Royal Watch News

Queen Elizabeth-signed guest book up for sale

Sep 26, 2012, 15:02 GMT

Queen Elizabeth

A tiny visitors' book signed by Britain's Queen Elizabeth aged 12 is going up for sale.

The tome, which is just 1.5-inches long, was created for a dolls' house called Titania's Palace in 1907, and 31 years later Princesses Elizabeth and sister Margaret were shown the fascinating model and the guest book, which they signed with their first names in entries dated July 22, 1938.

Elizabeth was said to be mesmerized by the model - which was commissioned by Sir Nevile Wilkinson for his daughter - at the time.

As well as the signatures of the two princesses, the book also features the names of the queen's grandmother, Queen Mary, who signed it in 1923, and Helena Victoria, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

Deborah Doyle, from Duke's auction house in Dorchester, South West England - where the book will go under the hammer - revealed there has already been 'a lot of interest'.

She said: 'A lady brought the little autograph book in to use along with some letters.

'Her aunt had been a lady in waiting to Lady Pembroke and had worked at the family home.

'The autograph book is a perfect fit for Titania Palace, which was made in 1907 for Lady Pembroke's daughter.

'It travelled the world and went on display in many places over the years and made a great deal of money for charity.

'While we can't be positive the autograph book is from Titania Palace, it is similar to other books.

'And we also know that the two princesses saw the palace because we have a photograph of them looking at it.

'It is a wonderful thing and the signatures are right and already there has been a lot of interest.'