QUEEN VICTORIA (GREAT BRITAIN) - MILITARY APPOINTMENT SIGNED 12/14/1898 CO-SIGNED BY: HENRY (MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE V) PETTY-FITZMAURICE - HFSID 167474

QUEEN VICTORIA
Appointment of a second lieutenant in the Volunteer Forces, also signed by the Marquess of Lansdowne as Secretary of State for War.
Military Appointment signed: "Victoria R.I." as Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India. Also signed "Lansdowne" as Secretary of State for War. 1 page, 16x12. St. James Court, London, England. 1898 December 14. Appointment of Joseph White, Gentleman, as Second Lieutenant of the Volunteer Forces. QUEEN VICTORIA (1819-1901), the last member of the House of Hanover to reign (from 1837) as a British monarch, ruled the United Kingdom longer than any other monarch before or since. Her 63-year reign endeared her to her subjects, and she gave her name to an era, the Victorian Age. Until the very end of her reign, when the rising powers of Germany and the United States began to challenge its primacy, Victoria's British Empire was incontestably the world's greatest economic and military power. Her Husband, Prince Albert, an able political figure himself, was the Queen's close advisor until his death in 1861. The royal pair had nine children - four sons and five daughters. Victoria's reign was celebrated with two jubilees, honoring her 50 and 60 years on the throne. Henry Petty-Fitzmaurice (1845-1927) inherited his title as 5th Marquess of LANSDOWNE in 1866. Serving under both Liberal and Conservative governments, Lansdowne held successively the posts of Governor General of Canada (1882-1888), Viceroy of India (1888-1894), Secretary of State for War (1895-1900) and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1900-1905). As Secretary for War, he received much criticism for military unpreparedness in the Second Boer War (1899-1902), but he amply redeemed himself as Foreign Secretary, negotiating two pacts which secured vital allies: The Anglo-Japanese Alliance of 1902, and the Entente Cordiale with France (1904). Multiple folds. Toned. Corners lightly worn. Small stains throughout. Slightly soiled on margins. Otherwise, fine condition.