A COLLECTION OF ZILL AL-SULTAN ROYAL MEMORABILIA STATIONERY
Qajar Iran, late 19th century

Comprising a sample of pale blue writing paper, emblazoned with the gold insignia within tied laurel leaves beneath the emblem of the Lion and the Sun under a crown, dated 1302 AH (1884), watermarked Imperial Treasury De La Rue, 20.3cm x 12.5cm when folded; a cream envelope, the verso similarly stamped, undated, 13.2cm x 21.3cm; and another, 12cm x 16.5cm; two smaller envelopes in pale pink, dated 1302 AH (1884), 10.7cm x 13.3cm; and six small envelopes in off white, the verso with an oversized blazon, Dowlat-e Elliyeh Iran Zill al-Sultan 1298 AH (1880 - 1881), 6.7cm x 12cm; and seven circular stamps, three in red and gold, four in green and gold, with the Lion and the Sun and the title Zill al-Sultan, each 3.5cm diameter.

The Qajar Prince Mas'ud Mirza (1850-1918), also known by his title Zill al-Sultan (the Sultan’s Shadow), was the eldest son of Nasir al-Din Shah Qajar and the governor of Isfahan for over 35 years, which he ruled as his own private domain. His sumptuous stationery provides a glimpse into his grand establishments, rivaling his crowned father’s court in Tehran, in an analogous showing-off trend exhibited as well in the famille rose Guangdong porcelain service he commissioned in 1879 - 1880 and again in 1883 - 1884, offered in our morning auction, 29 April 2022, Property from an Important Private European Collector, lot 75.