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1864 Victorian Vellum Marriage Settlement Framed British Deed Revenue Stamp
Description:
Authentic 1864 Victorian British marriage settlement document, handwritten in ornate period calligraphy on a large sheet of genuine vellum and beautifully displayed in a silver metal frame behind glass.
The document records a marriage settlement involving Henry Burn and Louisa Winbolt prior to their intended marriage and carries a clearly dated official mark reading 16 August 1864.
A striking piece of Victorian legal, financial, and social history with excellent decorative appeal.
Highlights:
* Original handwritten 19th-century British legal document
* Dated August 16, 1864
* Marriage settlement involving Henry Burn and Louisa Winbolt
* Written by hand on genuine vellum
* Elaborate Victorian legal calligraphy throughout
* Oversized decorative headings including “Said,” “Provided Always,” and “And it is hereby agreed”
* Red ruled legal margin lines
* Original blue embossed British revenue/duty stamp
* Stamp remains attached with its original metal fastener/security element
* Clear crowned date/cancellation mark beneath the stamp reading 16·8·64
Historical Interest:
The settlement contains language providing funds for Louisa’s “sole and separate use”, independent of Henry Burn and his debts, control, and engagements.
This type of marriage settlement was used in Victorian Britain to place certain assets in trust for a married woman at a time when married women had much more limited independent property rights than they would after later legal reforms.
Financial Content:
The trust references approximately £700, a substantial sum in 1864, together with investments including:
* West Hartlepool Stock
* Three Pounds Per Cent Consolidated Bank Annuities / British Consols
* Trust provisions connected to the intended marriage
Revenue Stamp Detail:
One of the most attractive features is the large blue embossed revenue stamp in the upper-left portion of the document. It retains its central metal fastening element and is accompanied by a clearly visible crowned cancellation/date mark reading 16 August 1864.
Signatures / Lower Edge:
The visible vellum ends flush with the bottom edge of the frame. Any signature, witness, or sealing area that may originally have appeared lower on the document is not visible in the current framing.
The frame has not been disassembled, so no representation is being made as to whether additional material is folded behind the mount or was trimmed during an earlier framing process.
Please review all photos carefully. Sold exactly as shown.
Condition:
Very good antique display condition considering its age. The vellum presents well with highly legible handwriting, strong decorative calligraphy, and an attractive overall layout.
The document is mounted flat behind glass in a modern silver-tone metal frame and is ready to display.
Excellent for:
* Law office or attorney décor
* Library or study
* British history collection
* Antique document collection
* Victorian décor
* Financial or banking history collection
* Historic home or office display
A visually impressive mid-Victorian legal document dating to 1864 with a particularly strong combination of handwritten calligraphy, marriage-law history, investment references, and an original revenue stamp.
Ships carefully packed to protect the framed document.
