A letter and personal autograph note written in the hand of Queen Victoria (1819–1901) to Colonel Charles Grey (1804–1870), one of the trusted members of the Victorian Royal Household. Queen Victoria asks Colonel Grey to inform an individual whose name is possibly General François Certain de Canrobert (1809–1895), commander of the French Army in the Crimea and later Marshal of France – to be present at 3:30 that afternoon. Grey was a son of former Prime Minister Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey. Following a military and political career, he served as an Equerry-in-Waiting to Queen Victoria and in 1849 became Private Secretary to Prince Albert. Following the Prince Consort's death in 1861, Grey effectively became, and was subsequently formally recognised as, Private Secretary to Queen Victoria, serving her until his death in 1870. The note is written on distinctive black-bordered royal mourning stationery, headed with Queen Victoria's crowned royal monogram. The text reads approximately: **“Does Col. Grey think he c.d let Ld Canolini know to be here at ½ p. 3 today? Tuesday ½ p. 12.”** Queen Victoria is therefore asking Grey whether he could inform Lord Canolini that he should be present at 3:30 that afternoon, the Queen noting that she writes at 12:30 on Tuesday. The note provides an appealing glimpse into the everyday workings of Queen Victoria's household: rather than a formal state document, it is a direct handwritten instruction from the Queen to one of her most trusted royal secretaries, concerning the arrangement of a personal appointment. The earlier description identifies the person to be summoned as “Lord Canolini.” An intimate piece of Victorian royal correspondence combining Queen Victoria's autograph handwriting, royal mourning stationery and Colonel Charles Grey, a trusted servant successively of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria.
Auction 01: Auction 01 – Historical Letters, Documents & Autographs — Melis Antiques & Art