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Simular to the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines complimentary gift of small ceramic replicas of historical houses, Holland America Line hands out ceramic Delft Blue tiles in various forms and shapes, as part of their Mariner Society Rewards Program.
Since there is no accurate administration, it was not exactly known how many different tiles have been produced on behalf of Holland America Line. For the last 60 years the majority of the ceramic tiles have been manufactured by Royal Goedenwaagen-Gouda in Nieuw-Buinen, The Netherlands. On a global basis a search has been initiated by collectors to make an inventory of all tile editions from Royal Goedewaagen-Gouda. That inventory has been completed. The number of issued HAL official tile editions is set at 336 pieces. All tiles can be found on this website. Estimated 80 tiles are issued by associated organizations.
My collection consists of 414 tiles and 8 tile tableaus. The items in this collection have been acquired through website and exhibition purchases, through auctions and gifts.
Update March 1, 2024:
Patience is a virtue. This expression simply means that one who patiently waits shall be rewarded. Till now that is not the case for the tile tableau of the ss Volendam from 1949.
For me it is still not known for whom the tableau was intended. In the National Archives in The Hague I searched for the origin of the name “Maten” on this tableau. The name does not appear on passenger lists of the Volendam at the time. So I must assume that the person for whom the tableau was intended, does not bear the name “Maten” (see menu Earlier Tiles).
Some special tiles from my collection can also be found on the website of Holland America Line:
https://www.hollandamerica.com/150th-anniversary/en/category/artifacts/
Next update: June 1, 2024.
