Royal Wedding Bookends
Artifact ID1986.00954.01a-b
Object Type
Bookend
Gifter
Charles R. Smith
Date
July 23, 1986
Medium
Ceramic
Dimensions9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm)
Physical DescriptionA bookend set of a cast ceramic coat of arms. The bookends are numbered 1 out of a limited edition of 1000 created for the Royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of York. The book ends with a depiction of a lion, each holding a different coat of arms. The coat of arms on the right depicts a plant growing out of a mound between two leaves and three thistle stalks with purple blossoms all conjoined in the base. In the middle blossom is a honeybee. The coat of arms on the left depicts the coat of arms of Edward VIII and Charles III as Prince of Wales, with a white label of three points and the center point bearing a blue anchor.Historical NoteThese bookends commemorate the wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, which took place at Westminster on Abbey July 23, 1986. On his marriage Prince Andrew was given the title the Duke of York, and Ferguson became the Duchess of York. One lion has the arms of Prince Andrew (the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom differenced by a label of three points Argent, the central point charged with an anchor Azure). The other has the arms of Sarah Ferguson (Or, growing out of a mound between two leaves three thistle stalks Vert blossomed Purpure all conjoined in base, alighting on the middle blossom a honeybee Or and Sable winged Argent) in a lozenge tied with a bow, reflecting her as-yet unmarried state.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from a member of the general public to President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan during the Reagan administration. It was received through the Executive Office of the President Office of Correspondence and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January, 1989 for deposit with the Reagan Presidential Library.
National Archives Catalog CollectionRecords of the White House Gift Unit (Reagan Administration) (National Archives Identifier 6816362) and
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 6816363)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Country/CultureEnglandUnited KingdomIn Collection(s)
Exhibition HistoryChristmas Around the World (2009), Ronald Reagan Presidential Library;
A Special Relationship: The Windsors and the Reagans (1995), Ronald Reagan Presidential Library