Princess Margaret's maple Leaf brooch - wonderful jewels on the Canadian Tour in 1958.
Princess Margaret embarked on an extensive tour of Canada in 1958, spending 31 days criss-crossing the country. She was the recipient of many, many gifts, including five brooches. One of these was the Maple Leaf Gold brooch.
This Maple Leaf brooch (gold with one diamond) was not the gift of the city of Montreal. The reverse of the brooch is engraved:
'In appreciation of your visit to The Township of Etobicoke July 1958', beneath Princess Margaret's personal cipher of the 'M' monogram surmounted by a coronet.
The Township of Etobicoke is now part of the City of Toronto. The brooch is signed Birks a noted Canadian firm.
When the maple leaf brooch was auctioned it was auctioned with what was thought to be its box. The box is not the original box for the brooch. The box is a Mappins Limited Montreal box. Mappins was a Birks rival.
‘...original fitted blue leather Mappins Limited Montreal, case, with applied silver plaque engraved 'Offert à son Altesse Royale La Princesse Margaret par la cite de Montreal le 5 août 1958 Sarto Fournier, Maire', beneath the enamelled coat-of-arms of Montreal’.
From the Montreal Gazette 06 Aug 1958 page 1
“It’s Wonderful, Says Princess of City’s Gift”
"During yesterday's civic reception for Princess Margaret at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Mayor Sarto Fournier presented the Royal visitor with a gift from the city - a diamond studded gold brooch, shaped in the form of a maple leaf, with fleur-de-lys superimposed.
Margaret, opening the case, exclaimed: "It's wonderful."
Details from the auction catalogue.
A DIAMOND-SET MAPLE LEAF BROOCH, BY BIRKS
The maple leaf set with a single brilliant-cut diamond, the reverse inscribed 'In appreciation of your visit to The Township of Etobicoke July 1958', beneath Princess Margaret's personal cipher of the 'M' monogram surmounted by a coronet.
Signed Birks
Sources: The Toronto Star, The Montreal Gazette; Christie's Jewellery and Faberge, from the Collection of H.R.H. The Princess Margaret
Research and Text from Laura, thank you!
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