Maritime and Ocean Liner Vintage Postcards
The GG Archives has many high-grade postcards in our Maritime collection. There is quite a variety, including black & white, colorized, photograph, watercolor, and oil paintings. They often capture ships and harbor scenes that otherwise would be lost to time. A number of these are works of art and are suitable for framing.
Ocean Liner & Steamship Postcards
The GG Archives has a small collection of the very rare Allan Line Royal Mail Steamers, Established in 1852, later purchased by the Canadian Pacific in 1917. Our series of postally used and unused postcards date from the early 1900s.
Postcards from the American Export Lines
Our AEL Postcard Collection features the sister ships Constitution and Independence -- very popular ships and successful on their "Sunlane" route between New York, Algeciras, Cannes, Genoa, and Naples.
Postcards of the Anchor Line Steamship Company
The GG Archives has a small collection of the Anchor Line postcards, Established in 1855 in Glassgow, Scotland, and dissolved in 1980. Our series of postally used and unused postcards date from the early 1900s.
Postcards from the Atlantic Transport Line
Vintage postcard collection of The Atlantic Transport Line, an American passenger shipping line based in Baltimore, Maryland that in 1901, was folded into the International Mercantile Marine Company (IMM).
Vintage Postcards from the Canadian Pacific Line
The GG Archives' collection of Vintage Canadian Pacific Line postcards featured illustrations and photographs of each vessel's exteriors. Ships included Empress of France, Melita, Minnedosa, and Montcalm.
Postcards from the Cunard Line
A sampling of Cunard Line postcards in our collection includes views of the Cunard Wharf in Boston, ships that include the Laconia, Franconia, Saxonia, and Queen Mary.
Vintage Postcards from the Holland-America Line
Our Collection features picture postcards of the Holland-America Line fleet, including the TSS Rijndam, TSS Rotterdam, and the elusive TSS Statendam III (1929).
Postcards of the North German Lloyd 1900-1934
The Postcard Collection of the Norddeutscher Lloyd Bremen / North German Lloyd of the GG Archives. Include Ship Interior and Exterior Photographs, Paintings of Ships. Our Postcards date from 1900-1934.
Postcards of the United States Lines
United States Lines was an American transatlantic steamship company that operated passenger services from 1921 to 1969. Our postcard collection includes the SS George Washington, SS Leviathan, SS Washington, and the SS United States.
Liverpool Landing Stage Postcards
The port of Liverpool including the Mersey, Gladstone, and other Docks and the Harbor area. The landing stage was used by many of the great steamship lines including Anchor Line, Bibby Line, Blue Funnel Line, Canadian Pacific, Cunard, Cunard White Star, Donaldson, RMSP, Yeoward Line, and others.
Bakke Bro, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Bakke Bro, now called Bakke Bru, is the bridge over the Nidelva River that connects Olav Tryggvasons Gate with Innherredsvein in Trondheim, Norway. These vintage postcards date from the early 20th Century.
Bratörgaden, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Bratøgaden, Trondhjem now referred to as Brattørgata is located on the west side of Trondheim between Søndre gate and Krambugata and only exists for three blocks, paralleling Brattøveita to the west and Olav Tryggvason's Gate to the east. Postcard dates from the early 20th Century.
Buran, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Buran is an area east of downtown Trondheim. The location is between Lademoen Møllenberg and Rosendal.
Bybroen, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Old Town Bridge (Locally referred to as Gamle Bybro or Bybroa) is located in Trondheim, Sør-Trøndelag County, Norway. This vintage postcard depects Bybroen as it existed circa 1910.
Domkirke, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Nidaros Cathedral (locally referred to as Nidarosdomen or Nidaros Domkirke) is a Church of Norway cathedral located in the city of Trondheim in Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway.
Elven med Søboder, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Elven med Søboder now referred to as Elven med Sjøboder, refers to boathouses and warehouses located on the Nidelva River in Trondheim, Norway. This vintage postcard has an excellent view of the Nidelva River with shipping activity with warehouses lining the shoreline.
Fjeldsæter, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Fjellseter turisthotell. Fjellseter sanatorium was opened on January 2, 1899. The place became known beyond the country's borders. The main house burned down in 1917, but the annex stood again and was operated on as a hotel and restaurant.
Frimurerlogen, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Frimurerlogen was the original site for the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra's performances that held its first concert on 10 December 1909. The performance took place in Frimurerlogen in Trondheim, the orchestra's regular haunt until Olavshallen Concert Hall was completed in 1989.
Gartner-Gade, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Gartnergate or Gartnergade no longer exists in Trondheim. This early twentieth-century postcard shows what the street looked like at the turn of the century.
