While you are in London, go to the post office and check out the many gorgeous stamps that are available. British postage is some of the most interesting in the world–often having a series of artists, monarchs, historic events, architecture, jubilees, coronations, and of course important weddings. Pick out your favorite postcard and then decorate the card with a fabulous British stamp which will really catch the receiver’s attention. For stamp collectors, visitors to the UK will be like children in the candy shop.
But, there is an interesting story behind each stamp. Since British stamps all carry the Queen’s profile somewhere on the stamp, the Sovereign is often consulted for a preference. Let me show you a few stamps and the designs which were rejected before the final stamp went into circulation. King George V was a great stamp collector, and his most complete stamp collection has been on-going since his death nearly seventy-five years ago. In that collection, the many designs behind the final edition are protected in volume after volume–all part of what is now the NATIONAL STAMP COLLECTION. Let’s look at a few these designs and compare to the final version.
In 1940, the wartime British postal service decided to publish a stamp commemorating the 100th anniversary of the PENNY BLACK, Britain’s first stamp. Queen Victoria was Queen of England in 1840, and King George VI was King of England in 1940. So, it was decided that the two sovereigns’ profiles were to appear on the stamp. The first design had a black silhouette of Queen Victoria with a contemporary profile of the King superimposed; the King rejected the design. The second design had the two sovereigns’ profiles with a good deal of filigree down the sides; the King again sought another design. The third design was a much simpler design with the two sovereigns’ profiles but without a great deal of design to complicate the final stamp. Here are the three stamps including the final revision.
The Coronation of 12 May 1937 was a rather chaotic affair since the Heir Apparent Edward VIII decided he would get married to Wallis Simpson and abdicate. Everything was ready for the coronation, but now there was no King. George VI reluctantly was crowned on 12 May, and a new stamp had to be designed. The first design was rejected by the King and certainly by the Queen. The second design was accepted by the King, and the final version is one of the most beautiful stamps ever circulated by the British Postal Services. I am attaching the rejected design, the accepted tentative design, and the final version.
The Princess Elizabeth had married Prince Philip, and the Royal couple soon expected the King’s first grandchild. The King was eager to celebrate this event with a stamp suitable for the occasion. The first design was a silly proposal with the Princess Elizabeth surrounded with a leaf design and the King with his crown, and a cherub in the tree branches–ridiculous. Prince Philip was left out completely. That was rejected by Buckingham Palace. The second design had the King to one side and Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip holding a “stylized” baby–because no one knew if it was a girl or a boy. Finally, the postal services consulted with the King, and they both agreed that the situation was awkward so no stamp was ever circulated. I am posting both rejected versions. Very interesting.
Finally, I want to discuss two of the verions which were designed for the King and Queen’s up-coming Silver Wedding celebration in 1948. The first design was a complicated stamp with the King and the Queen facing each other with Windsor Castle between them. All kinds of filigree and dates complicate the design. The Queen said NO to that proposal. Finally, a simple design was presented to the Queen with the royal couple sitting together with their marriage dates on each side. The Queen is wearing Queen Victoria’s ORIENTAL CIRCLET TIARA and the massive Crown Rubies left to the Royal Family by Queen Victoria in 1901. It is a “family portrait” and something personal that delighted the Queen.
I have collected stamps since I was a very young child. I have always felt that STAMPS TEACH HISTORY. When you are in London, buy stamps from the post office so you have those special editions which are so beautiful. Forget the regular postage which you buy from the postcard shop or from the hotel desk. They are just regular stuff, not suitable for a real souvenir from London.
Don’t we live in a wonderful world where people are proud of their various cultures and want to celebrate their lives with beautiful stamps.
Enjoy
Thanks,
Thomas Moore
ONE OF THE GREATEST PAINTINGS IN THE WORLD HAS BEEN RECOVERED IN BERLIN. Caravaggio’s THE TAKING OF CHIRST (1573-1602) was stolen from the ODESSA MUSEUM OF WESTERN AND EASTERN ART in Odessa.
This seems to be the year of celebrations for the YOUNG VICTORIA. The movie THE YOUNG VICTORIA with Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend certainly contributed to the fun frenzy. Now the exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery about the young lives of Victoria and Albert is really exciting. I wanted to write a post about a piece of Queen Victoria’s jewelry which is a part of this theme.
