Hamburg American Line History and Ephemera
Hamburg Amerika Linie / Hamburg American Line / Hamburg Amerikanische Packetfahrt Actien Gesellschaft (HAPAG)
Hamburg American Line was one of the major steamship companies to handle the immigrant trade. Their primary routes of Hamburg, Germany to New York via Southampton were supplemented by other vessels that called on the ports of Portland ME, Baltimore, Boston, Philadelphia, Galveston, and New Orleans, in addition to Canadian ports.
Hamburg American Line Documents and Other Ephemera
Sorted in Date Order by Topic, Our Hamburg American Line Archival Collections include Passenger Lists, Vintage Brochures, Vintage Menus, Immigrant Passage Tickets, and Other Ephemera.
HAPAG Passenger Lists
Front Cover of a 1902 Passenger List from the Hamburg-American Line. This Steamship Line is often Referred to as the "Hamburg-America Line," -- A Litteral translation of Hamburg-Amerika Linie. GGA Image ID # 1d591e0ff8
- 1881-08-24 SS Lessing - Hamburg to New York
- 1883-11-04 SS Silesia - Hamburg to New York
- 1885-05-31 SS Westphalia - Hamburg to Prague
- 1897-08-26 SS Auguste Victoria - Hamburg to New York via Southampton
- 1900-08-09 SS Fürst Bismarck - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1900-10-07 SS Patricia - Hamburg to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Plymouth
- 1901-07-28 SS Pretoria - Hamburg to New York via Plymouth and Boulogne-sur-Mer
- 1902-01-26 SS Fürst Bismarck - Naples to New York via Gibraltar
- 1902-04-22 SS Pennsylvania - New York to Hamburg via Plymouth and Cherbourg
- 1902-06-21 SS Pennsylvania - Hamburg to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Plymouth
- 1903-08-22 SS Pretoria - Hamburg to New York via Plymouth and Boulogne-sur-Mer
- 1903-08-27 SS Fürst Bismarck - Hamburg to New York via Southampton
- 1905-07-29 SS Graf Waldersee - Hamburg to New York via Dover and Boulogne-sur-Mer
- 1905-09-14 SS Hamburg - Hamburg to New York via Dover and Boulogne-sur-Mer
- 1905-11-11 SS Pennsylvania - Hamburg to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Plymouth
- 1906-08-04 SS Pennsylvania - Hamburg to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Plymouth
- 1906-08-21 SS Moltke - Genoa to New York via Naples
- 1907-05-04 Cruise SS Meteor - Genoa to Hamburg via Villafranca, Ajaccio, Algiers, Gibraltar, Tangier, Lisbon, and Dover
- 1907-06-01 SS Batavia - New York to Hamburg
- 1907-08-08 SS Amerika - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1908-11-12 SS Amerika - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1909-09-20 SS Koning Wilhelm II - Boulogne-sur-Mer to Rio de Janeiro and La Plata via Southampton, Vigo, and Lisbon
- 1909-10-07 SS Deutschland - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
Front Cover, Saloon Passenger List from the SS Westphalia of the Hamburg-American Line, Departing 31 May 1885 from Hamburg to Prague, Commanded by Captain H. H. Barends. GGA Image ID # 1d86689e93
- 1910-06-30 SS Cincinnati - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1910-07-24 SS President Lincoln - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Boulogne-sur-Mer
- 1910-09-08 SS Cincinnati - Hamburg to New York
- 1911-05-24 SS Graf Waldersee - Philadelphia to Hamburg
- 1912-08-03 SS Cincinnati - Hamburg for New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1912-09-28 SS Patricia - Hamburg to New York
- 1912-11-01 SS President Lincoln - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Boulogne-sur-Mer
- 1913-10-25 SS Pretoria - Hamburg to New York
- 1914-09-13 SS Red Cross - New York to Falmouth, England
Front Cover, Passenger list, Hamburg-America Line SS Pennsylvania, 21 June 1902.
- 1926-01-28 SS Albert Ballin - Hamburg to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Southampton
- 1926-07-30 SS Deutschland - Hamburg to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Southampton
- 1926-08-18 SS Westphalia - Hamburg to New York and Boston via Cobh (Queenstown)
- 1926-08-27 SS Albert Ballin - Hamburg to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Southampton
- 1926-12-10 SS Cleveland - Hamburg to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Southampton
- 1927-07-06 SS Albert Ballin - New York to Hamburg via Cherbourg and Southampton
This voyage probably was remarkable for the original owner of this passenger list who produced a mini-yearbook of the journey including an autographed photograph of the Chief Steward, Third Class, Mr. A. Groß. The passenger list had four pictures of various areas of Albert Ballin's Third Class. This is how to turn a souvenir into a memory. The Third Class doesn't get any better than this!
