E-451, Aug. 17, 1936

Transcription: [double-headed eagle] RUSSIAN IMPERIAL TREASURES Article E-451 The “Queen’s Birthday Book”. A volume published in London by Griffith, Farran, Okeden and Welsh in 1887, and dedicated to Victoria, Queen and Empress of Great Britain, Ireland and India, on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee. The book contains thirteen portraits of members of the Royal Families and fifty-five Royal autographs, among which are those of Queen Victoria, May 24th; her Prince Consort, Albert Edward, November 9th; Edward VII, January 8th; his wife Alexandra, December 1st; (sister of the Czarina Maria Feodorovna) and George V, June 3rd. Perhaps the most interesting autograph is that of the Czarina Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia while she was the Princess Alix of Hesse and but fifteen years old (June 6th). The book contains the ex-libris of Countess Vorontsov Dashkov, who was Mistress of Robes, the highest position in the Court, and the close companion of the Czarina Maria Feodorovna, mother of Nicholai II. The fly-leaf bears the inscription of presentation: “For dearest Etta, in remembrance of the Queen’s Jubilee, 1887, from your affectionate Mary Adeliade [sic], June 1887”. Mary Adelaide was Her Highness, the Duchess of Teck.

Mrs. John L. Pratt August 17, 1936

FROM THE HAMMER COLLECTION – 682 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK