Old postcard Italy liner Marseille SGTM steamship

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

Vintage postcard depicting the steamship "ITALIE" of the Société Générale de Transports Maritimes à Vapeur (SGTM), with explicit mention of Marseille. The main image, in black and white with printed inscriptions in red, shows the ship in profile on the sea. The liner, identifiable by its elongated structure and three masts, features a large central funnel characteristic of steamships from the late 19th-early 20th century. The background hints at a coastline, probably that of Marseille, reinforcing the authenticity of the maritime scene.

The card is presented on an antique-style carved wooden stand (partially visible in the photo), but only the illustrated side of the postcard is visible. The printed inscriptions at the top in red ink state: "SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE DE TRANSPORTS MARITIMES À VAPEUR – MARSEILLE", while the text at the bottom reads: "Le Paquebot "ITALIE", est heureusement arrivé à..." (The Liner "ITALIE", has happily arrived at...), with blank spaces left for manual completion, a typical use for maritime arrival notification cards of that era.

The postcard has a sober aesthetic, typical of official maritime correspondence from the early 20th century. The graphics, the absence of color other than the printed text, and the antique typography confirm its authenticity and age. No handwritten text or stamp is visible on the displayed side.

The stand in the photo, adorned with floral motifs and volutes, is not included in the sale but highlights the period spirit of the card. The photographed scene emphasizes the fine printing and the clarity of the ship's visual, with no major defects visible on the shown side.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. The postcard shows a clean surface, with no stains or visible writing on the illustration side. No apparent creases or chips in the photograph. Additional details available upon request.

Did you know? The liner "ITALIE" was an emblematic ship of the SGTM, a Marseille-based company founded in 1865, which provided connections between France and various Mediterranean and colonial destinations. This type of postcard often served as official notification of ship arrivals to correspondents or port authorities.

AFW Reassurance

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Keywords: marine postcard, liner Italie, SGTM Marseille, antique ship card, maritime notification, historical steamer, steamer postcard, old boat, arrival notification card, antique Marseille card, vintage liner postcard, ship postcard France