An extensive archive of original designs, plans, blueprints, contracts and specifications from the Ministry of Works, relating to government commissions for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953:- Nine finished sketch plans for designs in various government buildings, ranging from 9 x 24cm to 73 x 43cm.- Seventeen copies and originals of government contracts for the coronation of Elizabeth II, including the supply and fitting of decorative features to the Treasury, the Home Office and the Admiralty, as well as the making up and erection of flags and banners to Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Marble Arch, Hyde Park, and The Mall.- Seventeen blueprints and printed designs, chiefly for the coronation, some of which are very large, up to 100 x 148cm, but mainly c. 57 x 63cm).

An extensive archive relating to the decoration of government buildings and public places for the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953.
The archive comes from the descendants of James Douglas Spencer (1912-1985), who was employed at the Ministry of Works and coordinated the projects featured here.
The material present here attests to the range of work required, from the more routine jobs of replacing decorative "G.R."s in government buildings with "E.R.", to the furnishing of flag posts and decorative banners across London for the processional route of the coronation itself.
The sketches also show the wide scope of the project from decorating a minister's office in Berkeley Square, to the provision of bookcases for the German Library at the Ministry of Supply. The blueprints show this in much greater detail, with designs ranging from grand external decorations of the War Office, to the embroidered Admiralty Badge for the First Lord's Residence.
The contracts and specifications range from providing 192 banners and 48 masts along The Mall, to the interior decorative aprons and swags at the Home Office.
In all, an exceptional collection of material relating to the preparations for this historic coronation.

PROVENANCE: J. D. Spencer (1912-1985) employed at the Ministry Of Works and mentioned by name in one of the contracts.

Stock ID: 42189