- 1927-07-30 SS Reliance - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1927-08-12 SS Deutschland - Hamburg to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Southampton
- 1927-08-16 SS Resolute - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1927-09-14 SS Thuringia - Hamburg to New York
- 1927-09-23 SS Deutschland - Hamburg to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Southampton
- 1928-10-12 SS Deutschland - Hamburg to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Southampton
- 1929-01-16 SS New York - Hamburg to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Southampton
- 1929-03-15 SS Hamburg - Hamburg to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Southampton
- 1929-04-05 SS New York - Hamburg to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Southampton
- 1929-04-19 SS Hamburg - Hamburg to New York
- 1929-10-17 SS Cleveland - Hamburg to Boston and New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer and Cobh (Queenstown)
Front Cover, SS Hamburg Passenger List of the Hamburg-America Line, 14 September 1905.
- 1930-06-07 SS Cleveland - New York to Hamburg via Boston, Galway, and Cherbourg
- 1930-08-22 SS Deutschland - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1930-08-29 SS Hamburg - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1931-05-21 SS New York - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1931-10-08 SS New York - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1932-07-16 SS Resolute - Hamburg to Scotland, Iceland, Spitzbergen, and Norway
- 1932-09-18 SS Milwaukee - Hamburg to New York via Boulogne-sur-Mer, Southampton, and Cobh (Queenstown)
- 1933-07-27 SS New York - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1933-08-24 SS New York - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1933-12-20 SS Albert Ballin - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1934-08-09 SS New York - Hamburg to New York via Southampton, Cherbourg, and Cobh (Queenstown)
- 1934-08-30 SS Hamburg - Hamburg to New York via Southampton, Cherbourg, and Cobh (Queenstown)
- 1934-09-06 SS New York - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1935-07-11 SS Hamburg - New York to Hamburg via Cobh, Cherbourg, and Southampton
- 1935-08-15 SS Deutschland - Hamburg to New York via Southampton, Cherbourg, and Cobh (Queenstown)
- 1935-08-21 SS Hamburg - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1936-05-28 SS New York - New York to Hamburg via Cherbourg and Southampton
- 1936-06-04 SS Hamburg - New York to Hamburg via Cherbourg and Southampton
- 1936-07-02 SS Hamburg - New York to Hamburg via Cherbourg and Southampton
- 1936-08-27 SS Deutschland - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1937-09-02 SS Hamburg - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1937-09-14 SS Stuttgart - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1938-08-04 SS Hamburg - Hamburg to New York via Southampton and Cherbourg
- 1938-11-03 SS New York - Hamburg to New York via Southampton, Cherbourg, and Cobh
- 1939-04-20 SS Hamburg - Hamburg to New York via Southampton, Cherbourg, and Cobh
- 1939-05-11 SS New York - New York to Hamburg via Cherbourg and Southampton
- 1939-06-08 SS New York - New York to Hamburg via Cobh, Cherbourg, and Southampton
Cover from a 1910 Passenger List from the SS Cincinnati. GGA Image ID # 1d7d0c4d1d
HAPAG Menus
Cover from a 1905 SS Pretoria Dinner Menu. GGA Image ID # 1d7d0e0bea
1902-02-26 SS Deutschland Breakfast Menu
Vintage Bill of Fare for the steamship Deutschland of the Hamburg America Line featured a typical American fare including Buckwheat Pancakes, Omelots, Ham, Bacon, in addition to Rumpsteak, Calf's Liver and Grilled Vienna Sausages.
1902-03-02 SS Deutschland Breakfast Menu Card
Vintage Bill of Fare from 2 March 1902 featured Eggs Périgueux Style, Potato-Pancake with Cranberries, and Omelet aux Confitures.
1905-05-26 SS Pretoria Dinner Menu
Vintage Bill of Fare from Friday, 26 May 1905 featured Striped Bass à la Meunière, Saddle of Veal, Wax Beans, and Mixed Ice Cream for dessert. The menu, printed in English and German, included a Concert Program.
