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Genuine 1901 Cover Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich Romanov

A cover from Grand Duke Michael Aleksandrovich to his former tutor Ferdinand
Thormeyer with two pairs of 20 kopeck stamps canceled in Gatchino on 11 Dec.
1901 (24 Dec. in the Gregorian calendar) and in Carouge, Switzerland on 27 Dec.
On back is the Grand Duke’s personal paper seal with embossed Imperial crown
and overlapping MA. Grand Duke Michael, the youngest son of Tsar Aleksander
III and the brother of Tsar Nicholas II, was heir to the throne at this time.
Nicholas abdicated in Michael’s favor in March 1917 but Michael refused the
crown. He was the first Romanov to be murdered by the Bolsheviks in June 1918.
Thormeyer tutored the children of Tsar Aleksander III in French language
& literature from 1886 until 1899. Original & extremely rare item, from Romanov Dynasty.


"...Thousands of letters, photos and drawings have been discovered in Geneva....
A rare window into life in imperial Russia is due to open on Monday, when hundreds of letters, postcards, photographs and even menus from the court of Tsar Alexander III are put up for auction in Geneva.

The documents were all sent by Alexander's children, Nicholas (who later became Nicholas II), George, Michael, Olga and Xenia to their Swiss tutor Ferdinand Thormeyer.

Mr Thormeyer was born and brought up in Geneva, but emigrated to Russia as a young man where - in 1886 - he became a tutor of French language and literature to the imperial children.

Throughout his time with them the children wrote him letters, partly as a way of practicing their French.

But when Mr Thormeyer left Russia in 1899, they continued to write to him and to his family; Olga's letters only stopped when she died in exile in 1960..."

Russia's 'forgotten last Tsar' - Michael II's letters star in $ 400,000 Geneva sale !

Tsar Nicholas II's brother has often been overlooked since his murder in 1918... Until now !
Geneva-based based auction firm has Hôtel des Ventes has added to the buzz surrounding
Russia with its sale of a highly important and unique collection of extensive correspondence,
photographs and drawings. In the end, the collection brought almost four times it pre-sale
estimate.It comprised correspondences between H.I.H Grand Duke George Alexandrovich,
H.I.H Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna, H.I.H Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich, H.I.H
Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna & their private tutor Mr Ferdinand Thormeyer of Switzerland.

Overall, 35 letters by written by Grand Duke Mikhail between 1902 and 1911 emerged as
the highest lot, selling for 34,000 Swiss francs (about $34,600) above their estimated
5,000-8,000 pre-sale value.

Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich of Russia remains something of an untapped, even forgotten,
niche for collectors of historic Russian memorabilia.

Mikhael originally succeeded his grandfather, Alexander II, as reigning Emperor of All the Russians,
but deferred his acceptance of the throne until an elected assembly was approved. Before being
confirmed as Emperor, Michael was murdered in the wake of the Russian Revolution of 1917
Given that his reign lasted only a few hours, Mikhail is today an often overlooked footnote in
Russia history, overshadowed by his brother Nicholas II who became Russia's last de facto
Tsar following Mikhail's death.

Nevertheless he is sometimes referred to by historians as Michael II, and his memory apparently
burned strong at Hôtel des Ventes' Geneva sale.

Elsewhere, 38 letters spanning Grand Duke Mikhail's childhood, written between 1892 and 1899,
were estimated at 5,000-8,000 and brought 29,000 Swiss francs (nearly $29,600). Also from
Mikhail's childhood were 35 notes and drawings, which impressively exceeded their 400-600
estimate to bring 16,800 Swiss francs ($17,100).

Also auctioned was a unique piece of memorabilia: a rose gold and silver cigarette case
presented by Nicholas II and his brother Grand Duke George to their tutor, estimated at
5,000-8,000 and sold for 32,800 ($33,400) Swiss francs.
In total, the sale netted 390,000 Swiss francs (just over $397,500).

" МОСКВА, 13 дек - РИА Новости, Антон Жеребнов. Коллекция из более чем 300 фотографий царской семьи Романовых, выставленная на торги аукционным домом Hotel des Ventes, продана в Женеве за сумму в 1,7 миллиона долларов при первоначальном эстимейте 54 тысячи долларов, сообщили РИА Новости во вторник представители торгового дома.

Предварительно коллекция оценивалась в 54 тысячи долларов, организаторы аукциона рассчитывали выручить около 108 тысяч долларов, но результат превзошел самые смелые ожидания.

"Аукцион стал огромным успехом, общая сумма торгов составила 1,6 миллиона швейцарских франков (1,7 миллиона долларов) за коллекцию Тормейера", - сообщила РИА Новости пиар-директор Hotel des Ventes Кристин Юрфер (Christine Urfer).

До революции коллекция находилась у учителя цесаревича Николая Александровича, швейцарца Фердинанда Тормейера, который собрал уникальную коллекцию неформальных снимков царской семьи. Фотографии были обнаружены на чердаке дома потомками Тормейера.

Многие снимки подписаны членами иператорской семьи. Кроме того на аукцион были выставлены уникальные золотые запонки с изображением Великого Княза Михаила Александровича, инкрустированные бриллиантами и перидотами, а также золотой браслет работы Карла Фаберже, столом из позолоченной бронзы и малахита, чайные сервизы Императорских фарфоровых фабрик и многое другое.

Год назад на аукционе в Женеве продано около 2 тысяч писем из переписки царской семьи с Фердинандом Тормейером."

On March 16, Grand Duke Michael renounced the throne that his brother left for him. Fearing that another tsar would only encourage the revolution, Michael at least had the foresight to see that a drastic change was necessary to keep Russia from imploding in on herself. With the grand duke's renunciation, the 304-year-old Romanov dynasty came to an abrupt end.

Within sixteen months, the last reigning tsar, Nicholas II, and (according to very few) the technical last tsar, Michael, were both murdered by the Bolsheviks. Michael was living in a hotel in Perm with his butler, until one night in June 1918, when they were abducted by Bolshevik soldiers, hauled into the woods and shot. A month later, Nicholas and his entire family were slaughtered by their guards.

 The  photo, of Grand Duke Michael, is not for sale & not included in this lot.

DISCLAIMER:

Most often, our merchandise is old and or used. Because of this, it is sold as found, the same as in any other auction. We will try to describe these items to the best of our ability and would not misrepresent anything intentionally. We list the defects, problems and imperfections we see on the items, but we can sometimes overlook something or make a mistake. We will admit that we are not experts on everything we sell so please look at the pictures for condition and email us with any questions before bidding if you have any. If you are unsure of your decision after you ask for additional information or clarification on an item, please do not bid.  All items are sold "AS IS." No refunds and no returns. We are happy to combine shipping.

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ДЛЯ БОЛЕЕ ПОДРОБНОЙ ИНФОРМАЦИИ ИЛИ ДЛЯ ПРЕОБРЕТЕНИЯ ПОХОЖИХ ПРЕДМЕТОВ ПОСЕТИТЕ НАШ ИНТЕРНЕТ МАГАЗИН:

РУССКАЯ ИМПЕРАТОРСКАЯ КОЛЛЕКЦИЯ. ЦАРСКИЕ ПРЕДМЕТЫ АНТИКВАРИАТА :

СЕРЕБРО, ЭМАЛЬ, ФАБЕРЖЕ, ОРДЕНА, МЕДАЛИ, ЖЕТОНЫ, ЗОЛОТЫЕ РУБЛИ.

ВСЁ О РУССКОЙ ИМПЕРИИ ДО 1917 ГОДА !