Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Lot #175
Ferdinand and Isabella Document Signed, Relating to the Expulsion of Jews from Spain

The Catholic monarchs issue a penalty for smuggling "at the time that the Jews left by our mandate"

Estimate: $10000+

The 30 Minute Rule begins November 13 at 7:00 PM EST. An Initial Bid Must Be Placed By November 13 at 6:00 PM EST To Participate After 6:00 PM EST

Server Time: 10/25/2024 12:23:59 PM EDT
Sell a Similar Item?
Refer Collections and Get Paid

Description

The Catholic monarchs issue a penalty for smuggling "at the time that the Jews left by our mandate"

Manuscript DS in Spanish, signed by Ferdinand, "Yo el Rey," and by Isabella, "Yo la Reyna,” one page, 8.5 x 12.25, in part (translated): "Whereas we have ordered the seizing of the goods and the debts owed to Diego Alvarez de Herrera…in the amount of 240,000 maravedas which the said Diego Alvarez admitted having passed from these our dominions into the Kingdom of Portugal at the time that the Jews left by our mandate…for a price charged the said Jews and which they then paid him." In fine condition, with a couple of short fold splits.

Issued by Ferdinand and Isabella on March 31, 1492, the Alhambra Decree ordered the removal of all practicing Jews from the regions of Castile and Aragon within a four-month span, an edict designed to purge Jewish influence from Spain’s large 'converso' population. The broad expulsion also meant that monies and property left behind were to be roundly confiscated by the Spanish crown. The expelled Jews were forbidden from carrying gold or silver out of the kingdom, and remaining Spanish Christians who were caught helping to smuggle gold or silver out of the country were penalized by a fine of equal value to the amount smuggled.

In the same year as the Alhambra Decree, Ferdinand and Isabella famously sponsored the voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World, which set sail from Palos, Spain on August 3, 1492. Two months later on October 12, Columbus made landfall on San Salvador in the Bahamas—a date now immortalized as 'Columbus Day' in America. Later that month, Columbus sighted Cuba, which he thought was mainland China, and in December the expedition landed on Hispaniola, which Columbus thought might be Japan. The explorer returned to Spain with gold, spices, and 'Indian' captives in March 1493, where he was received with the highest honors by the Spanish court.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autograph and Artifacts Featuring John F. Kennedy
  • Dates: October 25, 2024 - November 13, 2024





This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for $150.00

*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.