Old Union Castle Shipping Line RMS Arundel Castle Tea Caddy Spoon Circa pre 1977

ON AUCTION IS A SOUVENIR TEA CADDY SPOON FROM THE UNION-CASTLE LINE (A BRITISH SHIPPING LINE THAT OPERATED PASSENGERS BETWEEN SOUTH AFRICA AND EUROPE). THE SPOON COMMEMORATES THE RMS ARUNDEL CASTLE WHICH WAS ONE OF THE PROMINENT SHIPS IN THE UNION CASTE FLEET.
 
DIMENSIONS: 73MM LONG 37MM DIAMETER
 
CONDITION: SOME PATINA BUT STRUCTURALLY IN GOOD CONDITION.
 
UNION CASTLE SHIPPING LINE (1900-1977):
The Union-Castle Line was a prominent British shipping company known for its passenger and cargo services between Europe and Africa, particularly South Africa, from 1900 to 1977. It was formed from the merger of two earlier shipping companies: the Union Line  and the Castle Shipping Line. 
The Union Line and Castle Line were initially competitors, both vying for the lucrative mail contract to South Africa.The discovery of gold in South Africa significantly increased passenger and cargo traffic, intensifying competition between the two lines.The companies invested in larger, faster, and more luxurious ships, leading to fierce competition and ultimately, a merger. In 1900, the two companies merged to form the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company, with Donald Currie of the Castle Line playing a key role. 
The Union-Castle Line operated regular mail and passenger services, with a weekly sailing from Southampton to Cape Town. The company's ships were known for their distinctive lavender-colored hulls and black and red funnels. Notable ships included the Windsor Castle which was the last of the "Cape Mail Express" ships, and the Dunottar Castle where the Union-Castle flag was first hoisted. Other prominent ships included the Arundel Castle and  Edinburgh Castle. 
The rise of air travel led to a decline in passenger numbers on ocean liners.The Union-Castle Line phased out its passenger services in the 1970s and ceased all shipping operations by 1977.Despite its closure, the Union-Castle Line is remembered for its vital role in connecting Europe and Africa and for the luxury and comfort of its ships.

TEA CADDY SPOONS:
A caddy spoon is a small spoon designed for measuring loose tea leaves from a tea caddy, a container for storing tea. They are typically small enough to fit inside the caddy and were particularly popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Originally, the lid of the tea caddy was used for measuring, but as caddies became larger and flatter, a separate spoon was needed. 
Developed in the mid-18th century as tea caddies became more common, replacing the use of the tea caddy lid as a measure. While they can look similar to regular spoons, caddy spoons are specifically designed for the purpose of measuring loose tea from a caddy.