SS Franconia Ephemera Collection
All Digitized Ephemera for the SS Franconia 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.
1911 - Franconia and Laconia For The Boston Service
Flyer created by Cunard to announce two new steamships for the Boston service, 18,000 tons each. The ships were of the intermediate class and accommodations described in this flyer pertain primarily to the First Class.
1911-08-08 RMS Franconia Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Cunard Line
- Class of Passengers: Saloon
- Date of Departure: 8 August 1911
- Route: Liverpool to Boston via Queenstown (Cobh)
- Commander: Captain C. A. Smith, R.D., R.N.R
1912 - RMS Franconia and Laconia - Cunard Line
A scarce brochure provides a remarkable record of these two short-lived steamships that brought thousands of immigrants from Liverpool to Boston from 1912 to 1916. The Laconia was torpedoed and sunk by the German Submarine U-50 on 25 February 1917; and, the Franconia was torpedoed and sunk by German Submarine UB-47 on 4 October 1916.
1913 - Cunard Passenger Log Book
Rare Third-Class Accommodation on Cunard Liners featuring interior and exterior photographs of the ships and accommodations for third class/steerage passengers. Undated brochure circa 1913. Its contents were meant to entice the immigrants to book passage to the New World. Ships Featured: Lusitania and Mauretania, Caronia and Carmania, Franconia and Laconia, Campania, Ivernia and Saxonia, and the Ascania.
1914 - Cunard Service to Historic Boston
42-Page Brochure focused primarily on Boston, Massachusetts, with a brief summary of Cunard Line Fleet and Services to Boston. Some photographs of Cunard ships, offices, docks/piers, Boston Landmarks, and a Railroad advertisement. Ships Featured: Britania, Franconia, and Laconia.
1914-08-22 RMS Franconia Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Cunard Line
- Class of Passengers: Second Cabin
- Date of Departure: 22 August 1914
- Route: Liverpool to Boston
- Commander: Captain D. S. Miller, R.D., R.N.R.
1920s - Cunard to Liverpool via Cobh (Queenstown)
Superb interior photographs of the Cunard steamships Carinthia, Franconia, Laconia, Samaria, and Scythia makes this an excellent brochure from the 1920s. The uniqueness of this booklet is greatly improved by the inclusions of context with photo captions.
1930-02-14 RMS Franconia Valentine's Day Dinner Menu
A very elegant Valentine's Day Dinner Bill of Fare 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.
1931-10-17 TSS Franconia Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Furness-Bermuda Line
- Class of Passengers: Not Stated
- Date of Departure: 17 October 1931
- Route: New York to Bermuda
- Commander: Captain G. Gibbons, R.D., R.N.R
1931-10-18 RMS Franconia Breakfast Menu Card
1931 Bill of Fare Card from the Cunard Line RMS Franconia II offered an extensive array of the typical American breakfast fare including fruit, cereal, eggs, bacon, sausage, toast and preserves.
1933-08-09 RMS Franconia Dinner Menu
Exceptional cover graphics define this Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare from 9 August 1933 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line that featured Hot and Cold Consomme, Roast Turkey, and Ice Cream and Wafers for dessert. While the Bill of Fare selections were limited, the variety show featured artists from Ziegfield Follies, R.K.O. Vauderville and Beaux Arts Club.
1933-08-10 SS Franconia Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Cunard Line
- Class of Passengers: Cruise
- Date of Departure: 10 August 1933
- Route: Boston and New York to Havana, Nassau, and Bermuda
- Commander: Captain J. C. Townley, R.D., R.N.R.
1933-09-06 RMS Franconia Farewell Dinner Menu
The "Pirate" Farewell Dinner Bill of Fare from the Depression Era Cunard Line Franconia featured Tournedos -- Tourangelle, Calf's Head, Prime Sirloin & Ribs of Beef, and Roast Quail.
1937-09-03 RMS Franconia Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Cunard Line
- Class of Passengers: Tourist
- Date of Departure: 3 September 1937
- Route: Liverpool to Boston and New York via Belfast and Greenock
- Commander: Captain B. H. Davies
1938-08-20 RMS Franconia Luncheon Menu
Vintage Luncheon Bill of Fare from 20 August 1938 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Sauté of Beefsteak, Bourgeoise, Sea Bass, Portugaise, and Zwieback Pudding for dessert.
1938-08-21 RMS Franconia Luncheon Menu
Vintage Luncheon Bill of Fare from 21 August 1938 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Grey Mullet, Provençale, French Lamb Stew, and Gooseberry Pie for dessert.
1938-08-22 RMS Franconia Luncheon Menu
Vintage Luncheon Bill of Fare from 22 August 1938 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Smelts à l'Anglaise, Canneroni à la Capri, and Ice Cream and Wafers for dessert.
