Volume 8
Volume 8, The Royal Autographs of the Horticultural Society. In 1816 the Horticultural Society commemorated its first Royal Patron by commissioning artworks on vellum for Queen Charlotte and other members of the Royal Family to sign. This tradition has now continued for nearly 200 years.
Floral motifs and royal emblems surround each Royal Autograph, the decorated pages resemble illuminated manuscripts. The (Royal) Horticultural Society Autographs are hand-painted on vellum or paper, many with gold detailing, and the decoration is personalised for each signatory.
Queen Charlotte’s Autograph was the first, painted by William Hooker in 1816.
This Paper is illustrated with reproductions of 39 of the Autographs, with brief biographical notes about the signatories. The paper also indicates some aspects of the social and political history against which the Society has developed.
To celebrate Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, two new Royal Autographs were commissioned. One signed by HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh as part of the Jubilee celebrations. The other signed by TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall on the occasion of The Prince’s birthday.
With the 2012 Diamond Jubilee commissions, the RHS Lindley Library holds 41 Royal Autograph artworks.
Sample Articles