Expert: Martin G Roberts - 12/15/2007

Question
Hi, I've found a pewter flask, and engraved on it is a shield with a Union Jack at the top, and an ocean with a palm tree, and the sun on the left upper corner. In the center of the shield, on top of the palm tree's trunk is a crown. On top of the shield is another crown, with a turreted tower rising out of it, with a flag rising out of the tower. On either side of the shield is a sea turtle, standing on its back flippers with seashells around its feet. At the bottom of the shield is a Latin inscription on a banner. It says something like "in tute nostra" and on a short banner under that, "umuria" or "limuria." In regular type curving over the shield is "NAVAL PARTY 1002" and under the shield is "DIEGO GARCIA B.I.O.T." On the bottom of the flask are two concentric circles. The inner circle has something like "301," and the outer circle says "E P U" above and "EUROPE" below. Below the circle says "PEWTER," I think. Above the circle is written "SHEFFIELD QUALITY PEWTER ENGLAND" with each word making a line of the letter "W" all spread out. At the top of this 'W' shape, it says "MADE IN" On either side of the circles are two stamps. On the far left is a shield-shaped stamp with a 'W' nearly filling all the space and "ar" enclosed by the legs of the "W". The near left stamp is a circle with "92" inside. On the far right is a partially obliterated square with something like diagonal cross-hatching in it. On the near right is a circle with an "A" with its three points touching the circle. Sitting on the cross-bar of the "A" is what looks like a somewhat flattened "A",or maybe an "R", and below, with the top of the letters on the bottom of the cross-bar, is what appears to be "PC" or FC".
Sorry about the long-winded description. Have I found something wonderful? Does it have monetary value. I think I paid $3. for it. Thanks, Cheryl

Answer
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What a detailed description! Being of an ironic bent, I was tempted to answer with a two letter word "NO". But there is much here you could have researched yourself. Try Googling:

Diego Garcia BIOT
EPU and pewter (European Pewter Union)

This is a modern piece of commemorative or gift ware, with some inscription relating to Diego Garcia, a British island in the Indian Ocean.

Made by Wentworths in Sheffield, England. Their website is www.wentworth-pewter.com - have a search, you might find the retail price for your flask, as new. Under the touchmark page on their website, you will find the ARW mark, an explanation for the ABPC mark, and the 92, and the 'cross-hatching'.

$3 for a 2nd hand one with a no-longer relevant inscription is about right.

Martin
www.antique-metalware.co.uk