HANDKERCHIEF COMMEMORATING QUEEN VICTORIA'S RECORD-BREAKING REIGN

Souvenir of the Longest Reign in British History. Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria n.d., c.1897, cotton handkerchief, with wood-engraved design, 560 × 590mm, small rust spot in unprinted area.

***A souvenir handkerchief celebrating Queen Victoria becoming the longest-reigning British monarch, surpassing her grandfather, George Ill who had reigned 59 years. In the centre is a large portrait of Victoria as Empress of India and a roundel of her aged six. To the left are portraits of the Prince and Princess of Wales (her eldest son, Albert Edward, and his wife, later Edward VIl and Queen Alexandra); to the right are Victoria's grandson, George, Duke of York and his wife (later George V and Queen Mary) and their son Edward later, briefly, Edward VIll). in the corners are the four most important possessions of the British Empire, Canada, Australia, South Africa and India.

Although Victoria became the longest-reigning monarch in 1896, she had the celebrations delayed until the following year so they would coincide with the first-ever British Diamond Jubilee (a celebration of a 60-year reign).

Victoria's record was broken in 2015 by her great-great granddaughter, Elizabeth lI.