On 2nd June 1953, millions of viewers gathered around newly purchased television sets in the UK to watch the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Homes, pubs, cinemas and village halls across Lancashire and the rest of the country, were packed with people, all eyes fixed on the black and white grainy images of Westminster Abbey.

Television Manufacturers were quick to take advantage of the historic event in the lead up to the coronation. Estimates have put the total number of television purchases by the coronation at 2.5 million, more purchases then than any other period. More than 20 million people watched the coronation with an average of seventeen people gathered round each screen in the UK.

This television set was purchased by Mary and Rowland Gibson in early 1953 in anticipation of the coronation. The family lived above the grocers 'Hadwin's' which they ran in Queen Street, Morecambe for many years. On coronation day, they hosted family and friends who watched the coronation on this small screen which was equipped with a magnifier to ensure that the images could be seen.