Royal Auxiliary Air Force Officers' Coronation Ball 1953
Original invitation and menu from The Savoy, signed by aircraft designer Sir Roy Hardy Dobson
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Printing Details
This is a rare original invitation and menu for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Officer's Coronation Ball, held at the Savoy Hotel on Friday, 29th May, 1953. It was, by all accounts, a glamorous affair, with Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in attendance (apparently she didn't leave until 3.30am). The RAuxAF played an important part in the Coronation celebrations, with its personnel forming part of the guards of honour and the massive flypast at RAF Odiham in July 1953.
The Invitation: Printed on card with the gilt crest of the RAF (per ardua ad astra), noting the reception was at 8pm, and carriages at 3am. Dress was mess kit or evening dress, with decorations.
The Menu: Printed on card, folded once. Coloured crest of the RAF to the front. Details the toasts and the dinner menu. This has the added bonus of being signed by a notable guest: Sir Roy Hardy Dobson (signed as R H Dobson). He was an important figure in the British aviation industry, holding management roles at A V Roe (Avro) and Hawker Siddeley but was perhaps best known for his 1941 redesign of the Avro Lancaster in the Second World War, giving it two extra engines and putting it into mass production. Post-war he oversaw the development of the Vulcan and chairman of the Hawker Siddeley group, whose portfolio included the Hawker Hunter.
Condition
Both items have tanning and finger-marking to the edges, but remain fascinating item for both RAF history and an event during the Coronation.
Books are currently zero-rated for duty (as of January 2026), so the price shown is the price you pay.
Price
£40.00
