Manuscript LS: "Matthias" as Governor of Austria, 1½p, 8¼x12¾. Vienna, 1605 April 12. To the Abbot of Neuberg. In German, not translated. The letter concerns clerical and legal matters, including the suppression of a local rebellion. Matthias was Governor General of Spanish Netherlands (1577-1581) and was appointed Governor of Austria in 1593 by his brother, Emperor Rudolf. Matthias was crowned King of Bohemia in 1617 and of Hungary in 1618. Matthias was Holy Roman Emperor from 1612-1619. Full, 2¼-inch seal on verso of integral leaf, light show through at left margin of first page. Lightly creased and foxed. Chipped at edges. 2 minor holes at lower horizontal fold affect signature in unknown hand on second page. 2 minor holes and ½-inch tear at fold on integral address leaf, which is lightly browned. Fragile, but fine condition considering its age.

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...…"

The King Philip V gives important and clear instructions of how the collection of alms for the Bull of the Crusade had to be done, specifying the penalties for the disobedient. It is a very important historical document! Document Signed: "I, The King", "Manuel de Messa", "Manuel Francisco Gonzalez" and "Cardinal de Molina" in iron gall ink. 12x8¼. Five pages. In part: "Philip V, for the Grace of God King of Castile, of Leon, of Aragon, of the two Sicilies, of Jerusalem, of Navarra, of Granada, of Toledo, of Valencia, of Galicia, of Mallorca, of Menorca, of Seville, of Cerdanya, of Cordoba, of Corcega, of Murcia, of Jaen, of Los Algarbes, of Algeriza, of Gibraltar, of the Canary Islands, of the eastern and western islands, islands and mainland, of the ocean, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Borgona, of Bravante and Milan, Earl of Aspuro, of Flanders, Tixol and Barcelona, Sir of Vizcaya and Molina….The Earl and Marquee of Perales Don Bentura de Pinedo has sent us a list of the ecclesiastics who serve in the Holy Crusade. In this bishopric they should give several Bulls of the Predication of this upcoming year of 1741, some of them bought on credit by many neighbors of the cities, villas and places…Dated in San Idelfonso, October 13, 1740.…"

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.

The then-Prince Regent sends letter to Queen Maria Carolina of Two Sicilies, de facto ruler of her husband King Ferdinand I's kingdoms, about the appointment of a new commander of British Forces in Sicily in the midst of Europe's Napoleonic Wars. A letter of historical importance! Manuscript letter signed: "George PR" as Prince Regent of the United Kingdom, 1 page, conjoined pages, front and verso, 7¼x9¾ folded. Carlton House, London, England. 1811 June 4. Addressed to "His Majesty/The King of the Two Sicilies", but begins "Madam". In full: "Circumstances having rendered it expedient the Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Military Forces in the Mediterranean, should also be invested with a Diplomatic Character and reside at the Court of His Sicilian Majesty; In consequence of the tired Fidelity, Zeal and Talents of Lieutenant General Lord William Cavendish Bentinck, I have made choice in the Name and on Behalf of His Majesty, of that Officer to discharge these Functions, and have accordingly conferred upon him, on His Majesty's Behalf, the Chief Command of His Majesty's said Forces, with the Character of His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.…"

The Brazilian monarch signed this beautifully framed document! Manuscript Document signed as Emperor: "Emperor", 1p, 13x19¾. Rio de Janeiro, Dated February 3, 1873. In Portuguese (untranslated). DOM PEDRO (1825-1889) ruled Brazil - at first through a regent - from his father's abdication (1831) until he was overthrown (1889) and replaced by a republic. A cautious reformer who tried to modernize his country, Dom Pedro began a gradual abolition of slavery by emancipating the children of Brazilian-born slaves in 1871. He lived his last two years in exile in France after a coup. Creased, touching several lines of text. One vertical fold touch signature. Minor one-inch tear in paper backing of frame. Otherwise, fine condition. Framed to an overall size of 28¾x30¾.

This exquisite presentation album - signed by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth as King and Emperor and as Queen Consort - contains an historic 78-RPM recording of the BBC radio broadcast of George VI's coronation and an address by him as king. Presented in a custom-made museum-style tabletop showcase with hinged lid which allows access to album. Two items: 1) Album signed "George R I" by King George VI and "Elizabeth R" by Queen Elizabeth on vellum inside front cover. "14¼x12½x3¾. On cover: "The Coronation/of/The Majesties/King George VI and Queen Elizabeth/in/Westminster Abbey/and/H.M. The King's Broadcast Message/May 12th, 1937" in gilt. "R.I" stands for "Rex Imperator" (King Emperor), a title used from 1877, when Queen Victoria became Empress of India, to 1948, following Indian independence. Album has purple satiny-fabric endpapers. Contains 15 78-RPM records, 11¾ inches in diameter each by the Gramophone Co., Ltd. of Hayes, Middlesex, England, in paper sleeves. Covers, signatures and sleeves are lightly toned. George's signature has bled slightly but is in fine condition. 2) Photograph unsigned of Queen Elizabeth and King George VI. B/w, 6¾x8½.…"

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.

Charles and Diana signed this Christmas card in 1982 - just over a year after their "fairytale wedding" in 1981 and long before their divorce in 1996 tore the fairy tale apart. Comes framed with a color photo of Charles, Diana and an infant Prince William. Annotated Christmas Card signed "To you both/from/Charles and" by Charles and "Diana" by Diana. 6x16 separated into two pages, 6x8. Circa 1982. Inscribed: "With all Good Wishes/for Christmas and the New Year." Accompanied by: Color photograph of Charles seated on right with Diana at his left, holding their infant son, Prince William between them, and nameplate. Printed inscription reads in full: "With all Good Wishes for Christmas and the New Year." The lives of Prince Charles and Princess Diana (1961-1997) captivated the world. Rumors of a troubled marriage only brought more attention upon Charles-heir to the British throne-and the elegant Diana. Her untimely death led to global shock and disbelief. This 1982 Christmas card, personally sent by Charles and Diana, was signed and sent only a year after their "fairytale wedding" on July 29, 1981, and before their marriage fell apart in the late 1980s and her death in a spectacular car wreck in 1997. Fine condition.

His handwritten quotation from an epic Celtic poem by Ossian and his signature. Autograph quotation unsigned: "Motto to Neustein, Adieu. Why dost thou build the hall, Son of the winged days? Thou lookest from thy towers today; yet a few years, and the blast of the Desert comes, it howls in thy empty Court. - Ossian". 6¾ x3½ page. Accompanied by his signature: "Byron", on a 2x1 slip of paper affixed to a 4½x2¾ card. GEORGE GORDON BYRON (1788-1824), the sixth Baron Byron, commonly known as Lord Byron was among the foremost English poets of the Romantic movement. Among his best-known works are the poems "She Walks in Beauty" (1814) and "So, We'll Go No More a Roving" (published 1830). Even more renowned are his narrative poems, Childe Harold's Pilgrimage (1818) and Don Juan, his 17-canto masterpiece (1819-1824). Byron was a political and social reformer, a defender even of the Luddites, but was also noted for his aristocratic excesses, which included huge debts, many love affairs and self-imposed exile from Britain (1816 to his death). He may even be considered the first celebrity; his wife Annabella even coined the term "Byromania.…"

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.

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.