NIKOLAYEVICH MICHAEL: (1832-1909) Grand Duke of Russia, son of Tsar Nicholas I. A.L.S., Mikhail, four pages, 8vo, Tiflis, 14th April 1867, to a friend, in Cyrillic. Nikolayevich announces 'I congratulate you, the proud father, and my dear friend, from the bottom of my heart with your firstborn and my dear godson Alexei!' and continues to add that he hopes 'Your dear wife will recover by the time these lines reach Brussels and that everything will be well. My wife is interested in the details of Catherine's delivery, whether she suffered for a long time….' The Grand Duke also writes of his own son, who has just reached the age of 8 years, 'He confessed for the first time and did it quite consciously. Yesterday we received the Sacraments with the whole family' as well as referring to other matters, 'Our general attention is drawn to the politics: how will Luxembourg and the Eastern problem be resolved?!! Heavy clouds have impended and the world seems to be quite doubtful!', and also mentioning Prince Albert of Saxe-Altenburg, 'He is a modest and kind person who behaves well and has got a footing in society'. VG €375-500

Prince Albert of Saxe-Altenburg (1843-1902) German Prince.