Description:

Philip III King of Spain
Madrid, Spain, April 5, 1618
Philip III DS With Huge Signature, More Than 4" x 2" Alone!
MDS

A 1p manuscript document in Spanish boldly signed at its conclusion by Spanish King Philip III (1578-1621) as "Yo El Rey" ["I The King"] at center. April 5, 1618. Madrid, Spain. The commanding royal signature measures approximately 4" x 2.75" alone. Co-signed by an unidentified official, possibly "Thomas de Anguhl," at lower right recto, and with several clerical marks on the blank verso. Beautifully secretarially inscribed on laid paper. Docketed along the bottom. Matted behind Mylar plastic in a double-sided mat. Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds and isolated ink erosion affecting one word of the text. Pin holes regularly spaced along the right edge of the document. Else near fine. The sight size of the signed document is while the overall matted size is 11.5" x 15.625 x .25."

Philip III addressed this decree to one Pedro Polo, the Royal Treasurer and town councilor of a small town in central Spain called Talavera de la Reina, today part of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha in the province of Toledo. The town, which was located about 60 miles southwest of Madrid, was known after the 16th C. as being a commercial production hub. Woolen and silk industries thrived there, as well as pottery production, specifically tin-enameled earthenware prized for its purity and whiteness.

The document reads, translated in part:

"The King

To Pedro Polo, Royal Treasurer of the Municipality of Talavera, regarding a petition made by you and your party; we have been informed that the laws of our Kingdom prohibit royal treasurers from being governors. At the same time, you beg us to allow you to be governor of the said municipality since you are the legitimate owner. According to our will, we have acceded to your petition and through this document we grant you, the said Pedro Polo, the title of governor of the said municipality, in spite of the any law or disposition of this Kingdom or ordinances of the said municipality to the contrary. In regard to all of the above, I grant that this dispensation be acknowledged and enforced by all the members of our council of Presidents, by the officers of our High Courts and Cabinet and by all the judges and justices of this Kingdom.

In Madrid, on the fifth of April, one thousand six hundred and eighteen.

I the King…"

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: matted: 11.5" x 15.625 x .25"
  • Medium: MDS

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