Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 9

Manuscript, Collectible and Philatelic Auction

Royalty

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 445		Catherine the Great (1726-1796). Empress of Russia. After deposing her estranged husband, Catherine named herself empress. Though she managed to extend the empire and "westernize" the nation, her reign was marked by misery among peasants. Document Signed ("Yekaterina"). As Empress. In Cyrillic. One page with integral blanks, oblong quarto, Moscow, February 26, 1763. In black ink. Docketed on integral blank. Gilt detail to paper edges. With one light horizontal fold at center, a few pinholes at upper right, rough and slightly soiled edges. Overall, in very good to fine condition. Shortly after her coronation in September of 1762, Catherine signs this imperial decree addressed to "Our Court Office" ordering the office to give the old and tattered livery to liveried servants in lieu of a reward. Further, the donation is to be considered as an expenditure. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,200. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $863
Lot 446		Diana, Princess of Wales (1961-1997). Diana Frances Spencer, the daughter of Lord and Lady Althorp, joined the Royal Family when she married Prince Charles in July 1981. Their televised fairy tale wedding captured the hearts of all those in England, as well as the millions of viewers throughout the world. While carrying out her royal duties she worked tirelessly to help the disadvantaged and ill, giving special attention to those suffering from AIDS. But after eleven years of marriage and intense speculation, a tell-all book revealed the truth of Diana and Charles' distant and passionless relationship. Shortly thereafter, the couple became officially separated and the marriage was dissolved in August of 1996. Tragically, just one year later, Diana was involved in a fateful car crash that not only took her life but left the world devastated. Signatures ("Diana" and "Charles"). One page, octavo, n.p., "1989". In black ink. A 3 x 4" color photograph of the Princess and her husband has been affixed to the signed card, and framed in an official frame featuring the three plumed emblem of the Princess of Wales for an overall size of 5½ x 7½". Signature is a bit faded. Otherwise in very good condition. In 1989, Diana pens her autograph below a picture of the Royal couple and signs with her husband, despite the fact that by this point, the two were living separate lives. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500. View details	Realized $1,438
Lot 447		George I (1660-1727). Elector of Hanover and first Hanoverian king of Great Britain. George became king as a condition of the Act of Settlement requiring a Protestant heir to the throne. Document Signed ("Georg Ludwig"). In German. Partially printed, accomplished in manuscript. As Elector. One page, quarto, Hanover, December 31, 1701. In black ink. With two horizontal folds, trimmed, foxing around edges, with a semi-circular stain at center left edge likely from a seal no longer present. In good condition overall. At the request of Duchy of Calenberg, George signs this document, allowing the year's tithe paid in corn (at that time, a mixture of wheat, rye, oats), cash, or any combination thereof: "We so order you herewith most graciously to inform said subjects … to deliver their assigned amount in produce or in money at the above rate and measurement". Interestingly, this document was signed the very year that the act of Settlement was enacted, thereby paving the way for George's succession to Queen Anne. Estimated Value $750 - 900. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $696
Lot 448		Henry VII (1457-1509). King of England. After becoming King, Henry married Elizabeth of York, thereby uniting the houses of York and Landcaster, becoming the first Tudor King. An active and able administrator, Henry quelled two rebellions, and often encouraged royal marriages to strengthen the monarchy and maintain peace. He also began the move towards royal absolutism, or the belief in the divine right of kings. Manuscript Document. One page, quarto, Greenwich, February 14, n.y. Being a testemonial. To Sir Edward Poynings, Comptroller of the Household and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. In brown ink. Stamped with Henry VII's black woodcut signature. Obviously clipped from a larger document, rough right edge, with two small losses, folds verso, and toning. Partially mounted. Stamped signature is clear and bold. Here the King cites a formal complaint, made by two gentlemen of Holland, in a testimony under the town's seal. The pair claim that seven lasts and eight barrels of herring were taken from them at sea by the Mayor of Faversham. The Comptroller of the Household is consequently commanded to request immediate restitution of the fish, allowing the unfortunate victims to sell it, thereby earning their intended profits. In addition, the Mayor is required to face the King regarding this matter. Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000. View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 449		King Geoge III and William Pitt (1738-1820). King of England whose reign spanned from 1760-1820, despite multiple bouts with mental illness. Document Signed ("George" and "Wm Pitt"). Partially printed, accomplished in manuscript. As King. One page, folio, St. James, London, July 31, 1761. Being a military appointment. On parchment. In brown ink. With original paper seal and blind stamp seal at left edge. Attractively matted and framed to an overall size of 19 x 23". With three horizontal folds, a 2" vertical crease at lower left, and light soiling. When King George III inherited the throne in 1760 he opposed many of the existing government ministers, however the value of William Pitt's military leadership could not be overlooked. Though King George's early reign was marked by constant struggles with his ministers, Pitt managed to survive the turmoil. Here the pair sign this appointment thereby naming one Thomas Elbridge as an Ensign. Estimated Value $350 - 450. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $460
Lot 450		King Vittorio Emmanuel III and Mussolini. Document Signed ("Vittorio Emmanuel" and "Mussolini"). Vittorio Emmanuel signs as King of Italy while Mussolini signs as head of the Italian government. In Italian. One page, folio, Rome, March 11, 1926. Docketed recto and verso. In black ink. A horizontal crease at center and diagonal crease across lower portion. Evenly spaced nicks along the left margin, suggesting the document may have been bound at some point. In very good condition. This document, a dishonorable discharge, dismisses Lieutenant Italo Predari for "grave offenses" that violated an Italian law dating to 1912. Unfortunately, the document does not specify the exact offenses. Estimated Value $300 - 450. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $242
Lot 451		King William IV (1765-1837). King of Great Britain and Ireland, succeeding his brother George IV as king. He was also responsible for the first Parliamentary reforms since 1430. Document Signed ("William R"). As King. Partially printed, accomplished in manuscript. One page, folio, n.p., December 28, 1830. Being a military commission. On vellum. In black ink. With original blind stamped seal at left. Countersigned by Lord Melborne. Elaborately matted and framed to an overall size of 24 x 20". With three vertical and two horizontal folds. Soiling at top center does not affect the signature. In good condition overall. In the first year of his reign, William IV appoints one Henry Robert Addison to be adjutant of the 2nd Queen's Regiment of Guards. Estimated Value $250 - 350. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $403
Lot 452		Petrovna, Elizabeth (1709-1762). Empress of Russia. The daughter of Peter the Great and Catherine I, Elizabeth gained the throne by using her popularity to overthrow the government of Ivan VI and his mother. Upon gaining power, she abolished the Cabinet council system of government and reinstated the Senate created by her father. Her reign was marked by an increasing control of the aristocracy over the government and peasantry. Her cultural accomplishments include the foundation of the Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, the University of Moscow, and the Hermitage. Document Signed ("Elizavet"). In Russian. One page, oblong quarto, St. Petersburg, May 5, 1737. In black ink. To the Patrimonial Chancery. With one soft horizontal fold at center, toning around edges. In very good to fine condition overall. The town of Tsarskoe Selo was considered the royal village since 1725. A small town just outside of St. Petersburg, it was a country retreat used by Russian royalty as a summer residence and soon became a cultural treasure with its spacious parks, Baroque palaces and monuments. In this imperial decree, Elizabeth makes arrangements regarding the village, commanding the Patrimonial Chancery to: "Inquire of our reserve storage facility whether there will be a sufficient number of chetverts of oats left over after consumption up to the coming month of October of this year and to issue the excess oats to the keeping of the Tsarskoe Selo peasants for seed…" Estimated Value $750 - 1,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $776
