Queen Elizabeth Coronation Memorabilia

 February 6, 2022 marked the beginning of England's “Platinum Jubilee” celebrating Queen Elizabeth's 70 year reign.  She ascended to the throne on the death of her father on February 6, 1952.   The formal coronation ceremony was postponed until June 3, 1953 because, according to British tradition, no festivals should be held for a year after the death of a monarch. Also, planning an event such as a coronation takes time.

People wanted something to mark this important date so all sorts of memorabilia was produced. Tea cups and saucers were popular items.  One of these is on display in the Benton County Historical Society's Corvallis Museum in the first floor hallway case.

This particular cup was made by Tuscan of England.  It features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth in the middle of the family crest featuring a rampant lion (symbol of England) and a chained unicorn (representing Scotland).  The unicorn is chained as legend vies unchained unicorns as dangerous.  The thistle is a symbol of Scotland, the shamrock of Ireland, and the Tudor rose of England. The banner on the left says “Queen Elizabeth II” and the one on the right says “Dieu et mon Droit” (God and my right) which is the motto of the English monarchy.

This design was one of several approved for commemorative items. Others feature a portrait of  Queen Elizabeth in uniform surrounded by flags or a portrait of Queen Elizabeth surrounded by laurel leaves with Tudor roses, shamrocks, and thistles or variations on these designs.

After her coronation, Queen Elizabeth's image appeared on coins throughout the British Commonwealth.  This 1953 Canadian coin is one example. 

Now that the Platinum Jubilee has begun, British manufacturers have been producing articles to commemorate this event.  There is an approved 70^th anniversary design which features the royal coat of arms against at purple and gold background.

By Martha Fraundorf, Volunteer for Benton County Historical Society, Philomath, Oregon

What is it?

Here's an object from the Benton County Historical Museum's collection that is probably unfamiliar to you.  It is made of metal and about 8 inches long.  It is a tool that would have been found in most homes from the 1820's until after the 1920s.  I didn't know what it was.  Do you know or can you guess?

Featured artifact

 You wouldn't recognize it if you are like me and have only cooked on a gas or electric stove. This tool was used with a wood or coal burning stove and is called a stove lifter.  You don't actually lift the stove itself. Wood stoves have several round plates that sit flush with the top but have a small hole in one side.

Wood stove in museum storage

The curved end with the “ears” on either side fits into the hole on the stove lid and the ears keep it from slipping. The end with the spring wound around it is the handle. The tool allows the cook to lift off the plate in order to add more wood to the fire or to put a skillet directly over the fire. You can see a stove lifter inserted in the hole in the close-up above.

To learn more, I watched an on-line video on cooking on a wood stove.  This tool seemed easy to use but cooking on a wood stove seemed to me to be quite challenging.  It made me appreciate the convenience of modern gas or electric stoves.

By Martha Fraundorf, Volunteer for Benton County Historical Society, Philomath, Oregon