Orkney Image Library

Sorry Steven I should have added some more information. The Orcadian Book of the 20th. Century page 99 has an almost full page detailing the unveiling of the memorial on July 2nd. 1926. The article ends with- "China replicas of the Kitchener Memorial , five inches high and bearing an inscription and the Orkney coat of arms, were sold at 3 shillings each." Bill Brough must have had a plan of the memorial away to the china manufacturers well before the building was completed to have it ready for sale on the unveiling day. Well done him.
Ian Cameron.

Since posting a photo of the crest on this artefact alongside the current OIC arms, I've realised there are considerable similarities between this crest and that on the brooch in Doug Meikle's picture #24204. Where the latter has 8 stars on a single line around it this has the same number of 'somethings' on, at least, a double line. The ship, too, is similar, having crossed oars(?) at the mast, and a raised forecastle and poop-deck. The scrolls are basically the same also. This 'coat of arms' must have had currency, if not validity, at some point as representative of Orkney.

Among my many pieces of crested china with Orkney crests some have the an old Stromness crest with the date 1817 under Per Mare. What is the significance of this date? Likewise the old crest of Kirkwall has the date 1486 in the Latin round the crest. What happened in Kirkwall on that date. Perhaps you can tell us Ian H.
Ian Cameron.

I think Kirkwall became a Royal Burgh in 1486 when James III granted the charter. Stromness became a Burgh of Barony in 1817.

Beat me to it Cathleen! But I hope folks haven't got the impression I'm some sort of local historian. Just an idle dabbler, as in so many things.

Thank you Cathleen and the other Ian for your help.
I had lost the number of this photo hence the late reply. Ian Cameron