The sweets of a delightful meal may become as the waters of Marah by a menu card that offends the eye
Queen Elizabeth, Luncheon Menu 15 Feb 1958. Image shows King Charles’s Tower, Chester.
Menu cards within the Cunard Archive are enjoyed by archive users not only for the information within them, but also for their attractive cover designs.
An article published in Cunard News in 1922 describes how art printed on a menu card is carefully chosen to enhance the dining experience of guests.
Cunard News, 1922
Menu cards were popular mementos, kept by passengers to remind them of their experience on board a Cunard ship.
Queen Mary Luncheon Menu, 31 August 1967.
Illustration shows `Wren's London' by Hans Unger.
Mauretania II Luncheon Menu, 3 November 1947
Queen Elizabeth Luncheon Menu, 20 October 1965
Illustration shows reproduction of painting by [Georges?] Jeannin of river and sailing boats.
Mauretania II Luncheon Menu, 14 January 1955
Illustration shows a Beefeater
Britannic III Luncheon menu, 6 October 1949
Cover artwork shows a reproduction of `Merrie England', a painting by Philip Connard. The painting also hung in the restaurant of R.M.S. Queen Mary.
Queen Elizabeth Dinner Menu, 23 September 1965
Reproduction of painting of dancers by Elizabeth Twistington Higgins.
Scythia II Menu, 2 May 1935
With images of the vessel
Queen Elizabeth Dinner Menu, 14 April 1966
Illustration shows Gandria, Lake Lugano, Switzerland.
Queen Elizabeth, Cunard 125th Anniversary Gala Night Dinner Menu, 4 July 1965
Illustration shows various ships through Cunard history.
Mauretania II Luncheon Menu, 1 November 1947
There are many menu cards within the Cunard Archive, and more are deposited regularly by members of the public.
An overview of the Cunard Archive is available here
