SS LURLINE Chairs
by Raymond Loewy

Items from MV VICTORIA I (ex DUNNOTTAR CASTLE, VICTORIA, THE VICTORIA, PRINCESA VICTORIA)

Measurements: 30 Inches tall x 20 Inches Wide x 10 Inches Deep
Seat Height 17 Inches
Very Solid Wooden Frames
Reupholstered In Chandris THE VICTORIA Era
Price: $275 USD plus shipping
Only four left!

Above, three 1950s brochure views of similar chairs in LURLINE's cabins. Peter Knego collection.

The exact same chairs in ELLINIS' (ex LURLINE) Outrigger Bar.

I have struggled with listing these chairs as they just did not seem like typical Pulitzer productions. The great Italian designer had created all of Incres Line's VICTORIA's magnificent interiors, but somehow these just seemed too heavy and stout. I knew they came from that ship, however, because the trader selling them had her entire selection of chairs, many of which were upholstered in this same Kelly Green fabric. So, could they have been officers' or crew fixtures? Or, perhaps original DUNNOTTAR CASTLE fittings from the ship's first incarnation? For some reason, it did not dawn on me to dig out my Matson LURLINE material until today, when, BINGO(!), there they were. Of course, many of ELLINIS' (ex LURLINE) fittings were moved to VICTORIA before ELLINIS was scrapped, including the lovely LURLINE tables I have on offer. Anyway, from the above images, the mystery has been solved. Too bad I was only able to get four of these glorious old things.

A sample chair as seen from various angles. Photos and copyright Peter Knego 2006.

These chairs are structurally sound, but could probably use some polishing and definitely call for new upholstery. They have endured successfully since 1948 when the LURLINE was refitted for post war service, serving on board the ship during her Chandris career as RHMS ELLINIS and then for nearly 30 more years on Chandris' THE VICTORIA and on that same ship when she became Louis Cruises' PRINCESA VICTORIA.

I have learned since first posting these chairs that they were designed by the illustrious Raymond Loewy. With thanks to Tom Rinaldi for providing the following excerpt from the January 1, 1948 edition of Marine Engineering and Shipping Review: "All passenger facilities, lanais, staterooms and public rooms on the LURLINE were planned by Raymond Loewy, of New York, one of America's foremost industrial designers...All furnishings are designed specifically for the ship.