This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/21/2024
[PRUSSIAN ROYAL YACHT]. Von Stettin nach Ystadt den 11. bis 14 Juli 1859. [From Szczecin to Ystadt 11 to 14 July 1859.] Original Signed Album of the inaugural voyage of the “S.M.S. Grille”, a German yacht for the Prussian Prince Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia (1828-1885). Oblong folio. Red morocco boards, titled and tooled in gilt to front, exquisite blindstamped detail, white satin endpapers. Volume measures approximately 11 x 14 ½”. Accompanied by a manuscript letter written in 1874; folio, 2 pages double-leaf measuring approximately 14 x 8 ½”. Mild wear to album boards, mainly to extremities and one chip to rear, otherwise in very good, original condition. This album represents an early voyage, quite possibly the inaugural voyage, of Royal Yacht SMS Grille, an important Prussian sailing vessel which would later be chosen for the passage through the Suez Canal on its grand opening of 17 November 1869 with the Crown Prince Louis of Hesse being on board, and the longest serving warship of the German Imperial Navy. With the original signatures of six notables who were onboard, including the signature “von Blumenthal” may be that of Count Leonhard Graf von Blumenthal (1810-1900) who in the 1859 was appointed personal adjutant to Prince Frederick Charles. Another, “Fierbord von Meyerinck” may be Hofmarschall von Meyerinck who frequently accompanied the Prince on official tours. The separate leaf records the names of another 50 guests onboard, all members of the Imperial Navy, and possibly consisting of the crew (“Namentliches Verzeichniss... Grille”).Ten years after the voyage memorialized here, in November 1869, S.M.S. Grille would participate in the opening ceremonies of the Suez Canal, again with a Prussian Royal onboard. Inaugural ceremonies were held in grand style in Port Said on 16 November, with numerous sovereigns in attendance. The following day, the French imperial yacht L’Aigle led the first voyage down the canal, an impressive flotilla of forty ships bearing the Viceroy of Egypt, the Emperor of Austria, the Crown Prince of Prussia, the princes of the Netherlands and Hanover, and the ambassadors of England and Russia. Full description available upon request.