Portugal - Document - Fotografia con dedica autografa e lettera della Casa Reale - 1953

Umberto II of Savoy – Photograph with autograph dedication and official letter from the Royal Household – Cascais, 1953

An interesting group of period documents relating to Umberto II of Savoy (1904–1983), the last King of Italy, dating from his exile in Portugal.

The lot comprises two original historical documents:

1. Photograph with autograph dedication

A period black-and-white photograph depicting Umberto II of Savoy in a group portrait with family members, in a private setting.
In the lower margin is the handwritten dedication «To Comm. Pietro Gerace», followed by the signature «Umberto», attributed to the sovereign.

2. Official letter from the Household of His Majesty the King

A typewritten letter on letterhead bearing «Household of His Majesty the King», with the crowned Savoy coat of arms, dated Cascais, October 9, 1953.
The document, signed by Captain Mario Castellani, announces the dispatch of photographs personally dedicated by His Majesty the King.
Of particular significance is the passage confirming that Umberto II had agreed to dedicate the photographs.
An extensive period handwritten note referring to the dedication of a photograph is also present at the bottom.

Historical and collecting interest

Condition and provenance

From a private collection.
In good overall condition, with normal signs of age, slight yellowing, and wear along the edges of the supports, consistent with their period.
The lot consists of a photograph with a signature attributed to Umberto II and an official letter signed by Captain Mario Castellani.
Important note on the presentation of the lot: the cover image has been edited solely to provide a better view of the two documents side by side. In reality, the photograph and the letter are glued back to back and therefore form a single physical item, not two separate pieces. The subsequent photographs show the actual arrangement and condition of the object.

Please examine the photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the description, to check details, signatures, and the actual condition of the documents.
The object is not accompanied by certificates of authenticity or historical documentation. The information provided is based on direct observation and stylistic comparison.
Please note that, due to lighting conditions and photographic settings, the colors in the images may appear slightly brighter than they do in person. The photographs are nevertheless representative of the object and faithfully show its shape, decoration, and state of preservation.

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