Lot 453		[Victoria]. Two Autograph Letters Signed. 1. Autograph Letter Signed by Edward Duke of Kent ("Edward"). Two pages, recto and verso, quarto, Kensington Palace, London, December 9, 1811. Fascinating, lengthy letter with Napoleonic War content. 2. Victoria Mary-Louisa, Duchess of Kent. Autograph Letter Signed ("Victoria"). Two pages, recto and verso, octavo, n.p., November, 1853. Features a blind embossed Royal seal. Being a request from Victoria to a "Lady Fanny" that she write to a Madame Bullande regarding arrangements for a governess to accompany Victoria's grand-daughter (probably the Princess Victoria, "Vicky") during her stay. In fine condition. A very nice lot featuring both of Queen Victoria's parents. Estimated Value $400 - 600. View details	Realized $575
Lot 454		Wilhelm II (1859-1941). German Kaiser and Prussian King from 1888 until the end of World War I. Deeply concerned with military matters, Wilhelm supported the expansion of the German Navy under Tirpitz and sought to increase Germany's international scope in spite of British and French influence. Autograph Letter Signed ("William I R"). As Kaiser of Germany. In English.Two pages, recto and verso, quarto, Schlitz, June 6, 1904. On stationery bearing the royal emblem. To King Edward VII of England. In black ink. Accompanied by transmittal envelope, complete with intact wax seal. Mailing folds, some ink fading, image from seal lightly transferred to bottom half of first sheet. Very good to fine condition. This important letter contains outstanding content, illustrating the complex relationship between England and Germany as the world gradually slid into World War I. The German Kaiser, nephew to the King of England, Rear-Admiral in the British Navy and Field Marshal in the British Army, was granted full access to the British fortifications at Gibraltar -- in spite of the German Navy's aggressive expansion and ongoing tensions in North Africa. This access, typical of the way family connections between Victoria's offspring overcame normal considerations, resulted in the letter offered here. In his usual fashion, Wilhelm's letter is a mix of family feeling, boasts and good advice. In full: "My dear Uncle, On my return home I think it my duty once more to thank you warmly for the reception accorded me at Malta and Gibraltar. As both governors expressly mentioned to me that they had your orders to receive me like yourself, you may be sure that I feel deeply touched by this kind measure of courtesy in which you so well excell. It gave me great pleasure to be able to associate with so many of your officers in both your services, and to become acquainted with the men foremost on the lists of their country, whose names like dear Sir W. Whites, have already called of forth admiration of the brothers in arms of the world and especially in our army. During my walk up the cliff at Gibraltar I was struck that there is still lots of room left where to place heavy, far carrying guns. If I may be allowed to mention the fact, I think that the Rock ought to carry a larger number of heavy ordnance; the 9.5 gun is -- especially at long ranges -- not powerful enough to cope with the heaviest guns carried by the modern battleships, they ought -- according to my humble notions -- to be replaced by 12 inch Guns. Of these there are a certain number lying at the dock in Malta belonging to the Fleet who would be most happy to sell them to the Army for use on the shore, as they can not be employed on board. The maneuvers which have been going on between the Channel fleet and the Rock, have shown, that the 6 ships of this Fleet are amply sufficient to keep the whole of the Rocks heavy ordnance fully occupied if attacked from one side only; but should an Enemy dispose two squadrons on both sides, and begin a simultaneous attack, the Rock would, without help by a friendly Fleet, be unable to withstand a bombardment like this in the long run. I must beg your pardon, if I intrude upon your kindness & seem to mix into matters that do not concern me, but as I have the honor of being a British Field Marshall, I though I might be allowed to attract your attention to these facts. The more so as I have always taken a great interest in fortifications & their defence. I fancy, that should you hear Gen. Slade's opinions about this question, he will bear me out. I was very glad to see dear old DC Warre from Eton at Malta, a man for whom I have the greatest admiration as educator & former of boys characters. With my best love to Aunty & cousins, & with renewed thanks believe me Ever Your Affectionate Nephew" While this is not the place to discuss all of the causes of the Great War, the intimate relationship between the rulers of Germany and Great Britain, in concert with the Kaiser's lifelong belief that dynastic kinship would transcend the conflicts of rival governments, absolutely affected royal perception (in both countries) of the ultimate outcome of political maneuvering and military buildups in the decade leading up to World War I. Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $3,450