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Lot Essay
This cigarette case includes a hand-written note that indicates it was presented on July 20, 1914 by Emperor Nicholas II to Lieutenant Colonel Aubert, personal attaché to Raymond Poincaré (1860-1934), President of the French Republic.
Amidst the July Crisis of 1914, President Poincaré and Prime Minister René Viviani made an official state visit to Russia to reinforce the Franco-Russian Alliance following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. On the afternoon of Monday, July 20, Poincaré was received by Emperor Nicholas II aboard the yacht Alexandria in the harbor of Peterhof. Later that evening, a banquet was held at Peterhof. The French delegation would remain in St. Petersburg until July 23.
Ulla Tillander-Godenhielm records some examples of gifts awarded during President Poincaré's visit in The Russian Imperial Award System during the Reign of Nicholas II, 1894-1917, Helsinki, 2005, p. 471.
Amidst the July Crisis of 1914, President Poincaré and Prime Minister René Viviani made an official state visit to Russia to reinforce the Franco-Russian Alliance following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. On the afternoon of Monday, July 20, Poincaré was received by Emperor Nicholas II aboard the yacht Alexandria in the harbor of Peterhof. Later that evening, a banquet was held at Peterhof. The French delegation would remain in St. Petersburg until July 23.
Ulla Tillander-Godenhielm records some examples of gifts awarded during President Poincaré's visit in The Russian Imperial Award System during the Reign of Nicholas II, 1894-1917, Helsinki, 2005, p. 471.