EXCEPTIONAL 1515 MANUSCRIPT DOCUMENT IN LATIN, WITH THE EXCEPTIONALLY RARE WAX SEAL OF HENRY VIII

(HENRY VIII). Manuscript legal document, with original royal hanging wax seal. [England], February 6, 1515. Single page of vellum, measuring 20-1/2 by 12 inches, folded, with double-sided dark green wax seal measuring 2-1/2 inches in diameter. Housed in a custom clamshell box. $9500.

Henry VIII’s wax Seal of the Court of Common Pleas, depicting the enthroned king, attached to a 1515 manuscript legal document in Latin. Most rare.

The obverse of the wax seal represents Henry seated on his throne with attributes of majesty, the background diapered with a rose in each diamond and a fleur-de-lis on each of the intersecting angles; the reverse represents a shield of the Tudor arms of France and England, quarterly, between two greyhounds. Text in Latin, penned in a neat hand, first line with enlarged ascenders. Hanging seal attached to document with vellum ribbon.

A few expertly repaired cracks to slightly worn wax seal, less than expected age-wear to document. An exceptionally rare and beautiful item.