Description

Description: On her monogrammed stationery with a black border for mourning, Queen Victoria wrote to her brother-in-law concerning the recent death of her grandson, Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale (1864-1892), who died during a major influenza pandemic. Since Victoria had no full siblings, and her only half-brother had died several decades prior, she was likely writing to her husband’s brother, Ernest II, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1818-1893). The letter is written in German primarily in another hand, save for the last few lines, which are in Victoria’s hand.

The 3-page letter is dated January 22, 1892 and translates as follows: “Your most serene, Mightiest Highness Dear kind Brother: Your Majesty’s warm and sincere sympathy on the untimely passing of my beloved grandson, his Highness Prince Albert Victor Christian Edward, Duke of Clarence and Avondale has given me comforting warmth in my deep sorrow over the heavy fate that has fallen on me and my royal house and has greatly comforted and filled us with calmness and consolation. Particularly, I appreciate in great measure your Majesty’s decision to delegate your cousin, the Duke Albrecht von Wurttenberg, His Highness, to take part in the funeral services for the deceased and the personally transmitted sympathy of His Highness in the name of Your Majesty. Therefore, I am eager to express to your Majesty my warmest thanks for such vivid proof of disposition and at the same time, the assurance of my never changing friendship for Your Royal Majesty and all your Royal House, with which I remain Your Royal Majesty’s friend and sister Victoria R”.

This 9″ x 7 1/2″ piece of Queen Victoria’s personal stationery is imprinted “Osborne”, which indicates she was writing from Osborne House, her home on the Isle of Wight. Item #A01595

Queen Victoria (1819-1901) was the second-longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. She was Queen for just over 63 years, surpassed only by her great-great-granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II (b. 1926) who has been queen for over 70 years.

Condition: Mailing fold lines, some toning on second and third pages. Overall very good condition with a large, bold signature.