1 of 4 very interesting UNIQUE tree labels that was originally at WYNYARD HALL near Stockton On Tees a very prestigious estate which at the time of these labels was the family seat of the Vane - Tempest - Stewart family. Marquesses of Londonderry.
Charles Vane the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry was a coal magnate and he founded Seaham Harbour. Later in the 19th Century Charles Vane-Tempest, Earl Vane as he was known and the 5th Marquess of Londonderry in 1872 and the family owned 27,000 acres in Ireland as well as 23,000 acres in England and Wales. He was in the House of Commons as an MP for 26 years.
His son Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart 1852 - 1915 was the 6th Marquess of Londonderry, and also known as Viscount Castlereagh, a Conservative MP.
Wynyard Hall remained in their family till about 1987 when Sir John Hall ( builder and Newcastle Utd related ) bought it.
The great estate had a number of Royal Visits during this period when King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra were frequent visitors when they were ( Prince & Princess of Wales before 1901 ). Also King George V visited when he was known as the (Prince of Wales) in 1902.
Large heavy antique metal tree identification label / tag that would have been used in a large Arboretum or garden. Looks like the label is made from a non magnetic metal which is attached to a much better quality harder iron post to be driven into the ground.
The back of the label is marked
"The Stratford"
John Smith
Stratford Upon Avon.
Apparently John Smith was a very prestigious label maker and was commissioned by Queen Victoria to make labels for her rose garden at Sandringham.
This particular label reads:
ABIES
VEITCHII
planted by
H.R.H. THE
DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE
September 1st 1896
So this was another large conifer tree and H.R.H. Duke of Cambridge was Prince George, George William Frederick Charles 1819 - 1904, a grandson of King George III and cousin of Queen Victoria. He was the Military Head of the British Army from 1856 - 1895.
Museum quality item. See another 3 from this collection I am also selling for different species and planted by more interesting people.