MidShipCentury

Midships: The most desirable portion of the ship, where (due to the center of gravity) there was the least amount of movement on long sea voyages. Most liners had their first class accommodation placed here.

Mid-Century: A term used to describe the modernist stylings of the post war world, when mankind looked toward future advancement and innovation.

Updated: May 9, 2008:
Latest Image Of BLUE LADY
From May 8 At Bottom Of Page

LA MODERNISM 2008!

Unexpectedly, I returned early from my much anticipated cruise on board Voyages of Discovery's MV DISCOVERY. A silver lining in the cloud has been the opportunity to actually attend the grand opening of L.A. MODERNISM 2008 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. I'm delighted to report that it was everything I had hoped for and more, starting with the program, which features a portion of "Chariots" by Emanuele Luzzati on its cover and even a two page article I wrote about rescuing fittings from the ships at Alang.

Once inside the auditiorium, the 20 foot wall of glass, mahogany and nickel from EMPRESS OF CANADA's Mayfair Lounge is fully assembled at the entry way. Further inside, the centerpiece of the show, Luzzati's magnificent Colonna Traiana ceramic ensemble from Incres Line's VICTORIA (see image below of the colonna being reassembled) towers over the space. Behind it, two video screens show video footage I edited of recent visits to Alang and our final interview with Emanuele Luzzati at his museum in Genoa.

Far in the back of the room is "Chariots", Luzzati's silver leaf masterpiece painting from STELLA SOLARIS and the Heraldic ceramic ensemble from MV VICTORIA. Elsewhere, there are grand pianos from CARONIA and ROTTERDAM, a Norman Belgeddes ocean liner model from the W.C. Fields film, "The Great Broadcast of 1938", an overscale and not terribly accurate model of TITANIC, chairs from EUGENIO C, VICTORIA, and ASSEDO, and some vintage liner posters. The only thing missing that was expected to be displayed at the show are the glass panels by D. Ten Hoedt from SS STATENDAM, which were sold last week by X21 in San Francisco. They will be going to Switzerland and the home of a private collector since Holland America Line and the Rotterdam Maritime Museum were not interested in purchasing them.

L.A. MODERNISM 2008 will run Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4th at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

A fully illustrated report will follow when time permits.

My next container is filled with a number of new treasures from ANASTASIS (ex Lloyd Triestino VICTORIA of 1953) and MONTEREY as well as new and different items from VICTORIA (Incres 1959), WINDSOR CASTLE, WINSTON CHURCHILL, ATALANTE, assorted crockery from various ships and more. By the way, that circular object in the crate appears to be one of the huge lobby light fixtures from ANASTASIS!

UPDATE: ETA of container is now May 16, with delivery to Moorpark several days to a week or so later. Stay tuned.

Armless STATENDAM Chairs!

I thought I had posted these months ago. No wonder they didn't sell -- no one knew about them! These are from SS STATENDAM and are identical to ones currently on the ROTTERDAM. Timeless Tienhoven....and a great match with the table just below...

Punkah Louvres!

Finally, after two years, the punkah louvre stash has been located! Very limited quantities of no less than three types of original bakelite punkah louvres from the RMS IVERNIA (1955) are now available! See "What's New" on left. Supply limited and selling quickly...

Delightful Danes!

It's like an archaeological dig. The more I move and sort as merchandise is sold, the more I find. See "What's New" for some beautiful Danish chairs rescued from the ferry KONG FREDERIK IX, which was broken up in 2005 as RIKY under highly controversial circumstances. The remarkable "royal chairs", kept in a special salon for use by the king and queen of Denmark and a set of four gorgeous dining chairs are now available.

Dutch Darling!

Also located one more chrome edged cocktail table from the lovely SS STATENDAM, identical to those on the SS ROTTERDAM, both designed by Tienhoven.

Sensational Swedes!

I intended to keep these five Swedish chairs from the 1958-built NISSOS KYPROS (ex TRELLEBORG) but I really need to make some space for the new container items. These are in the Danish Kay Fisker style and are incredibly well-built and heavy. They will be beautiful in new upholstery. See "What's New" on left.

Ottomania! Even More Added!

My "FRANCONIA foot fetish" continues with more freshly refurbished (new upholstery and restored woodwork) ottomans from the RMS IVERNIA/FRANCONIA, including the first of the smaller type. See "What's New" on left. One more added April 4. No more for a while!

Viva Zoncada!

It's a dream come true! Diligent and gifted Italian historian, Paolo Piccione, has just gotten his magnificent 198 page book on Nino Zoncada published! The underrated master, Giovanni Zoncada, a contemporary and collaborator of Gio Ponti, designed and/or contributed works to an armada of passenger ships between 1931 and 1971. Included in the list of some five dozen plus ships are: BATORY, PILSUDSKI, STOCKHOLM, ANNA C, ANDREA C, CONTE GRANDE, CONTE BIANCAMANO, ATLANTIC (Home), GIULIO CESARE, OCEANIA, AFRICA, EUROPA, ENOTRIA, MESSAPIA, ACHILLEUS, ASIA, AGAMEMNON, ANDREA DORIA, CRISTOFORO COLOMBO, HOMERIC, FRANCA C, AUSONIA, GRIPSHOLM, FEDERICO C, STELLA MARIA, BERNINA, BRENNERO, ILLIRIA, BIANCA C, LEONARDO DA VINCI, STELLA SOLARIS, MICHELANGELO, STELLA MARIS II, ENRICO C, CARLA C, OCEANIC, STELLA OCEANIS, FLAVIA and STELLA SOLARIS II. Lavishly illustrated with rare images from the shipyard and Zoncada's archives, the text is in Italian. EUGENIO C and STELLA SOLARIS are well-covered, including images of artwork, fittings, and Cassina furnishings offered on MidShipCentury. For ordering information in the U.S., please contact Charles Dragonette at: sea-dragon@juno.com

From the usual blissful MidShipCentury timewarp --
Peter Knego

BLUE LADY AT ALANG -- A Great Liner Begins To Disappear...

UPDATED May 9:

Here is the latest view of BLUE LADY, taken on May 9.

From bottom to top, images taken: December 2007, January 20, 2008, February 8, 2008, March 4, 2008, April 4, 2008, April 20, 2008, and May 9, 2008. Images are copyright PK Productions/MidShipCentury 2007/2008 and are not to be published elsewhere without explicit permission.