Do you own a piece of 1953 Coronation memorabilia?
Well if you do if might feature on ‘A Celebration of Coronation Commemoratives,’ a new set of stamp sheetlets issued today to mark this year’s 60th anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation.
From china plates to postcards, biscuit tins to badges, ‘A Celebration of Coronation
Commemoratives’ is a stunning new tribute inspired by the work of Robert Opie
From Victoria to Elizabeth II
This definitive royal collection features 5 of history’s most recent monarchs – up to our present Queen and as far back as her great great grandmother, Queen Victoria.
Spanning 175 years of royal memorabilia from Victoria’s Coronation in 1838 to Elizabeth II’s 60th anniversary in 2013, the new collection of commemorative stamp sheetlets take their inspiration from consumer historian and royal devotee, Robert Opie who has spent a lifetime creating scrapbooks from royal memorabilia:
“The historic occasion of a royal coronation, of course, attracts a deluge of souvenirs, from the traditional ceramic mug to a set of commemorative stamps. Instinctively, we all want to keep a souvenir of such an event – a decorated tin, a jigsaw puzzle or just a royal picture postcard.”
A link to the past
But these sheetlets aren’t just colourful montages of Coronation keepsakes – they chart other royal celebrations such as births, weddings and jubilees. More than that, they provide a fascinating insight into what life was like in the past.
Queen Victoria whose incredible record of 63 years on the throne resulted in a vast amount of memorabilia from gin flasks and songs sheets to the more traditional china mugs and plates. Collectively, they paint of picture of Industrial Britain at the height of the Empire.
The new sheetlets feature Queen Victoria and Elizabeth II, the only two monarchs ever to have celebrated a Diamond Jubilee
A boom industry
For the Coronations of Edward VII in 1902 and George V in 1911, royal souvenirs had become big business. An abundance of items like chocolate, biscuit, tea and tobacco tins were widely available as were postcards.
1937 saw the crowning of George VI and a wider range of branded souvenirs such as Cusson’s talcum powder, Cadbury’s and Fry’s. As you might expect, his older brother doesn’t feature as he abdicated before he was crowned (unfortunately, souvenirs for Edward’s coronation had already been produced by the time he made his shock announcement).
The ultimate tribute
A ‘Celebration of Coronation Commemoratives’ is issued by seven British overseas territories – Bermuda, Tristan da Cunha, Isle of Man, Cook Islands, St Helena and Bahamas – with each country issuing 1 Souvenir Sheet and 5 Commemorative Sheetlets. The first sets are released today to coincide with the anniversary of the Queen’s accession in 1952, the others follow later in the month.
I have a “Picture Post Coronation Peep Show book designed and drawn by Edwin Smith.
The book unfolds into a full colour concertina of the Queen’s coronation which can be viewed through a peep hole at either end.
The peep show aspect of the book has been fully assembled correctly and is completely intact with no damage. The cover is in good and bright condition.
I’m interested to know how much this might be worth?
Hi Brenda, this sounds like an amazing collectable! Unfortunately we aren’t able to offer any valuations. However I would recommend looking on secondary market websites to see how much they’ve sold for – hopefully that’ll give you a rough estimate 🙂
I have a jug from Scotland excellent condition 1953 Garry
I TOO OWN A BROOCH BOOK, WHEN OPENED THERE ARE A NUMBER OF BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHS INSIDE
I have a bottle of Chevas, bottled in 1952, for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. How can I find its value today? 200 ml, in blue ceramic bottle
I have the official route document sent to the police members officiating on the day from new Scotland Yard!
I have a ticket to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminister Abbey.
I have wallnut with pictures of the coronation postage stamp size .
I own a badge/broch in the shape of a book that on opening shows a number of black and white photographs of the coronation of Q.E.II
I have a 1953 coronation tin which still contains the original chocolate. you can still smell the chocolate. i belive there is one more in museum . Also has original compliment card
I did comment before but obviously it didn’t get published. I have two 1953 coronation tins still containing the original chocolate one with Aero and the other with Smarties, also with complimentary card. I wonder if they are valuable?
1937 coronation ER bagel . and more coins