Traders planning to cash in on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations have been left with duff merchandise after a printing error called it her Platinum Jubbly.
Thousands of commemorative plates, mugs, cups and saucers are worthless after the Only Fools and Horses style gaffe which would have made even Del Boy wince.
The mistake by a Chinese firm features a smiling portrait of Her Majesty, surrounded by the royal coat of arms and her date of accession - 1952 - to the present day to mark her 70 years on the throne.
But the plaque which should have read “To Commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II” instead states “To Commemorate the Platinum Jubbly of Queen Elizabeth II”.
The blunder - worthy of something dodgy dealer Del Boy Trotter, played by Sir David Jason would try and flog - is being compared to the character’s hilarious money-making ventures by the company now trying to offload the memorabilia.
For UK company Wholesale Clearance has stepped in to try and turn the flawed crockery into limited edition collectible items in the hope they will appeal to the British sense of humour - and Only Fools fans.
Businessman Karl Baxter, managing director of the Poole, Dorset based firm, is offering anyone willing to take a punt on the “lost in translation” error, a knockdown price with a 90% discount on a job lot of 10,800 pieces for £32,400.
The stock which would have been worth £323,892 if the word Jubilee had not been misinterpreted, is up for grabs and while it may not make the buyer a millionaire, Mr Baxter reckons it does offer a cushty profit of £291,492 to anyone willing to sell on to collectors.
He revealed the original deal fell through after the shipment arrived at Southampton docks from China and the jubbly slip-up on tea sets, mugs and plates was spotted straightaway.
The website states: “You will notice this is probably more at home on the shelf next to Peckham Spring as these are in fact celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubbly! These are, as you say, the Creme de la Menthe! So if you are a fan of the Queen and Del Boy ... two birds with one stone.
“If you fancy owning a unique piece of Jubilee history or want to follow in Del’s footsteps and get stuck with 10,600 items of Platinum Jubbly stock please use the ‘Buy It ASAP’ button.”
The wholesale company is trying to save the blushes of Chinese firm Changzhouint Merchandise which made the faux pas.
Mr Baxter said: “There’ll be no shortage of royal memorabilia to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee as retailers have long been selling souvenirs on royal occasions.
“In classic Del Boy style, we naturally stepped in to help shift the Platinum ‘Jubbly’ stock.
“Previous royal occasion memorabilia is often sought after by collectors, as it’s a great excuse to go out and buy a piece of history which will increase in value over time.
“Besides, what could be more unique than our limited edition misprinted crockery? This could be your chance to get your hands on a novelty souvenir for a fraction of the price!”
Previous royal merchandise gaffes have included a picture of Prince Harry on mugs instead of Prince William to mark his wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011.
And singer Ed Sheeran popped up on plates created to celebrate Prince Harry’s marriage to Meghan Markle in 2018.
