Vintage Menus of the American Merchant Lines
Dining Room on an American Merchant Lines Steamer
As a Division of the United States Lines, American Merchant Lines operated transatlantic services between the ports of New York, Plymouth, and London.
They uniquely named their vessels -- all starting with the word "American" followed by other common merchant terms including Banker, Farmer, Merchant, Shipper, and Trader.
Breakfast Menus
SS American Farmer - 30 June 1934
Rare Vintage Breakfast Menu Card from 30 June 1934 on board the SS American Farmer of the American Merchant Lines featured a typical PassengerClass selections for that era offering Salmon Fish Cake, Grilled Yorkshire Ham, Chipped Smoked Beef in Cream, and Rice Griddle Cakes with Maple Syrup for dessert.
Dinner Menus
SS American Banker - 25 June 1932
Vintage Farewell Dinner Menu from Saturday, 25 June 1932 on board the SS American Banker of the American Merchant Lines featured Boiled Halibut with Sauce Hollandaise, Filet Steak with Mushrooms, and Peach Melba for dessert.
SS American Farmer - 29 June 1934
Vintage Dinner Menu Card from the SS American Farmer of the American Merchant Lines featured Long Island Duckling, Spaghetti à la Caruso and Prime Rib of Beef with Chocolate Eclairs for dessert. Included handwritten substitution of Wax Beans for Broccoli in Cream.
SS American Shipper - 24 May 1929
Vintage Dinner Menu from the SS American Shipper of the American Merchant Lines featured Broiled Fillet of Salmon, Shrimp Patties, Fricasse of Chicken with Noodles, Compote of Cherries with Rice, Prime Ribs of Beef, Saddle of Lamb, and Green Apple Pie à la Mode for dessert.
Another Dinner Menu from This Voyage:
- 26 May 1929
Vintage Farewell Dinner Menu from 26 May 1929 featured Chicken Liver Patties, Financiere, Roast Prime Ribs of Beef, and Ice Cream with French Pastries for dessert. Included List of Executive Officers and Autographs from Seven Dinner Guests.
SS American Trader - 21 April 1929
Vintage dinner menu from 21 April 1929 on board the American Trader of the American Merchant Lines featured Broiled Bluefish, Sauce Tartare, Baked Meat Pie, and for dessert, Ice Cream Melba and Assorted Pastries.
Another Dinner Menu from This Voyage:
- 27 April 1929
Vintage Farewell Dinner Menu from Saturday, 27 April 1929 on board the SS American Shipper of the American Merchant Lines featured Fried Boston Sole, Anchovy Butter, Tenderloin of Beef, Braised, with Mushrooms, and French Pastry for dessert. The menu included a list of executive officers and autographs.
Luncheon Menus
SS American Farmer - 28 June 1934
Luncheon Menu Card from 28 June 1934 on board the SS American Farmer of the American Merchant Lines featured Broiled Mackerel, Baked Pork and Beans, Braised Short Ribs of Beef and Boiled Ham.
Vintage Menus from the GG Archives collection are representative of the menus, typically printed on board each steamship during the voyage onto a blank pre-printed graphic cover. The bill of fares was intended as souvenirs of the journey and provided to each passenger for that class (First, Second, Third, Tourist, etc.). Many survive today as delightful displays of gourmet meals served in elegant dining saloons on the ocean liners of yesteryear.
