Bonhams' Scottish Sale, held on August 21 in Edinburgh, has been highlighted by an archive from Queen Victoria's commissioner at Balmoral, featuring letters in which the queen uses shortened "text speak".
 The letters show Victoria caring for her staff and neighbours, shedding a more favourable light on her notoriously bad temper |
The archive made an impressive £15,000 ($23,508), with Queen Victoria memorabilia incredibly popular on the current market.
The letters are written by the queen to James Forbes, who managed the estate of Balmoral Castle. She frequently shortens and abbreviates words, such as "shd" and "abt".
"I have never invited the Duke of Atholl to come over with his men and I think it wd. be better not to do so this year. It wd. entail the encampment of his men in our grounds wh. wd. be inconvenient," she writes concerning an aristocratic neighbour.
Also included in the archive was a Grant of the Dignity of a Member of the fifth class of the Royal Victorian Order certificate, which was signed by Edward VII in 1901 as Victoria's successor, and a silver christening mug inscribed with "from Victoria RJ, June 1898".
Further items include a heart shape silver and tortoiseshell box which was given to Mrs Forbes by the Duke of York in 1899, and a collection of period medals.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has an excellent autographed appointment letter from Queen Victoria for sale, signed by the queen and with two official seals attached.
