International Autograph Auctions Ltd.
Lot 756
GEORGE VI (1895-1952) King of the United Kingdom 1936-52 & ELIZABETH (1900-2002) Queen Consort, the Queen Mother. A rare set of eight LP records issued by the British Broadcasting Corporation, being a recording of a Command Performance given at Windsor Castle on 21st April 1942 on the occasion of Princess Elizabeth`s sixteenth birthday, the performers including Jack Warner, Robb Wilton, Vera Lynn, Tommy Handley and members of ITMA. The records are contained in the original dark green presentation album with the gilt lettering to the cover, Windsor Castle 21 April 1942. Signed to the inside cover by King George VI (`George R. I.`), Queen Elizabeth (`Elizabeth R`), Princess Elizabeth (`Elizabeth`) and Princess Margaret (`Margaret`) individually, each with their names alone in bold black and blue fountain pen inks. This set was presented to Jack Warner and is accompanied by a T.L.S. by B. E. Nicolls, Controller (Programmes), one page, 8vo, Broadcasting House, London, 8th July 1942, to Jack Warner, on the printed stationery of The British Broadcasting Corporation. Nicolls writes, in part, `I am sending with this letter an album of records which the Corporation is presenting to you as a memento of the Command Performance at Windsor on April 21st last. Shortly after the performance I suggested to Sir Piers Legh that Princess Elizabeth might be kind enough to autograph the albums. This was agreed on her behalf and I was told that the King and Queen and Princess Margaret had also graciously agreed to do so. I am sure you will be glad to have this album to put among your heirlooms as a reminder of a very happy occasion.` Also including a printed 4to sheet of Windsor Castle notepaper, being the programme of entertainment, held in the Waterloo Chamber, signed in ink at the head by Jack Warner and two others. The lot also includes an unrelated T.L.S. by British Prime Minister Edward Heath, one page, 4to, House of Commons, 19th March 1974, to Jack Warner, with routine content. Some very light, minor age wear, VG, 4 Jack Warner (1895-1981) English Film and Television Actor, famous for his role as PC George Dixon in the film The Blue Lamp (1950) and television series Dixon of Dock Green. In his autobiography, Jack of All Trades, Warner refers to the Command Performance, `My appearance before the Royal Family was another first-time event for me during the war. The occasion was Princess Elizabeth`s sixteenth birthday in April, 1942, when she made what I suppose one would describe as her first official entry into public life by reviewing a special birthday parade of seven hundred officers and men of the Grenadier Guards. Afterwards, Princess Elizabeth gave a party for the guards at Windsor Castle, and I was one of the artistes chosen to entertain the Royal Family and their guests….Everything, including my own act, ticked like a well-lubricated machine. King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret were there, and at the end of my act I asked them to join in a song called "Oysters and Clams". They really had a go-very ably backed by no less than seven hundred guardsmen and officers. After the show we were entertained to tea and presented to the Royal Family. The King and Queen walked down the long line of artistes standing before the enormous fireplace in the great hall. The two princesses followed their parents and conversation flowed from one to another of us.`
![[ENGRAVINGS]: Three attractive folio antique engravings, each featuring oval portraits of various historical figures comprisi](http://lot-images.atgmedia.com/SR/35396/2860141/822-201239103344_468x382.jpg)
