Catherine II of Russia Czarina

Catherine the Great Gorgeous DS

1p document in Russian signed by Empress Catherine II (1729-1796) as "Ekaterina" at center. Dated 1790. Catherine's enormous signature measures 4.25" x 2.5" alone. On thick cream laid bifold paper with a large watermark depicting a lion rampant and jousting knight. With expected light folds and isolated discoloration along the gutter. The remaining pages of the bifold are blank. Else near fine. 7.75" x 12.125".

Though untranslated, we can reasonably venture that this document is probably a commission or award.

In 1790, the year she signed this document, Catherine II was nearing the end of her 34-year-long reign. She controlled the diverse subjects and vast territories of the Russian Empire through a large, complex, and fully funded military. The military enabled Catherine not only to expand her empire, but ruthlessly control it and protect it from foreign threats. In August 1790, Russia and Sweden, previously engaged in a two-year-long conflict over Russian-controlled Finland, signed the Treaty of Varala, thus concluding the Russo-Swedish War. To the south and west, Catherine watched her borders with the Ottoman Empire and monitored the course of revolutionary movements in France, Poland, and Lithuania.

Also in 1790, Catherine II strictly regulated Russian society. Jews were banned from the Muscovite middle class, and Alexander Radishchev, who had just published a travelogue critical of serfdom, was exiled to Siberia.

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.