ROTHSCHILD FAMILY. Collection of letters signed by members of the Rothschild family, 1800-1882, including letters by Mayer Amschel Rothschild, the founder of the dynasty, and four of his five sons.

ROTHSCHILD FAMILY. Collection of letters signed by members of the Rothschild family, 1800-1882, including letters by Mayer Amschel Rothschild, the founder of the dynasty, and four of his five sons.

Altogether 28 letters and documents, in German, English and French. Provenance: collection of Paul Wallich (1882-1938, Berlin banker); and by descent.

The correspondents include:
Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812). Letter signed, Frankfurt, 19 September 1810, with a second letter with secretarial signature, 8 June 1800
Amschel Mayer (1773-1855, his eldest son). Seven letters signed, Frankfurt, 10 August 1814, as ‘Amschel von Rothschild’, 8 November 1814, as ‘Mayer Amschel Rothschild Sohn’, 13 November 1816, as ‘A. von Rothschild’, 10 December 1816, 1 June 1824, 2 May 1826, 30 January 1833, a cheque signed, 10 May 1842, 8 November 1848, and a document with a secretarial signature, 31 December 1837
Salomon Mayer (1774-1855, his second son). Three letters signed, London, 27 March 1818, Vienna, 7 July 1848 and n.p, n.d.
Carl (1788-1855, his fourth son). Autograph letter signed, Frankfurt, 28 March 1852, letter signed, Naples, 9 October 1849 and autograph receipt signed, Vienna, ?4 January 1820
James Mayer (1792-1868, his fifth son). Two letters signed, 23 April 1859 and 10 February n.y.
Anselm Salomon (1803-1874, son of Salomon Mayer). Autograph letter signed to James Walker, Paris, 18 March 1824, in English
Lionel (1808-1879, son of Nathan Mayer). Letter signed to J.H. Stamelz, London, 31 May 1839, in German.
Mayer Alphonse (1827-1905, eldest son of James Mayer). Autograph letter signed to Frau Speyer, Paris, 9 February 1850
Mayer Carl (1820-1886, son of Carl). Four autograph letters signed, Frankfurt, 15 April 1866, Berlin 29 March 1867, and 20 and 24 September 1884 (to Friedrich Braun); with three envelopes.
Louise (1820-1886, wife of Mayer Carl). Autograph note signed, n.d.
Bertha (1862-1903, after her marriage Princess of Wagram). Autograph letter signed, 22 July [1882].

The letter signed by Salomon Mayer Rothschild to the Frankfurt bankers Jacob Friedrich Gontard and Sons, in London, 27 March 1818, is of particular significance: it relates to the 1818 5% loan issued to the Prussian government, which was a landmark in the creation of an international bond market: ‘In order to remain true to my promise, and from the especial friendship which I express for your worthy house, I hasten to communicate you in confidence that the royal Prussian loan to be negociated by our house in England has now been finalised, all but a few customary formalities’. Salomon Mayer explains the terms of the loan, and offers his correspondent the opportunity of subscribing £50,000.