glenn forger
Guest
http://www.dreweatts.com/cms/pages/lot/36172/188
Victoria
(Queen of Great Britain and Ireland , 1819-1901).- Collection of Queen Victoria's undergarments, comprising Nightgown of fine white linen , all hand-stitched with a machine lace frill at the neckline, with royal crown and Queen Victoria's Imperial Cipher "VR" on the front of the garment surrounded with a blue stitch, together with a handwritten note explaining that this nightgown was worn by Her Majesty in the year she died 1901;Fine cream linen chemise , with lace frill at neckline, royal crown and "VR" and the number "24", surrounded with blue stitch ; A pair of bloomers in fine white linen , waist approx. 36", monogrammed at waist with Queen Victoria's cipher and the number "36",
surrounded with a blue stitch ; A pair of black silk stockings , with royal crown and "VR" ; Pocket lace handkerchief , with finely embroidered royal crown and "VR", together with handwritten note in envelope post-marked Pall Mall, London, initialled in lower corner H.V. [Princess Helena Victoria ?], all contained within contemporary red leather Êbinet' box once belonging to Sir Albert K. Rollitt. L.L.D., label attached to the handle with small description of contents, [c.1901] (5)
⁂The numbering system inserted below the cipher is not understood today but it is thought that the Queen's garments were ordered in quantities and then worn in rotation