SIGISMUND BATHORY: (1573-1613) Also known as SIGISMOND PRINCE OF TRANSYLVANIA. ...

SIGISMUND BATHORY: (1573-1613) Also known as SIGISMOND PRINCE OF TRANSYLVANIA. As a child he succeeded his father as Voivode or ruler of Transylvania. Sigismond abdicated in favour of Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II, and although he returned to his pillaged territories in 1601 with a Polish army, he could not strengthen his position and settled in Poland. In 1605, Holy Roman Emperor and Spanish King Philip III tried to persuade him to return and claim Transylvania, but he refused. He would later be accused of conspiracy and imprisoned by Rudolf II. Rare L.S., ` Affettionatissimo Servitore - Sigismondo´, a bold large and attractive signature with flourish, one page, folio, Kisvarda, city in the north of Hungary, 28th April 1598, to Italian Bishop Alphonso Visconti, in Italian. Sigismund annouces his return `... tutti arrivati sani e salvi..´ (Translation: " ...All arrived, healthy and safely...´, and expresses his satisfaction to his correspondent referring to the good words expressed by Pope Clement VII about him, stating in part ` ...con li commandi benignissimi di sua Santitá spettavo, resta solo che mi raccomandi, per mezzo di V.[ostra] S.[ignoria] Ill.[ustrissi] ma alla Santitá di n[ost] ro signor. Pregando la V. S. Ill.ma et R[everendissi] ma con maggior affetto di cuore che posso...´ (Translation: "... with the most benign commands of His Holiness, it remains only for you to recommend me, through Your S.[ignoria] Ill.[ustrissi] to the Holiness of our Lord. Praying for Your S.[ignoria ] Ill.[ustrissi ] et R[everendissi ]ma but with my heartfelt affection...") With address leaf to Monsignor Alphonso Visconti, bearing also a small red wax seal in good condition. The lower part, small part, of the address leaf is cleanly clipped to the fold. Small overall age wear, with slightly uneven right and bottom edges, otherwise G