A gorgeous and flowing example of regal penmanship is on display in this official document signed by Queen Victoria. Her Majesty’s black fountain pen endorsement (“Appd., Victoria R.”) appears at the top of the 3.5 x 9 page, which requests the Queen’s approval for punishing a naval officer whose conduct is described in the body of the text as follows: “John Smith, a Private in the 68th Company of Royal Marines, having been tried by a General Court Martial for behaving in a most violent and insubordinate manner towards a Sergeant and Corporal of Royal Marines, his Superior Officers; and having been sentenced to undergo a punishment of Penal Servitude for seven years; The Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty most humbly submit that Your Majesty may be graciously pleased to approve this sentence, and that the said John Smith may undergo a Punishment of Penal Servitude for a term of seven years accordingly.—Admiralty— 31 May 1864.” Found on the reverse are three wax seals, each of which is intact and boasts the anchor emblem of the British Admiralty. Soiling, otherwise fine condition. An interesting item in that Victoria’s signature is seldom offered in such a unique medium. RRAuction COA.
