Obscure Book of the Day: The Sphere: King George VI Memorial Number, 1952

Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved father, King George VI lost his battle with cancer in 1952. As Britain grieved the loss of the man who bravely guided them through the Second World War, newspapers and magazines across the globe worked up special editions of their publications in honor of the “reluctant” King.

This edition from February 16, 1952 chronicles the life of the King and shows images from his majestic funeral. Images of the King with his wife and daughters are a startling contrast to the pictures of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother; Princess Margaret Rose and the new Queen Elizabeth II in black mourning veils, still shocked by the death of their cherished husband/father.

And yet, like the publication I showed you yesterday, the magazine is filled with ads showing that the “show must go on.”

Let’s take a look inside.

Queen Mary was known for her ability to keep her feelings to herself, however, by 1952, she had already lost her son Prince John, her husband King George V, another son--Prince George, the Duke of Kent, and then, finally, "Bertie"--King George VI.  By this point, she was also dying from cancer.  This photo shows a rare glimpse into the enormous grief she must have been feeling.

Young Bertie with his mother, then-Duchess of York (later Queen Mary).

Young Bertie with his brother, David, the Prince of Wales, who would disrupt the line of accession with his great kerfuffle.