Austrian Nobility (3 results)

velvet over boards, silk cord. Calligraphy (illustrator). Folio in 2s (360 x 305 mm). velvet over boards, silk cord. (20) pages. Signed by Joseph II of Austria (1765-1790), Holy Roman Emperor. 10 vellum sheets, folded once to produce 20 pages. German Fraktur script, 3 elaborately engraved rococo borders by Fredericus Mayer; calligraphic text throughout in an accomplished hand (no doubt Viennese), 9 large ink borders in manuscript (ca. 250 x 50 mm), and one full-page engraved coat-of-arms of the recipient, BEAUTIFULLY ILLUMINATED in gold and colors. Bound in contemporary red velvet over boards (well worn), at front and back a paper binder's blank followed by a blank vellum leaf; evidence of four pairs of silk ties, large knotted gold and fabric cord with two knotted tassels preserved, typically adorned with a large seal not present here, decorated paper pastedowns. Every word in this Patent of Nobility (a.k.a. "diploma") is handwritten in beautiful calligraphic script. Furthermore, there are 9 large and very fine vignette drawings, almost certainly created by the calligrapher himself as the application and color of the ink is often almost indistinguishable from that of the script. Our volume was written by a calligrapher of consummate ability. It is probable that this is the individual who signed his monogram at the foot of the vingette on fol. 3v: "F. L. M. G." The present Habsburg diploma exhibits the influence of the Rococo on the book arts in Austria through the end of the 18th century -- and even into the 19th. It belongs to a very specific type of document that was issued not only by Maria Theresa of Austria, but her son Joseph II (as here), his son Leopold II, and his son Francis II. These lavish diplomas were painstakingly written in calligraphic script on fine vellum; interestingly, some of the very best ones feature three printed engraved borders, as here. On the first page of our diploma -- and others like it -- is a large rococo engraved border which is signed "Franciscus Mayer fecit 1757" and features the Habsburg arms (with the name of the respective ruler accomplished in MS). Franciscus Mayer was no doubt responsible for the engraved borders on fol. 1v and 2r. He was a painter from Melk, Austria, who was designed the altar and interiors of the parish church of the Abbey of Melk (see Thieme-Becker XXIV, 4719). The superbly illuminated full-page coat-of-arms (fol. 6r) must be seen to be fully appreciated; it is distinguished by the elegant use of multiple colors heightened in gold. The template for this particular page is likewise engraved, a feature in other Habsburg diplomas like ours, although the armorial devices were customized according to the Patent (see below). In our diploma, below the signature of Joseph II, we find countersignatures of Leopold v. Kolowrat-Krakowsky, Chancellor of the High Chancellery; Johann Rudolf von Chotek, Chancellor of the Bohemian Court Chancellery; and Franz Mariophilus von Leissner, Court Registrar. THE RECIPIENT: Leopold Maria (1746-1816), Herr auf Friedhofen und Stibichhofen, was the first-born son of Georg Joachim von Ziernfeld (1711-1757) of Styria. In 1764 he married Marie Anna Thien, daughter of Josef Thien, who owned the Thinnische Hammerwerke in Liesingau near Kalwang. This was a large and important hammer mill which produced wrought iron products for manufacturing agricultural tools, military weapons, etc. Leopold Maria's arms are emblazoned in MS on fol. 7r-v, and feature a fine ink drawing of the three most important components, namely "ein schwarzer springender Steinbock, ein weisser blaugesaumter Balken, und ein schwarzer Adler im Herzschild." The text of Leopold Maria's diploma is historically significant, and portions of it have been transcribed by Ernst Johann Jutmann (see below). The present diploma is cited in Constant von Wurzbach's "Biographisches lexikon des kaiserthums Oesterreich" (Vienna, 1891) vol. 60, p. 73. Also: Karl Schmutz, "Historisch-topographisches Lexicon von Steyermark" (Graz, 1823), vol. 4, p. 431. An.

Partly printed calligraphic document on vellum, black ink within printed ornamental borders, ornamented in gold, with polychrome coat of arms. 4 ff. 1 vols. Folio. Patent of noblility issued to Adolph von Baeuerle, landowner, who was active in the 1873 International Exposition in Vienna. The richly engrossed document is signed by the Emperor Franz Joseph I (1830-1916) and countersigned by the minister of the interior, Josef Freiherr von Lasser Zollheim. Purple velvet with Habsburg arms on upper cover, silk pastedowns, with gilt cord and red wax seal in 12 cm diameter brass case. In tin dispatch case, with two partly printed Imperial documents, 1873 and 1874, the second with paper seals. Fine Partly printed calligraphic document on vellum, black ink within printed ornamental borders, ornamented in gold, with polychrome coat of arms. 4 ff. 1 vols. Folio.

Austrian Empire, Vienna, d.d. 10 November 1867. Full purple velvet, decorated with the gilt coat-of-arms of the Emperor on the front cover, 38x18 cm. 7 pages. Handwritten, caligraphic text on vellum and gold embossed, lavishly decorated printed margins. With a hand painted coat-of-arms in colour and the original signature of Franz Joseph I. The imperial wax seal is attached by the gold binding rope in a disc shaped copper case. Seal in mint condition. Charter and wax seal are encased in a large flat contemporary metal box. All in excellent condition. The patent explains that Moise started his military career in 1836 with the 17th Infantry Regiment. He became "unter-lieutenant " in the 4th "Grenz-Infanterie-Regimente" in 1843, he became "ober-lieutenant" in 1848 and was transferred to the 11nd Infantry-Regiment. In 1849 he was appointed "hauptmann" and in 1859 to Major with the 16th Infantry Regiment and in 1865 he finally became "oberst-lieutenant". In 1848 he was active at the Commando of the Operations Corps at Pfonzo, later at the 3rd Army Corps Commando as adjudant. He participated in the move of the Corps from Roveredo to Verona. He proved his worth when he lead the attack against the height of Val Fredda and in battles around Rivoli. For these activities and his service for the headquarters of the Reserve-Corps in Hungary, he recieved the "Militär-Verdienstkreuz mit der Kriegsdekoration". He furthermore served as General-Commando-Adjudant in Graz, as Gouvernements-Adjudant in Triest and finally as part of the ministry of war where he was active in the war year of 1866 in which year the Austrian-Prussian war (Seven Weeks war) took place. H164.