Appreciating the old
SAXONWOLD - At one of the Darts lectures, collectors reveal what they hold on to items for years.
Collectors like Selwyn Klass and David Yates both proudly hold on to the past.
At Klass’ Decorative Arts Society lecture about Queen Elizabeth II on 10 October in Saxonwold, Yates revealed his collection of newspaper clippings of her royal visit to South Africa in 1947, all translated into Afrikaans. “I don’t know who assembled it, but my late mother held on to it,” he said.
He also brought along an 1899 book about the history of Windsor titled Royal Windsor History, covered in plastic. Articles published in South Africa in 1934 about the Queen have also been kept safe in separate folders.
Yates has not yet appraised them but said he would not want to get rid of the memorabilia.
Giving a lecture on Queen Elizabeth, Klass also brought along a collection of letters, invitations and documents. He received an acknowledgment from the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting twice. He has access to rare footage of the Queen’s coronation as well as TV shows that were aired during that time, showing the royal family.
Both Klass and Yates have a deep appreciation of the British monarchy. Asked why, Klass said there is a certain mystery surrounding royalty and it allows for a bit of magic in one’s life.
