c1806-1816 Wilhelm I, King of Württemberg — Bold Royal Autograph from a Commander in Napoleon’s 1812 Russian Campaign
An impressive autograph sentiment signed “Wilhelm” by Wilhelm I (1781–1864), King of Württemberg, apparently dating from the period before his accession, when he was Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm. Beneath the large royal signature appears the identifying title “Prinz von Württemberg” — “Prince of Württemberg.”
Wilhelm 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.
He became King Wilhelm I of Württemberg in 1816, 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.
The 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.
A compelling royal autograph connecting the Kingdom of Württemberg with Napoleon’s fateful Russian campaign and the final defeat of the French Empire.
Condition: 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.
An original autograph sentiment signed by Wilhelm I, King of Württemberg (1781–1864), apparently written while he was still crown prince.
The manuscript appears to read:
“Oberg in seiner früherigen Bestimmung.
Wilhelm
Prinz von Württemberg.”
Approximate translation:
“Oberg in his former appointment/capacity.
Wilhelm
Prince of Württemberg.”
The final identification, “Prinz von Württemberg,” appears contemporary and likely forms part of the autograph rather than being a later collector’s notation. The large, energetic “Wilhelm” signature is consistent in general formation with published examples of Wilhelm I’s autograph, although formal authentication should precede an unconditional guarantee.
The 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 1812 invasion of Russia; 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.
Condition
Clipped 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.
An impressive autograph sentiment signed “Wilhelm” by Wilhelm I (1781–1864), King of Württemberg, apparently dating from the period before his accession, when he was Crown Prince Friedrich Wilhelm. Beneath the large royal signature appears the identifying title “Prinz von Württemberg” — “Prince of Württemberg.”
Wilhelm 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.
He became King Wilhelm I of Württemberg in 1816, 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.
The 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.
A compelling royal autograph connecting the Kingdom of Württemberg with Napoleon’s fateful Russian campaign and the final defeat of the French Empire.
Condition: 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.
An original autograph sentiment signed by Wilhelm I, King of Württemberg (1781–1864), apparently written while he was still crown prince.
The manuscript appears to read:
“Oberg in seiner früherigen Bestimmung.
Wilhelm
Prinz von Württemberg.”
Approximate translation:
“Oberg in his former appointment/capacity.
Wilhelm
Prince of Württemberg.”
The final identification, “Prinz von Württemberg,” appears contemporary and likely forms part of the autograph rather than being a later collector’s notation. The large, energetic “Wilhelm” signature is consistent in general formation with published examples of Wilhelm I’s autograph, although formal authentication should precede an unconditional guarantee.
The 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 1812 invasion of Russia; 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.
Condition
Clipped 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.
