Lot 4086

Description

Duke of Wellington signature, on section of envelope addressed to Messrs Coutts, stamped 'FREE/27JA27/1831', with his signature below and with contemporary letter detailing his titles from the establishment of the Family Wesley or Wellesley, founded in Ireland in 1172 and from his birth on 1 may 1769 with his various titles and the dates bestowed, concluding with the sentence, 'Prince of Waterloo = Conferred by the King of the Netherlands (after the Battle of Waterloo), all written in ink. Signature on envelope written by one of the most famous military and political figures in modern history, a few paper splits at top of letter, otherwise in excellent condition, very fine.

Field Marshall Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS (1769-1852) was born in Dublin, Ireland on 1 May 1769 as Hon. Arthur Wesley modified later to Wellesley. He led the allied forces to victory against the French at the Battle of Vitoria in 1813 and in 1815 he commanded the allied army which, together with a Prussian army under Blucher, defeated Napoleon at Waterloo. Not only was Wellesley an outstanding military leader he was also an oustanding politican and statesman including Prime Minister of Great Britain and Leader of the House of Lords. He is commonly referred to as the Iron Duke. This year 2015 is the bicentennial of the Battle of Waterloo for which The Duke of Wellington is best remembered.