Description:

King George V of England
Dunmore, County Waterford, Ireland, ca. 1889
Future George V As Torpedo Boat Commander In Royal Navy
ALS

A 2pp autograph letter signed by George Frederick (1865-1936), the future King George V and then Duke of York, as "George" on the second page. "Wednesday." N.d. but ca. 1889. Dunmore, County Waterford, Ireland. Inscribed on pale blue speckled bifold stationery with "H.M. Torpedo Boat No." embossed letterhead. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, and a former collector's pencil inscriptions on the blank outer leaf. The third page is also blank. Else near fine. 4" x 6.125." Accompanied by its original matching torpedo boat transmittal envelope, also engrossed in George's hand. Letter-opened and pencil-inscribed at top left, 4.125" x 3.25." Provenance: Ex-Kingston Galleries.

In 1889, the future George V - then still the spare heir to older brother Albert Victor - was a Royal Navy Lieutenant commanding the 22-knot Torpedo Boat No. 79. Both teenaged royal brothers had trained as Royal Navy cadets after 1877. As the younger son, one not ever expected to rule, George continued to hold active naval commands into the early 1890s; after his brother's unexpected death in 1892, he held mostly honorary titles. The H.M. Torpedo Boat No. 79 was first launched in 1886 and was described in early sea trials as "exceptionally free from vibration at all speeds, a glass of water full to the brim remaining unspilt on the table…" George was assigned to the torpedo boat from ca. July 1889 until May 1890. The torpedo boat mostly sailed in home waters around the British Isles.

George wrote this thank-you note to Captain Lord James Wandesford Butler (1815-1893), who had evidently provided water and victuals to him and his crew. Captain Lord James Wandesford Butler was a member of the cadet branch of the Butler Dynasty of Ireland. The Butlers were famously wealthy and propertied landowners in southeastern Ireland. Their ancestral home, Castle Kilkenny, was in County Kilkenny. Dunmore East, where Captain Lord James resided, was found in neighboring County Waterford. Captain Lord James is not to be confused with his nephew, Lord James Butler, 3rd Marquess of Ormonde (1844-1919). The key to confirming the letter recipient's identity is George's textual reference to Lady Rachel Russell, Captain Lord James Wandesford Butler's wife.

The Duke of York wrote in full, with original usage:

"Wednesday
Dunmore

Dear Lord James

I thank you so much for all the trouble you have taken about the water, which has arrived all safely + we have got all our tanks full.

Please thank Lady Rachel very much for having so kindly sent me those flowers + vegetables which we were very much in need of. It still seems to be blowing rather hard.

Thank you + Lady Rachel once more for all your kindness

Believe me
yrs very truly
George."

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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  • Dimensions: 4" x 6.125"
  • Medium: ALS

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