Welcome
When I was growing up, the royal family appeared to be, how can I put this? Unhinged. (For reference see It’s a Royal Knockout, 1987.) I am not sure when, or why, I – and the rest of the country – overwhelmingly became Team Queen. But such is my current patriotic zeal I even entered a dessert for the Platinum Pudding competition, which, like much of my cooking, sank without trace, joining the ‘also-rans’ of the pudding world.
Appreciation of the monarchy, like many things in life:
gardening, large underwear and – dare I say – antiques, comes later in life. So I have had a ball putting this special Platinum Jubilee issue together.
Who among us hasn’t got a piece of royal memorabilia tucked away, secretly hoping it is worth a royal mint? Well, the bad news is, unless it happens to be English Delft with a picture of Charles II on the front, it isn’t. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of souvenirs, (like my Silver Jubilee mug) were mass produced and, therefore, very rarely, rare.
Which is not to say royal commemorative ware is not one of the more joyful areas of collecting. From wedding cakes to jubilee mugs, on page 46, we look at the souvenirs that are worth investing in. Enjoy a peruse, it might very well surprise you.
On page 16, the historian Andrew Graham-Dixon reveals how ‘controlling the narrative’ didn’t start with the current monarchy but has been going on for 500 years since Elizabeth I portrayed a very particular image of herself to courtiers and the wider world.
On another topic, there is no beverage more British than tea and, with the number of jubilee tea parties going on this summer, there appears to be no sign of it giving up its crown. In homage to the drink, on page 22 Gillian Walkling presents a guide to tea chests and caddies which continue to be firm favourites with collectors.
And with ‘platinum’ on everyone’s lips, we put the precious metal in the spotlight on page 36. After joining the jeweller’s toolbox in the late 19th century, it went on to be used in some of the greatest jewellery of the Edwardian period (much of it royal).
Finally, in this month’s watch focus, on page 40, we consider the timepieces favoured by the royals, ranging from Cartier to Fitbits. Enjoy the issue
Georgina Wroe, Editor
FIRST WORD
IN THIS ISSUE
RONNIE ARCHER-MORGAN on his life and times, ahead of a
new memoir, page 6
ANDREW GRAHAM-DIXON the historian considers why image is so vital to the monarchy, page 16
MARK WILTSHIRE on the sale of some very special first editions, page 28
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ISSN: 0003-584X
We love
This commemorative bracelet for the coronation of Edward VII, c.1902, which has an estimate of £400-£600 at Sworders’ fine jewellery
sale on June 28
MARC ALLUM reveals the royal memorabilia worth investing in, page 72
THE TEAM Editor: Georgina Wroe, georgina.
wroe@accartbooks.com Online Editor: Richard Ginger, richard.ginger@accartbooks.com
Design: Philp Design, james@philpdesign.co.uk Advertising: Charlotte Kettell 01394 389969, charlotte.kettell
@accartbooks.com Subscriptions: Jo Lord jo.lord@accartbooks.com
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