Railway patent signed by Queen Victoria goes to auction in Lichfield

Signature from 1848 was gifted as wedding present 50 years on

A PATENT signed by Queen Victoria is due to go under the hammer in Lichfield later this month.

Dated to 1848, the document was given as a wedding present to the vendor's great grandmother some 50 years after it was signed.

The patent is Lot 609 with Richard Winterton Auctioneers on Monday, February 24.

The sale at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, starts at 9am.

Submitted by civil engineer James Neville of Walworth in Surrey, the patent for use in Scotland was for "certain improvements for conveying goods and passengers on railroads, parts of such improvements being applicable for working or giving other descriptions of machinery".

Dated 1848, it is signed on the top of the first page 'Victoria R' with seal.

James Neville is recorded to have patented the first multi-tubular boiler in 1826.

A later 19th century later inscription on the back of the document states: "Anna Cordelia Robson on her marriage with love and best wishes her affectionate cousin. JJ Green 20 June 1898."

The patent has since been handed down through the generations.

"Anna Cordelia was my great grandmother," said the vendor.

"Her grandmother was Rachel Green and we have some Robson family history written by JJ Green so I assume that’s how they were related though he’s not mentioned on the family tree. 

"The family were involved in some way with the Stockton to Darlington railway and prominent Quaker families at the time but I don’t know of any other connection to the patent.

"I understand from my dad, who was very well read on British history, that it was the norm for Queen Victoria to sign patents at the time."

View the patent in the catalogue online here.

Viewing in person at The Lichfield Auction Centre takes place on Friday, February 21, between 10am and 4pm.

Email office@richardwinterton.co.uk or telephone 01543 251081.