November 2012 Auction Ends Thursday, November 15th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2012
George III document signed as King of the United Kingdom during the Napoleonic Wars. In large script the monarch pens ''George R'' to the top margin of the first page. Datelined Court at St. James, 17 June 1807, it instructs Great Britain's Chancellor (John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon) to authorize the Foreign Minister George Canning to sign a treaty with Prussia's King, Frederick William III. Napoleon had defeated Frederick decisively in the Battle of Jena-Auerstadt not quite a year before this document was drafted. Document reads in part: ''...Our Full Power to Our Right Trusty and Wellbeloved Counsellor George Canning Esq, One of Our Principal Secretaries of State, empowering Him to conclude and sign with the Minister of Our Good Brother the King of Prussia, a Treaty of Friendship mutual defence and Security...'' This portion of the document is written in English and runs 2pp. on a single sheet. The remaining 4pp. are a transcript of the Treaty as referenced in the letter, written in Latin. A seal is affixed to the upper left of the first page. 6pp. document on 4 leaves of card-style stationery is bound with a navy blue ribbon. Notation to verso calls the document a ''Warrant for affixing the Great Seal to W. Secretary Canning's Full Power / June 17 1807''. Measures 7.75'' x 12''. Toning and creasing, with minor separation and staining to folds around ribbon binding, else near fine.
King George III Signed Napoleonic Wars Document -- Empowering His Foreign Minister to Sign a Peace Treaty With the Defeated King of Prussia
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