Prince Albert had amazing talent in so many areas. He was involved in industry, education, social reform, constitutional monarchies, architecture, art, fresco, and jewelry. During their early lives together, the Prince designed a great deal of beautiful jewelry for the Queen. He designed a tiara with emeralds, now owned by the Earl of Harwood. He designed a tiara with sapphires, now owned by the Duke of Westminster. And he designed a third tiara with opals. This is the ORIENTAL CIRCLET TIARA now worn by the Queen.
When the Prince Consort died at the age of 41, the Queen never wore jewelery with colored stones again. So, the tiaras were unseen for nearly fifty years. Queen Alexandra inherited this tiara, but she removed the opals, believing they were bad luck. Queen Mary never wore the tiara. But the Queen Mother loved it and wore it with Queen Victoria’s rubies for many years. The following dramatic photograph of the Queen Mother wearing Queen Victoria’s tiara in Buckingham Palace was taken by Cecil Beaton and is an amazing image. When the Queen Mother died at 101 years of age, the Queen retained this beautiful jewel.
This tiara best exemplifies the jewelry of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s early years together. Hopefully, the Queen will place it in the Queen’s Gallery for the new exhibition about the lives of Victoria and Albert together.
Reading DAVID COPPERFIELD by Charles Dickens was one of my favorite school assisgnments. I remember how I felt as I hoped that the book would have a happy ending. Sometimes, I felt that DICKENS was too harsh and painful to read, but of course I was David Copperfield’s age, and I wanted to share my good life with him.
I stopped reading Dickens because there was so much LONDON FOG in the novels–until I was college age and had a better understanding of Victorian England and the slums of London. As a young adult, with all the idealism of my world, I began to understand what Dickens was all about. He gradually became a hero for me as he fought the battle for a better life for the poor–particularly for innocent children.
Charles Dickens is remembered all over London. His writing chair is in a museum, and his residence is still there. In the engraving shops, prints of Dickens from the Victorian period still are sought after. My son Richard and his wife Claire read to each other as they travel. I rode with them once on a trip, and they were reading Charles Dickens, a rather obscure novel at that!
If you are a Victorian novel fiend like I am, make your way to THE OLD CURIOSITY SHOP. It has amazed me how this ancient building with roots to the 1600′s has survived. It is a tourist site now, but a visit here is just one of those things YOU OUGHT TO DO, like going to STONEHENGE and climbing to the top of St. Paul’s.
Thanks,
Can anyone tell me what this image is? Can anyone guess where it is located in London? It is a fun story. I found it on one of my walks one evening. Some of my readers have seen them during your walks. Let’s see who has been walking in London.
TATE BRITAIN TODAY UNVEILS ITS NEW DUVEENS COMMISSION, HARRIER AND JAQUAR, BY FIONA BANNER. Banner’s large work, HARRIER AND JAGUAR, brings the highly-charged physicality of two real fighter jets, both previously active military service, into the unexpected setting of the neoclassical Dureen Galleries. HARRIER AND JAGUAR has been specially devised for the TATE BRITAIN DUVEENS COMMISSION 2010– supported by Sotheby’s.
COVENT GARDEN MARKET IS A MECCA FOR THOSE EAGER TO FIND THAT UNIQUE SOUVENIR. After I have overcome a long flight and have settled in, I wander to Covent Garden for a pizza on the Plaza and a stroll through Covent Garden stalls and Jubilee Market–simply enjoying myself and being relaxed.
BONDS PUPPETS sells its glorious puppets in JUBILEE MARKET. This gentle man proudly tells his clients all about his puppets and the stories they highlight. We bought several: Beatrix Potter personalities, elephants, snakes, dolls, bunnies, on and on. RAGGEDY-ANNE was the cotton doll that caught my wife’s eye–she had to have three of them for our youngest grand-daughters.
1 Travistock Court, THE PIAZZA Covent Garden, London WC2 8BD
DO I LOVE COLOR! A young man in London named LESTER HUTT decided he would see what various alcoholic drinks look like under a microscope. The images were so spectacular that he started taking photographs of these fabulous color arrangements. The microscope revealed the molecules that make up our favorite tipples.
When I saw these images from London this morning, I had to forward a few of them on to my readers. LONDON IS ALIVE! PERFECT TIMES FOR VISITING: tours, exhibitions, art, sports, pomp, fashion, fine food, antiques, and now ALCOHOLIC MICROSCOPIC ART. CONTACT INFORMATON: EMAIL: Service@bevshots.com Telephone: US 850.807.0507
These days, if you blink you miss a whole new world–so much is happening. I will try to keep you posted. I WILL DO MY BEST.
