Folded paper cover bearing the words "Buckingham Palace Dinner List Tuesday 6th March 1838" and initialled by the Queen "V.R." The document also bears the words in pencil in the Duke of Wellington's hand "The Queen's autograph" and Wellington's initial.  A pencil note on the verso reads "one of the first dinner lists initialled by Queen Victoria. This was kept by the Duke of Wellington whose initial is one in pencil".

An unusual item. Victoria had been Queen for a little over 8 months. At the date of this signature, she was only 19 years old.  Wellington has marked Victoria's initials with a small pencil cross. It is more likely, therefore, that he had retained the Queen's autograph to give to someone else, rather than to keep himself.  The old duke was probably not a man much given to the persuit of collecting autographs but, as a frequent dinner guest at Buckingham Palace, was well-placed to obtain the Queen's signature for someone who had requested it.  Any document signed by both Victoria and Wellington is of considerable rarity, albeit as humble as a dinner list cover.

Approx 18.5 x 15 cms. Mounting traces to verso and some separation at fold. Very good.