Steven’s Postcard RMS Lusitania

Stevengraph postcard depicting RMS Lusitania. Stevens’ cards are distinguishable from those by Grant due to the embossed mount. When framed it is lovely to allow access to the back of the card to allow viewing of the interesting comments of the original senders. There is no message on this card. Built on the Clyde and launched by the Cunard Line in 1906 she held the Blue Riband award for the fastest Atlantic crossing in 1908, and was briefly the world’s largest passenger ship (see Mauretania, completed three months later). She was sunk on her 202nd trans-Atlantic crossing, on 7 May 1915, by a German U-boat 11 miles (18 km) off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland, killing 1,199 passengers and crew. This significant event hardened the USA stance on the war in Europe due to the loss of life of US citizens, and led to international rebuke and counter rebuke. The intrigue as to whether the vessel was carrying munitions or not has continues ever since.