Lot 381

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Description:

Queen Victoria Signed Order of St. Michael & St. George Investiture Doc Awarded to "Oriental Translator"

A 4pp document signed by Victoria I (1819-1901) as "Victoria Re I" [Regina Imperatrix] at upper right. Signed at the Court of Windsor on November 20, 1888. Also countersigned by Henry Holland, 1st Viscount Knutsford (1825-1914), Secretary of State for the Colonies, as "Knutsford" on the third page. [A third signature also appears as "S. Cox / Chancellor," not corresponding to any known signature examples of Lord Chancellor Hardinge Giffard, 1st Earl of Halsbury (1823-1921)]. The handwritten document is comprised of two bifold paper packets bound with a blue ribbon at left. A gorgeous seal in full, vibrant color showing the image and motto of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is emblazoned at top center; an embossed wafer seal of the order can also be found at upper left. The royal signature is large and elegant, measuring 4" x 1.375" alone. With expected wear including gentle folds and weathering. The binding restricts easy access to the inner pages but they are clean and bright. 7.875" x 12.75."

Queen Victoria awarded the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George to James William Redhouse (1811-1892), a British-born Foreign Service officer who published the first Turkish-English dictionary in the 1850s. Redhouse learned Turkish as a teen in Constantinople and served as an interpreter for both Turkish and British authorities during his diplomatic career. In addition, Redhouse published books on Turkish grammar, history, and literature. Redhouse's dictionaries decoding Turkish, Persian, and Arabic facilitated the growth of the ever-expanding British Empire in the Middle East.

The document reads in part:

"Victoria, by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, Empress of India, Sovereign and Chief of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George…

And Whereas We have been Graciously pleased to Nominate and Appoint Our Trusty and Well-beloved James William Redhouse, Esquire…Oriental Translator in the Office of one of Our Principal Secretaries of State having the Department of Foreign Affairs to be a Knight Commander of Our said Most Distinguished Order…"

The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George was a chivalric order created by the future George IV in 1811. The honor was bestowed upon British subjects who had proffered exceptional non-military service to the Empire. Its Latin motto "Auspicium Melioris Ævi means "Augury of a Better Age." Saint Michael the Archangel is a major Christian saint and Saint George is the patron saint of England.

Victoria I oversaw an industrializing England and an expanding overseas empire including India after 1876. One of Great Britain’s longest ruling monarchs, she would dominate European politics (and royal households through her nine children) throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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