Nov 15, 2010 - Sale 2230

Sale 2230 - Lot 53

Price Realized: $ 5,520
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000
DESIGNER UNKNOWN CUNARD LINE / NEW YORK. Circa 1905.
39 1/2x24 1/2 inches, 100x62 cm. Wm. Strain & Sons, Belfast.
Condition B+: repaired tear through image; restoration and minor restored losses in margins and corners.
The Slavonia foundered and sank off the Azores on June 10th, 1909. She was the first ship to ever send an "S.O.S." distress message by Morse code. Two German ships, North German Lloyd's Prinzess Irene and Hamburg America's Batavia were able to safely rescue all 410 passengers. This exceptional nocturnal image stands out not only for the painterly way in which the subject is presented but also the unusual positioning of the ship. Ocean Liner posters most often portray their vessels in 3/4 profile or profile. Here, the unknown artist presents the ship slightly askew from head on.