QUEEN VICTORIA AND THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON

“The Queen quite forgets.”

VICTORIA, QUEEN (ALEXANDRINA VICTORIA).  (1819 –1901) Queen  of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.  Scarce, early Autograph Letter Signed, twice, in the third person, “The Queen”. Fully written in the hand of Queen Victoria on her black bordered and impressed royal crested mourning stationary. Less than six years into her reign, and six months pregnant with Princess Alice, the young Queen was devastated by the assassination of Edward Drummond, private secretary to Prime Minister Robert Peel, thus the mourning stationery use.  Two pages, octavo. Windsor Castle,  February 8, 1843. Stamped circular received docket: “Commander’s in Chief Office” on front page, and docketed on back:  “Her Majesty / the Queen / to The Duke of Wellington, / 3rd West India Regt, / 44th Regiment /  Command in India.” Overall light toning, else excellent condition.  In regards to military matters in India, Victoria writes:

“The Queen rec[eive]d the Communications of Guild Marshal the Duke of Wellington, & She quite approves of his recommending Sir Hugh Gough as Successor to Sir Jasper Nicolls. – Also, that an inquiry sh[ou]ld be instituted relative to the 44th Regt –  : & lastly of Sir C. Maxwell’s appointment to the 3d West India Regiment. What is the nature of those 3 new Regiments, – & their destination?  The Queen quite forgets.”

In August, after his return to India, Sir Hugh Gough was appointed Commander in Chief, in succession to Sir Jasper Nicolls.  The episode and surroundings events of Drummond’s killing were wonderfully portrayed in the PBS series ‘Victoria’.  Just superb associations throughout, and with India content too!

 

$2500.00