DATE: Mid Century, c.1950

Unusual mid-century brooch depicting the Steam Ship Orcades over a vivid iridescent blue butterfly wing background. The ship entered service as a Royal Mail Ship on the UK - Australia - New Zealand route, carrying first and tourist class passengers as well as mail. Orcades carried many migrants to Australia during its near 20 year service with the Orient Steam Navigation Company. It was built in Barrow-in Furness by Vickers Armstrongs, taking its name from the Latin for Orkney Islands, and apparently features in the British Pathe films "I am a passenger". It was used as a floating hotel for the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. She was depicted here in the rather striking "Orient corn" yellow hull colour, which was changed to white in 1964 as part of her second retrofit.

MEASUREMENTS 

21.7 x 27 x 6.3mm 

WEIGHT 

3.5g

MARKS 

Stamped Made In England, Sterling Silver

CONDITION 

Very good, silver has tarnished over time but can easily be polished back to bright shine prior to shipping if desired