VICTORIA, QUEEN. (1819-1901). Queen of Great Britain and Ireland; Empress of India. Partially printed DS. (“Victoria R”). 1p. Oblong Folio. Court of St. James, February 24, 1897. Military appointment of GEORGE SAMUEL JAMES BOYD (1869-1953) 2nd lieutenant. Countersigned by Secretary of State for War HENRY PETTY-FITZMAURICE, 5th Marquess of Lansdowne (1845-1927; “Lansdowne”).
After ascending to the throne of Great Britain at the age of 18, Victoria’s name soon came to define an entire era and, indeed, even the way she mourned the 1861 death of her husband, Prince Albert, influenced mourning practices for the public at large.
Lansdowne’s long and distinguished political career started in the House of Lords and included his tenure as secretary of state for war from 1895-1900 as well as additional cabinet positions and foreign postings including governor general of Canada and viceroy and governor-general of India.
Boyd, a physician identified in our document as a “gentleman,” was the son of Royal Navy engineer who immigrated to New Zealand. The younger Boyd served in the 1st Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery and as a Royal Navy surgeon.
Three vertical folds, with a bit of scattered spotting; blind-embossed blue paper seal of the queen intact. In fine condition.
Queen Victoria
