Expert: Mark Smith - 8/22/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Mark,
        Out of the 3 experts for British history, it seemed like you might be the best one to help me because you said you know a lot about the Kings and Queens.
        My sister has had these 2 items for years hoping the Antiques Roadshow would one day come to this area....lol. I finally convinced her the internet would be faster.
        What she has is a 2 sided locket type pin that holds 2 pictures, one on the front and one on the back, and the middle turns so you can show either picture. It also looks like it is gold.
       When we decided one day to see what was behind the pictures, maybe a clue to their names or something. We were amazed to see on the back of the man's picture "Photographer" "Majesty the Queen" Then, it said, "their Royal Highnesses" Prince & Princess of Wales. Then "Georges Gallery" and then "Vincent P". I don't know what Vincent's last name was because everything else was cut off when the picture was cut to fit the locket.
        So we figured these pictures where taken by the Queen's photographer and they might be Royality and especially in such a fancy gold brooch. We thought it might even be the King and Queen.
         The second item was wrapped up along with this pin, so we figured it must have belonged to however it is in the pictures. It is the biggest and most beautiful envelope stamper/sealer that I've ever seen. It's for when they used to melt wax and stamp something sealed.
         It is slightly over 9" long and very ornate. Whoever owned this must have had money. It also looks like real gold and the middle is a beautiful rose-tone Mother of Pearl. The top is round and is engraved with fancy initals of  G.E. or Q.E., and we were thinking maybe it was Queen Elizabeth's stamp, as she could definatey afford a stamper like this.
         I'm sorry I'm writing so much, but I know I can only attach one picture, so I'm trying to describe everything the best I can.
         So I am trying to find out if you might recognize or maybe get an idea from what it says on the back.
         I have pictures of all the details on both items, but I wasn't sure what to send, so I figured maybe what it said on the back might be a good place to start because it might help date the pictures.
         But I figure if your expertize is the Kings and Queens, you'd be the best one to ask. So I'm holding my breath and praying while I await your answer.....lol.
         Either way Mark, I want to thank you so very much in advance for taking the time to read my very long question.
         Sincerely,...Diane

ANSWER: Hello Diane.
The item will be Victorian. Apart from the period of Charles and Diana's marriage (1981-96) the last time there was a Queen on the Throne with a Prince and Princess of Wales was 1863-1901 under Queen Victoria with her son and daughter-in-law Edward and Alexandra, Prince and Princess of Wales.
It looks to me that the address is George's Gallery, (or St George's Gallery) Vincent Place (or St Vincent Place) but where is not known. There is no Vincent or St Vincent Place in London today, but there might have been in Victorian times. Having said that it could be almost anywhere. The photographer at that address would have used his Royal connections to enhance his business by proclaiming that he was photographer to the Royal Family and would have had the fact marked on all his official stationery etc.
The best thing to do is to take it to a reputable antique dealer and they should value it free of charge. In the meantime I'll see if I can find a (St) Vincent Place in London in the 19th century. I can reply again as a follow-up answer.
Mark

There's a St Vincent Place in central Glasgow off (wait for it !) George St. So my guess is that the photographer's studio was in Glasgow. You'll need to look at a directory for Glasgow for the period 1863 to 1901 and see if there was a Photographer's studio there then. I don't think there are any online for Scotland.
Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Wow...Thanks for the super fast reply and all the amazing information. I figured it was probably from around that period because of how they look and are dressed in the pictures. So I guess that means you're telling me they could be just regular people??....Oh well, I know this big and gorgeous stamper should be worth something, but I really was hoping to have some Royal connection, and some long lost amazing find of the Queen's. that way they'd want me to bring it over to the museum and I'd get to see England where all my ancestors are from.....lol....Wishing thinking is wonderful !!.But thank you SO MUCH Mark. I will definately leave you A no. 1 feedback for the fast and extrtemely informative info. You definately know your stuff !!!....Thanks Again.....Diane

Answer
It's likely that it's a photo of an "ordinary" couple from Glasgow or that area. Nevertheless it would still be worth having it professionally valued and examined.
There are still one or two avenues I can explore to confirm the existence of a photographer's studio in St Vincent Place in the late Victorian era. I'll get back to you if I find anything, the info should help with the valuation.
Mark