Ship Mail--M/S Gripsholm's 1937 Winter Crossing

In going through my father's collection, I came across 11 covers and postcards sent by a passenger aboard the Swedish American Line passenger ship M/S Gripsholm during February and March 1937. I enjoyed them so much I thought I'd share a few with the forum.

The Gripsholm, built in Newcastle, U.K. in 1925, was SAL's first transatlantic motor ship. On this particular voyage, the Gripsholm departed Goteborg, Sweden bound for Rio de Janeiro by way of New York.



Here is a sampling of the covers, cards, and markings:






There was nothing in the collection after the 27Feb37 posting from Praca Maua, Rio de Janeiro so I'm assuming the sender, whose name I've been unable to make out, left the ship there and flew back to the States. (EDIT: Just found nine more covers and cards from ports of call on the return trip - Martinique, Trinidad & Tobago, and Jamaica.)

Interestingly, about five years after this cruise, the Gripsholm was pressed into service as an exchange and repatriation ship during World War II. Chartered by the U.S. State department between 1942 and 1946, she departed from New York on her first voyage in that role on June 18, 1942 with 1,083 Japanese nationals, bound for Japan.

I'd be interested in seeing other examples of ship mail if any of you have them.

Steve

Rather an odd image, she looks at sea,
but the gang plank has yet to be stowed
It's still hanging on the side.

I emigrated from England to Australia on a very similar
vessel, the only difference I can see is ours had just one
smoke stack.
It was a packet steamer RMS Orion.

The unusual thing about the Orion, she was built in 1934
at barrow furness near the Scottish border, yet she
was launched by remote control, via wireless
from Brisbane australia !

After all these years, I can still recall the distinctive
smell that vessel had, it was some journey for a young kid.

RMS Orion with distinctive corn coloured livery of the Orient line steamers. Stamps of Cocos Keeling Islands.

Rod,

I believe she's rigged to take on borders and/or cargo -- maybe a boat carrying the mail!

As for the Orion, maybe some of these images will bring back fond memories of your voyage: http://www.ssmaritime.com/orion2.htm

Steve

Thanks Steve,
I went another link from there,
and a lass has written about the voyage
of the same date as I, I have written her,
she may have a passenger list.

The link also showed a menu, and can you believe
it, I still remember it! we must have snitched a copy
when we crossed the equator, the menu had a face of a Chef and when
you turned it upside down, a face of a boy, I remember it fascinated me.
Amazing stuff :)
Cheers

That is an amazing coincidence!