Obscure Book of the Day: The Silver Jubilee Programme, 1935

I was so pleased to receive this piece of history recently. Here, we see the “Illustrated Programme of the Royal Jubilee Procession.” This souvenir of the 1935 Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary is labeled as being “Authorised by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales.” In other words, it was given the approval of the Royal Couple’s eldest boy, “David,” “The Great Kerfuffler” ™, The future King Edward VIII whose reign lasted about as long as a Kardashian’s marriage.


The program was “Published in Aid of the Prince of Wales Hospital Fund for London to which the Entire Profits will be Devoted.” So, for the price of one shilling, those following the Silver Jubilee procession could purchase this handy program which would not only explain the significance of each stage of the procession but show illustrations identifying what they were witnessing.

It’s in remarkably good condition, especially when you consider that this was the sort of thing which was very quickly ruined and thrown away. Let’s take a look inside at some of the illustrations. They really would have come in handy as a means of identifying each group who—in their uniforms—joined in the procession in honor of the beloved King George V and Queen Mary.