Lot Essay
The launching of the liners, Conte di Savoia and Rex in the late 1920's heralded Italy's renaissance in the quest for the expanding market in transatlantic travel.
The two ships, although initially beset by mechanical problems, were fast, flamboyant and luxurious, echoing the finest Italian engineering and design flair. The Rex held the 'Blue Riband' for Italy for a short while in the mid 1930's while the Conte di Savoia was the first liner to be fitted with gyro stabilizers.
Sadly, they both fell victims to the war. Laid up in the Gulf of Venice since hostilities began, they were destroyed by allied aircraft long after the Italian surrender. The scrapping of the Rex was not completed under 1958. In 1945 the Conte di Savoia was raised and finally broken up at Monfalcone in 1950.
They are seen here off Gibraltar in 1937, on one of the last occasions their paths crossed. The Conte di Savoia bound for New York and the Rex inbound for her home port of Genoa.
The two ships, although initially beset by mechanical problems, were fast, flamboyant and luxurious, echoing the finest Italian engineering and design flair. The Rex held the 'Blue Riband' for Italy for a short while in the mid 1930's while the Conte di Savoia was the first liner to be fitted with gyro stabilizers.
Sadly, they both fell victims to the war. Laid up in the Gulf of Venice since hostilities began, they were destroyed by allied aircraft long after the Italian surrender. The scrapping of the Rex was not completed under 1958. In 1945 the Conte di Savoia was raised and finally broken up at Monfalcone in 1950.
They are seen here off Gibraltar in 1937, on one of the last occasions their paths crossed. The Conte di Savoia bound for New York and the Rex inbound for her home port of Genoa.