Heirlooms-the Unwanted kind?

[ianto73]

In light of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, I wonder how many people have the items from the time Her Majesty was crowned Queen in 1953? My late mother had kept everything, books on the Royal Family (over 50 years old), the four booklets concerning the Commonwealth tour of 1953/54, the mugs given to us children at the time and even a Book on the Coronation itself which was given out by our local council. Are these destined for the rubbish-bin as no-one seems to want them?

 

[p.risboy]

I think these things are more memorabilia Brian, and quite a lot of them are old tat.

My Mum had quite a few of them, and her favorite was a tea caddy, which got well used.

She also had a few other bits and bobs of Royal occasions, and they have been spread amongst other family members. Not because of the Royal connection, but because of our Mum and Grandmothers connection to them.

Steve.

 

[duckweed]

My niece was born in the silver jubilee year so everybody gave her either a crown or a jubilee mug as christening gifts. Don't suppose they are worth a lot though.

 

[ianto73]

DW, yes, these items are not worth a lot - even the book I have which is "Our King and Queen and the Royal Princesses", which contains all black and white photographs, is not worth putting in an auction anymore. The history inside them is wonderful, but even that subject is not what it was when I was at school.

 

[Guy]

In a few years such memoribilia will become more and more expensive as people think they are worthless and dispose of them.
Shortly after that happens people realise that those once common items are rare and the value will soar.
Cheers
Guy

 

[mollystree]

Just a thought - if everyone felt like that and threw everything out, there would be no antiques, no archives, no record of history at all. I am sure in a couple of generations people will want to research twentieth century history, as we research Tudor or Georgian times, and I, for one, will pass all my souvenirs and memorabilia to those who come after me.

 

[joaning]

I've got some memorabilia from the Queens visit to Adelaide in March 1954.
A small bible, given to all school children,a stamp, and a mug.
and from George VI coronation, a teapot.Who will want it??
Who knows, but I'm keeping all my memories.
I was at the Wayville showground in scorching heat, when Queen Elizabeth came to Adelaide. We were drinking water from tin buckets that were passed around amongst thousands of schoolchildren,of course my sister and I didn't have an enamel mug like all the other kids, so we slurped the water from our hands..I saw a flag flying from the roof of a car as it went past, that was all I saw of HM after about 5 hours of standing crammed into a small area in the centre of the oval. Would I do it again.....Yes siree, I would be there.

 

[ianto73]

Joaning, what such wonderful memories - and they are there for life. 2 years ago HM attended the 'Homecoming Parade' of one of our regiments returning from Afghanistan and gave out medals to one section of those on parade. Around 60 of us veterans from the Association were given the option of attending the lunch in her presence which my family virtually demanded I go to. Although HM was not introduced to all of the 200 in the room, that privilege and honour to represent my branch will be with me forever - and like you, if I got the chance to do it again, I'd be there.

 

[mollystree]

Perhaps a poem will sum it up?

My house is full of things,
Old things, pretty things,
Things inherited or bought along the way.
What will you do with them,
When I am dead?

Things of my mother’s, and her mother’s too,
Things I collected, things I loved,
Along the way.
What will you do with them?

Some you will sell, or simply give away,
Some you might keep, for children yet unborn,
When I am dead.

My head is full of things,
Wise things, silly things,
Things learnt and things remembered,
Echoes of people and places I loved
Along the way.

What will I do with them?
Write them down?
But who will want to read
The things an old woman thought important
When I am dead?

Maybe the children yet unborn.