LEOPOLD II (1835-1909, from 1865 King of the Belgians, his backing of Sir H. M. STANLEY led to the founding of the Belgian Congo)

Letter Signed, in French with translation, to James Gibbons, (1834-1921, from 1877 Archbishop of Baltimore, from 1886 Cardinal), thanking him for "the letter which Your Eminence addressed to Me on the occasion of the Festival of Christmas", and saying "I have been very sensible of the wishes that Your Eminence makes for the prosperity of My Reign ... Whereupon, My Cousin, I pray God may keep you in His holy and worthy care", original addressed envelope, with royal seal, 1 side 4to. and conjugate blank, Brussels, 3rd January envelope seal worn

Leopold II was greatly interested in Belgian expansion abroad, becoming King of the independent state of the Congo in 1885 (annexed by Belgium 1908). Cardinal Gibbons was largely responsible for the growth of the Roman Catholic Church in America.

Item Date:  1892

Stock No:  16606      £375

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