Sir Hugh Casson (United Kingdom, 1910 - 1999) "Albert Memorial". Watercolor. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Westminster Collector's Society Great Britian 12p Albert Memorial stamp issued May 7, 1980. Princess Victoria became heir presumptive to the British throne when she was only eleven years old. Just seven years later, in 1837, the shy princess was crowned Queen. When coronation ceremonies concluded, advisers encouraged the eighteen-year-old queen to marry. Two years later, her cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg, visited London and the young queen fell deeply in love with him. Victoria and Albert were married in 1840. The handsome prince became the center of Queen Victoria's life and, with their nine children, the royal couple led a full and happy life. But, in 1861, Prince Albert died of typhoid fever. The queen was inconsolable. Heartbroken, she withdrew from her court and family. Gradually, Queen Victoria returned to her duties but, each year, on the anniversary of Albert's death, her grief returned. Queen Victoria vowed that the nation would never forget her beloved Albert. To accomplish this she built the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens. Sir George Gilbert Scott designed the memorial which represents the essence of High Victorian taste. To this day, the statue of Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg sits under a richly ornamented Gothic canopy. The Prince is clutching the catalogue of the Great Exhibition of 1851 which he helped engineer. One hundred sixty-nine portrait sculptures march around the podium, allegorical figures crown the arches and bronze statues adorn the spire. Overall Size: 17 x 19 in. Unframed. (B06025)