[Autograph of the Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich Romanov] Postal envelope, with handwritings by the Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich Romanov. 1902

Envelope of the letter from the Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich Romanov, addressed to Ferdinand Thormeyer, from Gatchina to Carouge, from 19th of November 1902.
Russian Empire, Gatchina, 1902.
Size: 10.6 x 12.9 cm.
The handwriting on the envelope is by Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich Romanov.

On the front side in black ink in Cyrillic and Latin: „Швейцарiя. Suisse. / Monsieur Ferdinand / Thormeyer / Carouge – Geneve.“ Also 2 postal stamps of Russian Empire “Gatchina S.Petersburg”, one stamp “R” for the service of registered mail, and a postal stamp, worth 10 kopeks.
On the back side red seal with Russian two-headed eagle, an embossed silver monogram "MA" under the pressed Grand Duke crown, stamp of the Swiss mail "Carouge /19.XI.1902".
On the envelope are visible traces of words, which were re-printed from a letter. Minor staining.

Envelope from the collection of letters from the children of Alexander III - the Grand Dukes George, Michael, Grand Duchesses Olga and Ksenia Romanovs to their mentor and adviser Ferdinand Thormeyer. The entire collection, including around 2000 letters, was sold at the Auction House in Geneva in 2010.

Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich Romanov (1878-1918) - fourth son of Alexander III, younger brother of Nicholas II, lieutenant general, adjutant general, member of the State Council. After the abdication of Nicholas II, Michael was sometimes called "Michael the Second", but he never dared to ascend the Russian throne and signed an act of abdication. In 1918, he was shot by the Bolsheviks in Perm.

Ferdinand Thormeyer (1858-1944) - teacher of French language and literature of Tsesarevich Nicholas (future Emperor Nicholas II) and Grand Duke George Romanov. Subsequently he also became a mentor to Grand Duchesses Olga and Ksenia, Grand Duke Michael Romanovs.