The Order was created in 1896 by Queen Victoria as a personal gift of the sovereign which could be given without ministerial approval.
Seal
The seal of the Order is described heraldically as: Azure, a representation of a Badge of the First Class of the Order proper, impaled with Our Royal Arms, with the following circumscription: “The Seal of the Royal Victorian Order”
Seal 1906 impression 
Seal 1992 impression
Other Signatures
The sovereign usually signs warrants for all grades of the Order. The other signatures are the Grand Master (if there is one) and the Chancellor.
Other Paperwork
It would appear that “sounding letters” are not used in connection with appointments to this Order. Recipients are either informed by letter that they have been selected for an award, or they are surprised when the monarch presents them with an award during a private audience.
Due to the link between the Order and the staff working for the monarch who administer the Order, there are occasions when anomalies occur such as Francis Bryant, as Registrar of the Order writing to himself as a recipient of a CVO.
Case Study – Henry John Thomas Joist, MVO
Joist was an accountant in the Lord Chamberlain’s Office between 1902 and 1923.
Letter about award 
Coevering letter for warrant 
Warrant p1 
Warrant p2 
Investiture letter 
Investiture invitiaion 
Awards