LEOPOLD WILHELM OF AUSTRIA : (1614-1662) Archduke of Austria. Son of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II. Austrian military Commander, and Governor of the Spanish Nederlands 1647-56. L.S., Leopoldo Guill, one page, large folio, Brussels, 1st May 1653, to Captain Juan de Toledo y Avalos, in Spanish. The document is a patent letter stating `…the post of Captain of the Breastplates Cavalry serving the King my Lord is vacant. Having agreed to propose a person of value, with experience and knowledge to serve, rule, and command in good order and military discipline, and concurring all these virtues and merits in the person of Captain Juan de Toledo y Avalos who has served His Majesty in the infantry regiment with entire satisfaction accomplishing all orders he was given and hoping and believing that will continue so in future, we have decided to choose and appoint you Captain of the Spanish Breastplates Cavalry..´ With a large red wax seal under paper seal bearing the House of Habsbourg coat of arms. With several countersignatures to the foot of the document. Overall age wear, with a small area of paper loss to the bottom left corner and small creases to the edges, only affecting one word of a registration annotation at the foot. G. £150-200.

Philip IV: (1605-1665) King of Spain 1621-65 and King Philip III of Portugal 1621-40.