RMS Alcantara was a Royal Mail ocean liner constructed in 1926. Originally build with diesel engines, a cutting-edge but fledgling technology at the time, she was slower by several days than the competing British and foreign ships already working the route between European and South American ports. To increase her speed and competitiveness, RMS Alcantara was re-fitted with steam turbines in 1935. The voyage to South America depicted in the album dates from 1936, representing one of her first cruises following the refit. During WWII, SS Alcantara served as an armed merchant cruiser and as a troop ship. She was returned to civilian service in 1948, and was scrapped in 1958.

The album contains the following material:

Page 1.

Colour print titled ‘Royal Mail’ of unnamed ocean liner (Alcantara?) at sea by Kenneth Shoesmith.

Page 2.

Advertising list of first and second-class fares for 38 days.

R.M.S ‘Alcantara’ special round tour to South America, 1936 from Southampton, 21st February.

Page 3.

Two postcards:

Top one, side view of the Alcantara at sea:

Titled, Royal Mail turbine steamer “Alcantara” (twin screw 22,209 tons gross) South America Service.

Lower one titled, Sports deck R.M.S. ‘Alcantara’

Page 4.

Two cut out photographs showing the luxury interior of the Alcantara, the top picture titled: winter garden “Alcantara”.

Page 5.

Page Titled: February 21st.

Two small photographs of ships docked in harbour. The top one titled: Damaged “Winchester Castle” in dry dock.

The lower one titled: “Alcantara” Southampton.

Page 6.

Two small photographs. The top one, stern view of ship escorted by tug boat. Title: Our departure.

The lower one shows a single woman standing on deck, titled: Mary.

Page 7.

Coloured folded card list of passenger’s booklet.

R.M.S. Alcantara. List of passengers from Southampton, Cherbourg, Lisbon and Madeira, Tuesday, February 25, 1936 for Brazil, Uruguay Argentina. Contains list of officers and pages 17, 18, 19 & 20 only of passengers.

Page 8.

Page Titled: Lisbon

Top item. Cut out from brochure, Alcantara, 23rd February.

Details of a motor car tour to Estoril.

Lower item. Folded printed card in blue. Royal Mail Tours Daily Programme for February 24, 1936.

Page 9.

Page Titled: Madeira. “Alcantara” 25th February.

Two monochrome photographs of Madeira shoreline.

Page 10.

Two small monochrome photographs.

The top one a view of a liner at sea titled “Asturias” February 26th.

The lower one, a group of people on deck, titled, Mrs Perry, self, Mum, Mrs & Mr Davis.

Page 11.

Two-page printed programme.

Royal Mail programme of sports . R.M.S. “Alcantara” Southampton to Buenos Aires, 21st February – 10th March 1936.

Page 12.

Handwritten card, titled fancy dress ball, listing all the people shown in the photograph on page 13.

Page 13.

Monochrome photograph of attendees at the fancy dress ball.

Page 14.

Red folded printed card. Title: Royal Mail tours daily programme, February 29, 1936.

Page 15.

Red folded printed card. Titled: Royal Mail tours daily programme March 2, 1936.

Page 16.

Orange folded printed card. Titled: Royal Mail tours daily programme, March 4, 1936.

Page 17.

Two monochrome postcards: Buildings and street scenes of Rio De Janeiro.

Page 18.

Two monochrome postcards: Views of Rio De Janeiro, titled, Pao de Assucar and Rio Branco.

Page 19.

Page Titled: March 5th Rio De Janeiro.

Top item. Cut out from brochure. Motor car tour of Corovado and Tijuca.

Lower item. Cut out monochrome photograph of Rio De Janeiro from Corcovado.

Page 20.

Orange folded printed card. Titled: Royal Mail tours daily programme, March 6, 1936.

Page 21.

Page Titled: March 7th Santos.

Two cut out monochrome photographs of Sao Paulo.

Page 22.

Colour travel brochure, 16 printed pages. Titled: São Paulo Railway, The Gateway to São Paulo.

Page 23.

Page Titled: Montevideo “Alcantara” 9th March.

Two postcard monochrome photographs views of Montevideo.

Page 24.

Two monochrome photographs of beach resorts, the top one titled, Pocitos and the lower one showing the hotel Carrasco.

Page 25.

Two monochrome postcard photographs showing views of Santos-São Paulo.

Page 26.

