King William IV Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
KING WILLIAM IV
Born: August 21, 1765 in Buckingham House, London, England, United Kingdom
Died: August 21, 1837 in St George's Chapel, Windsor, England, United Kingdom
Died: August 21, 1837 in St George's Chapel, Windsor, England, United Kingdom
Prince William Henry (1765-1837), the third son of King George III, reigned as King William IV from 1830 until his death. Since his older brothers, including King George IV, predeceased him without legitimate offspring, he inherited the throne, becoming the last Hanoverian monarch of England. William, who himself had 10 illegitimate children, also died without an official heir, resulting in the accession of his niece, Queen Victoria. As a young officer in the Royal Navy, the future king served in New York during the American Revolution, where George Washington authorized a plot to kidnap him, if this could be done "without offering insult or indignity." Serving in the West Indies, he formed a lifelong friendship with Lord Horatio Nelson. In 1789, King George III made William the Duke of Clarence reluctantly, fearing that his reform-minded son would be a vote against him in the House of Lords. William forced his royal father's hand by threatening to run for the House of Commons, a threat which appalled the King. As a member of the House of Lords, William - now the Duke of Clarence - generally supported reform measures, with one notable exception: he supported slavery and the slave trade. Despite his naval background, and despite being made a titular Lord High Admiral, William unsuccessfully sought active duty during the Napoleonic Wars; his early opposition to war with France probably prevented this, although he later supported the conflict. William IV proved a popular monarch, noted for shunning pomp and ceremony. His reign saw the passage, with his support, of the Reform Act of 1832, expanding the British electorate, and also - despite his earlier opposition - the ending of the slave trade.
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He pens his signature on this slip of paper "Clarence" while he was Duke of Clarence. He was given this title in 1789, over 40 years before he ascended to the throne of the United Kingdom read more...Sale Price $234.00
$260.00
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KING WILLIAM IV The monarch's signature featured on this irregularly cut page Signature: "William R". 6½x1½. Prince William Henry (1765-1837), the third son of King George III, reigned as King William IV from 1830 until his death. read more...Sale Price $288.00
$320.00
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KING WILLIAM IV Folded paper envelope signed and hand-addressed to "Griffinhofe Esq." by William as Duke of Clarence, with intact red wax seal Autograph Envelope Signed: "Clarence." 4½x3 (folded), with 1¼x1¼ red wax seal on verso. read more...Sale Price $270.00
$300.00
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KING WILLIAM IV Handwritten letter fragment signed as king of the United Kingdom Autograph Letter Fragment Signed: "William R". 1p, 7¼x9¼. Salutation: "Dear Sir, Yours truly". Much of this letter is illegible. read more...Sale Price $450.00
$500.00
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He handwrote and signed this letter as Duke of Clarence, saying that he can't attend a party because of "The continuance of black gloves by His Majesty and the rest of the King's family" read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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He handwrote and signed this letter to ask the recipient if he or she "would call upon me here tomorrow at eleven" because he was "very much concerned none of the Liverpool Merchants were in the House of Lords this day" read more...Sale Price $595.00
$700.00
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Writing a decade after his father George III was compelled to recognize U.S. independence, and on the eve of a war with France he at first opposed, the future king laments "the awful state of affairs in this country." read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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Letter handwritten, dated, and signed by the prince in 1788 to P. William Allen. He gives his regrets that he can't accept the son of one of Allen's friends on his ship the Andromeda, but recommends what he can do to get ready when the Andromeda returns to port. He also congratulated Allen for being given command of a regiment of the Welsh Regulars read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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KING WILLIAM IV Handwritten, signed letter in French from Prince William. Dated 1822 before becoming King, gladly accepting the chairmanship of a committee Autograph Letter Signed: "William Frederick", 3p (integral leaf), 7¼x9½. May 11, 1822. read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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He handwrote and signed this letter in 1827, while he was to express his pleasure in reading news sent to him. He became heir to the United Kingdom's throne this year, ascending to the kingship in 1830 read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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KING WILLIAM IV As Duke of Clarence, he makes arrangements to move his luggage and horses, and the trunk and piano of the Duchess, to Hanover Autograph Letter Signed: "William" 2p (front and verso), 7¼x9. (Court of) St James, August 1, 1818. No addressee. read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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KING WILLIAM IV Handwritten letter from the prince asking for the recipient's presence at a ceremony Autograph Letter Signed: "William Frederick", 3p (integral leaf), 7x9¼ folded, 14¼x9¼ unfolded. October 6, 1827. read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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KING WILLIAM IV [GREAT BRITAIN] Part of a document that William signed in 1828, one year after he became Lord High Admiral and heir to the throne. With blue seal affixed. Document Fragment Signed: "William P" read more...Sale Price $270.00
$300.00
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KING WILLIAM IV [GREAT BRITAIN] Fragment from a document that King William signed "By His Majesty's Command" Document Fragment Signed:"William R". 5x2. Captioned: "By His Majesty's Command/Lieutenant in the Corps of Royal Marines". read more...Sale Price $270.00
$300.00
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KING WILLIAM IV He signed this vellum fragment document as "William the Fourth by the Grace of God" for an army lieutenant Document Fragment Signed: "William R". 11¼x2½ vellum with 1½x1¼ blue paper seal in lower left corner. read more...Sale Price $270.00
$300.00
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The King and his Home Secretary sign the appointment of Sir Edward Paget to be Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a position he would hold from 1837 to 1849. This document was signed less than six months before King William's death. read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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The King and his Home Secretary, future Prime Minister the Viscount Melbourne, sign the military appointment of John Grant to the rank of Lieutenant for the 78th Highland Regiment of the Foot read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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KING WILLIAM IV and PRIME MINISTER JOHN RUSSELL The King gives his approving signature for a new Cornet for the 9th Regiment of Light Dragoons, also signed by future Prime Minister John Russell Military Appointment Signed: "William R[ex]" in black ink as King of the United Kingdom. read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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KING WILLIAM IV of the UNITED KINGDOM and the VISCOUNT MELBOURNE The King and his Home Secretary, future Prime Minister Viscount Melbourne, sign military appointment of Captain John Harper to the rank of Major Military Appointment signed: read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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KING WILLIAM IV [GREAT BRITAIN] The King and his Home Secretary, future Prime Minister the Viscount Melbourne, sign the military appointment of James Pipon to the rank of Lieutenant for the 94th Regiment of the Foot Military Appointment Signed: read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
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KING WILLIAM IV [GREAT BRITAIN] and PRIME MINISTER JOHN RUSSELL [GREAT BRITAIN] King William IV and Home Secretary John Russell signed this pardon for four men in 1836, one year before William's death. Russell later became British prime minister. read more...Sale Price $510.00
$600.00
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KING WILLIAM IV [GREAT BRITAIN] The King signs a pardon for a William Benbow, who had been confined at Bodmin Goal Prison, releasing him from custody Pardon signed: "William R[ex]" in faded black ink as King of the United Kingdom. 1 page, 9¼x14¼. Court at St. read more...Sale Price $850.00
$1,000.00
