Beschreibung:

An extensive collection of Royal tour ephemera, 1939 and later, comprising 'Across Canada', a bound itinerary of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's visit in 1939, a tour that was intended, in the lead up to WWII, to show Canada's sympathy to Great Britain for the upcoming conflict and demonstrate their support. Also included are numerous official menus and brochures from various locations, often produced by train companies such as Canadian National Railways and Canadian Pacific, a programme from the 'Reception to Their Majesties...' by the Government of the Manitoba, Winnipeg on Victoria Day 1939, which features a tipped-in portrait photograph of the King and Queen by Dorothy Wilding a later official itinerary for the 1947 tour of South Africa by the King and Queen, together with Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, 'Crossing The Line', a booklet giving 'A description of the Ceremony enacted on board HMS Vanguard on the occasion of the Royal Visit to South Africa, February-May 1947', and other items. Accompanying the touring parties was footman Robert Smith and also included here is his pass stating that he was 'a member of the Queen's entourage for her Majesty's tour in West Africa, Nov-Dec 1961'. The lot includes a quantity of original black and white photographs of the Royal family engaged in official engagements, the majority of which feature Mr Smith.Consigned by the family of Robert Smith who was a Footman at Buckingham Palace before becoming a Steward at Windsor Castle, his career spanning from the late 1930s through to the mid-1970s. He travelled on many overseas tours with the Royal Family, accompanying King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to Canada (1939) and South Africa (1947), as well as later tours and engagements with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Domestically, he accompanied the senior Royals on carriages and coaches during state events and official visits. It forms part of an extensive collection of personal Christmas cards and related ephemera being sold in this sale.