The Holland
America Line Collectors
Reference Library
Commemorative
Plates
NOTE:
8/16/2013 -Added WORLD VOYAGE, so now it and EARLIEST and
INAUGURAL are working.
Before
we dig into the history of the Holland America Line plates, I would
like to thank a specific group of collectors for their contributions to
this page, without whom the site would not have been possible. They are
in alphabetical order: B. Bemboom, M. Lafleur, P. Plunkett, A.
Schoonderbeek and M. Visser.
The
earliest known plate associated with the Holland America Line is from
the turn of the 20-th century. It is unknown if this plate was made
under orders of the Line or not and we currently have no knowledge of
quantities in existence or where this plate could be obtained.
The next plate we are aware of is the 1927 Statendam plate
associated with an insurance company and the 1938 inaugural plate of
the Nieuw Amsterdam that was sold by the "Bijenkorf" and manufactured
by Zenith from Gouda, the Netherlands. Over the years several
manufacturers have contributed to the plates of the Line, but Royal
Goedewaagen has been the main contributor. Whenever known, we will list
the manufacturer of the plate with the image.
After
the issue of a beautiful ss Rotterdam 1959 Maiden Voyage plate, the
plates as a regular relationship gift really started taking off in 1961
when
the Holland America Line presented the passengers of the World Voyage
on the ss Rotterdam with a farewell menu in the form of a ceramic
plate. This became a tradition until 1967 when it was sadly
discontinued. World Voyage plates have been issued for each
World
Voyage since 1961. Following on the great success of
these plates, the Line started issueing plates on the Inaugural voyage
of their new ships and as special gifts on special voyages such as
Mariner and Grand Circel and special occasion
such as Christmas Holiday plates..
The popularity of the Holland America Line plates did
not go unnoticed and private companies and travel agencies started to
issue similar plates
with Holland America Line ships for special voyages or
awards.
Holland America Line plates are a very desirable
collectible and thousands of collectors around the world are totally
immersed in their quest for the missing treasure. Plate collecting is
still a very affordable hobby and the "common" plates can be had for
less than $10. The rarest plates are those made in very small
quantities, such as the 1938 inaugural plate, the 1900 milk glas plate
and most of the limited special voyage plates and some can demand a
very high premium.
To see the plates
currently known to us, select a choice from the selection from the menu
at the top of this page and start to enjoy your journey through the
world of Holland America Line plate collecting,
If you posess
any plates not shown on this site, please contact us at tiemen @
halpostcards . com and we will be happy to add your contribution with
credit to this site.
Tiemen T. Spits.
Copyright
Tiemen Spits 1999-2013