1922 Prince Alfonso de Asturias Bourbon Spain Signed Royal Photo Spanish Royalty

Description

For your consideration is an exceptionally rare and historically significant c.1922 royal presentation photograph of H.R.H. Prince Alfonso of Spain, an extraordinary artifact hand-signed and hand-inscribed by Prince Alfonso himself. This regal presentation photograph, measuring approximately 8.75 inches by 15.25 inches, was captured by royal photographer Kavlak and is presented in its original Moroccan tooled leather frame. The frame is adorned with an embossed and raised royal crown of the King of Spain in gold gilt, adding to its elegance and importance. This museum-quality artifact is truly one of a kind, with the royal autograph and inscription boldly hand-signed in black fountain pen ink. 

Prince Alfonso of Asturias (1907–1938) was heir apparent to the Spanish throne from birth until the monarchy’s abolition in 1931. The eldest son of King Alfonso XIII and Queen Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, Alfonso’s life was both illustrious and tragic. In 1933, he renounced his rights to the Spanish throne to marry Edelmira Sampedro, a Cuban commoner, a decision that sparked controversy and echoes of a similar event three years later in Britain with his second cousin Edward VIII, who abdicated the British throne to marry Wallis Simpson.

Despite his royal lineage, Alfonso’s life was cut short at the age of 31 due to a car accident. Though his injuries appeared minor, his hemophilia—an inherited condition from his great-grandmother Queen Victoria—caused fatal internal bleeding, ending a life that had been both historically significant and personally turbulent.

This photograph captures a poignant moment in the life of Prince Alfonso and offers a tangible connection to a pivotal period in Spanish history. The presentation frame, with its exquisite craftsmanship and royal insignia, underscores the regal origins of this artifact. Its rarity, combined with the personal hand-signed inscription, makes it an unparalleled piece for collectors of royal memorabilia, historical artifacts, or fine photography. This is a unique opportunity to own a museum-quality piece that embodies the legacy and humanity of one of Spain’s most fascinating historical figures.