Royalty F - J
Frederick I. (1657-1713)
Rare autograph letter signed by the first King of Prussia
Was (as Frederick III.) Elector of Brandenburg (1688–1713) and Duke of Prussia in personal union (Brandenburg-Prussia). The latter function he upgraded to royalty, becoming the first King in Prussia (1701–1713). Rare autograph letter signed “Friedrich R.”. 1 page, bifolium, 10.0 x 8 inch (unfolded), no place, 1704 August 26. Addressed to “Chambellandt de Cameke”. In German, in full: Lieber Kameke (?), Es ist mir hertzlich leidt dass Unglück so Du gehabt hast, Ich wünsche dass dieses Schreiben Euch wieder völlig (?) besser finde, und ihret Dich dankbar hat (?) wieder bei mir zu kommen, der Ich im dessen lebenslang bin, derselbe ehrwürdige … König.“ Red wax seal intact. Mounted on cardboard, slightly discolored, verso with an old typed note regarding the letter, dated June 1949. Else good condition. Rare in autograph letter signed.
Price: $ 1,100 / € 1.000
Frederick III. (1831-1888)
Exceedingly rare letter signed as King & Emperor (1888/ 99 days)
Frederick III. was German Emperor and King of Prussia for 99 days in 1888, the Year of the Three Emperors. Friedrich Wilhelm Nikolaus Karl, known informally as Fritz, was the only son of Emperor William I. and was raised in his family's tradition of military service. Although celebrated as a young man for his leadership and successes during the Second Schleswig, Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian wars. Rare letter signed “Friedrich”, as King and Emperor. 1p., bifolium, 8.25 x 10.5 inch, Charlottenburg, 1888 April 17. Black border mourning stationery (his father Wilhelm I. died on March 9, 1888). To his nephew Prince Friedrich Leopold, "Premier-Lieutenant à la suite Meines Regiments der Gardes du Corps", regarding his appointment as cavalry captain. In German, in full: “Ich habe seine königliche Hoheit heute zum Rittmeister befördert und demgemäß an das General-Kommando des Garde-Korps verfügt. Es gereicht mir zum besonderen Vergnügen seine königliche Hoheit hiervon in Kenntniß zu setzen“. A large and bold signature, dated during his short reign. Mounting residue on the blank second page of the bifolium, handling wear, else good condition. Exceedingly rare. After 27 years as Crown Prince, Frederick III. became Emperor, but suffering from cancer of the larynx he died aged 56 after reigning for only three months.
Price: $ 1,980 / € 1.800
Frederick III. (1831-1888)
Rare autograph note signed as King & Emperor (1888/ 99 days)
Frederick III. was German Emperor and King of Prussia for 99 days in 1888, the Year of the Three Emperors. Friedrich Wilhelm Nikolaus Karl, known informally as Fritz, was the only son of Emperor William I. and was raised in his family's tradition of military service. Although celebrated as a young man for his leadership and successes during the Second Schleswig, Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian wars. Rare autograph note signed “Friedrich”, as King and Emperor. 1p., 3.75 x 6.0 inch, n.p., n.d. One of the conversation slips of the terminally ill emperor, written during the 99 days. In German, in full: “Ich bitte um Abschrift der Zeiteinteilung für die Herbstübungen des GardeCorps”. Translated: “I would like to request a copy of the time schedule for the GardeCorps' fall exercises”. Horizontal and vertical fold, minor handling wear, ink name note at the bottom, else fine condition. Exceedingly rare. After 27 years as Crown Prince, Frederick III. became Emperor, but suffering from cancer of the larynx he died aged 56 after reigning for only three months.
Price: $ 1,375 / € 1.250
Frederick III. (1831-1888)
Autograph note as Emperor during the 99 days
Frederick III. was German Emperor and King of Prussia for 99 days in 1888, the Year of the Three Emperors. Friedrich Wilhelm Nikolaus Karl, known informally as Fritz, was the only son of Emperor William I. and was raised in his family's tradition of military service. Although celebrated as a young man for his leadership and successes during the Second Schleswig, Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian wars. One of the conversation slips of the terminally ill emperor, written during the 99 days. Autograph note unsigned „1 ½ Stunden nach Tisch fest eingeschlafen“. 1p., 4.5 x 4.0 inch, June 1888, written in pencil. Mounted on a thin sheet with information about the Emperor and the autograph. Uneven lower edge, small repaired tear, else good condition. Frederick III. autographs during the 99 days are exceedingly rare.
Price: $ 440 / € 400
George I., King (1660-1727)
Document signed
King of Great Britain and Ireland from 1 August 1714 and ruler of the Electorate of Hanover within the Holy Roman Empire from 23 January 1698 until his death in 1727. He was the first British monarch of the House of Hanover. Document signed “Guht williger Georg Ludewig Cuhrfürste”. 2 pages, bifolium, 8.0 x 12.5 inch, Hannover, 1700 March 18, fine wax seal and address on the second page of the bifolium. As Elector of Hanover to the Bavarian envoy to the Reichstag in Regensburg, Count Tattenbach, whom he thanks for his services "for the Chursache". In German: "... Wir haben das zuverlassige Vertrawen, derselbe werde … die beforderung Unserer introduction in das Churfürstliche Collegium … sich … aufs Beste recommendiret seyn zulassen belieben …" Mailing folds, handling wear, else good condition.
