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Auction: 22016 - Important Stamps and Covers of the World
Lot: 57

(x) Great Britain
Mail Carried by Royal Messenger
King Charles II as King Residing in Jersey
1650 (12 January) letter signed "Charles R", "Given at our Court at Castle Elizabeth in our Island of Jersey", addressed on integral address panel "To our Right trusty and entirely beloved Cosin William Marquis of Newscastle &c".

Charles II here confers the award of "ye most noble order of St. George called ye Garter by our most noble & victorious ancestor King Edward ye Third", "considering that since ye late most horrid Rebellion in that our Kingdom many of ye Companions thereof are dead & that some others contrary to their Honors and Oaths have deserted their Allegiance & are no more worthy to be esteemed Companions of so Noble an Order and finding how necessary it is for our service & the Honor of the said order to elect others in ye places vacant who for thie Nobility Courage & fidelity may be fit to be admitted thereunto, wherefore ... with ye great & extraordinary services performed by you against ye rebells in ye conditions of Lieutenant Generall of ye North parts of our Kingdom of England under our late most Dear & Royall Father King Charles of his blessed & glorious memory", continuing then to describe the dress permitted under such award.

The reverse bearing an as near as possible intact 'fan' seal surrounding wafer seal, the former beleived to be unique to the early royal court in Jersey while awaiting supplies from London. Staining in some areas and minor tears along edges as to be expected.

An exceptionally important document being among the earliest known letters in the Kings reign, signed under Cromwell's Protectorate. King Charles was proclaimed King in Jersey on the 17th February 1649 in the Royal Square in St. Hellier, eighteen days after his father's execution. The King then resided in Jersey from 17th September, 1649 until 13th February, 1650. This document then represents a major piece of Channel Islands, Civil War and Royal history. Photo

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£8,500

Starting price
£4800