EXTENSIVE VARIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26622, 19 November 1947, Page 5

EXTENSIVE VARIETY

ROYAL WEDDING PRESENTS DISPLAY AT ST. JAMES’S . PALACE N.Z.P.A. 'Special Correspondent Rec. 9 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 18. The tremendous variety, and value of the royal wedding presents continues to grow with every hour as hundreds more gifts arrive and are unpacked at St. James’s" Palace. The gift of President and Mrs Tru man is displayed in the. next showcase to the magnificent jewellery given to the Princess by members of her family. The President’s'gift consists of a col lection of special American crystal glassware with delicate designs showing American native birds. It is flanked by specimens from the 192piece Sevres dinner set which is the gift of the President and the people of France. Each piece bears the lettei E surmounted by the royal cipher. In the picture gallery, which is now full of presents of furniture, is a great carved Sicilian casket which contains silks and damasks sent by the Republic of Italy. Carved figures on the outside of the chest, which is 300 years old, represent an Italian bridal feast. Among hundreds of valuable gifts sent by foreign royalties and communities is a delicately carved ivory casket made from a solid elephant’s tusk presented by the Maharajah of Bikaner, an ivory coffee table standing on carved ivory elephants’ heads sent by the Maharajah of Patiala, six pieces of gold and enamel ware given by the King of Siam,'and a blue-and-gold dressing set given by the King of Afghanistan. The array of china and porcelain is bewildering. It not only fills six large showcases, but many individual items are displayed elsewhere. Among them is a Worcester tea and dinner service given by the Brigade of Guards, in which badges of the four famous regiments comprising the brigade form a central pattern. The British Society of Antique Dealers has given a collection of plates and dishes in which the Royal Arms and motto are used to form the pattern. Both the Grenadier Guards' and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, of which the Princess is honorary colonel-in-chief, have given her miniature figures of soldiers of the two regiments in

ancient uniform. The Grenadiers accompanied their gift by a canteen of cutlery and a set of menu holders made in the form of regimental- badges and two cigar lighters made in the form of miniature grenades.

Next to the latest modern television set, which is the gift of the 8.8. C., is a collection of eight albums of swing records, sent by an American donor. The Moonrakers’ Skittles Club, of Corsham, of which Lieutenant Mountbatten is a member, have sent him a gold propelling pencil, while Admiral Sir Frederick Dalrymple Hamilton has given him a fly rod and reel. A set of bathroom scales has now been added to the collection of vacuum cleaners, washing machines and the refrigerator in the “utility section.”

The best man, the Marquess of Milford Haven, has given the latest model electric record reproducer. One of the most unusual presents is a collection of Polish dolls in picturesque national costume grouped round a farm cart and two horses representing a traditional Polish harvest festival. It is the gift of the Polish Red Cross. By the time the exhibition of wedding presents is opened to the public it will fill at least seven rooms of the palace and will number nearly 1500 separate items.