Including the special bound 'Order of Proceedings and Ceremonies..', which was presented to attending dignitaries 

First Duke of Wellington, Arthur Wellesley ~ Three Ephemeral tems Relating to the Funeral of the Duke of Wellington : London, 1852

London Gazette Office / Harrison & Son Printers, London : 1852

Three items relating to the funeral of the Duke of Wellington. London, 1852. Comprising; (1) The Order of Proceeding and Ceremonies Observed in the Public Funeral of the Late Field Marshall Arthur Duke of Wellington, K.G. Solomenized in Saint Paul’s Cathedral on Thursday, the XV111. Day of November 1852. Folio (380 X 26Omm), pp. 40, printed in Black within mourning black rule on heavy stock cream paper. Original brown ribbed cloth, titled and decorated in gilt on the upper cover, and dated 15 December 1852; Some wear and splitting to the spine with a little bumping to the corners. Internally yellow end-papers; no inscriptions : occasional very light markings. This special bound and expanded edition was printed for the purpose of Presentation to the Foreign Ministers, Distinguished Visitors, and Officers present upon that mournful occasion'. This special edition differs markedly in size, content and binding to that of the standard format issued to the remaining funeral attenders. The book is protected in a removal Mylar cover. (2) The Service and Anthems to be used upon Thursday the 18th day of November 1852 being the day appointed for THE PUBLIC FUNERAL of his Grace Field Marshall THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON'. (210 X 170 mm), 18pp., string bound as issued. Original Gray printed wrappers, somewhat marked and creased. Lower corner of the rear wrapper si clipped. Upper front corner of the wrapper has a professional closed tear repaired to the verso. Internally light marking and some creasing but complete. (3) A 'Inhabitants Pass ticket', printed card (80 X 120mm) , printed by D.W. Harvey, Commissioner of Police of the City of London, dated 18th of November 1852, allowing the bearer to pass on foot through the fleet Street barriers. Overall a Very Good++ set. Items (2) and (3) are protected within an archival folder. A very scarce grouping of original printed materials from the state funeral of the Duke of Wellington, the most elaborate ceremony of the Victorian age, attended by the Queen, Prince Albert, and the entire diplomatic core. The official order of proceeding, produced by the college of arms, detail the full hierarchy of the procession from the Royal Dukes and Field Marshalls down to the military bands, noting the insignia born on the black velvet cushion and the 12 horse funeral Car that carried Wellington‘s coffin to Saint Paul’s Cathedral. The service and anthems booklet were printed for use within the cathedral and contains the hymns sung under the directions to George Smart, organist of the Chapel role, in front of an incredibly large congregation. The inhabitants pass is a rare survivor – an ephemeral control pass issued to London residents to enter restricted areas along the ceremonial route. Together the three pieces evoke the scale and solemnity of the Duke's funeral, amidst widespread mourning across the nation. The state funeral of the Duke of Wellington on November 18th, 1852, was a monumental event in British history, reflecting his esteemed military and political career. Wellington, who died at the age of eighty-three on September 14th at Walmer Castle in Kent, is best known for his command of British troops at the Battle of Waterloo on June 18th, 1815, where Napoleon was decisively defeated. His victory at Waterloo and his role in the Napoleonic Wars established him as a national hero. In addition to his military achievements, Wellington also served as Prime Minister of Britain, further solidifying his legacy. The Crown decreed that the Duke should have a state funeral. Prince Albert, along with Lord Derby, the Prime Minister, and Spencer Walpole, the Home Secretary, oversaw the arrangements. It was to be an extravagant affair on an unprecedented scale, and indeed it was marked by the most extraordinary street procession that Londoners had ever witnessed. The significance of the event was such that it caused the cancellation of the Lord Mayor's parade for the first and only time in history. A very collectible and scarce set of related ephemera.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Very Good++