“Her Majesty Leaving Kingston Harbour” (CL No 278)

“Her Majesty Leaving Kingston Harbour” (CL No 278), by George Baxter. This image is of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Prince of Wales on the paddle box of the Royal Yacht. The lower deck has the rest of the Royal family. This is signed in the plate on the left hand side – “Baxter’s Patent Oil Printing, Northampton Square” and in the plate margin – ” Her Majesty, HRH Prince Albert, & Family, Leaving Kingston Harbour, Ireland. Designed, Engraved, Printed & Published by G Baxter, Patentee, 11, Northampton Square (Ent’d at Stationers Hall) 1850.” Whether on a Stamped Mount or unmounted this is a very rare print as designated by Courtney Lewis. This copy has an additional interest. The registration appears slightly incorrect. If we look at the image we see a slightly lighter shadow on the wheelhouse wall to the left of Albert, above the top of the bench. Also, to the right of his head is another straight line demarcating a slightly lighter area. This was returned to me by a collector as “imperfect” which I thought really rather strange. Not only is it a rare picture, but a very unusual one to be marketed with this very slight imperfection. A collector’s item indeed. The detail beyond the Royal Family is really interesting, and comes up well with a glass. 6″ x 4 1/4″.