Royal History through Objects: Crowns, Couture, Churchill…and Chocolate!

Royal Interest in the 5th April Collectors Sale

By Katherine Tulloch

Our Wednesday 5th April Collectors Auction presents a remarkable opportunity to acquire a selection of royal ephemera and historical memorabilia, spanning centuries of British and European history. These objects offer collectors a tangible connection to monarchy, ceremony, and the personalities who shaped the modern world.

Commemorative Edward VII & Queen Alexandra Chocolate Tin

Among the highlights is a charming and exceptionally rare commemorative chocolate tin celebrating the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra on 26th June 1902. Remarkably, the tin still contains its original Cadbury Bros. Ltd uneaten chocolate, making it a fascinating Edwardian survival. This unique piece carries an estimate of just £100–200.

Buckingham Palace Road Enamel Street Sign

Equally distinctive is an enamelled iron street sign for Buckingham Palace Road, SW1, from the City of Westminster. Featuring the iconic black and red sans serif lettering designed by Sir Misha Black in 1967, this design remains exclusive to Westminster and protected under copyright law. Accompanied by a signed Certificate of Authenticity, this piece of urban design history is also estimated at £100–200.

The House of Hardy Amies – Signed Biography & Couture Samples

Fashion and royal couture enthusiasts will be drawn to an unpublished, signed biography of Hardy Amies, entitled The House of Hardy Amies. Compiled in 1966, the bound typescript is illustrated with black and white photographs of Amies and his collections - most notably fabric swatches from his designs, alongside examples from Bernat Klein and velvet tweed textiles. As the official dressmaker to Queen Elizabeth II for over 50 years, Amies’ work was central to the story of royal style. This lot comes to auction at an pertinent time, as the forthcoming Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style exhibition, opens on 10th April at the Royal Collection Trust, exploring the late Queen’s wardrobe across every decade of her life through an unprecedented display of clothing, accessories, design sketches, samples and personal correspondence. This rare insight into mid-20th century haute couture is estimated at £150–250.

Winston Churchill – A Signed Photograph & Christmas Card

A standout lot of considerable historical importance relates to Winston Churchill. This grouping includes a signed photograph and a printed Christmas card depicting Churchill’s own painting, The Olive Trees. The card bears printed greetings from Winston and Clementine Churchill, and is accompanied by a newspaper cutting detailing its provenance—presented personally by Churchill to his first wartime police guard. This deeply personal and well-documented lot is estimated at £800–1,200.

French Revolutionary Broadside – Massacre of the French King!

From revolutionary France comes a striking broadside titled Massacre of the French King!, depicting the execution of Louis XVI on 21st January 1793. Printed at the Minerva office for William Lane, the piece features a dramatic woodcut illustration of the guillotine, capturing a pivotal moment in European history. Its relevance is underscored by the recent Marie Antoinette Style exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum, which explored the enduring influence of Marie Antoinette, and the lasting legacy of late 18th-century French royal style across over 250 years of design, fashion, film and decorative arts. Estimate: £200–400.

Edward VIII Royal Tour Memorabilia – South Africa 1925

Royal tour memorabilia is represented by a distinguished collection relating to Edward VIII during his 1925 South Africa tour. Highlights include an enamelled 18ct gold tie pin bearing the Prince of Wales feathers, alongside menus from state dinners, including one held at Government House in Salisbury, Rhodesia, and a handwritten letter to his chauffeur. This evocative grouping is estimated at £600–800.

Queen Elizabeth II & The Queen Mother Overseas Tour

Finally, from the same consignor is an exceptional lot that documents the 1947 overseas tour undertaken by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth), and Princess Margaret. The collection centres on a Royal Standard flag once mounted on their official car in Rhodesia, accompanied by period photographs and a later Christmas card from Government House, Bulawayo. This historically rich ensemble carries an estimate of £800–1,200.

Auction Details

This curated selection of royal and political collectibles offers a compelling narrative of monarchy, ceremony, and personal history. Bidding opens Sunday 5th April and closes Sunday 19th April via our timed-online auction, giving collectors around the world the opportunity to own a piece of history.