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The plush silk top hat was designed by Henry Heath Ltd. It has a silk print lining reading “by special appointment / to His Majesty the King / Established in the reign of King George IV, 1982 / 105 to 109 Oxford St, London.” The initials “HRH” appear in gilt beneath.
King George VI served as the monarch from 1936 until his death in 1952. George VI was appointed King following the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII. After his death, Queen Elizabeth took the throne; a position she still holds 60 years later.
The top hat is just one of a number of royal items that have been auctioned in recent times. Earlier this month, a slice of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding cake in a presentation tin was sold at an auction in Nottinghamshire for £420. Crown Speciality Packaging, in Mansfield, made the tins for the royal wedding in 2011 so guests could take a piece home.
It is unknown how much the hat might sell for; however, a top hat also worn by King George VI was sold in January for £2,500.
photo courtesy of Nate D. Sanders Auctions, Los Angeles]]>
Fascinating! King George VI is my all-time favourite royal, and I love reading things about him I didn’t know before. If I had 2,500 pounds to spare I’d buy His Majesty’s topper myself!
I’m a bit confused by the passage that reads “by special appointment / to His Majesty the King / Established in the reign of King George IV, 1982 / 105 to 109 Oxford St, London.”
Can someone fill me in about how King George IV is connected to the year 1982? I believe he died about 150 years prior to that date.