Kursall and Gardens, Southend-on-Sea : advert in : Seawards : official souvenir handbook of the Eagle & Queen Line Steamers : The General Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. : London : nd [1949/50]

            An advert from the General Steam Navigation Co. Ltd.'s regular publication, the guide book to their steamer services from Tower Pier in London, down the Thames to various resorts and destinations in Essex and Kent. Undated this is datable by notes as to a photographic competition for 1949 - 1950 run by the company As well as details as to sailings and services descriptions of the various towns visited are given along with adverts for local companies and services. Although the company's earlier extensive sailings to the Continent had been cut back, some cross-Channel day trips were still operated as were a wider range of freight destinations.

The General Steam Navigation Co. Ltd. had its origins in 1824 and was for decades one of the major players in services from the Thames both to home and Continental destinations. They were effectively acquired by P&O in 1920, acquiring competitors the New Medway Steam Packet Co. & their 'Queen Line' in 1937, and survived until changes in travel and trade patterns saw the company cease to exist in 1971. 

The back cover is an advert for the famous Kursaal and Gardens entertainment complex at Southend-on-Sea then a major holiday destinations for travellers and particularly from London. The Kursaal Palace was opened on the site of earlier pleasure gardens in 1901 and the main buildings were designed by George Campbell Sherrin FRIBA, who was also an architect for the Metropolitan Railway in London. It was one of the world's first purpose build such amusement centres but sadly the now Grade II Listed buildings stand vacant and are on the Buildings at Risk Register. The outdoor amusements section was first to close in 1973 and has long been re-developed. The sketch gives the names of the various rides; a Scenic Railway, Cyclone Race, Dive Bomber, Airsport, Moon Rocket and Bowl Slide.

Taken on: November 23, 2025

Tags:

Mike Ashworth Collection

ephemera

transport

steamer services

London

River Thames shipping services

Essex

Kent

Seawards handbook

guide book

The Eagle & Queen LineSteamer Handbook

1949-50

The General Steam Navigation Co. Ltd.

graphic design

P.S. Royal Eagle

advertising

publicity

tourism

Royal Daffodil

Southend-on-Sea

The Kursall

Kursaal Palace and Gardens

entertainment

amusements

fairground

amusement park

Scenic Railway

Cyclone Race

Dive Bomber

Airsport

Moon Rocket

Bowl Slide.

amusement centre « less

Sets appears in: • Travel! • Some old advertising

Groups appears in: • Vintage Advertising • That Old Timey Feeling more » • Golden Age of Advertising: 1950s - 1970s • Advertising through the years • This Is Essex • PLANET EARTH BACK IN THE DAY « less

Camera: Brother MFC-J6930DW (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Brother MFC-J6930DW
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Apple Image Capture
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