Emmy-Winning Writer’s SS United States and Ocean Liner Collection Heads to Auction
A collection of ocean liner memorabilia assembled over nearly four decades by Emmy and Golden Globe-winning television writer and producer Mark Perry is heading to auction.
Hughes Auctions of Los Angeles will offer approximately 90 percent of Perry’s collection, led by artifacts connected to the SS United States. The sale will also include memorabilia from the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, Dominion Monarch and other historic passenger ships.
The auction catalog is scheduled to go online during the weekend of August 1, 2026. Live online bidding will begin August 16 at 10 AM PDT.
Among the SS United States collectibles are authentic First Class stateroom furniture, brushed aluminum railings and signage, dining tableware, silver service, linens, posters and ship models.
Specific lots include metal First Class stateroom furniture, a Synchron electric clock identical to one used in the ship’s radio room, a complete silverplate caviar server and a metal table lamp from the First or Cabin Class dining room.
The SS United States entered service in 1952 and broke the record for the fastest transatlantic crossing during its maiden voyage. The ship was designed by William Francis Gibbs and constructed using nonflammable materials because of his focus on fire prevention.
Perry serves on the advisory council of the SS United States Conservancy. He plans to donate a portion of the proceeds from the SS United States lots to the nonprofit organization’s museum fund. The group is working to preserve the ship’s history through a planned museum in Florida near the location where the vessel is expected to become an artificial reef.
The auction will also feature several large travel agent and display models. Ships represented include the SS United States, France, Liberté, Mauretania, Aquitania and Queen Elizabeth 2.
One of the largest pieces is a six-foot, scratch-built model of the Queen Elizabeth that was designed to be illuminated.
Another portion of the sale comes from the collection of the late maritime historian and former Seattle Port Commissioner Gordon Newell. The group centers on the Shaw Savill Lines ship Dominion Monarch and includes a life ring, an illuminated scratch-built model and Newell’s personal scrapbook.
The scrapbook contains ephemera and news clippings documenting Newell’s efforts to bring the Dominion Monarch to Seattle as a floating hotel for the 1962 Century 21 Exposition.
Perry traced his interest in ocean liners to watching the 1960 disaster film The Last Voyage, which was filmed aboard the Île de France. His interest grew further after the release of The Poseidon Adventure in 1972, which featured the Queen Mary.
Outside of collecting, Perry has worked in television for more than 30 years. The auction will include several one-of-a-kind props from the CBS series Ghost Whisperer, including a full-size ceremonial life ring from the fictional SS Claridon.
The life ring appeared in an episode written by Perry and filmed aboard the Queen Mary. Proceeds from the sale of the Ghost Whisperer props will be donated to the Motion Picture & Television Fund.
Hughes Auctions said it plans to begin the lots with low opening bids in hopes that the artifacts will find new homes with other ocean liner collectors.