Royal memorabilia--Imperial State Crown

Royal Memorabilia--Imperial State Crown

A collection relating to adjustments made to the Imperial State Crown in preparation for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in June 1953, and related material, comprising:

i) Two pieces removed from the headband of the Imperial State Crown during alterations undertaken prior the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II

ii) Coronation Medal, silver, with portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right on obverse, royal cipher with legend (“Queen Elizabeth II Crowned 2^nd June 1953”) on the reverse; dark red ribbon with two blue stripes; original red box; with accompanying letter, awarding the medal to Harold Philip Goodship

iii) Four documents relating to broadcasts relating to the remodelling of the Imperial State Crown: Handwritten note (“Points to be made”) for a broadcast interview, 1 page; carbon copy typescript by Cecil Mann, ‘Remodelling the Imperial State Crown’, 1 page, 6 January [1953]; memoranda sent by Max Robertson, Outside Broadcasts Department, outlining a planned broadcast, ‘Insignia of Royalty’, including a segment on the alterations to the Imperial State Crown, 2 pages, 8 April 1953; BBC, letter form addressed to Goodship arranging an interview on his work as crown jeweller, 15 April 1955

iv) Press cuttings relating to the alterations (3) and a related press photograph, torn

v) Magazines, brochures, programmes, calendar chiefly relating to royal events, 1950s-80s (5)

Harold Goodship was foreman diamond mounter to the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company, Crown Jewellers, at the time of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. He was responsible for the remodelling of the Imperial State Crown, the tall and heavy crown at the heart of the coronation ceremony, so that it would fit the head of Queen Elizabeth II. The Imperial State Crown had originally been created for Queen Victoria in 1838, but was remade in 1937 for the Coronation of George VI. 

This lot will be on view in our New Bond Street galleries on 9^th, 10^th, 11^th, 12^th, 15^th, 16^th and 17^th January 2024.