£1,500
NAVAL INTEREST;
A George V silver tortoiseshell presentation casket, by Charles & Richard Comyns, London 1919, of shaped oval form, the lid inlaid with a depiction of H.M.S Enterprise, on four crown-topped column feet, the body engraved 'SOUVENIR OF LAUNCH H.M.S "ENTERPRISE" CLYDEBANK 23rd DEC R 1919.' the silk-lined interior containing a 9ct gold axe head and pommel, by Robert Stewart, Glasgow 1919, inscribed 'THIS AXE USED IN LAUNCHING H.M.S "ENTERPRISE" 23.12.1919', 23 x 13 x 8cm, the axe head and pommel weighing 44gms
The H.M.S Enterprise (D52) was the 14th ship to carry the name Enterprise and was one of two Emerald-light cruisers built for the Royal Navy. She was built by John Brown & Company of Clydebank, one of the most highly regarded shipbuilding companies in the world at the time. Designed during WWI for speed, Enterprise and her sister HMS Emerald remained the fastest British cruisers in service at the outbreak of WWII.
The rugby team from the HMS Enterprise departed for a tour of Kenya and Uganda, playing Kitale RFC, Nakuru RFC, the Mombasa Sports Club, and other teams. Harold E. Stevens, chaplain of the HMS Enterprise and tour manager, offered – on behalf of the ships company – a silver trophy to be awarded annually to the winners of an Inter-district Championship. Rugby Union was a particularly amateur affair, especially in Kenya, so the trophy was refused. HMS Enterprise left Mombasa, sailing to Tanga, Dar Es Salaam and Zanzibar, playing matches in these ports, completing the first rugby tour of all three African Great Lakes nations by a Royal Naval vessel.
She then began to turn home via Aden, yet soon into the voyage, Enterprise received an order to pick up the Prince of Wales from Dar es Salaam and take him to Brindisi with haste. King George V was gravely ill, and it was the duty of Enterprise to escort him to Brindisi. She made the record passage of 4.087 miles in only eight days. The prince then travelled to Bolougne via train and arrived at Buckingham Palace nine days after leaving Dar Es Salaam.
During this voyage, a silver goblet was delivered to the headquarters of the Rugby Football Union of Kenya. The officers and crew of Enterprise had sent this inscribed trophy to the RFUK, who wrote of their thanks and detailed that they were to award it annually to the winners of an Inter-District championship. The cup has become key to rugby competition within the African Great Lakes and has been played for every year bar the war years and 1987. The 2022 winner was Kabras Sugar RC.
The axe head handle was ivory which has been removed
The box overall is in good condition. The tortoiseshell lid could use some oil and a small bit is broken to the interior lid where one of the pins is securing it. The top middle pin is loose. The lid has probably warped over time and is slightly loose but still secure. Some residue to a corner.
The interior is lightly stained and some of the silk has shattered. The base is lightly worn. Overall could do with a better clean - no dings or dents to the body.
Box weighs 606gms with everything including the axe rests removed.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
28.80% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
31.8% inc VAT*
