Exclusive King’s Birthday Fundraising Auction

The AML is proud to present a fundraising Auction exclusively to its Members to celebrate the birthday of King Charles III, King of Australia on 14 November. It is difficult to believe that it has been over a year since the passing of our late sovereign Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of The King, whose years of dedicated service have amply prepared him for his role as sovereign. This auction offers a group of rare royal items from two reigns which are destined to become treasured heirlooms. Not only is this a special opportunity for Members to acquire impressive and beautiful pieces of historic royal memorabilia, it ensures that vital funds can be raised to enable us to face the upcoming republic campaign.

Our Auction marking the Coronation of the King and Queen was a great success, and we are sure that our Members will dig deep and bid generously once again, with a range of tempting Lots across all price points!

The Auction opens on Wednesday 1 November 2023 & closes on Tuesday 28 November 2023. Please ensure that enquiries and bids are submitted by Tuesday 28 November 2023 at 5pm AEDT:  [email protected].

A signed presentation photograph of King Charles III, 1979

This portrait of the King when Prince of Wales is signed “Charles” on the mount and dated 1979 in his distinctive hand. It was taken by royal photographer Carole Cutner. Measures approximately 14.5cm x 11cm. Condition: Good, image slightly discoloured commensurate with age, signature still strong and clear.

Provenance: Given to Mr H. Byrne, chauffeur to the then Prince of Wales during his 1979 Royal Visit to Australia.

Signed royal portraits are extremely desirable to collectors, being unique symbols of favour and gratitude for services rendered. As Members of the royal family do not sign autographs on walkabouts for members of the public, their autographs are extremely sought after. Whether hanging casually in your office or adorning a side table in your living room, few royal items could be more impressive than this.

                                   Bidding starts at $750.

A Travel Alarm Clock gifted by Queen Elizabeth II, Christmas 2015

In every year of her reign, the late Queen gave specially-made gifts to members of the royal household at Christmas, personally handing them out to her footmen and other staff in celebration of the festive season. These gifts were never available for purchase by the general public. This round silver-plated clock (pictured overleaf) was given to members of the Royal Household in 2015. It bears the royal cypher etched into the centre of the lid, surrounded by deep blue enamel, and opens to reveal the clock face bearing the message Christmas 2015.

The travel alarm clock (pictured right) comes in its original fitted box with a gift card from the late Queen. Both decorative and functional, it has barely seen any use. Condition: The Clock is in fine working order with brand new battery, lacking backplate.

Bidding starts at $350.

 A signed presentation photograph of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, 1987

This handsome black and white portrait photograph of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is a rare and desirable memento of the reign of a great and noble Queen.

Her Majesty is depicted wearing the insignia of the Order of the Garter and Royal Family Orders, evening gown and jewels, whilst His Royal Highness wears the uniform of a British Admiral of the Fleet and his various orders and medals. The portrait is signed in ink “Elizabeth R 1987” and “Philip” on the mount, and is contained within a gilt-tooled brown leather frame with easel back by Smythson of Bond Street, who held Elizabeth II’s royal warrant as a purveyor of fine leather goods. Measures 32.5cm x 24.7cm overall.

Condition: Fine.     Bidding starts at $1600.

A Queen Elizabeth II royal presentation Parker propelling pencil, presented to the Housekeeper at Government House

Gifted by the late Queen whilst her Court was at Yarralumla, Canberra in the 1980’s. Her Majesty’s “EIIR” cypher is engraved upon the steel pencil and filled in blue enamel.

The pencil is encased in the original presentation box covered in black leather embossed with the royal cypher in gold to the lid.  Condition: Very Good, working order.                                                                 

Bidding starts at $400.

Sterling silver bookmark made to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2002

One of a limited edition of 250 silver bookmarks by A. Edward Jones Ltd, featuring the royal ‘EIIR’ cypher in gilt and engraved with the dates 1952 – 2002. The bookmark is encased in the original box with accompanying certificate of authenticity and is fully hallmarked. Condition: Original, unused condition.                                                                                                          
 Bidding starts at $50.

 A LINLEY Union Flag fine timber marquetry photograph frame 

This beautiful Union Flag photo frame was made by David, 2^nd Earl of Snowdon (formerly styled Viscount Linley), member of the extended royal family and renowned British furniture maker. Son of the late Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, Lord Snowdon (b. 1961) was the beloved nephew of Queen Elizabeth II, grandson of King George VI, and is first cousin to King Charles III.

Displaying the finest craftsmanship, the frame is handmade in walnut with burr walnut, burr oak and sycamore marquetry. The aperture takes a 10 x 8 inch (25.4cm x 20.3cm) sized photograph and can be used for portrait or landscape, either with or without a mount. It retains its original box.       Condition: Fine.

This elegant frame retails new for £425.00 GBP.                                            Bidding starts at $300.

“Linley has amassed an impressive list of clients over the years, ranging from Sir Elton John to Anouska Hempel, Lady Weinberg. Though, like most purveyors of luxury goods and services, David refuses to name clients unless they out themselves, he is known to have furnished yachts for Valentino as well as the Lebanese-Saudi socialite Mouna Ayoub. He’s also created suites in Claridge’s, and made boardroom tables for Vanity Fair and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The latter table, which seats 48, was commissioned in the late 1980s. At a luncheon in her honor hosted [at] the museum, Princess Margaret was found on the floor, having crawled underneath the table to admire her son’s design.” 

- Vanity Fair magazine, 2017 -

Signed presentation photograph of Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, 1946, by royal photographer Dorothy Wilding

Wife of Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, 11^th Governor-General of Australia and brother of King George VI, Princess Alice was the longest-lived member of the British royal family in history. Born Lady Alice Montagu Douglas Scott in 1901, Princess Alice married the third son of George V and Queen Mary in 1935, becoming a hard-working and beloved member of the royal family. She officially retired from public duties aged 98, and passed away in 2004 aged 102.

This portrait dates from 1946 during her tenure at Government House, Yarralumla, the Duke of Gloucester having being appointed to the post of Governor-General on the advice of Prime Minister John Curtin in 1945. It is signed “Alice 1946”. Princess Alice’s royal cypher (an A surmounted by a princely coronet) is embossed in gilt upon the original blue leather frame, with the Wilding studio stamp on the reverse of the photograph.    Condition: Very Good.

Provenance: Gifted to Sir Leighton Bracegirdle (1881-1970), Official Secretary to the Governor-General.

Dorothy Wilding (1893-1976), photographer of royalty, society figures and international celebrities, produced a string of iconic royal portraits of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, becoming the first woman to be appointed an official royal photographer (receiving a Royal Warrant). Wilding’s favoured relationship with the Royal family continued into the reign of Elizabeth II, with Wilding chosen to produce the first official, iconic images of the young Queen. Her photographs are held by Museums worldwide, including over 2100 in the National Portrait Gallery, London.     

Bidding starts at $600.