1905-07-24 SS Moltke Luncheon Menu Card
Uniquely constructed Bill of Fare from 24 July 1905 consisting of 3 pieces of paper glued together by design. The quality graphics were common among German steamship lines of that era. Featured items included Iamb in Curry with Rice, Salmy of Ducklings with Olives, and Broiled and Fried Mutton-Chops.
c1911 SS Victoria Luise Breakfast Menu
Vintage Bill of Fare Card from circa 1911 featured an impressively large selection of items including Scrambled Eggs with Morils, with Mushrooms, Fried Eggs with Ham or Bacon, and Broiled Salt Mackerels. The reverse side of the Bill of Fare was printed in German.
1927-09-30 SS Deutschland Daily Menu Card
Vintage Third Class Bill of Fare from 30 September 1927 on board the SS Deutschland of the Hamburg America Line featured Boiled Eggs for Breakfast, Braised Fillet of Fish for Dinner, and Matjes Herrings, Bacon Sauce for Supper.
1928-06-30 SS New York Farewell Dinner Menu
Vintage Bill of Fare Post Card from 30 June 1928 featured Fried Filet of Perch Pike, Roast Duckling, and Mixed Ice Cream for dessert.
1930s SS Resolute Luncheon Menu
Vintage Bill of Fare from the 1930s featured Original Cold Fishes, Swedish Style, Small Tenderloin Steak with Smothered Onions, and Caramel Cream or Apple Pie for dessert. Bill of Fare printed in German, Swedish, and English.
1933-07-02 SS Hamburg Luncheon Menu
Vintage Bill of Fare from 2 July 1933 featured Philadelphia Pepper Pot, Roast High Rib, and Viennese Makronentorte for dessert.
1933-07-02 SS Hamburg Main Meal Menu
Vintage Bill of Fare from 2 July 1933 featured Philadelphia Pepper Pot, Steckrübenmus - German Style Ribs, and Vienna's macro-cake for dessert. In German with English Translation.
1936-07-03 SS Hamburg Breakfast Menu
Beautiful elaborate Bill of Fare from 3 July 1936 offered traditional American fare plus sirloin steaks, german fried potatoes, and Bologna.
1937-03-11 SS Hamburg Dinner Menu
Elegant Vintage Bill of Fare from Thursday, 11 March 1937 featured Fried Fillet of Haddock Meunière, Râgout of Tongue with Mushrooms and Dumplings, Risotto, and Cannelons with Whipped Cream for dessert. Printed in German and English, the Bill of Fare included a Music Program.
1937-07-30 SS Hamburg Breakfast Menu
Elaborate Bill of Fare for 30 July 1937 offered the standard American fare plus German favorites including Bacon and Eggs, Omelet with Herbs, Sirloin Steak, German Fried Potatoes, Liver Wurst, and Smoked Sausage.
1937-07-18 SS New York Anniversary Dinner Menu
This Bill of Fare celebrates the 90th Anniversary of the Founding of the Hamburg America Line (1847-1937). The Bill of Fare featured Eggs with Caviar, Boiled Turbot with Sauce Romain and Tournedos with Potato Croquettes. A Music Program is on the Back Cover.
1938-02-14 SS Reliance Valentine's Day Dinner Menu
Elegant and Ornate Bill of Fare for Monday, 14 February 1938. The meal featured a Fillet of Halibut, Tournedos, and Styrian Pheasant. Beautiful Valentine Themed Cover Illustration.
Cover from a 1930s SS Resolute Luncheon Menu. GGA Image ID # 1d7d80672f
HAPAG Passage Contracts and Tickets
1904 Passage Contract for a German Immigrant Family on the Hamburg-American Line. GGA Image ID # 1d591f623b
1904-07-06 Steamship Contract - Hamburg American Line
Original steamship contract dated 6 July 1904 Between the Hamburg America Line and The Breitmann Family consisting of two adults and four children of Russian Hebrew descent, for third class passage from Hamburg to New York aboard the SS Hamburg.
1907-11-20 Prepaid Steerage Contract for German Immigrant Family
Steerage Prepaid Passage Contract issued by the Hamburg America Line on 20 November 1907 for passage from Hamburg, Germany to New York and a Train from New York to Ellsworth, Minnesota for a German Immigrant Family.
1912-01-13 Prepaid Steerage Contract - Hamburg America Line
Colorful Receipt for the purchase of passage from Hamburg to New York via the Hamburg America Line with inland passage to McFreesport, Pennsylvania dated 13 January 1913.
