Everyone is excited about the royal wedding scheduled for April 29th, 2011. Some people see it as a chance to see a fairy tale wedding, others see it as a chance to glimpse the future king. Still others are hoping to cash in on the wedding buy purchasing memorabilia that will be of value someday.
Royal Wedding Memorabilia
If you ask many of the antique experts around, however, they may tell you not to hold your breath. Eric Knowles, an expert on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, explains that the vast majority of memorabilia will be worthless. A bit tongue in cheek he explains however, that “if you can hang on to it for 150 years, your great, great, great grandchildren may reap the benefits if it’s a rare piece. It is a test of time.”
Making the Right Purchase
Of course, there is always a chance that the collector’s item that you purchase will be worth something, but it’s probably much smarter to purchase items simply because you want to remember the special day. The market is awash at the moment in approved collection pieces such as a tankard, plate and pill box as part of the official Royal Collection and a first time ever commemorative £5 coin produced by the Royal Mint.
For beer drinkers, Castle Rock Brewery in Nottingham has produced a traditional ale called “Kiss Me Kate” and many other companies are hoping to cash in on the big day.
Cashing In on Memorabilia
It’s always possible that the specific memorabilia that you purchase will be worth something. In 2008, a cleaner who was given a large piece of wedding cake from the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales managed to auction it off for £1,000.
It is much more likely, however, that the Will and Kate plate that you purchase will simply collect dust on the shelf, or be enjoyed by the family without offering anyone a chance to become a millionaire!