Hungary, Empire. A Framed Document to Dr. György Nagy Signed by All Other 48 Founding Members of the Hungarian National ‘Republican’ Party, C. 1913.

An honourary document awarded to Dr. György Nagy and signed by all remaining 48 members of the Hungarian National ‘Republican’ Party, contained within a wooden lockable frame. The frame is large and constructed of heavy and solid wood. The top portion of the frame depicts two Hungarian Coat of Arms, one on either side, consisting of a dexter and sinister within an oval laurel wreath and with a diagonal sword running through it, and tied together via a ribbon on the bottom. It bears the inscription “To Dr. György Nagy: Party leader of the Hungarian ‘Republican’ Party, the apostle of the holiest Hungarian cause, our honorary president, as a symbol of our respect, The ‘Republican’ Party of Szabadka” in Hungarian lettering between the two Coat of Arms. Directly below is a non-magnetic metal cross-bar that is affixed to the frame on the right side, with a hinge to allow movement, along with a slit on the opposing side of the bar with a latch to allow the passing through of a lock. The frame is further ordained with hand-chiseled details on both sides of the frame, with brazen arabesques on the bottom in the center. The reverse of the frame has a wooden backing plate that was held in place previously through an adjoining strip of paper. The frame measures approximately 46.5 cm (w) x 64 cm.

The honourary document signed by all 48 members of the Hungarian National ‘Republican’ Party is contained within a large binder. The obverse and reverse covers are constructed of  thick and heavy cardstock cores that are wrapped in protective thick brown leather. The front cover depicts a hand and wrist in high relief holding a pair of open and unlocked handcuffs. The inside of the covers were once decorated with red felt, but have been stripped and left blank, leaving the remnants of glue and paper, with decorative piping consisting of small loops of gilded aluminum bullion wires along all edges of the binder. The document contained is held in place by a 30 mm wide piece of ornate golden silver aluminum bullion tresse and is signed by 48 Members of the Hungarian National ‘Republican’ Party, all in black ink. The document binder measures 36 cm (w) x 45 cm (l).

The frame was exposed to moisture causing the wooden backer to twist and somewhat come apart from the core of the frame, thus exposing nail heads. The document binder was equally exposed to moisture, which is likely the reason the inner felt liner was removed to conserve the document itself. An exceptional historic artifact in overall near very fine condition. 

Footnote: The document is dated 16 October 1913 and was signed by all the members of the National ‘Republican’ Party (in Hungarian: Országos Köztársasági Párt). It was formed by a committee of 49 members, including 38 intellectuals, 8 citizens, 2 landowners, and Dr. György Nagy to spread the idea of the Hungarian Republic. György Nagy (November 5th, 1879 - March 29th, 1923) was a professional writer, poet, journalist, lawyer, and politician as one of the leading figures of the struggle for the Hungarian Republic.