Photo Album with 75 original photos of a journey of the British passenger ship Arundel Castle to South Africa (1936-1937)

Collection of 75 original photographs, vintages, silver gelatin prints, of a journey of the British passenger ship Arundel Castle to South Africa (with dedication "South African Journey. November 1936 - February 1937").

Mounted in leather album with cord binding (rubbed and bumped, with small blemishes). Mainly titled in English. Photographs partly yellowed or faded. Altogether well preserved.

Dimensions of album: 28 x 20 cm.

Dimensions of photographs: from 4 x 5,5 cm to 6,5 x 11 cm.

RMS Arundel Castle was a British ocean liner and Royal Mail Ship which entered service in 1921 for the Union-Castle Line. A previous vessel of the same name was built in 1864 by Donald Currie & Co. (a predecessor to Union-Castle) and sold in 1883, whereupon it was renamed Chittagong. Her sister ship was SS Windsor Castle; they were the only four-funneled liners not built for transatlantic service. She received a refit in 1937, with her four funnels being reconfigured into two, her hull lengthened, and her bow remolded from a blunt chisel-style into a more modern, angular design. She served in the Second World War as a transport in the Mediterranean. Arundel Castle was withdrawn from service in 1958 and taken to Chiap Hua, the ship breakers in Hong Kong. When the ship arrived in Hong Kong harbour, Chiap Hua organised a lavish cocktail party on board the vessel with many of Hong Kong's dignitaries including government officials and bank executives. The ship’s furnishings and accessories—including the chronometers, captain’s arm chair, steering wheel, crockery and sterling silver cutlery—were offered as gifts. Colour film of Arundel Castle in Hong Kong can be seen in the Look At Life film, "Ticket to Tokyo," released in April 1959. (Wikipedia)