One monochrome photograph view of a tall building in São Paulo. Titled: 132 Brazil São Paulo, Predio Martinelli.

Page 27.

Two monochrome photographs. Top one titled, Early Settlers Memorial, Montevideo.

The lower one titled, Montevideo.

Page 28.

Page Titled: Buenos Aires. “Alcantara” 10/13th March.

Two monochrome photographs of Buenos Aires, the top one titled, Congress Hall, the lower one, B.A. from the ship.

Page 29.

Two monochrome postcards views of Buenos Aires, titled Avenida L.N. Alem and Plaza Congreso.

Page 30.

Two monochrome postcards views of Buenos Aires, titled Plaza Mayo and Avenida de Mayo.

Page 31.

Two cut out monochrome photographs views of Palermo Park Gardens.

Page 32.

Sepia tones monochrome photograph titled View from the top of the funnel.

Page 33.

Monochrome photograph titled View from the top of the funnel.

Page 34

Monochrome photograph titled Capt. Shillitoe on the bridge from the funnel.

Page 35.

Orange folded printed card. Titled: Royal Mail tours daily programme, March 15, 1936.

Page 36

Coloured folded printed card titled Royal Mail List of Passengers.

R.M.S. Alcantara. List of passengers from Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Saturday, 14th March 1936, for Santos, Rio De Janeiro, Madeira, Lisbon, Vigo, Cherbourg and Southampton. Contains passenger list pages 15 – 22.

Page 37.

Printed Menu card for Sunday, 15th March 1936. Coloured picture of Santos on front cover.

Page 38.

Coloured folded printed card titled Royal Mail List of Passengers.

R.M.S. Alcantara. List of passengers from Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Santos, Rio De Janeiro, Tuesday, 17th March 1936, for Madeira, Lisbon, Vigo, Cherbourg and Southampton. Contains passenger list pages 15 – 22.

Page 39.

Page Titled: Rio. March 17th.

Two cut out monochrome photographs views of Rio coast. The lower one titled Sugar Loaf.

Page 40.

Page Titled: Rio.

Two cut out monochrome photographs views of Rio coast.

Page 41.

One monochrome photograph of the docks at Rio.

Page 42.

One monochrome photograph of sea and mountains.

Page 43.

Two-page printed programme.

Royal Mail programme of sports . R.M.S. “Alcantara” Buenos Aires to Southampton, 13th March – 30th March 1936.

Page 44.

Handwritten card, titled fancy dress ball, listing all the people shown in the photograph on page 45

Page 45.

Monochrome photograph of attendees at the fancy dress ball.

Page 46.

Two monochrome photographs, the top one showing passengers reclining on deck chairs, titled “Industry Corner. The lower one shows passenger walking along an open deck, titled “Church Parade”.

Page 47.

Two monochrome photographs, the top one titled “The Captain and Mr Steele“ the lower one showing uniformed men steering the ship, titled “Alcantara’s Bridge”.

Page 48.

Two portrait monochrome photographs of a young lady, titled, “Ann and Self taken by Mr. Perry at Santos”.

Page 49.

Folded printed menu card for Monday 23 March 1936, containing seven signatures.

Page 50.

Two monochrome photographs, the top one shows a portrait of an elderly man in a cap titled ”Mr. Perry” the lower one of seagulls flying over the sea, titled “Black-back Gulls at Lisbon”.

Page 51.

Green printed folded card titled Race Meeting, Royal Mail Tours Daily-Programme for March 25, 1936.

Page 52.

Printed sheet titled, Distribution of Prizes, listing ten named prize-winners.

Page 53.

Two prize claim tickets for 30 shillings each for Miss E Popham winner of Ladies tennis singles and doubles, dated 18th March 1936.

Page 54.

Page Titled: Vigo “Alcantara,” 28th March.

Blue printed folded card titled Royal Mail Tours Daily-Programme for March 28, 1936.

Page 55.

Coloured printed dinner menu card for Sunday 29th March, includes programme of music.

Page 56.

Newspaper cut-out dated March 31st. “Fog delays Three Liners”. Large vessels held up in thick fog off the Needles, Isle of Wight.

Monochrome photograph taken from the shore of the Queen Mary, titled “Queen Mary at Southampton”.

Loose item: Monochrome photograph of Rio Harbour. Titled on reverse: Rio Harbour. Miss E. Leyborne Popham, Hunstrete House, Pensford, Somerset. Plus, technical details of photographic lens and film used.