Grece

1867 · réf. 75634 — N.p.: N.p. ca. 1867. The sheet possibly taken from and album but there are no signs of that measures 9 x 11 1/4 inches and it bears three small photographs: George King of the Greeks; Olga Queen of the Greeks and Athens Surrounding these photographs someone has penned in a very neat hand a fair copy of John Milton's poem Athens. A very attractive presentation.The byzantine ways of Europe's royalty never ceases to amaze. "Born a Danish Prince in Copenhagen’s royal Yellow Palace King George I of the Hellenes 1845-1913 was seventeen when he was elected to establish a new dynasty of kings by the Greek National Assembly who had deposed Bavarian-born King Otto and the unpopular Queen Amalia in 1862. King George had the distinction of taking the Greek throne before his father who was to become King Christian IX of Denmark. His nomination was supported by the Great Powers of Russia France and Great Britain. The Greek government held a plebiscite and the British Prince Alfred Duke of Edinburgh was awarded 95% of the vote but his mother Queen Victoria was adamant that the Prince would not leave England so Prince George took the prize.When King George I sailed into Athens in 1863 he said ‘my strength is in the love of my people’. In his accession speech the King declared ‘in these modern days Princes must strive to be superior in intellect knowledge and goodness to those around them’. A born democrat King George supported the constitutional monarchy and swiftly mastered Greek as well as national sports such as wrestling and running. He established the modern Olympic Games in Athens and opened the summer games in 1896. His endeavors to endear himself to his people earned him the moniker ‘Father of the Nation’ and King George reigned for almost fifty-years" Henry Poole. He was killed by an anarchist in 1913 right after he chose to abdicate the throne. There is a large photograph of a British tombstone on the verso. N.p. unknown