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.

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.…"

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.

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).

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.…"

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 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.

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.

The King Philip IV responds to a letter sent by the Countess of Salvatierra (signing with old Spanish signature) in which she informs him of the improvement in the health of his daughter Infanta Maria Theresa and the opinion of the doctors about the trip of the Infanta. The King responds with joy for the good news and for seeing her soon Autograph Letter Signed: "Yo, El Rey F." and "La condesa de Salbatiera" in iron gall ink. 8¼x11¾, folded. 16½x11¾, flat. Two pages. Fully Translated in English:" May God protect Her Highness, she had a good night but coughed a few times, however, Your Highness does not have any cough during the day and ate her soups with so much joy. Your Highness has had a good evening and has been happy and just as Your Majesty, she is now friends with the music and is better than in other days. Obeying the mandate of Your Majesty I asked the physicians if there was any inconvenience for Her Highness to go to the retreat and all pf them but Pedro Miguel said they did not see any inconvenience for Her Highness to go there so Your Majesty, order what you believe convenient to do. I only have one inconvenience about it, and it is that Her Highness is going to be very uncomfortable in the berth. It is been a beautiful day here.…"

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.

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...…"