WWII Battle of Britain Spitfire Plaque by 'Metcraft' Production

A fine WWII survivor and souvenir of the Battle of Britain. These were produced by the Walsall Lithographic Co Ltd under a patented process called 'Metcraft '. When originally sold they carried a small paper calendar below the image. Examples we have seen of this design are almost always missing their calendar and we surmise, when the year in question concluded, the calendar was torn off but the very fine Spitfire plaque was retained as far to good to put in the waste bin! The plaque is made from a rectangular card-backed pressed brass foil, featuring a Mk I Spitfire in flight and part of Winston Churchill's famous speech to the House of Commons honouring 'The Few' "Never Have So Many Owed So Much To So Few", that was made on 20th of August 1940. Below the speech exert is a facsimile of Churchill's signature. The production of these calendars must have started in late 1940, to be retailed in 1941, but we are uncertain if they were offered just that year or if they continued into the later war years. The final images attached in the photograph section shows a similar plaque with the 1941 calendar still in place followed by the detail from April 1941. This is for reference purposes only and our is offered without calendar.

This example remains in very good original condition but with some age related patina, hardly surprising after 80 odd years! The card back again exhibits age patination and in the bottom right corner is a faded manufacturers label, where we can just make out the 'Metcraft' trade mark. We have researched this firm and Walsall Lithographic Co. Ltd. was founded in 1894 by John Aspinall, an enterprising and experienced printer, who wanted to branch out on his own and produce quality printing in his hometown of Walsall. He clearly ran a flourishing business and by the 1930s Walsall Lithographic Co. Ltd. had moved to much larger, purpose-built factory premises, that stretched from Midland Road to Wednesbury Road, Walsall, and became the biggest printers in the town. Our plaque is made utilising the Company's own patented process known as 'Metcraft', where small, intricately-designed, embossed plaques were produced on real brass foil and then sprayed with a patented, antique-bronze-effect lacquer. The success of this process is clearly illustrated with our plaque as it still looks as impressive today as it did when it was manufactured in the dark days of WWII. Sadly, the old story occurred and in the face of cheaper overseas competition the business folded in the early 2000s and all the machinery and equipment was auctioned off and old factory buildings were demolished in 2009.

This example of their wartime production has however survived and is ready and waiting for a new custodian and could be the ideal gift for the aviation collector in your life. This is the only example we have had in 20 plus years of trading so very much a one off opportunity. Measures 12" x8" (30 cm x23 cm)