Goodness, what next! What a place this London really is.
Wonderful.
Tom
Wednesday, a top London art gallery will unveil an exhibition of works that had tricked its own experts–until scientific advances revealed cleverly produced fakes or unexpected treasures.
A Rembrandt turned out to be the work of a student in the master’s studio, and WOMAN AT A WINDOW was later modified because of concerns over morality.
Prince Harry keeps his promise: I WILL HELP MY BROTHER. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are in Canada–The Prince of Wales is celebrating with the Welsh people–Prince William has joined his military mates (with Kate coming along!)–AND PRINCE HARRY IS TAKING NEW YORK BY STORM. These amazing photographs of the young Prince playing POLO in New York, engaging the crowd, reveal the STAR QUALITY of this kind-hearted young man. He has emerged on his efforts to become one of the real players in the royal scene today. THE QUEEN MUST BE THRILLED.
Cecil Beaton was certainly one of the great wits of the Twentieth Century. I have been working on an up-coming blog about the PHOTOGRAPHER CECIL BEATON and ran into a series of quotes. I thought you would enjoy them.
Funny
One of the most exquisite summer exhibitions is being held in the BRITISH MUSEUM: 100 EXQUISITE DRAWINGS BY ITALIAN RENAISSANCE ARTISTS 1400-1510 including the drawings of BOTTICELLI, FRA ANGELO, VERROCHIO, MICHELANGELO, RAPHAEL. This exhibition is one of the most important exhibitions ever put together, even rivaling the Queen’s collection at Windsor.
Enjoy
What’s next? The Queen has been on the throne for so many years, and it might be difficult to know what to do to celebrate a great occasion. But, a million dollar gold coin that weighs 220 pounds and is 21 inches in diameter is quite unusual, especially in these economically difficult times. Hey, it’s a Royal Tour to Canada and to New York, and I am excited about it as well. I just wanted to alert my readers so you can follow the tour on television and especially the Queen’s address to the General Assembly. The Canadian Centennial Navy celebration at Nova Scotia will also be spectacular. When I get the photos, I will post them. Spectacular.
FILM4 SUMMER SCREEN returns for 2010 29 July – 8 August. A highlight of the summer calendar, the series features everything from special previews to cult classics, all showing on a staate-of-the art screen with full surround-sound.
There is more than just the movies. Arrive early; come and picnic in the magnificent Edmond J. Safra Courtyard while DJs play or attend one of the companion events in BEHIND THE SCREEN.
The EMPRESS EUGENIE and NAPOLEON III became friends of Queen Victoria. When the French Imperial Family went into exile, they were invited to live in England as guests of Queen Victoria. The Emperor Napoleon III, the Empress, and their son the Prince Imperial are all buried in England. The Empress lived a long life, more than 90 years old, and died in 1920.
The Empress Eugenie had a passion for beautiful jewels. Her famous pearl and diamond tiara contained the largest natural pearl in the world. Her long five strands of pearls were admired. She and the ladies of the Imperial Court were magnificently dressed and often the subject of spectacular paintings, especially by Winterhalter.
Recently, Queen Elizabeth II has on two occasions worn a feather broach with a large sapphire and diamonds. She wore the broach to Royal Ascot which sent all the “royal watchers” scurrying trying to figure the broach’s history. It is a spectacular piece of jewelery and was given by the Empress Eugenie while she lived in exile in England to Queen Mary, then the Duchess of York, upon her marriage to the future King George V in 1893. This spectacular broach was left by Queen Mary to her granddaughter, the current Queen Elizabeth II.
I am attaching a page from a publication which shows some of the jewels which were wedding gifts to Queen Marry. Other than the wedding gifts from Queen Victoria and the Empress, the jewels were comparatively simple when compared to the elaborate collections Queen Mary left to her children when they were married.
Well, that is the story of the Queen’s SAPPHIRE FEATHER BROACH.
When I drive down the Embankment, in front of the Mercedes-Benz showrooms, a sculpture of the child and flying dolphin catches my attention. When friends come to London with their children–always hungry–I take them to the CARVERY AT THE TOWER THISTLE HOTEL AT THE TOWER OF LONDON. After our meal, we always seem to find ourselves outside gazing up and down the River with our eyes gravitating to the magnificent TOWER BRIDGE in front of us. Then we all want our picture taken in front of a fountain with another dolphin and flying figure. These two figures are two of several sculptures done by DAVID WYNNE.
