Grand Duke Michael Michailovitch of Russia (1861-1929)

RUSSIA, GRAND DUKE MICHAEL OF & COUNTESS TORBY Neg. No: GP (L) 1423 Neg. Size: 15"x12" Neg. Date: 03-07-1897 Sitters: H.I.H. Grand Duke Michael Michailovitch of Russia (1861-1929); grandson of Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. Sophia Nicholaievna, Countess de Torby (1868-1927); daughter of Prince Nicholas William of Nassau; m. (1891) (morganatically) H.I.H. Grand Duke Michael Michailovitch of Russia. Image displayed in: Role: (Grand Duke) King Henry IV of France;¹ (Countess de Torby) Gabrielle d'Estray.² Date: 3 July 1897. Occasion: The Devonshire House Ball, 2 July 1897. Location: Devonshire House, Piccadilly, London, W. Descr: FL standing. Costume: (Grand Duke) "...a Henry IV costume in black and gold puffed with white satin, and strapped with gold embroidery; the cape was lined with white, and trimmed with gold cord and tassels; and a white ruff and black hat ornamented with gold braid and blue silk band, with order, were worn." (The Queen, 10 July 1897, p 76a). Costume Supplier: (Grand Duke) W. Clarkson, Wellington Street, London. Orders, Decorations & Medals: (Grand Duke) (Replica) The French Order of Saint Esprit. Furniture & Props: Painted backdrop with 'baronial fireplace'; studio Persian rug. Photographer: James Stack Lauder (1853-1923), trading as 'J. Lafayette', 179 New Bond Street, London, W. Evidence of photographer at work: Edge of backdrop to the right of the plate. No of poses: 1. Note: This image appears in a display album from the studio, indicating that the public could buy copies of the image. Copyright: V&A Provenance: Pinewood Studios; acquired 1989. References: Biog: (Grand Duke Michael) Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd ed., Burke's Royal Families of the World, Vol 1, London, 1977, p. 472a; The Times, 27 April, 1929, p. 17a & 1 May 1929, p. 15f. (Countess de Torby) Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd ed., Burke's Royal Families of the World, Vol 1, London, 1977, p. 241b; The Times, 16 September 1927, p. 13e & 17 September, 1927, p. 12a. (See also The Times, 9 April, 1891, p. 5d; Baroness de Stoeckl, Not all Vanity, London, 1950; Baroness de Stoeckl, My Dear Marquis, London, 1952; David Chavchavadze, The Grand Dukes, New York, 1990; Raleigh Trevelyan, Grand Dukes and Diamonds: The Wernhers of Luton Hoo, London, 1991). Occasion: Sophia Murphy, The Duchess of Devonshire's Ball, London, 1984; Role & Costume: (Grand Duke Michael) The Daily Chronicle, 3 July 1897, p 7g; The Daily News, 3 July 1897, p 5f; The Irish Times, 3 July 1897, p 8c; The Morning Post, 3 July 1897, p 7f & 8b; The New York Herald, July 3rd 1897, p 1e; St. James's Gazette, 3 July 1897, p 9a; The Standard, 3 July 1897, p 4b; The Times, 3 July 1897, p 12b; The Westminster Gazette, 3 July 1897, p 5a; The Gentlewoman, 10 July 1897, p 50a & 59 [line drawing]; The Queen, 10 July 1897, p 76a. (Countess de Torby) Devonshire House Fancy Dress Ball, July 2 1897: A Collection of Portraits in Costume of Some of the Guests, privately printed, 1899, p 15, (National Portrait Gallery Archives). Costume Supplier: (Grand Duke) The Morning Post, 3 July 1897, p 8b; Vanity Fair, 8 July 1897, p 18b; The Queen, 10 July 1897, p 76c. Photography: Copyright Records, Public Record Office, Kew: COPY 1/431, 9 August 1897, (1 pose registered); The Daily Telegraph, 3 July 1897, p 9f; Black & White, 10 July 1897, p 38b. Reproduced: Devonshire House Fancy Dress Ball, July 2 1897: A Collection of Portraits in Costume of Some of the Guests, privately printed, 1899, p 15, (National Portrait Gallery Archives). ¹ King Henry IV of France (1553-1610); ruled (1589-1610). ² Gabrielle d'Estray (1571?-1599); paramour of King Henry IV of France.