Spain, Spanish State. A Captain General of the Navy Uniform to Francisco Franco, with Photo and Pope Pius XII Frame

A rare and exceptionally well-preserved Capitán general de la Armada (Captain General of the Navy) uniform belonging to Francisco Franco. It consists of:

1. A jacket constructed of a smooth dark navy blue rayon/wool blended material. It features a narrow collar which transitions into double breast lapels. The cuff of each sleeve is adorned with a multi-piece Captain General insignia consisting of a four gold bullion wire tresses laid horizontally, with the uppermost tresse emanating from central rosette of identical construction, all set just above an additional dark navy blue rayon tresse bearing floral designs executed in silver aluminum wire with details highlighted in gold bullion wire threading. The breast flaps feature three pockets, with two set into the lower half of each flap, as well as an additional narrow pocket at the upper left flap, all closing with buttonless horizontal flaps. The tunic closes with three gilded non-magnetic metal buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left, while the latter similarly bears an arrangement of three identical buttons for a symmetrical appearance. All buttons feature a raised fouled anchor design. The interior is fully encompassed by a multi-piece black satin liner which transitions into a white pinstripe design through the arms. Three pockets are similarly distributed through the interior flaps, with the two top pockets closing with black bakelite buttons. The jacket is unmarked and measures approximately 48 cm across the shoulders, with an arm length of 59 cm, and an overall body length of 72.5 cm when folded on a flat surface. With only minor wear visible to the wire insignia, it remains in an overall extremely fine condition.

2. A vest of multi-piece construction, consisting of a dark navy blue rayon/wool blended material with a black satin reverse, contrasted by a pinstriped white rayon interior liner. Each breast flap features dual pockets, while the vest closes with five gilded bronze buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. All buttons feature a raised fouled anchor design. It completes with an integral belt consisting of dual straps set into the waistband, with the left side retaining a functional magnetic metal buckle. Unmarked, the vest measures approximately 50 cm (w) x 60.5 cm (h) when folded on a flat surface. Demonstrating no evident damage or wear, it is an extremely fine condition.

3. A pair of trousers, constructed of an identical dark navy blue rayon/wool blend. The trousers feature a French fly closing with an arrangement of six black bakelite buttons on the right flap meeting an equal number of reinforced buttonholes on the left flap. Two side pockets are integrated into the seam of the upper thighs, while an additional back pocket is set into the upper right leg and closes with a black bakelite button. The back also features an integral belt consisting of two straps, with the left strap retaining a functional magnetic metal buckle. The reverse of the same strap retains a white cotton label bearing a maker’s mark and typewritten owner’s name reflecting Franco’s titles of Head of State and Generalissimo, along with a manufacture date of 10 June 1942. Dual gold bullion wire tresses trim the outer edge of each leg from the waistband to ankle, and bear intricate oak leaf and acorn designs. The interior features a partial white satin liner set around the waistband, stitched with six light brown bakelite buttons. The trousers measure approximately 49 cm across the waistband, with an inseam of 44 cm, and an overall length of 106 cm when folded on a flat surface. A small patch of mothing is visible to the upper right thigh at the front, and minor material fatigue is visible to the tresses, but the trousers remain in an overall extremely fine condition.

4. The uniform is notably accompanied by a superb picture frame, constructed of silver. Inset into the lid is a medallion bearing a raised and leftward-facing profile of Pope Pius XII, wearing the tiara and executed in exceptional detail, circumscribed by name and title in Latin, indicating that the frame was a gift from the Roman Pontiff to Franco. The frame opens with a functional side spring clip to reveal an additional medallion inset into the reverse of the cover bearing a central depiction of Christ preaching, circumscribed by a Latin inscription of “IN TE DOMINE SPERAVI, NON CONFUNDAR IN AETERNUM” (“IN THE, LORD, I HAVE PUT MY TRUST; LET ME NOT BE CONFOUNDED”). The opposite side features a hollow void for the display of a photo, retaining an original malleable plexiglass face. Notably, inserted into the void is a studio portrait of Francisco Franco wearing the accompanying uniform. The photo measures 108 mm (w) x 142 mm (h) and bears a stamped Madrid studio mark on the reverse. The frame itself measures 112 mm (w) x 160 mm (h) when closed, and weighs 412 grams, and bears a maker’s mark of “Z. STOCCO, ROMA” on the interior of the cover. Demonstrating a moderate patina which affords the exterior with an authentic antiquarian appearance, the frame, in an extremely fine condition, is a fantastic piece of provenance and historically-significant item in its own right.