Item 16 is a most interesting document for collectors of British royalty, and Queen Victoria in particular. It is an approval for a sitting of the young queen for a sculpture by Francis Chantrey. The note states, "Baroness Lehzen presents her compliments to Sir Francis Chantrey, and begs to say, that her majesty will give him a sitting on Saturday next...Buckingham Palace, March 14." On the back it says "Queen Victoria's Bust, March 1840." The timing is what is most interesting. Victoria had become queen less than three years earlier, and was not yet 21 at the time. She had married Prince Albert barely a month earlier (Feb. 10). Baroness Louise Lehzen had been the young queen's governess since she was a small child. Victoria, who had a difficult relationship with her mother (her father died when she was 8-months-old), was closer to the Baroness for most of her young life than anyone else. Lehzen wielded great influence over her, though it was said only to extend to personal matters, not matters of state. However, Albert was not pleased with Lehzen's influence on the Queen, and saw the Baroness as a conniver as well as an impediment to his own power. Perhaps because the Queen was madly in love with her Prince, Albert was able to engineer Lehzen's downfall. She was dismissed in 1842 and pensioned off to Germany, her homeland, where she spent the rest of her days. Francis Chantrey was one of the most notable sculptors of the early 19th century, and the sculpture produced from this sitting may be found in London's National Portrait Gallery.

Thomas Cullen may be reached at 716-662-2082 or by email at tomcatt@adelphia.net.