Brian: The Coronation decals may not have been originally produced for the Coronation as once thought. The are three frames that predate the coronation, and one that was produced in 1950, with accompanying documenatation. The current speculation is that these decals were produced to introduce the "Latin Lug" series in 1950. The special designation is uncertain according to Flash from Hetchins.org. This is the wording from Hetchins.org. It just seems rather strange that Hetchins would produce decals to commemorate a coronation while George was still on the throne, and a full two years before his demise. The Royal Warrant theory that Flash talks about seems to make more sense. It makes more sense, that these decals were produced for either the Latin Series, or Royal Warrant, and when they didn't go over very well, they were renamed to commemorate the Coronation.
Peter Naiman Boston, MA . .................................................................. "The designation 'Coronation' is of uncertain origin. Three frames have been positively identified by frame numbers and correlated with sales ledger entries, all bearing original transfers, all predating the death of George VI (and therefore any inkling of an impending coronation). One of the three is from 1950, predating the Festival of Britain in 1951, so speculation that they may have been designed for the Festival now seems implausible. Click here to see one of the early frames with the full set.
The current speculation is that these transfers were designed to compliment the Latin Series of lugs introduced in 1950. Whether they had a special designation is uncertain.
There has been a report of correspondence mentioning the transfers as 'Coronation', but I have not been able to confirm this. However, in conjunction with another report, also as yet unconfirmed, the designation seems to make sense. The other report claims that Hetchin sought a royal warrant ('by appointment to Her Majesty the Queen'), and, although the application ultimately failed, it is possible that Hetchin decided to start calling the transfers 'Coronation' to honor his hoped-for patron. [George VI died in February 1952; Elizabeth's coronation took place in June 1953". ...................................................................