[AUTOGRAPHS & MANUSCRIPTS] [CHARLES IV OF SPAIN] patent of nobility No place, 1794-1795. Contemporary tan calf over boards, all edges gilt; stained and rubbed, binding detached but present and intact. Manuscript patent of nobility on 63 vellum leaves, lined in red, with text on recto and verso. Text in at least two different hands. Last two leaves with ink inscriptions and signatures. With 21 decorated initials mostly in red and all gilt illuminated. Each leaf stamped with the seal of Charles IV of Spain. Front and back paste-downs and endpapers stamped with "Hispaniarum Rex Carolus IV D.G. Sello quarto, un quartillo, años de mil sete-cientos noventa y quarto y noventa y cinco." Front paste-down and endpapers stamped "Alexander Wilbourne Weddell / Virginia House / Richmond, Virginia" and also with ink ownership inscription "A. & V. Weddell / "Virginia House" / Richmond VA / Mexico City - 1926" on front free endpaper recto. Approximately 17 leaves washed with text no longer legible, one leaf partly excised. A few minor instances of worming, some internal stains. Many decorated initials smudged. PROVENANCE: The Collection of Ambassador and Mrs. Alexander Weddell, Richmond, Virginia. Deaccessioned by The Virginia House Museum to benefit future preservation, acquisitions, and care of collections.