FRANCONIA: 1923 - Deluxe, deco 1931 World Cruise brochure w/ separate deck plans

Cunard Line - A large (10" by 14") forty-page brochure for the FRANCONIA's 1931 World Cruise. The deco graphics are outstanding. The full-color cover shows citizens in traditional garb representing the countries visited. Inside are route maps, itineraries, destination info and photos, plus ship information. "The Cunard Line constructed the S.S. FRANCONIA, 20,000 tons gross, especially for World Cruising," notes the intro. "When she leaves New York in January huge coal fires dance in the grates of her libraries ... her "Punkah Louvre" system of ventilation transforms tropical nights into breeze laden comfort."  The ship departed New York on January 10th and returned on May 28th. Along the way she visited ports ranging from Alexandria and Ancon to Singapore and San Pedro. Much of the brochure showcases those stops in prose and pictures, revealing a slumbering world that would be swept by war in the years to come.  Tucked in back is a large (32" by 38") deck plan with color-coding. Seven