All pictures are copyright Peter Knego
AUREOL (1951)
Elder Dempster Lines
Liverpool
The cinema is directly aft of the first class lounge on the starboard side. Note paneling and the circular light fixture. Beautiful wood and brass fittings not seen in years!
Aft of the vestibule on the port side, a lovely foyer links the first class public rooms. In and of itself, despite some slight modern touches added to showcase Latsis' oil refineries, the space is reminiscent of original QUEEN MARY areas.
A detail of a mirror in the forward section of the port foyer.
A small athwartship passage links the port foyer with the starbord card room, located just aft of the cinema. This room is absolutely stunning and boasts original paneling, vintage chairs and tables, some original Elder Dempster flatward (in the cabinets) and...ctd.
ctd.....mounted on the forward bulkhead of the first class card room is the first of three originally commissioned paintings that depict life in West Africa.
The aftermost first class public space is the former first class smoking room. Mr Latsis took some liberties with the decor, leaving a good deal of the original fixtures in place. The port side windows apparently leak, hence the huge carpet hanging from the ceiling to deflect water. The furnishings and the ceramic dogs are not original, but nearly everything else is. This view is facing aft from the port side.
On the forward bulkhead (between photos of the Prince of Saudi Arabia) is the second of three original oils commissioned for AUREOL depicting West African life.
This beautiful bar is paneled in leather and would make wonderful use as a preserved unit somewhere aboard a newbuild. Prewar P&O lines egg cups (likely destored from the Latsis-owned STRATHS when they were scrapped) and various other maritime antiques were still used in this area.
The cabin class public areas began in the deckhouse on aft Lower Promenade Deck. The Smoking Room is the largest of these spaces, still in fine woods and with linoleum decking. This view is facing starboard. The wooden "pillars" are actually the boon casings.
The cabin class Smoking Room sports the third original oil commissioned for AUREOL. This image has been "doctored" to help another bad exposure. Note the silver(?) clock just above the painting.
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