Lincolnshire County Council has spent nearly £5,000 on a letter written by Queen Victoria to Lincolnshire poet Alfred Tennyson.
The letter was auctioned in New York last month by Swann Auction Galleries.
The Swann Auction website details the sale, stating that the final price paid for the letter with buyer’s premium was $5,750 (£4,368).
The letter was estimated to sell for $3,000-$4,000.
The council said the document will be housed in The Tennyson Research Centre Collection at Lincolnshire Archives.
Coun Nick Worth, executive member for heritage, said: “This letter is a fantastic addition to the Tennyson collection.
“Not only does it underline the close friendship between Tennyson and Victoria, but it also offers an insight into her state of mind at an incredibly trying time.
“I’m delighted we’ve been able to purchase it for the county, and would like to thank the Tennyson Society for their support in doing this.”
The letter details the death of Victoria’s son, Leopold.
