A small collection of photographic and manuscript ephemera relating to the early days of the Cunard Line

[TRANSATLANTIC SHIPPING, 1840-1888.] – Sir Samuel CUNARD (1787-1865), Charles McIVER,  and others.

A small collection of photographic and manuscript ephemera relating to the early days of the Cunard Line, its founders, and their interaction with their competitors. [Various locations: c.1840-1888].

Includes:

1.[Sir Samuel Cunard]. - Joseph Cunard & Co. An engraved and manuscript bill of exchange for 1000GBP, date ‘Miramichi [New Brunswick, Canada] 12 October 1841’, signed by ‘Jo. Cunard & Co.’, payable to ‘Messrs. Samuel Cunard & Co’, variously endorsed, with an attached payment receipt from the Liverpool Union Bank, dated 17 May 1842.

2.an envelope mounted with three copy photographs of earlier images of Sir Samuel Cunard (3 1/8 x 2 5/8; 79 x 66mm.), Sir George Burns and Charles MacIver [see images] - three of the four founding partners of what became the Cunard Line), also included is a wax impression of the original 1840 company seal. *The images of Cunard and MacIver may be important as I cannot find them re-produced anywhere else – these might be the only records of these images?

3.a composite albumen print photograph (11 x 6 1/2in; 280 x 165mm) of ‘Cunard Steam Ship “Malta”, Thos. Durrant Commander’, [1865 or later], mounted on card.

4.Ismay, Imrie & Co. A 1p. secretarial letter, signed ‘Ismay, Imrie & Co.’, to ‘Messrs. D & C. McIver’ [sic.], on White Star Line headed notepaper, dated ‘Liverpool May 16 1873’, quarto (10 14/ x 8 1/4in; 260 x 210mm).  Asking for details of ‘the Atlantic “lane routes”, which [they understand ]… the Cunard Company intend inaugurating at once: we shall be glad to hear from you the particulars of such routes, in order that we may take the opinions of our Captains thereon, and, if approved by them, adopt the plan without loss of time. We may state that, we cordially approve of a system of navigation which lays down a distinct ocean track for the steamers which trade between the two continents of Europe and America, and particularly that route between Queenstown and New York and vice versa; and the writer has had the matter on his mind for some time past, intending to bring same before Conference..’ *An interesting letter, written shortly after news of the sinking of RMS Atlantic, with the loss of at least 535 people, reached the U.K.

5.Sir John Burns (1829-1901). A 3pp. ALS from Burns to Charles MacIver ‘My Dear Sir’, on Castle Wemyss headed paper, dated ‘Sept 19 1874’, quarto, bifolium, written when Charles took the decision to retire, supporting him in this, saying how pleased he is with David MacIver, and discussing a related matter ‘I think Mr Inman’s letter to the Conference is very forcible and his view of differential rates very sound ..’ *John Burns took over from his father, Sir George, in 1860, and was instrumental in the continuing success of the Cunard Line.