To mark the 76^th Birthday of His Majesty The King and the triumphant success of the recent royal tour of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the AML is proud to present an auction of historic royal artefacts and memorabilia exclusively to its Members. This auction will help the AML continue to uphold our system of constitutional monarchy and support the Crown, as it did throughout the royal tour by distributing Australian flags to the thousands of people who gathered to welcome The King and Queen.

Highlights include rare mementoes of The King’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and a superb royal document signed by his grandfather (and godfather) King George VI.

With a range of tempting Lots across all price points, we are sure that our Members will dig deep and bid generously! Further information can be viewed by scanning the QR Code at the back of this catalogue, or on our website at: www.monarchist.org.au.

The Auction opens on Monday 4 November 2024 & closes on Friday 25 November 2024. Please ensure that enquiries and bids are submitted by 5:00pm AEDT on Monday 25 November to:  [email protected].

1. A King George VI signed Australian diplomatic appointment

Signed by King George VI in June 1938 at the Court of St James approving the appointment of Belgian diplomat Monsieur F. Jansen to the position of Belgian Consul-General in Sydney. In addition to his signature, the document bears the embossed Great Seal of George VI, and is counter-signed by the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Lord Halifax (later Member of the War Cabinet and British Ambassador to the USA). George VI was a pivotal figure in Australian history and beloved King; opening the Provisional Parliament House in Canberra in 1927 as Duke of York, providing much-needed stability after the Abdication crisis, and being the sovereign to whom over a million members of our armed forces swore allegiance during the Second World War. Framed and glazed. Measures: 55cm x 44.5cm (overall). Condition: Very Good.

Above (far right) is included an image of the Great Seal of King George VI, embossed upon the Australian diplomatic appointment. The Great Seal features the Royal Coat of Arms encircled by the motto of the Order of the Garter and surmounted by an Imperial Crown. The outer edge of the Seal features the styles and titles of George VI.

Bidding starts at $850.

2. A rare Queen Elizabeth II royal presentation stickpin in gold, made circa 1953 by Garrard & Co.

The stickpin features the late Queen’s EIIR cypher and is encased in its original Garrard leather-bound case with the royal cypher embossed in gilt on the lid. Garrard & Co. were the famed Crown Jewellers appointed by every sovereign from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II. Likely presented as a reward for services rendered at the time of Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953, this stickpin is a great rarity, made for the young Queen for presentation to a close associate. Several contemporaneous royal presentation jewels by Garrard & Co. have sold in recent years and are highly collectable, such as a brooch made for one of Elizabeth II’s Maids of Honour at her Coronation in 1953 (sold by Sotheby’s London for £69,850 on 4 May 2023, The Coronation Sale). A similar gold stickpin by Cartier, London was displayed in Kings Hall at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Canberra in 2022 to mark Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. Stickpins were popular gentleman’s accoutrements from the Georgian Period until the 1920’s used to secure a necktie or cravat, and were often presented by members of the royal family as gifts up until the 1950’s. Today, they have migrated to the lapel and have been worn by both men and women. Condition: Extremely Fine. Pin measures: 5.7cm x 1cm; case measures: 8.5cm x 4.1cm x 2.1cm. A rare opportunity to acquire a museum-worthy royal jewel linked to our longest-reigning sovereign. Bidding starts at $2500.

3. A Queen Elizabeth II royal presentation enamel pillbox

Made by Halcyon Days, suppliers of Objet d’Art by royal appointment, in blue and white enamel with EIIR cypher of the late Queen emblazoned in gilt on the lid. A luxury royal gift by a quality maker of renown, this royal pillbox would look equally elegant in use or resting in a display cabinet. Contained in its original velvet-lined fitted box. Pillbox measures: 6cm in diameter x 2cm high. Box measures: 9cm x 9cm x 4.5cm. Condition: Fine. Bidding starts at $300.

4. A scarce Menu from the Golden Wedding anniversary luncheon of Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, 1997.

In one of the most touching speeches of her reign, Elizabeth II paid tribute to her husband on the occasion of their fiftieth wedding anniversary at the luncheon held at the Guildhall, London, saying;

“He has quite simply been my strength and stay all these years, and I and his whole family - and this and many other countries - owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim or we shall ever know.

Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten RN were married at Westminster Abbey in 1947, and their partnership was to endure for 73 years, longer than that of any other British royal couple in history.

The menu is embossed with the Arms of both The Queen and Prince Philip in rich gilt to the cover and embellished with a golden cord and tassel. The interior (pictured right) contains a charming colour photograph of the royal couple and details of the event. Also included is the original ceremonial and seating chart for the guests. This is a rare item of royal ephemera. Measures: 28cm x 21cm.
Condition: Mint.    Bidding starts at $100.

5. A Queen Elizabeth II crystal decanter, gifted at Christmas 2009

The elegant decanter features a silver-plated collar etched with the royal EIIR cypher. It comes in fitted box lined in blue silk and is accompanied by a presentation card from Elizabeth II. These scarce royal gifts were distributed by the late Queen each Christmas to members of the royal household. Being made especially for the sovereign, they were not available for sale to the public and rarely appear at auction. Decanter measures: 31.5cm high overall; box measures: 29cm x 19cm x 15cm. Condition: Very Good. The ideal royal memento, being both a practical and elegant adornment for your drinks table.  Bidding starts at $600.

6. A pair of rose gold and enamel Federation-era cufflinks, made circa 1901 by Willis of Melbourne.

Of circular design, the links feature circular panels of gold decorated in coloured enamel depicting the Australian Federal Coat of Arms (first type), used from the time of Federation until 1912 when the Arms were updated to include the badges of the six States.

Patriotic jewellery such as this was made to celebrate the formation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, and examples of Federation jewellery can be found in various State and National collections. A glittering memento of the dawn of the new nation, these cufflinks are sure to delight lovers of Australian history.

Comes in a modern presentation box. Marked to reverse of each. Weight: 6.47 grams. Facing side measures: 1.8cm in diameter; back link measures: 2.9cm long. Condition: Very Good. Bidding starts at $350.