Description:

Peter I of Russia Czar

Peter the Great Announces Birth of Imperial Daughter

1p letter in Russian Cyrillic signed by Czar Peter I (1672-1725) as "Piotr" near lower right. Issued from Peter's newly constructed capital of St. Petersburg on September 10, 1718. On a large sheet of laid paper, accompanied by a second blank page docketed in French and German. With overall light toning. Slight darkening where edges were reinforced with tape. Isolated minor loss to docket page. Else near fine. 8.875" x 14".

Translated in part:

"Most honorable Princess, my Beloved sister, the gracious Lord Almighty was so good and kind to my beloved Empress and wife as to honor our love the twentieth day of August last by happily delivering her of a princess daughter, whom we have named Natalia. In view of our great friendship and love and brotherly and sisterly friendship we are very happy to announce this event and you will I am sure share this great happiness with us; and I, in my turn, assure you of my best wishes and love. And wishing happiness to you and blessing you."

Peter I ruled the Russian Empire for 43 years, first with elder brother Ivan V, and after 1696 independently until his death in February 1725. Peter I had eleven children with his mistress--and later Empress--Catherine I (1684-1727). Almost all of their children, born both in and out of wedlock, died before the age of 10, and their second-to-last child Natalia Petrovna was no exception. Born August 20, 1718 and named after Peter I's mother Natalia Naryshkina, Natalia died of measles at age 6 just a month after Peter I's death. She was buried at the Peter & Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

Peter I's joyous birth announcement was addressed to his sole surviving half-sister, Maria Alekseyevna (1660-1723). Peter I's father Alexei I had had five sons and eight daughters with his first wife, Maria Miloslavskaya, although only two daughters were alive in 1718, and one died in May, just three months prior to Natalia's birth. Alexei I had had Peter I and two daughters with his second wife Natalia Naryshkina, though the czar's two full-blooded sisters were both dead by 1716.

Around the time of Natalia's birth, Peter I was engaged in the Great Northern War (1700-1721) against arch enemy Charles XII, King of Sweden. The war was waged on many fronts, from modern day Poland and Turkey to Latvia and Estonia. After Charles XII's death in 1718, Peter I negotiated favorable terms at the Aland Congress; the war was officially concluded with the Treaty of Nystadt in 1721.

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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