Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 312 - Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 1672

Victoria I Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India (1819-1901, reigned from 1837); the longest-reigning British monarch, she ruled during the height of her nation´s imperial glory, a golden age of science, culture, industry, commerce, and military might. Exceptionally rare date Letter of State Signed "Victoria RI" as Queen, 2 pages, folio, on black-bordered mourning stationery, Court at St. James´ (London), December 28, 1861. Exactly two weeks after the death of her beloved husband, Prince Albert, from typhoid fever, Victoria approves "Charles D. Cleveland as Consul for the said United States" at Cardiff, and commands her subjects to "receive, countenance, and, as there may be occasion, favourably assist him...in the exercise of his office." Also signed by Lord John "Russell" as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. With wax and paper Royal Seal at head of first page, also bordered in black. Wear at vertical hinge and at folds, including minor internal crack, offsetting from border of seal, otherwise VG. The death of Prince Albert devastated Queen Victoria, who spent the rest of her long life in mourning dress, remaining in seclusion for all but her official duties. At the time of this confirmation, diplomatic relations between the United States and the United Kingdom were at their lowest ebb in decades due to the Trent Affair, in which Confederate commissioners bound for England were removed from a British ship by the United States Navy. We find no record of a document signed by Victoria so soon after her bereavement having been sold at auction in the past three decades. See Cleveland´s commissions by President Abraham Lincoln, above. From the Gordon Collection.

Sold for
$700