Royalty K - N
Leopold II., King (1835-1909)
Rare autograph letter signed
King of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909. Born in Brussels as the second but eldest surviving son of Leopold I. and Louise of Orléans. He succeeded his father to the Belgian throne in 1865 and reigned until his death, the longest reign of any Belgian monarch. Leopold was the founder and sole owner of the Congo Free State. Leopold's administration of the Congo was characterized by murder, torture and notorious systematic brutality. Autograph letter signed “Leopold”. 4 pages, 4.5 x 7.0 inch, bifolium, Château de Laeken, 1880 June 1. Addressed to: „Cher cousin, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Ernest II. (Ernst August Karl Johann Leopold Alexander Eduard, 1818-1893). A fine handwritten letter regarding a wish of Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria. In French, in parts: “L’Archiduc Rodolphe Prince Impérial d’Autriche Hongrie désire très vivement…pour…Mr Karl Bohuslawek la petite croix en argent de chevalier de l’ordre de Famille. J’ai promis de vous faire part du vœu de mon futur gendre…” Translated: “The Archduke Rudolph, Prince Imperial of Austria Hungary, wishes the little cross in silver of knight of the order of Family for ... Mr. Karl Bohuslawek. I promised to share with you the wish of my future son-in-law…”. The original mailing envelope with a fine black wax seal is included. Mailing folds, else fine condition. Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria (1858-1889), was the only son and third child of Emperor Franz Joseph I. and Elisabeth of Bavaria. He was heir apparent to the throne of Austria-Hungary from birth. In 1889, he died in a suicide pact with his mistress, Baroness Mary Vetsera, at the Mayerling hunting lodge.
Price: $ 1,540 / € 1.400
Ludwig II., King (1845-1886)
Document signed by the Fairy tale King (Neuschwanstein)
Ludwig II. was King of Bavaria from 1864 until his death. He is sometimes called the Swan King and “der Märchenkönig” - the Fairy tale King. He also held the titles of Count Palatine of the Rhine, Duke of Bavaria, Duke of Franconia, and Duke in Swabia. He succeeded to the throne aged only 18 and is famous for the construction of two lavish palaces and the fantastic Neuschwanstein Castle. Partly printed document signed. Document signed “Ludwig”, 1p., bifolium, 8.0 x 13.5 inch, Munich, 1869 January 8, fine and large paper seal. Patent for Carl Fortenbach as Major General. Signed in dark black ink by Ludwig and countersigned by Bavarian General and Minister of War Sigmund von Pranckh (1821-1888). Mailing folds, slightly discolored, else good condition. Excellent signature.
Price: $ 1,760 / € 1.600
Mary II., Queen (1662-1694)
Rare signature AS QUEEN
Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland who co-reigned with her husband, William III. & II, from 1689 until her death in 1694. Mary's death from smallpox at the age of 32 left William as sole ruler until his death in 1702, when he was succeeded by Mary's sister, Anne. Rare ink signature as queen "Marie R:”. On an off-white 7.0 x 2.0 inch sheet clipped from the top of a manuscript document. Affixed to a slightly larger sheet. In very good to fine condition. Mary, a Protestant, came to the throne following the Glorious Revolution, which resulted in the deposition of her Roman Catholic father, James II. Rare signature.
Price: $ 1,375 / € 1.250
Maximilian I., Joseph, King (1756-1825)
Rare and fine content autograph letter signed
Duke of Zweibrücken from 1795 to 1799, prince-elector of Bavaria (as Maximilian IV. Joseph) from 1799 to 1806, then King of Bavaria (as Maximilian I. Joseph) from 1806 to 1825. Rare autograph letter signed “Max-Joseph”. 1p., bifolium, 6.5 x 8.25 inch, Baden, 1815 July 6. Only about four weeks after the end of the vienna congress on June 9th, 1815. An untranslated letter in French, to an unknown recipient “J’ai recu votre letter en date de …”. The Kings mentions in this letter Lord Wellington (Arthur Wellesley, 1769-1852, 1. Duke of Wellington) and Napoleon. On June 18, 1815 (only about 3 weeks before this letter), Wellington defeated Napoleon decisively at the Battle of Waterloo. Minor handling wear, else fine condition. Surely one of the finest Maximilian I. autographs you can hope to find.
Price: $ 880 / € 800