Description:

Queen Isabella I of Spain
Madrid, Spain, December 21, 1502
Isabella I Gifts Juana La Loca Crystal Rosary Beads Around Christmas 1502 During Columbus' 4th Voyage
MDS

A 1p manuscript document in Spanish boldly signed by Queen Isabella I of Castile (1451-1504) as "Yo la Reyna" ["I the Queen"] near the top center. December 21, 1502. Madrid, Spain. Co-signed by Gaspar de Trizio, Isabella's secretary, at center right; and also co-signed by Diego de Ribera, Princess Juana I's chamberlain, near the bottom. Beautifully secretarially inscribed on watermarked paper. Docketed along the bottom, and verso. A former collector has pen-inscribed a one-line summary in Spanish along the top. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds, some with minor closed tears. Isolated edge wrinkles and closed tears. Two V-shaped incisions (likely clerical) have been repaired verso; one of these incisions touches Isabella's signature but does not detract from it. Else near fine. The document measures 8.5" x 12.5." Provenance: Ex-Paul Richards, 1978.

The summary of the document is as follows:

"Order from Queen Isabella the Catholic to her Chamberlain, Sancho de Paredes, to give a string of rosary beads, of crystal, to the Princess of Castile (the Queen's daughter). A receipt must be obtained from Diego de Ribera, the Princess's Chamberlain, and the matter entered in to the books. Dated Madrid, 21st December 1502. Followed by a receipt signed by Diego de Ribera, and a note on the nature of this document at the foot…"

The crystal rosary beads were likely intended as a Christmas gift from mother to daughter. Queen Isabella I of Castile had three living daughters in 1502; the eldest, Juana I (alternately Johanna or Joan) (1479-1555) was the Princess of Castile. Juana I was also known as "Juana La Loca" or "Juana the Mad" during her lifetime. (The evidence that Juana actually struggled with mental illness is problematic; some historians argue that she may have been labeled as insane to create a power vacuum which her male relatives could fill.) Juana became heir presumptive to the thrones of Aragon and Castile in 1500 after several deaths. In 1502, the Cortes of Toro also granted Juana the hereditary Castilian title of the Princess of Asturias. Diego de Ribera served as Juana's chamberlain before and after her 1496 marriage to Philip the Fair, son of the Holy Roman Emperor.

Isabella I signed documents giving directives to her chamberlain Sancho de Paredes are relatively abundant, given the important role that he fulfilled in her royal household. As chamberlain, he was tasked with keeping an inventory of the royal chamber and safeguarding belongings. De Paredes also acted much like a modern personal assistant, at once a secretary, book-keeper, and public relations liaison. Isabella I signed documents recently offered at auction direct de Paredes to complete a variety of tasks: to give a red velvet-upholstered chair to her husband Ferdinand I; to pay for linen and bed valence decorations; to distribute alms to the poor. In this case, his duties probably extended to bestowing Christmas presents.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 12.5"
  • Medium: MDS

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