This is a plated brass & enamel matchbox holder, dating to 1932.

The main body of the holder is constructed from brass with, (unusually) ,separate front & rear plated panels attached to the main body (one edge of the holder is stamped with PATENT 368,003 - a British patent No. for 1932).

The holder has a geometric, engine turned design, with the front having a small vacant cartouche & a circular enamel badge showing the flag of the Canadian Pacific Line (Canadian Pacific Railway), with 'S.S. MONTROSE' underneath.

S.S. MONTROSE was launched in 1920, sailing from Liverpool to Montreal via Quebec. In June 1939, at the start of World War 2, she was used as a troopship & in September of that year, she was requisitioned by the Admiralty, converted to a armed merchant cruiser & re-named 'HMS FORFAR'.

On the 2nd of December 1940, 500 miles West of Ireland, she was torpedoed 5 times & sunk by the German U-boat 'U-99', with a loss of 173 men.

Condition of the holder is Great for it's 76 years - there is no loss to the enamel & no dings. The holder has not been cleaned or polished (with the exception of the very top of one of the edges,which are blackened with age/use, that was very lightly cleaned to enable the patent No. to be read) - please see magnified photo's.

The holder measures approx 6cm x 3.5cm x 2cm.