Description: The Sender : I believe this to have been from Sir Dighton MacNaghten Probyn (1833-1924), the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for the Indian Mutiny (by date of action). On the 18th June 1858, he was gazetted for the award of the Victoria Cross which followed a despatch from Major General Sir James Hope Grant KCB, dated 10th January 1858. At the Battle of Agra, when his squadron charged the enemy, he was found himself separated from his men and was surrounded by 5 or 6 Sepoys. He defended himself, and before his own men reached him, he had killed two of the enemy. Later, he was involved in a single combat with a Sepoy, who despite being wounded by a bayonet to the wrist, he managed to cut down. He later in the day captured the standard, by singling out and killing the enemy standard bearer. The Recipient : This card was received by a Mrs William Johnson, wife of Captain William Johnson. They were retained in a scrapbook alongside letters to Mrs Johnson from many important Victorians, amongst the George Augustus Sala, the poet Samuel Lover, the Duchess and Princess Mary, Earl de Grey, Lord Orkney, Lady Russell and Cosmo Russell, Lord Hamilton, Lady Beauchamp, the Duke of Newcastle, Lady Downshire and Lady Beauchamp (all to be listed at some point). She was connected to the poet and author Julia Pardoe in some way, and may have lived at or just off Bryanston Square London. It may be through Miss Pardoe that she was connected to the Ottoman Embassy at Bryanston Square, as she had many calling cards from representatives and was invited to a wedding breakfast there for the Ambassadors daughter.She was obviously of some standing as she was invited to one of Mrs Lawrence's Ealing Park events to be introduced to the Duchess and Princess Mary. From her letters I have established that her husband may have been a judge, and that she herself wrote poems and songs, one possibly about the siege of Lucknow with a line about Arthur Clinton, and at some point a journal about her father, who was himself apparently well known. As to identity, I think it possible that she was Frances Herbert Nisbet, wife of Captain William Johnson (Johnston) Neale, who was also a novelist, daughter of Captain Josiah Nisbet RN, and therefore grand-daughter of Lord Nelson. If anybody has any information to assist on this, to confirm or otherwise, I would love to hear from them! It may be when I wade through the letters that I get some greater detail. I have listed a large number of calling cards that she retained, which cover a huge range of Victorian society, from Royalty, politicians, poets, military, ambassadors and the like, and should give an idea of the circles she moved in. The card: In condition shown. It has been removed from a scrapbook as carefully as possible.Please see photos provided as best description, zoom is enabled. The use of calling cards by Victorian ladies of high social standing was governed by many rules of etiquette, and much time was spent in the pursuit. A Lady arriving in town or wishing to make new acquaintances would travel in her carriage with servants to hand deliver the card, servant to servant. The cards were often kept on a silver platter with raised edges in the hallway of grand houses, with those considered the most wealthy important of London society on display. She would then await a response in the form of a return card, sometimes with the formal visiting times that visitors were accepted. Should no card be received or the return card being sent in an envelope, it indicated that the recipient had no desire to pursue the invitation. An elaborate system of creases would be used on some occasions to denote the reason for the card, such as expressing condolences, congratulations, taking leave of town or an indication that it was for the whole of the family. It may have also indicated that the card was delivered by the Lady herself rather than a servant. A ladies calling card was square and large, whilst the men’s cards were smaller, more rectangular, so they could fit inside a breast pocket. There was further etiquette on how the Lady should leave her husbands calling cards on her visit. Postage: I post all paper items protected and in proper card backed envelopes.I am always happy to combine postage wherever I am able to.
Price: 185 GBP
Location: Canterbury
End Time: 2024-12-31T15:29:35.000Z
Shipping Cost: 26.96 GBP
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