Eastern Telegraph Company ETC cable shipping cap badge

A very rare ORIGINAL pre 1902 Victorian period 'Eastern Telegraph Co, London cap badge'; embroidered gold bullion wreath on felt cloth backing, the centre displaying a gilt and highly enamelled house flag, with Union (Jack) Flag in the canton over nine red and white horizontally stripes and blue 'ETC' letters, the reverse with black paper lined hessian backing, with evidence of having been removed from a cap. Good condition, bullion remains bright, top right corner of the flag with minor stress lines not affecting the appearance. Height approx 42mm. 'The Eastern Telegraph Co Ltd' was formed in 1872 through the amalgamation of four smaller companies, it merged in 1902 to form the 'Eastern & Associated Telegraph Companies'.