Cunard Line Steamship Menus, 1880-1954 Available at the Archives

In the Late 1800s through the 1950s, meals were always a special occasion on board the Cunard steamers, complete with souvenir menus that often included an activities, music or concert program. It was common for guests at the same table and possibly the Steward or other steamship staff members to autograph the menus.

Vintage Breakfast Menus
Breakfast Bill of Fare from the Cunard Line
Breakfast Menu Card and Liquor/Tobacco List, RMS Campania, Cunard Line, 1898 1898-09-10 Breakfast Menu Card and Liquor/Tobacco List

Nineteenth Century Menu Card with a Liquor by the Drink List on the reverse side, served on board the RMS Campania of the Cunard Line. Breakfast menu featured Fried Plaice, Broiled Finnan Haddin and Smoked Wiltshire Bacon.

Breakfast Menu, Cunard Line RMS Laconia 1914-09-08 Breakfast Menu - Laconia (I)

Breakfast menu card from the steamship Laconia on a Westbound voyage from Liverpool to Boston, arriving in Boston on 9 September 1914 featuring Grilled Cod Steaks and Yarmouth Bloaters

Breakfast Menu, Cunard Line RMS Berengaria 1927 1927-08-05 Breakfast Menu - Berengaria

Elegant Breakfast menu from the Cunard Line RMS Berengaria from Friday, 9 August 1927 on an Eastbound Voyage from New York to Southampton. Extensive menu selections including Brands of cereal popular in the late 1920s.

Front Cover, Breakfast Menu, RMS Berengaria, Cunard Line, July 1929 1929-07-18 Breakfast Menu - Berengaria

A rather expansive menu greeted passengers on the morning of Thursday, 18 July 1929 that featured Omelettes, Hashed Turkey -- Creole style and American and Wiltshire Smoked and Pale Bacon.

 

Vintage Children's Menus
Children's Bill of Fare from the Cunard Line
Children's Party Menu, Cunard Line RMS Aquitania, 1924 1924-10-01 Children's Party Menu - Aquitania

Very rare menu for a Children't Party on board the Steamship Aquitania. Although it didn't state the class, we suspect that it was for Cabin Class passengers. This party was conducted on the same day the vessel arrived in New York on a Westbound Voyage from Southampton to New York via Cherbourg.

 

Vintage Christmas Menus
  1924-12 Article - Christmas Dinner at Sea

Until comparatively recent years, many an excellent Christmas dinner intended for the passengers on board ship was spoilt by the inferior kitchen arrangements which then existed.

1947-12-23 RMS Queen Mary - A Merry Christmas Luncheon 1947-12-23 RMS Queen Mary - A Merry Christmas Luncheon
This post war Christmas Season menu was likely viewed by the many British war brides that made the voyage after the war to their new home and life in America. Menu featured Potage St. Germain, Grilled Fresh Herrings with Mustard Sauce, Tenderloin Hamburger Steak with Garmi Saratoga Potatoes and Compote de Fruits.
1950-12-24 SS De Grasse - Christmas Eve Reveillon 1950-12-24 SS De Grasse - Christmas Eve Reveillon
A Caribbean Cruise Christmas Eve Reveillon Menu from the French Line with an all French Menu Selection that included such dishes as La Cote de Bœuf au Currant Jelly and Le Jambon Fume de Parme.

 

Vintage Dinner Menus
Dinner Bill of Fare from the Cunard Line
Dinner Menu, Second Cabin - RMS Ivernia of the Cunard Line 1902 1902-06-30 Dinner Menu - Ivernia - Second Cabin

Vintage Dinner Menu from 1902 on board the Cunarder RMS Ivernia features a typical Second Cabin selections for that era features Beef Steak and Oyster Pie. The reverse side provides a Wine and Spirits menu with prices.

dsfdfs 1914-09-08 Dinner Menu - Laconia (I)

This is a breakfast menu from the steamship Laconia on a Westbound voyage from Liverpool to Boston, arriving in Boston on 9 September 1914. Although not specifically stated, this would have been the Farewell Dinner.

Dinner Menu, Cunard Line RMS Andania - 1924 1924-08-06 Dinner Menu - Andania

This was a Dinner Menu for the steamship Andania of the Cunard Line. The RMS Andania covered the Hamburg » Cherbourg » Plymouth » London » New York Route. The Prime Rib, Sirloin of Beef and Quarters of Lamb were the featured Entrees.

Dinner Menu, RMS Franconia, August 1933, Cunard Line 1933-08-09 Supper Menu and Variety Show Programme - RMS Franconia (II)
Exceptional good cover graphics define this 19336 Menu and Variety Show program on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line. While the menu selections were limited, the variety show featured artists from Ziegfield Follies, R.K.O. Vauderville and Beaux Arts Club.

 

Vintage Easter Menus
Easter Bill of Fare from the Cunard Line
Front Cover 1934-04-01 Easter Dinner Menu - Mauretania

Beautiful graphic cover provides an entryway to an exceptional and extensive menu for this Au Revoir Easter Dinner onboard the Mauretania. Entrées included Fresh Turtle Steaks, Sirloin Steaks Chasseur and Roast Quarter of Lamb.

