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Sunday, 1 June 2025

Sea of Glamour

Sea of Glamour, which I went to see this week, is a photographic exhibition marking 185 years since Cunard's first transatlantic crossing in 1840. It combines images from the Cunard archives, some of which have never been on display before, with photographs contributed by Cunard passengers.

On board Queen Elizabeth, 1960s

Slightly confusingly for anyone who knows Liverpool, it's not being held in the Cunard Building, but in the Royal Liver Building next door.

At the start of the exhibition

Close-up of the photo mosaic

Smaller photos around the walls

And larger ones on banners in the centre

Unfortunately, I have to say that this is not the most rigorously curated exhibition I've ever been to, certainly in terms of captioning. Some details are listed as 'unknown' when the information is clearly visible in the photograph, and some are just wrong. This photograph taken on the Queen Mary is listed as 1940s but, nerd that I am, I spotted that the bedcovers are made from Lucienne Day's 'Calyx' fabric, which first went into production in 1951.

A stateroom on Queen Mary, not in the 1940s

Admittedly that's a very niche detail to notice, but how anyone could think that this photograph was taken in 1914 is beyond me.

Pure thirties glamour on Aquitania

Leaving that aside, here are some of the photos which caught my eye, in (according to the captions) chronological order.

Tug-of-war competition on Carmania, 1924

Actor Tom Mix rides his horse off Aquitania, 1925

Passengers on the promenade deck of Queen Mary, 1930s

On board Aurania 1938-39

Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary were converted into troopships during World War II. After the war, the latter was used to transport war brides and their children to the US and Canada, before being refitted for commercial use.

War brides en route to a new life, 1946

Taking a stroll on deck, also 1946

Queen Mary in the 1950s (when smoking while eating was perfectly normal!)

Colour! Queen Mary, 1950s

The same people, now dancing

More dining on Queen Mary, 1964

Playing chess on Caronia, 1960s

The exhibition also includes some photographs of crew members.

Senior telephonist on board Caronia, 1950s

Stewardesses on Queen Elizabeth

The large banners display photographs submitted by passengers, along with their stories.

A family dinner on Queen Elizabeth, 1955

Naturally, I was attracted to the older images, but one contemporary photo did interest me. Queen Mary 2 has an annual (I think) crossing which recreates the golden age of liner travel. There's a band on board, and guests dress in period clothing. As someone who can get seasick on the Mersey Ferry, the idea of several days at sea crossing an ocean fills me with horror, but I must admit that this looks like fun.

By the pool on Queen Mary 2, 1923

Despite my quibbles, I did very much enjoy Sea of Glamour. It is free to visit in the Royal Liver Building until 17 June, and then sets sail around the world on board the Cunard fleet.

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