Thousands of souvenirs for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee bear ‘Jubbly’ typo
Royal ‘Jubbly’ souvenirs, anyone?
Royal watchers and supporters of the queen are already looking forward to a bevy of activities for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee.
And just like any momentous occasion, enterprising individuals have been cashing in on the event by selling souvenirs that are almost always a hit with spectators and supporters.
But would these mementos still be a hit if there is a spelling mistake on them?
Over 10,000 limited edition souvenir items—tea sets, decorative plates and mugs—were produced in China to be sold in the United Kingdom in time for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. These items bear an image of the Queen with her coat of arms in a frame that carries a misprint: “The Platinum Jubbly of Queen Elizabeth II.” On other items, “Jubilee” was spelled “Jubblee.”
Naturally, these items would be considered rejects but Wholesale Clearance, a company that sells various bankrupt and surplus stock, stepped in to sell the items with 90% discount at 32,400 British pounds (P2.2 million).
On its website, the “Jubbly” items were billed as “Souvenir stock with slight typo mistake” with an explanation that the Chinese manufacturer’s UK partner did not accept the stock upon arrival due to a “translation error.”
According to a BBC report, the company will try to sell the misprinted items as a single lot to retailers, as according to the Wholesale Clearance spokesperson, “There’s a market for everything.”
Apart from the obvious gimmick factor, the wholesale firm suggests things one can do if he or she decides to purchase the misprinted souvenirs, like becoming a fan of British comedy TV series Only Fools and Horses and “wow your friends with your lovely Jubbly set!” and “take up plate spinning as a hobby.”
On Feb. 6, Queen Elizabeth will be the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.
To mark the queen’s historic seven-decade reign, year-long celebrations will be held throughout the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world.
According to Buckingham Palace, public events and community initiatives—like a baking competition, the queen’s birthday parade, the Derby at Epsom Downs and the Platinum party at the Buckingham Palace—will take place before the four-day celebration, which will be held from June 2 to 5.
For those who would like to have a souvenir of the occasion but not keen on owning some 10,600 pieces of misprinted mementos, there is always the Queen's official souvenir album that’s just costs 19.95 British pounds or P1,400 being sold at the Royal Collection Shop online.