From the Royal Mint Museum...
The Royal Mint Museum houses one of the finest coin collections in the world, containing some of the most outstanding rarities of the modern British coinage.
In an effort to share this national treasure more widely, an item from the Museum will be selected and explained each month on the Royal Mint web site. Over a period of time these short notes will form a fascinating insight into the Royal Mint and the coins it has made for over 1000 years.
Sketch of Edward VIII by Humphrey Paget
When, early in 1936, a new portrait of Edward VIII was required for coins and official medals, Robert Johnson, the then Deputy Master of the Mint, helpfully arranged a sitting with the King at Buckingham Palace for two artists. Humphrey Paget was one, the letter of invitation from Johnson suggesting that he wore a 'black tie and any other raiment, coloured or otherwise'.
Paget was later to win the commission for the new coinage effigy and the sitting undoubtedly helped since from it, as pictured here, he was able to generate a quick sketch of the King, clarifying his thinking with several notes on his own drawing. Recently acquired by the Mint Museum, the sketch is an important addition and is all the more charming because Paget drew it on the back of his letter of invitation from Johnson.
|