Lot 82

Lot 82

Dramatic cabinet card of the dashing Frederick Francis III Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. He was born in Schloss Ludwigslust as the son of Frederick Francis II, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and his first wife Princess Augusta Reuss of Köstritz. He succeeded his father as Grand Duke on 15 April 1883. Frederick Francis, whose homosexuality was an open secret, married Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna of Russia who was his second cousin once removed. He was the great-great-grandson and she the great-granddaughter of Paul I of Russia. They had three children. Frederick Francis suffered from lung issues, so he moved from the north to the Mediterranean, where he died in Cannes in 1897. His death was a mystery: he was originally reported to have committed suicide by throwing himself off a parapet of a bridge, but the official report stated he died after suffering from breathing problems and fell to the ground and died. Dressed in his finest attire he is sporting a fabulous long double-breasted coat with lightly striped pants. His white crisp collar has an upturn and we see a polka-dot style ascot with a piece of jewelry attached. Please also notice what appears to be rare circular porcelain cufflinks with decorative elements. He has quite the glint in his eyes as he gazes towards the future. The image is in excellent minus condition with fabulous tones and contrast. It is a just a tad little lighter on the left side above the desk. By E. Bieber, Hamburg, Germany.