Hi All

When it comes to dating signs, the Royal Warrants can be quite useful indicators, but I still find them a little confusing. 

 Isn't it the case as per your example , that the king is George V , the Queen is Mary , and Alexandra is Queen Mother as it were ? But do correct me, if I am mistaken .

Trixie is Correct

It means this sign is after King Edward death ....so it could be anywhen after 1910 until King George V died in Jan 1936 theoretically ...............BUT an interesting point

In " olden " days it was generally accepted that goods were of a high quality and had to have been supplied to Royalty for 5 years or 5 out of 7 years to gain " Royal Appointment "

So either Fry's had not yet applied for a new warrant from the new King George to gain " Royal Appointment " or perhaps the years rule had to start with the new king and queen making this sign between 1910 to 1915.  Or perhaps they were happy to be ' Makers ' to the new king and queen as they still had the By Royal etc from the Queen Mum

Clear as Mud ! ....perhaps

but as Trixie say definitely post 1910

lummox

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Trixie & Lummox

Many thanks for your replies.

I must admit that I never considered King George V and Queen Alexandra as the Queen Mother in that Fry's sign example.

The protocols associated with Royal Warrants are as you say Lummox - as clear as mud!

I guess there's a bit more skill of using a combination of elements in dating the making of a sign:

• Royal Warrants
• Product artwork design of sign
• The sign makers name in the bottom corner...

On the same topic, I've noticed that some signs e.g. Rowntrees chocolate, that state just the King on his own:

H.M. The King

Can sometimes create more intertest than ones that state H.M The King and H.M The Queen. I have no idea why?

Cheers again guys