Month: September 2022
Majestic Memorabilia
This week we’re featuring some highly topical items sent to us recently by Michael Burroughs of Anything Militaria.
Firstly an official pass for a motor vehicle to be in Westminster during the late Queen’s coronation in 1953. It’s impossible to see in the photos but the registration numbers of the vehicles has been pencilled in on the front: JK2204 and RV7074 for ‘Westminster Bank’.
And then there are a couple of much sought after ‘real photograph’ postcards. The one from 1939 shows the King riding in Windsor Great Park alongside the princesses. Princess Margaret has her horse on a training lead held by her father. The other portrait photograph of the Queen was taken by Dorothy Wilding at a time when this would have been really quite unusual!
The First Collectors Market of the Carolean Era
Of course, we’re open again this Saturday and with the recent passing of Her Late Majesty, the throne falls to the former Prince of Wales, Charles III. And so the second Elizabethan age becomes the second Carolean era (following that of Charles II – that of Charles I is often known as the Caroline Age).
The date is yet to be announced for Charles’ coronation but plans were laid for the ceremony – Operation Golden Orb – many years ago and reviewed on a regular basis. This will in all likelihood be a very religious affair consecrated at Westminster Abbey.
Naturally, stamp, coin and banknote collectors will be following announcements from the Royal Mail, the Royal Mint and the Bank of England closely as our currency changes to reflect our new constitutional reality. In line with tradition, on coins Charles’ profile will face the opposite direction (left) from his predecessor. On stamps, however, the monarch only ever faces left.
CLOSED this Saturday
A reminder that we will be closed as a mark of respect this coming Saturday 17th September. We’ll reopen the following weekend.
Her Majesty The Queen 1926-2022
Like so many around the UK and the wider world, we were saddened by the news that Her Majesty The Queen has passed away. As our longest reigning monarch she led with grace and selfless devotion. Our thoughts and prayers are with The Royal Family at this difficult time.
Although the Market will be open tomorrow as usual (September 10th), we will be closed the following Saturday as a mark of respect.
Finding Your Niche
Becoming a world authority on anything is no mean feat. Yet it’s surprisingly easy. A general collector may have a smattering of knowledge about their pastime but once you start to specialise, it’s very easy to be the expert in your field.
Take stamps. If you wanted to collect German ones you’d be hard pressed to rival any of the existing authorities on the subject. Yet once you decide you’re going to specialise in those from the hyerpinflation period during the Weimar Republic, it becomes much easier to get a handle on all you need to know. Drill down further and restrict yourself to stamps which were overprinted with values in excess of a million marks and it’s easier still.
An expert, we’re told, is someone who knows more and more about less and less. But on their turf, you can’t beat them.
So why not pop down to the Market this Saturday and find your niche.