When Britain's Queen Elizabeth II
returned to London after a visit to California, she
carried with her many fond memories... and a dramatic
porcelain sculpture created by the famed Cybis Studio. Mother
Bear with Three Cubs, California's official gift to
the Queen in honor of her visit, was presented to Her
Majesty during a luncheon hosted by the Governor in the
Capitol Rotunda in Sacramento.
Representing Cybis at the luncheon was
Joseph W. Chorlton, who flew to California with the
sculpture literally at his side. "Although we have
declared an issue of 100 for this sculpture, the version
presented to the Queen was the original artists' proof. We
wanted to be sure it arrived safely, so we purchased its
own first-class airline ticket," said Chorlton.
The flight was a success, and the
sculpture was presented to Her Majesty amid the pomp and
circumstance of the Governor's luncheon.
