The house flag of the Ellerman & Papayanni Co. Ltd, Liverpool. The Papayanni Line pennant with Ellerman Lines pennant above. The flag and pennant are on a single rope with the white letters 'P & Co' and 'JRE' printed on them. The flag and pennant are made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. They have cotton hoists and are machine sewn. A rope and toggle is attached. In 1832 Georges Michael Papayanni, a Greek merchant settled in London as an importer of dried fruit. His brother, Basilio, remained in Piraeus as agent until joining him 20 years later to build up the ship owning side. During 1844 Papayanni moved to Liverpool to develop trade with North America, importing cotton and grain until interrupted by the American Civil War. Substitute cargoes were found in Egypt and the Black Sea with manufactured goods carried outward bound. In 1850 Pierre Mussabini, a Turkey Merchant joined Papayanni in a venture incorporating both their names. Early cargoes were carried by Greek owner captains until sail began to give way to steam in 1855. On Mussabini’s retirement the company became Papayanni & Company and on Georges Michael’s own retirement in 1870 the management passed to his son Michael Georges, with Papayanni senior retaining control of finance. From 1870 onwards all new ships were steam powered, the first two being built in 1877 and the last almost a hundred years later.
On Basilio Papayanni’s death in 1897, the company became incorporated as the Papayanni Steamship Company Limited, with Basilio junior at the head. Following distribution of shares to the family, little capital remained for renewal of ships or expansion.
Negotiations between Nicholas Papayanni and John Reeves Ellerman resulted in Ellerman purchasing the company in 1901, with the ships becoming owned by Ellerman Lines Limited the following year. In 1906 the Ellerman & Papayanni Company Limited was formed, with members of the Papayanni family retained as Managers. It continued to operate as a separate entity until 1932, and was merged with the other Ellerman shipping lines into Ellerman’s City Line in 1973. It acquired the Mossgiel Steam Ship Company, Glasgow in 1958.