S.S. Ruahine New Zealand Shipping Company EPNS Cigarette Case with Enamel House Flag

A ship's name in blue enamel. A company flag at its centre. The route is gone; the emblem remains.

A vintage silver-plated cigarette case carrying the enamelled house flag of the New Zealand Shipping Company and the name S.S. Ruahine. The circular crest is set prominently to the exterior, with a white flag divided by a red St George's cross and the letters N Z S C arranged across its quarters. A blue enamel border surrounds the flag and is lettered “S.S. RUAHINE.”

The case is stamped EPNS to the interior, identifying electroplated nickel silver rather than sterling silver. Its maritime insignia gives it particular interest as New Zealand Shipping Company and ocean-liner memorabilia, while the slim hinged form also makes an atmospheric display piece for a desk or cabinet.

The enamel flag remains well preserved. The original interior cigarette-retaining bands are no longer present, an honest sign of the case's working life and reflected in the price. No claim is made for a specific vessel date, as more than one ship carried the Ruahine name.

The Particulars:

• Company: New Zealand Shipping Company
• Vessel named: S.S. Ruahine
• Emblem: Circular enamel crest with NZSC house flag, St George's cross, and blue “S.S. RUAHINE” border
• Material: EPNS, electroplated nickel silver
• Form: Hinged cigarette case
• Interior: EPNS stamp present; original retaining bands absent
• Condition: Good vintage condition. Enamel crest is well preserved; interior retaining bands are missing. Surface wear consistent with age and use may be present. Please review all photographs carefully before purchasing.

The ship crossed oceans. The little flag travelled with someone closer to hand.

Arrives carefully wrapped as a vault relic.