Autographs: Royals & Rulers

[Rick Research]

Here's a typical Kaiser Bill (1859-1941) from a 1912 officer's commission, showing the embossed seal used on the "Patent."

[Rick Research]

That was actually reduced in size to squeeze in the whole seal. This was done at 100%--

shy, wasn't he?

[Rick Research]

Obviously the Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Friedrich Franz (1882-1945), believed imitation was the sincerest form of flattery.

[Rick Research]

Things were more dignified in the Catholic south. Here, at 100%, are three signatures of Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria (1821-1912) over time, all from the same officer's commissions.

Here, from 1895, when Luitpold was a vigorous 74 year old.

[Rick Research]

Ten years later, in 1905. The intensely honorable uncle of profligate "Mad" King Ludwig II and crowned but institutionalized clinically mad King Otto, at 84 Luitpold was wearying.

[Rick Research]

Nearing the end of his long, long life, Luitpold signed this commission in 1910, when he was 89:

[Rick Research]

Luitpold's son was less finicky about oaths and more practical. Although his insane cousin Otto would live on until a fatal wander into a lake in 1916, Ludwig (1845-1921) was Prince Regent in succession to his father for only a year before deciding at age 68 in 1913 that enough was enough, and had himself declared KING Ludwig III in 1913.

This is from the same officer's commissions, in 1917, and again in contrast with the Kaiser above, was also scanned at 100%--

[Rick Research]

Pre-war officers' long service documents are a prime source of nifty autographs. This is from the same officer's group as the Wilhelm signature above.

The old duffer (1846-1934) who signed this, a veteran of 1866 and 1870, was about to retire... but fate had other plans for him.

[Rick Research]

A surprising military resurrection was followed by a tragic political career... but unlike poor dutiful Prince Regent Luitpold, HIS signature remained strong and bold across his life.

Here it is again at 100% from the above, in 1910 when he was 64. Twenty years later his signature remained virtually the same.

[AOK4]

Rick,

you're completely correct about Hindenburg. I have the history of the Infanterie-Regimen Nr. 147, which bears Hindenburg's name. This book (edited in 1927) is signed by Hindenburg and his signature is very like this one...

Jan

[Brian S]

Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria

CPR

[Brian S]

(Rick, don't you mean a fatal 'push' into the lake!)

Another Wilhelm example

[Rick Research]

Now now... night-shirted loonies splashing in ponds in the middle of the night... that could happen!!!

Here's another Man Who Would Have Been King, Crown Prince (then only Prince) Rupprecht of Bavaria (1869-1955) on yet another long service document

[Rick Research]

Here he is at 100%

[Tom Y]

Going back a few years, Friedrich Wilhelm, ca. 1826