Price: $ 1,430 / € 1.300
George II., King (1683-1760)
Document signed
King of Great Britain and Ireland 1727-1760. Born and brought up in northern Germany, George is the most recent British monarch born outside Great Britain. For two centuries after George II's death, historians tended to view him with disdain, concentrating on his mistresses, short temper, and boorishness. Document signed “George R”. 1p., bifolium, 8.75 x 12.75 inch, (London) St. James, 1760 March 30. With a fine paper seal and in German. Appointment for Hieronymus Gotthardt Kirchhoff as “Lieutenat und Regiments Quartier Meister beim Veltheimischen Regiment zu Pferde“. Countersigned by Gerlach Adolph von Münchhausen (1688-1770). Mailing folds, discolored, handling wear, else good condition. George II. died October 25, 1760 at Kensington Palace.
Price: $ 660 / € 600
George III., King (1738-1820)
Signed document by the last “King of the United States/ 1768”
King of Great Britain and Ireland who reigned from 1760 until his death. Document signed “George R”. 1p., bifolium, 8.5 x 12.75 inch, signed in dark ink. Court at Saint James, 1768 September 2. With a fine paper seal and in German. Appointment for Hieronymus Gotthard Kirchhoff as “Capitaine Lieutenant”. Expected folds, handling wear and slightly discolored. The signature of George III. changed more than that of any other. Both, blind and insane, his signature became eccentric and ill-formed, this one is an uncommon fine and early example. Rare and only the second George III. document I have for sale dated before the American Declaration of Independence.
Price: $ 770 / € 700
George IV., King (1762-1830)
Document signed as Prince Regent
King of Great Britain and Ireland 1820-1830 who became Prince Regent in 1811 when George III. became permanently deranged. Document signed “George PR.” 1p., bifolium, 8.0 x 12.75 inch, Carlton House (London), 1818 October 9, with a fine intact paper seal and impressive large signature and countersigned. Uncommon document in German, patent for “Ober-Berg-Commissair Leonhard Schaake zu Celle”. Mailing folds, handling wear, else good condition.
Price: $ 770 / € 700
George VI., King (1895-1952) & Chamberlain, Neville (1869-1940)
Document signed by both
George VI. was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death. Neville Chamberlain was a British Conservative politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from May 1937 to May 1940. Document signed "app'd GRI” and "N. Chamberlain". 1 page, bifolium, 7.5 x 9.5 inch, 10 Downing Street letterhead, 1937 November 15. Letter of recommendation to King George VI. In part: "Mr. Chamberlain, with his humble duty to the King, respectfully recommends to Your Majesty the appointment of the Reverend John Willie Davis, Vicar of St. Faith, Lincoln, to the Vicarage of St. Mary Magdalene, Gedney, vacant by the death of the Reverend Theodore Crombie Gobat, M.A." Signed at the head by King George VI. With a small filing hole to the upper left corner, else fine. Rare combination of signatures.
Price: $ 1,375 / € 1.250
Grace (1929-1982) and Rainier (1923-2005) of Monaco
Signed photograph
Grace Kelly was an American film actress and Princess of Monaco as the wife of Prince Rainier III. Rainier III. ruled the Principality of Monaco for almost 56 years, making him one of the longest ruling monarchs of the 20th century. Best known outside of Europe for having married American actress Grace Kelly in 1956. Signed color postcard photograph ”Grace de Monaco” and “Rainier Prince de Monaco”. 4.25 x 6.0 inch, n.p., n.d. Fine!
Price: $ 550 / € 500
Grace of Monaco (1929-1982)
Signed photograph
Grace Kelly was an American film actress and Princess of Monaco as the wife of Prince Rainier III. Signed glossy postcard photograph ”Grace de Monaco”. Photograph, 4.0 x 6.0 inch, n.p., n.d. Signed in blue ink. Fine condition.
Price: $ 550 / € 500
Gustaf VI. Adolf, King (1882-1973)
Signed presentation photograph
King of Sweden from 29 October 1950 until his death. He was the eldest son of King Gustaf V. and his wife, Victoria of Baden, and had been Crown Prince of Sweden for the preceding 43 years in the reign of his father. Vintage signed presentation photograph “Gustaf Adolf 1938”. 6.5 x 8.5 inch visible, 9.25 x 11.5 overall. Showing Gustaf VI. Adolf in a formal half length pose wearing his uniform. Signed in fountain pen ink to the lower photographer's mount and dated 1938 in his hand. Additionally signed by the photographer in white fountain pen ink to the lower right corner of the image. Framed and glazed in the original red/ brown leather presentation frame by P.A. Norstedt in Stockholm and bearing a gilt stamped crown at the head. Handling wear to the frame, else good condition and excellent signed.
Price: $ 880 / € 800
Hirohito, Emperor (1901-1989) & Kojun, Empress (1903-2000)
Scarce oversized formal presentation photographs signed
Emperor of Japan from 1926 to his death in 1989. Following the devastating result of the atomic bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima in World War II, he renounced his divinity in favor of a democratic constitutional monarchy. Empress Kōjun, born Princess Nagako was a member of the Imperial House of Japan and the wife of Emperor Hirohito. Incredibly scarce set of vintage matte-finish three-quarter length photographs of Hirohito and Empress Nagako. 8.5 x 12.75 inch, n.p., n.d. (about 1957), beautifully signed in thick black ink in Japanese by the emperor and empress. Inserted with photo corners in the original presentation folders, bearing an embossed gold Imperial Seal of Japan (called the Chrysanthemum Seal) on the front. Photographs in very fine condition, folders with minor handling and corner wear. Few Hirohito/ Kojun signed photographs are made available to the collecting public, particularly those of this quality and size. A wonderful pair and one of the finest you can hope to find.
Price: $ 9,900 / € 9.000