A rare and highly personal ALS (Autograph Letter Signed) by Queen Victoria (1819–1901), written in German to her uncle Count Emmanuel von Mensdorff-Pouilly (1777–1852) and accompanied by its original transmittal envelope. Written from Windsor Castle on 3 January 1848, on royal stationery headed with the coloured British Royal Arms, the letter extends to four fully written autograph pages. Victoria opens with the affectionate family salutation: “Geliebter Onkel” – “Beloved Uncle.” The letter is written personally in the first person, in marked contrast to the formal third-person style frequently employed in Queen Victoria's official correspondence. The recipient, Count Emmanuel von Mensdorff-Pouilly, was married to Princess Sophie of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, sister of Victoria's mother, the Duchess of Kent, and was therefore Queen Victoria's uncle by marriage. Queen Victoria maintained particularly close relations with the Mensdorff-Pouilly family and corresponded with them in German. Other surviving letters to Emmanuel are documented in which Victoria signs herself affectionately as his “treue Nichte” – “faithful niece.” The present letter is personal and familial in character, containing references to family members and family news, and concludes with Queen Victoria's autograph signature: “Victoria.” Importantly, the letter retains its original transmittal envelope, also manuscript-addressed, with a substantial black royal wax seal on the reverse bearing the Royal Arms. The combination of four full autograph pages, Queen Victoria's intimate family correspondence in German, her autograph signature, an identifiable close family recipient, the original envelope and its royal wax seal makes this a particularly appealing example of the Queen's private correspondence. Dimensions of each letter page: 17.8 × 11 cm. The letter is written on a folded double sheet forming four pages, all four of which are fully written. Original transmittal envelope: 11.5 × 7 cm.
Auction 01: Auction 01 – Historical Letters, Documents & Autographs — Melis Antiques & Art