Vittorio Emanuele II signed Document - 1874 dated Italian Autograph - Italy

Large size document signed by Vittorio Emanuele II. Measures 19 1/2" x 14 1/2".

Vittorio Emanuele II, born in Turin in 1820, was the last King of Sardinia and the first King of a unified Italy. After his father abdicated in 1849 following a severe military defeat by the Austrian Empire, Vittorio Emanuele II ascended to the Sardinian throne. Despite the turbulent beginning, he proved to be a politically astute leader. He wisely chose advisors, most notably his Prime Minister, Count Cavour. Together, they navigated the Kingdom of Sardinia through strategic military alliances and conflicts, including the Crimean War and the Second Italian War of Independence. By skillfully combining diplomatic maneuvering with popular uprisings, he successfully expanded his territory and unified the fragmented Italian peninsula.

On March 17, 1861, Vittorio Emanuele II officially assumed the title of King of Italy, solidifying his place in history. He retained his dynastic number “II” instead of becoming “Vittorio Emanuele I” to signify the continuity of the House of Savoy’s leadership. His reign was dedicated to integrating diverse regional laws, currencies, and cultures into a unified national identity. In 1870, his forces entered Rome after the withdrawal of French troops, officially declaring the ancient city as the capital of the unified kingdom. Affectionately known as the “Father of the Fatherland” (Padre della Patria), he ruled until his death in 1878, leaving behind a consolidated and independent Italian nation.