PETER III OF RUSSIA (1728-1762)

PETER III OF RUSSIA: (1728-1762) Emperor of Russia for only six months in 1762. Son of Anna Petrovna, the elder surviving daughter of Peter the Great. Peter III was deposed, most probably assassinated, as a result of a conspiracy led by his wife who succeeded him as Catherine II or Catherine The Great. Despite his very short reign, Peter III proclaimed religious freedom, a very enlightened move at that time, abolished the secret police and forbid landowners to kill their serfs. An extremely rare L.S., ` Peter Grand Duke´, in German, a bold ink signature, two pages, 4to, Oranienbaum, Royal Palace west of Saint Petersburg, 16th May 1761, to Franz Wilhelm von Bleeken, in German. The hand written attractive document bears the heading "By the grace of God, WE, PETER, Grand Duke of all Russia, heir to Norway, Duke of Schleswig, Holstein, Stormarn and Dithmarschen, Count of Oldenburg and Dellmenhorst", and is a grant or travel pass given to one of his head officers, stating ` I hereby declare: Our General Lieutenant, Chief War Commissary, Chamberlain and Knight, Frantz Wilhem von Bleeken, has received our gracious permission to travel to Narva and Saala for fourteen days from this date; we have hereby granted him our travel pass for this purpose. It is therefore requested that the aforementioned Our General Lieutenant von Bleeken, together with his servants and belongings, not only be allowed to pass and repass freely, safely and unhindered, but also, be shown every goodwill and assistance. In witness whereof, we have affixed our handwritten signature below and the printed Grand Ducal seal.´ The document bears alongside the Emperor´s signature a large and very attractive paper seal affixed, in very fine condition, the seal showing two eagles and a crown above, and with the circular embossed text stating in part `Magnus Dux Totius Russ..." With adress leaf. Small overall age wear, otherwise about VG