Lot 141
Victoria (1819-1901). Great Britain's longest reigning monarch (1837-1901). Autograph letter signed ("VRI" [Victoria Regina Imperatrix]), Windsor Castle, 22 March 1885. To Lady Southampton (Victoria's Lady of the Bedchamber from 1878 to the Queen's death in 1901): "I am so grieved to hear…of poor Ismay's disppointment and sorrow in losing her baby…I think it is so hard to go through all that trouble, discomfort…for so long, suffering for nothing! I pity you so much too…A sad event has again this year happened to destroy the bright prospects of a happy family meeting at Darmstadt…the death…of the Grand Duchess's Mother, & Victoria's Grandmother, princess Charles of Hesse - an excellent person, after only a few days illness…." In a postscript, she adds, "My 1st visit to London after 2 years absence and the terribly sad events of March 83 & 84…." referring to the death of John Brown on March 27, 1883 and, one year later on March 28, the death of her haemophiliac son Leopold whom she lamented as "the dearest of my dear sons."
Estimated Value $600 - 800
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| Realized $1,800 |
