As US Presidents hand over the White House with a slew of pardons, a British collectibles company is selling an unusual example of a British Royal Pardon signed by Queen Elizabeth II in 1959.
The document offers an extremely unusual opportunity to own an official, signed Royal pardons. One that gave a man called Derek John Roberts relief from a conviction for careless driving.
How this apparently unremarkable case ended up in front of the ruler of the British Empire is a tantalising mystery.
“Her involvement in such a minor traffic case is a puzzle,” said Paul Fraser, chairman of Paul Fraser Collectibles, who are selling the document.
“Sadly the story behind this case has been lost over time, and we can only speculate why Derek Roberts was pardoned “by her Majesty’s command”.”
The pardon didn’t clear Mr Roberts’ record, it was a ‘Remission’ pardon. He got his money back.
Why was Roberts refunded? It’s a fascinating question and we may never know why that was the Queen’s will. Image courtesy of Paul Fraser Collectibles.
The fiver he had to pay for an offence committed on May 18, 1957 was quite a sum then, worth around £150 in 2024 cash.
The document is attractive to collectors for its a mystery. It is also a very fine example of the late Queen’s signature. An added bonus is the signature of then home secretary Rab Butler, a major figure in British politics for decades.
British monarchs are supposed to never sign autographs (though there are exceptions), so their signatures are rarer than those of most public figures.
Mr Fraser said: “This is a large clear example of the Queen’s signature, she’s signed the document prominently “Elizabeth R” at the top in fountain pen.
“It’s in fine condition, with a single hoizontal fold.
“These original Royal pardons are scarce, and popular with collectors because they make such fantastic display pieces. Most of the Queen’s signatures available on the market come in the form of Christmas cards but this large framed document gives you something completely different.”
The document has a large, clear royal signature. Image courtesy Paul Fraser Collectibles.
Pardons have been awarded by British monarchs for centuries.
They have often been given for political or economic reasons.
In Australia, transported criminals were often pardoned to free them to help turn a convict settlement into a thriving British colony.
Blackbeard was pardoned in 1717 by King George I. It was one of a number of blanket pardons designed to encourage pirates into the legitimate economy.
They are rare though.
In 2014, a Parliamentary answer revealed that the Queen had given just two pardons in the preceding five years.
One of those was the celebrated pardon of Alan Turing granted, posthumously, in 2013. Turing was a gifted mathematician whose work was vital to the birth of the computer and the breaking of the German naval Enigma codes during World War II. In 1952, Turing was convicted for “homosexual activities”. A conviction that probably led to the scientist’s later death, almost certainly by suicide.
Alan Turing, a vital player in the Bletchley Park code-breaking operation was pardoned in 2013 after a long public campaign.
Paul Fraser believes this mysterious, more mundane, pardon is likely to sell quickly.
“It’s a great conversation piece, full of 1950s charm, and of a type that is rare on the market.
“On a personal note, I’m a huge fan of items like this. There’s something fascinating about a document signed by the ruler of the Empire, giving a chap called Derek a £5 refund on a speeding ticket.”
You’ll need just under £5,000 to own it, but if you miss the chance will you ever forgive yourself.
