Wednesday 30 May 2012

Jubilation Throughout The Nation

Four days off work waheeeey!

No, in all seriousness, the Jubilee is going to be an interesting event for those of us who enjoy aesthetic and domestic history. You can look at major events from the perspective of their ancient heritage and timelessness, but on the other hand each major festival is so utterly 'of its time' it helps create a snapshot for of antiques, retro and culture for the future.

Celebration Bread & Butter Pudding made
 by Rosie Lee-check her out on FB...

She restored the stand from a tarnished wreck, too!


Take, for example Queen Liz. Think about a 50s style party, what dishes you would serve..? Coronation chicken in there at all? Meat, creamy sauce, imported fruit and spices - all the luxuries Britain wanted at that time; the smell just screams 1950s. And is there anything more intricately 'High Victorian' than an ornate Queen Victoria Jubilee postcard? I am sure that in 50 years we will look back with nostalgia at Mr Whippy style iced cupcakes, bunting and M&S treats.

Some tastefully-decorated cupcakes
again by Rosie Lee (tweet her here).

Royal Memorabilia is almost always mass produced and may be picked up very cheaply - even just before a Jubilee. It is plentiful and most people only really notice it when they want to boot sale or EBay it... but being 'Royal', it is usually well looked after. It won't rise dramatically in value during our lifetime, but most pieces are bright, a 'talking point' and, indeed, are useful. Last week all the bootsale sellers at my local had dug out their Royal tat, and even at Queen-frenzy inflated prices I got a fantastic 70s Silver Jubilee mug for under £2. My favourite Jubilee is the 1977 Jubilee. How could there be any doubt about that?

This will enable both His Lordship and I to drink regally over the weekend; we already possess a coronation half pint glass (my late, great Aunt's). As I fear tea might damage the beer glass, I will just have to drink beer out of the mug instead, whilst browsing the many fantastically 70s snaps many local websites have of our last Jubilee.

Cheers!

Fantastic 77 imagery from Birmingham blog The B44 Blog-
would you learn to drive in that car?
Another local history site with great 77 content; Benfleet History.
They don't look thrilled to win, do they?
From the Brundall Archive- love those hats! 
From The Derby Telegraph Bygones...
Bunting. Maybe there's a cupcake in there too.

8 comments:

  1. Fab pics! I remember lining up to get my Jubilee mug at school, my Dad had a huge collection of royal memorabilia too! X

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have just spent a happy half hour making a crown for Boy2 to wear to nursery tomorrow, we have cotton wool ermine and stick on jewels, he is now 'very royalty'. I may be tempted to get some M&S shortbread in a jubilee tin, but having done a post on all the crap available on eBay I don't see much that's likely to go up in value!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm not usually one to be keen on these things but this year I'm feeling the spirit...it would appear that we also have the opportunity to meet the good lady herself in a few weeks...Not getting my hopes up but it certainly seems that way....

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great pics, that car is hilarious!! We don't have any real memorabilia but I will happily be eating some Jubilee cake!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I adore those pics....particularly loving the hats and rosettes, worn with pride!

    I just did a post all ab9out my royal memorabilia....there's something so colourful, fun and beautiful about old royal memorabilia isn't there!

    xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mmmm those fluffy flower cupcakes look good.
    love the Jubilee pics and the women all dressed up.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Loved these old pics, images from the 70s have such a lovely hue to them. That cake stand is utterly gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love these old photographs! They are somewhat magical aren't they? And that cake stand is gorgeous!
    -Britney of Lemonwood and Honey

    ReplyDelete

Let me know what you think!