Prince Waldemar of Prussia (1868–1879) – Rare Memorial Collection from the Hohenzollern Dynasty

Biographical Background

Prince Waldemar of Prussia (1868–1879) was a member of the Prussian royal family and the youngest son of the later Emperor Frederick III and the British Princess Royal Victoria, daughter of Queen Victoria. Born on February 10, 1868, at the Crown Prince's Palace in Berlin, Waldemar grew up in one of the most significant dynasties in Europe. As a Prussian prince, he was part of an era characterized by monarchical splendor, family ties, and political upheaval.

Tragically, in March 1879, Waldemar contracted diphtheria, a disease that was often fatal at the time. Despite intensive medical care, he passed away on March 27, 1879, at the New Palace in Potsdam. His death deeply devastated the family and was documented in numerous letters and memoirs.

Memorial Art & Culture of Remembrance

To commemorate the young prince, several memorial pictures and miniature portraits were created, showing him in court attire or a sailor suit with a gentle expression. These mourning images are part of the Prussian culture of remembrance and reflect the deep affection Waldemar enjoyed within his family. His brother Prince Henry later even named his own son after him—a sign of lasting family bonds.

This rare collection comprises two significant keepsakes of Prince Waldemar of Prussia, which are of high value both art-historically and familially. They document the Prussian culture of remembrance of the 19th century and provide insight into the private grief over the early death of the son of the later Emperor Frederick III.

Object Description of the Collection

Memorial Picture in Leather Case

• Miniature portrait of Prince Waldemar, presumably around 1878

• Housed in a folding leather case, designed like a winged altar

• Reverse side features a historical paper label "Z. 85, No. 44" – an indication of family archiving

• Distributed only among the close family circle

• Condition: Very well preserved, with subtle wear

• Dimensions when unfolded: 26 × 16 cm

• Miniature image: 6 × 4.5 cm

Photograph from 1876 – Reichard & Lindner, Berlin

• Original photograph from the renowned Berlin studio Reichard & Lindner

• Created in 1876, showing Waldemar as a boy of about 8 years old

• Classic format, popular among the nobility and bourgeoisie

• Dimensions: 16 × 11 cm

• Authentic testament to Prussian portrait photography in the German Empire

Collector's Significance

This collection is an impressive example of memorial art and 19th-century photography, especially in the context of the Hohenzollern dynasty. It is excellently suited for museum presentations, collections on Prussian history, or as part of an exhibition on mourning culture among the nobility.