The King pens his exceedingly rare signature on this typescript! Typescript signed: "Edward R I", 1p, 8¼x10¾. Headed: "Instrument of Abdication". In full: "I, Edward the Eighth, of Great Britain, Ireland, and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, King, Emperor of India, do hereby declare my irrevocable determination to renounce the Throne for Myself and for My descendants, and My desire that effect should be given to this Instrument of Abdication immediately. In token whereof I have hereunto set My hand this tenth day of December, nineteen hundred and thirty six, in the presence of the witnesses whose signatures are subscribed." At the lower left: "Signed at/Fort Belvedere/in the presence/of/Albert/Henry/George". In addition to the King, the original Instrument of Abdication was signed by King Edward's three brothers: Albert (Duke of York, who became King George VI), Henry (Duke of Gloucester) and George (Duke of Kent).

Color photo of the royal couple with their staffs, signed by both on the 12x10  mount and dated 1991. Extremely scarce! Rare Photo Mount signed: "Charles 1991" and "Diana". Color, 12x10 overall, image 10x7½ (two surfaces). The Prince and Princess of Wales are pictured with their staffs. Thirty-two-year-old Charles, Prince of Wales, had married 20-year-old Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. Prince William, second in line to the throne, was born in 1982 and Prince Harry, third in line, was born in 1984. The Prince and Princess of Wales separated in 1992, a year after signing this photograph, and their divorce became final on August 28, 1996. One year and three days later, on August 31, 1997, 36-year-old Diana, who had been stripped of her title, Her Royal Highness, by her former mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, was killed in a car crash in Paris. Signed photographs of the Prince and Princess of Wales are rarely encountered. While Christmas cards picturing the couple appear on the market from time to time, signed photographs, especially ones of this size, are extremely scarce. Signatures light in areas but fully legible. Fine condition. Accompanied by PSA/DNA LOA.

THE KING ORDERS PAYMENT FOR PROVISIONS ISSUED "TO OUR FORCES IN NORTH AMERICA" TWO MONTHS BEFORE HIS FORCES TAKE FORT TICONDEROGA FROM THE FRENCH; AFTER THE KING'S DEATH THE FOLLOWING YEAR, IT WAS DECIDED THAT MONEY TO PAY FOR FORCES IN NORTH AMERICA SHOULD BE RAISED BY TAXING THE COLONISTS THEMSELVES KING GEORGE II. Historic Manuscript DS: "George R" as King of England, 2p, 9x14½, front and verso. Our Court at Kensington, 1759 April 28. "To Our Right Trusty and Welbeloved Councillor Henry Fox Esqr Paymaster General of Our Guards Garrisons and Land Forces". Countersigned: "Hollis Newcastle" as Prime Minister, "H.B. Legge" as Chancellor of the Exchequer and "Bessborough" as Commissioner of Revenue.

The Infanta, heir to the Spanish throne, corresponds with the Countess of Salvatierra about her health and good spirits Autograph letter signed: "Maria Teresa" in brown ink. 2 pages front and verso, 8¼x12. Two letters written on same paper. From the Condesa de Salvatierra to Princess Maria Teresa. Written at the Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain. January 20, 1657. Roughly translated: Expression of pleasure to hear news from the King of the Infanta's good health, with mention of her sister's health and activities and the worse weather. Response from Maria Teresa to the Condesa de Salvatierra. Written at Royal Palace of El Pardo, Madrid, Spain. January 21, 1657. Roughly translated: Expression of pleasure to hear of sister's good health, looking forward to seeing her the following day. Mention of the bad weather. MARIA TERESA (1638-1683) was the daughter of King Philip IV of Spain and his wife, Elisabeth of France. Because Spain had no "Salic Law" preventing the accession of a female monarch, Maria Teresa was heir presumptive to the Spanish throne from 1646 to 1657, an interval during which Philip had no living sons. In 1660, she was married to her first cousin, King Louis XIV of France, as part of the settlement of a war between France and Spain.

