Description:

Nicholas II 4 Signed Diplomatic Docs & TWO Carlos I DSs Incredible Imperial Russian Archive, 10+ Pcs, in 5 Languages!

A superb archive of European diplomatic documents from Imperial Russia, ca. 1891-1914, 16 pieces total, comprised of four documents signed by Tsar Nicholas II (1868-1918); two documents signed by King Carlos I of Portugal (1863-1908); six other manuscript and printed documents signed in Russian, English, French, German, and Portuguese; and three wrappers/envelopes, all housed in an original green leather attach' case measuring 11.25" x 16.25" x .75." The documents and case belonged to a Russian diplomat named Egor Constantinovich Mussury (Gallicized: Georges Moussouri). The Nicholas II documents have been professionally translated, and these translations are included. The other documents are untranslated and represent a veritable treasure trove of potential discoveries!

Egor Mussury/Georges Moussouri was a career diplomat, entering the Imperial Russian foreign service in the 1880s, and retiring during the World War I era. Thus, he served two tsars during his diplomatic service, Alexander III and Nicholas II, and the documents reflect this. After serving as Consulate Secretary in Stockholm (1887), Vice Consul in Hamburg (1891), and Vice Consul at Cardiff and Newport (1893), Mussury gradually rose to higher consular positions. In 1895, Mussury served as Russian Consul at Memel, then a part of Germany; his service rank of Collegiate Assessor was equivalent to the military rank of Captain or Major in the Russian Army (Class 8 in the Imperial Rank Table). In 1897 and 1904, we find that Mussury was dispatched as first Consul and then Consul General at Lisbon. In 1906, he was assigned as Consul General at Christiana. Mussury had by this time reached the rank of State Councilor (statsky sovetnik, a Class 5 civilian title), which was the equivalent of a Colonel or Major General in military terms. By 1916, Mussury had returned to Stockholm as Consul General. This was his last diplomatic posting, for he chose to retire and stay abroad rather than return to revolutionary Russia.

The lot consists of:

FOUR Nicholas II DSs (chronological order)

The Nicholas II signed documents are dated: October 23, 1895; April 26, 1897; December 25, 1904; and August 1, 1906. Each of them features a large Nicholas II signature, the average size of which is about 4" x 2." Each of the documents also features an impressive embossed paper and red wax seal depicting the Great Coat of Arms of the Russian Empire, the average size being between 7.25" and 8" in diameter. Pictorial elements of the Great Coat of Arms of the Russian Empire include the black two-headed eagle of the House of Romanov; the helmet of Alexander Nevsky; the archangels Michael and Gabriel; and 15 smaller heraldic shields representing the numerous territories and principalities of the Russian Empire including Poland, Finland, Belarus, Lithuania, etc. See the full translations of the documents for more details. **Please note that the translations are from the Russian and not the French.

1.1p partly printed and partly manuscript bilingual (Russian/French) document signed by Nicholas II on the Russian side at center right, with the imperial signature measuring 4.125" x 2.25" alone. Countersigned by a Russian official, probably Alexei Lobanov-Rostovsky (1824-1896), Russian Foreign Minister from 1895-1896. Tsarskoye Selo, Russia. October 23, 1895. The embossed seal measures 8" in diameter and is slightly cracked at left. Docketed and numbered 129. Expected wear including a central vertical crease, toning, scattered foxing and edge darkening, and a small closed tear along the bottom edge. A ghost impression of the seal is visible verso, on the French side. Else near fine. 20.75" x 14.75."

Egor Mussury/Georges Moussouri, Collegiate Assessor, is appointed Russian Consul at Memel, then in Germany, today Klaipeda, Lithuania.

