In stock · No. group 80
"
RARE 1974 QUEEN MARY WITH DOUGLAS DC-9 AIRCRAFT POSTCARD - USED WITH SPECIAL QUEEN MARY POSTMARK - HISTORICAL TRANSPORTATION TRANSITION CAPTURED!
DESCRIPTIONThis historically significant postcard captures a remarkable moment in transportation history - the legendary RMS Queen Mary with a Douglas DC-9 jet aircraft flying overhead in symbolic 'salute.' The striking aerial view shows the majestic ocean liner sailing through deep blue waters with its iconic black hull white superstructure and distinctive red funnels creating a white wake.
What makes this card truly special is that it was mailed directly from the Queen Mary itself in 1974 featuring the attraction's special postmark and an attractive Hawaiian Tiki 11¢ airmail stamp. The vivid chrome image with decorative scalloped edges symbolizes the transition from the golden age of ocean liners to the jet age that ultimately ended the Queen Mary's ocean-going career.
The card is marked as an 'OFFICIAL QUEEN MARY' souvenir and includes the caption 'Queen Mary Prior to Her Docking' - documenting her appearance before becoming permanently moored in Long Beach as a hotel and tourist attraction. This is both a postal history artifact and a celebration of one of the world's most famous ocean liners.
The handwritten message dated March 15 1974 provides a charming glimpse into a vacation at the newly established Queen Mary attraction mentioning jacuzzis Balboa Yacht Club and the rejuvenating effects of California weather - a perfect time capsule of early 1970s travel.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCEThis postcard documents a pivotal transition in transportation history when jet aircraft like the Douglas DC-9 replaced ocean liners as the primary means of intercontinental travel. The Queen Mary launched in 1936 and retired in 1967 represents the pinnacle of the ocean liner era while the DC-9 symbolizes the jet age that made such ships obsolete.
The image was created during the period when the Queen Mary was being transformed from active vessel to permanent Long Beach attraction. This specific card was then used in 1974 by visitors to the ship-turned-hotel and mailed with the special Queen Mary postmark - creating a multilayered historical document spanning the ship's evolution.
Mike Roberts of Berkeley one of the premium postcard printers of the era produced this high-quality chrome card (#B2197) from a photograph by Ken W. McVey. The card's connection to multiple aspects of transportation history makes it particularly valuable to collectors interested in the intersection of maritime and aviation developments.
The Queen Mary herself represents the grand era of transatlantic travel having served as both a luxury liner and a WWII troop transport before finding permanent home in Long Beach in 1967.
This postcard captures both her final sailing days and her early years as a California tourist attraction bridging two chapters in the ship's storied history.
CONDITIONThis postally used card remains in good condition considering its nearly 50 years of age and journey through the mail system. The colors on the front image remain relatively vibrant with the deep blue ocean waters providing dramatic contrast to the ship and aircraft.
The card shows expected signs of age including moderate corner and edge wear around the decorative scalloped borders. There are some surface scratches and minor scuffs along with light yellowing/discoloration particularly visible around the edges.
The 11¢ National Parks Centennial airmail stamp featuring a Hawaiian Tiki design remains intact with only minor wear. The Queen Mary postmark is partially visible but somewhat faded still clearly identifying its origin.
There is a green marker notation 'ALB' on the back likely added by a previous collector. The handwritten message remains clear and completely legible preserving the personal story of visitors enjoying the Queen Mary attraction in 1974.
AGE/ERAThis postcard represents two distinct time periods: the image depicts the Queen Mary circa 1967 before her permanent docking while the postal use dates precisely to March 15 1974 as noted by the sender. This dual timeframe enhances its historical interest.
The card itself was produced between 1967-1971 based on the printing style scalloped edges typical of the period and the reference to the Queen Mary 'prior to her docking.' The 11¢ airmail stamp featuring the Hawaiian Tiki design was part of the National Parks Centennial series issued in 1972.
The card's postmark confirms it was mailed from the Queen Mary attraction in Long Beach in March 1974 approximately 7 years after the ship's retirement from active service. This places the card's use during the early years of the Queen Mary's second life as a Southern California tourist destination.
Both the typography and graphic design elements - particularly the yellow script lettering for 'The Queen Mary' - are characteristic of late 1960s chrome postcard aesthetics. The overall presentation perfectly captures the transitional period in both postcard design and transportation history.
RARITYWhile Queen Mary postcards themselves are relatively common this specific design showing the symbolic pairing with a Douglas DC-9 aircraft is considerably less common on the collector market.
As time passes fewer of these transportation transition postcards remain available in any condition particularly with postal usage.
The combination of features makes this example especially desirable: the official Queen Mary designation the special Queen Mary postmark the complete 1974 message and the intact Hawaiian Tiki airmail stamp. These elements together create a more comprehensive historical document than unused examples.
The specific publisher combination (photo by Ken W. McVey distributed by Mitock & Sons printed by Mike Roberts) creates a pedigree that adds collector interest. The Mike Roberts printing is known for superior color reproduction that has maintained its vibrancy over the decades.
Cards with the actual Queen Mary postmark are becoming increasingly difficult to find as they disappear into permanent collections especially examples with clear dates and complete messages that document the visitor experience at the newly-established attraction.
COLLECTOR'S NOTEThere is something magical about holding a postcard that was not only produced to commemorate a historic transition but was actually mailed from the Queen Mary herself. This isn't merely a postcard - it's a time capsule connecting you to both the end of the ocean liner era and the early days of the Queen Mary's second life.
Imagine standing on the permanently docked Queen Mary in March 1974 selecting this card with its symbolic aircraft image and sending it to friends back home in Oregon. The handwritten mention of 'hot jacuzzi' and healing effects of California weather provides a charming glimpse into the early tourist experience aboard this repurposed ocean liner.
For collectors of transportation history ocean liners aviation California memorabilia or postal history this card offers exceptional cross-category appeal. The connection to both maritime and air travel makes it particularly desirable to comprehensive transportation collections.
In our increasingly digital world these authentic physical connections to transportation transitions become ever more meaningful and evocative. As paper documentation of historic transportation continues to disappear tangible links like this postcard take on renewed significance.
SHIPPING NOTEBuy multiple postcards and pay only ONE low shipping cost! I'm happy to combine shipping on any number of postcards to save you money.
This vintage postcard will be carefully packaged in an archival sleeve between rigid cardboard to ensure it arrives safely and in the same condition shown in the photos. I understand the importance of protecting these historical items and take great care in packaging.
DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A PIECE OF TRANSPORTATION HISTORY!As we approach the 50th anniversary of this card's journey through the mail system fewer examples with special Queen Mary postmarks and complete messages remain available to collectors. This fascinating chrome postcard captured a pivotal moment in transportation history when the majestic era of ocean liners gave way to the jet age and then became a postal messenger from the ship's early days as a California tourist attraction.
Secure this unique piece of ocean liner aviation and postal history before it sails away into someone else's permanent collection!"
_gsrx_vers_1715 (GS 9.9.2 (1715))
Offered by Gosla Antiques & Collectibles, purveyors of antiquities, curiosities and collectible wares. Dispatched from Pennsylvania, United States, with tracking.
Gosla Antiques & Collectibles