SS California Ephemera Collection
All Digitized Ephemera for the SS California available at the GG Archives. Common items of ephemera in our maritime collection include passenger lists, brochures, event and entertainment programs, and other memorabilia produced for a voyage or ship.
1879-05-17 SS California Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Anchor Line
- Class of Passengers: Saloon
- Date of Departure: 17 May 1879
- Route: London for New York
- Commander: Captain James Donaldson
1907-10-12 SS California Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Anchor Line
- Class of Passengers: Second
- Date of Departure: 12 October 1907
- Route: Glasgow to New York via Moville
- Commander: Captain James Blaikie
1908-08-10 TSS California Breakfast Menu
Vintage Breakfast Bill of Fare Postcard from 10 August 1908 featured a limited selection including Halibut Steaks, Stewed Sausages and Mashed Potatoes, and Irish Stew. The attached postcard featured views of the Twin Screw Steamship (TSS) "California", and Dunfermline Abbey in Scotland.
Anchor Line Special Attractions For Excursion Season 1911
This brochure printed by the Anchor Line for the Tourist season in 1911 featured information for passengers, internal and external photographs of the ships and interior views and some information on destinations. Ships Covered: Caledonia, California, Cameronia, and Columbia.
Anchor Line Information For Passengers - 1912
Exquisite brochure from 1912 offers an excellent glimpse of cabin class travel aboard steamships of that era. This booklet was produced after the Anchor Line's Newest steamship - The Cameronia in 1911. Other Ships Covered: Caledonia, California, and Columbia.
1912-05-06 Steamship Agent's Receipt - Second Cabin
Issued by the New York Office of the Anchor Line Steamships Company, this Second Cabin Ticket receipt was purchased by Jessie Clerihew for a voyage on the SS California on 18 May, 1912 from New York to Glasgow, Scotland.
Anchor Line Second Cabin Accommodations - 1913
12-Page brochure on second cabin accommodations on transatlantic steamships of the Anchor Line offering weekly service between New York, Glasgow, and Londonderry. Published by Amsden-Kalbfleisch Co., Agents - Rochester, NY on 29 November 1913. Numerous photographs, Rates of Passage, and other information are included. Ships Covered: Caledonia, California, Cameronia, and Columbia.
The New Anchor Line Fleet - 1926
Profusely illustrated 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. Ships Covered: Antonia, Ascania, Caledonia, California, Cameronia, Transylvania, and Tuscania.
1926-08-19 SS California Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Anchor Line
- Class of Passengers: Tourist Third Cabin
- Date of Departure: 19 August 1926
- Route: Naples to New York via Gibraltar
- Commander: Captain Alex. Collie
1929-09-14 TSS California Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Anchor Line
- Class of Passengers: Cabin and Tourist Third Cabin
- Date of Departure: 14 September 1929
- Route: Glasgow to Boston and New York via Belfast
- Commander: Captain Frank M. Henderson
Anchor Line Cabin Class - 1930s
For passengers who are accustomed to the amenities of good-living, the Anchor Line offers a truly delightful mode of travel, in the company of other passengers with the same substantial standards which characterize their own good taste. Ships Featured: Caledonia, California, Cameronia, and Transylvania.
1930-05-24 SS California Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Anchor Line
- Class of Passengers: Cabin and Tourist Third Cabin
- Date of Departure: 24 May 1930
- Route: New York to Belfast and Glasgow via Boston
- Commander: Captain Robert Smart
1930-06-01 TSS California Breakfast Menu Card
Breakfast Bill of Fare Card for Sunday, 1 June 1930 featured traditional breakfast choices and Suate of Ox Kidney, Fried Smelts and Kippered Herring.
1930-08-20 TSS California Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Anchor Line
- Class of Passengers: Cabin and Tourist Third Cabin
- Date of Departure: 20 August 1930
- Route: Glasgow to New York via Belfast and Moville
- Commander: Captain Robert Smart
1931-02-24 TSS California Dinner Menu Card
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare Card from 24 February 1931 on board the TSS California of the Anchor Line featured Boiled Salmon, Sauce Riche, Fried Fillet of Flounder, Sauce Tartare, and Soufflé Pudding, Chamois for dessert. Events for the Evening were included with the Menu.
1931-02-23 SS California Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Anchor Line
- Class of Passengers: Cruise
- Date of Departure: 23 February 1931
- Route: New York to Bermuda and Return
- Commander: Captain Robert W. Smart
1931-02 Bermuda Suggestions - The National Tours
List of suggestions for passengers on board the SS California of the Anchor Line, on visiting Bermuda, a tour-stop coordinated by The National Tours, during February 1931.
1931-02-24 Gulf Stream Cruise Program of the Day
Tuesday's listing of events for passengers on the National Tours Gulf Stream Cruise on the SS California of the Anchor Line on 24 February 1931. Open Air Swimming Pool was the Program of the Day. Other activities were scheduled from 10:15 am concert through 10:00 pm's last showing of a motion picture.
1931-02-25 Gulf Stream Cruise Program of the Day
Wednesday's listing of events for passengers on the National Tours Gulf Stream Cruise on the SS California of the Anchor Line on 25 February 1931. Shipboard activities were scheduled from 7:45 pm Outdoor Motion Picture to 11:15 pm Rudy Valee Orchestra Concert.
1931-02-26 Gulf Stream Cruise Program of the Day
Wednesday's listing of events for passengers on the National Tours Gulf Stream Cruise on the SS California of the Anchor Line on 26 February 1931. A Masquerade Ball with Grand March was the featured program.
1931-02-27 Gulf Stream Cruise Program of the Day
Tuesday's listing of events for passengers on the National Tours Gulf Stream Cruise on the SS California of the Anchor Line on 27 February 1931. "California Follies" was the Program of the Day.
1931-02-27 The California Follies - A Musical Revue - National Tours
An adorable musical review concert program provided delightful entertainment to the passengers on board the SS California of the Anchor Line, during a Bermuda Cruise on 27 February 1931.
1938-07-22 TSS California Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Anchor Line
- Class of Passengers: Cabin and Tourist
- Date of Departure: 22 July 1938
- Route: Glasgow to Boston and New York via Dublin
- Commander: Captain Robert W. Smart
1938-08-19 TSS California Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Anchor Line
- Class of Passengers: Cabin and Tourist
- Date of Departure: 19 August 1938
- Route: Glasgow to Boston and New York via Dublin and Cobh
- Commander: Captain Robert W. Smart
Ephemera contained in the GG Archives collection represent the souvenirs provided to the passengers of each voyage. Many of these souvenir ephemeral items have disappeared over the years.
Our selection varies considerably by ship, and likely contains only a sampling of what was originally produced and printed by the steamship lines.
Bookmark pages you're researching and check back periodically for additions as we continue to digitize our extensive ephemera materials.
