Unusual Vintage HMS Blake Gilt Powder Compact c1960

Here on offer is an unusual vintage HMS Blake (C99) Gilt Powder Compact, circa 1960

The gilt metal circular compact is of a type I haven’t seen before, with a small opening lid on the top that reveals a round space that you can place a photo of a loved one, with the lid then protecting the image.

On the top of this lid, it is fitted with a brass and enamel crest for the Royal Navy light cruiser, HMS Blake.

It was most likely made to commemorate the commissioning of the ship in 1961.

The main lid of the compact is opened by pressing a button on the side and inside is an undamaged round mirror and the original solid face powder disc. There is no powder pad with this compact.

The main lid has been machine turned and also enhanced with images of flowers. The base has also been machine turned with an ornate circular pattern. The whole compact has a gilt finish and is a fine quality piece, but I can’t find a maker’s mark or name?

It is in great condition for its age

This compact makes a great addition to any Royal Navy or compact collection.

It measures 3” (7.6cm) diameter and weighs 110g.

Some history regarding HMS Blake

HMS Blake was a light cruiser of the Tiger class and the last (traditional) Royal Navy gun-armed cruiser of the 20th century. She was named after Robert Blake, a 17th-century admiral who was the "Father of the Royal Navy".
She was ordered in 1942 but had a low construction priority due to more pressing requirements for other ship types during WW2. In 1944, Blake was renamed Tiger, then Blake again in 1945, the year she was launched partially constructed, but then construction suspended in 1946 and she was laid up at Gareloch. In 1954, construction of Blake resumed, but to a new design. Finally on 18th March 1961, Blake finally commissioned into the Royal Navy, the last cruiser to do so. Just two years later, she was placed in reserve. From 1965 to 1969, she underwent a major conversion to become a Helicopter and Commando Cruiser. The cruiser was host to the Westland Wessex HAS MK3 helicopters of 820 Naval Air Squadron from 1969 and later on the SeaKing helicopter until Blake was withdrawn from service in 1979, when the ship became the last ship in the Royal Navy to fire a six-inch gun. She was sold for scrap on 25th August 1982

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Delivery Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Code: 51614