The New Anchor Line Fleet - 1926

Front Cover, The New Anchor Line Fleet to Ireland and Scotland. 1926 Brochure. GGA Image ID # 115818c42e

Profusely illustrated Anchor Line brochure from 1926 documents the grand interiors of the Caledonia and Transylvania, the newest additions to the Anchor Line fleet with views of the California and Cameronia, transporting passengers between New York, Londonderry, and Glasgow.

Map of the Irish Coast and Firth of Clyde Showing Steamer Route Between New York, Londonderry, and Glasgow. GGA Image ID # 11582f333f

IRELAND AND SCOTLAND

FOR 70 years the Anchor Line has been transporting passengers between New York, Londonderry and Glasgow. That’s a venerable age for a business—the allotted span of life—and one concludes that efficiency, satisfaction and good will must have had some hand in the longevity.

The Scots are sticklers for that, in their unassuming way, and coupled with their good humor and self-imposed twitting on such subjects as penury, one finds a unique atmosphere at once aboard an Anchor Liner and settles down to an “at home” week.

The New Anchor Line Steamship SS Transylvania - Length 578 1/2 Ft., 16,700 Tons. GGA Image ID # 115879da6a

With the advent of the new CALEDONIA and TRANSYLVANIA the fleet is strengthened to an unprecedented point. These three-funnel sisters, together with the CALIFORNIA and CAMERONIA, serve the public weekly between the above ports.

The former two made their maiden voyages in the fall of 1925 and the TRANSYLVANIA went on a Mediterranean cruise during the winter months which definitely established her as a favorite among cruisers.

Both ships have been built with this feature uppermost in mind and the spaciousness of the public rooms bears it out in the following photographs.

The public rooms in the Saloon are principally located on “A” deck. Foremost is the main lounge opening off the central foyer, with its grand staircase and lift. The port side of the promenade deck, glass enclosed, forms the garden lounge and dancing deck.

Going aft, the writing room is situated on the port side and the popular corridor lounge on the starboard. Beyond this is the smoking room—in the TRANSYLVANIA, a beautiful work of matched walnut, and in the CALEDONIA, in the Renaissance style with unusual Corinthian columns.

Abaft of the smoking room is the gymnasium, equipped with electric mounts, racing cycles and other apparatus in charge of an instructor, and finally the veranda cafe. This opens up with wide French doors on the sports deck where heated contests enliven the sunny mornings.

The dining saloon is reached from the main foyer in a two second ride in the lift to “E” deck, with the Second Class dining room aft on the same deck and also reached by a lift. The Second Class lounge and smoking room are just aft of the veranda cafe but on “B” deck.

The views following will emphasize the claims made for these ships and we are content to let the reader judge for himself.

Main Staircase and Lift of the SS Caledonia. GGA Image ID # 1158b7fd47

The Italian Veranda Café of the SS Caledonia. GGA Image ID # 1158d7c538

The Corridor Lounge of the SS Caledonia. GGA Image ID # 1158eef97c

Another View of the SS Caledonia Corridor Lounge. GGA Image ID # 1158f40eaa

The Italian Smoking Room of the SS Caledonia. GGA Image ID # 1158fc6329

An Alcove in the SS Caledonia Smoking Room. GGA Image ID # 1159dd055a

SS Transylvania Dining Saloon. GGA Image ID # 1159ea7e3d

Foyer of the SS Transylvania. GGA Image ID # 1159f78191

Smoking Room in the SS Transylvania. GGA Image ID # 115a11f48a

Garden Lounge of the SS Transylvania. GGA Image ID # 115a6494b3

The SS Transylvania Main Lounge. GGA Image ID # 115ac93cd8

The Gymnasium in the SS Transylvania. GGA Image ID # 115b06edd2

The SS Transylvania Second Class Smoking Room. GGA Image ID # 115b34cb4d

"A" Deck Corridor Lounge of the SS California. GGA Image ID # 115b4426a3

General Lounge of the SS California. GGA Image ID # 115b77971f

General Lounge of the SS Cameronia. GGA Image ID # 115ba74ec0

Writing Room of the SS Cameronia. GGA Image ID # 115beb65d7

Drawing Room of the SS Tuscania. GGA Image ID # 115bec18fd

A Typical SS Transylvania Stateroom for Two. GGA Image ID # 115cd83ff1

A SS Caledonia Stateroom with Private Bath. GGA Image ID # 115d1a4314

A Representative Second Cabin Double Stateroom. GGA Image ID # 115d3dc775

Fleet of the Anchor Line

• Caledonia
• Antonia
• Transylvania
• Ascania
• California
• Cameronia
• Tuscania

