Cruise Liners, Newspapers and an Interesting Find

I tend to mention quite frequently all the great deals I find at Goodwill and other thrift stores. I shop at Goodwill quite a bit and every once and a while I'll find something that's out of the ordinary.

Last month I came across what I thought was just a framed map. Upon closer inspection, I realized that that map was actually from a cruise line called ALCOA.

It had the route marked leaving from New Orleans to South America and returning to Mobile.

The most exciting part was this section where it listed the names of a couple, Mr. & Mrs. Millard Cope who went on the cruise. It also had signatures from both the Captain and the cruise director. The cruise was from June 23rd- July 9th, 1956. (It probably would have looked better if I had removed the price tags BEFORE taking the pictures.)

I wanted to find out more about this cruise souvenir so in combing the Internet I came across an article from Cruise Line History: (WARNING: History class ahead....)

"Because of shipping shortages during WWI, ALCOA (Aluminum Company of America) developed it's own line to ship bauxite. Following WWII, ALCOA Steamship acquired three unfinished victory ship hulls in 1946. The ships were redesigned and finished with accommodations for 96 first class passengers."

"In 1947 the ALCOA Cavalier, ALCOA Clipper and ALCOA Corsair established regular service between New Orleans and South America. The ships were modern and provided excellent service."

I love these ads from the 1950's advertising the ALCOA cruise line.

Here's a catchy line from the swimming pool ad above:

"And at night...music, dancing under the stars, and new-found romance as you watch the phosphorescent sparkle of the ship's wake stretch toward the horizon."

This ad stresses how well appointed the staterooms were with the added luxury of air conditioning. Also that you would be cruising with other passengers who were "a friendly, congenial group..."

I was also curious about Mr. & Mrs. Millard Cope, the passengers listed on the map. When researching I came across a good amount of info on a Millard Lewis Cope (1905-1964.)

Apparently he was a national figure in journalism. Many prominent journalists credit Millard Cope with teaching them what journalism was all about. He was noted for his strong personal character.

He served on the board of Associated Press and as President of Southern Newspaper Publisher's Association. Mr. Cope was appointed to Texas State Historical Survey Commission and the Texas Civil War Centennial Commission. (And here's the biggie...) President John F. Kennedy, himself, appointed Mr. Cope to the Advisory Council of the Peace Corps in 1963.

So, is it the same Millard Cope who took an ALCOA cruise with his wife in 1956? Who knows? (The dates do match up...)

It's great finding awesome new items at second hand stores but it's even better to find something with history (and a little mystery.)