1902 Lord Roberts Autograph ALS Earl Dunraven War Office Levée Edward VII Court For Sale

A scarce autograph letter signed \"Roberts\" by Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts (1832-1914), one of the most famous British military commanders of the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Written on embossed War Office, London S.W. stationery and dated 26 March 1902, the letter reads:

\"My dear Dunraven,
I will, with pleasure, present you at the Levée on the 12th May.
Yours sincerely
Roberts\"

The recipient was almost certainly Windham Wyndham-Quin, 4th Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl (1841-1926), the prominent Irish peer, politician and public figure.

This brief but attractive note records Roberts agreeing to present Dunraven at a royal Levée, a formal court reception held in the name of King Edward VII. Attendance at such ceremonies commonly required presentation through an eligible sponsor, and Roberts, then serving as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, was ideally placed to perform this role.

The date is particularly significant. Written in March 1902, the letter falls during the great imperial and court season leading up to the planned 1902 Coronation of Edward VII, and only weeks before the end of the Second Boer War. At this moment Roberts stood at the height of his national fame following his South African command.

A fine association between two notable Edwardian figures, combining military, aristocratic and royal court history.

Condition as photos. Guaranteed Original. All items can be returned for a full refund if found to be not as described.

Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts (Sep 1832 – Nov 1914), was a British Victorian era general who became one of the most successful British military commanders of his time. Born in India to an Anglo-Irish family, Roberts joined the East India Company Army and served as a young officer in the Indian Rebellion during which he was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry. He was then transferred to the British Army and fought in the Expedition to Abyssinia and the Second Anglo-Afghan War, in which his exploits earned him widespread fame. Roberts would go on to serve as the Commander-in-Chief, India, before leading British forces for a year during the Second Boer War. He also became the last Commander-in-Chief of the Forces before the post was abolished in 1904.

Windham Thomas Wyndham-Quin, 4th Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl, KP, CMG, PC (Ire) (Feb 1841 – Jun 1926), styled Viscount Adare between 1850 and 1871, was an Anglo-Irish journalist, landowner, soldier, sportsman and Conservative class=\"MsoNormal\">One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil.

Winifred Alice Myers (1909 - 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004.

Complete with digital .jpg CoA - as photo - for you to print if needed

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