Illustrated London News has launched its special edition book set The Record Reign, taking the first copy to Buckingham Palace. ILN’s Chief Executive Lisa Barnard handed over the first of just 1,000 commemorative double volume book sets and the souvenir bookazine The Illustrated Record Reign to Mr Christopher Sandamas, the Chief Clerk to Her Majesty. The books have been dispatched to Balmoral to be presented to Her Majesty The Queen. The second book set was taken to 10 Downing Street for The Prime Minister, who has written The Foreword. The publications are available through the website www.recordreign.com with a donation to the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust for every copy sold. Both publications include the new portrait of The Queen, commissioned by ILN for The Record Reign and unveiled last week, by artist Alastair Barford, who is a QEST scholar and Leverhulme Trust scholar.

A further set of books and bookazine was presented to the Royal Warrant Holders Association (RWHA) and The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST), who collaborated on the project. Displayed on the RWHA’s walls is an original framed print of the original portrait of Queen Victoria by the Illustrated London News artist Sir Amédée Forestier and reproduced in The Record Reign book set. For the new publication Alastair Barford has created a new companion charcoal sketch of Queen Elizabeth, which Lisa Barnard presented for comparison (see picture attached).

Lisa Barnard commented: “It has been a privilege to work on these publications. 119 years after Queen Victoria reached this milestone and ILN published A Record Number for a Record Reign, we wished to create a publication of equal stature and style to pay tribute to The Queen’s reign to record the achievements and the changes which have occurred since 1952. We publish these two volumes together, reproducing the original ornate publication and creating a new Record Reign edition, following a similar but more contemporary approach. Seeing the two volumes finally in glorious print is tremendous. We have been delighted by the praise and recognition received for the portrait, which Alastair Barford very much deserves and we look forward to seeing his career flourish.”

Illustrated London News has commissioned portraits of all the monarchs of the United Kingdom since Queen Victoria. When ILN’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth by Alastair Barford was unveiled last week, it was greeted with great acclaim, described by The Daily Telegraph as “a far better likeness than many more famous artists have achieved from extensive sittings with the Queen” and in The Daily Mail as “stunning”. Barford, for whom this was his first official commission, paid tribute to the organisations, which have supported him in his career as an artist.

He commented: “For the last three years I have been incredibly fortunate. The scholarships I have received from The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust and The Leverhulme Trust have enabled me to devote myself to my artistic education to the exclusion of other concerns. The great thing about this project is that for every copy of the book and magazine sold Illustrated London News will make a donation to QEST, enabling others to benefit as I have. This is important as not only does it enable the student to obtain new skills, it prevents these traditional techniques and crafts from being lost.”

The Limited Edition Book set RRP £295.00 and limited edition prints of the portrait £150.00, signed by the artist, are available at http://www.recordreign.com/ The Illustrated Record Reign bookazine, RRP £6.99 is also available on the website and on sale on newsstands including Waitrose and WHSmith.

Contact Lisa Barnard, Chief Executive, Illustrated London News Limited, [email protected] .
Tel: + 44 (0) 207 426 1011 + (0) 44 7887823116   www.iln.co.uk

Illustrated London News (ILN), the content and digital agency, has unveiled a new portrait of Her Majesty The Queen to mark the occasion of her becoming Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Painted in oils, it depicts The Queen in the robes
of the Order of the Garter, attending the Garter Ceremony at Windsor Castle in June 2015. The portrait is published on
4 September in The Illustrated Record Reign, the magazine, and on 7 September in the limited-edition book set The Record Reign. Further details can be found on www.recordreign.com.

The new portrait was commissioned by Illustrated London News Ltd (ILN) with support from The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) and the Royal Warrant Holders Association. The artist is Alastair Barford, a talented British portrait artist, and a Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust and Leverhulme scholar. He has recently completed his scholarship at the renowned atelier of artist Charles H Cecil in Florence. A donation is made to QEST, the charitable arm of the Royal Warrant Holders Association, for every copy of The Record Reign sold.

Lisa Barnard, Chief Executive of ILN, commented: “We are proud to publish this splendid new portrait in our Record Reign publications. This is a historic tradition for ILN as we have commissioned a portrait of every monarch since launching in 1842 as the world’s first illustrated newspaper. In 1953, ILN celebrated Elizabeth II’s Coronation with a beautiful portrait of the young Queen wearing the Garter Star and Riband, painted by the renowned ILN artist Terence Cuneo. The Order of the Garter is the highest order of chivalry, so this was a fitting occasion to depict Her Majesty in a dynamic new painting. It echoes Pietro Annigoni’s 1953 portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in Order of the Garter robes. We are very pleased to showcase a rising young artist, Alastair Barford, who is supremely talented, and to support British craftsmanship in so doing.”