1938-08-22 RMS Franconia Dinner Menu
Vintage "Get Together" Dinner Bill of Fare from Monday, 22 August 1938 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Poached Halibut, Sauce Crevette, Paupiette of Beef, Portugaise, and Vanilla and Strawberry Ice Cream and Wafers for dessert.
1938-08-23 RMS Franconia Luncheon Menu
Vintage Luncheon Bill of Fare from 23 August 1938 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Braised Ox Tail, Bourguignonne, Poached Hake, Crème au Gratin, and Vermicelli Pudding for dessert.
1938-08-24 RMS Franconia Dinner Menu Card
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare Card from Wednesday, 24 August 1938 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard White Star featured Duckling Cutlets, Clamart, Roast Quarters of Lamb, Mint Sauce, and Neapolitan and Vanilla Ice Cream and Wafers for dessert.
1938-08-25 RMS Franconia Luncheon Menu
Vintage Luncheon Bill of Fare from 25 August 1938 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Navarin of Lamb, Primeurs, Sirloin Steak, Maître d’hôtel, and Plum Pie for dessert.
1938-08-25 RMS Franconia Dinner Menu Card
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare Card from Thursday, 25 August 1938 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Fillet of Flounder, Meunière, Prime Sirloin and Ribs of Beef, Horseradish, and Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream and Wafers for dessert.
1938-08-26 RMS Franconia Luncheon Menu
Vintage Luncheon Bill of Fare from 26 August 1938 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Welsh Rarebits, Lamb Chops , and Apple Pie for dessert.
1938-08-26 RMS Franconia Dinner Menu Card
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare Card from Friday, 26 August 1938 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Poached Halibut, Ménagère, Entrecote Steak, Crisp Onions, and Seville Pudding for dessert.
1938-08-27 RMS Franconia Luncheon Menu
Vintage Luncheon Bill of Fare from 27 August 1938 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Navarin of Lamb, Primeurs, Braised Round of Beef, Jardinière, and Tapioca Pudding for dessert.
1938-08-27 RMS Franconia Farewell Dinner Menu
Vintage Farewell Dinner Bill of Fare Card from 27 August 1938 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Poached Salmon, Lobster Sauce, Fried Filet of Sole au Citron, and Bavarois à la Russe for dessert.
1939-08-19 RMS Franconia Passenger List
- Steamship Line: Cunard Line
- Class of Passengers: Tourist Class
- Date of Departure: 19 August 1939
- Route: Liverpool to New York and Boston via Belfast and Greenock
- Commander: Commanded by Captain P. A. Murchie, O.B.E., R.D., R.N.R.
1955-06-08 RMS Franconia Dinner Menu
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare from Wednesday, 8 June 1955 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Roast Ribs and Sirloin of Beef, Hominy Fritters, Horseradish Cream, Poached Fresh Gaspe Salmon, Cucumber, Parsley Sauce, and Printanière Pudding for dessert.
1955-06-10 RMS Franconia Dinner Menu Card
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare Card from Friday, 10 June 1955 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Braised Calf's Sweetbreads, Maintenon, Roast Duckling, Savory and Apple Sauce, and Coupe Edna May for dessert.
1955-06-11 RMS Franconia Luncheon Menu
Vintage Luncheon Bill of Fare from 11 June 1955 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Cocky Leeky, Poulet de Grain Grille au Cresson, and Poire Melba for dessert.
1955-06-11 RMS Franconia Dinner Menu Card
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare Card from Saturday, 11 June 1955 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Roast Leg, Loin and Shoulder of Lamb. Mint Sauce and Jelly, Roast Young Tom Turkey, Cranberry Sauce, and Meringue Glace Chantilly for dessert.
1955-06-12 RMS Franconia Luncheon Menu
Vintage Luncheon Bill of Fare from 12 June 1955 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Fried Fillets of Whitefish, Rémoulade Sauce, Cote d’Agneau Grillee, aux Petits Pois, and Compote of Peaches for dessert.
1955-06-12 RMS Franconia Dinner Menu
Colorful Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare from Sunday, 12 June 1955 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Pied de veau Vinaigrette, Roast Milk-Fed Chicken Financière, and Coupe aux Fraises for dessert.
1955-06-13 RMS Franconia Breakfast Menu Card
This 1955 Breakfast Bill of Fare Card from the Cunard Franconia II offered passengers typical American breakfast fare including fruit, cereal, eggs, bacaon, toast and marmalade.
1955-06-13 RMS Franconia Dinner Menu
Vintage Dinner Bill of Fare from 13 June 1955 on board the RMS Franconia of the Cunard Line featured Tete de Veau, Américaine, Creamed Chicken on Waffle Cake, and Cardinal Pudding, Sweet Sauce for dessert. The cover is a painting of the Cunard Building in Liverpool.
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.
