Collector: Kevin Bebout, Pharmacy Practice Specialist, Department of Pharmaceutical Care, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics 
Collection Name: British Royal Memorabilia: A Focus on the Reign of Queen Elizabeth II 

Collection Statement:

I have long been a collector of collections. This particular collection of commemorative items associated with the British Monarchy—produced during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II—is but one of many amassings. I became interested in the British Royal Family while in grade school. I remember being fascinated by the royal events of the 1970s, such as the death of the Duke of Windsor (formerly King Edward VIII), the first wedding of Princess Anne, and the Queen’s Silver Jubilee (25 years on the throne) in 1977. History was probably my favorite subject in school, and English/British history was a particular focus. 

 Over the years, my interest in British history has only increased, and multiple visits to the United Kingdom have often centered on sites associated with the kings and queens of the past and present. My collection of books and coins associated with the Royal Family especially grew. In more recent years, I have picked up several ceramic pieces commemorating royal events simply because I also like to collect English ceramics—and the English ceramics industry has always been a huge supporter of all events "Royal." 

While royal commemoratives have been produced for several centuries, production really went into high gear during the Victorian era. I have largely limited my collection to the reign of the present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who acceded to the British throne in 1952. This year marks her Platinum Jubilee, as she becomes the first British monarch to achieve a reign of over 70 years. Long Live the Queen! 

Image Gallery

Featured collection items:

Ceramic items produced by the Royal Collection 

  • Cachepot to commemorate Buckingham Palace, 2004 
  • Pillbox to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, 2012 
  • Pill box to commemorate Buckingham Palace, 2009 
  • Candy dish to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, 2002 
  • Flower vase to commemorate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, 2002 
  • Pill box to commemorate the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, 2011 
  • Pillbox to commemorate Elizabeth II as the longest reigning British monarch, 2015 
  • Tankard to commemorate the Queen’s 80th Birthday, 2006 
  • Tankard to commemorate the Diamond (60th) Wedding Anniversary of the Queen and Prince Philip, 2007 
  • Tankard to commemorate the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, 2011 

Ceranuc items produced by other manufacturers 

  • Tumbler, Copeland/Spode, 1953, Coronation of Elizabeth II 
  • Footed Jar with Lid, Foley China, 1953, Coronation of Elizabeth II 
  • Small Dish, Royal Standard, 1953, Coronation of Elizabeth II 
  • Ashtray, Wedgwood, 1953, Coronation of Elizabeth II 
  • Bone china commemorative brooch, Royal Worcester, 1953, Coronation of Elizabeth II 
  • Eight-sided Plate, Johnson Brothers, 1953, Coronation of Elizabeth II 
  • Spanish Sherry Bottle, Wedgewood, 1969, Figure of a Don—Sandeman, produced for Investiture of Charles as Prince of Wales 
  • Footed Jar with Lid, Coalport, 1972, Silver (25th) Wedding Anniversary of Elizabeth and Philip 
  • Ginger Jar with Lid, Mason’s, 1977, Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II 
  • Bust of Elizabeth II, 1984 
  • Small Dish, Spode, 2000, 100th Birthday of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother 
  • Figurine, Royal Worcester, 2006, Elizabeth II in Robes of the Order of the British Empire, commemorating her 80th Birthday 
  • Plate, Royal Crown Derby, 2012, Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II 
  • Pillbox, William Edwards, 2012, Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II 
  • Small Dish, Spode, 2013, Birth of Prince George of Cambridge 
  • Small Plate, Historic Royal Palaces, 2013, Kensington Palace design 
  • Thistle-shaped vase, Coalport, date unknown 
  • Bust of Yeoman Warder, Woods and Sons, 1910, (from the reign of Edward VII) 

Metal items 

  • Enameled Pillbox, Halcyon Days, date unknown, Depiction of the Table of the Grand Commanders in Buckingham Palace, likely sold as a souvenir at the Palace 
  • Enameled Pillbox with Screw Lid, Halcyon Days, 2005, Marriage of Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall 
  • Tea Tin, maker unknown, 1953, Coronation of Elizabeth II 
  • Mixed composition items 
  • Waving Queen Elizabeth II Figurine, 2010. Shine a light on the solar panel on the top of her purse, and her hand waves. 
  • Engagement Ring (Replica), c. 2011. Original ring first worn by Diana, Princess of Wales and then by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. 

