R.M.S. Letitia Inkwell

This inkwell features a metallic design with a rounded, tiered structure, and its lid is adorned with an enameled insignia that reads “R.M.S. Letitia.” The insignia includes crossed flags and a shield, emphasizing its connection to the ship. The “E.P.N.S.” marking on the bottom indicates that it is made of Electroplated Nickel Silver. This term indicates that the inkwell is made of nickel silver, which has been coated with a thin layer of silver through electroplating.

The R.M.S. Letitia was an ocean liner built in Scotland in 1924 for the Anchor-Donaldson Line. It primarily operated transatlantic routes, carrying passengers between the UK, Canada, and the U.S. The ship was known for its service on routes such as Glasgow to Montreal and Halifax during the summer and winter seasons.

R.M.S. stands for Royal Mail Ship (or Steamer, in earlier times). This designation was given to ships that were contracted to carry mail under the auspices of the British Royal Mail. It symbolized not just the ship’s role in mail transport but also a certain level of prestige, as these vessels were typically well-maintained and upheld high standards of service.

In 1939, the British Admiralty requisitioned the Letitia for wartime service, converting it into an armed merchant cruiser and later a hospital ship. After the war, it returned to civilian use under different names and roles before being scrapped in 1960.

This inkwell was likely a commemorative or promotional item associated with the R.M.S. Letitia. Shipping companies often produced such memorabilia to promote their vessels or as souvenirs for passengers. The enameled insignia and the EPNS craftsmanship suggest it was a high-quality item, possibly gifted to passengers or sold as a keepsake during the ship’s operational years.