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Auction: 368 - The Numismatic Collector's Series e-Auction
Lot: 310

Japan. Hirohito (1926-1989). Presentation Plaque for the Osaka Shosen K.K. Line's (O.S.K.) Ship, the "Brasil Maru", ca. 1939. Green ceramic (intended to resemble Malachite), 7 ½ x 3 3/4"; 1 inch high. Inset depicts the ship sailing right, small sailboat by its side, peaks in the distance. Chain-links on the two side edges, name of the ship and company along with "Made in Japan" and maker's cruciform mark on bottom. Launched in 1939, the OSK Line's 12,752-ton passenger ship "Brasil Maru" made regular trips between Yokohama and Kobe to the Brazilian ports in Rio de Janeiro and Santos. By 1941, it was shifted to voyages between Kobe and Dairen, Manchuria. In September of that year, the ship was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy and attached to the Yokosuka Naval District to transport personnel and supplies.
In May 1942, "Brasil Maru" joined other transport ships in Saipan, and was put into service in Vice Admiral Kondo Nobutako's Midway Invasion Force, carrying the 5th Special Naval Brigade. Following Japan's defeat at the Battle of Midway, the ship served in Guam and the Carolina Islands area. On August 5, 1942, the "Brasil Maru" along with the merchant passenger ship "Palao Maru", was attacked by the U.S submarine "Greenling" about 130 nautical miles north-northwest of Truk Atoll. The "Brasil Maru" was torpedoed twice and sunk quickly taking with her 57 crew members and an unknown number of passengers to the murky depths. About 200 survivors were able to board four lifeboats and were rescued over the next three weeks. In original O.S.K. Line case. Light adhesive residue in field. Extremely Fine.

Estimate

Starting price
$60