EMMANUEL III

KING VICTOR EMMANUEL III OF ITALY

Explore an invaluable collection of original documents, letters, decrees, military orders, and personal correspondences from the reign of King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy, offering historians, collectors, and enthusiasts a detailed view into the life and challenges of Italy’s longest-reigning monarch. This collection spans the monarch’s complex tenure, from his leadership during both World Wars to his role in the rise and fall of Italian Fascism. Each artifact reflects the pivotal decisions and events that defined his reign, showcasing Victor Emmanuel III’s navigation through some of Italy’s most turbulent periods, ultimately preserving the legacy of a monarchy faced with modernity, war, and profound political shifts.

King Victor Emmanuel III ruled Italy from 1900 to 1946, a period marked by immense transformation, political upheaval, and global conflict. Initially celebrated for his military leadership in World War I, he later faced criticism for his association with Benito Mussolini and the Fascist regime, decisions that ultimately influenced the monarchy’s downfall. In 1946, after World War II and the fall of Fascism, Victor Emmanuel III abdicated in favor of his son, Umberto II, hoping to preserve the monarchy amidst mounting public dissatisfaction. His legacy remains complex, as both a monarch who led Italy to victory in the First World War and a controversial figure whose reign saw Italy through some of its most difficult chapters in modern history.