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4x HESSE‑KASSEL ROYAL AUTOGRAPHS ON two number 4p CARD SLIPS (c.1845–1855) Princess Anna, Prince Wilhelm, Prince Karl & Princess Elisabeth of Prussia Two Composite Cards – Four Distinct Period Hands
Two mid‑19th‑century 4 page cards from the Hesse‑Kassel princely household, each consisting of an outer handwritten name and an inner handwritten name. The two cards are identical card stock, but signatures are in four completely different hands, confirming genuine autograph material rather than printed or secretary‑batch production.
Composite Card 1:
Outer page: Anna Prinzessin von Hessen – Princess Anna of Hesse‑Kassel (1797–1859) – Distinct female hand; daughter of Prince William of Hesse‑Kassel.
Inner page: Wilhelm Prinz von Hessen – Prince Wilhelm (William) of Hesse‑Kassel (1787–1867) – Senior member of the Hesse‑Kassel line; husband of Princess Elisabeth of Prussia.
Composite Card 2: Outer page: Karl Prinz von Hessen – Prince Karl (Charles) of Hesse‑Kassel (1814–1877) – Son of Prince Wilhelm; active in military and court duties.
Inner page: Elisabeth Prinzessin von Hessen geb. Prinzessin von Preußen – Princess Elisabeth of Prussia (1815–1885) – Married Prince Wilhelm in 1834; her titulature (“née Princess of Prussia”) dates the slip firmly post‑marriage.
The identical card stock, mid‑century German cursive styles, and titulature place these slips securely between 1840 and 1860, with the strongest likelihood c.1845–1855. The four distinct hands confirm genuine autograph material.
The two cards may be separated if desired, allowing all four autograph slips to be displayed together. Each slip is in a different hand, confirming authentic mid‑19th‑century autograph material.
Condition as photos. All items can be returned for a full refund if found to be not as described.
Princess Anna of Hesse‑Kassel (1797–1859)Princess Anna was a daughter of Prince William of Hesse‑Kassel and a familiar figure in mid‑19th‑century Kassel court life. Known for her charitable and social engagements, she often represented the senior generation of the family in correspondence and ceremonial obligations. Her handwriting reflects typical female aristocratic script of the period.
Prince Wilhelm of Hesse‑Kassel (1787–1867)Prince Wilhelm was a senior member of the Hesse‑Kassel dynasty and played a prominent role in the principality’s administrative and ceremonial affairs. His 1834 marriage to Princess Elisabeth of Prussia linked the house to the Prussian royal family. His handwriting is heavier and more formal, characteristic of mid‑century male aristocratic hands.
Prince Karl of Hesse‑Kassel (1814–1877)Prince Karl, son of Prince Wilhelm, belonged to the younger and more active wing of the Hesse‑Kassel household. He held military appointments and participated in the social and administrative duties expected of a mid‑century German prince. His handwriting is more angular and brisk, typical of younger male script of the period.
Princess Elisabeth of Prussia (1815–1885)Princess Elisabeth, daughter of Prince Wilhelm of Prussia, married Prince Wilhelm of Hesse‑Kassel in 1834, bringing strong Prussian dynastic connections into the Kassel household. Active in charitable and social correspondence, she used the titulature “née Princess of Prussia” throughout her married life. Her handwriting is elegant and lighter, typical of female aristocratic script.
PROVENANCE:
One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil.
Winifred Alice Myers (1909 - 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004.
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