Höiskolen, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
The Trondheim Norges tekniske Hoiskole Techn: The Norwegian Institute of Technology, known by its Norwegian abbreviation NTH (Norges tekniske høgskole) was a science institute in Trondheim, Norway. It was established in 1910 and existed as an independent technical university for 89 years.
Hotel Augustin, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
The Hotel opened in 1915 under the name Grand Hotel but shortly replaced its name with Hotel Augustin. Located near the center of Trondhjem, there is an abundance of shopping and restaurants nearby this historic hotel that dates from 1915.
Ilevolden, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Ilevolden, now called Llevollen street in Trondheim, Norway, is located on the west side between the Nidelva River and Trondheim Harbor and is presently known as Fv812.
Indherredsveien, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Indherredsvein, now called Innherredsveien, is a significant street in Trondheim, Norway. It begins where Olav Tryggvason's gate turns into Bakke Bru over the Nidelva River and changes into Innherredsveien or FV910, proceeding eastwardly away from the harbor.
Kjøbmandsgate, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Kjøbmandsgate, more likely known as Kjøpmannsgata, is located between the city and the seaside along Nidelva has been the main street in Trondheim since it was built by the rezoning after the great fire of 1681.
Kongens Gate, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Kongens gate or King Street is one of Trondheim's main streets. It was built as part of the rezoning after the great fire in 1681 and is one of the principal axes of the baroque town plan designed by Major General Johan Caspar von Cicignon. With a width of 60 cubits, it stretches from the piers Kjøpmannsgata, over the square and past Prinsensgate.
Munkegaden and Domkirken, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Munkegaden, now called Munkegaten or Munkegata in Trondheim, is the central axis and the city's main street in Cicignons urban by 1681. The road runs from the Domkirken / Nidaros Domkirke Cathedral to the docks at Ravnkloa.
Munkegata & Stiftsgården, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
The Munkegata leads directly to the Torget, to Trondheim's central square, which marks the center of the old town. You can walk the Munkegata a little further north and find the Stiftsgården.
Stiftsgården is the royal residence in Trondheim, Norway - Scandinavia's largest wooden palace.
Munkholmen is a small island of 13 acres located about 2 km outside central Trondheim Trondheim Fjord. The island is now a popular destination in the summer season, with opportunities for swimming and sunbathing.
Nedre Lerfos, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
The municipality of Trondhjem built a new power station in 1907 due to the increase in demand for electric power. The waterfall of Nedre Lerfos was utilized. It is calculated to yield about 6,000 horsepower.
Olaf Tryggvessøns Gade, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Around the same place went Lower commons in the Middle Ages. The steet runs from Bakke bridge in the east to Prince Street in the west, where it continues westward Sandgata. Olav Tryggvason street was formerly Strand Street.
Panorama of the Port of Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Trondheim (50,000 population in 1921) is the most northern of the principal towns, and the distributing and jobbing center for the entire country beyond. One might say it is the trading post for the Great North Land
Ravnkloa, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Ravnkloa (previously called Ravnkloen), is the name of Trondheim's most successful commons. Square lies at the end of Munkegata between Olav Tryggvason street and canal, on the line between the cathedral and Munkholmen.
Stiftsgården, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
This royal residence of Stiftsgården is Scandinavia's most massive wooden structure with an associated garden in central Trondheim, on the corner of Monk Street and Queen Street.
Thomas Angels Gade, Trondheim, Norway Postcards
Thomas Angell (29 December 1692 - 19 September 1767) was a merchant and philanthropist in Trondheim. As a result of family strife he bequeathed his share of the family fortune to charitable causes in Trondheim. Thomas Angell Trusts were created for the management of these funds.
Torvet is the central square in Trondheim. Torvet is a result of Johan Caspar Cicignons' urban plan from 1681. Torvet is located where King Street and Munkegata intersect.
Review and Summary of the Maritime and Ocean Liner Vintage Postcards Index Page
The Maritime and Ocean Liner Vintage Postcards collection in the GG Archives is an exceptional visual resource capturing the golden age of ocean travel, steamship lines, and historic ports. This archive is particularly valuable for teachers, students, genealogists, historians, and maritime enthusiasts, as it preserves aesthetic and historical representations of ships, harbors, and cities from the late 19th to mid-20th century.
The collection features various types of postcards, including:
✔ Black & white photographs – Authentic historical documentation.
✔ Colorized postcards – Vivid, artistic renderings of ships and harbors.
✔ Watercolors and oil paintings – Unique maritime artwork.
These postcards bring to life the world of ocean travel, often showcasing rare images of now-lost ships and historic harbors. Many postcards are postally used, adding to their authenticity and historical significance.
