Lot 412

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Description:

Otto von Bismarck LS Discussing "the antiquities of our Nordic homeland"

A 1p letter in German signed by "Iron Chancellor" Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898) as "von Bismarck" at center right. Written at Friedrichsruh, Bismarck's estate in the Schleswig-Holstein region of northern Germany, on February 15, 1891, nearly one year into Bismarck's retirement from the first chancellorship of a unified Germany. Inscribed overall in secretarial script on the first page of bifold paper, otherwise blank. Featuring an enormous watermark, measuring 5.625" x 3.875" alone, depicting Bismarck's Coat of Arms and family motto ("In Trinitate Robur," or, "My strength in the Trinity.") Expected folds and a few tiny splits. Slightly darkened edges. Else near fine. 6.875" x 9." Accompanied by a German translation of the letter, and a catalog description from the Galerie d'Histoire - André Hüsken (Hamburg, Germany).

The letter was written in a non-modern German cursive (possibly a Kurrent or Sütterlin subvariant) which makes it difficult to read, according to our translator. Nevertheless, the letter has been transcribed as:

"Die Protokolle Ihres Vereins, welche Sie die Freundlichkeit hatten, mir zu übersenden, habe ich mit dem besonderen Interesse eingesehen, welches ich an den Alterthümern unserer nordischen Heimat nehme, und bitte Sie, meinen verbindlichsten Dank entgegenzunehmen. von Bismarck."

And the letter has been translated as:

"I have viewed the logs [or minutes] of your club, which you had the kindness to send me, with the special interest that I take in the antiquities of our Nordic homeland, and I thank you most obligingly. von Bismarck."

The subject of this letter--documents relating to "our Nordic homeland"-- is particularly appropriate, as Bismarck endorsed a particularly potent German nationalism after the country was unified in 1871. Along with celebrating German heritage and extending this appreciation to its Scandinavian antecedents, Bismarck sought to "Germanize" linguistically and culturally disparate minorities in the new nation.

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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January 6, 2021 10:30 AM EST
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