Nicholas I DS Promoting Russian Imperial Lifeguard Cavalry Master. Gorgeous and Unusual Boldly Signed Document With Seal Intact

A 1p Russian language document signed by Emperor Nicholas I (1796-1855) as "Nicholai" at center right. Also cosigned by the tsar's Acting Minister of War, presumably Alexander Chernyshyov (1786-1857), the Napoleonic War hero who oversaw military affairs from 1832-1852. (No signature examples could be found to definitively confirm.) Issued from St. Petersburg concerning a military promotion effective April 11, 1848. Printed on thick stock paper, and decorated by imperial and military imagery including a crowned double-headed eagle. A beautifully preserved embossed paper seal is located in the lower left corner. Expected light soiling and minor folds. Two of the seal star points are partly folded, and the seal has been reattached, else near fine. Measures 17.75" x 14.5" overall. Accompanied by a Russian transcription and full English translation. From a recently discovered collection that has not seen the light of day for over 70 years!

Nicholas I conferred the rank of Colonel to one Ivan Vasilyevich Annenkov (1814-1887), who served in the Russian Imperial Lifeguards as a Cavalry Master (the exact term used here is "rotmistr" in Russian, derived from "rittmeister," the original term in German.)

Translated from Russian in part:

"Let it be known to everyone that Ivan Annenkov, who served us as Leib Guard Rotmistr [Lifeguard Cavalry Master], was graciously granted and established as Colonel [in recognition of past] zeal and diligence rendered in our service, in the year eight hundred forty-eight, on the eleventh of April; as we hereby grant and establish, commanding everyone to properly recognize and honor the aforementioned Ivan Annenkov as our Colonel: thus, we hope that he in this most graciously granted new rank, will serve so faithfully and diligently, as a loyal and kind Officer should. In witness to which, we have signed with our own hand and commanded our state seal to be sealed. Issued in St. Petersburg in the summer of 1848…"

Ivan Annenkov joined the Russian Imperial Lifeguards in November 1833 after completing coursework at a school of guards ensigns and cavalry cadets, later the Nikolaev Cavalry School. He became a Cavalry Master around 1841, was appointed an adjutant in 1846, and, as we know from this document, was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1848. In 1849, Annenkov wrote and published an exhaustive regimental account, complete with lavish illustrations, entitled "History of the Leib Guard Cavalry Regiment, 1731-1848." Besides biographical details about Annenkov, we can even find his portrait in the Album of the Imperial Horse Guards, ca. 1846-1849 (see attached photo included for reference.) Annenkov remained in the Lifeguards until 1852. During his later career, Annenkov served as a military inspector, a St. Petersburg policeman, and a metropolitan commandant. He was appointed an Adjutant General in 1868.

The Russian Imperial Guard, or Leib Guard, (literally "lifeguards" or "bodyguards") offered personal protection to the Russian monarch and their family. Nicholas I was particularly sensitive to questions of personal safety since his early reign was marked by the 1825 Decembrist revolt. Besides the Lifeguards, Nicholas I was protected by Cossacks, who were often recruited from the newly subdued Caucasian region of modern day Ukraine and southern Russia.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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