 

 

Vintage Farewell Dinner Menus
Farewell Dinner Bill of Fare from the Cunard Line
Farewell Dinner Menu, RMS Berengaria 1926 1926-08-26 Farewell Dinner Menu - Berengaria

Farewell Dinner Menu Card from the RMS Berengaria of the Cunard Line on a westbound voyage that arrived at New York the following day on 27 August 1926. Photograph of the RMS Berengaria adorned the top Border.

Front Cover 1933-09-06 Farewell Dinner Menu - Franconia (II)

The "Pirate" Farewell Dinner Menu from the Depression Era Cunard Line Franconia featured Tournedos -- Tourangelle, Calf's Head, Prime Sirloin & Ribs of Beef, and Roast Quail.

 

Vintage Kosher Menus
Kosher Bill of Fare from the Cunard Line
Kosher Dinner Menu, RMS Queen Mary, Cunard Line, 8 June 1936 1936-06-08 Cunard Queen Mary Kosher Dinner Menu

Strictly Kosher Dinner Menu from the RMS Queen Mary for Monday, 8 June 1936, Featured Boiled Fresh Salmon, Fried Haddock and Corn on the Cob.

Kosher Luncheon Menu, RMS Aquitania, Cunard Line, 8 July 1936 1936-07-08 Cunard Aquitania Kosher Luncheon Menu

Strictly Kosher Lunch Menu from the RMS Aquitania for Wednesday, 8 July 1936. Menu featured Baked Fresh Haddock, Omelette Portugaise and Frankfurters with Sauerkraut.

 

Vintage Luncheon Menus
Luncheon Bill of Fare from the Cunard Line
Cover of Luncheon Menu, Cunard White Star RMS Mauretania, 1947 1947-10-17 Luncheon Menu - Mauretania

Exquisite Luncheon Menu from the Steamship RMS Mauretania of the Cunard White Star Line. Included an elegant cover with a Portrait of James II after Sir Godfrey Kneller.

 

Vintage Private Party Menus
Private Party Bill of Fare from the Cunard Line
Special Menu - E. D. Jordon and Party aboard the Laconia 1913 1913-10-06 Special Private Party Menu - Laconia (I)
This is a very rare personalized special embossed menu for E. D. Jordon and Dinner guests aboard the Cunard Line Laconia (I) in October of 1913.
Private Dinner Menu - RMS Berengaria, 1927 1927-06-21 Private Dinner Party Menu - Berengaria

This is a private dinner menu for passengers on board the RMS Berengaria of the Cunard Line on a 1927 westbound voyage that originated from Southampton destined for New York. Menu selections were written in French.

 

Vintage Valentine's Day Menus
Valentine's Day Bill of Fare from the Cunard Line
Front Cover, Valentine's Day Dinner Menu, RMS Franconia, Cunard Line, 14 February 1930 1930-02-14 Valentine's Day Dinner Menu - Franconia

A very elegant Valentine's Day Dinner Menu prepared onboard the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Fillets of Sole, Boiled Salmon, Mousse de Volaille and Tournedos on this Thos. Cook & Son World Cruise in 1930.

 

Wine, Liquor, Other Beverages and Tobacco Menu Vintage Wine List from February 1898 for the Cunard Steam Ship Company, Limited.
Vintage Wine List Menu Card from the Cunard Line included other items such as liquor, beverages and tobacco. Printed on the reverse side of an 1898 menu card.
Wine, Spirits and Tobacco Selections from 1902 Vintage Wine List Menu Card - Cunard Line 1902
1902 Wine, Liqeur and Spirits Menu Card from the Cunard Line that was printed on the reverse side of a 1902 menu card.
Wine Lists
Cunard Line Wine List for April 1927 Cunard Line Wine List for April 1927

This extensive menu was hardbound with string and center staples binding. An exquisite example of the luxuries on board the British based steamships. Remember that during this period, America was experiencing the Prohibition.

 

Other Cunard Line Menus in the Archives In the Queue For Uploading

  • 1927-09-03 Farewell Dinner Menu, RMS Caronia, Tourist Third Cabin, Autographs from ten fellow passengers on back cover.
  • 1929-06-28 Farewell Diner Menu, RMS Aurania. Includes quite a number of autographs from fellow passengers. Original owner was likely a young lady.
  • 1929-07-17 Dinner Menu, RMS Berengaria, Carte du Jour.
  • 1929-07-19 Mr. E. H. Harris and Party Menu, RMS Berengaria
  • 1929-07-20 Mrs. M. Sharp and Miss Mildred Sharp - Menu, RMS Berengaria.
  • 1929-07-21 Luncheon Menu, RMS Berengaria, Carte du Jour. Illustration of Entrance to Staple Inn, Holborn on cover.
  • 1930-05-20 Dinner Menu , RMS Scythia, with scrapbook inclusion of Abstract of Log and Photograph of the ship, RMS Scythia. Tourist Third Cabin, Voyage information: From New York to Liverpool via Boston, Galway and Cobh, May 15 to May 22. 2,523 Miles, Length of Voyage: 6 Days, 9 Hours, 5 Minutes.
  • 1930-07-19 Farewell Dinner Menu, RMS Ascania, Tourist Third Class,
  • 1930-08-16 Dinner Menu, RMS Berengaria, Illustration of RMS Berengaria on Front Cover.
  • 1930-08-22 Luncheon Menu, RMS Berengaria, Illustration of RMS Berengaria on Front Cover.

 

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