King Edward VIII

Vintage matte-finish 5.75 x 7.75 Hugh Cecil portrait of Edward in a three-quarter-length pose wearing a full dress ceremonial uniform, signed in fountain pen, “Edward R. I., 1936.” Affixed to its original 8 x 11.5 studio mount, the reverse of which bears Cecil’s studio label. In fine condition.

A rare and handsome signed portrait of Edward VIII, who, upon his father's death in 1936, became King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from January 20, 1936, until his abdication just 11 months later on December 11, 1936. His decision to renounce the throne to marry the American divorcée Wallis Simpson precipitated a constitutional crisis and brought an abrupt end to one of the shortest reigns in British history. Upon abdication, he was created Duke of Windsor and lived much of his later life abroad. Signed examples dated 1936 as “Edward R. I.”—reflecting Rex Imperator—are especially desirable, as they were produced only during his brief tenure as king and emperor, a period of less than a year.