Type 1: Circular 13.7cms (5.4") diameter, with the transfer forming the image and the text is in a dull gold and then hand painted in a large range of bright colours.

 

Backstamped:

Made in England

By Britannia Designs Ltd.

 

coates plymouth gin signal dish Britannia Designs back stamp

Britannia Designs Ltd

coates plymouth gin signal dish No Substitute

Type 1 Substitute Flags Dish

"There is no Substitute For

Plymouth Gin"

Type 2: Square 12.5cms (5.8") with rounded edges, these are painted in dull colours compared with the Type 1 dishes and the entire set is only painted in 5 colours with the transfer forming the image and the text in black.

The dish has a circular foot with the backstamp in the centre.

Backstamped :

ISSUED BY

COATES & CO. (PLYMOUTH) LTD.

PLYMOUTH ENGLAND

 

Signal Dish Backstamp

 

coates plymouth gin signal dish backstamp

 

coates plymouth gin signal dish S

Type 2 Letter "S" Dish

"My Engines Are Going Full

Speed Astern"

Who Forgot The Plymouth Gin

Type 3: Square 12.5cms (5.8") with rounded edges, these again painted in dull colours compared with the Type 1 dishes and the entire set is only painted in 5 colours with the transfer forming the image and the text in black.

The dish is flat on the back

Backstamped :

ISSUED BY

COATES & CO. (PLYMOUTH) LTD.

PLYMOUTH ENGLAND

Over a Circular Green Royal Alma mark

Royal Alma Backstamp

These Royal Alma dishes were probably bought in by Britannia designs as blanks to meet any shortfall in there own production and then decorated in their factory

 Signal Dish Royal Alma Backstamp Coates Plymouth Gin Signal Dish C

Type 3 Letter

"C" Dish

"YES"

-Lovely Stuff Plymouth Gin
A direct comparison between Type 1 and Type 2/3 dishes of the same latter

Note the dull gold lettering on the Type 1 (top) dish and the stronger colours and more accurate detailing compared with the Type 2 dish (below)

 J Dish Comparison
Some dishes can also be found painted in different colours. A good example is the "C" dish that is known in 2 different ways in Type 1 and different again in Type 2/3

Top Left: Type 1, Brown Dress, Blue Lampshade

Top Right: Type 2, Green Dress, Brown Lampshade

Bottom: Type 2/3 Blue Dress, Light Blue Lampshade

 C Dish Comparison
coates plymouth gin signal dish W box coates plymouth gin signal dish box Back

The Plymouth Gin Signal Dishes came in a blue and white box.

coates plymouth gin signal dish Leaflet front

coates plymouth gin signal dish Leaflet back

 Included in the box was a bi folded paper insert with the code flags for "P" & "G", Plymouth Gin on the outer leaves and the full International Code of Signals Single Letter Signals detailed within. The rear of the leaflet details that there are 27 in the set, 26 letters and ? This being the Substitute Flags Dish.

coates plymouth gin signal dish Leaflet inside

There is also a Tankard in the Plymouth Gin Refectory that has the same hand finished Substitute Flags transfers from a Type 1 Dish on each side and a gilt handle.

 Coates Plymouth Gin Britannia Designs Signal Mug

Plymouth Gin Refectory signal dish collection

The Plymouth Gin Refectory is also home to a complete set of Type 2 Signal Dishes. A visit is highly recommended, not only to see this collection but to sample a few of their excellent Plymouth Gin Cocktails
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All 27 Plates are Illustrated here

Flag Codes
   

Coates Plymouth Gin International Code of Signals Dishes

Coates Plymouth Gin International Code of Signals Dishes

The Coates Plymouth Gin International Code of Signal Dishes,  sometimes referred to as ashtrays, plates or pin dishes, were issued in the early to mid 1960's, have become a very popular collectable. A set consist of 27 dishes, 26 with an International Signal Code letter, A - Z, and the 27th with the codes Substitute Flags. Each dish has the words "COATES PLYMOUTH GIN INTERNATIONAL CODE OF SIGNALS" the relevant flag and letter, a cartoon depicting the interpretation of the signal by the cartoonists, the true meaning of the signal and a line relating to Coates Plymouth Gin. The dishes are white china with a hand painted transfer applied and a fine gilt line around the rim of the plate. Each cartoon is signed S.B. these are the initials of Stanley Brock, an artist from St Ives in Cornwall who did much of the artwork for Dartmouth Pottery and Britannia Designs. Mr Brock was known for his ability to work very quickly turning his hand to quite a variety of subjects whenever asked. The Substitute Flags plate, which does not appear to be signed is in the same style and is also undoubtedly his work.

 All 27 Plates are Illustrated here Flag Codes

These dishes were Produced in three distinct types: Valid XHTML 1.0 Transitional