Manuscript "private" account contemporary to, and describing firsthand, the Grand Russian Fleet Review held from 13 to 25 August 1897 in Krasnoye Selo, by Wilfred Seymour who received a personal invitation to the event, who met and conversed with Czar Nicholas II, and who had fought against Russia in th Crimean War formerly being attached to the Coldstream Guards. 8vo. 7 pages in manuscript on two double leafs, blue paper watermarked "Joynson 1865" measuring approximately 18,5 x 23 cm, dated and initialed by the writer. Together with a manuscript letter also by Wilfred Seymour, written only a few days before, 11 August 1897, while on the steam yacht "Tighnamara" making the voyage to Saint Petersburg for the Presidential celebrations, so mentioned in the text. 8vo. Double leaf ivory paper measuring 13 x 21,5 cm, signed by the writer. Very good condition, a singular primary source "private" account with excellent content. A significant event in Russia's history, of which there is very little documentation, is preserved with remarkable firsthand details, not from a distant observer, but rather from a well-connected Englishman who had a privileged invitation by the Russian Court and who spoke with the Emperor in person during the ceremonies. The event described in these papers marks a most interesting time of Russian relations with European powers, a Franco-Russian Alliance having been established with agreements made from 1891 to 1893 though not officially announced until the conclusion of these ceremonies. At the same time, Anglo-Russian relations were tenuous, the two nations having been rivals for most of the nineteenth century especially in the Crimean War and the Great Game, and just at the time of the Imperial Fleet Review were settling into diplomacy. Within two years of this event, the two would cooperate and join others to protect their interests in China during the Boxer Rebellion. Attending the "Grand Review of Troops" held at Krasnoye Selo, Wilfred Seymour met last Emperor of Russia, Nicholas II, in person, being introduced by the Court Chamberlain. The Czar asked Seymour for his impressions of the review, and also noticed his 1854 Russian War Medal (earned for fighting against Russia in the Crimean War), remarking that at during that time they were enemies, but no longer so. Seymour was subsequently introduced to Alexandra Feodorovna, Empress of Russia as the wife of Nicholas II. He mentions a conversation with the Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia (1878-1918), whom also asked him about Crimea. The day before meeting His Imperial Highness, several Grand Dukes and Russian officers, Seymour was present for the laying of the foundation stone for the Neva Bridge. Manuscript
