Obscure Book of the Day: The Pictorial Life Story of King George the Sixth

We all know a little about King George VI—that he was a reluctant King who took the place of his older brother, that he suffered from a speech impediment, that he was the father of Queen Elizabeth II, that he led Britain through World War II. However, what is lacking in most popular biographical accounts of George VI is his love of his family and his dedication to those who were closest to him.


The Second World War took a toll on the King’s health just s the First World War had on his father, King George V. By the 1950’s, the King suffered from breathing problems which were found to be lung cancer. In 1951, his left lung was removed. The Princess Elizabeth and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, began to quietly pick up many of the King’s official duties. Still, the King insisted on carrying on. In 1952, despite the protests of his physicians, he insisted on going to the airport to see off his daughter who was embarking on an official tour of Australia. A week later, he died in his sleep at the age of fifty-six. Princess Elizabeth hurried home—as Queen.

He is buried at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle with his mother and father (George V and Queen Mary) and his wife, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. At the time of his death, his mother, Queen Mary, was very much alive, but also suffering from lung cancer. The death of her second son was the last tragedy that the dowager Queen would endure after living through the deaths of her fiancé, her parents, her youngest son, her husband and her closest friends and family.

This book, “The Pictorial Life Story of King George the Sixth” was published in 1952 upon the death of the Monarch and is advertised as “The Story of the Beloved Monarch by Roger Fulford, published in association with Daily Graphic by Pitkin Pictorials, LTD., London. Revised Edition with Pictures of the Royal Funeral.”

The book, like all of the Pitkin books, is filled with beautiful photos of the Royal Family—both candid and formal and is a touching tribute to this exceptional man.

The happy family on Princess Elizabeth's Wedding Day.

The King and Winston Churchill.

At the funeral of King George VI, the new Queen; his mother, Queen Mary; and his widow, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. 

A happy moment before illness interrupted a vacation at Balmoral.  The King seems to enjoy the company of his eldest daughter, her husband and his grandson, Prince Charles.

As Duke of York, he married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.  Here we see the official wedding photo.  The couple is pictured with King George V and Queen Mary and the bride's parents. 

Fun times as a young family.

George VI was always an avid athlete.

The King is dead.

A round-faced tot on the knee of Queen Mary, his mother, then the Duchess of York.

Card of the Day: The Imperial State Crown

The next card in the Silver Jubilee series from 1935 by Churchman Cigarette Company shows the Imperial State Crown. Not as old as St. Edward’s Crown and considerably lighter and more sparkly, The Imperial State Crown is similar in design to St Edward's Crown: in that it consists of a base of four crosses pattée alternating with four fleurs-de-lis before four half-arches surmounted by a cross. This crown also features a velvet cap inside, surrounded with an ermine border. The Imperial State Crown is more heavily jeweled. It includes 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 5 rubies and the famed spinel known as the Black Prince’s Ruby. The cross at the top is set with the blue stone known as St. Edward's Sapphire. This was a sapphire taken from the ring (or possibly the coronet) of Edward the Confessor. The aforementioned Black Prince's Ruby (spinel) is set on the front cross pattée. Also included on the crown are the famous Cullinan II, or Lesser Star of Africa, which is also set in the front; and, on the back band, the 104-carat Stuart Sapphire.

The Imperial State Crown made for
Queen Victoria.

While St. Edward’s Crown is the one used during the coronation, The Imperial State Crown is typically the crown worn at the end of a coronation when the new Sovereign departs from Westminster Abbey.

This is the second crown known by this name. The first—which was very similar—was used instead of St. Edward’s Crown during the coronation itself of both Queen Victoria and her son, King Edward VII, who both complained that the weight of St Edward's Crown was too uncomfortable. The Imperial State Crown is also worn at the State Opening of Parliament.

The present Imperial State Crown was created for the coronation of King George VI in 1937 by the Crown Jewelers Garrard & Co. It is an exact replica of the original Imperial State Crown which had been made for Queen Victoria, but is even more lightweight than its predecessor. The Crown was again remodeled for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 to give it a more feminine appearance than it had when made for her father. This was accomplished by lowering its total height by one inch.

The Crown as it is today.
Seen from the front with the Cullinan II and
the Black Prince's "Ruby."

The crown seen from the back
with the Stuart Sapphire.