A SOUVENIR book full of pictures showing how Salisbury celebrated the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 has been discovered in an attic.
The book, in excellent condition, was found in a box in an attic by David Carter and his mother, Fran when they were looking through some of her mother's items following her death.
The souvenir book, entitled Coronation of King Edward VII - A Souvenir of the Celebrations in Salisbury, provides a unique look at the many celebrations that took place in and around the city at the time of the coronation in 1902.
The photos provide such detail that it is possible to recognise buildings and places and to see the people that lived in the city more than one hundred years ago.
David Carter said: "From the title, I knew it was something special. Look at the binding."
The family believe that the book probably came into the family after Fran's mother married Stephen Biddell who became the Mayor of Salisbury in 1966.
David said: "He was invited to tea parties and was in that circle. They both went to Buckingham Palace."
Prince Edward was 59 when he became King on Tuesday, January 22, 1901, following the death of his mother Queen Victoria.
The coronation was due to take place on Wednesday, June 26, 1902, but due to his illness - an emergency appendicitis operation, the event had to be postponed until Friday, August 9, 1902.
The finding of the Souvenir booklet coincides with King Charles III's Coronation more than 100 years later which takes place today (Saturday, May 6).
The photos in the souvenir book reveal the vast numbers of Salisbury residents who turned out to join in the celebrations. The support for the monarchy followed an extensive time of mourning when Queen Victoria had lost Prince Albert.
The many black-and-white photos depicted life in Salisbury at the time and the gatherings at events throughout the city.
Processions through the city centre, the men attending a meal in the Market Place and the women, segregated from these events went to celebrate at Victoria Park.
King Edward VII brought energy back into the monarchy but died on May 6, 1910.
The photos were taken by H C Messer of Castle Street who was the photographer at that time and a 'Souvenir of the Celebrations in Salisbury' printed to mark the coronation of King Edward VII will shortly be on loan to the Salisbury musuem.
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