It is worth starting with a couple of brief definitions. Memorabilia is a current record of national events and personalities. The function of a commemorative is to permanently record events or individuals that added something to the life of a nation.

Royal Commemoratives
The people of England grew tired of political unrest and Civil War. The restoration of Charles II to the throne was a cause for celebration. People sought to record this triumphant event permanently. This lead to the "birth" of the first commemorative ceramics. The earliest items were delft, slipware or majolica.

Royalty commemoratives saw a rapid increase in production during the reign of Queen Victoria. Diamond Jubilee items are readily and cheaply available. Commemoratives from her coronation and wedding are rare (and hence expensive). However, they can be found given adequate research. Many Commemorative items pertaining to Queen Victoria can be found on sites from the U.S.A.

Also during Victoria's reign, biscuit and tea manufacturers started creating commemorative tins featuring a royal person or event. Given their cheapness, this allowed everybody to own a permanent reminder.

Ten Tips for Collecting Ceramic Commemoratives
1. Build diversity into your collection.
2. Display your collection carefully, as it is of historical interest.
3. Use a large item (a Victorian teapot, maybe) as a centrepiece for your collection.
4. Look for quality and scarcity.
5. If you collect British Royalty ceramics, stay safe by collecting items by well-known manufacturers such as:
  • Royal Doulton
  • Wedgwood
  • Royal Worcester
  • Royal Crown Derby
6. Given a choice, buy fine bone china in preference to earthenware.
7. Decoration that contains portraits generally holds greater value than those with just symbols.
8. If resale value is an issue, collect limited editions, which were only produced in small numbers (the smaller the better.)
9. Ask questions of several dealers that specialise in the field.
10. Unless an item is particularly rare, collect only items in perfect condition.

Royalty Cigarette Cards
The popularity of the British Monarchy in the first half of the 20th century did not go unnoticed by the tobacco industry. Cigarette card sets celebrating coronations, ceremonial clothes and the history of the monarchy were used to entice Britain's loyal Royalists. However, other nations were not so fond of their royalty. Nicholas II of Russia was executed a decade after he appeared in the cigarette card series "Portraits of European Royalty", issued in 1908 by W.D. & H.O. Wills.

Princess Diana Memorabilia
In early 1998, the Franklin Mint launched a new doll product line; "The People's Princess Portrait Doll" and the advertisements showed her wearing a classic pale blue knit suit, while standing in front of a wardrobe, holding several other outfits, with accessories on the floor. The doll was £50 and by purchasing her, collectors could subscribe to additional wardrobe outfits to be sold later. Each outfit was accompanied accessories such as jewellery, shoes or purses. Most items were miniature versions of Diana's actual belongings. However, the jewellery included had often been worn with the same outfit to a different event than that alleged. One entire box was filled with the sporting accessories needed to complete the ski outfit, complete with skis, poles, boots, a camera and sunglasses. The doll's face, hair and outfit were contemporary with a photo opportunity at which Diana had been presented with roses named in her honour. Other outfits, peeking out of the suitcase, were a deliberate tease for collectors. One was obviously the ink-blue velvet ball gown Diana had worn to a White House dinner in 1985. Another was a short red cocktail dress and a third was a navy suit with a matching hat. The outfits were priced at £25 each. Eventually, the first six outfits in the wardrobe were available for purchase separately or on a doll. Collectors who didn't have the space to display multiple dolls had the option of storing the wardrobe items in a navy doll trunk, which came complete with a hanging bar, four drawers, two shelves and a decorative bud vase, along with a small spray of Diana's namesake roses. It was available for purchase for £50, but was sent free to collectors who had subscribed to the collection. More outfits were released until there were fourteen altogether, not counting the limited edition outfits sold that came dressed on a doll. The last four Limited Edition dolls were priced at £70 each. Of all the Princess Diana doll products available, the Franklin Mint Collection has been a favourite with collectors, since it has been the most versatile and expandable. However, if buying second-hand items from this collection, ensure that all the correct pieces are included.

Beware Forgeries

1. There are a vast number of items on the market, which include a large number of fakes, so being well informed is crucial.

2. Determine your budget and stick to it.

3. Decide what your "must have" items are, and ignore anything else, even if it appears to be a bargain.

4. There will always be people ready to "rip you off." Many items are substantially overpriced; don't be afraid to tell the seller. They may well drop the price to an acceptable level. Again, beware fakes!

5. The fundamental point of collecting is to enjoy it.

6. Before buying "rare" books, be certain to do your research. Many of these allegedly rare and valuable items are available, brand new, on the Internet, for under a pound.

7. Don't forget that commemoratives increase in value over time. For example, some Princess Diana merchandise is now worth at least four times more than it was ten years ago. Ensure you have the appropriate insurance in place, especially for particularly valuable items.
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