Superb cdv of Queen Victoria and her personal servant John Brown. Much has been written about their relationship, including that they had been married secretly! Image in fine condition with wear as shown in the scan. $95.00 plus shipping "One of the most fascinating stories about Queen Victoria's personal life was her relationship with her 'personal attendant' John Brown. Brown was born on a farm at Crathie in 1826 and was employed at Balmoral at the time of its purchase by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. He rose to become Prince Albert's personal ghillie and then Queen Victoria's servant. But after the premature death of Albert in 1861 he became a great support for Queen Victoria who mourned Albert for the rest of her life. Between 1861 and his death in 1883 Brown received many gifts from Victoria and at least two medals specially created for him, one of which also carried an annuity. Brown wore these medals - the Faithful Servant Medal and the Devoted Service medal - with pride. The Queen commissioned a large portrait of him and after his death she had a life sized statue of him erected in the grounds of Balmoral Castle. (It was reputed to be so life-like that superstitious members of the Balmoral staff kept well away from it whenever possible.)" |