The collection includes about 300 different pieces which mark different events in Edward's life - his childhood, his investiture as Prince of Wales in July, 1911, his planned coronation as King Edward VIII in May, 1937, his abdication in December, 1936, his marriage to American Wallis Simpson, a divorcee, on June 3, 1937, and other events.

Most of the pieces in Hart's collection are commemorative items and include china mugs, cups and saucers, loving cups which are mostly two-handled, beakers, glasses, mustard jars, shaving mugs, tins, teaspoons and other flatware, a mirror, pencils, pens, medallions, books, hundreds of photographs, more than 400 postcards, a tie pin, a ring, cigarette cards, button covers, teapots, jugs, currency from West Africa when he served as Emperor of India, a pen knife, a miniature bed warmer, a chocolate box showing Edward in his First World War uniform, a compact with its original powder, a calendar, signatures including one Edward signed Edward RI as King, a dinner menu dated March 4, 1921 at the Hotel Cecil in London, and a limited edition Minton decorative china container, dated May 12, 1937, to commemorate the planned coronation of King Edward VIII.

"I have one photograph of Edward and Wallis in their bathing suits on the beach in Venice in 1961,'' Hart says. "And I have a photograph of them when they visited Bermuda on their way to the Bahamas. He visited Bermuda in 1920, 1931 and 1940. He was appointed Governor of the Bahamas in 1940.

"I have 48 photographs of his trip to Germany when he was a guest of Hitler in October, 1937. I bought them at an auction eight years ago.'' Hart also has Bermuda crowns inscribed "Edward VIII, King and Emperor'', a writing set which cost one shilling and six pence, which Hart says "would have been a lot more than someone's pocket money in those days - I guess an average salary would have been about 30 shillings per month.'' Hart says the more valuable pieces either show Edward crowned or say King Edward VIII. He has a loving cup with gold lion handles which has a picture of Edward crowned and says "Crowned in Westminster Abbey, May 12 1937''. Another piece in the collection, a small pottery bust of Edward, is inscribed "HM Edward VIII.

One of the most rare pieces in the collection is a nine-inch ribbon plate, dated about 1898, which shows a picture of Edward as a young boy. At the base of the plate, it says "Our future king''.

How it started: Hart started collecting Edward Duke of Windsor memorabilia about ten years ago. His largest collection is Bermudiana, but he also collects royalty, as well as fascinating people in history - Adolf Hitler, Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy.

"Edward VIII had a fascinating life. He was almost like a movie star. He inspired people and they had great expectations. He drew great attention to themonarchy. His affair and marriage to Wallis was a major scandal.

"At the time I started collecting, there were not too many people collecting Edward VIII. I buy pieces from antique shops, dealers, and at auction, although not much comes up at auctions in Bermuda.'' Value: "I don't know what the value is,'' Hart says, adding that he collects pieces relating to Edward, Duke of Windsor, more out of interest in the person than for their value. "I'm not a royalist. If anything I'm an anti-monarchist. In the past the royals have been surrounded by mystery and magic. But the light has crept in and shown they are very ordinary people.'' Above right, postcard marking the marriage of Edward of Wallis Simpson, June 3 1937. Left, postcard with Wallis Simpson and the Duke of Windsor, 1937. Below, Loving cup with gold lion handles by Paragon, 1937. Left, compact, 1937; teaspoon, 1937; miniature brass and wood bed warmer, 1936. Below, from left, invitiaion to meet Edward VIII on board the Queen Mary, 1936; postcard showing Edward (right), with his brother and sister; note from Edward to a friend, 1914. Ribbon plate, showing the young Prince Edward of Wales.

SEPTEMBER 1993 RG MAGAZINE