FRANZ JOSEPH I OF AUSTRIA: (1830-1916) Emperor of Austria & King of Hungary 1848-1916. A ...

FRANZ JOSEPH I OF AUSTRIA: (1830-1916) Emperor of Austria & King of Hungary 1848-1916. A good L.S., Franciscus Josephus, a bold ink signature with his holograph sentence above `Majestatis Vestra, bonus affinis, Consanguinus et frater´, one page, folio, Vienna, 22nd April 1906, to the King of the Two Sicilies Ferdinand II, in Latin. Franz Joseph sends a warm and close letter to his correspondent and King Ferdinand II, announcing the festivities in his Kingdom on the occasion of the Royal wedding which took place on the 18<sup>th</sup> of April between Archduke Karl Ferdinand of Austria and Archduchess Elisabeth Franziska of Austria. The Emperor of Austria states `Gratissima mihi est occasio ad majestatem vestram perscribendi e nuptiis die 18 mensis, quem agimus, in hac urbe mea, inter serenissimum Austria archiducem carolum ferdinandum propatrui mei, archiducis caroli ludovici in domino jam defuncti, filium et serenissimam archiducem elisabetham franciscam mariam archiducis ferdinandi victoris atestini viduam sacrorum vi et adparatu conjunctis...´ (Translation: “I have the most agreeable opportunity to write to Your Majesty on the 18th of this month that I have witnessed the wedding, which we are having in this city of Austria, between the Most Serene Archduke Charles Ferdinand, the son of my ancestor the Archduke Charles Ludovic in the Lord, who is already deceased, and Most Serene Archduchess Elisabeth Maria of Archduke Ferdinand Victor, widow, joined together by the power and preparation of the sacred…”) With blank integral leaf. Accompanied by the original envelope addressed to king Ferdinand II, bearing a red wax seal to the verso. Small overall minor age wear, mostly to edges, otherwise G to VG

Archduke Karl Ferdinand of Austria (1818-1874) & Archduchess Elisabeth Franziska Maria of Austria (1831-1903) Father and mother of Maria Christina, Queen of Spain as spouse of King of Spain Alfonso XII, and maternal grandparents of King Alfonso XIII of Spain.

Only two days after the present letter was signed, took place the Emperor Franz Joseph´s own wedding, on 24^th April 1854, with Elisabeth of Austria, nicknamed Sisi or Sissi, future Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary.