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 Kronprinzenpalais in Berlin, Waldemar grew up in one of Europe's most prominent dynasties. As a Prussian prince, he was part of an era characterized by monarchical splendor, family ties, and political upheavals.

Tragically, in March 1879, Waldemar contracted diphtheria, a disease 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 shook the family and was documented in numerous letters and memoirs.

In memory of the young prince, several memorial pictures and miniature portraits were created, depicting him in courtly attire or a sailor suit, with a gentle expression. These mourning pictures are part of Prussian commemorative culture and reflect the deep affection Waldemar enjoyed within his family. His brother Heinrich later even named his own son after him – a sign of lasting family connection.

This rare convolute includes two significant mementos of Prince Waldemar of Prussia, which are of high art-historical and familial value. They document 19th-century Prussian commemorative culture and offer insight into the private grief over the early death of the son of the later Emperor Frederick III.

Memorial Picture in Leather Case

• Miniature portrait of Prince Waldemar, presumably created around 1878
• Housed in a folding leather case, designed like a winged altarpiece (very suitable for travel)
• Back with historical paper sticker "Z. 85, Nr. 44", indicating family archiving
• Distributed only within the close family circle and to trusted relatives
• Condition: Very well preserved, with subtle abrasion on the leather
• Dimensions:
  • Unfolded: 26 × 16 cm
  • Miniature image: 6 × 4.5 cm

Photograph from 1876 – Reichard & Lindner, Berlin

• Original photograph by Reichard & Lindner, a renowned Berlin studio
• Taken in 1876, shows Waldemar as an approximately 8-year-old boy
• Classic format, popular among nobility and bourgeoisie
• Dimensions: 16 × 11 cm
• Authentic testimony of Prussian portrait photography in the German Empire

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