A rare South Staffordshire commemorative patch...

A rare South Staffordshire commemorative patch box, c.1789-90, printed and coloured with a profile portrait of George III beneath a radiating eye, inscribed 'Britons rejoice and thank the Lord, In mercy our lov'd King's restor'd', raised on a pale blue oval base, with an internal mirror, a little cracking, 5.2cm.

Provenance: from the estate of the late Barry Lock.

King George III's first illness in 1788 caused consternation in both court and parliament, leading to the passing of the Regency Act in the House of Commons. The King, however, recovered before the Act reached the House of Lords.