Description:

Joseph Franz



Franz Joseph I Gorgeously Illuminated DS

 

A German language document granting a noble title and coat of arms to recipient Dr. Ludwig Ritter Flesch dated 1872 and signed by Emperor of Austria Franz Joseph I (1830-1916) as "FranzJoseph" on the last page. Also signed by the Emperor's Interior Minister Josef Lesser von Zollheim (ca. 1814-1879) below. Partially printed, handwritten, and illuminated on vellum, with two original tissue guards (a third one was removed.) With expected weathering, wrinkles, and isolated foxing. Slight tissue adhesions to armorial leaf. Else near fine. 10.25" x 14.5".

 

"We Franz Joseph the First, By God's grace Emperor of Austria, Apostolic King of Hungary, King of Bohemia, of Dalmatia, Croatia, Slovenia…"

 

The 7pp sheaf of pages is illuminated in dazzling gilt and full color. Copiously decorated with Black Forest inspired borders and medieval figures and devices, including an enthroned figure on the front cover. The penultimate facing page shows Flesch's new "Wappens," or coat of arms. His black griffin and arrow heraldic shield is superbly hand-colored, silvered, and gilded. The document also showcases the considerable talents of the imperial typesetter, who experimented with numerous fonts including Gothic lettering; half a dozen type sizes; and font effects including shadow, block, and italics. The illumination is attributed to Spada (signed below the bottom border on the final leaf.)

 

Emperor Franz Joseph I promoted his "dear and faithful Ludwig Flesch," currently serving as court doctor, to noble status and the knighthood of the Order of Leopold on April 4, 1872. In "recognition of special merit," Dr. Flesch would thereafter be known as von Festau.

 

Franz Joseph I, ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was in the middle of his impressive 68-year-long reign in 1872. Upon his death in 1916, he would prove to be the third-longest serving European monarch.

 


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