An extensive and rare ALS (Autograph Letter Signed) by Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1819–1861), husband and Prince Consort of Queen Victoria, written at Balmoral on 14 October 1858. Entirely written in German in Prince Albert's own hand, the letter is written on two folded double sheets forming eight pages, seven of which are written, and concludes with his autograph signature: “Albert” The letter forms part of the historic family correspondence with members of the Mensdorff-Pouilly family, close relatives of both Prince Albert and Queen Victoria. It originated from an important collection of Mensdorff-Pouilly royal correspondence documented and sold by Christie's. Christie's specifically records Prince Albert's letter of 14 October 1858, describing it as 6½ pages and as concerning “political and social questions.” The historic collection comprised letters addressed to members of the Mensdorff-Pouilly family, chiefly Counts Albert and Alphonse, from an exceptional group of European royal correspondents including Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Leopold I of Belgium, Edward VII, Wilhelm II, Victoria Duchess of Kent and Victoria of Prussia. The Mensdorff-Pouilly family was closely related by blood to the British Royal Family. The brothers were first cousins of both Prince Albert and Queen Victoria through their mother, Princess Sophie of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Christie's records that Queen Victoria regarded her four Mensdorff-Pouilly cousins with particular affection. Prince Albert maintained close personal correspondence with members of the family. The British Royal Archives preserve German-language correspondence between Albert and, among others, Count Arthur Mensdorff-Pouilly and Count Alexander Mensdorff-Pouilly, documenting the continuing intimacy between the cousins. Rather than a brief formal note, the present manuscript constitutes an extended discussion of political and social questions, as independently recorded in the Christie's catalogue. Its exceptional length – seven densely written autograph pages – makes it considerably more substantial than the shorter examples of Prince Albert's correspondence more commonly encountered. Written at Balmoral, the Scottish royal residence particularly associated with the private and family life of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the letter dates from only three years before Albert's premature death in 1861. An important and rare royal autograph manuscript combining seven written pages entirely in Prince Albert's hand, his autograph signature, substantial political and social content, Balmoral provenance, a precise 1858 date, documented Mensdorff-Pouilly family provenance, and an additional published Christie's provenance. Dimensions of each page: 18 × 11 cm. The letter is written on two folded double sheets, forming eight pages in total, seven of which are written.
Auction 01: Auction 01 – Historical Letters, Documents & Autographs — Melis Antiques & Art