SS Reliance Prepaid Passage Certificate (1923): A German Immigrant’s Long Journey to America via the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company
📌 Explore the rare 1923 prepaid passage certificate for German immigrant Frieda Mayer, who traveled from Hamburg to St. Louis via SS Reliance. Sponsored by a relative in America, her delayed migration highlights the role of prepaid tickets in transatlantic immigration. 🇩🇪➡️🇺🇸 Essential for genealogists, historians, and educators.
SS Reliance Prepaid Certificate for Second Class Passage - Royal Mail Steam Packet Company - 27 January 1923. GGA Image ID # 1fa3cdaba7
Summary of Prepaid Certificate
- Date of Purchase / Voyage: 27 January 1923 / 20 October 1925 / 12 October 1928
- Steamship Line: Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (RMSP)
- Steamship: SS Reliance
- Route: Hamburg to St. Louis via New York
- Ticket Type: Prepaid Certificate
- Voyage Class: Second Class
- Name on Contract: Frieda Mayer
- Etnicity of Passenger(s): German
- Contract Terms: Limited, Transcribed
- Cost of Ticket: $198.56 / $3,010.00 USD in 2020
Prepaid Certificate Details
Very rare prepaid certificate for second class passage on the RMS Reliance of RMSP. The passage for the 18 year old German immigrant girl was paid for by a relative, Bernhard Mayer, who immigrated in 1892. The immigrant did not arrive in the United States until October 1925. She made several voyages between Germany and the US Beginning in 1925.
The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company
Head Office, 18 Moorgate Street, London, England
NEW YORK 26 BROADWAY
BOSTON CHICAGO MINNEAPOLIS SEATTLE SAN FRANCISCO HALIFAX TORONTO VANCOUVER
N.Y.P. 25091
PREPAID CERTIFICATE FOR SECOND CLASS TRANSPORTATION OF EACH PASSENGER NAMED HEREIN From HAMBURG to NEW YORK By any steamer of this Company having accommodations available at the ocean fare paid.
It Is Agreed between the Carrier and each passenger and/or the purchaser of this Certificate that the contract which will be issued in exchange for this prepaid certificate shall contain the terms and conditions appearing on the Original Prepaid Certificate, upon the basis of which transportation charges have been adjusted.
NAMES OF PASSENGERS
(Write each name on a separate line), AGE, OCEAN FARE
- Name of Passenger: Frieda Mayer, 18, $130.00
- Total Ocean Fare: $130.00
- American Forwarding Order From New York to St. Louis: $35.56
- United States Head Tax: $8.00
- Cash to be Paid Passenger at New York: $25.00
- Total Amount Received: $198.56, One Hundred Ninety Eight 56/100 ------- Dollars
(*) ACCOMMODATION RESERVED BY NEW YORK OFFICE LETTER-CABLE.
Dated 192....
INSTRUCTIONS TO PURCHASERS OF PREPAID CERTIFICATE FOR TRANSPORTATION FROM CONTINENTAL EMOPEAN POINTS.
(This applies to Third Class Transportation).
- Purchaser must secure from the agent issuing prepaid certificate a copy of the Company's special LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS TO PASSENGER. This LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS TO PASSENGER must be sent to the passenger in Europe with particulars filled in as required.
- The Company's office in Europe nearest to the passenger will furnish all necessary instructions and advise when to proceed to port of embarkation.
- Passengers should be specially requested by the purchaser not to proceed to the port of embarkation without notification from the Company, otherwise the Company cannot be responsible for any delay. When writing always mention the number shown on the top of this certificate.
- If the passengers should not sail in the Company's steamer and refund of the amount paid for transportation be requested, the purchaser must return the original prepaid certificate together with European and American forwarding orders (if issued) whereupon the total amount paid will be refunded less agent's commission and cancellation fee of 10%.
DUPLICATE
(PURCHASER'S RECEIPT)
PURCHASER'S RECEIPT
This is to certify that on this date, Mr. Bernhard Mayer, Dowry Road, Webster Grove, MO, has paid the above sum for transportation, etc., as described above, account person(s) mentioned herein.
