Object of the Day: An Engraving of Queen Victoria

This page comes from an unknown book published in 1870 by Johnson, Wilson & Co. Publishers of New York. Here, we see Queen Victoria as she looked around the 1860’s. She is dressed in the robes of state and wears the badge of the Garter of the Order of the Thistle as well as a pair of earrings made by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell. Upon her head she wears the famed “Diamond Diadem” which remains one of the most recognizable pieces of jewelry in the world.


In her gloved hand, she holds a document. The contents of the page are not important. The purpose of this prop is artistically two-fold. First it serves to make the Queen look as if she’s doing something, second, it serves to frame the Imperial Crown and Sceptre which rest on a table to her left.

It’s a fine image, and neatly engraved. The engraving is based upon an original oil painting by Chappel which is (or was), as is noted on the page, in possession of the publishers.