Tags
European royal families, Grand Duchess of Edinburgh, Grand Duchess of Russia, Imperial Russia, Maria Alexandrovna, Romanoff, Romanov, Royal ciphers, Royalty, Russia, Victorian era
Maria Alexandrovna, daughter of Tsar Alexander II married Alfred Duke of Edinburgh in 1874. Her title was that of Duchess of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, styled also as Her Imperial Highness (Russian). She used for correspondence at the end of 19th century a very interesting and beautiful Imperial Russian Cipher (the monogram MA and the Imperial Russian Crown). The design is typical of the Victorian era with both English and Russian influences. The quality of the paper and the vivid colours used for this Imperial cipher are remarkable. It is embossed and the painting is obviously hand made. This particular example from one of Maria Alexandrovna’s letters survived in perfect condition at the Romanian National Archives. ©Diana Mandache
©Diana Mandache http://royalromania.wordpress.com 2009
