Germany, Imperial. A Congratulatory Document in Folder for 70th Birthday of Otto von Bismarck by Germans of Sicily

The document includes birthday wishes and a list of signatures of Germans living in several cities on the Italian island of Sicily. The gift was originally accompanied by a barrel of Sicilian wine. Dated to Bismarck’s 70th birthday on April 1, 1885. Measuring 230 mm (w) x 314 mm (h), presenting age-appropriate signs of usage in the form of light warping and, in places, discolouration, remaining near extremely fine.

The document is accompanied by a velvet-covered heavy duty cardboard cover with cloth interior, obverse and reverse with embellishments in magnetic metal and silvered bronze, respectively. The inscription reads “Trinke Kraft Zum Kühnen Kämpfen! 1885” (drink strength to fight bravely). Measuring 231 mm (w) x 323 mm (h), with light signs of usage, and heavy rusting of the metal embellishments, remaining very fine.