Inventory of the Count Carlo Zanardi Landi Collection SPC.2009.001
Finding aid prepared by Michele Anderson
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2009
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
Business Number: 310-243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Count Carlo Zanardi Landi Collection
Creator:
Landi, Carlo, 1872-
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2009.001
Physical Description:
2 boxes
Physical Description:
1 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1907-January 5, 1929; undated
Date (bulk): 1917-1927
Abstract: This collection includes handwritten letters, typed correspondence, photographs, newspaper clippings, invoices, photographs,
and pamphlets primarly regarding Count Carlo Zanardi Landi's steamship salvage business after World War I. Count Carlo Zanardi
Landi was a Marine Superintendent of the Ocean Salvage Company Limited.
Language of Material:
English
, Italian
, French
, Dutch; Flemish
.
Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
The records in this collection were acquired through a donation from Jennifer Cady, daughter of a former instructor at California
State University Dominguez Hills.
Processing Information
Collection processed in March 2009 by Michele Anderson.
History
The Admiralty was a British authority that oversaw the functions of the Royal Navy. During and after World War I, the British
Admiralty Salvage Section, as dictated by the Admiralty, was responsible for the salvaging of ships stranded at sea. Salvage
duties included refloating, towing, pumping, dredging and repairing damage to ships. Some ships suffered major damage from
torpedoes, while others only required to be patched, pumped or tugged to another location.
Count Carlo Zanardi Landi (1876-1953) was an Italian nobleman who worked as a Marine Superintendent for the Ocean Salvage
Company Limited, a marine salvage company based in London. During World War I, Count Landi was commissioned by the British
Admiralty Salvage Section to recover ships primarily stranded in the British Isles and the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Landi
was responsible for organizing the crews on the salvage ships, such as divers, blacksmiths and carpenters, and ordering ship
supplies. He also accompanied and managed crews traveling to various ports as dictated by the British Admiralty.
Landi was married to Countess Zanardi Landi, who claimed to be the secret daughter of Emperor Francis Joseph and Elizabeth
of Austria and subsequently wrote the book "The Secret of an Empress". Count Landi adopted his wife's children, Tonio and
Elissa, who was a film actress from the 1920's to 1940's.
Scope and Content
The Count Carlo Zanardi Landi Collection (1907-1929) contains 1 linear feet of correspondence, newspaper clippings, telegrams,
invoices, pamphlets and photographs related to Count Carlo Zanardi Landi's salvage steamship business, The Ocean Savage Company
Limited. The correspondence in the collection are primarily related to the steamship salavage business after World War I,
including the management of crews, the purchase of ships and supplies, and the status of salavage operations. Other correspondence
include typed and handwritten correspondence in Italian and French as well as letters from Landi's stepson, Tonio, and stepdaughter,
actress Elissa.
Other material in the collection include invoices related and unrelated to the salavage steamship business, as well a pamphlet
in Dutch about a new diver appartus, and a journal about yachting and marine motoring.
There are 153 photographs in the collection of salvage steamships, salvage ships, ship damage, crewmembers, and other images
related to salvage work from 1907-1927. The ships mentioned in the photographs include the Semper Paratus; S.S. Novington
and S.S. Oilfield in Great Britian; the S.S. Andonio D. Kydoniefs in Greece; and the S.S. Sebat, S.S. Lothar Bohlen, and the
S.S. Cleopatra in Turkey. Many of the photograph were taken in areas of Turkey, including Istanbul (formally Constantinople),
Gallipoli, and Karaburun in the Antolia region.
Arrangement
Arranged in two series:
- Series I. Count Zanardi Landi Documents, 1917-1929
- Series II. Photographs, 1907-1927
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Admiralty -- Great Britain
Salvage
Salvage -- Great Britain
Salvage -- Turkey
World War, 1914-1918
Black Sea
British Isles
Mediterranean Sea
Turkey
Gallipoli (Turkey)
Marine accidents
Steam-navigation
Steamboats
Salvage vessels
Ships
Historic ships
Navigation -- History
Landi, Carlo, 1872-
Landi, Elissa, 1904-1948
Great Britain. Royal Navy
Series I: Count Zanardi Landi Documents
June 9, 1917-January 5, 1929; undated
Scope and Contents
This series includes correspondence to and from Count Carlo Zanardi Landi, telegrams, newspaper clippings, a copy of "The
Yachting World and Marine Motor Journal", a Dutch pamphlet about new diver apparatus, invoices, hotel stationary and handwritten
notes.
box 1, folder 2
Correspondence from the Ministry of Shipping, Transport Department, application for shipping supplies (slings), and parts
list
June 9, 1917, February 23, 1923; undated
box 1, folder 4
Correspondence to presumably Count Zanardi Landi from various senders including British Legation; Alfred W. Gray, Law Offices
of Dudley and Gray; Alfred Heinemann; and other senders
June 14, 1917-January 27, 1927; undated
Scope and Contents
Most of the letters are about legal, business, or financial matters, with a personal letter regarding Christmas.
