Name/Title
Photos, 4, related to S.S. Leviathan & American Legion members travelling to France for commemoration of World War I, Hoboken, n.d., probably 1937.Entry/Object ID
2015.013.1001Description
Photographs, four, related to the S.S. Leviathan and American Legion members travelling to France in 1927 for commemoration of World War I, Hoboken, no date, probably assembled 1937.
Four black-and-white prints of varying size and subjects mounted on heavy board (two double-weight boards laminated together, roughly trimmed edges.) Photographer(s) not indicated.
Back inscribed in pencil: 8 in wide Jersey Observer Wanted 8:30 am
Believed to be part of newspaper promotion of last-ditch efforts to find a use for the ship (former Vaterland then troopship U.S.S. Leviathan and now S.S. Leviathan of United States Lines, and controlled by U.S. Maritime Commission) that was mothballed at Pier 4 in Hoboken. SEE NOTES. (Also see newspaper page reference image for a related 1927 event; PDF on file.)
Provenance: from the files of the former United Decorating Company, Hoboken. It is likely that it was held by them as documentation of their products and services seen in use in photo 2, pennants and bunting.
Photo 1, top: undated photograph ca. 3-1/2" x 9" wide of S.S. Leviathan at a pier, possibly Hoboken; the large open space on pier does not appear to make it in Hoboken.
Photo 2, bottom right: 4" x 5" high undated photo, but not earlier than 1933; view north on River Street from near Hudson Place; World War I pennants and other patriotic bunting is seen.
Note that at the right is the U.S. Post Office building at 89 River Street - this new building was constructed during 1932 and opened in Jan. 1933. If is flying an American flag which it would only have done if a completed building.
Beyond the post office is "Travel Bureau" sign on the side of the Steneck Building at 95 River St. (corner of First St.)
On the west side of River Street are several bars/saloons plus a A-Z Parking sign.
Photo 3: clipped photo, 1-1/4" x 2-1/4" wide mounted diagonally at left over edges of photos 1 and 2; view of two directional arrows: "To Leviathan"; "To Band Stand."
Photo 4, bottom right, 3-7/8" x 4-5/8" wide; undated view of a painted wall sign, location not known (but apparently near docks as it has a directional arrow - "Turn Here"): Legionnaires, Welcome to Hoboken. Your Port of Embarkation. (O'Mealia Outdoor Advertising Co.)Acquisition
Accession
2015.013Source or Donor
Kirchgessner, RoyAcquisition Method
GiftCredit Line
Gift of Roy Kirchgessner; United Decorating Company.General Notes
Note
Notes: While there was a known voyage by Legionnaires on several ships including the Leviathan (of the United States Lines) in September 1927, the inclusion of photo 2 which cannot be earlier than 1933, means this grouped set was not for the 1927 event. (See reference image for an American Legion column about it in a 1927 issue of the Cold Spring Reporter newspaper.)
The Leviathan left regular service in June 1933, but returned in 1934 to make 5 more Atlantic passages before finally leaving service (scrapped 1938.) It is more likely that the images shown are a mix of photos from the 1927 event and the opening of Seaboard Trust in 1933.
On page 149 of Volume 6 of Frank O. Braynard's The Story of the Leviathan, he relates that there was a 1937 story, "Legionnaires May Make Sentimental Visit to Leviathan, No. 1 World War Troopship."
It can be speculated that the local newspaper collage here was intended to promote or gather support for such an event which is not known to have happened.
Original or Copy: Original
Status: OK
Status By: dw
Status Date: 2015-02-19
