Prussia – Civil Service Appointment Signed by König Friedrich Wilhelm IV

This is an original Prussian civil service promotion patent, officially signed by König Friedrich Wilhelm IV, monarch of Prussia from 1840 to 1861. Contrary to earlier descriptions, this document does not represent a military officer's commission. Instead, it records the appointment of a civilian official within the Prussian state bureaucracy.

The recipient is promoted to the post of Regierungssekretär (Government Secretary), a mid-level administrative position, and granted the civil rank of Kanzleirat (Chancellery Councilor). Both designations fall within the structured Beamtenlaufbahn — the Prussian civil service career path — and reflect advancement in governmental responsibility, not military command.

The document is beautifully printed and filled out in elegant handwritten script. It bears the bold autograph of König Friedrich Wilhelm IV, a historically significant monarch remembered for his architectural patronage and political caution during the 1848 revolutions. The king’s signature at the bottom center confirms the document’s official and royal provenance.

This piece offers collectors a rare opportunity to acquire a 19th-century Prussian state document directly connected to the royal court and administrative apparatus. Ideal for those with interests in German legal history, royal autographs, or the inner workings of Prussian governance, this item is a fascinating window into the bureaucratic structure of one of Europe's most powerful states.

The document remains in excellent condition, suitable for framing or archival display.