Collecting ROYAL MEMORABILIA

Our new series on collating and curating vintage treasures with their own history

For more than 300 years – since the Restoration of Charles II (1660) – commemorative items have been made to mark royal celebrations. The Queen’s illustrious 70-year reign has included a number, the most notable being to commemorate her wedding to the Duke of Edinburgh in 1947, her coronation in 1953 and her Silver (1977), Golden (2002), Diamond (2012), Sapphire (2017) and, of course, Platinum Jubilees (2022). There has, therefore, been an array of items manufactured to honour these milestones. The volume of memorabilia means this is an accessible field in which to begin collecting, as most items have low price points; sites such as Ebay and vintage shops are awash with commemorative crockery, with some starting bids for coronation mugs from as little as £1.99. A limited-edition piece will, of course, command more: the Eric Ravilious Wedgwood design for Elizabeth II (originally created for Edward VIII, who abdicated before his Coronation, then redesigned for George VI and updated for his daughter) can fetch £100. In general, however, items such as coins, stamps, tea towels and tins are more likely to hold their value than china due to its fragility, though there are still bargains to be had. A good-condition silverplated teaspoon issued when King George VI was crowned (1937) will sell for around £20, while a single unused stamp made for that occasion can fetch the same amount.

ADAPTED FROM CL’S Vintage Home – issue four is on sale on 7 June. For details on how to buy, see page 79.