VICTORIA: (1819-1901) Queen of the United Kingdom Great Britain & Ireland 1837-1901. An exceptional D.S., Victoria R I (a large, bold example) as Queen, at the head, one page (vellum), large oblong folio, Court at Osborne, 2nd February 1895. The manuscript document, a formal instrument of diplomatic appointment, states, in part, ‘Whereas for the better treating of and arranging any matters which are now in discussion….between Us and Our Good Sister The Queen of the Netherlands….We have judged it expedient to invest a fit person with full powers to conduct the negotiations on Our part….therefore…We reposing especial trust and confidence in the wisdom, loyalty, diligence, and circumspection of Our trusty and well beloved Sir Horace Rumbold, a Baronet of Great Britain, a Knight Grand Cross of Our Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Our Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of the Hague, have named, made, constituted and appointed, as We do by these Presents name, make, constitute and appoint him Our undoubted Commissioner, Procurator and Plenipotentiary: Giving to him all manner of Power and Authority to….conclude….and Treaties, Conventions or Agreements between Us and Our said Good Sister, and to sign for Us….everything so agreed upon and concluded….with equal force and efficacy as We Ourselves could do if personally present: Engaging and promising upon Our Royal Word, that whatever things shall be so transacted and concluded….shall….be agreed to, acknowledged, and accepted by Us in the fullest manner….In witness whereof We have caused the Great Seal of Our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to be affixed to these Presents, which we have signed with Our Royal Hand….’ With the Great Seal of Queen Victoria affixed at the foot, a very fine example in mustard yellow wax, measuring just over 6 inches in diameter, featuring the enthroned Queen Victoria to the recto, holding an orb and sceptre, with the allegorical figures of Justice and Religion seated either side and with the Royal Arms and Crown at the foot, the border wreathed with oaks and roses, and depicting Queen Victoria riding on horseback to the verso, the horse fully caparisoned, with a plume of ostrich feathers floating from the headstall, led by a page. At the base appears a harp surrounded by shamrocks and with the Latin legend Victoria Dei Gratia Britanniarum Regina Fidei Defensor (‘Victoria, by the grace of God, Queen of the Britons, Defender of the Faith’) to the margin. The seal is attached to the document by attractive laces of intertwined silver and burgundy thread terminated by two fine tassels and is contained in the plain black-japanned skippet. The document is housed in the original cream and burgundy felt lined presentation box with brass hook clasp and blind embossed Royal Cipher to the lid. A magnificent document and seal. Some very light, extremely minor age wear to the document, largely at the folds, and a couple of very minor hairline cracks to the seal, VG

Wilhelmina of the Netherlands (1880-1962) Queen of the Netherlands 1890-1948. The Queen, a teenager at the time of the present document, was not enthroned until 1898 and her mother, Princess Emma of Waldeck and Piermont (1858-1934) Queen of the Netherlands 1879-90, acted as Regent.

Queen Wilhelmina had visited Queen Victoria in 1895, the same year as the present document, the latter noting in her diary of ‘The young Queen….still has her hair hanging loose. She is slender and graceful, and makes an impression as a very intelligent and very cute girl. She speaks good English and knows how to behave with charming manners’

Sir Horace Rumbold (1829-1913) British Diplomat, Minister to the Netherlands 1888-96.