*French, c.1930s – early WWII period, SS Normandie Ocean Liner Cap Tally, Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (French Line)*
A highly attractive original cap tally ribbon for the legendary French ocean liner Normandie, one of the most famous and technologically advanced passenger liners of the inter-war period. The black ribbon is embroidered in gold thread with the ship’s name “NORMANDIE”, flanked at each end by woven flag motifs. Likely dating from the ship’s civilian service period between 1935 and the outbreak of war, though examples remained in circulation into the early years of the Second World War.
One end shows the French Tricolour, while the other displays the house flag of the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (French Line), identifiable by the red disc and abbreviated lettering referencing Cie Gle Transatlantique. These decorative elements are executed in coloured silk thread with gold tasselled flagstaffs, giving the tally a striking and recognisable appearance.
Cap tallies such as this were worn around the band of a sailor’s cap or “pork-pie” style hat. On civilian liners they were commonly issued to crew members or sold as souvenirs to passengers, particularly on prestigious vessels such as Normandie, whose fame made her one of the most celebrated ships of the 20th century.
Approx. Measurements – Length: 66 cm. Width: 2.5 cm.
History Note:
The French liner SS Normandie was launched in 1932 and entered service in 1935 for the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (CGT), commonly known internationally as the French Line. At the time she was the largest and most powerful passenger liner in the world and was famed for her revolutionary turbo-electric propulsion system and Art Deco interior design.
Normandie quickly gained international fame after capturing the Blue Riband for the fastest transatlantic crossing. Her career was cut short during the Second World War when, after being seized by the United States in New York in 1942 and renamed USS Lafayette, she was destroyed by fire while undergoing conversion to a troopship.
Today the Normandie remains one of the most iconic ocean liners ever built, and memorabilia associated with the ship is highly sought after by collectors of maritime and ocean liner history.
*Condition*
The ribbon remains in very good overall condition with clear embroidery and strong colour to the lettering and flags. There is some fraying to the ends and loose threads visible to the reverse where the embroidery stitches show through, consistent with age and use. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
