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Souvenir P&O Line matchbook cover
Souvenir P&O Line matchbook cover

Souvenir P&O Line matchbook cover

Maker (British, founded 1837)
Datec 1970
Object number00009286
NameMatchbox
MediumPaper: Cardboard, wood
DimensionsOverall: 100 x 39 mm
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA box of Bryant & May's Safety Matches made for P&O and the British India Steam Navigation Company. The cover is inscribed 'Bryant & May's P&O P and O B. I.Quis Separabit B.I.S.N.Co Brymay Safety match British made'. Label features the P&O and British India house flags with a rising sun in the middle.HistoryThe Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&OSNCo) was founded in UK in 1837 and sent its first steamer to Australia in 1852. Founded on lucrative mail contracts first to the Iberian Penisula and later to Egypt, India, Australia, China & Japan, P&O’s fleet dominated the routes east of Suez carrying mail, passengers and cargo. Following the acquisition of a number of shipping lines during First World War, P&O was, for a time, the largest shipping company in the world. P&O first introduced ‘cruises’ to its passenger schedules in 1904 but it was not until 1932 that the Company made its first cruise from Australia (Sydney). Together with the Orient Line, P&O ships maintained lifeline mail and passenger services between UK and Australia using the shorter route via Suez. The longer emigrant route via the Cape was operated by P&O’s Branch Line service from 1911 to 1930. When, after the war, the migration call came from Australia, it was P&O and Orient Line ships (then wholly owned by P&O) that carried many of the nearly one million arrivals from 1945 - 1972. With the advent of jumbo jets and long haul flights travel by sea became a thing of the past and liners turned to leisure to fill their berths. Today P&OSNCo., is owned by DP World who acquired the Company, including P&O Ports, P&O Maritime and P&O Ferries, in 2006. P&O Maritime continue to operate the research and resupply vessel AURORA AUSTRALIS, supporting the Australian Antarctic Division’s vital work in Antarctica. P&O Cruises is now owned by US based Carnival Corporation and operates cruise ships in both Australia and UK. Text provided by P&O Heritage Collection.SignificanceCheap, portable and functional items such as ashtrays, key rings, matchboxes, bags, paperweights, pens and T-shirts have always been popular souvenirs purchased on cruise ships or from ports of call. When emblazoned with the name or image of the vessel that the passenger temporarily calls home, the item can be immediately understood. Lasting long after the journey ends, they become poignant reminders of unique times in peoples lives.