Manuscrito - 1792. Provisión del Duque del Infantado. Espectacular sello en seco y sello Real de Carlos IV - 1792

Year 1792. Decree of the Duke of Infantado for the Town of El Prado, featuring a spectacular embossed seigneurial seal with heraldic arms, the Royal seal of Charles IV, and period signatures.

An exceptional seigneurial decree, issued and signed in Madrid on December 25, 1792, bearing an engraved Royal seal from the reign of Charles IV. In the document, Don Pedro de Alcántara Toledo y Pimentel, exercising his jurisdictional lordship over the “Town of El Prado,” appoints and selects the officers of the Town Council, Justice, and Municipal Government (deputies, Brotherhood mayors, and bailiffs) to govern the council in the coming year of 1793. The document concludes with the signature and striking flourish: “The Duke Duke Marquis of Tábara and Santillana,” countersigned “By order of His Excellency” by the secretary, D. Thomas Lexado y Ovejero.

With a beautiful embossed seigneurial seal (period embossing): The paper bears a lovely, crisp heraldic relief depicting the arms and ducal crown of the House of Infantado. This type of blind impression or wafer seal was the ultimate mark of authenticity, jurisdiction, and solemnity, which only the most eminent noble houses with seigneurial authority could affix to their official orders. It is an extraordinarily striking detail for collectors of heraldry and sigillography.

The central figure is one of the most fascinating and powerful members of the Spanish nobility: Don Pedro de Alcántara Álvarez de Toledo y Salm-Salm (1768–1841), 13th Duke of Infantado, Duke of Pastrana, Lerma, Francavilla, Marquis of Santillana, Tábara, and Almenara, among many other fiefs. The document’s heading sets out a grand litany of Grandees of Spain, titles, principalities, and lordships, demonstrating the near-absolute power of the House of Infantado at the end of the Ancien Régime. Interestingly, the text itself mentions that Charles IV authorized him to govern his immense estate despite being “under twenty-five years of age.”

A decisive aristocrat in Spanish history: A celebrated rival of Manuel Godoy at the Enlightenment court, the Duke of Infantado led the aristocratic circle around the future Ferdinand VII, taking part in the El Escorial Conspiracy and the Mutiny of Aranjuez in 1808. During the Napoleonic invasion and the Peninsular War, he was one of the leading military commanders and presidents of the Supreme Juntas opposing French forces, and later became president of the Council of Ministers following the restoration of the monarchy.

An excellent piece, carefully selected.
Ideal for collectors, lovers of antique paper and history, and anyone looking to decorate a space with charm.
Period original. An excellent piece with no reserve price. A great opportunity.