A rare and highly attractive royal correspondence ensemble dating from 1848: an ALS (Autograph Letter Signed) by Victoria, Duchess of Kent (1786–1861), mother of Queen Victoria, preserved together with the original mailing envelope, also addressed entirely in the Duchess's hand. The letter was written at Windsor Castle on 8 December 1848, as dated at its head: “Windsor Castle den 8 Dec. 1848” Written in the Duchess's native German, the letter densely fills all four pages of a folded sheet, entirely in her hand. The correspondence is extensive, private and familial in character, containing references to members of the Duchess's immediate family and social circle, including names such as Albert and Alexander. The letter concludes with the Duchess's clear autograph signature, “Victoria.” Of particular importance is the survival of the original envelope, addressed by the Duchess in French: “A Son Excellence Monsieur le Comte de Mensdorff-Pouilly à Vienne” The recipient is the Count Emmanuel von Mensdorff-Pouilly (1777–1852), a distinguished senior officer of the Austrian Empire. From 1840 to 1848 he served as Vice-President of the Austrian Hofkriegsrat (Aulic War Council) and was promoted to General of Cavalry in 1846. Although he retired from active service in 1848, he was called upon that same year to undertake duties as an Imperial Commissioner in Prague. Of particular significance is the direct family relationship between sender and recipient. Emmanuel was married to Princess Sophie of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (1778–1835), sister of Victoria, Duchess of Kent. He was therefore the Duchess's brother-in-law and Queen Victoria's uncle by marriage. Through this marriage, the Mensdorff-Pouilly family became closely connected with the Saxe-Coburg dynasty and several European royal houses. Their son Alexander von Mensdorff-Pouilly (1813–1871) – whose name also appears to be referred to in the correspondence – was the Duchess's nephew and a first cousin of both Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. He subsequently became a distinguished Austrian general, diplomat and statesman, eventually serving as Austrian Foreign Minister. The reverse of the original envelope retains a large and impressive red wax seal bearing a detailed heraldic device. The autograph address and intact heraldic seal make the cover an integral and important component of the ensemble. This is not merely royal correspondence addressed to a European aristocrat, but direct family correspondence between Victoria, Duchess of Kent, and her brother-in-law – a senior Austrian general and Queen Victoria's uncle by marriage. An unusually complete and appealing royal manuscript ensemble combining four fully written autograph pages by Queen Victoria's mother, her signature, Windsor Castle provenance, a precise 1848 date, intimate family correspondence, an important dynastic recipient, and the original autograph-addressed envelope retaining its heraldic wax seal. Dimensions of each page: 19.8 × 13 cm. The letter is written on a folded double sheet forming four pages, all four of which are fully written. Envelope dimensions: 14.4 × 9.2 cm.
Auction 01: Auction 01 – Historical Letters, Documents & Autographs — Melis Antiques & Art