1812 King George III Military Commission – Ensign, 2nd Battalion 12th Regiment of Foot – Napoleonic Wars – Royal Seal Intact
An original British military commission issued during the reign of King George III, dated 14 February 1812, appointing Henry Willet Loved as Ensign in the Second Battalion of His Majesty's Twelfth Regiment of Foot (East Suffolk Regiment). Issued from Carlton House and signed on behalf of the Crown by Robert Ryder, Secretary at War, this commission dates from the height of the Napoleonic Wars, when Britain's army was rapidly expanding to meet the demands of the conflict against Napoleon.
Executed on large vellum in elegant manuscript calligraphy, the document retains its impressive embossed royal paper seal, the blue embossed revenue stamp, and the attached stamp duty receipt—features often absent from surviving examples. The commission remains highly displayable, with bold penmanship, excellent readability, and only expected folds and age wear.
A handsome and historically important military document from the Napoleonic era, combining royal authority, military history, and outstanding visual appeal.
Date: 14 February 1812
Monarch: King George III
Rank: Ensign
Regiment: Second Battalion, 12th (East Suffolk) Regiment of Foot
Material: Vellum with embossed seals and revenue stamp
Condition: Very Good, original folds and expected age wear.
Military Commission of Ensign
- Date: 14 February 1812
- Monarch: King George III
- Document Type: Royal military commission
- Rank Granted: Ensign
- Regiment: Second Battalion, Twelfth (East Suffolk) Regiment of Foot
- Officer Appointed: Henry Willet Loved (the surname appears to read Loved; the original should be checked under magnification)
- Signed by: Secretary at War Robert Ryder ("R. Ryder")
- Countersigned: Thomas Bruce (Secretary in the Commander-in-Chief's office)
- Issued from: Carlton House, London
- Authority: "By His Majesty's Command"
The text appoints the recipient:
"...to be Ensign in the Second Battalion of Our Twelfth Regiment of Foot..."
The 2nd Battalion of the 12th Regiment had only recently been formed in 1811 as Britain expanded its army during the Napoleonic Wars. In late 1812 the battalion went to Ireland before later service connected with the Peninsular and Waterloo period.
Outstanding Features
This example retains several features collectors seek:
- Large engraved vellum commission
- Original embossed royal paper seal
- Blue embossed revenue stamp
- Original stamp duty receipt attached
- Fine George III calligraphic heading
- Attractive large signature of Robert Ryder
- Original filing endorsements
These intact revenue stamps are often missing or damaged, making this example more desirable.
Condition
Condition is Very Good for a 214-year-old vellum commission.
Positives:
- Original vellum
- Strong ink
- Excellent legibility
- Original seals remain attached
- No significant loss of text
Condition issues:
- Fold wear
- Moderate toning
- Minor surface abrasions
- Small areas of paper reinforcement loss on reverse
- General age handling
Overall approximately VG (Very Good).
An original British military commission issued during the reign of King George III, dated 14 February 1812, appointing Henry Willet Loved as Ensign in the Second Battalion of His Majesty's Twelfth Regiment of Foot (East Suffolk Regiment). Issued from Carlton House and signed on behalf of the Crown by Robert Ryder, Secretary at War, this commission dates from the height of the Napoleonic Wars, when Britain's army was rapidly expanding to meet the demands of the conflict against Napoleon.
Executed on large vellum in elegant manuscript calligraphy, the document retains its impressive embossed royal paper seal, the blue embossed revenue stamp, and the attached stamp duty receipt—features often absent from surviving examples. The commission remains highly displayable, with bold penmanship, excellent readability, and only expected folds and age wear.
A handsome and historically important military document from the Napoleonic era, combining royal authority, military history, and outstanding visual appeal.
Date: 14 February 1812
Monarch: King George III
Rank: Ensign
Regiment: Second Battalion, 12th (East Suffolk) Regiment of Foot
Material: Vellum with embossed seals and revenue stamp
Condition: Very Good, original folds and expected age wear.
Military Commission of Ensign
- Date: 14 February 1812
- Monarch: King George III
- Document Type: Royal military commission
- Rank Granted: Ensign
- Regiment: Second Battalion, Twelfth (East Suffolk) Regiment of Foot
- Officer Appointed: Henry Willet Loved (the surname appears to read Loved; the original should be checked under magnification)
- Signed by: Secretary at War Robert Ryder ("R. Ryder")
- Countersigned: Thomas Bruce (Secretary in the Commander-in-Chief's office)
- Issued from: Carlton House, London
- Authority: "By His Majesty's Command"
The text appoints the recipient:
"...to be Ensign in the Second Battalion of Our Twelfth Regiment of Foot..."
The 2nd Battalion of the 12th Regiment had only recently been formed in 1811 as Britain expanded its army during the Napoleonic Wars. In late 1812 the battalion went to Ireland before later service connected with the Peninsular and Waterloo period.
Outstanding Features
This example retains several features collectors seek:
- Large engraved vellum commission
- Original embossed royal paper seal
- Blue embossed revenue stamp
- Original stamp duty receipt attached
- Fine George III calligraphic heading
- Attractive large signature of Robert Ryder
- Original filing endorsements
These intact revenue stamps are often missing or damaged, making this example more desirable.
Condition
Condition is Very Good for a 214-year-old vellum commission.
Positives:
- Original vellum
- Strong ink
- Excellent legibility
- Original seals remain attached
- No significant loss of text
Condition issues:
- Fold wear
- Moderate toning
- Minor surface abrasions
- Small areas of paper reinforcement loss on reverse
- General age handling
Overall approximately VG (Very Good).