1927-09-16 Passenger Contract - Hamburg-America Line
Emma Muessigbrodt, a 37 year-old German woman traveling from Hamburg to New York on the Hamburg America Line. She travelled in the Third Class. (English translation)
1927-09-16 Dampferfahrkartenvertrag - Hamburg nach New York
Deutscher Vertrag über das Dampfflugzeug der dritten Klasse an Bord der SS New York der Hamburg-Amerika-Linie im Jahr 1927. Die Unterschrift des Passagiers ist schwer zu lesen. See the entry above for the English Translation.
1932-04-11 Intercollegiate Travel Bureau Receipt - Transatlantic Voyages
Receipt that itemized a round-trip voyage to Europe for Mr. and Mrs. David S. Kane via the SS Hamburg and SS Deutschland of the Hamburg America Line in 1932.
1933-04-28 Receipt for Partial Payment for Passage - New York to Hamburg
Receipt for partial payment for a party of four for passage from New York to Hamburg on the SS St. Louis of the Hamburg America Line dated 28 April 1933. Fare for Each Adult was $143.00 Plus Tax for a cabin class berth.
1933-06-05 Prepaid Ticket - Hamburg to New York
Tourist Class Passage for Three Family Members living in Berlin prepaid by another family member living in Maryland for a voyage from Hamburg to New York, departing 5 June 1933 on a Hamburg America Line steamship Deutschland.
1936-02-22 Receipt for Partial Payment for Round-Trip Passage - New York and Bremen
Receipt for partial payment for third class passage on the SS New York - Eastbound and the SS Bremen - Westbound for a round-trip voyages between New York and Bremen on the Hamburg America Line.
1912 Purchaser's Receipt for Steerage Prepaid Passage Contract on the Hamburg-American Line for German Immigrant. GGA Image ID # 1d5946fd72
HAPAG Periodicals
Cover from a May 1910 Hamburg-American Gazette Publication. GGA Image ID # 1d7d909566
1910-05 Hamburg-American Gazette
The May 1910 issue of the Hamburg-American Gazette featured "Tourists Return from South America: Remarkable Success of the SS Bluecher's Cruise to the Straits of Magellan," "The SS Cincinnati Returns from Orient Cruise," and "Each Succeeding Season These Cruises are Coming More and More Into Favor With the American Traveling Pubic." Many photographs including The Hamburg-American Piers at Hoboken (New York), USA, Dining Room of the SS Prinz Joachim, Showing New Arrangement of Small Tables on "Prinz" Steamers of the Atlas Service, Pier at Montevideo, Uruguay, and Captain Schülke of SS Cincinnati.
1935-04 The Seven Seas Magazine
Volume 14, No. 4, April 1935 issue of the Seven Seas, published quarterly by Hamburg America Line and North German Lloyd in New York featured articles on the Baroque Garden by Helen Appleton Read, Moslem Metropolis by Stoyan Christowe and two location articles on Salisbury and Baden ~ Baden. Lavishly illustrated with black and white photographs throughout. 32 Pages plus Covers.
1936 Winter - The Seven Seas Magazine
Winter 1936 Issue of the Seven Seas, Published Jointly by the Hamburg America Line and North German Lloyd. Featured Articles Included: Marburg on the Lahn, the Epitome of the Concept Mittelalterlich and the Seat of the First Lutheran University Founded by Philip the Magnanimous Landgraf of Hesse in 1523 by Helen Appleton Read, Roman Holiday by Charles G. Shaw and the City of Gay Night -- Budapest, Hungary by William B. Powell.
HAPAG Immigrant Inspection Cards
1912-04-24 Inspection Card - Austrian Immigrant
Fine example of an Immigrants and Steerage Passengers' Inspection Card issued on 24 April 1912 by the Hamburg America Line for an Austrian Immigrant on board the SS President Grant that departed from Hamburg, Germany arriving in New York on 7 May 1912. Passed American Ellis Island Inspectors on 8 May 1912.
HAPAG Brochures
1914 - Hamburg-Amerika Linie Nordseebäder-Fahrplan
Viele Fotos der Schiffe, Innenansichten und Bilder der Wahrzeichen von Hamburg, Deutschland, machen diese Broschüre zu einer ungewöhnlich guten Broschüre der Hamburg- Amerika Linie von 1914. Zwei farbige Karten enthalten die Nordsee und die Umgebung.
1914 - Hamburg America Line North Sea Resorts Timetable
Many photographs of the ships, interior views, and images of Hamburg, Germany landmarks help to make this an unusually good brochure from the Hamburg America Line in 1914. Two color maps are included of the North Sea and Vicinity.