Relevance to Different Fields of Study
1. For Educators & Students: A Visual Gateway to Maritime and Immigration History
📌 Key Themes: The Age of Steamships, Immigration, Transportation Evolution, Historic Ports
These postcards serve as primary sources that allow students to:
- Visualize immigration history by seeing ships that carried thousands of immigrants to America.
- Study maritime engineering and evolution from early steamships to luxury liners.
- Analyze economic and social history through images of bustling ports, trade hubs, and working-class migration routes.
🔎 Classroom Activity Idea:
- Have students compare vintage postcards from different decades and analyze how ocean travel and immigration changed over time.
- Discuss how the visual portrayal of ocean liners in advertisements and postcards influenced public perception of travel.
2. For Genealogists: Tracing Family Migration and Travel Experiences
📌 Key Themes: Personal Family History, Immigration Travel, Historic Ship Documentation
Genealogists will find immense value in these postcards as they:
- Provide visual references for ships that ancestors may have traveled on.
- Show the ports where relatives likely arrived or departed from.
- Offer authentic glimpses into the past, adding depth to family history books and research.
📖 Genealogy Tip:
- If you know the ship your ancestor sailed on, search for a postcard from the same steamship line or era to include in family history narratives.
3. For Historians: Aesthetic and Documentary Value of Postcards
📌 Key Themes: Steamship Companies, Evolution of Passenger Travel, Global Maritime Trade
Historians will appreciate the collection’s ability to:
- Document the rise and fall of shipping lines like Cunard, White Star, and United States Lines.
- Showcase the transformation of ports and cities through images of Liverpool, New York, and Trondheim.
- Reflect public perception of ocean travel, particularly through marketing-style illustrated postcards.
📖 Historical Research Tip:
- These postcards illustrate maritime trade routes, colonial connections, and immigration corridors—perfect for studies on globalization and transportation history.
Most Interesting and Unique Content in the Collection
1. Postcards of Famous Steamship Lines
⚓ Allan Line (1852-1917)
- A rare collection of postcards from this early transatlantic passenger line, later absorbed by Canadian Pacific.
- Important for those researching Scottish, Irish, and Canadian immigration history.
⚓ Cunard Line
- Includes images of RMS Queen Mary, RMS Laconia, RMS Franconia, and more.
- Cunard played a pivotal role in luxury and immigrant travel.
⚓ United States Lines (1921-1969)
- Features postcards of SS Leviathan, SS United States, and SS Washington.
- SS United States remains an iconic vessel, still preserved today.
⚓ North German Lloyd (1900-1934)
- Includes paintings and photographs of German ocean liners, such as SS Columbus (1924).
- Crucial for those studying German transatlantic migration.
⚓ Holland-America Line
- A collection featuring the TSS Rijndam, TSS Rotterdam, and TSS Statendam III (1929).
- A major carrier of European immigrants to America.
2. Historic Port and Harbor Postcards
📍 Liverpool Pier Head (1910) & Liverpool Landing Stage
- A historic port used by Cunard, White Star, Anchor Line, and others.
- Vital for researchers studying British maritime history and transatlantic migration.
📍 New York Harbor & Ellis Island
- Many ocean liner postcards feature New York’s docks and immigration points.
- A crucial reference for historians and genealogists studying Ellis Island arrivals.
📍 Trondheim, Norway Collection (Early 1900s)
- Features stunning vintage postcards of Bakke Bru, Munkholmen, Nidaros Cathedral, and Ravnkloa.
- Ideal for those researching Norwegian maritime history and family roots.
3. Rare and Artistic Ship Postcards
🎨 Watercolor & Oil Paintings
- Some postcards feature hand-painted or colorized images, offering artistic perspectives of ships.
- These pieces are suitable for framing and display.
📷 Black & White Photographs
- Authentic photographic postcards capture the realistic look and feel of ocean liners.
- Many are postally used, adding historical value.
🖋 Postcards with Poetry and Messages
- Some postcards include inscribed poetry or personal notes, offering intimate glimpses into passenger experiences.
Final Assessment: A Unique and Essential Collection
The Maritime and Ocean Liner Vintage Postcards archive is a visually rich and historically valuable collection that offers:
✔ Authentic images of steamships and ports from the late 19th to mid-20th century.
✔ Aesthetic appeal through artwork, photography, and preserved postal use.
✔ Important references for educators, genealogists, and historians researching ocean travel, immigration, and maritime history.
Best Uses for This Archive:
- 📚 In education – As visual aids for history and geography lessons.
- 🧬 For genealogists – To provide context and images for family migration stories.
- 🌎 For historians – As primary sources documenting steamship lines and harbor evolution.
- 🎨 For collectors and artists – As decorative and historically significant pieces.
By preserving these rare postcards, the GG Archives offers a window into the past, allowing modern researchers to experience the grandeur and hardships of ocean travel.
