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Corkmasters were offered as advertising / promotional gifts. One example is the

Corkmaster that was given away in connection with the establishment of Barber Lines in

1969. A simple tape with ship flags was attached to the body.

Caroline Chew, a Market

Communication Coordinator with

Barber International, Kuala Lumpur,

Malaysia, offered these details:

In 1969 the three Norwegian shipping

companies Wilh. Wilhelmsen,

Fearnley & Eger, and A.F. Klaveness

merged and established Barber Lines

A/S, which co-ordinated their

previously individual services from

United States to the Far East, as well

as to West Africa.

This joint venture lasted until 1975, when Fearnely & Eger and A.F. Klaveness decided to

abandon their liner trade altogether. Wilh. Wilhemsen acquired their interests and thus

assumed full ownership over Barber Lines A/S.

The three flags are the flags of the three shipping companies involved: 1) White flag with

blue "W" is the flag of Wilh. Wilhelmsen ASA. 2) Red flag with white square and blue

cross is the flag of Fearnley & Eger 3) Blue and red flag with a white "K" is the flag of

A.F. Klaveness Today only Wilh. Wilhelmsen is operating as a shipping company.