Visitor books belonging to Duchess of Cambridge from 19th century to be sold in Shrewsbury
Two books documenting visitors to the Duchess of Cambridge hundreds of years ago will go under the hammer in Shrewsbury later the month.
The two books belonged to the Duchess in the 19th century and are expected to attract great interest from collectors.
The first volume lists the Duchess’ visitors whilst living in Florence, Naples and Rome between 1840 and 1841. The second volume captures visitors to her home at Cambridge Cottage, Kew from 1855 to 1873.
Nobility and gentry listed include Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston, the Maharaja Duleep Singh, Earl and Lady Onslow, Duke of Devonshire, Countess Newburgh, Lord John Russell, the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and many more.
The books will be sold by Halls at its auction at the Battlefield salesroom on April 26 and 27.
They are valued at about £300.
They belonged to Princess and Landgravine Augusta Wilhelmina Louisa of Hesse-Kassel, Duchess of Cambridge from 1797 to 1889, wife of Prince Adolphus Frederick, 1st Duke of Cambridge and seventh son of George III.
Born at Rumpenheim Castle, Kassel, Germany, she married her second cousin, the Duke of Cambridge, in Kassel on May 7, 1818 and again on June 1 at Buckingham Palace. She was 20 and he 44.
The Duchess of Cambridge survived her husband by 39 years, dying at the age of 91. She was buried at St Anne’s Church, Kew but her remains were later transferred to St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
Chris Moore, Halls’ books specialist, said: “There is a lot of interest in memorabilia relating to senior members of the royal family and these are early items.
“They are fascinating documents of social history and reveal something of the Duchess’ social life and her own close circle of friends.
“Over the last few years, original manuscript items have moved upwards in the market and I would not be surprised if these unique books do very well at auction.”
