Footnotes

• PROVENANCE:
  Presented to Prince Aleksandr Gorchakov, St. Petersburg, 1867
  Collection of Armand Hammer, California
  Thence by descent
  
  This unusual quill pen encrusted with jewels and decorated with princely monogram was presented to Aleksandr Mikhailovich Gorchakov (1798-1883) as a token of gratitude on the 50th anniversary of his long and remarkable diplomatic career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. His entire career was devoted to re-establishing Russia's prestige as a world power and creating an international climate favourable to Russia that would allow her to concentrate on her important domestic agenda and devote her resources to a series of economic and social improvements. Considered by his contemporaries as a 'master of international diplomacy', Gorchakov was the most capable, well-educated and gifted diplomat of the second half of the XIX century. Making himself indispensable to three consecutive Russian Emperors he received every Russian order and award that existed in Imperial Russia.
  
  The 50th celebration of his remarkable career became a grand occasion to pay tribute to this influential and well-respected statesman and public servant. Many newspapers published extensive reports about the festivities. On June 13, 1867 Emperor Alexander II appointed A. Gorchakov State Chancellor of the Russian State. The quill pen made by the celebrated Sazikov Firm is engraved with dates commemorating the most important dates in Gorchakov's career:
  
  1817 – Beginning his career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  1841 – Special Convoy to Württemberg
  1854 – Ambassador to Vienna
  1856 – Minister of Foreign Affairs
  1863 – Resolving a conflict during Polish uprising
  1867 – State Chancellor
  
  With the stroke of a pen Alexander Gorchakov brought peace, built alliances, resolved conflicts shaping the future and the international standing of the Russian Empire. One cannot imagine a more appropriate token of admiration from his grateful contemporaries to this brilliant and effective diplomat.