Royalty King Umberto II Italy Savoy Signed Royal Document Autograph Manuscript

Description

For your consideration is a rare and historically significant royal manuscript document, hand-signed by His Majesty King Umberto II of Italy, dating to circa 1971. This original manuscript measures approximately 15.5 cm by 11.5 cm and features the embossed royal Imperial Italian eagle at the top center, symbolizing the rich heritage of the House of Savoy. The document is boldly signed in blue ink by the King himself, offering a personal and authentic connection to Italy’s final monarch.

Also included is an original period greeting card, signed and dated by Umberto II in Cascais, Portugal, on January 1, 1971. Cascais was the coastal town where the exiled king spent the remainder of his life following the abolition of the Italian monarchy after the 1946 referendum. Both items are preserved in original, fine condition, with minimal wear, making them museum-quality pieces that capture a pivotal moment in European history.

Umberto II, born Umberto Nicola Tommaso Giovanni Maria di Savoia on September 15, 1904, was the last King of Italy. His reign, from May 9 to June 18, 1946, lasted just 34 days, earning him the title "The King of May." Despite his brief time on the throne, Umberto II played a crucial role in a transformative period in Italy's history, overseeing the nation’s transition from monarchy to republic in the aftermath of World War II. As lieutenant general of the Kingdom from 1944 to 1946, he guided Italy through the final years of the war and laid the groundwork for the democratic reforms that followed. After the monarchy was abolished, Umberto II lived in exile, continuing to uphold his royal duties from afar until his death in Geneva in 1983.

This one-of-a-kind manuscript is more than a royal collectible—it is a symbol of the end of Italy’s monarchical era and a tangible connection to a monarch who witnessed and influenced some of the most critical moments in 20th-century Italian history. Its combination of royal prestige, historical significance, and pristine preservation makes it an invaluable treasure for collectors, historians, and enthusiasts of European heritage. A true collector’s gem, this document embodies the legacy of a king whose brief reign marked the final chapter in centuries of Italian royal rule.