Souvenir manuscript penned entirely in Kipling’s hand, signed at the conclusion “R. K.,” comprising the complete text of his poem “The Young Queen,” on both sides of a gray-green 7 x 9 sheet, no date [likely circa 1901]. From its dubious eighteenth-century roots as a British penal colony, Australia grew over the next century into a thriving collection of mostly self-governing Crown Colonies. The federation of these colonies into a single nation—the Commonwealth of Australia—on January 1, 1901 marked the birth of modern Australia. Kipling, an enthusiastic advocate of colonial rule and the “ideals” of the British empire, wrote “The Young Queen” to commemorate the historic occasion. Originally published in the London Times, the ten-stanza poem is a colorful allegory in which the upstart yet loyal Australia is cast as the “Young Queen” to Great Britain’s “Old Queen.” The poem begins: “Her hand was still on her sword-hilt—the spur was still on her heel—She had not cast her harness of grey, war-dinted steel—High on her red-splashed charger, beautiful, bold, and browned, Bright-eyed out of the battle, the Young Queen rode to be crowned.” After the Old Queen declares the Young Queen to be “Daughter no more but sister” and asserts that “we be women together” she offers her benediction: “Tempered, august, abiding, reluctant of prayers or vows, Eager in face of peril as thine for thy mother’s house—God requite thee, my Sister, through the excellent years to be, And make thy people to love thee as thou hast loved me!” While examples of Kipling’s work in his own hand are uncommon and of great desirability, the length and historical significance of the present item elevate it to a level of unusual importance. We found no record of a manuscript copy of this poem ever having been offered at auction and believe that this specimen well may be unique. In fine condition, with mild toning and bisecting folds with small edge separations not affecting any text. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
