Round silver dish with domed base and wide horizontal lip. Writing engraved around the lip reads ‘TO LADY ANITA SMITH FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND DIRECTORS OF VICKERS LIMITED/ LONDON – ADELAIDE AIR RACE DECEMBER 1969/ 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST ENGLAND-AUSTRALIA FLIGHT’. Four silver makers marks are stamped opposite to the engraving, with a different Vickers logo stamped on either side, one signifying 1919 and the other 1969. ‘Made by MAPPIN & WEBB S94408’ is engraved on the underside of the dish, just below the maker’s marks.
This silver dish, made by prominent British silversmiths Mappin & Webb, was presented to Lady Anita Smith (widow of Sir Keith Smith) by Vickers Limited on the 50th Anniversary of the Great Air Race between England and Australia. After the Great Race, Sir Keith Smith was appointed Australian agent for Vickers and retained the connection with the British company until his death. Vickers presented this dish to Lady Anita Smith, the widow of Sir Keith Smith, on the 50th anniversary of the Great Air Race between England and Australia. Not only does this object commemorate Smith’s contribution to the advancement aeronautics, but it also represents the enduring relationship between Smith and Vickers. Lady Smith donated the dish to the Art Gallery of South Australia in July 1973 and was transferred to the History Trust of South Australia in July 1986.
Back to all objects