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Vintage 1962 Dominion Monarch World's Fair Luxury Liner Guide Deck Plans
Item Description
Offered for sale is a rare and collectible official guide booklet dedicated to the luxury motor vessel Dominion Monarch, published for the World's Fair. This fascinating vintage piece measures approximately softcover format and is packed with historical insights, descriptions of its lavish first-class accommodations, public rooms (such as the lounge and restaurant), historical photographs, and fold-out blue-print style deck plans.
The booklet is in vintage collectible condition, showing typical signs of age, handling, and shelf wear consistent with a mid-century paper souvenir. An exceptional find for maritime history enthusiasts, ocean liner memorabilia collectors, or fans of World's Fair ephemera.
Maker / Publisher Background
The Shipping Line: The vessel was commissioned by the Shaw Savill & Albion Co., Limited, a prominent British shipping line that ran passenger and cargo services linking the UK with South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Ship Builder: The Dominion Monarch was built by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson at their Wallsend yard on the Tyne, renowned for building massive and prestigious ocean liners (including the RMS Mauretania).
Historic Information & Interesting Facts
Engineering Marvel: Launched on July 27, 1938, the Dominion Monarch was the highest-powered mercantile motor vessel ever built at the time, featuring a massive quadruple-screw Doxford opposed-piston diesel engine setup producing 32,000 brake horsepower.
Wartime Service: During World War II, the luxury liner was requisitioned as a troop transport, safely carrying thousands of troops across dangerous waters before returning to peacetime passenger service.
The World's Fair Connection: In 1962, the ship gained renewed fame when it was brought to Seattle, Washington, to serve as a floating luxury hotel during the Century 21 Exposition (the Seattle World's Fair), mitigating the city's shortage of hotel rooms for tourists.
