Croatia. A Historically Important Pair of Award Documents to National Hero Josip Jelačić von Bužim
a. A Russian Order of Alexander Nevsky, Grand Cross Award certificate to Croatian national hero Josip Jelačić von Bužim
Measuring 215x330mm, in very fine condition with two folding creases, some scuffing and creasing. Four pages; only the first page contains the certificate text; with the name of a place, a date, and the official seal. The certificate (in Cyrillic) is a decree by the Russian Emperor Nicholas I, awarding the Order of Alexander Nevsky, Grand Cross, to Croatian Baron Jelacic. Original signature at the bottom right, and dated 1851 in the left corner. The award document from that period for this order are very rare.
b. A Commander’s Cross of the Saxon Civil Merit Order certificate to Croatian national hero Josip Jelačić von Bužim, signed by King Friedrich August II. Measuring 216x332mm, very fine condition with two folding creases, some scuffing and creasing, and a small hole at the meeting point of the folding creases. Four pages; only the first page contains the certificate text; with the name of a place, a date, and the recipient’s name on the last page.
The certificate is a decree by the king of Saxony, Friedrich August II (1797–1854), stating that Josip Jelačić, owner of the Knight’s Cross of the Saxon Civil Merit Order, is awarded the Commander’s Cross (Comthurkreuz) of said order. In the document, he is referred to as Joseph Jellachich, Austro-Hungarian Colonel and Commander of the 1st Banal Frontier Infantry Regiment (Banal-Grenz-Infanterie-Regiment). The certificate is dated to Dresden on June 26, 1845 and signed in black ink by Friedrich August. Below the signature is a watermark of the royal seal. Next to it is the signature in black ink of Julius Traugott Jakob von Könneritz (1792–1866), politician and judicial officer. In the bottom right corner is the signature in black ink of Albert Zenker, secretary of the order. The information on page four contains a place, Glina (central Croatia), a date, November 17, 1845, and the recipient’s name, Jellachich.
Footnote: Josip Jelačić von Bužim was born on October 16, 1801 in Petrovaradin, Austro-Hungarian Empire (part of present-day Novi Sad, northern Serbia). His father was a Croatian baron and lieutenant field marshal, his mother was German-born. Jelačić was educated at the Theresian Academy in Vienna. In 1819 he joined the army and became an Austro-Hungarian officer. In May of 1841 he took command of the 1st Banal Frontier Regiment and was promoted to Colonel on October 18. On March 22, 1848 Jelačić was promoted to major general, and shortly after he was elected Ban (viceroy) of Croatia by the national assembly. On April 7, 1848 Jelačić was promoted to lieutenant field marshal and thus named commander of Austro-Hungarian troops in Croatia. With the European-wide national revolutions of 1848/49 Croatian national identity surged. At the time the Croatian people were ruled by Hungary. The Sabor (Croatian parliament), influenced by Jelačić, demanded from the Habsburg Austro-Hungarian monarchy, among other things, Croatian independence from Hungary and abolition of serfdom. Jelačić had taken an anti-Hungarian, yet pro-Austrian stance. At the same time Hungary made attempts to secede from the Austro-Hungarian double monarchy under Austrian rule. The situation developed into a Croatian military expedition against Hungary, supported by Austrian forces, thwarting Hungarian efforts. After the uprising had been successfully quelled, Jelačić was celebrated as a hero in Croatia, and having proven his loyalty to the Austrian Emperor he received the Commander’s Cross of the Military Order of Maria Theresa, the Austrian Military Merit Cross, and the Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold. He was appointed Commanding General in Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia, and Governor of Rijeka (Fiume) and remained in these positions until his death. Jelačić died on May 20, 1859. He has remained an icon of Croatian independence and nationality to this day.