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Political collectibles: what you need to know
Posted by Chris on 13/09/2024
Political events, controversy and debate is an endless source of news around the world. We seem to be glued to every move our politicians make, and hang on every word they say. And the fascination continues into the world of antiques and collectibles!
Antiques.co.uk’s founder, Iain Brunt, finds it intriguing that “so many people can discuss topics that appear not to have any relevance to the country they are representing…so many promises never fulfilled.”
Whether or not the actions of politicians in our lives live up to their words, political antique collecting has been a thing for many years. You may never have given it any thought, but there’s a whole raft of collectibles out there – and plenty of appetite for them, too.
Here's all you need to know about political collectibles.
Pictured: Constant Lt Fo..? Watercolour, The Thames by Parliament, Signed (M) - £90 / $115
What are political collectibles?
Essentially, they are historical antiques that are associated with politics in some way – much like royal collectibles that we wrote all about last year.
Campaign buttons are very popular political collectibles, as are bumper stickers, posters, banners, watch fobs, medals, cigarette cards and other items that were produced for political campaigns.
More specific political collectibles might include autographed photos, campaign documents, ballot boxes prints posters and paintings.
And it extends beyond those items, as campaign teams come up with more and more new ideas for wearables and mementos.
Pictured: Vintage 1952 & 1956 Presidential Campaign Buttons - Dwight Eisenhower and Richard Nixon (image: Joe Haupt on Flickr)
For instance, you might find a Michael Portillo campaign baseball cap, a Houses of Parliament commemorative plate, political Top Trumps or Toby Mugs. There are plenty of signed photos of former Prime Ministers such as Margaret Thatcher or Tony Blair; and signed documents by Winston Churchill.
You might even be lucky enough to find some really unique pieces from the history of politics, such as Che Guevara’s fishing rod, a signed letter by the Duke of Wellington, a silk tie owned by John F. Kennedy, or…a genuine strand of hair from the actual head of Jackie Kennedy.
Original flags from the Suffragette movement in the early 1900s are on the market, as are vintage posters from the Miners Strike, and various political party pamphlets and manifestos from the 20th century. A set of Labour Party Conference caricature drinks mats, anyone?
Let's have a look at some of the political collectibles on Antiques.co.uk.
Pictured: portrait study of the Rt Hon Winston Churchill 1874-1965, seated at the House of Commons. Price: £POA
Winston Churchill collectibles
Probably the most famous of all British Prime Ministers, there’s a good selection of Winston Churchill busts and art listed with us. Like this bust of Winston Churchill composed from reconstituted marble. Or a portrait study of Winston, seated at the House of Commons during his later years in the house. This oil painting of Churchill's installation as a Knight of the Garter in 1954 offers an alternative view of the former PM that reaches beyond his fame as a national wartime hero.
See more Winston Churchill collectibles.
Pictured: Mid Century Red Canvas Covered Despatch Box, property of Gwilym Lloyd George (1894-1967), 1st Viscount Tenby. Price: £12,500 / $16,365
Ministerial despatch boxes
Listed on Antiques.co.uk are a range of despatch boxes from various political figures throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
A despatch box (alternatively dispatch box) is one of several types of boxes used in government business. Despatch boxes primarily include both those sometimes known as red boxes or ministerial boxes, which are used by the Sovereign and his ministers in the British government to securely transport sensitive documents, and boxes used in the lower houses of the parliaments of the United Kingdom and Australia.
These ministerial boxes, generally red, are now an iconic symbol of the United Kingdom government. Despatch boxes of a different design and generally made of wood are used as lecterns from which frontbench members of parliament delivered speeches to their parliamentary chamber. They were originally used for members to carry bills and other documents into the chamber.
For instance, we like this black leather House of Commons briefcase owned by former Speaker of the House, Betty Boothroyd; and a beautiful red leather despatch box, originally the property of Gwilym Lloyd George (1894-1967), 1st Viscount Tenby, who served as Home Secretary from 1954 to 1957.
Pictured: Victorian needlepoint sampler, the fascinating reverse shows an original 1883 political poster. Price: £895 / $1,165
Political art
A really interesting piece is this Victorian school needlepoint sampler, with political poster on the reverse – we don’t know if this was an innocent coincidence, or subtle subversion.
Chin Fine Art have several political art listings with us, such as William Hogarth’s ‘Polling for MPs of Parliament’.
Or if you’re in the market for oil paintings of now-forgotten male politicians, how about this fine oil on canvas portrait of Sir Robert Dormer MP, 1650-1726, by Thomas Hill. Or, this portrait of Richard Cobden MP, 1804–1865, an English Radical and Liberal politician, manufacturer, and a campaigner for free trade and peace. Perhaps a portrait of William Pitt, 1759-1806, former Prime Minister, would look fantastic in your home.
Our favourite find on Antiques.co.uk has to be this beautiful watercolour, The Thames by Parliament – signed ‘M’ and undated – but an extremely affordable price of £90.
Pictured: a later bound House of Commons record, dating to the William IV period, published 1837. Price: £395 / $515
Political books
Whilst it’s probably not a bedtime read, this large reference book published in 1837 was printed by order of William IV for the House of Commons – and details general reports and letters for the period just before Queen Victoria came to the British throne.
A very collectible book, found in a ‘quaint’ junk shop in Norfolk, includes family photographs of the English side of Abraham Lincoln’s family.
Pictured: a rare Sir John M Mcallum MP’s court dress attire and case. Price: £2,750 / $3,587
Other political collectibles
This very rare and unique pocket watch is inscribed to F Maddison MP by the Co-operative Watch Manufacturing Society in Coventry, and hallmarked for Chester 1899. Highly collectible and comes in exceptional condition.
Finally, a really interesting find comes in the form of Sir John M Mcallum MP’s court dress attire and case. The rare and complete set comes with superb court sword, hat, shoes, stockings, waist coat, pantaloons, top and tails jacket, all in its original tin carrying case with two keys, plus a box of collars and studs.
Do you have any political collectibles?
If you do, it’s worth listing items with us – we allow all private sellers to use the platform. There are thousands of buyers from around the world – and they might just be looking for your items! Try our valuation and listing service.
If you don’t, then maybe now is the time to start looking at pieces to start your collection.
Start showing us items you’ve discovered – Iain would love to hear from you at Iain@antiques.co.uk
Read next: Buying the best value antiques: five must-ask questions for beginners and investors