246

Karl Faberge

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
Karl Faberge

Bidding Over

The auction is over for this lot.
The auctioneer wasn't accepting online bids for this lot.

Contact the auctioneer for information on the auction results.

Search for other lots to bid on...
Auction Date:2014 Sep 10 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Russian jeweller (1846–1920) best known for the famous Faberge eggs made of precious metals and gems. Scarce DS in Russian, signed in Cyrillic, “K. Faberge,” one page both sides, 8.5 x 11, March 11, 1916. Letter to Otto Ottovich Bauer. In full (translated): “This is to confirm that I invited you to take the position of the head trusted man of my business concern for 5 years, beginning from May 1st of this year, 1916, ending May 1st of 1921, provided that you accept responsibility for fulfilling all assignments given by me to you, according to position held by you, on the following terms:

1. To remunerate you for your work, you will receive payment in amount of eighteen thousand Rubles per year, payable to you monthly at the rate of one thousand five hundred Rubles;

2. You have the right to take up to six weeks of vacation per year;

3. I take upon myself the payment of income tax that you might be liable to due to your employment;

4. In case of early termination through no fault of your own, I will pay you the compensation for the period of this term at the rate of eighteen thousand Rubles per year; in of the event you stop working for me at your own volition before the end of the term, you’re obliged to inform me of this in writing at least six months in advance with your compensation at the rate of eighteen thousand Rubles per year payable from me to you in this case for one year, counting from the day you leave your employment with me, and this agreement becomes void;

5. This agreement is binding for my successors, and in the event this enterprise that belongs to me is transformed into joint-stock corporation, it is binding for the corporation;

6. I undertake to cover expenses of executing this agreement and stamp duty.” In very good condition, with intersecting folds, scattered foxing, and small edge tears.

This letter outlines the terms for Bauer, who had served as Faberge's chief accountant and proxy since 1898. As a result of the outbreak of World War I, the mass conscription of craftsmen and workers combined with a waning demand for high-end luxury items led the House of Faberge to begin producing more practical copper articles for sale, as well as war material for the defense of the nation, including military equipment, grenades, and syringes. Bauer is believed to have later stolen and hidden an estimated twenty boxes of Faberge items, including the company’s books and records. A scarce letter written during Russia’s most tumultuous period from one of the greatest craftsmen of all time.