The Royal Procession of King Edward VII

Fold out panoramic views of the Coronation procession of King Edward VII. Published in London by S, M & S the panorama is folded into eight sections and held within red paper covers. On the front cover is printed an engraving of Westminster Abbey together with the title and the claim that the panorama is 'given a bird's eye view of the full distance'. On the back cover is printed an engraving of Buckingham Palace. The panorama depicts various views of the coronation processional route rather than one continuous view. Crudely drawn and printed in colour chromolithography it incorporates views of the crowds, grandstands and street decorations. The order of the processsion is labelled to indicate the different regiments taking part including those from the colonies. The last drawing depicts the King & Queen at Westminster Abbey as the crown is lifted onto the King's head. Below is the date June 26 1902, the original date for the coronation. On the front cover is handwritten 25th June 1902 suggesting the date of purchase for this item. Such souvenirs were mass produced by small printing firms and sold cheaply for about one penny by London street traders and retailers in the weeks leading up to the planned coronation on 26th June. Printed several weeks in advance they offered an artistic interpretation of the procession.