A wonderful oil on board by A. Benton - Hughes, who could be Archie Benton Hughes, former US Navy Shipman, b1926. The Queen Mary launched 1934, carried over 800,000 military personnel during WWII. She is now an iconic hotel, at Long Beach California. On May 27, 1936, The Queen Mary departed from Southampton, England, embarking on her maiden voyage. She boasted five dining areas and lounges, two cocktail bars and swimming pools, a grand ballroom, a squash court, and even a small hospital. The Queen Mary had set a new benchmark in transatlantic travel, which the rich and famous considered as the only civilized way to travel. She quickly seized the hearts and imaginations of the public on both sides of the Atlantic, representing the spirit of an era known for its elegance, class, and style.
