Description
Heading : Silver vesta case by William Hair Haseler
Date : Hallmarked in Birmingham in 1908 for William Hair Haseler
Period : Edward VII
Origin : London, England
Decoration : Enamelled Union jack crossed with the flag of The Burgers flag of the South African Republic above R.M.S Briton
Size : 5.2cm x 4.3cm
Condition :Excellent
Restoration : None
Weight : 34 grams
The R.M.S Briton was built by Harland & Wolff in Belfast and launched in 1897, making her maiden voyage from Southampton to Cape Town in december of that year. She was the largest ship sailing to the colonies at the time.
Although built as a commercial vessel she was involved in both the Boer War, making the journey to Cape Town in 15 days with 1500 troops, and World War One, where she transported South African troops to Britain, British troops to the Mediterranean, Nigerian troops to Lagos, and American troops to Europe.
She entered the mail service following the war and was eventually scrapped in Italy in 1926.
Thomas Francois Burgers was president of the SA Republic from 1872 to 1877. Haseler is best known for his enamelled and hammered silverwares produced in Birmingham for their partner company Liberty
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