1915
An impressive presentation silver portfolio to the young Tsarevich, the only son of Nicholas II, from shipyards in Nikolaev (present day Mykolayiv in Ukraine). Aged just nine years old at the time, the expense that would have gone in to such an item exemplifies the important status of the young Aleksei.
The Nikolaev Admiralty was founded under Catherine the Great in 1788 on the banks of the Ingul river. The following year the first 44-gun frigate, St Nicholas was launched. In 1910 the government decided to stop building battleships and close the shipyard, but it was reopened in the following year as the French-owned Russian Shipbuilding Corporation (Russud). The 'Naval' shipyard had been founded by Belgian investors at the end of the 19th century and merged with 'Russud' in 1912.
The Mykolayiv shipyards became increasingly important in the build up to WWI and the dreadnought Imperator Nikolai I was ordered in 1914. She was laid down in April 1915 with the intention to launch her in the October. This portfolio is dated 15th September 1915 so may have coincided with a visit from the Tsar and his son or perhaps in St Petersburg, where the shipyard head offices were.
Large folio (40.5 x 30 cm); black leather presentation portfolio with a large silver plaque to the upper cover, stamped 'V.K.' and '84' in the lower left corner, floral relief border and crown decoration, engraved inscription to his Imperial highness the Tsarevich Aleksei Nikolaevich, from the committee of the infirmary at the shipyards 'Russud' and 'Naval', lined with black moiré silk with pouch opening, bookplate of the Tsarevich, an excellent example.
The Nikolaev Admiralty was founded under Catherine the Great in 1788 on the banks of the Ingul river. The following year the first 44-gun frigate, St Nicholas was launched. In 1910 the government decided to stop building battleships and close the shipyard, but it was reopened in the following year as the French-owned Russian Shipbuilding Corporation (Russud). The 'Naval' shipyard had been founded by Belgian investors at the end of the 19th century and merged with 'Russud' in 1912.
The Mykolayiv shipyards became increasingly important in the build up to WWI and the dreadnought Imperator Nikolai I was ordered in 1914. She was laid down in April 1915 with the intention to launch her in the October. This portfolio is dated 15th September 1915 so may have coincided with a visit from the Tsar and his son or perhaps in St Petersburg, where the shipyard head offices were.
Large folio (40.5 x 30 cm); black leather presentation portfolio with a large silver plaque to the upper cover, stamped 'V.K.' and '84' in the lower left corner, floral relief border and crown decoration, engraved inscription to his Imperial highness the Tsarevich Aleksei Nikolaevich, from the committee of the infirmary at the shipyards 'Russud' and 'Naval', lined with black moiré silk with pouch opening, bookplate of the Tsarevich, an excellent example.
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