*French, Mid-20th Century, SS France / French Line Cap Tally (Ruban de Bachi), White Ground with Tricolour and Cie Gle Transatlantique Flag*
An attractive and unusual vintage French Line cap tally or ruban de bachi, printed on a white synthetic ribbon and bearing the ship name FRANCE in yellow, flanked by the French tricolour at one end and the house flag of the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique at the other. The company flag also carries the abbreviated wording “CIE GLE TRANSATLANTIQUE”, a nice period detail. Pieces of this type were associated with the celebrated French ocean liner SS France, launched in 1960 and one of the best-known post-war transatlantic liners.
Approx. Measurements – Length: 69 cm. Width: 3 cm.
Historical Note:
The ocean liner SS France was launched in 1960 and entered service in 1962 as the flagship of the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique. At the time she was the longest passenger ship in the world, operating the prestigious Le Havre–New York transatlantic route and becoming a symbol of French engineering, luxury and national prestige.
Following the decline of transatlantic liner travel and rising fuel costs after the 1973 oil crisis, the ship was withdrawn from service in 1974. She was later purchased by Norwegian Cruise Line and rebuilt as SS Norway, becoming one of the pioneering “mega-cruise ships” of the modern cruising era.
These ribbons were worn as cap tallies or sold as maritime souvenirs connected with the great French passenger liners of the 20th century. The combination of the ship’s name with the French national flag and the CGT house flag makes this a very displayable piece of ocean-liner memorabilia.
*Condition* Overall in fair to good collectible condition. The ribbon shows age-related staining, foxing and discolouration throughout, with some fading to the printed decoration. Both ends appear cut rather than finished, and there is light creasing from storage. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
