1863 Formal Prussian Document Fragment With Signature of Crown Prince Freidrich Wilhelm and Official Stamps

On offer is the signature of Frederick Wilhelm Nikolaus Karl (1831-1888), Crown Prince of Prussia. This item also bears the text “Berlin 1863”, and an embossed stamp of the prince as well as his seal of office with the text “Adjutantur Sr. Koen: Hoh: d. Kronprinzen v. Pr.” - Adjutantur Seiner Königlichen Hoheit des Kronprinzen von Preußen (Adjutancy of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Prussia).

Frederick III (or Friedrich III) was German Emperor and King of Prussia for 99 days between March and his death in June 1888, during the Year of the Three Emperors.

Known informally as "Fritz", he was the only son of Emperor Wilhelm I and was raised in his family's tradition of military service. Following the unification of Germany in 1871 his father, then King of Prussia, became German Emperor. Upon Wilhelm's death at the age of ninety on 9 March 1888, the thrones passed to Frederick, who had been German Crown Prince for seventeen years and Crown Prince of Prussia for twenty-seven years. Frederick was suffering from cancer of the larynx when he died at the age of 56, following unsuccessful medical treatments for his condition.

This piece is the lower fragment of a larger document and measures 8-¾ x 5-½ inches. There is some tearing and thinning from being previously mounted and there is some discolouration apparent. The embossing is crisply detailed; as is the wax seal, though there is some visible cracking. Condition is Good.