Diekmann, L. ALBERT I of Belgium Letters patent... Lot 1072

Diekmann, L. ALBERT I of Belgium Letters patent granting nobility to Henri Joseph Ernest Marie Henry de Frahan. Brussels, June 29, 1923 In-fo.: [9] pp. on wove leather, calligraphed in French and Dutch on two col. in India ink, king's name and 2 illuminated initials with ornamented tail, capitals in red, ornaments in red, green and blue, text framed by a double black fillet, watercolored coat of arms, s. aut. aut. "Albert", aut. counters. by Foreign Minister Henri Jaspar, Receiver, Baron Holvoet for the Heraldic Council and Clerk A. de Ridder, seal under paper (slight marginal foxing). Contemporary red chagrin, double framed in roll, gilt fillets and fleurons around boards, gilt Belgian coat of arms and black morocco mos. in center of upper board, initial "A" crowned on lower board, six silk ribbons in the national colors, smooth mute spine with visible tricolor tie cord, gilt roul. on edges, ivory tabis lining edged with gilt roul., large red wax seal in silver-plated metal case with two red velvet-lined covers inside, one decorated with the crowned "A" in gilt metal and edged with a gilt border, the other with the "VI" hallmark on the inside (a few whitish spots on the lower cover, frayed ribbons, minor printing defects on the obverse of the seal and minor gaps on the edge of the right, lower cover very slightly forced). In original wooden box covered with black imitation leather, gilded royal cipher in corners on upper cover, two brass clasps, four cabochons on lower cover, inside lined with burgundy velvet (rubbed, edge of cover dislocated at hinge with tear to cloth). Fine condition. Superbly calligraphed and illuminated document by L. Diekmann (sign. under the tail of the illumination on p. 1 and under the coat of arms). The recipient (1887-1952) was a war volunteer and recipient of the Croix de Guerre. His origins are depicted in the miniatures adorning the initials at the beginning of the text: Dinant Cathedral on the Meuse and Lisogne Castle. Ref. De Ryckman de Betz 604.