Pacific maiden voyage in October 1929. the shape was uniquely modeled after the traditional pilgrim bells worn by travelers ascending Mount Fuji to visit the sacred Asama Shrine.The first class max was 222 however it has been noted in historical accounts that the First-Class passenger count was up to 239 for the celebratory voyage. The foundry possibly produced an extra 10-20% for ship executives, dignitaries at the San Fransisco reception, and factory archives. A vast majority of the 250+ were misplaced, thrown away, or lost to time over the past 100 years.
CONDITION & FEATURES:
The Bronze Body: The solid sand-cast bronze features a gorgeous, entirely undistributed natural aged patina. It had never been polished or subjected to harsh chemical cleaners. The raised front medallion showcasing the iconic N.Y.K. Line twin-stripe flag is sharp and beautifully defined.
The Engraving: The reverse side features the crisp, raised factory casting reading "OCTOBER, 1929".
The Interior Well: Retains its highly coveted, original factory-cast internal teardrop iron clapper. The interior shows the authentic lathe-turning foundry ridges. The bell rings with a clear, beautiful, resonant tone.
The Cordage (Important Note): the original natural fiber cordage rotted away long ago. A previous owner has replaced it with a heavy-duty, two-tone woven modern boot lace. They meticulously hand tied it to replicate a traditional nautical lanyard hitch and a classic barrel-knot handle. Clear plastic shrink-wrapped aglets are present on the tips of the lace cords.
A truly spectacular, Museum-grade conversation piece for naval historians, WWII collectors, and ocean liner enthusiasts alike.
1929#152