Rare document signed by King Louis XIV. Manuscript DS: "Louis" as King of France, 1p, 9½x12½. Versailles, 1674 October 11. In French, not translated. The order approves the payment of the sum of 46,296 French pounds to Mr. DuFresnoy, Head Farmer of the Andes (province of France), for payment of interest due on a principal of one million pounds for a 10-month term. 3 horizontal and 5 vertical lines cross out a deputy's "Louis" signature; the word "bon" (good) is written by King Louis XIV above cross-outs. Endorsed by DuFresnoy on verso. Lightly creased and toned. Worn edges. Minor stains, not at signature.

Rare, signed autograph letter from 1814, to lifelong friend and fellow poet Francis Hodgson, discussing Byron's impending visit. Rare ALS: "Byron", 1 page, 7x9. No place, 1814 July 18. To Mr. Hodgson. In full: "Tomorrow (Tuesday) or Wednesday at farthest expect in all -- Capt. Byron (whom you know or will know) accompanies us. If there is not convenient room - we can dispose of him at the Hostel. Excuse haste -- in the hope of seeing you&c&c." Handwritten postscript: "P.S. Many thanks for today's epistle. I shall be happy to see you so." LORD GEORGE GORDON BYRON, 6th Baron Byron of Rothdale, wrote this letter to Reverend FRANCIS HODGSON (1781-1852), a poet and scholar whom he had met when he began studying at Trinity College in Cambridge in October 1805. By the time this letter was written, Byron had been lionized in Whig society after the 1812 publication of the first two of his four cantos of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (1812-1818). The opening lines of the canto had first been written to Hodgson on board a ship bound for Lisbon. In October 1813, Byron, who published his wildly popular The Corsair three months later, had recommended Hodgson, who became a lifelong friend, to translate Lucien Bonaparte's Charlemagne.

As King he orders payment of £20 to Hugh Browne, countersigned by Lord Danby as Lord High Treasurer. Danby would soon land in the Tower of London, charged with corruption and abuse of office. Manuscript Document signed: "Charles R" as King of England and "Danby" as Lord High Treasurer, 1 page, 9x11¾. Wallingford House (London), 1876 March 22. The King orders payment of £20 to Hugh Bane, former Provost of Strabane in Ireland. CHARLES II (1632-1712) claimed the English throne after the execution of his father, Charles I in 1649.  The Scottish Parliament recognized his kingship, but that of England did not. Defeated by Oliver Cromwell on the battlefield, he fled to France in 1651. He was returned to the throne in 1660, although Charles dated his monarchy from 1649. Charles II's reign is known as The Restoration, and he was called the Merrie Monarch. He presided over a nation grateful for a return to normalcy after the conflict and puritanism of the Cromwell's Commonwealth. While executing some of those who had sanctioned the execution of his father, Charles II was careful not to make sweeping claims of absolute monarchy.

A unique and absolutely breathtaking document! This is an illuminated legal judgment written in gothic Spanish in 1588 to King Philip II. It's less a legal document and more a work of art, with vivid and eye-popping page-sized illuminations of the Virgin Mary and a coat of arms as well as illuminated text on vellum pages, and it's bound in purple velvet covers with braided four-color cord. Must be seen- and held - to be believed! Illuminated book signed: "Felipe Ortega" "Antonio Benal", "Martin de Bareda", "De Rosales". 87 pages (some blank), 9¼x12½, vellum pages. Covers are pressed layers of paper covered in purple velvet and with cloth paste downs inside, bound in white, blue, red and yellow braided cord. Written in 1588. Written in Spanish. Partial Translated in English: "King of Castile, of Leon, of Aragon, of Jerusalem, of Portugal, of Navarra, of Granada, of Toledo, of Valencia, of Galicia, of Mallorca, of Seville, of Cerdena, of Cordoba, of Corcega, of Murcia, of Jalem, of Gibraltar, of the Canarias Islands, of the western and eastern islands, of the islands in firm sand, of the ocean, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Borgona, sir of Biscay...…"

