King Edward VII W T Copeland Royal Yacht service jug

A rare jug from King Edward VII’s Royal Yacht HMY Victoria and Albert III. Made by W.T.Copeland, it is hand decorated in blue and gold on white, and has “The Royal Yacht” inscription on the royal garter with crown above. The W.T.Copeland mark was used in the late 19th and very early 20th century, indicating that this jug was from the original supply for the yacht, which was launched in 1899.

Height (approx): 18.7cm (7.4in)

Marks: “W.T.Copeland & Sons Stoke On Trent England” printed in blue, “8129” painted in red.

Condition: Very good. There is a very shallow 4mm slice chip to the rim that looks like a tiny loss of gilding (see image with area highlighted by red square) and possibly a short associated hairline running along top of rim (only visible under high magnification) although this would be an unusual place for such. Very light crazing. A few tiny marks here and there..

Note: The third of the Victoria and Albert royal yachts was launched in 1899 and decommissioned in 1939. She made sixty passages between her commissioning in 1901 and 1914. She was built for Queen Victoria, who never got to sail in her. The service to which this jug belonged was known as the “Garter Service” and was used for official state occasions.