SS United States Embarkation Coupon (1925): A Scandinavian Immigrant’s Journey Back to Oslo

📌 Explore the 1925 embarkation coupon of Johannes Hesch, a Scandinavian immigrant returning to Oslo aboard the SS United States. This third-class ticket highlights return migration, ticket pricing, and Scandinavian-American travel connections in the early 20th century. 🌍 Essential for historians, genealogists, and educators.

Scandinavian-American Line Third Class Embarkation Coupon for Passage on the SS United States, Departing from New York for Oslo Dated 16 May 1925. GGA Image ID # 16796f5376

Summary of Embarkation Coupon

• Date of Purchase / Voyage: 16 May 1925 / 28 May 1925
• Steamship Line: Steamship: Scandinavian American Line
• Ship: SS United States
• Route: New York to Oslo
• Ticket Type: Embarkation Coupon
• Voyage Class: Third
• Name on Contract: Mr. Johannes Hesch
• Etnicity of Passenger(s): Unknown
• Contract Terms: Not Stated
• Cost of Ticket: $103.50 / $1,530.00 USD in 2020

Scandinavian American Line

Passage Contract No. 147442

Embarkation Coupon

Full Name of Passenger and Age: Mr. Johannes Hesch, 39

United States Revenue Tax: U.S. Revenue Tax of $5.00 Collected. Not Good for Paggage Until Revenue Tax Stamp has been Affixed.
$5 Revenue Tax Stamp Affixed.

Class: Third

Rate: $103.50

Room No. 531

Steamship: United States

Sailing On: 28 May 1925 att 12:00 Noon

For Passage from New York to Oslo

Ocean Fare Paid: $103.50

European Fare Paid: $0

Date of Issue: 16 May 1925

Agency at Philadelphia

/s/ Signature of Agent

Relative Cost of Passage Ticket in Today's Currency Value

In 2020, the relative values of $103.50 from 1925 ranges from $1,240.00 to $23,600.00.

A simple Purchasing Power Calculator would say the relative value is $1,530.00. This answer is obtained by multiplying $103.5 by the percentage increase in the CPI from 1925 to 2020.

This may not be the best answer.

The best measure of the relative value over time depends on if you are interested in comparing the cost or value of a Commodity, Income or Wealth, or a Project.

If you want to compare the value of a $103.50 Commodity in 1925 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real price of that commodity is $1,530.00
• real value in consumption of that commodity is $3,300.00
• labor value of that commodity is $6,020.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $6,700.00 (using production worker compensation)
• income value of that commodity is $8,300.00
• economic share of that commodity is $23,600.00

If you want to compare the value of a $103.50 Income or Wealth, in 1925 there are five choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real wage or real wealth value of that income or wealth is $1,530.00
• household purchasing power value of that income or wealth is $3,300.00
• relative labor earnings of that commodity are $6,020.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $6,700.00 (using production worker compensation)
• relative income value of that income or wealth is $8,300.00
• relative output value of that income or wealth is $23,600.00

If you want to compare the value of a $103.50 Project in 1925 there are four choices. In 2020 the relative:

• real cost of that project is $1,240.00
• household cost of that project is $3,300.00
• labor cost of that project is $6,020.00 (using the unskilled wage) or $6,700.00 (using production worker compensation)
• relative cost of that project is $8,300.00
• economy cost of that project is $23,600.00

Source: www.measuringworth.com Samuel H. Williamson, "Seven Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a U.S. Dollar Amount, 1790 to present," MeasuringWorth, 2022.

🚢 SS United States Embarkation Coupon (1925): A Scandinavian-American Voyage Home 🇺🇸➡️🇳🇴

The Scandinavian-American Line Third-Class Embarkation Coupon, issued on May 16, 1925, documents the transatlantic journey of Mr. Johannes Hesch from New York to Oslo aboard the SS United States. This ticket represents the return migration of a European immigrant—an often-overlooked aspect of transatlantic travel. While many historical records focus on immigrants coming to America, this document sheds light on those who journeyed back to Europe, either temporarily or permanently.

For teachers, students, genealogists, and historians, this coupon is an important primary source, offering insights into third-class accommodations, ticket pricing, and Scandinavian-American migration patterns. It highlights the Scandinavian-American Line’s role in connecting the United States with Northern Europe, a key route for Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish immigrants.

