A COMMEMORATIVE PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM FOR H.M.S. CORNWALL, LAUNCH...

Hammer

£460

A COMMEMORATIVE PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM FOR H.M.S. CORNWALL, LAUNCHED AT YARROW SHIPBUILDERS LTD BY DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES, 1985

comprising thirty-two colour and six b/w photographs, each approximately 10 x 12in. laid on to right-hand card pages bound within blue cloth boards, the front with gilt embossed titles reading LAUNCH OF / HMS CORNWALL / BY / HER ROYAL HIGHNESS / THE PRINCESS OF WALES / AT / YARROW SHIPBUILDERS LIMITED / 14TH OCTOBER 1985 -- 12¼ x 16½in. (31 x 42cm.)

H.M.S. Cornwall was a 5,300-ton Type 22 frigate. Issued to the pennant number F99, she was affectionately known as the 'Fighting Icecream' and enjoyed a busy career around the globe where she performed both ceremonial duties and enforced international law. She returned to Plymouth for the final time on 26th April 2011 and was decommissioned on the 30th June. Sold (along with her sisters Cumberland, Campbeltown and Chatham), she was towed to Swansea for breaking on 24th October 2014. This album is presumed to be one of a very small number produced and distributed to high-ranking official guests, although another example has yet to be identified. Most of the images are unpublished and are unusually large views, most including Diana looking happy, relaxed and naturally radiant.

Gilt titles spotted, hinge weak to front cover and parted for 10cm from lower edge, contents in fine original condition with strong original colouring.