Passenger's Address in Europe;.
Frieda Mayer, Kuhbad [Aund?] Lahn, Badeu, Germany
(Signature of Purchaser: /s/ Bernhard Mayer
THE ROYAL MAIL STEAM PACKET COMPANY
Per: Westliche Post Steamship-Agency
By /s/ Rumara Muellen
Place Issued: St. Louis, MO
Date: Jan 27 1923
N. Y. Form No 134. February, 1921. D.
Record of Passenger Arrival
- Name: Frieda Mayer
- Sailing From Hamburg: 20 October 1925
- Passenger ID: 901703675237
- Arrival Date: 31 October 1925
- Birth Year: about 1906
- Birth Location: Germany
- Birth Location Other: Straubing
- Age: 19
- Gender: Female
- Ethnicity/Race/Nationality: German
- Port of departure: Hamburg, Germany
- Port of arrival: New York, New York
- Ship Name: Reliance
- Occupation: Barber
- Father: Joseph Mayer, Petergasse 6, Straubing, Germany
Source Citation: Year: 1925; ; Microfilm Serial: T715; Microfilm Roll: T715_3748; Line: 23; Page Number: 111.
Relative Cost of Passage Ticket in Today's Currency Value
In 2020, the relative values of $198.56 from 1923 ranges from $2,380.00 to $48,100.00.
A simple Purchasing Power Calculator would say the relative value is $3,010.00. This answer is obtained by multiplying $198.56 by the percentage increase in the CPI from 1923 to 2020.
This may not be the best answer.
The best measure of the relative value over time depends on if you are interested in comparing the cost or value of a Commodity, Income or Wealth, or a Project.
If you want to compare the value of a $198.56 Commodity in 1923 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:
- real price of that commodity is $3,010.00
- real value in consumption of that commodity is $6,700.00
- labor value of that commodity is $11,900.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $13,400.00 (using production worker compensation)
- income value of that commodity is $16,300.00
- economic share of that commodity is $48,100.00
If you want to compare the value of a $198.56 Income or Wealth, in 1923 there are five choices. In 2020 the relative:
- real wage or real wealth value of that income or wealth is $3,010.00
- household purchasing power value of that income or wealth is $6,700.00
- relative labor earnings of that commodity are $11,900.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $13,400.00 (using production worker compensation)
- relative income value of that income or wealth is $16,300.00
- relative output value of that income or wealth is $48,100.00
If you want to compare the value of a $198.56 Project in 1923 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:
- real cost of that project is $2,380.00
- household cost of that project is $6,700.00
- labor cost of that project is $11,900.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $13,400.00 (using production worker compensation)
- relative cost of that project is $16,300.00
- economy cost of that project is $48,100.00
Source: www.measuringworth.com Samuel H. Williamson, "Seven Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a U.S. Dollar Amount, 1790 to present," MeasuringWorth, 2022.
🚢 SS Reliance Prepaid Passage Certificate (1923): A German Immigrant’s Journey to America 🇩🇪➡️🇺🇸
The SS Reliance Prepaid Passage Certificate, issued on January 27, 1923, represents a rare and historically significant record of transatlantic migration in the post-World War I era. It documents the prepaid passage of 18-year-old Frieda Mayer from Hamburg, Germany, to St. Louis, Missouri, via New York, aboard the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (RMSP) liner SS Reliance.
This second-class prepaid ticket was purchased by a relative, Bernhard Mayer, who had immigrated to the United States in 1892—a clear example of chain migration, where established family members sponsored new arrivals. Frieda’s journey was delayed, and she did not arrive until October 1925, illustrating the complexities and uncertainties that often accompanied overseas migration.
For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, this document is an invaluable primary source, revealing the role of prepaid passage systems, the financial realities of migration, and the legal and logistical intricacies of early 20th-century transatlantic travel.
