[MARITIME - Ocean Liners]

The Paris French Line Compagnie Generale Transatlantique [S.S. Paris Ocean Liner Brochure]

(New York): Compagnie Generale Transatlantique, 1926. First Thus. Printed Wrappers, Stapled. Although undated, we've posited 1926 as publication date based on the styles of the cover and photographs, and the history of the ship. 8vo (measures 6 x 9.25 inches). Unpaginated [24 pp.] Promotional brochure intended for American travelers. Frontis. illustration. Substantially illustrated with black-and-white photography, mostly interior shots, along with a couple exterior views featuring passengers strolling on decks. Borders of photos are enhanced with line drawings. Bound in folded brown stock with two-color art-deco design printed on the front cover. Slight edge-wear, light dampstain spanning the gutter of all leaves and with slight abrasion, smaller than a US dime, at the top right corner of the cover. A well preserved copy. Very Good. Item #6542

A superb art deco brochure for one of the fabled ocean liners of the Jazz Age, the S.S. Paris of the French Line fleet operated by Compagnie Generale Transatlantique. We suspect this brochure was produced prior to sinking after a 1929 fire; although refloated, activity was chastened by the Great Depression; promoting luxurious travel with lavish collateral was likely limited. However, in the mid- to late-'20s she was providing "Weekly Express Service" between New York and England or France. Published in New York for discriminating Yank travelers, many of whom enjoyed transatlantic travel as an escape from Prohibition constricts.

In somewhat breathless prose ("how delightfully life is arranged on the Paris! You, Madame, may desire to entertain in the exclusive individuality of your own luxe suite ... "), the swanky attributes of the ship are extolled, as well as the refined company one would keep among fellow passengers. Photos promote first class cabins, staterooms and suites, the grand salon, dining salon, smoking room, children's playroom, gymnasium and deck activity. The cover is an exquisite exercise in restrained art-deco styling, presenting a porthole glimpse of the ship set as a vignette within a single funnel, amid wispy smoke and rigging lines. A charming publication, quite scarce: No institutional copies are located by OCLC. Now housed in a removable, clear archival sleeve with an acid-free backing.

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Price: $225.00