Adolf Stoecker Signed Photo Royal Court Chaplain Kaiser Wilhelm Germany Royalty

Description

For your consideration is an exceedingly rare and historically significant original antique c.1900 royal presentation carte de visite (CDV) photograph of Adolf Stoecker, the German court chaplain to Kaiser Wilhelm I, hand-signed by Stoecker himself. This presentation photograph measures approximately 2.5 by 4.0 inches and is in its original condition, making it an exceptional artifact of historical importance. The manuscript autograph, penned in black steel-tip ink, adds a personal touch to this unique relic. The CDV is museum quality and guaranteed authentic, offering collectors a tangible link to one of the most polarizing figures of late 19th-century Germany.

Adolf Stoecker (1835–1909) was a German Lutheran theologian, politician, and staunch anti-Semite who played a significant role in the social and political discourse of his time. Known as a gifted orator and a passionate defender of Lutheran orthodoxy, Stoecker rose to prominence when Emperor Wilhelm I appointed him as court chaplain in Berlin in 1874. In this capacity, Stoecker’s sermons often reflected not only his religious convictions but also the opinions of the Emperor, amplifying his influence.

Stoecker’s contributions extended beyond the pulpit; he was a founder of the Christian Social Party, which aimed to counteract the growing influence of the Social Democratic Workers\’ Party by attracting working-class Germans to a nationalist, Christian-based platform. However, his legacy is overshadowed by his outspoken antisemitism, which became a cornerstone of his public rhetoric. Inspired by Martin Luther’s writings, Stoecker promoted policies such as the Antisemitic Petition of 1880, co-authored with historian Heinrich von Treitschke, which called for severe restrictions on Jewish rights in Germany. This petition garnered widespread support but also drew sharp criticism from progressive members of German society, including the Crown Prince Friedrich and his British-born wife, Victoria.

The controversy surrounding Stoecker’s antisemitism highlighted a clash of ideologies within the German Empire. While he had the favor of Wilhelm I, Stoecker faced strong opposition from Crown Prince Friedrich and Princess Victoria, who publicly denounced his views. Friedrich’s condemnation of Stoecker as the \”shame of the century\” and Victoria’s scathing remarks about his hateful rhetoric underscore the societal and political divisions of the time.

This carte de visite serves as both a reflection of Stoecker’s prominence and the contentious legacy he left behind. It captures a figure who influenced significant aspects of German religious and political life while also embodying the darker currents of antisemitism that permeated the era.

For historians and collectors, this signed CDV is an invaluable artifact that provides insight into the complex interplay of religion, politics, and social dynamics in late 19th-century Germany. Its rarity, provenance, and connection to one of the most controversial figures of the period make it an extraordinary addition to any collection of historical memorabilia.