KING GEORGE VI (GREAT BRITAIN) - CORONATION RECORD ALBUM SIGNED CIRCA 1937 CO-SIGNED BY: QUEEN "THE QUEEN MOTHER" ELIZABETH (GREAT BRITAIN) - HFSID 112563

KING GEORGE VI, CO-SIGNED BY: QUEEN ELIZABETH (THE QUEEN MOTHER)
This exquisite presentation album - signed by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth as King and Emperor and as Queen Consort - contains an historic 78-RPM recording of the BBC radio broadcast of George VI's coronation and an address by him as king. It comes framed, Gallery of History Style, in a presentation case with a UV-resistant UF-3 Plex lid.
Two items: 1) Album signed "George R I" by King George VI and "Elizabeth R" by Queen Elizabeth on vellum inside front cover. "14¼x12½x3¾. On cover: "The Coronation/of/The Majesties/King George VI and Queen Elizabeth/in/Westminster Abbey/and/H.M. The King's Broadcast Message/May 12th, 1937" in gilt. "R.I" stands for "Rex Imperator" (King Emperor), a title used from 1877, when Queen Victoria became Empress of India, to 1948, following Indian independence. Album has purple satiny-fabric endpapers. Contains 15 78-RPM records, 11¾ inches in diameter each by the Gramophone Co., Ltd. of Hayes, Middlesex, England, in paper sleeves. Covers, signatures and sleeves are lightly toned. George's signature has bled slightly but is in fine condition. 2) Photograph unsigned of Queen Elizabeth and King George VI. B/w, 6¾x8½. Fine condition. This incomparable album chronicles an important moment in modern British history. The records are an original recording of the BBC radio broadcast of George VI's coronation on May 12, 1937, and both the records and the album that contains them are in outstanding condition. They chronicle the prince's coronation from start to finish and conclude with a one-disc address from the newly-crowned king to the British Empire, which at that time was the largest empire in history. These historic recordings also mark the end to a crisis in the United Kingdom and the monarchy, which started when George's brother, King Edward VIII, announced his intention to marry American divorcée - and "the woman I love" - Wallis Simpson, a marriage that the public, English politicians and the Church of England all opposed. Edward VIII could have married Simpson without her becoming queen, but he was advised that the British people would never accept her. He abdicated the throne on Dec. 10, 1936 in order to marry Simpson, forcing his brother George, a naval officer with a stammer and no experience in state matters, to become king. (By the date of his accesion, George VI had, through diligent practice, largely overcome his speech impediment, and was able to deliver effective speeches.)These records immortalize the last act in that crisis, and the album that they come in is the perfect way to present such a critical and far-reaching moment. KING GEORGE VI (1895-1952, born in Richmond, Surrey, England) acceded to the throne, reigning from 1937-1952. George VI is best remembered as a staunch national symbol during World War II who refused to leave London during the fierce German Blitzkrieg of 1940. He was succeeded by his daughter as Queen Elizabeth II. Born into a Scottish noble family on August 4, 1900 (Queen Victoria was still on the throne), LADY ELIZABETH BOWES-LYON was never expected to wear a crown. But her husband took the throne as King George VI on December 11, 1936 when his elder brother, King Edward VIII, abdicated to marry "the woman I love", American divorcée Wallis Warfield Simpson. She has been known as the QUEEN MOTHER since her husband died and her daughter began her reign as Queen Elizabeth II fifty years ago. The Queen Mum, Britain's favorite Royal, died at age 101 on March 30, 2002, just seven weeks after the death of her 71-year-old daughter, Princess Margaret. Framed Gallery of History style in presentation case with hinged UF-3 Plex lid, 39x19 ¼x6½.