Christian objects - Glass, Paper, Wood - 1930-1940

Rare apostolic blessing from Pope Pius XI, with the original signature of Cardinal Van Roey – Belgium, 1930s

A special and historically religious document from Belgium, consisting of a richly decorated apostolic blessing from the era of Pope Pius XI, furnished with a photographic portrait of the pope, a personalized inscription, a striking blind/relief stamp, and the original signature of the Belgian cardinal-archbishop Jozef-Ernest van Roey.
Above is a beautiful black-and-white photograph of Pope Pius XI (1857–1939), depicted in papal robes with his hand raised in a blessing gesture. The photo is round-cut and framed with a gold-colored border.

Below, in decorative typography:
“The Holy Father,”
followed by the hand-filled personal dedication with the names of the beneficiaries. The text humbly requests the apostolic blessing and a full plenary indulgence at the hour of death. The wording refers to persons who, if they were no longer able to confess or receive communion, would at least call the Holy Name of Jesus with their mouth or heart.

This type of apostolic blessing and the mention of a full plenary indulgence at the hour of death correspond to Catholic practice and official papal blessings from the era of Pius XI.
Special: signature of Cardinal Van Roey

The most interesting element of this piece is at the bottom. There stands clearly the signature:
“Joseph Van Roey”
with the lines below:
“Archiep. Mechliniensis”
that is, archbishop of Mechelen.

This refers to Jozef-Ernest Van Roey (1874–1961), one of Belgium’s most important Catholic clergymen of the 20th century. Van Roey was named archbishop of Mechelen in 1926 and elevated to cardinal by Pope Pius XI in 1927. He remained archbishop of Mechelen until his death in 1961.
The combination of the signature “Joseph Van Roey” and the designation “Archiep. Mechliniensis” is therefore particularly relevant for dating. Combined with the pontificate of Pius XI, the document can be placed in the period 1927–1939.

Also very striking is the large, clearly palpable blind/relief stamp at the bottom. The embossed print is still clearly visible and gives the document a strongly official character.
It is important to emphasize that the signature on this item is not the signature of Pius XI himself, but that of Cardinal-Archbishop Van Roey. This makes the object especially interesting within a Belgian religious-historical context.
Beautifully preserved in its original frame
The document is framed behind glass in a characteristic old frame with a richly applied, gold-colored relief ornament. The decorative frame, together with the historical document and the portrait of Pius XI, forms a particularly notable whole.

Dimensions and weight
Framed dimensions: approx. 35 × 22 cm
Weight including frame and glass: 675 g
Country of origin: Belgium
Period: approx. 1927–1939
Subject: Pope Pius XI / apostolic blessing
Signatory: Jozef-Ernest Van Roey, archbishop of Mechelen
Technique: printed text, photography, handwritten text, ink and blind/relief stamp
Material: paper, wood, glass and metal
Framed: yes

Condition
The document is in an authentic state appropriate for its age. The paper shows aging-related browning, light stains, and other signs of use and age. The handwritten text, signature, relief stamp, and printed text are clearly legible.
The old frame shows clear signs of age and use, including wear, small damages, loss of finish, and traces at the corners and edges. The back also shows visible aging signs.
The photographs are an integral part of the description and provide the most complete possible view of the condition.

Why this is an interesting collectible
An apostolic blessing with a portrait of Pius XI is in itself an interesting religious-historical document. The market also shows that copies with an authentic papal signature are collected as separate historical/autograph pieces.

This copy, however, has another and very interesting Belgian angle: it combines the portrait and blessing of Pius XI with an original signature of Jozef-Ernest Van Roey, a prominent Belgian church figure who was archbishop of Mechelen during Pius XI’s pontificate and from 1927 a cardinal. The combination with the personal character of the blessing, the relief stamp, and the original old frame makes this an attractive collectible for collectors of papal memorabilia, Catholic devotional items, Belgian church history, historical documents, and autographs.