Release: September 16, 2022
Last week, it’s estimated over 750,000 Britons waited for 30 hours in a four and one-half mile line to observe the flag draped coffin of Queen Elizabeth II. For reference, that is the length of roughly 80 football fields creeping along at less than 1/4-mile per hour. That was just to catch a glimpse of uniformed guards standing near a shrouded box. Still, it demonstrates the unbridled adoration the citizens have for their fallen monarch.
In life, Queen Elizabeth II had great affection for many things including her playful Corgi dogs and her various collections – including cars. That was kept somewhat under-the-radar. She was particularly fond of Land Rovers. She owned 30 stored in her garage. She also traveled about in carriages. Of those, she owned 100.
Admittedly, she was not the type of collector we see drooling over vehicles at car shows. She simply knew what she enjoyed driving and being driven in. Incidentally, the official state cars are specially designed Bentleys. Most amazingly, anyone who would like to own one of the queen’s cars can do so through occasional auctions held for former state-owned vehicles. Naturally, collectors of any type of royal memorabilia would hope to snag one....
Amassing items associated with British royalty – most notably the deceased queen – is something of an obsession among collectors. It can be expensive, or not. The cheapest way costs a mere penny. Because, by law, every British coin must include an image of the reigning monarch, in a sense they all commemorate her, including the lowly penny.
So too with UK stamps. Each stamp issued by the royal government must include the monarch’s portrait. Since 1966, that has been in the form of a small silhouette of the queen.
The portrait of the royals has also regularly appeared on the stamps, coins and currency of nations under its dominion such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Consequently, it’s probable Queen Elizabeth II’s image has appeared more frequently and widely than any other human being in history – literally billions of times.
Of a far more personal nature would be the queen’s signature. Naturally, she did not just sign autographs. On the other hand, she was a prolific writer of missives and letters to those around her and who catered to her. Some were as simple as her name “Elizabeth” scribbled on a Christmas card. She also had a habit of writing thank you notes to guards or others who assisted during trying times such as the death of Phillip.
A signature of the queen can easily bring $1,000 or more at auction. Now, with her passing, that price is sure to soar, at least for the near future. Cards, notes and Christmas cards signed by Princess Diana still bring $500 to $1,000. It’s essential to remember it has been proven that upwards of 90 percent of all celebrity autographs sold online are confirmed forgeries. Caveat Emptor!
In the 1930s and ‘40s, when smoking was still considered an acceptable pastime, a series of collectible trading cards was printed with one each placed into cigarette packs. A set produced in 1935 celebrated the jubilee of Queen Mary with portraits of all the royals. One of those cards featured the young, adorable and strikingly attractive future queen Elizabeth II. Most of those cards from 1935 showing the royals sell for as little as $2. Not so for Queen Elizabeth II. Her card brings over $1,000.
Online and in souvenir shops throughout Great Britain, memorabilia saluting the queen and her life are now in abundance. Glassware, plates, collectible spoons, pillows and teacups bearing her portrait are being mass produced. In the coming months, there will definitely be commemorative stamps or silver and gold coins struck in honor of her historic 70-year reign. Because those first to market often reap the biggest profits, common coins with colorful stickers of the queen attached will invariably soon be for sale as tributes. Those are guaranteed to have little future value.
It’s always best to wait. Today’s swoon and crazy prices will subside. For anyone wishing a special keepsake or memento, it’s best to be patient and acquire something with long-term sentimental value. After all, hoping for fast profits from an event such as this is usually a royal disaster.
For more collecting advice, visit www.PRexford.com