Q: We have a baby's plate that is similar to a cereal bowl with a rim. It's marked with a shield, the word "Empire" above the shield, and the word "England" below. On the front of the plate it says "12th May, Coronation of H.M. King Edward VIII, 1937." Since Edward never became king, we are wondering how many of these plates were made and what its value might be.

 

A: Edward VIII (1894-1972) was king for almost a year but never had a coronation ceremony. He became King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth and Emperor of India when his father, King George V, died on Jan. 20, 1936. A coronation ceremony in England takes place several months after the death of the previous monarch so a period of mourning can be observed and preparations can be made. King Edward's coronation was scheduled for May 12, 1937, but he abdicated on Dec. 11, 1936, so he could marry Wallis Simpson, a divorced American. His brother, Prince Albert, became King George VI and the original coronation date was kept. Empire Porcelain Co. was in business in Stoke, Staffordshire, England, from 1896 to 1967. This shield mark was used in the 1930s. Hundreds, probably thousands, of items were made for Edward VIII's coronation. The fact that his coronation never took place is interesting, but doesn't seem to affect the price of souvenirs. Your plate would sell for $25 or so.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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