Trophy Shell Casing from the Spanish Cruiser Oquendo

A large (and very heavy) brass shell casing that was taken as a Spanish-American War trophy from the wreck of the Spanish cruiser 'Oquendo', which was destroyed by the United States Navy at the naval battle of Santiago in Cuba. The shell casing is approximately 29 1/2 inches tall, with a diameter on the bottom of approximately 7 5/8 inches (19.5 centimeters). The upper section of the shell casing is beautifully engraved in script writing on 8 lines:'Taken from the Wreckof theSpanish Cruiser'Oquendo'ofCervera's Fleetdestroyed at the Battle of SantiagoJuly 3rd 1898'The shell casing is of course tarnished, but it is in excellent condition, without dents or cracks. It is, in size and appearance, exceptionally impressive.