United Kingdom. An Encased Peerage Document with Seal & Commander of the British Empire, Awarded to Baron Archibald of Glasgow, 1949

United Kingdom. An original Peerage Document granting the title of Baron to G.C Archibald composed of parchment, dated July 12 1949, measures 553mm (w), left hand corner of text illustrates the coat of arms with golden accents, text is centered, clear and legible, document rolled, light aging and browning around edges, otherwise very fine condition. Attached to a Great Seal of the Realm by woven green rope, the seal is composed of green wax, measuring 158mm in diameter, obverse bears George V seated on a throne surrounded by the inscription GEORGIUS VI D G MAG BRIT TIB & TERR TRANSMAR QUAEIN DIT SUNT BRIT REX FIDEI DEF, reverse bears the King on horseback, GEORGIUS VI D.G REX in the interior surround, light marking to edges, near extremely fine condition. The seal is enclosed in a hardshell circular red leatherette case, coat of arms impressed on the exterior of the lid, interior bears green liner, purposeful square notch located at the top for the woven rope to connect to document, functional hinge and catch, light wear to edges, flake of leatherette loose above hinge, near extremely fine condition. Document and seal accompanied with an original large rectangular case of issue, constructed of wood and red leatherette on the exterior, interior bears green liner, raised, with a central circular indent for the encased seal with four small tabs holding seal in around the edge, measures 612mm (w) x 50mm (w) x 116mm (d), functional hinge, lid has been broken part, left edge of lid unattached (contained in case), locked, missing key, leatherette worn on all sides, fine condition;

An Order of the British Empire, Commander, Type II (1937-), a four armed lilies cross composed of silver gilt, with blue enameled arms, center obverse medallion bears left facing effigies of King George V and Queen Mary in a red enamel surround with the inscription “FOR GOD AND THE EMPIRE”, cross surmounted by a crown suspension, reverse arms are plain, reverse center medallion bears the cypher of King George V, measures 63mm (w) x 87mm (l – inclusive of integral suspension ring), on original full length military neck ribbon with working clasp, edges of badge tarnished, enamels intact, very fine condition. In its hardshell case of issue measuring 106mm (w) x 159mm (l) x 37mm (d), exterior lid stamped C.B.E, interior silk of lid identifies maker Toye, Kenning & Spencer LTD of London, fitted velvet removable medalbed convers small space for neck ribbon, working clasp and hinge, very fine condition;

Magistrate of the City of Glasgow Badge, an oval shaped medal composed of 14kt Gold, obverse bearing the Glasgow coat of arms, reverse presents depiction of the Great Seal of Scotland in an ornate border of flora, badge bears claw suspension with edges reaching the midpoint of the medallion, measures 29mm (w) x 37.5mm (l – including integral suspension ring), on original ribbon with brooch pinback with obverse engraved MAGISTRATE OF THE CITY OF GLASGOW 1925-28, better than very fine condition. In its hardshell case of issue measuring 64mm (w) x 109mm (l) x 26mm (d), exterior in black leatherette with stamp of Scottish seal surrounded by inscription MEMORIAL OF OFFICE CITY OF GLASGOW, interior silk lid stamped MEDALLISTS D. CUNNINGHAM LTD. GLASGOW, fitted blue velvet medalbed, working clasp and hinge, light wear to exterior edges of case, on large scuff to exterior lid, overall near very fine condition. A Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953, silver, obverse bears right facing effigy of Elizabeth II, reverse illustrates the crowned cypher, measures 32mm in diameter, on original ribbon with brooch pinback, dark patina, very fine condition. In original cardboard packaging, red leatherette stamped E II R 1953 CORONATION MEDAL on exterior, measuring 89mm (w) x 44mm (l) x 19mm (d), flaps damaged at both ends, better than fine condition.

General Service Medal with PALESTINE 1945-48 clasp, silver, obverse features left facing effigy of King George V, reverse presents the winged figure of victory holding an laurel crown and trident, suspended by an ornate bar suspension, measures 36mm (w) x 57mm (l – including clasp), rim impressed CAPT. G. C. ARCHIBALD. R.A.E.C, dark patina, light edge bruising, very fine condition. Accompanied by its original cardboard box, document from the War Office, dated July 28 1949 and a new ribbon; Labour Party Button, bronze gilt with red and white enamel, measures 24mm in diameter, reverse embossed MAKERS J. DUGMORE & SONS, reverse bears double pronged hook, wear to obverse, enamels intact, good condition.

Footnote: George Christopher Archibald was born on July 21, 1898, the son of George W. Archibald of Glasgow, Scotland. He attended St. George’s Road Elementary School and Alan Glen’s High School. Archibald was a labour member of Glasgow City Council from 1920 until 1928, and a Magistrate of the City from 1925 to 1928. In 1926, he married Dorothy Edwards and his son, George Christopher Archibald was born in December of the same year.

During the Second World War, he worked as the director, films division of the British Information Services out of New York from 1942 until 1944. From 1944 to 1945, he was employed as the Controller of the Ministry of Information. His lordship was created Baron Archibald of Woodside, City of Glasgow, in the peerage of the United Kingdom, on July 12, 1949. In 1951, Lord Archibald served as the 83rd Captain of The Sovereign’s Body Guard, and was responsible for protecting the British Monarch. He held this post for one year. His first wife died in 1960, however, he married again in 1961 to Catherin Edith Mary. Archibald was appointed a commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1968. From 1963-to 67, he was a member of the Cinematography Films Council, and from 1967 to 1968 was the Deputy President Film Production Association of Great Britain.

Archibald died on February 25, 1975 and was succeeded by his son. However, his son disclaimed the peerage for life shortly after his father’s death.

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