I just came across a OLD Full Set of French Written Deck Plans of the Doomed Oceanliner S.S. Normandie. Each Deck Plan Folds out to be approximately 5 Foot Long x 16" Tall. Each Deck is a Section of the Book that Folds back into the shape of the Book. These are Very Old, Very Original and Even have handwritten Corrections to the Deck Plans as if the Ship wasn't even finished yet and still being worked on. On the Cover it is Written "Paquebot Normandie - Bon Des Emmemagements". There are smaller words but they are faded out. The Condition of Each FOld out Deck Plan is Very Good - Excellent. Not Superb/Mint because the paper is SLIGHTLY dried out, but not yet brittle. There are Very Little Edge/Crease Tears fortunately. The Background paper has discolored some but there is still some color of the graphics coming through. There are a total of Decks A - G plus "Promenade Deck" and Whole Cutaways of the Ship Fold Out 5 Foot Long Deck Plans. I hope my photos will best show. I am a "picker" and have a decent sense for how old an item is and I am positive this item dates betwen 1934 - 1940. I believe the S.S. Normandie was destroyed in 1942. I am able to attach these photos now but my others seem to be too large. But, I think you can get a very good idea of this item
Chris Sims
Regal Beagle Relics
Re: Pre-1940 Complete Deck Plans of French S.S. Normandie...
This item will be up for sale once I get a more qualified appraisal for it. On certain websites such as Oceanliner.com they are selling individual pull out deck plans of similar older ocean liners for $250 per page. I have about 12 individual 5 Foot Long Pull Out Deck Plan Pages in Book Form. They could easily be removed from the book individually and framed. It would sort of seem shameful though to destroy it as it is originally though. But, I can see the sense of wanting to display each highly detailed French Deck Plan especially on such a famous Ocean Liner. S.S. Normandie supposedly was destroyed by a stray welder's spark while in Port of New York City during WW2 while being coverted to a Troop Carrier, but the rumour is that it was actually SABOTAGE!! It was during this exact time real Saboteurs were prowling Brooklyn Naval Shipyard. There is even a movie called "SABOTEUR" Specifically about that. So, I am open to offers and input from anyone. I sell Antiques/Collectibles as my career, but I can't be an expert in every category. I'm a former Navy Man myself so I have a special affection for this piece. Fortunately no sentimental attachment yet since I just found it. Thanks to everyone!
Chris Sims
Regal Beagle Relics
Re: Pre-1940 Complete Deck Plans of French S.S. Normandie...
I have MANY MANY more photos of these Deck Plans but this website would only accept my smaller ones. Send me your email address if you want to see more photos. Remember, almost ever page folds out to be 5 foot long.
Re: Pre-1940 Complete Deck Plans of French S.S. Normandie...
Sounds like Big Money, You should seek out auctioneers !
Re: Pre-1940 Complete Deck Plans of French S.S. Normandie...
Well, I have my own Ebay Store "Regal Beagle Relics" but I'm hesitant to put this piece to auction until I get an appraisal either from this website or somewhere else. I only found this piece 48 hours ago so just in beginning stages of my research. Ebay will kill me with their fees so I'm trying to stay away from Ebay on this particular item. Thanks for the response and optimism though.
Chris
Re: Pre-1940 Complete Deck Plans of French S.S. Normandie...
I just noticed a notation written (in fountain pen, in French) on these deck plans that discusses the installation of Air Compressors and Electric Fans. Because of that handwritten note and all the handwritten corrections on the deck plans, I believe these were Preliminary Deck Plans given to people involved on working on this ship during its construction. There is No Title Page, Copyright Page, Publisher Page so that leads me to believe it was not a mass produced book for sale to everyone. But, any workers who would need deck plans to see where they would be installing certain items would get a copy of this so they could find their way around.
Re: Pre-1940 Complete Deck Plans of French S.S. Normandie...
Had my First Expert investigate this Normandie Piece and was appraised for $2000. After getting it translated from French, it has become more special than I thought. The Shipping COmany name is marked on the top and it turns out these are Deck Plans from the shipyard while the NORMANDIE was being built. Even better, these SPECIFIC Deck Plans show in handwrtten notations where the Fire Supression Systems were to be installed. Being that the NORMANDIE was destroyed by fire that is incredibly Ironic and in my opinion makes these that much more interesting. What are your thoughts??