Bid for the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Visitors Book signed by Queen Elizabeth
Of Queen Elizabeth II interest; Coming up for sale in the November Collector's auction is the former Archbishop of Cantebury's Visitors Book.
Michael Ramsey, Archbishop of Canterbury 1961-1974, concocted a personal visitors book from 1942 – 1987. Tracking his career from Professor of Divinity at Cambridge, to Bishop of Durham, Archbishop of York, Archbishop of Canterbury, and into his retirement, the book demonstrates his influence in ecclesiastical society. The book was taken with him on religious retreats, and there are a number of prominent religious names.
Members of the Royal family greeted Greeting Ramsey several times throughout his career. One returning visitor was Elizabeth Bowles, the Queen Mother, appearing three times between 1960 to 1970. In 1965 the late Queen Elizabeth II visited Ramsey accompanied by her husband Prince Philip.
Archbishop Ramsey and Queen Elizabeth’s careers were intertwined from their first moments. Ramsey at the Queen’s side during her coronation in 1953 as Bishop of Durham. Ramsey attended a number of events with Queen Elizabeth throughout the rest of his life in his later roles as Archbishop of Canterbury and York.
Other notable entries in the visitors book are Bert Weaver, American Professional Golfer; Cuthbert Headlam, British Politician; and Peter Townsend.