An early autograph letter by Queen Victoria (1819–1901) to Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Baronet (1788–1850), Prime Minister of Great Britain, dated Buckingham Palace, 20 October 1841. The letter was written shortly after the beginning of Peel's second administration, during a period of frequent correspondence between the Prime Minister, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert concerning government, appointments and Royal Household affairs. Extensive correspondence between Victoria and Peel from this period survives in both the Royal Archives and the Peel Papers at the British Library. The letter is written on fine royal stationery, with Queen Victoria's crowned monogram embossed in gilt at the upper left. According to the original accompanying description, the paper is watermarked J. Whatman 1841. Using the formal third-person style characteristic of much of her ministerial correspondence, Victoria writes: “The Queen has recd. both Sir R. Peel’s letters.” The remainder refers to Dr. Buckland and an arrangement concerning the following day. Sir Robert Peel was one of the dominant British statesmen of the nineteenth century and twice served as Prime Minister. His second administration had begun only the previous month, in September 1841. The letter is written on a folded double sheet forming four pages, with writing on the first page only and the remaining three pages blank. An appealing early royal and political manuscript combining Queen Victoria's autograph handwriting, Buckingham Palace, her gilt crowned monogram, the early date of 1841 and direct correspondence with her Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel.
Auction 01: Auction 01 – Historical Letters, Documents & Autographs — Melis Antiques & Art