Pacific & Oriental Ships Ladle

The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, which is usually known as P&O, is a British shipping and logistics company which dates from 1832. In 1837, the business the company won a contract from the British Admiralty to deliver mail to the Iberian Peninsula and in 1840 they acquired a contract to deliver mail to Alexandria in Egypt In 1847 P&O entered the (then legitimate! opium trade. Mail contracts were the basis of P&O's prosperity until the Second World War, but the company also became a major commercial shipping line and passenger liner operator. Our ladle carries the classic Rising Sun company logo with a very ornate intertwined P & O initials below. Interestingly the ladle bowl has a very skilled brazed repair dating from a time when we did not live in a throw away society and in our view only adds to the interest. The back is stamped ZA and Elkington Plate. The ladle has age wear commensurate with its age but all in all a super piece for any P & O collector. Measures 7.25" (18 cm)