EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THBKing George IV Letter Signed to Tsar Alexander I Announcing a New Diplomat
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $5 |
| $50 | $10 |
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
About Auction
LiveOct 11, 2023
RR Auction support@rrauction.com
View Full Catalog (910)
- Lot Description
LS signed “George R,” one page both sides, 9.25 x 14.5, October 10, 1825. Letter to Tsar Alexander I of Russia, rather humorously addressing him by his many, many titles—filling up most of the front with the greeting alone: "To The Most High, Most Potent, and Most Illustrious Prince, Our Most Dear Brother and Great Lord, Alexander The First, by the Grace of God, Emperor and Sole Monarch of all the Russias, of Moscovia, Kiovia, Wladimiria, Novgorod; Czar of Casan, Czar of Astrachan, Czar of Poland, Czar of Siberia," and so on. The letter announces the nomination of Percy Clinton Sydney Smythe, Viscount Strangford, "as Our Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Your Imperial Majesty—We have directed Viscount Strangford to repair with all possible Diligence to your Imperial Residence, and to give you the strongest assurances of our unabated Desire to strengthen and improve the Harmony and good Understanding so happily subsisting between us and your Imperial Majesty. He has also our positive Instructions to promote, by every means in his Power, a confidential communication during the whole time of his residence at your Court." Prominently signed at the conclusion by King George IV, and countersigned by Foreign Secretary George Canning. In very good to fine condition, with central vertical and horizontal folds and adhesive remnants to the upper corners of the front.
This significant letter emanates from the height of Anglo-Russian rivalry for territory and influence. Known as the 'Great Game,' the two empires engaged in military interventions and diplomatic negotiations throughout the middle of the 19th century, as both sought to acquire territory and redefine borders in central and south Asia. Percy Sidney Smythe, Viscount Strangford, was an experienced British diplomat, having served as ambassador to Portugal, Sweden, and Ottoman Turkey before being hand-picked by Canning as ambassador to Russia.
Fearing that a Russian-dominated Afghanistan would become a staging post for an invasion to conquer the 'jewel in the crown' of British India, Canning hoped to redirect Russian expansion efforts westward, rather than south. Ottoman Turkey and Russia had cut diplomatic relations in 1821, sparking fears of war in Anatolia. Canning thought that Strangford might be able to restore diplomatic relations between the Russian and Turkish courts, or serve as an intermediary in keeping the peace.
Tsar Alexander died within weeks of Strangford's arrival in St. Petersburg, and was replaced by the autocratic Nicholas I. His mission frustrated, Strangford made little progress and he was recalled in 1827. Tensions continued to mount over the course of the next twenty years, resulting in the Crimean War (1853-1856) and two Anglo-Afghan wars (1839-1842 and 1878-1880). - Shipping Info
-
Bidder is liable for shipping and handling and providing accurate information as to shipping or delivery locations and arranging for such. RR Auction is unable to combine purchases from other auctions or affiliates into one package for shipping purposes. Lots won will be shipped in a commercially reasonable time after payment in good funds for the merchandise and the shipping fees are received or credit extended, except when third-party shipment occurs. Bidder agrees that service and handling charges related to shipping items which are not pre-paid may be charged to a credit card on file with RR Auction. Successful international Bidders shall provide written shipping instructions, including specified Customs declarations, to RR Auction for any lots to be delivered outside of the United States. NOTE: Declaration value shall be the item’(s) hammer price and RR Auction shall use the correct harmonized code for the lot. Domestic Bidders on lots designated for third-party shipment must designate the common carrier, accept risk of loss, and prepay shipping costs.
-
- Buyer's Premium
