(Mexican War) Ferdinand Konrad BELLER (aka. BELLERMANN) (1814-1889) German painter best known for his landscapes of Venezuela between 1842 and 1845. Unusual and very fine content manuscript Document Signed twice “Conrad Bartholmaeus Ferdinand Bellermann” 5pp. 290 x 230 mm. Berlin, 5 July 1854, in German being a series of legal documents, including a power of attorney (Vollmacht) to counsel in the United States seeking an order to obtain information about his missing brother, Carl Martin. Martin had emigrated to the United States in 1847, purportedly to fight in the Mexican War, but had not been heard from since. The document empowers Alfred Schuecking in Washington as attorney (translated) “in order to obtain in our name from the high Government of the United States of America or any other concerned Authority, information as to the service and death of our unmarried brother… born at Erfurt, 7 Aug. 1825, emigrated in the year 1847 to New York… and in general to take possession of any of our brother’s accounts belonging to us…” The document includes a full physical description of Carl Martin as well as signatures and seals of various Prussian officials as well as the American Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Prussia, Peter Dumont VROOM (1791 – 1873) who adds an Autograph Endorsement Signed “P.D. Vroom” the fifth page, Berlin, 7 July 1854, certifying the authenticity of “the signature of Mr: Hellwig, Counselor of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the seal to be that of the Department of Foreign Affairs of His Majesty the King of Prussia…” Peter Dumont VROOM (1791-1873) was a New Jersey Democrat who served twice as Governor of New Jersey. Franklin Pierce appointed him minister to Prussia in 1853 and he remained in Berlin until 1857. An unusual association piece, of interest to collectors of diplomatic history and art history, chronicling a trying personal time for the artist.
Document loosely bound in string that is attached to the notary seal, usual folds, chipped at margins with minor tears, overall somewhat fragile and should be handled with extra care, overall very good condition.
(EXA 3585) $850
