With London fixed in the yes of the world media for the next couple of weeks as we all await the wedding of Prince William of Wales and Catherine Middleton, I thought it would be a good time to share this bit of my collection of antique and vintage English and Royal souvenirs.
This wee china mug dates to the 1920’s and is the work of James Thomas. Thomas, in a survey from 1921, was listed as being a china and glass manufacturer located at 53 King’s Road in Chelsea. Chelsea was the home of several china distributors. Many of these companies produced souvenir items, especially those created for coronations and special occasions.
The mug features the official seal of the City of London. The emblem has changed, of course, over the centuries, but this one remains in use today. The crest shows the cross of St. George in a shield supported by two griffin-like dragons (of the ilk killed by St. George).
Rimmed in gold, this souvenir reminds us of the quiet elegance which has defined the city for many centuries.
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