Manuscript DS, signed “Albert Edward,” six pages, 8 x 10, no date. A petition to his mother, the Queen, requesting the formation of a music school. In part: “The humble petition of Your Majesty’s dutiful & loving son Albert Edward Prince of Wales etc Humbly showeth That in the year 1875 a school for music called the National Training School of Music was established at Kensington…That such school has for its object the education of persons showing special aptitude for Music and unable to bear the whole of the expense of their education. That the said school has by the liberality of various donors been endowed with considerable annual grant to which Your Majesty, your Petitioner, and other members of the Royal Family, the City Companies, the Society of the Arts…That in the judgement of your Petitioner it is expedient that a Royal College of Music should be formed on a more permanent and extended basis than any existing institution, with the inclusion, as part thereof of the National Training School at South Kensington. That such a College would have a capacity to exercise a powerful influence on the cultivation, practice, and regulation of the art and science of music, and further might efficiently and the promotion and supervision of musical instruction…it would be greatly for the benefit of the public and for the advancement of music if your Majesty would be graciously pleased to grant a charter of incorporation to your Petitioner and any other persons who may become members of the new College under the title of ‘the Royal College of Music …” Pages are still bound together by its original green ribbon. Mild irregular toning to left edge of first page, as well as a small pencil notation, and docketing to reverse of last page, otherwise fine condition.
The Royal College of Music in London was founded by Royal Charter in 1882, with the future king, Edward VII, participating in its official 1894 opening. Since then, the College's influence on the development of music has been immeasurable, with some of the most distinguished and influential figures in British music history having passed through its doors. A remarkable piece laying the foundation of the Royal College of Music, a place forever linked with the Royal family. RRAuction COA.
