An original 1893 German cabinet card photograph of Princess Alix of Hesse & by Rhine (1872-1918, later Empress Alexandra Feodorovna), her sister, Irene, Princess Henry of Prussia (1866-1955), & Irene’s son, Prince Waldemar of Prussia (1889-1945). Stamp of the firm of Avanzo with its St. Petersburg address on the reverse. Probably taken byCarl Backofen, who was the courtphotographer for the Grand Duke of Hesse.Dimensions: 6 3/8 x 4 1/4 in. (16.4 x 10.7 cm).

Prince Waldemar of Prussia suffered from hemophilia; his suffering haunted Alexandra & she feared that a future son of hers might also fall ill with the “royal disease,” which remained poorly understood in the late 19th century.