3-000-231 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Portrait of Queen Anne composed entirely of minute writing, 1860. '...one day, during the examination of a slim folio volume (Add. MSS. 4027), Sir Frederic Madden discovered the curious and interesting fact that...[the portrait was not the work] of the graver at all, but [was] composed entirely of writing executed with a pen - containing words enough to make a moderately-sized book! The volume in question... is entitled "An Account of the Several Matters and Transactions of State contained in her Royal Majesty Queen Anne's Picture since her happy Accession to the Throne of her Ancestors. Performed in Writing by John Dundass...1702"...in the two lines...round the oval may be read the order for proclaiming her Majesty Queen of Great Britain, France, and Ireland...In the Hair are written - Her Majesty's Speech to both Houses of Parliament, March 30, 1702...In the Garments and Jewels - Her Majesty's Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament...In the Neck - The Lord's Prayer, Creed, Ten Commandments, and the Blessing. In the Necklace - Prayer for the Queen; Prayer for the Royal Family...On the Breast - The Marquis of Montrose's Epitaph on the Martyrdom of King Charles I...And, finally, In the Breast and Garments - Fifty-five different Psalms!' From "Illustrated London News", 1860.