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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 339 pieces. All tiles can be found on this website. Estimated 80 tiles are issued by associated organizations.
My collection consists of 416 tiles and 8 tile tableaus. The items in this collection have been acquired through website and exhibition purchases, through auctions and gifts.
Update June 8, 2025:
Tile of the ss Nieuw Amsterdam (II). The tile was produced in the early 60s by the Bethlehem & Co firm, at the time situated at Lange Hilleweg in Rotterdam.
The picture is a link to the third Holland America Line exhibition from July 26 to August 16 on the ss Rotterdam. The exhibition focuses on the then Big Three: the ss Nieuw Amsterdam, ss Rotterdam and ss Statendam. From my collection you can see, among others, about 30 tiles that relate to the three ships.
The foundation Stichting behoud stoomschip Rotterdam is also showing a number of previously unseen objects. Chairman Klaas Krijnen sent me an image of three tiles that were intented for the interior of the Lido restaurant that was renovated in 1980. The foundation received these spare tiles as a gift from Daniel Blajan, who was security officer on the ss Rotterdam in 1979.
See the menu News.
Some special tiles from my collection can also be found on the Holland America Line website:
https://www.hollandamerica.com/150th-anniversary/en/category/artifacts/
Next update: September 1, 2025.
