ALS signed “The Queen,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 4.5 x 7, black-bordered Windsor Castle letterhead letterhead, February 26, 1873. Handwritten letter to the Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, Alfred Tennyson, thanking him for the dedicatory epilogue to 'Idylls of the King.' This is the first known letter from Victoria to Tennyson. In part: "Through Lady Augusta Stanley has already conveyed…the Queen's warmest thanks for & high admiration of the beautiful Epilogue he has so kindly inscribed to herself, she wishes to repeat again herself to Mr. Tennyson these feelings on the occasion of the arrival of the Copy of the very fine new edition of the Idylls of the King. Pray accept the renewed thanks of the Queen for the noble, heart-stirring words addressed to her, & which were a complete surprise. It would give the queen much pleasure could she, some day, when he is within reach of Windsor, show him the Mausoleum she has raised over the Earthly remains of her dear Husband whom he knew how to appreciate & so beautifully described." Includes the original transmittal envelope addressed in Queen Victoria's hand, "Alfred Tennyson, Esq., The Queen." In fine condition.
Tennyson visited the Mausoleum at Windsor on March 6th. In her journal, the queen recorded her satisfaction with the meeting: 'When I showed him some of the details of the decorations in the building he said the whole effect was very beautiful & worthy of what it was intended for.' A spectacular piece of significant correspondence.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$50.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