I remember seeing the sculpture of the head of Prince Charles, the new Prince of Wales, wearing his new crown several years ago. Then came the bronze of the Queen which for many years was in one of the public rooms at Windsor Castle–now in one of the spaces added after the fire. The Queen wearing the Coronation Crown, all in bronze, takes your breath away.
David Wynne’s sculpture of the Beatles was so novel for this wildlife sculptor, but the bronze sculpture captures the spirit of the age; you can almost hear the voices of the era singing.
I particularly like THE RIVER GOD on the Tyne, not in London, but I saw it last year on my way to Edinburgh.
David Wynne captures in sculpture so many aspects of British life. As we all walk around London, particularly along the river and in Cadogan Square Park, we will meet his work often.
PRINCE HARRY PITCHING IN NEW YORK – THE METS
PRINCE HARRY WEST POINT
PRINCE HARRY WEST POINT – Receiving a gift from his military mates
PRINCE HARRY SPEAKING ON BOARD THE USS INTREPID
A quick post which I think will be of interest to our readers. The acclaimed country house opera festival comes to central London–via a big screen set up in the courtyard–for three days–showing live performances of BILLY BUD, THE RAKE’S PROGRESS, and a matinee screening of HANSEL AND GRETAL.
It is fascinating to learn about people through their possessions. This seems to be the approach that the V&A is taking with its current exhibit of Grace Kelly’s gowns. The larger part of the show consists of the French haute couture she favored as Her Serence Highness. The exhibition is interesting to see the gowns when Grace Kelly wore the Monegasque tiara on her head compared to the crisp silhouette she favored as a jobbing actress.
It is all so interesting. I suppose when you are HER SERENE HIGHNESS PRINCESS GRACE, you can wear what you damn well please.
This is an interesting exhibition at the V&A for 6 pounds until 26 September.
My wife sends her best wishes. My wife says she is going and dragging me along. I really do want to go.
Tom
These ORIGINAL ILLUSTRATIONS will be on display from 3 July – 8 January at THE VICTORIA AND ALBERT MUSEUM in South Kensington.
Potter died on 22 December 1943 and left almot all of her property to the National Trust. Her books continue to see well throughout the world. Her stories have been retold in various formats including a ballet, films, and in animation.
Thomas Moore
The Queen attended WIMBLEDON today for the first time in 33 years. The Queen was warmly and enthusiastically received by the crowds who had come to Center Court. The Queen is amazing; 84 years old and still reaching out to her subjects and supporting her players.
Andy Murray must have been thrilled with the Queen’s visit to watch him play. She was not disappointed.
Serena Williams also curtsied to the Queen and enjoyed their exchange of greetings.
Martina Navratilova was warmingly received by the Queen–wonderful picture.
But the Queen showed her special enthusiasm for a Brit– a Scot– Andy Murray
The Queen has worn this sapphire and diamond feather broach on two occasions lately. The Queen has not been seen wearing this broach for a very long time. Can any identify it and tell us how it came into the personal jewel collection of the Queen?
EVENT PREVIEW: LONDON LITERATURE FESTIVAL AT THE SOUTHBANK CENTER
Thanks,
The JEWELS AT THE TOWER OF LONDON are on everyone’s itinerary for their visit to London. Without question, they are magnificent. But, one of the most historic jewels is the STUART SAPPHIRE which often goes unnoticed because it is located at the back of the IMPERIAL STATE CROWN. Let me tell you about its history.
This 104 carat cabochon sapphire belonged to ROBERT II ( grandson of Robert the Bruce), first monarch of the Stuart Dynasty of Scotland in 1371. The SAPPHIRE remained in the hands of the Stuart Dynasty for nearly 400 years and went into exile with James II in 1688. It came to England with James I and left England with his grandson James II when he fled to France. James II’s grandson returned to England and gave the STUART SAPPHIRE to King George III in 1800 in gratitude for the King’s pension to his Stuart relation Cardinal Stuart, the end of the Stuart line.
So, when you are admiring the IMPERIAL STATE CROWN at the Tower of London, be sure you look carefully at the 104 carat STUART SAPPHIRE at the back of the crown. It is one of the most historic and symbolic stones in the crown and has a 700-year connection to the kings and queens of England and Scotland.
Wow! What history. There is so much written about the Crown Jewels, but I wanted to be sure my readers did not overlook the STUART SAPPHIRE which has an amazing history: the history of the union of Scotland and England. Perfect.