box 1, folder 10
Correspondence to and from Captain W.G.A. Bourne to Count Carlo Zanardi Landi
June 17-June 19, 1924
box 1, folder 12
Correspondence to presumably Count Carlo Zanardi Landi from Cyril C. Pascoe primarily regarding employment
August 25, 1926- circa March 21, 1927
Scope and Contents
Includes one letter from presumably Count Carlo Zanardi Landi.
box 1, folder 14
Correspondence to H.A. Gottlieb from Hardcastle Sanders and Co.; Arthur H. Houlgate Company; and Legge Murray and Co., Ltd.
October 28 -December 22, 1926
box 1, folder 16
Correspondence to and from Adamsons, Ltd. to Count Carlo Zanardi Landi, regarding the balance on his account
April 23-May 21, 1927
box 1, folder 11
Correspondence to and from Cecil F. Read to Count Carlo Zanardi Landi, and correspondence from Amery-Parkes and Company to
Cecil F. Read regarding the affidavit with Count Carlo Zanardi Landi
September 17, 1926-January 28, 1927
box 1, folder 21
Correspondence from Officer [Frotello Rdorodo]
December 20, 1926, February 9, 1927; undated
Language of Material: Italian, French.
box 1, folder 15
Letters from Tonio to presumably Count Carlo Zanardi Landi
January 7, 1927- circa March 14, 1927
Scope and Contents
Includes six letters from Tonio to Count Carlo Zanardi Landi regarding financial situations, Landi's birthday, Uncle Albert,
and other family matters. Tonio is Landi's adopted son.
box 1, folder 22
Correspondence from [Trino]
January 23, 1927; November 11, 1927; undated
Language of Material: Italian, French.
box 1, folder 24
Correspondence most likely from the Salvage Steamer "Semper Paratus"
January 21, 1927
Language of Material: Italian.
box 1, folder 20
Correspondence from presumably Count Carlo Zanardi Landi to various people include Mr. James, A. Letts, and J. Geoffery Hart
January 24, 1927-April 28, 1927
box 1, folder 17
Correspondence from Elisa to presumably Count Carlo Zanardi Landi
undated
box 1, folder 23
Correspondence from Vera
undated
box 1, folder 1
Ocean Salvage Company Limited
June 2, 1917-August 28, 1918
Scope and Contents
Includes documents related to Articles of Association for the Ocean Salvage Company, and the appointment of Count Lanardi
Landi as the Marine Superintendent of the Ocean Salavage Company Limited.
box 1, folder 3
Ministry of the Interior Recognition Sheet, Temporary Residence Permit, and correspondence from the Ministry of Maritime or
Road Transport
1917
Language of Material: French, Italian.
box 1, folder 5
Telegrams from the Ministry of Shipping and the Mercantile Marine Department regarding the vessel "Buttercup"
January 3-June 18, 1921; undated
Scope and Contents
Also included is a supply list for the vessel.
box 1, folder 6
Marconigram to M.M. Carino, Telegram receipts, Telegram from Albert, and Telegrams to presumably Count Carlo Zanardi Landi
from Tony, Caroline, Albert, and others
July 7, 1921- January 27, 1928; undated
box 1, folder 9
Daily journal notes, blank envelopes, nautical direction notes, and other notes
circa 1923 -1924; undated
box 1, folder 13
Invoices and receipts for F. Gennarli, Ltd.; Sir John Bennett Ltd.; Treadwell Brothers; A.W. Gamage Ltd.; Osborne, Garrett,
and Co. Ltd; Buck and Ryan; Maple and Co. Ltd.; The Endeca Metal Decoration Co. Ltd.; and others
January 9, 1926-July 2, 1927
box 1, folder 7
"Nieuwe uitzichten voor de nijverheid onder het zee-oppervlak. Een nieuw duikertoestel. Voordracht, genouden in de vergadering
van het Koninklijk Instituut van Ingenieurs, van 28 Juli 1922"
July 28, 1922
Language of Material: Dutch; Flemish.
box 1, folder 18
"The Yachting World and Marine Motor Journal: The Oldest Yachting Weekly in the British Isles" number 1812
January 5, 1929
box 1, folder 8
Newspaper clippings
circa July 15, 1923; undated
Scope and Contents
Newspaper clippings titles include: "The Swastika," "Lost Gold in the Luisitania: Expert Opinion of New Effort with Mystery
Ship," and "Armoured Cruiser for the Breakers."
box 1, folder 19
Hotel George Washington Stationary
undated
Series II: Photographs
1907-1927; circa 1920s
Language of Material: English, Italian.
