KLM Marks 96 Years, Adds to Delftware Collection

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines celebrated its 96th anniversary yesterday and true to tradition introduced its latest Delftware miniature.

This year, the choice for KLM’s 96th house went to the Hamel House in Gorinchem.

The 96th house was festively unveiled in Gorinchem and added to KLM’s collection by KLM president and CEO Pieter Elbers, who presented it to Piet IJssels, chairman of the Hamel Foundation and South Korean Ambassador Jong-hyun Choe.

KLM has been flying to South Korea since 1984 and currently operates daily service between Amsterdam and Seoul.

Elbers commented, “For me, the Hamel House symbolizes the special relationship shared between the Netherlands and South Korea. Personally, while working for KLM in Japan and South Korea, I developed close ties with this extraordinary country. I’m therefore very pleased with our choice for house number 96.”

The Hamel House was reconstructed in Hendrick’s birthplace. The house brings the historic tale of Gorinchem’s naval hero to life visually. It isn’t only a museum; it’s also a place where the Dutch and Korean cultures merge.

The houses are given as exclusive gifts to KLM passengers travelling in World Business Class and have become a much-coveted collector’s item worldwide.

KLM has presented its Delftware miniatures on board since the 1950s. The houses are replicas of exceptional buildings in the Netherlands.