A presentation silver salver

A presentation silver salver, by F. Crump, Sheffield 1926, shaped circular form, the border with medallions, on three gnarl feet, the centre engraved with a map of Africa, a pelican and following inscription 'PRESENTED TO LADY BEATRICE ORMSBY GORE BY THE DIRECTORS OF THE NORTH SEA AERIAL & GENERAL TRANSPORT CO LTD, IN COMMEMORATION OF HER LAUNCHING THE SEAPLANE "PELICAN" TO BE USED ON THE FIRST COMMERCIAL AIR LINE BETWEEN KHARTOUM & KISUMA, KENYA COLONY, nOV 15TH 1926.' diameter 32.4cm, approx. weight 32oz. Lady Beatrice Ormsby-Gore, wife of the Under-Secretary of the State for the Colonies, Rt. Hon. Ormsby-Gore, was presented with the salver by Mrs T H Gladstone, following the naming ceremony of the 'Pelican'. The 'Pelican' was to fly weekly along the White Nile from Khartoum to Malakal, via Mongalla, Jinja, to Kisumu, on Lake Victoria, transporting goods and mail in each direction. The route, a total distance of 1,400 miles, flown in 23 hours, was described as the first link in what would ultimately be one of the most important routes in the Empire, saving at least 10 days to the previous scheme.