***THIS ITEM HAS BEEN SOLD***
Classic Cunard Wooden Stateroom Ottoman A51
From SS IVERNIA/FRANCONIA of 1955/1963

Items from SS SALONA (ex IVERNIA, FRANCONIA, FEDOR SHALYAPIN)

18 Inches Tall by 21.5 Inches Wide by 12.5 Inches Deep
***Original IVERNIA Uphostery!!!***
Woodwork Restored
All Original Vintage Cunard Materials
Price: $175.00 USD plus shipping
***THIS ITEM HAS BEEN SOLD***

Top, an illustration of a very spacious Tourist Class cabin in IVERNIA's inaugural brochure from the mid-1950s, showing this type of ottoman. Peter Knego collection. Middle, bottom, views of the ottoman. Photos and copyright Peter Knego 2007.

These ottomans are iconic Cunard fixtures. I asked Kaushal to save every one he could find on board SALONA after her arrival at Alang in 2004. Sadly, most were in very poor condition, and to be quite honest, the few I have to offer were in just fair condition. It seems their final incarnation with the Soviets was not a gentle period in their existence and they were well used and worn down considerably.

Two more views. Photos and copyright Peter Knego 2007.

I pulled this one from storage and almost decided to cut it down for use as a frame to mount the ship's engine room telegraphs. Instead, I decided to see if it could be properly restored, so I filled in most of the dents, reglued the laminates, and gave it a new coat of stain and varnish, sparing the underside as much as possible so as to not remove the black FRANCONIA stencil, which was already compromised from the wear. While cleaning the cushion, I noticed the original Cunard upholstery underneath the tacky green Soviet covering, so I removed the latter and, while there is a slight bit of discoloration on the original fabric, it is in remarkable condition considering all it has gone through. A shred of the tan vinyl layer is left in one corner. I leave it to the next owner as to whether it stays or goes the way of the Soviet upholstery. This particular ottoman has a hammered-in stamp that reads A51, which is most likely the cabin it belonged to in its original IVERNIA incarnation. There is also a carved in "Mexico 82" that I presume was made by a Cuban soldier when the ship, as FEDOR SHALYAPIN, was taking troops to and from Angola. Perhaps she made a short cruise to Mexico at the time?