Her appointment of a 2nd lieutenant of the Fifth Regiment of Foot, also signed by the Secretary of War, the Earl Grey Military Appointment signed: "Victoria Reg" as Queen of the United Kingdom. Also signed "G Grey" as Colonial Secretary. 1 page, 12¾x9½. St. James Court, London, England. 1852 January 14. Appointment of George Henry James Rowling as Second Lieutenant of the Fifth Regiment of Foot, effective from December 5, 1851. QUEEN VICTORIA (1819-1901) ascended to the throne on June 20, 1837 (her coronation ceremony was held the following year). She ruled the United Kingdom longer than any other monarch before or since, although Queen Elizabeth II, crowned in 1953, may best that record. Victoria's 63-year reign (1837 until her death in 1901) endeared her to her subjects, and she gave her name to an era, the Victorian Age. Her husband, Prince Albert, whom she married in 1840, was an able political figure himself, the Queen's close advisor until his death in 1861. The royal pair had nine children - four sons and five daughters. Victoria's reign was celebrated with two jubilees, honoring her 50 and 60 years on the throne. Britain was the world's greatest power during her reign, and she became Empress of India in 1877.

The King Philip II issues a rare license to Pro Notary Fausto Reeballo, who was a native of Milan, to be able to have, regardless been an alien, four hundred ducats of rent in his kingdoms. Manuscript Document Signed: "Yo El Rey" and "Don Luis de Salazar". 12x8¼. One page. Fully Translated in English: "The King. The proto notary Fausto Reballo, who was born in the city of Lody in the state of Milan, has begged us that knowing where he is going and that our ancestors have served us and will serve. You will have to be native of these kingdoms in order to have a rent on personal benefits and other pieces for the church, according to your mercy, and we did not think it was right. In this letter we give you permission to possess maximum four hundred ducats that equal one hundred fifty thousand marcos of rent every year, destined to benefits or pensions, or to any other rent for the church that since the day of this letter on, you might be dispossessed. For instance, we will only make you natural of these kingdoms, even though you are an alien. We apologize for any laws and pragmatics opposed to it, but they are still valid. So, we order you not to have more than the first four hundred ducats for the church from which you were deprived.…"

The Holy Roman Empress who married her cousin Charles V signed this document in 1536 Document Signed: "Yo la Reyna" ("I the Queen"), 1p, 11¾x16½. No place. Date: October 8, 1536. In Spanish, not translated. Queen Isabella of Portugal (1503-1539) was an infant of Portugal by birth. She travelled to Seville to marry her first cousin Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. He ruled much of Europe at the time. The wedding was celebrated on March 10, 1526 in the palace of Alcazar of Seville, and even though it was a political union, the marriage proved to be a true love story. When her husband was away throughout the 1530s, Isabella served as the Regent of Spain. Isabella died in May 1539, when her sixth pregnancy ended in a stillbirth. Her husband was away at the time and her premature death affected him deeply; he never remarried and dressed in black for the rest of his life. Her son Philip succeeded the Portuguese throne, claiming his mother's rights temporarily uniting the Iberian Peninsula under one crown in what would later be called the Iberian Union. Fragile. Folds, 1 touches 1 letter of signature. Partial separation of folds affects some text. Stained, some stains touch text.

Manuscript DS: "Anne R" as Queen of England, 1p, 15x11¾. On vellum. Our Court at St. James, 1711 March 1. In full: "Anne, by the Grace of God, Queen of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. To our truly and well beloved Robert Brown Surgeon, Greetings. We do by these presents commission and appoint you to be Surgeon to our truly and well beloved Brigadier General John Hill, our Commander In Chief of our forces going upon the next intended expedition. You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Surgeon by doing and performing all and all manner of things thereto belonging. And you are to observe and follow such orders and Directives from time to time as you shall receive from the Commander in Chief of our forces or any your superior officer according to the Rules and Disciplines of Warr (sic)." Countersigned: "H. St. John". ROBERT BROWN joined Colonel Hill's Foot Regiment (later the 11th Foot) on September 15, 1708. On March 1, 1711, by this document, he was attached to General Hill's troops in Canada. General Hill led a combined army and naval force into the St. Lawrence River. In the fog, two ships ran aground, with the loss of about 450 men.