Marie de Lorraine (Mary of Guise), Widow of James V, King of Scotland, and Mother of Mary Stuart. 1553 (July 11) Entire letter written in French from Farlay (Fairlie, Ayrshire) addressed "Aux Cappnes et marineira des deux navires francois estant de post a edouart aux isles avec maquely", the letter headed "La Rayne Douaiziere d'escosse" with instructions to bring two French ships under the service of the French King. Marie married James V in 1538; he died in 1542 and she became Regent of Scotland in 1554. In 1557 she provoked war with England, saw her daughter Mary marry the French dauphin Francis II in 1558, and brutally repressed reformers and protestants leading to civil war in Scotland in 1559. Mary received help from the French who fortified Leith, but took refuge in Edinburgh Castle when the English besieged Leith, dying at Edinburgh in 1560. A fine and rare early Scottish royal letter, signed "Marie R", with Van der Linden Certificate (2000). Photo on Pages 274 & 282. (Image 1) (Image 2) (Image1)

1858 (Oct 21) Stampless cover posted in London, addressed "To her most gracious majesty the queen" with a very unusual small crowned "PAID" datestamp in red, and black double rim General Post c.d.s. Small file hole at upper left, otherwise fine. The first example of this Paid crowned circle we have seen, this very example illustrated by Glenn Morgan in "Royal Household Mail" (fig 6.7, page 146) who states "issued for use on mail from the Royal Household, withdrawn by late 1858", possibly only used for petitions and appeals to the Queen which could be sent free of charge. Very scarce and unusual. Photo on Page 274. (Image1)

1882 (Sep 18) Registered cover from Hungary to Her Majesty Queen Victoria in London, franked on the reverse by three 10k blue stamps tied by Szekes-Fehervar datestamps with "Vom Ausland uber B-P.5 (Oderberg-Breslau)" registration label applied in transit in Germany.

Queen Victoria. 1893 Mourning envelope and an undated front on card both addressed in Queen Victoria's handwriting to "Her Royal Highness The Princess Christian of Schleswig Holstein" (Helena, the third daughter of Victoria), the cover posted from Aberdeen franked ½d + 1d, addressed to "The Dell, Bishopsgate, Staines" and signed "The Queen" in the lower left corner with the wax royal seal on reverse. The card addressed to Cumberland Lodge, Windsor, probably used as an address panel attached to a parcel, the four corners all with a wax seal impressed with partial arms and "Dienst J.M De Kaiserin v. Konigin Friedrich". Minor staining, otherwise fine, the cover presumably sent whilst Victoria was visiting Balmoral. (2). Photo on Page 274. (Image1)

1902 (Aug 22) Printed cover entitled "Ye Seven Edwards", depicting Edward I - Edward VI, a KEVII 2½d stamp then applied, posted from London to France, an attractive cover. Photo on Page 274. (Image1)

Edward VIII. 1936 (July 26) France Vimy Ridge Memorial postcard with the special 75c stamp tied by "VIMY-FRANCE / CANADIAN MEMORIAL" machine and bearing the special cachet, message reads "waiting for the King to arrive", later signed by Edward (after his abdication) "Edward Duke of Windsor". Photo on Page 286. (Image1)