Beloved Monarch, QUEEN ELIZABETH II hand-signed black and white print of Pietro Annigoni's 1954-1955 portrait of the Queen. Annigoni's portrait shows the recently crowned, 28-year-old Elizabeth wearing her magnificent Garter robes, and depicted against a pastoral landscape. Queen Elizabeth II signed above print in ink "Elizabeth R". The autograph of the Queen was obtained by Royal Loft manager Len Rush and is attested to by a letter of provenance from Anne Bailey who Len gifted the book to.
The signed Annigoni portrait was originally housed in a book titled "Royal Family Album" which we removed and framed. The original book which the portrait was removed from is included in the sale (spine of the book is unattached). In a lengthy letter of provenance Anne Bailey details how Mr. Len Rush who was the Queen's Royal Loft manager obtained the signature on the portrait (full letter of provenance is transcribed below). Included in the back of the book are several letters from Len Rush to Mrs. Anne Bailey as well as a letter from Buckingham Palace to Len Rush. Also included are several photos of Len Rush with the Queen and her racing pigeons. Finally you will also receive Len Rush's book "Captain of the Queen's Flight".
Sale includes accompanying original LOA from the highly-respected James Spence Authentication (JSA) who have thoroughly examined the handwriting and certify its authenticity. UNCONDITIONALLY GUARANTEED GENUINE.
Custom framed and archivally matted in the SIGNATURIST-INK Gallery style to handsome 10.5"x15" gold-colored wood frame. Exquisite PH-neutral bone-white mat. Framed with acid-free backer all together under 98% UV-BLOCKING non-glare acrylic pane.
Letter of provenance reads:
"1977
Anne Bailey
'The Woodlands'
146 Trysull Road
Merry Hill
Wolverhampton
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II signed her name above the picture of her painting by annigoni, at the request of Mr Len Rush, of 17 Kent Rd Gaywood, King's Lynn. He is the keeper of the Royal Lofts.
Her Majesty was on one of many visits she makes to his home, during each year, when she is staying at Sandringham.
Len asked her if she would sign it, but her lady in waiting, promptly said 'her Majesty does not sign books Mr Rush'. Len apologized for asking, and went to make the Queen a cup of coffee, having left the book with a pen on the table. On returning with the coffee, the lady in waiting said, 'Mr Rush her Majesty has graciously signed your book for you". Len gave me this book for Xmas 1977 and then, when he stayed with us for the New year took, it home again with him in the hope that when her Majesty visited him in January she would sign it, as she has signed another book for him some years before. Despite the lady in waitings comments, her majesty did sign it, and that is the [sic] Signed A Bailey."
Own a remarkable, original piece signed by the Queen! A once in a lifetime opportunity to own one of the few signed Wilding portrait ever made available for sale. A must have addition to any collection.
Sold as is, as shown