HMS Howe / HMS Colossus: two souvenir paper sailor's hats, 1940s. Royal Navy

Two ephemeral souvenir sailor's hats made from crepe paper and card.

The card bands read: 'H.M.S. Colossus' and 'H.M.S Howe'.

Being of flimsy construction and made of cheap materials, their condition is fair only. The crepe paper (particularly that of H.M.S. Colossus) is creased and a little discolored.

'HMS Howe (pennant number 32) was the last of the five British King George V-class battleships of the Royal Navy. Built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, she was laid down on 1 June 1937 and launched 9 April 1940. She was originally to have been named Beatty but this was changed to Howe, after Admiral Richard Howe.'

'HMS Colossus (15) was an aircraft carrier of the Royal Navy. She was the name-ship of the Colossus class of light carriers. She was commissioned in 1944, but did not see any action in World War II. She served with the British Pacific Fleet in 194546, as an aircraft transport and repatriation ship.' (Wikipedia)