In 1897, ILN paid tribute to Queen Victoria’s era-defining monarchy with The Record Number of a Record Reign. The spectacular, ornate publication commemorated Victoria’s reign and the accomplishments of Victorian Britain. It featured an etching of a special portrait of Queen Victoria during her stay at Nice in the South of France, which was signed by The Queen and executed by ILN artist Amédée Forestier, who travelled to Nice as ILN’s Royal Correspondent and sent back a series of exclusive images of Queen Victoria and her family to an eager British public. Alastair Barford has created an additional charcoal sketch of Queen Elizabeth to accompany the Forestier portrait and they are published together in
ILN’s new Record Reign publications. The book set includes an exact reproduction of the 1897 edition alongside a new companion volume: The Record Reign of Queen Elizabeth II, a glorious record of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, celebrating her life and developments in Britain over the past 63 years.

Limited-edition prints of the portrait, signed by the artist, are available to order on the website www.recordreign.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS

ILN’s limited-edition book set, The Record Reign, commemorates the moment on 9 September, when Queen Elizabeth II overtakes her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, as longest-reigning British monarch. Written by ILN historians and other high-profile contributors, it includes a foreword by Prime Minister David Cameron. It is presented as a collector’s book set in an exquisitely crafted slipcase, A3, hard back, clothbound, gold-foiled, gilt-edged and printed on superb paper. The two-volume book set is priced at £295, with a print run of only 1,000 copies.  It will be presented to Her Majesty The Queen to mark this historic milestone. ILN, in collaboration with Haymarket Media, also publishes a softback “bookazine”, The Illustrated Record Reign available from the newsstands and WH Smith priced £6.99. www.recordreign.com

Attachments:  ILN’s new portrait by Alastair Barford; the original 1897 portrait of Queen Victoria by Amédée Forestier together with a sketch of Queen Elizabeth II by Alastair Barford ; ILN’s 1953 Coronation portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Terence Cuneo; Pietro Annigoni’s famous 1953 portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in Order of the Garter robes.

Contact Lisa Barnard, Chief Executive, ILN , [email protected] . Tel: + 44 (0)20 7426 1011, + 44  (0)7887 823116

Illustrated London News (ILN), the content and digital agency, is launching a special Limited Edition book set THE RECORD REIGN to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen’s becoming the longest reigning monarch in British history on 9th September, overtaking her great–‐great–‐grandmother, Queen Victoria, who had become the longest reigning monarch in 1896. Drawing on previously unseen archive material of the ILN and its sister titles, and in partnership with the Royal Warrant Holders Association, the set features a new portrait of The Queen painted in oils by artist Alastair Barford, commissioned exclusively for the publication. The Prime Minister David Cameron has written The Foreword (attached), which is released for Sunday 30 August. Further information is on the website www.recordreign.com

In 1897, The Illustrated London News paid tribute to Queen Victoria’s era–‐defining monarchy with A RECORD NUMBER FOR A RECORD REIGN, a spectacular, ornate edition, which commemorated Victoria’s reign and the accomplishments of Victorian Britain. This two–‐volume book set, to be published on 7 September 2015, includes an exact reproduction of the 1897 RECORD REIGN edition alongside a new companion volume: THE RECORD REIGN OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN, an equally glorious record of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, celebrating her life and developments in Britain over the last 63 years, and written by ILN historians and other high–‐profile contributors. Presented as a collector’s book set in an exquisitely crafted slipcase, both volumes are A3, hard back, clothbound, gold–‐foiled, gilt–‐edged and printed on superb paper. The limited edition book set and bookazine are available to order on the dedicated website www.recordreign.com The book set is priced at £295.00 for both volumes as a collector’s item, with a print run of only 1,000 copies.

 ILN, in collaboration with Haymarket Media, is also launching a softback “bookazine” to be sold on the newsstands at £6.99 from 3 September, The Illustrated Record Reign, providing a popular account of Queen Elizabeth’s reign including image–‐led features and entertaining vignettes. This follows the success of The Illustrated Diamond Jubilee, which was the best–‐selling bookazine in WH Smith in 2012. The bookazine will be sold at high street newsstands including WHSmith and specialist retailers.

Lisa Barnard, Chief Executive of ILN, commented:

“We are honoured that the Prime Minister has written a moving foreword for this momentous publication. These are two remarkable Queens, who have reigned over periods of extraordinary change. Our aim is to present the two reigns side by side in order to compare, contrast and commemorate. The ILN, as the world’s first pictorial newspaper, has vividly chronicled both periods and both monarchs since our inception in 1842, so we are best placed to do this. It has been a publishing feat to recreate the 1897 publication and we have gone to enormous lengths to remain faithful to the original production values. That had been the most ambitious and lavish edition to date of the ILN, showcasing not just the achievements of Queen Victoria but also the significant advancements during her reign. We have taken the same approach in creating The Record Reign of Her Majesty The Queen. The pace of change since 1952 has been huge, and the Victorian era seems scarcely recognisable to us today. These beautiful books show in fascinating detail the parallels and differences between these record reigns.”

