Duke of Teck – Fully Autograph Free Front – Addressed to Canon Teignmouth Shore, The College, Worcester – c.1885–1895
A late‑Victorian royal free front, written entirely in the hand of Francis, Duke of Teck (1837–1900), father of Queen Mary. The Duke writes the full address (“Canon Teignmouth Shore / The College / Worcester”) and signs “Duke of Teck” in the lower left as the franking authority.
This is a fully autograph example indicating personal royal correspondence. The letter itself is no longer present; the surviving front panel is the complete postal face.
Canon Teignmouth Shore (1847–1922) served at Worcester Cathedral, involved in diocesan administration, cathedral college affairs, and royal/civic engagements. The Teck family undertook numerous provincial charitable and ecclesiastical activities during this period, making direct Teck → Shore correspondence entirely plausible.
Dating: c. 1885–1895 (based on Shore’s Worcester tenure and Teck’s active franking period). Handwriting: Address and signature in the same hand — the Duke’s — confirming personal authorship. Condition: As shown; typical age‑toning and handling consistent with Victorian postal fronts.
A scarce royal item: Fully autograph free fronts by minor royals are significantly less common than mixed‑hand examples. This is a desirable Worcester Cathedral / royal household crossover piece.
Condition as photos. Guaranteed Original. All items can be returned for a full refund if found to be not as described.
Francis, Duke of Teck (Aug 1837 – Jan 1900), known as Count Francis von Hohenstein until 1863, was an Austrian-born nobleman who married into the British royal family. His wife, Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge, was a first cousin of Queen Victoria. He was the father of Queen Mary, the consort of King George V, and thus maternal grandfather of both Edward VIII and George VI. Francis held the Austrian title of Count of Hohenstein (Graf von Hohenstein), and the German titles of Prince (Fürst) and later Duke of Teck (Herzog von Teck), and was given the style of Serene Highness in 1863. He was granted the British style of Highness in 1887.
PROVENANCE:
One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil.
Winifred Alice Myers (1909 - 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004.
Complete with digital .jpg CoA - as photo - for you to print if needed
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