Antiques Roadshow

[Ikara]

I have just watched (again) an episode of the Antiques Roadshow from Bletchley Park in the UK. As an aside, I will be there in May this year - can' wait. Every time I watch this particular episode (yes, Antiques Roadshow is my favourite TV show) I mean to write this post.

One of the items featured is a collection of "Moustache Cups". These are cups designed to keep the froth (or whatever) of one's 'tache. As the camera pans over this man's collection (worth $33K) you can't help but notice a Qantas 50 Year Anniversary logoed 'tache cup. White porcelain with Qantas in gold and the 50 in a gold circle.

Has anyone seen one of these in the flesh (so to speak)? Why on earth would Qantas have a Moustache Cup as a 50 year anniversary thingame? Anyone got any ideas??

Always curious.

JB

 

[samh004]

Google suggests that a few were sold on TradeMe in 2011, not sure why they're all in New Zealand, but one description suggests they were given to First class passengers.

Old Qantas 1920-1970 moustache cup | Trade Me

Qantas 50 Years Moustache Cup 1970 | Trade Me

Qantas Mustache cup 1970 | Trade Me

Edit to add, there's one available right now, with 4 days left:

QANTAS MOUSTACHE MUG - COLLECTORS ITEM | Trade Me

 

[RWJ777]

The answer, my dear Ikara, is elementary.

The 50th anniversary of QF was in 1970. Doubtless even then, QF pax were being subjected to banal cricket-inspired safety announcements by virtue of Qantas's sponsorship of Australian cricket. During that time, many Australian cricketers sported dashing moustaches. Think Dennis.



QF being a good corporate citizen doubtless wanted to protect these moes as cricketers sipped their Earl Grey with lemon, being jetted off to some far-flung sporting fixture. Hence the moustache cup.

* this explanation may or may not bear any resemblance to facts or applicable dates.

 

[Ikara]

The answer, my dear Ikara, is elementary.

* this explanation may or may not bear any resemblance to facts or applicable dates.

This may be the case, but I do like the answer anyway!

And samh004, thanks for the Google input - I didn't even think of doing that. Mind you, the mind boggles at what would have happened here at AFF if someone flew 1st Class to London on the A380 and was issued with a moustache mug! I think it would have been an interesting thread.

Thanks everyone for the input.

As I said, always curious.

JB

 

[NM]

As I said, always curious.

Or as Alice would say, "Curiouser and curiouser!" (as she picks up a pocket watch off the ground).

 

[simongr]

I have distinct penchant to buy one of these for Movember!

 

[Ikara]

Damn - now I've started something!

JB