In addition to Mr. Cameron’s Foreword, RECORD REIGN features high profile contributors including former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Sir Richard Branson, novelist Fay Weldon, scientist Dame Mary Archer, author Joanna Trollope, WPP Sir Martin Sorrell on the most significant changes since 1952 across many sectors. A donation will be made for every copy sold to QEST (Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust), the charitable arm of the Royal Warrant Holders Association, to support British craftsmanship. Limited edition prints of the portrait of The Queen, signed by the artist, are also available to order on the website. The portrait will be unveiled on 2 September. For more details, visit www.recordreign.com. The books will be handed over personally at Buckingham Palace by ILN CEO Lisa Barnard on 7 September to be presented to Her Majesty The Queen at Balmoral.

Please contact Lisa Barnard, Chief Executive, ILN , Tel + 44 (0)7887 823116 [email protected] NOTE TO EDITORS: Please include website www.recordreign.com in any coverage and credit pictures © ILN Attachments: Foreword By Prime Minister David Cameron, the covers of both publications and a summary of THE RECORD REIGN. Further pictures available on request.

Illustrated London News (ILN), the content and heritage agency, is launching a special Limited Edition book set to commemorate Her Majesty The Queen’s becoming the longest reigning monarch in British history on 9th September, overtaking her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria. Drawing on previously unseen archive material of the ILN and its sister titles, and in partnership with the Royal Warrant Holders Association, the set features a Foreword by The Prime Minister David Cameron and a new portrait of The Queen painted in oils by artist Alastair Barford, commissioned exclusively for the publication.  

In 1897, The Illustrated London News paid tribute to Queen Victoria’s era-defining monarchy with A RECORD NUMBER FOR A RECORD REIGN, a spectacular, ornate edition, which commemorated Victoria’s reign and the accomplishments of Victorian Britain.

This two-volume book set, to be published on 3 September 2015, includes an exact reproduction of the 1897 RECORD REIGN edition alongside a new companion volume:  THE RECORD REIGN OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN, an equally glorious record of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, celebrating her life and developments in Britain over the last 63 years, and written by ILN historians and other high-profile contributors. Presented as a collector’s book set in an exquisitely crafted slipcase, both volumes are larger than A3, hard back, clothbound, gold-foiled, gilt-edged and printed on superb paper. The book set is priced at £295.00 for both volumes, with a print run of only 1,000 copies.

ILN, in collaboration with Haymarket Media, is also publishing a softback “bookazine” to be sold on the newsstands at £6.99 from 3 September, The Illustrated Record Reign, providing a popular account of Queen Elizabeth’s reign including image-led features and entertaining vignettes. It features advertisements by Royal Warrant Holders including car brands Volkswagen, Vauxhall and Aston Martin, luxury retailers Hamilton & Inches, Thomas Lyte and William & Son, and food and drinks brands Champagne Lanson and Walkers Shortbread.  This follows the success of The Illustrated Diamond Jubilee, which was the best-selling bookazine in WH Smith in 2012. 

Lisa Barnard, Chief Executive of ILN, commented:

“These are two remarkable Queens, who have reigned over periods of extraordinary change. Our aim is to present the two reigns side by side in order to compare, contrast and commemorate.  The  ILN, as the world’s first pictorial newspaper has vividly chronicled both periods and both monarchs since our inception in 1842, so we are best placed to do this. It has been a publishing feat to recreate the 1897 publication and we have gone to enormous lengths to remain faithful to the original. That had been the most ambitious and lavish edition to date of the ILN, showcasing not just the achievements of  Queen Victoria but also the significant advancements during her reign. We have taken the same approach in creating The Record Reign of Her Majesty The Queen.  The pace of change since 1952 has been huge, and the Victorian era seems scarcely recognisable to us today. These beautiful books show in fascinating detail the parallels and differences between these record reigns.”

The limited edition book set and bookazine are available to order on the dedicated website www.recordreign.com The bookazine will be sold at high street newsstands including WHSmith and specialist retailers. A donation will be made for every copy sold to QEST (Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust), the charitable arm of the  Royal Warrant Holders Association, to support British craftsmanship. Limited edition prints of the portrait of The Queen, signed by the artist, are also available to order on the website. The portrait will be unveiled on 1 September.For more details, visit www.recordreign.com 

Please contact Lisa Barnard, Chief Executive, ILN 

[email protected] 

Tel: + 44 (0) 207 426 1011

Please find attached the covers of both publications and a summary of THE RECORD REIGN

In 1897, Illustrated London News paid tribute to victoria’s era-defining monarchy with A Record Number of a Record Reign. A beautiful commemorative publication, it honoured Queen Victoria’s reign and the wonderful accomplishments of Victorian Britain.

Now in 2015, we are delighted to be collaborating with the Royal Warrant Holders Association and including a dedicated section “By Royal Appointment” in The Record Reign of Elizabeth II. It will celebrate her extraordinary time on the throne and remember the singular legacy of Queen Victoria. With thoughtful editorial and unseen archival images, it will reflect on how Britain and the monarchy have evolved under the reigns of two remarkable sovereigns.