Commemorative, Historical and Art Medals

Medals of the Early Colonial Period and the European Heritage, Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, the Launch of the Antilles, 1952, a bronze medal by R. Delamarre, liner sailing right, tropical birds and plants in background, rev. females bidding adieu to sailing ship, 55mm (BM Acq. 1978-82, p.54, 52; cf. DNW 61, 1381). Extremely fine £30-40

Provenance: Bt K.V. Eckardt 2002.

The Antilles was launched on 26 April 1951, and after delays she was handed over for service in December 1952. For many years she was the largest ship in the Caribbean; however in July 1971 she hit a rock off Mustique (while, as the late owner’s ticket states, ‘the Captain was pointing out the homes of British royalty living on the Island’), caught fire and was lost. The late owner’s ticket also states ‘I sailed from Puerto Rico to Europe on her’