Hi Everyone
Every day I learn something new from my Treasure Hunting!
I ran across a very intriguing silverplated item engraved "Great Western Railway Hotels" with an intricate Coat of Arms and had to learn more. I discovered that this Railway was founded in England in 1833 and linked London with the Southwest of the country and Wales for the first time. Their Coat of Arms logo incorporated the Shields of London and Bristol. This railway was the FIRST in the world to build hotels at stops! This began a whole new avenue for revenue and railroads around the world followed their lead. Many of these hotels still exist today and have become historical landmarks even though they may have changed hands many times over the years. It started a tradition of luxury crosscountry travel unsurpassed until commercial airlines came into existence!
GWR became part of British Railways in 1947 so collectibles are very hard to find. Occasionally an engraved spoon or cup will appear at auction from an estate but I was lucky enough to uncover a silverplated MATCHBOX STAND or HOLDER. Talk about luxury, even matchboxes were given the elite treatment in their hotels!
Surely to become a centre point of someone's GWR Collection, this stand is in beautiful condition and was made by Elkington or E & Co of England who have a very detailed method of marking their items. The date code stamp translates to 1929! Here are some photos of this 80 year plus piece of history.
Every day I learn something new from my Treasure Hunting!
I ran across a very intriguing silverplated item engraved "Great Western Railway Hotels" with an intricate Coat of Arms and had to learn more. I discovered that this Railway was founded in England in 1833 and linked London with the Southwest of the country and Wales for the first time. Their Coat of Arms logo incorporated the Shields of London and Bristol. This railway was the FIRST in the world to build hotels at stops! This began a whole new avenue for revenue and railroads around the world followed their lead. Many of these hotels still exist today and have become historical landmarks even though they may have changed hands many times over the years. It started a tradition of luxury crosscountry travel unsurpassed until commercial airlines came into existence!
GWR became part of British Railways in 1947 so collectibles are very hard to find. Occasionally an engraved spoon or cup will appear at auction from an estate but I was lucky enough to uncover a silverplated MATCHBOX STAND or HOLDER. Talk about luxury, even matchboxes were given the elite treatment in their hotels!
Surely to become a centre point of someone's GWR Collection, this stand is in beautiful condition and was made by Elkington or E & Co of England who have a very detailed method of marking their items. The date code stamp translates to 1929! Here are some photos of this 80 year plus piece of history.
To view the listing click HERE
Happy Collecting!
Bear Hugs,
Mandy
Mandicrafts
©mandicrafts
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