A right royal send off for Michael Kent’s 1937 Coronation archive
21 May 2021 The remarkable Michael Kent collection – offered for sale online this month - is devoted to a single event held on a single day 84 years ago.
A 1937 coronation Clarice Cliff honey pot, estimated at £40-60 at Crow’s Auction Gallery.
For more than 40 years Kent’s collecting obsession was the Coronation of George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the future Queen Mother), on May 12, 1937.
It all began modestly enough. When asked to clear a house he came across a complete album of cigarette cards devoted to 1937 and all that.
However, this seemingly insignificant find proved to be the trigger for what became a quest to find every George VI coronation item issued by every business, hotel, town and borough in Great Britain and the Commonwealth – all displayed and archived in his home.
Kent’s singular collection, offered by timed auction at Crow’s Auction Gallery in Dorking until June 6, covers everything imaginable to do with the coronation, from fabric woven for Westminster Abbey, tickets issued for guests, plans for seat arrangements, procession schedules etc to an endless number of commemoratives from food packaging to head scarfs.
The sale of close to 5000 objects will be conducted in around 200 lots in an exhaustive catalogue of close to 23,000 words penned by valuer Cecile Shannon. Here’s a flavour of what’s on offer: plenty of pomp and pageantry and a little kitsch too.
A 1937 coronation souvenir bottle of ‘Eau de Cologne Blue Orchid’, estimated at £30-50 at Crow’s Auction Gallery.
A rare unopened 1937 coronation souvenir glass bottle of ‘Eau de Cologne Blue Orchid’ by Delavelle, London, together with a pull-out comb in a silver plated coronation case, guided at £30-50.
A large 1937 coronation Wade Heath & Co bowl, estimated at £60-90 at Crow’s Auction Gallery.
A large 1937 coronation commemorative Wade Heath & Co ceramic bowl signed by Robert Barlow, featuring a matt cream ground embossed with animals from the Empire. Estimate £60-90.
A rare 1937 coronation street sign, estimated at £40-60 at Crow’s Auction Gallery.
A rare 1937 coronation commemorative street sign designed for attaching to a lamppost, in the form of a large wooden shield with the heads of George VI and Queen Elizabeth, 33 x 28in. Estimate £40-60.
A blue and gilt silk section of Crown Brocatelle Coronation Fabric, estimated at £100-150 at Crow’s Auction Gallery.
A blue and gilt silk thread section of Crown Brocatelle Coronation Fabric used for the drapes in Westminster Abbey, commissioned for the coronation from Warner & Sons, Essex firm and designed by Herbert Woodman, 7ft 6in x 10ft. Estimate £100-150.
A George VI Coronation brass and enamel lantern clock, estimated at £120-160 at Crow’s Auction Gallery.
A striking George VI Coronation brass and enamel lantern clock by Duvall, London, with hands in the shape of the Lion and Unicorn and crown shaped fretwork. Estimate £120-160.
A 1937 Johillco hollow-cast lead ‘Miniature Coronation Coach’, estimated at £60-90 at Crow’s Auction Gallery.
A 1937 Johillco hollow-cast lead ‘Miniature Coronation Coach’, drawn by eight ‘Famous Windsor Greys complete with Postilions, Footmen of the Royal Household and the Yeomen of the Guard’ in original box. Estimate £60-90.
A 1937 coronation Clarice Cliff honey pot, estimated at £40-60 at Crow’s Auction Gallery.
A 1937 coronation commemorative Clarice Cliff designed honey pot with cover by the Staffordshire pottery AJ Wilkinson. Estimate £40-60.
