{"product_id":"king-george-iii-signed-1792-british-army-commission-66th-berkshire-regiment-of-foot","title":"King George III–Signed 1792 British Army Commission — 66th Berkshire Regiment of Foot","description":"\u003cp dir=\"auto\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAn impressive original \u003cstrong\u003e1792 British Army officer’s commission personally signed “George R.” by King George III\u003c\/strong\u003e, appointing Isaac Swainson, Gentleman, as an ensign in the historic 66th, or Berkshire, Regiment of Foot.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eIssued at the Court of St. James’s on November 21, 1792, the commission declares:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e“We do by these Presents Constitute and Appoint you to be Ensign … in Our Sixty Sixth (or the Berkshire) Regiment of Foot commanded by Our Trusty and Wellbeloved Lieutenant General Joseph Gabbett.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eSwainson was directed to exercise and discipline the officers and soldiers under his command and to obey all orders received from his colonel and superior officers, according to the rules and discipline of war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe commission bears the king’s exceptionally large and flowing \u003cstrong\u003e“George R.”\u003c\/strong\u003e royal sign-manual at the upper left. It is countersigned \u003cstrong\u003eGeorge Yonge\u003c\/strong\u003e, secretary at war during the closing years of the eighteenth century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe document retains an impressive paper-covered embossed royal seal, a blue embossed revenue or duty stamp and a small Georgian revenue stamp on the reverse. Contemporary docketing identifies the recipient and records his appointment as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e“Isaac Swainson Gent.\u003cbr\u003eEnsign\u003cbr\u003ein the 66th or the\u003cbr\u003eBerkshire Regt. of\u003cbr\u003eFoot.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe 66th Regiment was raised during the Seven Years’ War and received its Berkshire designation in 1782. It subsequently earned distinction during the Napoleonic Wars, fighting in Wellington’s Peninsular campaigns. The regiment later served on St. Helena while Napoleon was in exile, and six of its grenadiers helped carry Napoleon’s coffin to his tomb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eGeorge III reigned during one of the most consequential periods in British and American history, encompassing the American Revolution, the French Revolution and the long struggle against Napoleonic France. His royal signature on this military commission dates from only months before Britain entered the French Revolutionary Wars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eA handsome and historically evocative eighteenth-century military document, combining a bold royal autograph, an identifiable British regiment, multiple seals and outstanding display presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original folds, general toning, scattered staining and light wear, with some weakness along the old fold lines. Portions of the text are faded but remain substantially legible. The large “George R.” signature is strong. The paper-covered royal seal, blue embossed duty stamp and reverse revenue stamp remain present. Please examine the photographs carefully.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52915604979994,"sku":null,"price":3208.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2221\/0931\/files\/IMG_3190.jpg?v=1789908178","url":"https:\/\/www.thearchiveauthority.com\/en-ca\/products\/king-george-iii-signed-1792-british-army-commission-66th-berkshire-regiment-of-foot","provider":"Signature Documents LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}