Vintage 1953 J. Lyons Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Dundee Fruit Cake Tin

Vintage 1953 J. Lyons Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Dundee Fruit Cake Tin

Original J. Lyons & Co. Coronation Cake Tin | Queen Elizabeth II | Royal Memorabilia | British Social History

A wonderfully evocative piece of post-war British social history, this original J. Lyons & Company Ltd Dundee Fruit Cake tin was produced to commemorate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

Far more interesting than the average Coronation souvenir, this large circular tin was originally sold containing a substantial 2 lb Lyons Dundee Fruit Cake and combines royal memorabilia with the fascinating history of one of Britain's most famous catering and food companies.

The lid features a striking colour portrait of the young Queen Elizabeth II wearing a tiara, surrounded by a rich red ground, gilt scrollwork, a crown motif and the words “Elizabeth II”.

Around the silver-coloured rim appears the commemorative inscription referring to the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1953.

Perhaps the most fascinating feature, however, is the decoration around the body.

Rather than simply showing Elizabeth II, Lyons created a procession of portrait medallions representing British monarchs stretching back through history to Elizabeth I. The design was produced at a time when the accession and Coronation of the young Queen encouraged widespread talk of Britain entering a “New Elizabethan Age”, deliberately drawing parallels between Elizabeth II and the reign of Elizabeth I.

It gives this humble cake tin a surprisingly interesting historical narrative and makes it particularly appealing to collectors of British social history, royal memorabilia and vintage advertising.

J. Lyons & Co.

J. Lyons & Company became one of the great names of British catering during the late 19th and 20th centuries, famous for its Lyons Tea Shops, Corner Houses, cakes, teas and other packaged foods.

Its enormous Cadby Hall complex in Hammersmith, London became the centre of the company's catering and manufacturing operation.

The underside of this tin retains particularly clear original branding:

J. Lyons & Company Limited

Lyons Dundee Fruit Cake

Net Weight 2 lbs

Made in England

It also carries the company's Royal Warrant wording as caterers by appointment to the late King George VI, a particularly nice detail which firmly places the packaging in the transition between the reigns of George VI and Elizabeth II.

The Coronation itself took place at Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953, making this an original piece of contemporary commemorative packaging rather than a later reproduction.

Condition

This is an authentic vintage tin now over 70 years old and it displays plenty of genuine age and use.

There is noticeable rubbing, scratching, surface wear and loss to areas of the printed decoration, particularly around the exterior body, portrait surrounds, edges and lid. There is also age-related tarnishing and oxidation to exposed metal surfaces.

Despite this, the principal decoration remains very attractive and readable. The Queen's portrait has retained good colour, the Coronation lettering is clearly visible and many of the individual monarch portraits remain remarkably appealing.

The gold-coloured interior is generally clean for its age with expected marks from previous use.

We have deliberately left the tin in its naturally aged condition rather than attempting to restore or over-clean it. The wear is very much part of its story and gives it exactly the sort of timeworn character we love in genuine vintage advertising pieces.

Please study all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.

Dimensions

Diameter: approximately 15 cm

Height: approximately 9 cm

Why We Love It

There are plenty of pieces of 1953 Coronation memorabilia around, but this one tells a much bigger story.

It combines the Coronation of Elizabeth II, the idea of a new Elizabethan era, a visual procession of British monarchy and the commercial history of J. Lyons & Co. — all wrapped around what was originally a rather splendid two-pound Dundee fruit cake.

A wonderfully decorative survivor from 1953 and an excellent addition to a collection of vintage tins, royal memorabilia, advertising, kitchenalia or British social history.