MARK OF BIRKS, DATED 1939

Details

A CANADIAN SALVER
MARK OF BIRKS, DATED 1939
Oval, the rim pierced with maple leaves, engraved with three Canadian stamps, a coat-of-arms and an inscription, marked on back
9½ in. (23.8 cm.) long
The inscription reads 'Presented to H.R.H. The Princess Margaret Rose by the Govenment of Canada May 1939 June.'

The arms are those of Canada.

The stamps engraved on the dish were specially commissioned by the Canadian government to commemorate the Royal visit. They were released for circulation on the 15 May 1939. The engraving depicts Princess Elizabeth and Margaret on the 1 cent stamp, the cenotaph at Ottawa on the two cent stamp and H.M. King George VI and H.M. Queen Elizabeth on the 3 cent stamp.

Provenance

Presented to H.M. King George VI (r.1936-1952) and H.M. Queen Elizabeth (1900-2002) on their visit to Canada for H.R.H. The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis. Proceeds from this lot will be donated to charity.

Lot Essay

The visit to Canada of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth was the first time that a reigning monarch had visited Canada. It was reported in The Times of 22 May 1939 that is was also the first time that members of the Royal Family had spoken to each other via a transatlantic telephone connection. Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret had remained in England and while staying with their uncle the Hon. David Bowes-Lyon (1902-1961) they were called by the King and Queen. They spoke for a quarter of an hour.

IMAGE CAPTION (left image)
George VI and Queen Elizabeth Arriving in Canada 1939
Private Collection

IMAGE CAPTION (right image)
H.M. Queen Elizabeth, her brother David and T.R.H. Princesses Margaret and Elizabeth
St. Paul's Walden Charities, Camera Press Digital

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