Object of the Day: Her Majesty the Queen, a Book for Children, c. 1983

I recently found this attractive little book in an antique shop. To begin with, this book, like many British books printed in the Twentieth Century or before does not have a date of publication with the copyright information. I can deduce that it was printed after 1983 since it contains images of Princess Diana holding an infant Prince William.

This miniature book was printed for children by Ladybird Books, Ltd. Of Loughborough, Leicestershire, England. Small in size with large type, it is clearly intended for readers about age 8-10. The text chronicles the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and is filled with many, color images of Her Majesty and the Royal Family. 

The book begins with a touching quotation from Jim Corbett who had accompanied then-Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip on a trip to Africa in 1952. The princess had embarked on the journey knowing that her father, King George VI, was ill. His Majesty insisted that his eldest daughter, and heir to the throne, continue with the state visit despite his illness. During the journey, the princess and her husband were entertained in a log hut which was built in the uppermost branches of a tree. It was here that Princess Elizabeth learned of the death of her father. Corbett wrote in his journal:

“For the first time in the history of the world, a young girl climbed into a tree one day a Princess…and climbed down from the tree the next day a Queen – God bless her.”

Starting with those words, young readers were taught about the life of the Monarch. Concise text and interesting photos led the reader through the interesting experiences of one of the world’s longest reigning sovereigns. Let’s take a look inside. 

Object of the Day: Four Generations at Buckingham Palace

I find images like this one to be exceptional. The sheer power of the history in that room is astounding. Here, we have another bit of ephemera from my collection. This postcard is another by the famous firm of Raphael Tuck & Sons. Depicted are four generations of the royal family at Buckingham Palace—taken just after the 1948 birth of Prince Charles. Seated are Queen Mary (consort of King George V); her son, King George VI; her granddaughter, the future Queen Elizabeth II; and Charles, Prince of Wales as an infant.

This week, as I’m looking at the many, many Royal images around my house, I can’t help but wonder if any of these individuals imagined that in 2012, the world would be celebrating the fact that Queen Elizabeth would have served her empire for sixty years.

The caption on the photo reads:

FOUR GENERATIONS AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE

PRINCESS ELIZABETH AND HER INFANT SON PRINCE CHARLES WITH KING GEORGE VI AND QUEEN MARY

Obscure Book of the Day: A Pictorial Biography of Her Majesty Queen Mary

Here’s another Pitkin Guide!  Hooray!  This one is called “A Pictorial History of Her Majesty Queen Mary.”  And, that’s really exactly what it is.  Like all Pitkin books of the era, this one has no date of publication, but it was obviously published during Queen Mary’s lifetime, so before 1953.  Judging by the images, now-Queen, then-Princess Elizabeth had already married and given birth to Prince Charles, so this book dates between 1948 and 1953.

The forward, “The Story of a Great and Gracious Lady” was written by Marguerite D. Peacock, a frequent contributor to these Pitkin Guides.

Let’s take a look inside…

Queen Mary, first as The Duchess of York with her first son, David--the Great Keruffler--and, finally with her grandson, Prince Charles.

Princess Mary of Teck

Princess May was a beloved figure throughout Britain.

After her marriage, Mary was created Duchess of York.

At the Delhi Durbar with King George V--declared Emperor and Empress of India.

Ready to be Queen.  Wearing the famed Cambridge Emeralds.

Queen Mary was a great source of national morale during the Great War.

Centerfold.

Her final meeting with her disappointing eldest child, David.  After the Abdication Kerfuffle, Mary did not see her son for many years.  The Duke of Windsor had one final visit with his mother before her death. Jerk.

If you love Queen Mary as much as I do, you might enjoy our exclusive “Teck Support” designs which are available only at our online store.  Or, if you want to rub the late Duke of Windsor’s abdicating nose in it, the Abdication Kerfuffle ™ designs will be just the thing.

