Franz Joseph I (1830–1916), Emperor. Certificate appointing Engineer Kazimierz Zaleski as a Knight of the Order of Franz Joseph. Vienna, August 23, 1885

53.5 x 71.5 cm;
In German. The Emperor’s autograph. A dry, majestic seal. Printed on handmade paper; the recipient’s name, title, and the reason for the award were filled in by hand. The order was awarded to Kazimierz Zaleski (Paris 1843–Lviv 1901) of the Lubicz or Dołęga coat of arms, son of Feliks, a participant in the 1830 uprising. He was the director of the national office of the Galician Railways in Lviv. He is buried at the Lychakiv Cemetery. He was married to Felicja Strumiłło of Vilnius, the daughter and granddaughter of famous gardeners in Lithuania. A large version of the diploma intended for display in a frame;
Condition: Since the diploma had been folded, minor losses occurred in those areas and were restored by a conservator. Included is an official Polish translation of the diploma prepared by Dr. Filip Krzyżanowski of Vienna in 1889, bearing a wax seal. Extremely rare!