Crowns 

  1. George V (1935) – United Kingdom. Silver Jubilee Crown showing St. George slaying a dragon. 
  2. George VI (1937) – United Kingdom. Coronation Crown showing royal arms and supporters. 
  3. George VI (1937) – Australia. Coronation Crown showing St. Edwards Crown. 
  4. George VI (1951) – United Kingdom. Festival of Britain Crown with St. George slaying a dragon. 
  5. Elizabeth II (1953) – United Kingdom. Coronation Crown showing the Queen on horseback. 
  6. Elizabeth II (1953) – New Zealand. Coronation Crown with Maori symbols. 
  7. Elizabeth II (1960) – United Kingdom. New York Exhibition Crown showing emblematic cross of arms. 
  8. Elizabeth II (1965) – United Kingdom. Winston Churchill Commemorative Crown. 
  9. Elizabeth II (1972) – United Kingdom. Silver Wedding Crown of the Queen and Prince Philip. 
  10. Elizabeth II (1972) – Guernsey (Channel Islands). Silver Wedding Crown of the Queen and Prince Philip. 
  11. Elizabeth II (1972) – Isle of Man. Silver Wedding Crown of the Queen and Prince Philip. 
  12. Elizabeth II (1972) – Gibraltar. Silver Wedding Crown of the Queen and Prince Philip. 
  13. Elizabeth II (1977) – United Kingdom. Silver Jubilee Crown showing the Queen on horseback. 
  14. Elizabeth II (1977) – Isle of Man. Silver Jubilee Crown showing three crowns surrounding the Manx triskelion. 
  15. Elizabeth II (1978) – Guernsey (Channel Islands). Commemorative of that year’s royal visit to the island showing the royal arms. 
  16. Elizabeth II (1980) – United Kingdom. 80th Birthday Crown honoring Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. 
  17. Elizabeth II (1980) – Guernsey (Channel Islands). 80th Birthday Crown honoring Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. 
  18. Elizabeth II (1980) – Gibraltar. 80th Birthday Crown honoring Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. 
  19. Elizabeth II (1981) – United Kingdom. Wedding Crown for marriage of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer. 
  20. Elizabeth II (1981) – Bermuda. Wedding Coin (Bermuda dollar) for marriage of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer. 
  21. Elizabeth II (1990) – United Kingdom. 90th Birthday Crown honoring Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. 
  22. Elizabeth II (1990) – Isle of Man. 90th Birthday Crown honoring Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. 
  23. Elizabeth II (1992) – Falkland Islands. Commemorative of the 40th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne. 
  24. Elizabeth II (1992) – Turks and Caicos Islands. Commemorative of the 40th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne. 
  25. Elizabeth II (1994) – Barbados. Commemorative honoring Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. 
  26. Elizabeth II (1995) – St. Helena. Commemorative honoring the 95th birthday of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. 
  27. Elizabeth II (1996) – United Kingdom. 70th Birthday Crown honoring the Queen. 
  28. Elizabeth II (1996) – St. Helena. 70th Birthday Crown honoring the Queen. 
  29. Elizabeth II (1999) – United Kingdom. Memorial Crown honoring the late Diana, Princess of Wales. 
  30. Elizabeth II (1999) – United Kingdom. Millennium Commemorative Crown 
  31. Elizabeth II (2000) – St. Helena. Commemorative honoring the 100th birthday of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. 
  32. Elizabeth II (2002) – United Kingdom. Memorial Crown honoring the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. 
  33. Elizabeth II (2002) – United Kingdom. Golden Jubilee Crown showing the Queen on horseback. 
  34. Elizabeth II (2002) – Canada. Golden Jubilee Coin (Canada dollar) showing the Queen on her way to her coronation in 1953. 
  35. Elizabeth II (2002) – Australia. Golden Jubilee Commemorative. 
  36. Elizabeth II (2003) – United Kingdom. Golden Jubilee of the Coronation Crown showing the Queen in modern profile. 
  37. Elizabeth II (2008) – South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands. Commemorative honoring the Queen as the oldest reigning monarch (showing all the official coinage profiles of the Queen since 1953). 

Ephemera 

  • Elizabeth Crowned Queen, The Pictorial Record of the Coronation, Crown Publishers, 1953 
  • The Royal Wedding, The Official Program of the Marriage of The Prince of Wales and The Lady Diana Spencer, 1981 
  • Royal Wedding, A Ladybird Book, 1981 
  • HRH, The Princess of Wales, A Ladybird Book, 1982 
  • A Silk Bookmark, Birth of Prince William of Wales, 1982 
  • Kings and Queens of England Playing Cards, 1992 

Want a better look? Guests can view Kevin's collection on the First Floor of Macbride Hall, south of Iowa Hall.