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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 337 pieces. All tiles can be found on this website. Estimated 80 tiles are issued by associated organizations.
My collection consists of 415 tiles and 8 tile tableaus. The items in this collection have been acquired through website and exhibition purchases, through auctions and gifts.
Update June 4, 2024:
Holland America Line has released a new tile, exclusively available to those embarking on Legendary Voyages. See the menu News.
On December 14, 1956, at the Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij (RDM), the keel was laid for the largest passenger ship ever built in the Netherlands: the ss Rotterdam (V). On September 13, 1958, the naming ceremony was performed by Her Majesty Queen Juliana. On September 3, 1959, the Rotterdam left for her maiden voyage to New York.
Since August 4, 2008, the Rotterdam has been permanently moored in the Maashaven in Rotterdam and is operated there as a hotel/restaurant facility by Westcord Hotels. The ship’s 65th anniversary will be celebrated on board with, among others, a (second) Holland America Line exhibition, from Sunday July 28 till Sunday August 18, daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The entrance is free.
See the menu News!
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: September 1, 2024.
