Join us for a virtual tour on QE2's Heritage Trail
Heritage Trail - Part 3
Many of us enjoyed the heritage trail on QE2 especially when the very entertaining Thomas Quinones was conducting the tour. When I started this virtual heritage trail, I had a vague idea of the heritage items, but it was through researching for the newsletter articles that I was reacquainted with the wonderful treasures onboard QE2.
Let's continue by stopping to admire The Queen Mary collection on G Stairway Landing. You can see a list of items on the forum topic and if you can add any information it would be fantastic to hear from you.
This showcase (installed in 1994 as part of the Heritage Trail) contained artifacts from Queen Mary (1936) including a model (from the Ritz Hotel in London), lifebelt, various menus and brochures.
Photo: Michael Gallagher
Proceeding to the Quarter Deck Library In 1994 Two heritage items were placed on display here: The model of the Aquitania (1.4 metres long) specially sectioned along its length to show the vessel’s interior layout,
Photos: Michael Gallagher
...... and the oil painting of Cuba – considered to be one of the finest marine paintings owned by Cunard. The artist, Samuel Walters, was a renowned marine artists in the 1800's. Walters was commissioned to portray several Cunard vessels of the day. The background of the painting depicted the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde. The painting was relocated to outside the theatre in 1999 and a painting of Queen Mary, from the Casino Lounge was moved to the library. In the library there was also a central glass-fronted cabinet, featuring a range of memorabilia for sale.
Continuing our tour.....
Peter Radmore collection: We will now go up the D Stairway and stop on the Upper Deck landing to view the extensive Peter Radmore collection of Cunard memorabilia that he bequeathed to the company in 1993. The display case with the collection was included in the Heritage Trail from 1994.
Photo: Michael Gallagher
Cunardqueen who met Peter Radmore onboard QE2 in 1987 had the privilege of being invited to his house to view his collection, which was even more extensive than what was displayed onboard the ship.
It would be amazing to have a record of the items that were on display that we could add to the topic in the Heritage Trail board.
The Yacht Club Lobby:
Photo: Lynda Bradford
We stop here to view paintings, large models of the paddle steamers Britannia and Asia and a bust of Samuel Cunard that give an introduction to the early history of the Cunard Line. The paddle steamer Britannia inaugurated Samuel Cunard's transatlantic steamship service in 1940. The model (below) was displayed in the lobby alongside a print of a painting by John Stobart that shows the ship stuck in ice, near Boston, during the winter of 1944
Photo Britannia Model: Isabelle Prondzynski
The impressive Boston Cup, presented to Cunard by the citizens of Boston in 1840 is on display in this lobby. The cup now takes pride of place in the Grand Lobby on QM2 as seen in this picture posted by Chris Frame in 2018. Prior to 1994 the cup was in the Columbia (Caronia) Restaurant. On 1 May 2004 the cup was transferred to QM2 in a symbolic move to signify the transfer of "Flagship" status.
Photo: Chris Frame
The Yacht Club, themed on the America's Cup is a good place to finish this month's tour as we take time to admire the nautical theme, including the models and pictures of yachts that have participated in the race.
Photo: Hamburger
Anyone for cocktails!
Next month we will continue the virtual Heritage Trail
Thank-you to everyone who post their memories and photos on the forum that helps us to produce these newsletter articles.
Giancarlo Impiglia Murals
An interesting little follow up to last month's newsletter:
Giancarlo Impiglia contacted me to say that he was pleased to see his QE2 Murals featured in the newsletter and followed this up with information on the QE2 murals and his artwork on other Cunard ships.
We were delighted that this renowned artist, whose work formed part of QE2's Heritage Trail, had taken time to contact us and provide background information to the murals.
I have added his communication to the Lifestyle Murals topic. You can also find out more information about the artists, plus his books and artwork for sale on his website.
We are not sure if the murals have been reinstated on the ship in Dubai, but hope there are plans to give them pride of place. Please post on the topic, if you have any information.
QE2 Whisky
When Cunarder Man visited the Whisky tour on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh there was one bottle in particular that caught his eye!
Photo: Cunarder Man
The bottle was part of a collection offered for display by a Brazilian Whisky enthusiast.
Forum member Youngesteverpassenger reminded us of the launch of QE2 whisky in September 1968. The Press Release notes that this was the first non private tasting of the blended QE2 whisky, produced by the distillers James Buchanan and Company, that took place at the Clydebank Division of Upper Clyde shipbuilders. The Press Release from 1968 "It's here - QE2 Whisky"makes an interesting read.
If you have a collection of QE2 Whisky you could add a photo to the topic like Cunarder Man and Cunardqueen have done.
Thank-you to everyone who voted for the September Photo Competition theme and congratulation to Barumfox whose suggested theme "QE2 in Port" gained the most votes.
Do you have a winning photo?
We are hoping that the theme will generate a record number of photos for the competition. Even if you have never sailed on QE2 you may have taken photos of the ship in port. So here is a competition theme just waiting for your "QE2 in Port" photos plus there is the opportunity to win a special prize.
A list of events that happened to QE2 in the month of August - if you were onboard QE2 during any of these events or have information you can share, please post on the timeline or topic.
4 August 2000: QE2 sends 100th birthday message to Queen Mother
5 August 1993: Queen & Prince Philip on board for 175th anniversary of British Sailors Society.
Thanks to everyone who supports the Photo Competitions and especially those who let us see fabulous QE2 photos that we would not otherwise have seen. Every month you have the opportunity to upload three photos of your choice that fit the monthly theme and you can vote for your favourite photos for the previous months competition.
ENTER: your three best photos for the monthly Photo Competition: It has been interesting to see everyone's interpretation of this month's theme "Colour Green." Who would have thought that the theme would encourage members to look at their photos in a different way searching for pictures with a hint of green. We would love to see your three pictures entered before the closing date for entries - 31 August. The prize this month is a GBP £25 voucher from the Brixham Steam Packet Company.
VOTE: in the poll for the July competition -"So QE2" before the poll closes on 1 September. If you have not yet voted, please log in and take a few minutes to enjoy the photos and choose your 3 favourites
CONGRATULATIONS:to Thomas Hypher who won the June 2019 competition, with his photo "Three deck the longest passenger deck" Stowaway's "Midship Lobby" was the runner up.
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Thank-you for your continued support for the QE2 Story Forum. We know how special the ship is to everyone onboard the forum and we appreciate the contributions that are made to keep her memory alive.