1924 Brochure - The New Twin Screw Steamship Deutschland
8-Panel Flyer offers a quick look at the SS Deutschland, a 21,046-ton ship, launched on 28 April 1923 with her maiden voyage on 27 March 1924. Superb interior photographs create a visual feast of this elegant ship of the Hamburg America Line (HAPAG).
1928 Brochure - HAPAG - Across the Atlantic in First Class
Outstanding brochure from the Hamburg America Line captures the opulence of first-class transatlantic travel in the late 1920s. Rare interior photographs of public rooms such as the shopping plaza or promenade make this an excellent booklet.
1936 Brochure - HAPAG-North German Lloyd - Go Tourist Class
26-Page Brochure "Go Tourist Class" is a joint production of HAPAG-NDL. Profusely Illustrated with interior photographs of Tourist Class accommodations and ships of both lines that carried passengers of that class. A superb brochure produced for American tourist of the Summer Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany.
1937 Brochure - HAPAG-NDL Ships in the Transatlantic Service
14-page small format brochure produced jointly by HAPAG-LLOYD welcomes you to Germany in 1937 on their transatlantic ships Bremen, Europa, Columbus, New York, Hamburg, Hansa, Deutschland, St. Louis, and Berlin. Brief information along with a photograph of each ship is included in this booklet.
HAPAG - Cabin and Third Class on the MS St. Louis - 1938
1938 8-page, large format brochure from the Hamburg America Line presents views of the rooms and decks enjoyed by the cabin and third-class passengers aboard the MS St. Louis. Captions and text were provided in German and English. The English versions are provided below.
In The Third Class to North America - 1938
This is a well-preserved brochure that was published before the beginning of the European conflict that became World War II. Superb photography makes this an exceptional record of the Third Class accommodations on the steamships Deutschland, New York, Hamburg, and the Hansa.
In der Dritten Klasse nach Nordamerika - 1938
Es handelt sich um eine gut erhaltene Broschüre veröffentlicht wurde, dass vor dem Beginn des europäischen Konflikt, der sich aus dem Zweiten Weltkrieg. Superb Fotografie macht dies ein Rekord excecptional der dritten Klasse Unterkünfte auf dem Dampfer Deutschland, New York, Hamburg und die Hanse.
1938 Brochure Cover -- In the Third Class to North America by the Hamburg-American Line. GGA Image ID # 12d855a507
HAPAG Concert and Event Programs
Cover for a 1939 SS New York Social Events Program. GGA Image ID # 12c96dd286
1933-07-27 Social Events Program - SS New York
Program of Social Events for a voyage of the SS New York of the Hamburg America Line beginning 27 July 1933. Events included Movies, Concerts, "Get-Togethers," and Dances. Two of the movies shown were self-promotional world cruises aboard a HAPAG ocean liner.
1936-08-27 Voyage Events Program - SS Deutschland
Tourist Class Events Program on the SS Deutschland of the Hamburg America Line for the voyage beginning 27 August 1936. Activities included Dances, Movies, Concerts, "Get-Togethers," Horse Races, Beer Parity, and Horse Races.
1939-05-11 Social Events Program - SS New York
Social Events Program for the transatlantic voyage on the SS New York of the Hamburg America Line beginning 11 May 1939. Featured events included Tea Concerts, Horse Races, Dancing, Movies, Fancy Dress Ball, and News Reels.
HAPAG Other Ephemera
1922-06-15 Passenger Transport Notification
You will need a passport to your (Homeland) which a registration will be accepted he must exit from Hamburg to New York until the day of departure elected ships tips or a week longer applies.
Provisioning a Transatlantic Liner - Equivalent in Live Stock and General Stores. GGA Image ID # 1014ed4ab9
Provisioning A Transatlantic Liner - 1901
The Scientific American article from June 29, 1901, details the provisions for passengers, crew, and coal for the boilers needed for a transatlantic voyage of the North German Line Steamship Deutschland. The ship's capacity, including passengers and crew, was 1,617.
The SS New York at Cuxhaven, Germany circa 1930. GGA Image ID # 1771dfd28a
Postcards from the Hamburg-American Line
Small Collection of rare Hamburg-American Line postcards. Our series of postally used and unused postcards date from the early 1900s.
Hamburg-American Line Track Chart of the Atlantic Ocean, 1929. GGA Image ID # 177cc9384d
Insert: Faster Across the Atlantic, 1929. GGA Image ID # 176fa685cb
Hamburg-Amerika Linie Fleet List, 1909. SS Deutschland Passenger List, 7 October 1909. GGA Image ID # 1e4210cdee