Lot
9 
Great Britain, 1895 Hand Illustrated & Colored Cover, skillfully rendered pen and watercolor design showing Queen Elizabeth I Shaking the Countess of Nottingham on Her Deathbed on front, reverse with The Earl of Sussex Half Length Portrait and Story Text which reads…The story goes that the Queen had given Essex a ring to be sent to her in any extreme case. When confined in prison under the charge of treason he sent the ring to Lady Scrope - his cousin, to deliver it to the Queen. The messenger by mistake gave it to Lady Scrope's sister, the Countess of Nottingham, who, at the insistance of her husband, kept it back, thereby stopping all hope of pardon for the unfortunate Earl. Some years after, the Countess on her deathbed confessed this to the Queen and asked for her forgiveness, but she shook the dying woman on her bed and shrieked "God may forgive you - I never will", franked with Great Britain 1d lilac tied by "Camberwell S.E., Ap 5, 95" date stamp, Very Fine and choice, ex-Giamporcaro. Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $1,200