2. 1p partly printed and partly manuscript bilingual (Russian/French) document signed by Nicholas II on the Russian side at center right, with the imperial signature measuring 4" x 2.75" alone. Countersigned by a Russian official, probably Count Mikhail Mouraviev (1845-1900), Russian Foreign Minister from 1896-1900. Tsarskoye Selo, Russia. April 26, 1897. The embossed seal measures 8" in diameter and is exceptionally clear and deeply impressed. Docketed and numbered 72. Expected wear including light toning. A few manuscript words on the Russian side are slightly water-smeared. Else near fine. 20.75" x 14.75."

Egor Mussury/Georges Moussouri, Collegiate Assessor, is appointed Russian Consul at Lisbon, Portugal.

3. 1p partly printed and partly manuscript bilingual (Russian/French) document signed by Nicholas II on the Russian side at center right, with the imperial signature measuring 4.25" x 1.5" alone. Countersigned by a Russian official, probably Count Vladimir Lambsdorff (1845-1907), Russian Foreign Minister from 1900-1906. Tsarskoye Selo, Russia. December 25, 1904. The embossed seal measures 7.75" in diameter and has superficial score marks. Docketed and numbered 402. Expected wear including a central vertical crease, even toning, isolated discolored spots, stains, and fingerprints, and paper wrinkling. Else near fine. 20.75" x 14.75."

Egor Mussury/Georges Moussouri, Collegiate Councilor, is appointed Russian Consul General at Lisbon, Portugal.

4. 1p partly printed and partly manuscript bilingual (Russian/French) document signed by Nicholas II on the Russian side at center right, with the imperial signature measuring 4.625" x 1.875" alone. Countersigned by a Russian official, probably Alexander Izvolski (1856-1919), Russian Foreign Minister from 1906-1910. Krasno Selo, Russia. August 1, 1906. The embossed seal measures 7.25" in diameter and has a few isolated areas of discoloration. Docketed and numbered 211. Expected wear including central vertical and horizontal creases, even toning, isolated discolored spots, stains, and smudges. Else near fine. 20.75" x 14.75."

Egor Mussury/Georges Moussouri, State Councilor, is appointed Russian Consul General at Christiana (modern day Oslo, Norway.) **Translator's note: "On this patent, the Consul's name reads Georgy rather than Egor. These are distinct names in modern Russia, but before the Russian Revolution, the names Georgy, Egor, and Igor derived from Saint George's name and were sometimes used interchangeably."

TWO Carlos I DSs (chronological order)

- Two large partly printed and partly manuscript Portuguese documents, each 1p and signed by King Carlos I, of Portugal (1863-1908) at lower right. Countersigned by official subordinates and bearing embossed paper quatrefoil seals. The "Carta Patentes" are dated February 18, 1895 and June 30, 1897 respectively and most likely relate to Moussouri's appointment as Russian Consul at Lisbon.

Miscellaneous (chronological order)

- 3pp partly printed and partly manuscript trilingual (Russian/French/German) document signed dated May 4, 1891 stating that Honorary Councilor Georges Moussouri, Russian Vice Consul at Hamburg, is leaving for Hamburg, his diplomatic posting.

- 2pp partly printed and partly manuscript bilingual (Russian/French) document signed dated October 12, 1893. Passport for Georges Moussouri, then Vice Consul of Russia at Cardiff; his wife; two children; and sister-in-law.

- 4pp partly printed and partly manuscript bilingual (Russian/English) document signed dated October 19, 1893 confirming that Titular Councilor Georges Moussouri is appointed Russian Vice Consul at Cardiff and Newport.

- 1p partly printed and partly manuscript Russian document signed dated May 19, 1904.

- 1p manuscript document in Russian dated May 6, 1914; along with 1p printed document in Russian dated the same day.

- Three paper covers, transmittal wrappers, and envelopes: one inscribed in Portuguese; one printed in Russian; and one blank, with chipped and curling edges.

- A nineteenth-century French green leather attach' case with two roomy black silk-lined inner compartments. Expected weathering and wear to the exterior, and several areas of fabric loss in the interior, else very good. Measures 11.25" x 16.25" x .75."

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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