Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. Round 1st Prize Fancy Dress Presentation Box - Elkington & Co, 1928

Rare antique Royal Mail Steam Packet Company heavy gauge silver, lidded and hinged box that was presented to the winner of a Fancy Dress Ball on one of their ships in 1928. It is engraved with “First Prize Fancy Dress Ball Presented By The Royal Mail Steam Packet Co.” and is made by prestigious makers Elkington & Co. The lid features raised decoration of a couple in Georgian dress and a Royal Mail Steam Packet Co. ship. These boxes were; custom made, engraved and sent on trips with the Purser. Consequently the winners name was not engraved on the trophy, but written on a 'Winners Scroll' which rarely survives, as is the case with this one. The year after this one was presented, the 'Great Depression' hit and the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company encountered significant financial troubles before folding into bankruptcy in 1931. Subsequently,the assets were taken over by the newly formed Royal Mail Line in 1932. The box currently is fitted with a velvet cushion to the base, with a matching lining to the lid. Should the purchaser wish to fully restore the piece to its original condition, by fitting a mirror to the lid; we will provide the original mirror and silver retaining clip. The mirror has silvering losses to the circumference and the retaining clip is too loose to securely hold the mirror without a silversmith doing some minor modification.