This delightful menu illustration was for the Orient shipping line and was meant to remind passengers that others also traveled by sea – namely, the owl and the pussycat in a famous poem.

The illustration was created by Lynton Lamb (1907-1977), an artist, lithographer, wood engraver, book illustrator and author of several detective novels. Born in India, he grew up in London and his many achievements included designing the binding of the Bible used at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

From 1935 to 1950, he worked for the Orient Line. This menu cover, dated 1955, is for the SS Oronsay, named after the island of Oronsay off the west coast of Scotland.

The luxury cruise ship sailed the trans-pacific Australasia route via the Suez Canal, stopping at Sydney, Auckland, Suva, Honolulu, Victoria, Vancouver and San Francisco.

SS Oronsay was withdrawn from service in 1974.

The Owl and the Pussycat is a famous poem written by Edward Lear (1907-1877) and published in 1871. It starts:

The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea

In a beautiful pea-green boat

They took some honey and plenty of money

Wrapped up in a five-pound note.

The lovely three verse poem is available to read in full on the internet.