January 26th Rare Autograph & Book Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/26/2023
Dorothy Wilding portraits of HM Queen Elizabeth II, 15 April 1952. Three photos from the same shoot each is 7.5" x 9.5".
The Queen wears the Diamond Diadem and the Nizam of Hyderabad necklace. The Diamond Diadem was created for the coronation of George IV in 1821. It is set with 1,333 brilliant-cut diamonds and consists of a band with two rows of pearls on either side of a row of diamonds, above which are diamonds set in the form of a rose, a thistle, and two shamrocks, the national emblems of England, Scotland and Ireland.
The Diadem was inherited in 1837 by Queen Victoria, who was frequently painted and photographed wearing it, including on several early postage stamps such as the Penny Black. The Diadem passed to Queen Alexandra, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and then to Her Majesty The Queen, who wore it on the day of her Coronation and has worn it on her journey to and from the State Opening of Parliament since the first year of her reign.
Wilding’s photographs were used as the basis of The Queen’s image on GB definitive and revenue postage stamps from 1953 until 1971.
Dorothy Wilding portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II, 15 April 1952
Click above for larger image.