The following are a set of postcards sold on board the Statendam. They came neatly wrapped in an envelope on which was printed the ship's name and the N.A.S.M. flag logo.
Some of the descriptions of the rooms and ship are attributable to Peter C. Kohler from his book, THE HOLLAND AMERICA LINE, A 120TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN POSTCARDS.*
Peter Kohler writes; "Similar to the ill-fated STATENDAM II, the 1929-built ship had a cruiser stern and no superstructure extensions forward. Good for 19 knots and fitted with six superheated watertube boilers, she was renowned for her economical operation. Leaving New York for 'safekeeping' in Rotterdam on 9 December 1939, the ship's end was cruelly ironic. Caught in a crossfire between German and Dutch forces, she was burnt out 11-12 May 1940 and scrapped in August."
TheFirst Class Lounge. Mr. Kohler writes; "The last traditionally decorated transatlantic liner for the Northern Europe-New York route, STATENDAM III was famous for her lavish interiors. The two-storey lounge was paneled in oak, furnished with Louis XIV style chairs and decorated with Gobelin tapastries and period paintings."
The Vestibule between the Lounge and Library
The First Class Smoke Room. Peter Kohler writes; "Although lady visitors were indulged by the twenties, the liner smoking room retained masculine comfort and decor, here featuring a Flemish character and the typical stuffed leather armchairs round a working fireplace."
A corner of the Palm Court
The First Class Dining Room. According to Peter Kohler; "Seating 400, this two-strey room was decorated in Louis XVI style with a magnificent painted ceiling. Thick carpeting, upholstered armchairs, fine linen and company monogrammed silver serviceprovided an elegant accompaniment to some of the finest cuisine on the North Atlantic run."
The Verandah Café
The First Class Swimming Pool. Mr. Kohler writes; "This was the first H.A.L. liner with a permanent indoor pool, a fanciful confection of glazed tiles. The glass-smooth surface of the water and the slight list indicate this photo was taken pierside. On warm-weather cruises, an outdoor canvas pool was rigged on deck."
The Children's Playroom
The Entrance Hall with shops
An outside First Class Stateroom. Peter Kohler states; "Commodious and comfortable cabins have been a Holland America hallmark since ROTTERDAM IV of 1908. This STATENDAM III accomodation features a marble-topped washbasin, two portholes, wicker easy chair and an oriental carpet. In 1937, you could take an eight-day New York-Nassau cruise for $90 and up."
A Cabin de Luxe
A Bathroom, no doubt a First Class cabin. Notice the bidet and the hot and cold, fresh and salt water faucets. Peter Kohler writes; "STATENDAM III had the highest proportion of private-bath cabins of any transatlantic liner of her day." "The line was the first to have all-facility cabins in First Class (NIEUW AMSTERDAM II 1938) and in all cabins (NOORDAM II 1938)."
TheFirst Class Lounge. Mr. Kohler writes; "The last traditionally decorated transatlantic liner for the Northern Europe-New York route, STATENDAM III was famous for her lavish interiors. The two-storey lounge was paneled in oak, furnished with Louis XIV style chairs and decorated with Gobelin tapastries and period paintings."
The Vestibule between the Lounge and Library
The First Class Smoke Room. Peter Kohler writes; "Although lady visitors were indulged by the twenties, the liner smoking room retained masculine comfort and decor, here featuring a Flemish character and the typical stuffed leather armchairs round a working fireplace."
A corner of the Palm Court
The First Class Dining Room. According to Peter Kohler; "Seating 400, this two-strey room was decorated in Louis XVI style with a magnificent painted ceiling. Thick carpeting, upholstered armchairs, fine linen and company monogrammed silver serviceprovided an elegant accompaniment to some of the finest cuisine on the North Atlantic run."
The Verandah Café
The First Class Swimming Pool. Mr. Kohler writes; "This was the first H.A.L. liner with a permanent indoor pool, a fanciful confection of glazed tiles. The glass-smooth surface of the water and the slight list indicate this photo was taken pierside. On warm-weather cruises, an outdoor canvas pool was rigged on deck."
The Children's Playroom
The Entrance Hall with shops
An outside First Class Stateroom. Peter Kohler states; "Commodious and comfortable cabins have been a Holland America hallmark since ROTTERDAM IV of 1908. This STATENDAM III accomodation features a marble-topped washbasin, two portholes, wicker easy chair and an oriental carpet. In 1937, you could take an eight-day New York-Nassau cruise for $90 and up."
A Cabin de Luxe
A Bathroom, no doubt a First Class cabin. Notice the bidet and the hot and cold, fresh and salt water faucets. Peter Kohler writes; "STATENDAM III had the highest proportion of private-bath cabins of any transatlantic liner of her day." "The line was the first to have all-facility cabins in First Class (NIEUW AMSTERDAM II 1938) and in all cabins (NOORDAM II 1938)."