Object of the Day: "Do I get the feeling there are three of us in this marriage...", 2005

Editorial Drawing
2005
The Victoria and Albert Musem

We’ve looked at a lot of old drawings and caricatures. So, today, let’s look at a more recent one—from 2005. Here, we see the “Charles and Camilla Wedding Stamp.” This cartoon appeared in the “Evening Standard” on March 7, 2005, and is the work of the artist called “Marf.” This is the original drawing that was reproduced for publication. As Marf describes it: “As the debate continues as to where Prince Charles and Camilla, both divorced, will be allowed to marry ... [t]he Queen makes her disapproval clear when she announces that she will not be attending the wedding. The late Princess Diana, in her Panorama interview in November 1995, famously said, ‘There are three of us in this marriage,’ making a thinly veiled reference to her husband's lover, Camilla.”

“Marf” was known for her daily topical/editorial cartoons for the “Evening Standard” between March 2002 and August 2005. The Evening Standard is London's only evening newspaper, and publishes up to five editions a day. In light of that, the cartoonist was called upon to be constantly creative. As Marf herself put it, “The cartoonist needs to keep up with the rapid pace of event.”

In this black and white line drawn cartoon we see a mock first class stamp commemorating the marriage of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall who are portrayed as a half length portrait. Camilla shows off her engagement ring and her newly acquired jewels. While the couple smile adoringly at one another, above them are some droplets of perspiration as the Queen gazes down upon them with what can only be described as utter distaste and annoyance.

Evidence of an earlier version of the drawing has been covered over and is still faintly visible.

Obscure Book of the Day: His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales

“His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales: The Origins of His Ancient Titles and the Ceremonial of Investiture” is another book by the Pitkin Publishing Company which was produced as part of their mid-Twentieth Century “Pride of Britain” series. The book chronicles the early life of a young Prince Charles—the first son of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh--and shows you images from his early days before his mother ascended the throne and after.


The book was published between 1957 and 1958 and not only tells us about Prince Charles, but also the history of the title of “Prince of Wales” and the traditions associated with the style. In fact, the back cover of the book shows a family tree of the “House of Windsor” and shows how Charles fits into the history of the Royal Family.

Aside from official portraits, we are treated to candid images of the young prince with his grandmother, the Queen Mother and his parents as well as his sister and aunt, Princess Margaret. Baby pictures and images of the Prince at play give us glimpses of the man that we know as the heir to the throne and father of Princes William and Harry.

Let’s take a look inside:

Then-Princess Elizabeth admires her firstborn son.

You can see the face of the adult Prince in this early photo.

This letter from 1948 reads:
"The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh, was safely delivered of a Prince at nine fourteen PM today.  Her Royal Highness and son are both doing fine." 

Charles and Anne.



The coronation in 1953.



With the Queen Mother.

Obscure Book of the Day: H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth Silver Souvenir

This guide, also by Pitkin Publishing, again, has no date of publication, but it was printed in honor of the Silver Anniversary of Princess Elizabeth’s birth. That would put it at 1951—two years before the Princess would take her coronation oath as Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

The book, subtitled as “The Pictorial Story of Our Future Queen” chronicles the life of then-Princess Elizabeth from her birth in 1926 to the birth of her first child, Prince Charles of Wales. It is filled with stunning photos of the beautiful princess and allows us to see her grow up. Scenes of her at play with her sister Princess Margaret Rose as a young girl are interesting visual counterpoints to images of the Princess as a young wife and mother at age twenty-five.

Seen with her parents—King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, her grandparents—King George V and Queen Mary, and other members of the Royal family, this celebratory photo album now serves to remind us of Queen Elizabeth’s II important role in world history.

Let’s take a look inside…

 

Representing the nation.

Prince Philip calls his royal wife, "Cabbage."

Seen with "Grandfather Britain" (King George V) and Queen Mary as well as some young chums.

An infant Elizabeth with her mother, then-Duchess of York, later Queen Elizabeth, later The Queen Mother.

Family fun.