[Sibell, Lady Wyndham (previously Countess Grosvenor).] Autograph Letter Signed (‘Sibell Grosvenor’) to the opera singer Madame Albani, discussing the death of her father-in-law the Duke of Westminster.

See the entry on her second husband George Wyndham in the Oxford DNB. Wyndham had been appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland a few months previously (October 1900). His plans were ambitious, but after some success they would flounder, leading to a nervous breakdown: within four years of the present letter the Prime Minister Arthur Balfour would write to Lady Wyndham that was ‘utterly ruined’ and ‘really hardly sane’. See also the ODNB entry on the recipient. 4pp, 12mo, with text concluding crossways at top of first three pages. Bifolium with mourning border. In fair condition, lightly aged. Folded for postage. Addressed to ‘Dear Madame Albani’ and signed ‘Sibell Grosvenor’. She begins by stating that the delay of a year in writing has ‘been sweet in one way’, as it has kept her ‘in continual remembrance’ of Madame Albani. ‘It has been such a tremendous year, in every way, & one of so many changes, joys & great sorrows, that it has been difficult to keep pace with it all’. She now turns to the is sending her ‘the copy of a letter [not present] my Husband wrote me after attending the Service [Hugh Grosvenor, 1st Duke of Westminster, of whom her first husband was the eldest son and heir] in Westminster Abbey’. ‘In the midst of her great sorrow nothing touched the Duchess more than your act of Love for him, & we shall always treasure your beautiful thought.’ She is also sending (again not present) ‘the office we had in on the anniversary the other day, in the most beautiful Church which he had just built. / The Duchess is just moving into her new home, which is about 18 miles from Eaton [Eaton Hall, Cheshire] - oh it has been a sad year for her, & she is so good & patient.’ She concludes in the hope that Madame Albani’s son is well, and her husband ‘Mr. Gye’.