The Holland America Line Collectors Reference Library
Special Occasion Tiles 
The Holland America Line has issued many ceramic tiles over the years and none are more sought after than those commemorating special occasions. Besides their historic value which appeals to collectors, they are unusually hard to find, as only those who were invited to the special occasions at which they were issued, would receive one. The  very limited number makes the hunt that much more exciting for the true collector.  Below you will see those tiles I am aware of and/or have in my collection. Should you have other tiles than the ones depicted here, I would appreciate a 300dpi scan, or an opportunity to purchase/trade the tile. I have many doubles and am always willing to trade or buy to extend/complete my collection. You can reach me at tiemen @ halpostcards . com (spaces inserted to prevent autosearch by webbots)

1972
On May 6, 1972 the passengers of the ss Statendam were pleasantly surprised when they walked down the gang plank in the port of Lisbon in Portugal, a stop on the Spring Mediterranean Explorers cruise. They were handed a small 1.5 x 1.5 inch tile that was representative of the local pottery style as a souvenir and momento of their visit. Very few of these small tiles have survived the years and I am grateful to have this tile in my collection.

I need this  collection spits
1972-sta-lisbon

1984-1985
This tile was issued in the 1985-1986 period according to collector Bernard Bemboom in the Netherlands. The series consist of three tiles, respectively the ss Rotterdam, ss Nieuw Amsterdam and ms Noordam, I have the tile shown here.  I need any tiles not shown below.
Collection Spits
1984-coll-noord
1985
The 1985 Westours Alaska cruise 4" x 4" tile is currently the only one known to bear the Westours subsidiary name. Anecdotal information seems to indicate that this tile was issued by/for travel agents (Image courtesy Harry Tammerijn).  I need this tile for my collection.
I need this
1985-westours-alaska
1995-1996
This series of 6" x 6" tiles is called the "Collector Series" and was available from the on-board store in the mid 1990-s.  I need 2011-4arc-west and any other tile not shown below.

I need this tile  Collection Spits  Collection Spits  Collection Spits
1995-4arc-maas                           1995-4arc-rott                           1995-4arc-ryn                            1995-4arc-sta

  Collection Spits  I need this tile
1995-4arc-veen                          1995-4arc-west

1996
The single 4" x 4" tile commemorates the visit of the ms Maasdam in the harbor of Rotterdam on August 29., 1996 (Image courtesy of Ton Rijppaert). I need this tile for my collection.

    I need this
1996-maa-rot-visit
1997
The single 4" x 8" tile depicts the s.s. Rotterdam V and commemorates the final voyage on September 12 through 30, 1997 and was issued during the voyage. All tiles of the end-of-an-era are quite scarce. The square tiles are later issues from the on-board shop and measure 6" x 6". I have these tiles in my collection.

Collection Spits  Collection Spits  I needthis tile1
                             1997-rot-end-of-era-001                               1997-rott-end-of-era-002            1997-rott-end-of-era-003
1998
Also depicted in the Mariner Tiles section of this site, this tile was issued at the 125th anniversary. The exact occasion is not known, any information about this is welcomed. I have this tile in my collection.

Collection Spits
mar-1998-maas

1999
When Margaret Binnendijk,  then director of the Mariner Society of the Holland America Line made a visit to Royal Goedewaagen in the Netherlands in 1999, she noticed a stack of small ceramic 2.5 x 2.5  inch tiles that seemingly were not used. They turned out to be left over from the KLM business class tile programs that KLM had recently discontinued. The Royal Goedewaagen was very open to a small batch of these tiles being re-purposed as refrigerator magnets, leading to the scarce tile you see below. Only a few have found their way into collectors hands to date. I have this tile in my collection.

Collection Spits
1999-obdam-klm

1999
I show this image here because it seemed to not have been a part of the normal Mariner Society issue of 1999, but have come later. The exact occasion of issue is not known, any information is welcome. I have this tile in my collection.

The exact occasion is not known, any information about this is welcomed. I have this tile in my collection.
mar-1999-rot4
2000
This 4" x 4" tile was issued by the Holland America Line Alumni association "De Lijn:" to commemorate the Millenium (Image courtesy of Ton Rijppaert). I have this tile in my collection.

I need this
2000-delijn-mil
2003
This 6" x 6" tile commemorates the 130th anniversary of the Holland America Line in 2003. I have this tile in my collection.

Collection Spits
2003-130year-anniv
2007
This 4" x 4" tile was issued at the opening of the new Holland America Line office in Rotterdam and depicts the old headquarters, now known as Hotel New York in 2007. I have this tile in my collection.

Collection Spits
2007-hal-office
This 6" x 6" tile was issued on occasion of the 70 year anniversary of the Holland America Line Pension Fund in 2007. I have this tile in my collection.

Collection Spits
2007-pensioen
2010
In 2010 the Holland America Line Alumni Society "De Lijn" celebrated its 5th anniversary with this tile (Image courtesy of Ton Rijppaert). I have this tile in my collection.

I need this
2010-delijn-5yrs

Copyright Tiemen Spits 1999-2013