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"Manhattan Twilight - The "Queen Mary" by Paul McGehee. "Manhattan Twilight" dramatically depicts the famous liner R.M.S. "Queen Mary" of the Cunard Line as she appeared in the 1960s, departing New York City on her regular transatlantic run to Southampton, England. The "Queen Mary" for many years was the flagship of the Cunard Line during the golden age of ocean travel. Launched in 1936, she held the transatlantic speed record for 17 years before being bested in 1952 by the superliner "United States", who still holds that record to this very day! Many made the Atlantic crossing on the "Queen"...movie stars, politicians, royalty, and thousands of others who wished to cross the ocean in style on the famous ship. During the years of World War she was refitted and served as a troop ship, dodging U-Boats in the North Atlantic on regular runs to England. It was during this time period her famous colors were hidden beneath drab paint and she earned the nickname "the Grey Ghost". She carried upwards of 15,000 American soldiers per trip, many times without an escort, as her great speed made it almost impossible for other vessels to keep up with her. Aside from the troops, she also carried Prime Minister Winston Churchill on several secret trips to the U.S. in his many meetings with President Roosevelt. After the war's end she was again refitted and returned to luxury passenger service for the Cunard Line. She remained a familiar sight in New York harbor until being retired in 1967. But, her story does not end here! Happily, she was saved from being scrapped, was repurposed for retail use and is now permanently docked in Long Beach, California for future generations to enjoy as a major tourist attraction and hotel. To see her reminds one of bygone days, when royalty ruled the waves...her name was, and still is, "Queen Mary". "Manhattan Twilight - The "Queen Mary" is faithfully reproduced from McGehee's beautiful color pencil original as a hand-signed limited edition archival quality print. Print image size: 10 1/2" x 20 1/2". Edition size 2,000 S/N.
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