Cruises 1926

The Cunard and Anchor Lines offer annually a wide selection of cruises around the world, to the Mediterranean, the West Indies and to North Cape. Exact itineraries vary from season to season—the quality of the service offered, never. The ships dedicated to such use include the Mauretania, Carinthia, Franconia, Laconia, Samaria, Scythia, Caledonia, Transylvania, California, Tuscania, and Cameronia.

Cunard Traveller's Cheques

Relieve you of all concern for the safety of your funds. Accepted without question, not only on Cunard ships, but by banks and railway offices, hotels, and shops the world over. Issued in convenient denominations from $2 to $100, protected from misuse if you should lose them by every safeguard, they form probably the safest and most convenient way in which to carry money during your travels.

Baggage Insurance

The Cunard and Anchor Lines’ arrangements for insuring traveler's baggage against breakage, theft, loss, or fire, on land or sea, offer another great mental relief to travellers well worth the moderate rate charged.

Brochure Information

The New Anchor Line Fleet – 1926 Brochure

A Sumptuous Tribute to Transatlantic Elegance

Description

Christie’s is proud to present the 1926 Anchor Line Fleet brochure, a meticulously designed artifact that celebrates the grandeur of transatlantic ocean travel. Showcasing the fleet’s crown jewels, the Caledonia and Transylvania, alongside views of the California and Cameronia, this profusely illustrated publication captures the pinnacle of maritime luxury and innovation.

Produced to promote the Anchor Line's unmatched passenger services between New York, Londonderry, and Glasgow, this brochure is a rare and exquisite testament to the opulence of early 20th-century sea travel.

Key Features

• Title: The New Anchor Line Fleet to Ireland and Scotland (1926).
• Publication Highlights:
  • Profusely illustrated with rare interior photographs of the Caledonia and Transylvania.
  • Vivid descriptions of luxurious public rooms, staterooms, and onboard amenities.
  • Detailed maps of routes along the Irish Coast and Firth of Clyde.
  • Promotional material for Anchor Line and Cunard Line cruises and additional passenger services.
• Featured Ships:
  • Caledonia: Introduced in 1925, featuring Italian Renaissance-inspired interiors and private staterooms.
  • Transylvania: A favorite for Mediterranean cruises, renowned for its garden lounge and grand foyers.
  • California and Cameronia: Esteemed vessels known for their refined second-cabin accommodations.

Provenance

This remarkable brochure originates from a private collection of maritime ephemera, carefully curated to include key artifacts from the golden age of transatlantic travel. The piece has been preserved in exceptional condition, offering collectors an authentic glimpse into the elegance of 1920s ocean liners.

Condition

In outstanding condition, this brochure shows only minimal age-appropriate wear, with crisp pages and vibrant imagery. The binding remains intact, and all text and illustrations are pristine, reflecting meticulous preservation over nearly a century.

Historical Significance

The New Anchor Line Fleet – 1926 brochure represents a pivotal moment in maritime history. By 1926, the Anchor Line had become synonymous with refinement and reliability, offering passengers unparalleled comfort and efficiency. The newly introduced Caledonia and Transylvania symbolized a leap forward in design, incorporating modern technology such as Marconi wireless systems and elevators, while maintaining the romantic allure of ocean travel.

This piece also reflects the broader cultural shift of the 1920s, with its emphasis on leisure, luxury, and global exploration. The featured ships later played significant roles during World War II, underscoring their lasting legacy.

Final Conclusion

The 1926 Anchor Line Fleet brochure is a compelling addition to any collection, offering a rare and vibrant glimpse into the golden age of transatlantic travel. From its evocative imagery of the Caledonia’s Italian veranda café to the grandeur of the Transylvania’s main lounge, this artifact encapsulates the romance and sophistication of early ocean voyages.