Presentation Box

Pewter and plate, 1927, original, hallmark and maker's mark, with inscription, detailed topographical relief in pewter of 'The Cape Peninsula' (with names of bays, major roads and mountains)  by 'The C.T. Glasspoole Co. Cape Town', hinged lid, cedar lining, 200 x 110 x 60mm, condition: very good.

Inscription reads

'To Bobs, In remembrance of a flight to the Cape in G-UAAG. Allister M. Miller. 24.12.27'

Lieutenant-Colonel Allister Mackintosh Miller DSO OBE (1892–1951) was a South African aviator and M.P. who recruited an astonishing 2000 pilots (from the Union) for the RFC (Royal Flying Corps) during 1916 and 1917. They were known collectively as "Miller's Boys". He also flew on the Western Front in France and Belgium.

Miller founded Union Airways, South Africa’s first commercial mail and passenger carrier, later to amalgamate with South West African Airways ( 1932) to become, Souh African Airways. (1934).

The meaning of the aircraft registration letters, G-UAAG , is as follows, the ‘G-‘ prefix was for Britain, ‘G-U’ being that for the Empire register allocated to the Union of South Africa, G-UAAG being the seventh aircraft on the South African civil register, (the first being G-UAAA). G-UAAG was a De Havilland DH60 Moth, a practical light aircraft used for touring and also by the Johannesburg Light Plane Club. ( ‘In Southern Skies,’ John Illsley, page 145).