Item 3347 Royal Mail Steam Packet Company Copper Water Jug

A fine example clearly embossed to front R.M.S.P. The Royal Mail Steam Packet Company was a British shipping company founded in London in 1839 by a Scot, James MacQueen. The line's motto was 'Per Mare Ubique' meaning 'Everywhere By Sea'. The company had mixed fortunes but by 1927 it became the largest shipping group in the world when it took over the White Star Line (WSL). It was subsequently liquidated and its assets absorbed by the newly formed Royal Mail Lines (RML) in 1932. The companies operations were continued after liquidated by the reformed as the Royal Mail Lines Ltd (RML) and took over the ships of RMSPC and other companies of the former group.

On this basis our jug appears to date from before 1932 with the base stamped with the makers details Henry Wilson and Co Ltd Liverpool. This company were makers of Wilson oil heat boilers and burners, as well as cooking and sterilizing equipment. This firm fitted out major Atlantic ocean-going liners built in the United Kingdom for steam ship companies such as White Star, Cunard, Blue Funnel and Furness Withy. In 1932 they had won the contract to supply the on-board equipment for the "Queen Mary." In February of 1932 the contract for the "Queen Mary" was suspended for a long while and the firm almost closed as a result of the delayed contract and many men lost their jobs.

We bought a pair of these jugs at auction and this is the remaining example, the other already being sold. Sadly the specific provenance of the item has been lost down the years but it would certainly have a story to tell. Condition is excellent but with signs off its life at sea with a small ding in handle but nothing to worry about from a display point of view. Measures 81/2" high (22 cm) and it is 5.75" diameter on the base (15 cm)