📜 Key Themes & Takeaways
1️⃣ The Significance of Prepaid Tickets in Migration
The prepaid passage system was a lifeline for immigrants, allowing relatives in America to sponsor family members who otherwise could not afford the journey.
Bernhard Mayer, residing in St. Louis, paid $198.56, covering the ocean fare, train travel, and even a small cash allowance for Frieda.
The ticket was open-ended, meaning she could board any RMSP ship with available accommodations, which explains her delayed arrival in 1925.
2️⃣ Frieda Mayer’s Journey: A Long-Awaited Voyage to America
Originally issued in 1923, but not used until 1925, this case highlights the delays, restrictions, and challenges immigrants faced in securing passage.
Her final destination was St. Louis, Missouri, a city with a growing German immigrant population at the time.
The ticket included a rail segment from New York to St. Louis, showcasing the integration of transatlantic steamship and American railway networks in migration logistics.
3️⃣ The Cost & Financial Realities of Immigration
Ticket cost: $198.56 (equivalent to $3,010.00 in 2020)—a substantial sum for an immigrant family.
Breakdown of costs:
🔹 $130.00 for ocean passage (Second Class).
🔹 $35.56 for train fare to St. Louis.
🔹 $8.00 U.S. head tax (mandatory for all immigrants).
🔹 $25.00 in cash, given to Frieda upon arrival in New York—possibly for meals, lodging, or miscellaneous expenses.
4️⃣ Strict Conditions & Legal Stipulations
Passengers were advised not to travel to the port of departure without official notification, or risk being stranded.
If the ticket was unused, refunds were possible but incurred a 10% cancellation fee.
The prepaid ticket holder had to follow strict booking procedures and sail only on RMSP ships with available space.
📸 Noteworthy Images & Their Importance
1️⃣ SS Reliance Prepaid Certificate (1923)
📜 An authentic financial record of transatlantic migration, detailing the sponsor’s name, passenger’s information, and the financial breakdown of the voyage. This document is invaluable for genealogical research, linking a U.S. resident with a family member’s immigration journey.
2️⃣ Contract Terms and Conditions – RMSP Second Class Ticket (1923)
📄 A rare glimpse into the legal and logistical stipulations of prepaid passage, outlining passenger rights, refund policies, and procedural requirements. This contract helps historians and educators understand the strict regulations governing early 20th-century migration.
🌍 Why This Document Matters for Historians, Educators & Genealogists
🔎 For Historians
🔹 Illustrates the role of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company (RMSP) in transatlantic migration.
🔹 Highlights post-WWI migration trends, showing how family sponsorships facilitated the movement of European immigrants to the U.S.
🔹 Demonstrates the transition from mass third-class/steerage migration to second-class migration, as economic conditions improved in the 1920s.
🧬 For Genealogists
🔹 A direct ancestral link between Germany and the United States, confirming names, addresses, and migration paths.
🔹 Provides insight into prepaid ticket sponsorship, a critical aspect of family migration history.
🔹 Frieda’s name appears in a passenger arrival record from October 1925, verifying her delayed journey and final destination.
📚 For Educators & Students
🔹 A compelling case study on chain migration and prepaid passage systems, showcasing how families supported one another’s immigration efforts.
🔹 Encourages discussion on the financial burden of migration, comparing historical ticket costs to modern equivalents.
🔹 Illustrates real-world primary source analysis, teaching students how to interpret historical documents for research purposes.
🏆 Final Thoughts: A Journey of Determination & Family Support
The SS Reliance Prepaid Passage Certificate (1923) is more than just a financial record—it tells the story of family, sacrifice, and hope. For Frieda Mayer, this ticket represented an opportunity for a new life, but also a long wait before she could finally sail to America.
For historians, educators, and genealogists, this document sheds light on the complexities of prepaid migration, the financial challenges faced by immigrant families, and the bureaucratic systems that governed transatlantic travel. It stands as a testament to the resilience of immigrants who, despite delays and uncertainties, persevered in their quest for a better future. 🌍🚢✨
