Sir Hugh Casson (1910 - 1999) "Buckingham Palace" Original First Day Cover Watercolor. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Westminster Collector's Society Great Britian 10p Buckingham Palace stamp issued May 7, 1980. At precisely 11:30 a.m. each day in London, England, crowds gather in front of the Queen's magnificent London residence, Buckingham Palace, for the Changing of the Guard. Regal guardsmen dressed in scarlet tunics, their heads covered by monstrous bearskin hats, march in precision, their feet stamping rhythmically to shouted orders. One-two, one-two, the red-coated sentries perform their daily ceremony honoring Britain's royal family when in residence at their London home. Buckingham Palace, set in the elegance of St. James Park, sits behind an imposing monument to Queen Victoria. The palace was built in 1703 by John Sheffield, the duke of Buckingham, as his private residence. Later in the C., George III bought the home for Queen Charlotte. But, it was George IV who turned the magnificent private residence into a royal palace. The king hired John Nash, one of London's most talented architects, to design a palace worthy of the nation's capitol. The project was costly and ambitious. Nash was accused of making improvident contracts and, after being fired, died a pauper in 1835. Edward Blore carried on his work and, in 1913, George V employed Aston Webb to bring the palace to completion. At this time, Webb designed and built the East Front of Buckingham Palace which now provides the imposing background for the Changing of the Guard. Overall Size: 18 x 19 in. Unframed. (B06024)