An historical British postal stationery cover dated 22 March 1876, from Charles Gordon-Lennox, 7th Duke of Richmond and 2nd Duke of Gordon (1818–1903) to Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881), then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Hand-addressed: “The Right Honble. B. Disraeli M.P. 2 Whitehall Gardens S.W.” The cover is prominently endorsed “Confidential, ” indicating the private nature of the correspondence. At the lower left appears the Duke's full autograph signature, “Richmond & Gordon.” The cover is a Victorian One Penny postal stationery envelope, bearing the embossed portrait of Queen Victoria, and is postmarked London, 22 March 1876. The reverse retains an attractive original red wax seal bearing a crowned monogram, together with an arrival marking. Charles Gordon-Lennox was a prominent Victorian aristocrat and statesman, holding the titles of both 7th Duke of Richmond and 2nd Duke of Gordon, explaining his distinctive autograph “Richmond & Gordon.” At this period he was a senior Conservative political figure and member of Disraeli's government. The cover was sent in March 1876, during Disraeli's second premiership and only a few months before Disraeli was elevated to the peerage as Earl of Beaconsfield in August 1876. It therefore documents the closing period in which he was still formally addressed as B. Disraeli M.P. An attractive Victorian autograph, political and postal-history item combining “Confidential” correspondence to Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, the Duke of Richmond and Gordon's full autograph signature, a precise 1876 date, Victorian postal stationery and an original wax seal.
Auction 01: Auction 01 – Historical Letters, Documents & Autographs — Melis Antiques & Art