With the Coronation of King Charles III, it occured to me to look back in the family archives to discover my grandfather's invitation to the last Coronation - that of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Having received an invitation (actually a 'command') to attend King Charles's, I thought it interesting to compare the graphic design of 1953 to 2023. Typography, use of colour, style, all have changed apart from the calligraphy, which appears to be the same.
Coronation Invite 1953 - mono colour printing, minimal embellishments
Regretably, I am unable to attend King Charles's Coronation owing to commitments at Visual Impact Expo this week. My Grandfather did attent that of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, so I feel forgiven as he held the family staff and sceptre well.
Of course, one does not RSVP in the negative to Royal invitations, as one is 'commanded' to attend. One either goes or one does not - leaving room for speculation as to the reason, be it pestilence, rebellion, natural disaster, one's kneecaps exploding spontaneously, being stranded in the middle of the Simpson Desert - or at a trade exhibition in Sydney.
I am humbled, of course, to have been invited (commanded) thanks to my Grandfather's patronage and can only put the invitation (command) to good use for graphic design education by presenting the two invitations (commands) here, for comparison by students and researchers of typography over a seventy-year period. By way of explanation, we are now lapsed (some say 'collapsed'), aristocracy, which pleases me greatly as the rates on the English Estate at King's Norton were punative.
Australia is very well represented at this Coronation and it delights one to know that they, our PM and associates, will have fun without me there. 2023 invitation pictured below and is copyright Andrew Jamieson, a celebrated Heraldic Artist in London.
Heraldic artist Andrew Jamieson hand-created the lovely 2023 Coronation invitation in gouache and watercolours. It is printed on recycled card and features gold embellishment. The 'Green Man' at bottom is from British folklore and symbolises Spring and rebirth - a new beginning.