📜 Key Themes & Takeaways

1️⃣ Scandinavian-American Line & The Role of Return Migration

The Scandinavian-American Line was a crucial link between the U.S. and Northern Europe, catering to immigrants and travelers from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

Many immigrants did not stay in the U.S. permanently—some returned to visit family, others decided to settle back home after working in America.

Johannes Hesch, a 39-year-old traveler, was making the journey from New York back to Oslo, possibly after years of living in America.

2️⃣ The Cost of a Transatlantic Voyage in 1925

The ticket price of $103.50 (equivalent to $1,530 in 2020) was relatively affordable for a working-class immigrant returning home.

Breakdown of ticket price:

• Ocean Fare: $103.50
• European Travel Fare: $0 (suggesting that Johannes planned to remain in Oslo rather than continue inland).
• U.S. Revenue Tax: $5.00 (collected and affixed to the ticket).

Compared to earlier migration waves, by the 1920s, transatlantic travel had become more affordable, allowing return migration to become a viable option.

3️⃣ Third-Class Travel: The Affordable but Basic Option

Johannes traveled in Third Class, which offered basic accommodations but was far superior to the steerage conditions of earlier decades.

Room No. 531 was assigned, indicating a structured cabin system rather than open steerage bunks.

By the 1920s, Third Class was designed to provide cleaner, safer, and more comfortable accommodations, as shipping lines aimed to attract a broader range of passengers, including returning immigrants and working-class travelers.

4️⃣ The Importance of Embarkation Coupons

Unlike a full passage contract, an embarkation coupon was essentially a boarding pass, confirming that the passenger had a paid ticket for the voyage.

It served as proof of purchase and was required to board the ship in New York.

The U.S. Revenue Tax stamp of $5.00 affixed to the ticket indicates that this was an official, regulated document, reflecting the legal requirements for transatlantic departures.

📸 Noteworthy Images & Their Importance

1️⃣ SS United States Embarkation Coupon (1925) 📜

A rare document showcasing the process of transatlantic return migration, this coupon provides essential details on ticketing, pricing, and ship assignments. It serves as a valuable artifact for genealogists tracing Scandinavian ancestors who may have returned to Norway, Sweden, or Denmark.

2️⃣ Contract Terms & Ticketing Details 📄

Although this document lacks detailed contract terms, it still provides important logistical details—such as the ship’s departure time, room number, and tax payments—that help historians understand the bureaucratic and economic factors involved in third-class transatlantic travel.

🌍 Why This Document Matters for Historians, Educators & Genealogists

🔎 For Historians

🔹 Sheds light on return migration, a significant but under-documented aspect of transatlantic travel.

🔹 Highlights the role of Scandinavian shipping lines in maintaining connections between the U.S. and Northern Europe.

🔹 Reflects the economic conditions of the 1920s, when immigrants were increasingly able to afford return trips.

🧬 For Genealogists

🔹 Provides a key clue for tracing Scandinavian ancestors who may have returned to Europe.

🔹 Confirms an individual’s presence in New York before returning to Oslo, helping to fill gaps in family migration stories.

🔹 Room number assignment suggests that passenger lists or ship manifests may include more details on Johannes Hesch’s voyage.

📚 For Educators & Students

🔹 Encourages discussion about the economic and social reasons why some immigrants returned home.

🔹 Provides a case study on Scandinavian-American migration and the impact of transatlantic travel networks.

🔹 Illustrates primary source analysis, allowing students to interpret historical documents and extract meaningful information.

🏆 Final Thoughts: A Journey Home Across the Atlantic 🌊

The SS United States Embarkation Coupon (1925) is a remarkable document that tells the often-overlooked story of return migration. While millions of European immigrants arrived in America seeking a new life, many eventually made the journey back home, either to visit family or to resettle permanently.

For historians, educators, and genealogists, this document sheds light on Scandinavian-American travel networks, the affordability of transatlantic journeys in the 1920s, and the bureaucratic processes involved in migration. It serves as a tangible link to a past where the Atlantic was both a barrier and a bridge—connecting families, cultures, and histories across continents. 🌍🚢✨