Lot 312: A Pair of Signed Photographs of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

[ROYALTY]

A Pair of Signed Photographs of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Two full-length signed portrait photographs, both matte-finish gelatin silver prints, that of Queen Elizabeth by Dorothy Wilding, the photograph of Prince Philip by Baron Studies (Sterling Henry Nahum). The pair signed in fountain pen on the card mounts by the respective sitter below their image and dated 1954, housed in fine blue leather presentation frames by H. H. Plante, each bearing royal crests. The images 8 x 6 1/8 inches on studio mounts 9 1/2 x 7 inches, framed overall to 11 1/2 x 9 inches. Minor silvering to the edges of the image of Philip, light wear to the leather frames, but overall in excellent condition. Both backings are missing their easel-style stands; these have been replaced with modern equivalents.

The Queen is shown dressed wearing a strapless dress with the Riband and Star of the Order of the Garter, with the Diamond Diadem upon her head. Philip is dressed as an Admiral of the Fleet. With a letter of provenance indicating that these were presented to their official press officer during the couple's first visit to Australia in 1954, during one of the earliest royal tours. This is a superb pair of portraits from early in the Queen's reign, with interesting provenance. With RR Auctions, 2022, Catalog 647, Lot 131 ($8750).