Casi Prischl on Royal Memorabilia
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II this week has already sparked renewed interested in royal memorabilia. Theodore Bruce’s Casi Prischl, a jewellery, silver and decorative arts specialist, today spoke on Radio 4BC in Brisbane about the long and sometimes quirky history of royal collectables.
Uncovering Royal collectables
On 15 September, Casi spoke with Breakfast Show presenters, Laurel, Gary & Mark, about how births, deaths and marriages within the Royal Family have long been marked by the release of coins or decorative objects.
Whilst the first memorabilia dates from the 17th century, collecting really took hold in the 1960’s as the Royal Family became increasingly visible thanks to the media.
Many of these items – which are released widely and collected by passionate followers of the Royal Family – can be picked up at a bargain at auction.
Unsurprisingly, cohesive collections and rarer items – included more recent objects released in limited editions – may fetch higher prices.
From the beautiful to the bizarre
Casi observes that certain members of the Royal Family – notably Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana – are perpetually popular. Whilst the most ‘collectable’ event is generally the Queen’s 1953 Coronation.
Royal memorabilia can range from the beautiful to the bizarre.
In 2017, an English Delft Charger plate commemorating William III’s 1690 coronation sold for £7,800 in the United Kingdom.
Recently, a signed photograph of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip gifted to their chauffeur during their 1973 Australian tour, sold for thousands above the $500-$1000 estimate.
Whilst in 2011, a fan paid £500 on eBay for a slice of William & Katherine’s wedding cake.
One of our favourites is a Long Live the Queen! Coronation Pop Up Book (pictured), which we auctioned earlier this year.
While some items, such as coins, tend to hold their value, prices for royal collectables will always fluctuate with major events… or as the popularity of Kings, Queens & the Royal Family, ebbs and flows.
Please visit Radio 4BC to listen to Casi’s radio interview – or you can listen to the audio here.
Theodore Bruce is Australia’s oldest family-run fine art and antique auction house, specialising in fine art, antiques and collectables.
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Casi PrischlBoth the Australian & British Royal Mint have seen a huge uptake in people wanting to buy coins (featuring Queen Elizabeth II) ... and coins will always hold their value
