Original Victorian Henry James Invitation card from the Duchess of Cleveland, c. 1876-1881

The Duchess of Cleveland – Invitation to “Mr Henry James”

17 St James’s Square – Saturday Evening, May 7th
[Likely 7 May 1876 or 7 May 1881]

A finely engraved Victorian “At Home” invitation card from The Duchess of Cleveland, addressed in manuscript to:

Mr Henry James.

Printed in elegant copperplate:

The Duchess of Cleveland
at Home
17 St James’s Square

The words “Saturday Evening, May 7th” are also written by hand in brown ink. No year is given. The card is blank verso.

Dating:

During Henry James’s lifetime (1843–1916), May 7 fell on a Saturday in:

1870, 1876, 1881, 1887, 1892, 1898, 1904, 1910 and 1915.

Stylistically, the engraving, stock and layout are consistent with late Victorian society stationery of the 1870s–1880s, rather than Edwardian forms.

The most plausible dates are therefore:

Saturday, 7 May 1876
or
Saturday, 7 May 1881

1887 remains possible but slightly less likely stylistically; later dates are improbable.

The Duchess of Cleveland:

At the likely date of 1876 or 1881, the Duchess was:

Theresa Villiers (1801–1887).

She became Duchess in 1853 as wife of William Vane and was a well-known London society hostess, resident at 17 St James’s Square. Her receptions formed part of the social fabric of aristocratic and political London.

Identification of the Recipient:

Henry James was deeply embedded in London literary-aristocratic society from the mid-1870s onward, and such invitations were characteristic of the salon culture in which he participated.

Physical Description:

• Engraved invitation card on cream stock.

• Manuscript recipient and date in brown ink.

• Blank verso.

• Dimensions: 88 mm x 124 mm.

• Generally very good condition, with light handling marks and mild age toning

Significance:

While not an autograph document of Henry James, the card represents a tangible artefact of late Victorian London society and offers documentary evidence of James’s inclusion within aristocratic hosting circles at St James’s Square during the height of his London career.