{"product_id":"c1806-1816-wilhelm-i-king-of-wurttemberg-bold-royal-autograph-from-a-commander-in-napoleon-s-1812-russian-campaign","title":"c1806-1816 Wilhelm I, King of Württemberg — Bold Royal Autograph from a Commander in Napoleon’s 1812 Russian Campaign","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn impressive autograph sentiment signed \u003cstrong\u003e“Wilhelm”\u003c\/strong\u003e by \u003cstrong\u003eWilhelm I (1781–1864), King of Württemberg\u003c\/strong\u003e, apparently dating from the period before his accession, when he was Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm. Beneath the large royal signature appears the identifying title \u003cstrong\u003e“Prinz von Württemberg” — “Prince of Württemberg.”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWilhelm occupied a remarkable position in the Napoleonic Wars. In 1812, while Württemberg remained a member of Napoleon’s Confederation of the Rhine, the crown prince commanded Württemberg troops participating in the French invasion of Russia. The campaign proved catastrophic: Württemberg supplied approximately 15,000 soldiers, but only a few hundred ultimately returned. Following Napoleon’s defeat at Leipzig and Württemberg’s change of allegiance, Wilhelm commanded Allied forces against France during the campaigns of 1814 and 1815.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe became \u003cstrong\u003eKing Wilhelm I of Württemberg in 1816\u003c\/strong\u003e, inheriting a kingdom devastated by war, crop failures and famine. His long reign was marked by constitutional, agricultural and administrative reforms, including the adoption of Württemberg’s constitution in 1819.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe manuscript contains several words in German, followed by Wilhelm’s exceptionally large and forceful signature and the designation “Prince of Württemberg.” It is mounted or laid onto an early album sheet bearing later collector’s annotations identifying the signer and recording his Napoleonic military association.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA compelling royal autograph connecting the Kingdom of Württemberg with Napoleon’s fateful Russian campaign and the final defeat of the French Empire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Toning, old folds, light staining and handling wear. Several small points of ink corrosion affect the lower inscription. Later pencil annotations appear on the surrounding album sheet. The central “Wilhelm” signature is exceptionally bold and well preserved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn original autograph sentiment signed by \u003cstrong\u003eWilhelm I, King of Württemberg (1781–1864)\u003c\/strong\u003e, apparently written while he was still crown prince.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe manuscript appears to read:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Oberg in seiner früherigen Bestimmung.\u003cbr\u003eWilhelm\u003cbr\u003ePrinz von Württemberg.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApproximate translation:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“Oberg in his former appointment\/capacity.\u003cbr\u003eWilhelm\u003cbr\u003ePrince of Württemberg.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe final identification, \u003cstrong\u003e“Prinz von Württemberg,”\u003c\/strong\u003e appears contemporary and likely forms part of the autograph rather than being a later collector’s notation. The large, energetic \u003cstrong\u003e“Wilhelm”\u003c\/strong\u003e signature is consistent in general formation with published examples of Wilhelm I’s autograph, although formal authentication should precede an unconditional guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe later pencil notation correctly identifies him as the Württemberg ruler who commanded his kingdom’s troops during the Napoleonic era. As Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm, he commanded Württemberg forces in Napoleon’s disastrous \u003cstrong\u003e1812 invasion of Russia\u003c\/strong\u003e; Württemberg contributed approximately 15,000 men, only a small fraction of whom returned. After Württemberg abandoned Napoleon in 1813, Wilhelm commanded Allied troops against France in the campaigns of 1814–1815. He succeeded his father as king in 1816 and reigned until 1864. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClipped manuscript portion mounted or laid onto a larger nineteenth-century album sheet. Expected horizontal and vertical folds, overall toning, light staining and handling wear. Several small areas of ink corrosion or paper loss affect the lower inscription, but the central royal signature remains exceptionally dark, bold and visually impressive. Later pencil identification and collection notations appear around the manuscript.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52758174400794,"sku":null,"price":699.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_2663.jpg?v=1788002657","url":"https:\/\/www.thearchiveauthority.com\/en-ca\/products\/c1806-1816-wilhelm-i-king-of-wurttemberg-bold-royal-autograph-from-a-commander-in-napoleon-s-1812-russian-campaign","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}