Pierre Dominique Antoine van Velde, diploma of nobility awarded in 1794

Manuscript diploma of nobility on 2 vellum bifolia, 5 pages of neat calligraphic text (4 pages w. engr. borders), dated Vienna, 12 March 1794 in the 1st part, Brussels, 14 June 1794 in the 2nd part and Brussels, 21 June 1774 in the 3rd part. Signed "François" in pen by Holy Roman Emperor Francis II (1768-1835), also w. the signatures in pen of A.G. de Lederer, C. Beydaels de Zittaert and 7 others. Bound in orig. red velvet w. 2 (of 4) silk binding ribbons preserved, 35 x 24 cm.

Lacks 2 ties, some inevitable signs of age wear to the velvet. With this document, Van Velde was officially made a baron. Shortly before this he had been appointed chancellor of the Duchy of Brabant in August 1793 and took the oath in January 1794, but was never actually employed because of resistance against his appointment.