Invitation to the coronation of King Edward VII

[Albert Edward George Plantagenet William St. Leger Henry Guelph James Bittinger Gower Wettin FitzMaurice, 1841–1910].  King Edward VII of Great Britain, 1901–1910. Coronation invitation, one page, 6¼” x 10”, with integral leaf attached, June 28, 1902.  With accompanying portraits of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra.

These pieces are outstanding relics of the coronation of the eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.  The printed invitation, issued on behalf of the “Royal Family of Great Britain and Ireland, Imperial India and the British Colonial Possessions Beyond the Seas,” greets and commands the presence of the recipient “at the Abbey of Westminster in the Ancient City of London” on June 28, 1902, “on the occasion of the solemn ceremony The Coronation of the son and heir of the reigning House and prince of the blood royal Albert Edward George Plantagenet William St. Leger Henry Guelph James Bittinger Gower Wettin FitzMaurice . . . as Edward the Seventh by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith and Emperor of India.”

The invitation is accompanied by a two-page piece bearing the names and crests of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra on the outside and their portraits by George T. Tobin on the inside.

The 59-year-old Edward acceded to the British throne on January 22, 1901, upon the death of Queen Victoria.  He had been the Prince of Wales nearly his entire lifetime—Queen Victoria had bestowed the title on him less than a month after his birth in 1841.  His wife, Princess Alexandra of Denmark, whom he married at age 21 in 1863, was crowned along with him. 

Edward’s reign was short—a little more than nine years—but the Edwardian Era ushered in a new century and significant industrial and societal changes. 

This invitation is in very fine condition.  There are two small mounting remnants on the back of the front leaf and a small handling crease in the blank margin at the right.  The accompanying piece with the portraits of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, which is printed on glossy paper, has a few small edge splits and a repaired tear that runs about ½” into the right edge of the Queen’s portrait.  It is in fine condition.

Unframed.  Please click here for information on custom framing this piece.