KING GEORGE III.  George III (born 1738) was King of Great Britain and Ireland 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.

HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT REVOLUTIONARY WAR-DATED LETTER SIGNED BY KING GEORGE III OF ENGLAND TO FERDINAND IV OF THE KINGDOM OF NAPLES ANNOUNCING THE BIRTH OF HIS DAUGHTER, PRINCESS AMELIA

Historically important Revolutionary War-dated letter signed and subscribed in Latin by King George III, “Bonus Frater Consanguineus et Amicus Georgius R.,” to Ferdinand IV of the Kingdom of Naples announcing the birth of his daughter, Princess Amelia.  Countersigned by Foreign Secretary Charles James Fox, two pages on a bifolium with an integral address leaf, contains the King’s official wax seal, measures 11.875 by 7.75 inches, created at St. James’s Palace on August 8, 1783, and in very fine condition with only a tear on the address panel from opening the letter.  Correspondence between two monarchs is extremely rare and highly desirable.

COUNTERSIGNED BY CHARLES JAMES FOX, A STAUNCH OPPONENT TO GEORGE III WHO WAS INFLUENTIAL IN ENDING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Ferdinand IV (1751-1825) married Maria Carolina of Austria, sister of Marie Antoinette, and would later become King of the Two Sicilies in 1816.  Princess Amelia (1783-1810) was the 15th and last child of George III.  Unfortunately, she died young at 27-years-old from illness and her death devastated George III.  Fox (1749-1806) was a prominent Whig statesman who was in a coalition with Lord North at the time the present letter was sent, which brought an end to the American Revolution.  He was a staunch opponent of King George III, who he regarded as an aspiring tyrant (it’s ironic both signed this letter).