[WELLINGTON (Arthur Wellesley, Duke of, 1769-1852, Field Marshal & Statesman]

Fine Blind-Embossed Card depicting his famous Funeral Car, weighing 11 tons, with 6 wheels and numerous trophies, that on the right marked Fortuna Virtutis (the Reward of Virtue, of Courage), and supporting the bier with its long handles and gorgeous pall embroidered "Blessed are they that Die in the Lord", on top is the coffin with Wellington's hat and sword, the embossing gives the 'feel' of the cast iron with its sturdy but elaborate ornament, 4½" x 6" card black-edged, published by Windsor, 23 Coppice Row (Clerkenwell, replaced by Farringdon Road in the 1870s), no date but a few faint shadows in unembossed parts of verso where formerly lightly laid down

The car, now at Stratfield Saye, was designed in three weeks by the new Governmental Department of Practical Art, formed to help plan the Great Exhibition. The design was supervised by Henry Cole, following Prince Albert's recommendation that it represent not only "English Military strength and statesmanship, but also ... all the efforts of Victorian art".

Item Date:  1852

Stock No:  55728      £475

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