P&O Line matchbook

Maker P&O (British, founded 1837)

Manufacturer Bryant and May (founded 1843)

Datebefore 1980s

Object number00006943

NameMatchbox

MediumPaper: Cardboard

DimensionsOverall: 26 x 75 x 50 mm

ClassificationsClothing and personal items

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionA Bryant and May's matchbox produced for P&O - Orient Lines. The back cover reads 'British made Bryant & May's special safety match "Brymay" 27 prize medals' on a yellow background. The front cover reds 'P&O - Orient Lines United Kingdom - Australia New Zealand - Far East North America' on a blue background and features the house flags of the two lines. Contains 37 matches.HistoryWhen the shipping company Anderson, Thompson & Co. inaugurated a liner service to Australia with the packet ORIENT in 1866 it traded officially as The Orient Line of Packets but the name was regularly shortened to Orient Line. In 1878 the company, now called Anderson, Anderson & Co., approached the Pacific Steam Navigation Company to use their additional ships on the Australia run; the new company was called Orient Steam Navigation Company. Due to a takeover by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company the service was briefly known as the Orient-Royal Mail Line (1906 - 1909). In 1919 P&O Line acquired a controlling interest in Orient Line. 1958 joint P&O-Orient Line introduced to Australia and trans-Pacific. In 1965 P&O acquired the whole of the Orient Line shareholding and the company became a P&O subsidiary, the name Orient Line being dropped in 1966. 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.