A special piece of British history, 1950's vintage Stratton face powder compact featuring RMS Queen Elizabeth.

A holiday souvenir from travelling on board the luxury cruise ship, so this is quite collectible as there's not so many of this design out there (the nicest lid from this ship's souvenir compacts, in my opinion).

Features the engine turned spirals to the base, which helps to date this. Opens to reveal the mirror and powder well lid with the Stratton 'Compact in Hand' logo - again this dates the compact to post 1948. The logo refers to the ingenious mechanism that opens to powder well lid when you push the lid back gently.

This would be a lovely anniversary or birthday gift for anyone old enough to remember sailing on this cruise ship. Powder puffs and loose face powder are available from main beauty brands - see note below about sifter.

Size: 3 inches across.

Brand: Stratton, England

Condition: Excellent overall with scratches and a ding to base as shown and a few specks on the otherwise clear mirror. This didn't come with its own sifter but I have previously used sifters from other Strattons and am happy to include one if you message me when buying.

History snippet:

The RMS Queen Elizabeth (named in honour of Queen Elizabeth, the present Queen Elizabeth's mother) was an ocean liner cruise ship, which, along with the RMS Queen Mary, was operated (as a passenger ship) by Cunard Line. Built in Scotland, she was the largest ocean liner at that time, and for over 50 years later, and was launched on 27th September 1938.

As RMS Queen Elizabeth was built at the outbreak of the Second World War, she was commandeered to serve military duty. She managed to slip away from Scotland, undetected by Germany - whose Luftwaffe actually bombed Southampton where they thought she would be docking - to the USA. She travelled between Singapore, Canada, America, Africa, Asia and Australia, during which time she was painted grey and fitted with armoury. A vital troop ship carrying thousands of military staff and soldiers to and from war zones.

After the War, she went on to be used, as per her original purpose, as a luxury Cunard Line passenger liner between Southampton, UK and New York, USA. It was during this time that this lovely powder compact would have been sold onboard as a holiday souvenir. You may have spotted the similar RMS Queen Mary compact I sold earlier.

Later, in the 1970s, she was sold and, following a fire whilst docked in Hong Kong, sank and then was scrapped. Seems like quite a sad end to the life of this once important vessel. Fortunately, RMS Queen Mary, which also saw similar service, is still in dock off Long Beach, California where you can actually book a room and stay for a break. You may have seen her on screen as she's been used many times as a film and TV location.

All vintage items have been pre-used, unless stated otherwise, and may have gentle signs of wear.

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A special piece of British history, 1950's vintage Stratton face powder compact featuring RMS Queen Elizabeth.

A holiday souvenir from travelling on board the luxury cruise ship, so this is quite collectible as there's not so many of this design out there (the nicest lid from this ship's souvenir compacts, in my opinion).

Features the engine turned spirals to the base, which helps to date this. Opens to reveal the mirror and powder well lid with the Stratton 'Compact in Hand' logo - again this dates the compact to post 1948. The logo refers to the ingenious mechanism that opens to powder well lid when you push the lid back gently.

This would be a lovely anniversary or birthday gift for anyone old enough to remember sailing on this cruise ship. Powder puffs and loose face powder are available from main beauty brands - see note below about sifter.

Size: 3 inches across.

Brand: Stratton, England

Condition: Excellent overall with scratches and a ding to base as shown and a few specks on the otherwise clear mirror. This didn't come with its own sifter but I have previously used sifters from other Strattons and am happy to include one if you message me when buying.

History snippet:

The RMS Queen Elizabeth (named in honour of Queen Elizabeth, the present Queen Elizabeth's mother) was an ocean liner cruise ship, which, along with the RMS Queen Mary, was operated (as a passenger ship) by Cunard Line. Built in Scotland, she was the largest ocean liner at that time, and for over 50 years later, and was launched on 27th September 1938.

As RMS Queen Elizabeth was built at the outbreak of the Second World War, she was commandeered to serve military duty. She managed to slip away from Scotland, undetected by Germany - whose Luftwaffe actually bombed Southampton where they thought she would be docking - to the USA. She travelled between Singapore, Canada, America, Africa, Asia and Australia, during which time she was painted grey and fitted with armoury. A vital troop ship carrying thousands of military staff and soldiers to and from war zones.

After the War, she went on to be used, as per her original purpose, as a luxury Cunard Line passenger liner between Southampton, UK and New York, USA. It was during this time that this lovely powder compact would have been sold onboard as a holiday souvenir. You may have spotted the similar RMS Queen Mary compact I sold earlier.

Later, in the 1970s, she was sold and, following a fire whilst docked in Hong Kong, sank and then was scrapped. Seems like quite a sad end to the life of this once important vessel. Fortunately, RMS Queen Mary, which also saw similar service, is still in dock off Long Beach, California where you can actually book a room and stay for a break. You may have seen her on screen as she's been used many times as a film and TV location.

All vintage items have been pre-used, unless stated otherwise, and may have gentle signs of wear.

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