This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/21/2024
WILLIAM IV, KING OF ENGLAND (1765-1837). Official Royal Navy Document Signed. England, June 5th 1827. Folio, signed and inscribed document on laid, watermarked paper with the Britannia watermark. Printed to one side, completed in manuscript by William IV of the United Kingdom when he was Lord High Admiral (William would become King of England in 1830). The official warrant, by the Royal Navy, commissioning Charles Sharp to serve on His Majesty’s ship ‘Herald.’ Single leaf measuring approximately 12 ½ x 7 ¾”. Small tears to lower margin, unobtrusive to the text, 4 horizontal creases, otherwise in very good and original condition. Scarce signed royal personalia item. William IV served in the Royal Navy in his youth and was, both during his reign and afterwards, nicknamed the “Sailor King”. He served in North America and the Caribbean, but saw little actual fighting. When the Duke of York died in 1827, William, then more than 60 years old, became heir presumptive. Later that year, the incoming Prime Minister, George Canning, appointed William to the office of Lord High Admiral. Since his two older brothers died without leaving legitimate issue, he inherited the throne when he was 64 years old. His reign saw several reforms: the poor law was updated, child labour restricted, slavery abolished in nearly all the British Empire, and the Reform Act 1832 refashioned the British electoral system.