Handkerchiefs, Scarves and Towels
Starting in the early 1900s the Holland America Line introduced silk scarfs that were for sale on board of the vessels for the lady's to commemorate their voyage or as a special gift on the maiden voyage of a specific ship. The scarfs became quite popular and with exception of a hiatus around the second World War, these souvenirs continued to be sold in the on-board stores and given as special tokens of appreciation until the mid- to late-1980s after which they fell out of fashion. From the onset until about 1950 the scarfs were made of 100% silk, but in the 1960-s and 1970-s the material changed to the less expensive Ralon until the revival of the silk scarf on the 2013 ms Amsterdam World Voyage. Scarves were mostly used to wear or to display, however on occasion it was used to create wonderfull private creations like the apron below.
The handkerchiefs have only been issued for a very short time at the end of World War I. During re-patriation of the American troops to the homeland, the US government leased space in many commercial vessels, including those of the Holland America Line. On board the ships the soldiers were able to purchase "sweetheart" gifts to remind their loved ones of the "Ship that brought me home". These very delicate, semi-transparant woven-silk handkerchiefs for specific ships of the fleet were sold between 1918 and 1920. Not many of these beautiful memorabilia have survived in good shape, most are torn or faded. Because of the extreme delicacy of these kerchiefs and considering how few have survived in good order all of them should be considered a RARE find. However, since very few collectors of the Holland America Line handkerchiefs exist, the cost of acquiring them is still very reasonable. In my opinion these wonderful works of art are one of the most undervalued collectibles of the Line.
In the 1970-1980 era we also see commemorative dish-towels being offered in the on-board shop. Besides the normal Delft Blue images on the typical Dutch touristmarket dish towel we find towels with the ships image. At this time it is not known how prevelent these were, so any information about them is welcome.
The below collection may be
incomplete and if you have a silk that you do not
see in the below exposition, please email me at tiemen @ halpostcards .
com
(spaces inserted to prevent autobot searches). I would welcome either a
300dpi
scan or an opportunity to purchase/trade the actual scarf or
handkerchief.
Thank you
Tiemen Spits
 ID: silk-kerch-pfw-1918 Circa 1918: Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm Showing the "The ship that brought me home" center top German Liner (only shown for example) Collection: T. Spits |
 ID: silk-kerch-ryn-1918 Circa 1918: ss Rijndam Holland America Line Pink, Green and Blue flower with printed edge Collection: T. Spits |
 ID: silk-kerch-vol-1918 Circa 1918: ss Volendam Holland America Line Red and Dark Blue printed wavy edge Collection: T. Spits |
 ID: silk-kerch-vol-1918-001 Circa 1918: ss Volendam Holland America Line Pink lines and Blue flowers printed edge Collection: T. Spits |
 ID: silk-kerch-rot-1918 Circa 1918: ss Rotterdam Holland America Line Blue printed edge with butterflies and stitched border Collection: T. Spits |
 ID: silk-kerch-rot-1918-001 Circa 1918: ss Rotterdam Holland America Line Yellow lines and Pink and Green flowers printed border Collection: T. Spits |
 ID: silk-kerch-sta-1918 Circa 1918: ss Statendam Holland America Line Pink border with Black flowers and Black Art Deco edge Collection: T. Spits |
Intentionally left blank |
 ID: silk-scarf-rdms-1900 Circa 1900 : scarf - Royal Dutch Mail Steamers Holland America Line Tri-lingual: Dutch, German, English Collection: T. Spits |
 ID: silk-scarf-twin-1920 Circa 1920: New Twinscrew Steamers 12500 Tons Cities with Line offices in the corners Collection: T. Spits |
 ID: silk-scarf-1920 Circa 1920 : scarf - ss Rotterdam IV Holland America Linie Crossed NASM flags and anchor Collection: Unknown |
 ID: silk-scarf-nam-1938 Circa 1938 : scarf - ss Nieuw Amsterdam (Red) Holland America Line Celebrates inaugural year Collection: T. Spits |
Image not available ID: silk-scarf-nam-1938-001 Circa 1938 : scarf - ss Nieuw Amsterdam (Blue) Holland America Line Celebrates inaugural year Collection: none |
 ID: silk-scarf-goodtimes Circa 1980 : scarf - Caribbean Cruises Holland America Line The Goodtimes Cruises Collection: T. Spits |
 ID: silk-scarf-hal-1980 -red Circa 1980 : scarf - Tri-wave scarf (Red) Holland America Line Generic scarf showing Tri-wave pattern Collection: T. Spits |
 ID: silk-scarf-hal-1980-blue) Circa 1980 : scarf - Tri-wave scarf (Blue) Holland America Line Generic scarf showing Tri-wave pattern Collection: T. Spits |
 ID: silk-scarf-ams-2013 2013 : scarf - Holland America Posters Holland America Line Scarf available during ms Amsterdam World Cruise Collection: T. Spits |
 ID: silk-scarf-host-001 Circa 1980 : scarf - Holland America Hostess Holland America Line Most likely personnel scarf after 1982 Collection: T. Spits |
 ID: silk-towel-sta-1980 Circa 1980: ss Statendam Holland America Line ss Statendam linen towel with Tri-wave logo Collection: T. Spits |
Intensionally left blank |