The History of the Georg Jensen Kingmark

The Nazis occupied Denmark from April 9, 1940 through May 5, 1945. On September 26, 1940, the Danish King, His Majesty King Christian X, celebrated his 70th birthday. On the occasion of King Christian's birthday and in an effort to rally around the royal family during these difficult times, Georg Jensen Silver issued a royal emblem with the King's initials and the years 1870 - 1940 embedded in the Danish flag. The emblem or "Kingmark" was designed by Arno Malinowski, a Jensen designer for many years who also worked at The Royal Porcelain Factory. Most of the Kingmarks were produced as pins with enamel on silver, with about 10% on gold. Sales were gigantic. Emblems were also produced as cufflinks, letteropeners, matchboxes and other things. For King Christian's 75th birthday, the date on the Kingmark was changed to 1945. Among the many people who wore a Kingmark was field marshal general Montgomery, who was given one in gold following the liberation of Denmark. He wore the pin on his uniform at various occasions and caused the pin to gain much popularity among British soldiers. After King Christian's death on April 20, 1947, his son King Frederik IX asked for production of the Kingmarks to cease. Up to that point 1, 178,534 had been produced.