Image Not Available

Interiors and decks of Orient Line ships

Photographer Orient Line (1878 - 1966)

Date1910-1939

Object numberANMS0053

NameArchive series

MediumPaper based material

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from P&OSNCo

Terms

DescriptionThis archive series contains an album of black and white photographs of the Orient Line vessels ORION, ORONSAY, ORSOVA, OTWAY, OROFORD, ORONTES and OTRANTO. They depict interior views of cabins and suites, dining saloon, lounges, writing rooms, cafes, music rooms and foyers. They also depict views of the decks, swimming pools, baths and the ships at sea. Photographers represented include Bedford Lemere & Co, London; Baynard Press Photographic Studio, London; the Exchange Studio, Sydney; and Herald Feature Service, Melbourne.SignificanceIn 1987, on its 150th anniversary, P&O donated a large collection of archival documents, pamphlets and photographs, originally housed in their Sydney office, to the Australian National Maritime Museum.

P&O ships have been coming to Australia since 1852. The collection spans a period of more than a century, and ranges from early passenger lists to latter-day posters; from annual reports to menu covers. Information booklets intended to promote the superior functioning of P&O vessels include instructions to commanders, guides to career opportunities and such gems as 'Asian Crew: an officer's guide'.

No less valuable than the 'official' material is the vast amount of ephemera, which for many researchers evokes the special quality of tourism. To the credit of the company, it preserved items such as brochures, flyers, press releases, publicity images, postcards and crossing the line certificates, which are now in the museum's collection. Subsidiary collections of documents relating to companies with which P&O has been associated, including the Orient Line and the British India Steam Navigation Company, provide further perspective and historical context.