Scope and Contents
This series includes 153 photographs of salvage steamers, salvaged ships, ship damage, crewmembers and other images related
to ships and steamers. Images of specific ships or steamers include: Semper Paratus, S.S. [Akudenis], S.S. Andonio D. Kydoniefs,
S.S. Atone, S.S. Cleopatra, S.S. Dalhouise, S.S. Evangeline, S.S. [Falernian] S.S. Lothar Bohlen, S.S. [Maryathea], S.S. Newquay,
S.S. Novington, S.S. Oilfield, S.S. Sebat, S.S. [Sheref Iner], S.S. [Tayar], S.S. Valiant; S.S. Ville de Nice, S.S. Waterville,
and S.S. Wellington.
box 2, item 2, 15-17, 19-20, 35-37, 40-41, 44, 50
Crewmembers on or near ships
circa 1920s
box 2, item 55-56, 62, 73-75, 80, 108-109, 116,131-132, 148
Crewmembers on or near ships
circa 1920s
box 2, item 9-13, 27, 28, 43, 46, 64, 106-107, 127-130
Damage on ships
circa 1920s
box 2, item 70, 96-97, 124
Gallipoli, Turkey
circa 1920s
Scope and Contents
Includes photographs of stranded ships, harbors, and mosques.
box 2, item 23, 134
Island or land mass from the water
circa 1920s
box 2, item 68, 77
Semper Paratus
February 1926; circa 1920s,
Scope and Contents
Some photographs stamped on the back with a swastika and state "Salvage Steamer Semper Paratus."
box 2, item 65-66
S.S. [Akudenis]
circa March 21, 1927
box 2, item 78-79
S.S. Andonio D. Kydoniefs
February 6, 1926
Scope and Contents
S.S. Andonio D. Kydoniefs ashore at Karabournou, Greece in the Black Sea. Stranded January 31 1926; refloated February 6 1926.
Photograph stamped on the back with an official "Salvage Steamer Semper Paratus" seal with a swastika.
box 2, item 90-91
S.S. Atone
circa 1924
Scope and Contents
S.S. Atone stranded possibly at Karaburun, October 16, 1918 and refloated by the Semper Paratus June 12, 1924.
box 2, item 118-120
S.S. Cleopatra
1926
Scope and Contents
Includes photograph of the collision of S.S. Cleopatra with S.S. Rita Handri in Istanbul.
box 2, item 29-31
S.S. Evangeline
circa 1914 -1922
box 2, item 105
S.S. [Falernian]
1925
Scope and Contents
S.S. [Falernian] stranded November 22, 1924 in the Black Sea and refloated and towed at Istanbul May 25, 1925.
box 2, item 98-99
S.S. Lothar Bohlen
circa 1920s
Scope and Contents
S.S. Lothar Bohlen was stranded in Gallipoli May 24, 1924 and refloated by the Semper Paratus.
box 2, item 151
S.S. [Maryathea] photograph taken by Kirk & Sons
circa 1920s
box 2, item 21-22
S.S. Novington
1917-1918, 1921
box 2, item 92-94
S.S. Sebat
1926
Scope and Contents
S.S. Sebat stranded near Karaburun in Anatolia region of Turkey in the Black Sea March 26, 1926 and refloated by the Semper
Paratus March 27, 1926.
box 2, item 81-82
S.S. [Sheref Iner]
July 31, 1926
Scope and Contents
S.S. [Sheref Iner] Stranded and refloated by the S.S. Semper Paratus July 31, 1926.
box 2, item 113
S.S. [Tayar]
1924
Scope and Contents
S.S. [Tayar] stranded at Sarmusak, Turkey June 18, 1924 and refloated by the S.S. Semper Paratus June 26, 1924.
box 2, item 71
S.S. Ville de Nice
September 26, 1924
Scope and Contents
The S.S. Ville de Nice was stranded at Rabbit Island Tenedos, Turkey September 21, 1924 and refloated September 26, 1924.
box 2, item 42
S.S. Waterville
circa 1920s
box 2, item 150
S.S. Wellington
September 6, 1907
box 2, item 5, 54, 126
Ship captains
circa 1920s
Scope and Contents
Some photographs or postcards are signed by the captain.
box 2, item 3-4, 6, 8, 14, 18, 24-26, 32-34, 38-39, 45
Steamships and ships
circa 1920s
box 2, item 51-53, 57-58, 60-61, 67, 69, 72, 76, 83-85, 87, 89, 95, 100-104, 110
Steamships and ships
circa 1920s
box 2, item 112, 114-115, 117, 121-123, 125, 133, 135-146, 149, 152
Steamships and ships
circa 1920s
box 2, item 1
Warren Hastings
circa 1920s
box 2, item 86, 88
Ottoman Navy ship Yavuz (ex Goeben formerly of the Imperial German Navy)
July 1924
