ProvenanceThis 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. Lady Smith donated the dish to the Art Gallery of South Australia in July 1973. It was transferred to the History Trust of South Australia in July 1986.SignificancePart of the Historical Relics Collection. In May 1919, the Commonwealth Government of Australia offered a prize of £10,000 for the first flight from Great Britain to Australia. The competition, announced by then Prime Minister Billy Hughes, was open only to Australian nationals and had to be achieved by 31 December 1919. There were many specific conditions to the competition, one being that the journey must be completed within 30 consecutive days. Six crews began the race, however it was Ross Smith, Keith Smith, James Bennett, and Wally Shiers who won the competition, arriving at Port Darwin on 10 December 1919 in their Vickers Vimy G-EAOU. 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.DescriptionRound 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.AcknowledgementDate of Creation1969Date of Usagec1969Accession NumberHT 2001.0119
Image Credits
Image FilenameHT2001-0119_CI1844.jpgCopyrightHistory Trust of South AustraliaLicenseCC-0PhotographerRachel Harris, Bit Scribbly Design
