MEL.354:2-2010
Parts
Object number
MEL.354:2-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
KCVO breast star
Description
Breast star of the Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) awarded to Sir Henry Marten (1945), encased in a red box with green velvet padding on the inside, with K.C.V.O labelled on the front in gold lettering
Features
the issue number K629 is engraved on the reverse of the badge
Other number
20010000008856
Description
Dimensions
height: 55mm
width: 90mm
width: 90mm
Production
Person
Collingwood (jewellers) Ltd (Creator)
Date
1945
History and association
Associated person
Object history note
Inside green velvet box are three accompanying pieces of paper
1) Small piece of card with the following typed out; "Insignia of K.C.V.O with which Sir Henry Marten Provost of Eton was invested on the Chapel Steps by King George VI MArch 4 1945" - on the reverse it a handwritten note which reads "From Miss Marten, Eton College, Windsor - Thanks so much: I am so glad it is there - --- date was March 4 1945 and Feb 15"
2) A small one-sided slip of paper which has been typed up; "The Insignia of a Knight Commander of the Order should be worn in the following manner:-
The Riband with the Badge attached should be worn around the neck inside and under the collar of the Uniform Coat, so that the Badge may hang about two inches below the Collar, the Star being affixed to the left breast.
In plain clothes (evening dress) the Riband, from which the Badge is suspended, should be worn under the white tie, the Badge hanging about two inches below.
In the event of the promotion of the Order, the Insignia should be returned to the Registrar, Central Chancery of the Orders of the Knighthood, St James's Palace, SW1
The insignia are retained by the relatives of a deceased Knight.
3) A note compiled by typewriter from Owen Morshead from 3 May 1947 "My dear Provost, this may or may not be chopped to the right length for you, but it will shew you the idea. Try it on and see. Before you put on your collar, hook the C.V.O ribbon round your neck. Then put on your collar, in such a way as to bite half or more of the ribbon between the neckband, leaving only just an indication of ribbon exposed round the base of your collar. The Cross dangles just clear of one's bow-tie.
What it amounts to is this; that you reveal as little of the coloured ribbon as may be, its purpose being merely to suspend the Cross. The only thing that looks absurd and obviously wrong is when one sees an inexperienced personage who has slung the whole outfit round his neck after putting on his collar, thus dazzling the eye with a complete circuit of blue ribbon.
Its a trivial matter; but I remember being grateful when someone first put me wise to the proper way to wear it.
Sincerely yours,
Owen Morshead."
1) Small piece of card with the following typed out; "Insignia of K.C.V.O with which Sir Henry Marten Provost of Eton was invested on the Chapel Steps by King George VI MArch 4 1945" - on the reverse it a handwritten note which reads "From Miss Marten, Eton College, Windsor - Thanks so much: I am so glad it is there - --- date was March 4 1945 and Feb 15"
2) A small one-sided slip of paper which has been typed up; "The Insignia of a Knight Commander of the Order should be worn in the following manner:-
The Riband with the Badge attached should be worn around the neck inside and under the collar of the Uniform Coat, so that the Badge may hang about two inches below the Collar, the Star being affixed to the left breast.
In plain clothes (evening dress) the Riband, from which the Badge is suspended, should be worn under the white tie, the Badge hanging about two inches below.
In the event of the promotion of the Order, the Insignia should be returned to the Registrar, Central Chancery of the Orders of the Knighthood, St James's Palace, SW1
The insignia are retained by the relatives of a deceased Knight.
3) A note compiled by typewriter from Owen Morshead from 3 May 1947 "My dear Provost, this may or may not be chopped to the right length for you, but it will shew you the idea. Try it on and see. Before you put on your collar, hook the C.V.O ribbon round your neck. Then put on your collar, in such a way as to bite half or more of the ribbon between the neckband, leaving only just an indication of ribbon exposed round the base of your collar. The Cross dangles just clear of one's bow-tie.
What it amounts to is this; that you reveal as little of the coloured ribbon as may be, its purpose being merely to suspend the Cross. The only thing that looks absurd and obviously wrong is when one sees an inexperienced personage who has slung the whole outfit round his neck after putting on his collar, thus dazzling the eye with a complete circuit of blue ribbon.
Its a trivial matter; but I remember being grateful when someone first put me wise to the proper way to wear it.
Sincerely yours,
Owen Morshead."
