A RARE HAMBURG-AMERIKA LINE TRAVEL AGENTS ADVERTISING BAROMETER/THERMOMETER/HYGROMETER FOR THE S.S. IMPERATOR, CIRCA 1912

the gilt-embossed chromolithograph of the ship titled and inscribed The Quadruple Screw and Turbine Express Steamer IMPERATOR the largest Vessel in the World set in black glass with bevelled edges secured to wooden back and inset with 6in. aneroid barometer with curved bar thermometers; separate thermometer and hygrometer -- 24 x 16½in. (61 x 42cm.)

If not immediately the most successful liner of her day, the 52,117 ton Imperator was certainly finely appointed within and could boast every modern conveniance then expected. The Kaiser insisted that the ship, perhaps uniquely, be referred to by masculine pronoun and so it was that he was laid up for the duration of the Great War. Given to Cunard in reparations for Lusitania, he required an extensive refit and at this time lost his striking double-headed eagle figurehead. Renamed Berengaria 'he' had a successful career as flagship under their banner, but was laid up from 1938 when 'his' aged wiring caught fire and was broken up in 1946.