Description:

George VI of England King

1943 holiday greeting card signed by George VI (1896-1953) as “George R.I.” in black fountain pen and by Queen Elizabeth nee Bowes-Lyons as “Elizabeth R” in black pen along bottom of message page. Typed Christmas and New Year greetings have been hand-inscribed “1943” by George. A black and white semi-glossy photograph of the royal family faces the message page, labeled “April 1942”. The Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd. cream bifold card has a beveled center panel with an embossed gilt crown on its cover. Publishing information is found verso. Card measures 5.75” x 7”. In very good to near fine condition, with minor photo burn found on message page and title impression found on photo. Light foxing at back.

 

The photo depicts George VI (1895-1952) standing in a large windowed doorway at Royal Lodge, the royal thirty-room country retreat near Windsor Castle. The monarch shyly smiles at his wife and two daughters. Queen Elizabeth (1900-2002) is seated with Princess Elizabeth (born in 1926, and the future Elizabeth II) standing at her left and Princess Margaret (1930-2002) seated at her right. A Corgie sleeps at their feet. This photo was one of a series taken at Royal Lodge on April 12, 1942; another photo shows George VI and the Princesses in the same doorway looking at books.

 

This holiday card was a masterpiece of wartime public relations strategy. The royal family is portrayed as serene and seemingly unimpacted by World War II. The figureheads of the nation, the royal family put on a brave face. Significantly, the royals also decided to continue living near London. The King and Queen continued to live at Buckingham Palace despite regular bombing raids, while the Princesses lodged at Windsor. The fact that the royals lived alongside Britons through such dangerous times boosted morale.

 

George VI is shown here acting out what he urged his countrymen to do in a September 3, 1939 speech: "I ask them [my people at home and my people across the seas] to stand calm and firm and united in this time of trial".

 

Provenance: Item was previously sold at International Autograph Auctions in September 2014 for £480, exceeding its high estimate.

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