King of Great Britain and Ireland (born 1738) from 1760 until his death in 1820. His reign was marked most notably by the loss of British control over the American colonies. Advancing mental illness rendered George unable to fulfill his official duties during the last decade of his life, during which time the Prince Regent, William IV, ruled in his stead. DS, in English and French, signed “George R,” nineteen pages on 10 adjoining sheets, 7.75 x 12, July 16, 1807. Document issued to the Chancellor of Great Britain, John, Lord Eldon, authorizing him to affix the Great Seal of Great Britain to “an instrument bearing date with these Presents (a Copy of whereof is hereunto annexed) containing Our Ratification of a Treaty of Alliance and Subsidy concluded and signed at Palermo…between us and Our Good brother The King of the two Sicilies [Ferdinand I], by her respective Plenipotentiaries duly authorized for that purpose.” The remaining pages, in French, contain the particulars of the 13 Articles of the Treaty of Alliance and Subsidy. Intersecting folds, mild toning to pages, some mirroring of signature along bottom of first page, otherwise fine condition. The embossed seal is crisp and intact.
This document was signed during a productive time for Great Britain, as the country began to gain a foothold on the Continent through alliances with like-minded foreign powers, those of which also worked against Napoleon. Ferdinand, who ascended the throne of Naples in 1759 at the age of eight, married the elder sister of Marie Antoinette and the daughter of Maria Theresa and Emporer Francis I, Caroline. Through this union he was able to successfully ally his kingdom with Austria, Bohemia, Hungary, and France. After the execution of his in-laws and Marie Antoinette, a fierce hostility towards France grew within the king, a rage he directed towards Napoleon. After the second French invasion of Naples in 1806, King Ferdinand was forced to retreat to Sicily, where he would rule as Ferdinand III for nine years. King George III and Ferdinand forged this alliance in the hopes of increasing their country’s strength and numbers to face down one of the greatest military leaders of all time. RRAuction COA.
