JOSEPH II: (1741-1790) Holy Roman Emperor 1765-90, King of the Romans 1764-90 and King of Hungary and Croatia, King ...

JOSEPH II: (1741-1790) Holy Roman Emperor 1765-90, King of the Romans 1764-90 and King of Hungary and Croatia, King of Bohemia 1780-90. Joseph II was the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband, Emperor Francis I, and the brother of Marie Antoinette. D.S., Joseph, as Emperor, two pages, folio, Vienna, 31st July 1766, in German. The manuscript document is addressed to Heinrich von Bibra and announces the appointment of Count von Pergen as a minister plenipotentiary and also states 'In his stead, the highborn, faithful Royal Count Leopold von Neipperg who loves Our Graceful Emperor and Our Empire will take the position as Our minister plenipotentiary' and requests that von Bibra grants the new minister 'the same access and attention as his predecessor, if he has something to bring forward from time to time'. Countersigned at the conclusion by two individuals including Franz Georg von Leykam. With the original folio envelope wrappers bearing a large blind embossed paper seal. A few neat slits and a lengthy, neat split to the central vertical fold, none of which affect the text or signatures. About VG £300-400 Heinrich von Bibra (1711-1788) Heinrich VIII of Fulda. Prince-Bishop of Fulda 1759-88. Johann Anton von Pergen (1725-1814) Austrian Diplomat and Statesman, one of the most influential individuals in the reformist administration of Joseph II. Count Leopold von Neipperg - Austrian Diplomat who, in 1760, invented a letter copying machine sometimes regarded as the first working typewriter. Father of Adam Albert, Count von Neipperg (1775-1829) Austrian General and Statesman who married Napoleon's widow, Empress Marie-Louise, in 1821.