1938 Southampton Hamtun House Hotel Ad | Vintage Maritime Ephemera UK

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Item ID: 297241769342
eBay Seller ID: britishfareasttraders
eBay Store Link: View this item
Category: Collectables:Paper & Ephemera:Ephemera:1901-1950
Condition: In decent condition. Please check our images.

1938 Southampton Hamtun House Hotel Ad | Vintage Maritime Ephemera UK

A rare 1938 hotel advertisement from Southampton’s portside heyday–a maritime-era collectible ideal for ephemera collectors, local historians, and heritage enthusiasts.

Measurements: approx. 4 1/2 x 3 3/8 inches
Dates: n/a
Condition: In decent condition, please see images. 
Internal notes: QC passed

Imagine arriving at Southampton’s bustling docks in 1938, as transatlantic liners tower in the misty harbour and the quiet elegance of Hamtun House Hotel welcomes you from nearby Hulse Road. The air is filled with salt and coal smoke, the promise of tennis, golf, and yachting just a short stroll away. Nestled in one of the most convenient and attractive positions in the city, Hamtun House offered weary travellers a warm bed, hot and cold running water, and a fully licensed bar–everything needed before or after a grand voyage. The advertisement invites passengers to “Look us up when you land at Southampton,” conjuring the golden age of British and international maritime travel.

This original 1938 advertisement from the Overseas Daily Mail captures a pivotal moment in British travel history. Southampton was then one of the world’s most important passenger ports, making Hamtun House Hotel a key waypoint for globetrotters, emigrants, and businessmen alike. Measuring approx. 4 1/2 x 3 3/8 inches and in decent condition, this piece features a detailed sketch of the hotel and promotional copy referencing major travel luxuries of the time–central heating, private bathrooms, a garage, and recreational amenities.

Preserving this type of vintage hotel ephemera is vital for understanding how Britain promoted its cities to the world. This advertisement is more than paper–it’s a window into Southampton’s port culture, architectural pride, and travel infrastructure during the interwar years. For collectors of maritime history, hotel memorabilia, or British tourism, this is a meaningful and evocative piece that deserves thoughtful stewardship.