Souvenir octopus toy from ORIANA
Datec 1974
Object number00038502
NameToy
MediumFabric
DimensionsOverall: 220 x 80 x 45 mm, 0.1 kg
ClassificationsToys, games and souvenirs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Sidney Lazarus
DescriptionA souvenir soft toy octopus purchased on board the ORIANA. The octopus is wearing a gob cap with a badge reading 'ORIANA'.HistoryThis octopus toy was bought by Sidney Lazarus on a holiday trip on the passenger liner ORIANA in 1974.
Sidney Lazarus remembers that these toys were commonly sold in passenger liner gift shops at this time and were deliberately of a uniform design so they could be promoted as collectables. It has been held in the Lazarus family since being purchased aboard in 1974. Sidney Lazarus remembers the price of the octopus toys as being approximately (UK) two shillings.
On the ORIANA trip the Lazarus family sailed from Southampton to Quebec, New York and returned to Southampton.
The ORIANA was launched in 1959 as part of the Orient Lines fleet. When the Orient Line ceased in 1966 ORIANA beacme a full time cruise ship for P & O. From 1981 she was based in Sydney and operated as a cruise ship for the South Pacific and South East Asia regions. in 1986, P & O sold the ORIANA and she was based in Japan, first as a floating hotel and later as a floating museum.
In 1995 the ORIANA was moved to China where again, she was used as a floating hotel until 2005 when she was dismantled.SignificanceCheap, portable and functional items such as toys, ashtrays, key rings, matchboxes, bags, paperweights, pens and T-shirts have always been popular souvenirs purchased on cruise ships or from ports of call. When emblazoned with the name or image of the vessel that the passenger temporarily calls home, the item can be immediately understood.
1948 - 1961