A Russian Antique Cabinet photograph, circa 1900, by Court photographer Levitsky (St. Petersburg) inscribed in pencil by czar Nicholas II.

4 1/8 x 6 1/2 in. (10,3 x 16,3 cm)

Provenance: Grand Duke Cyril (Kirill) Vladimirovich of Russia.

Translation:

Christ is Risen! dear friend

Cyril, sending you my

portrait and kiss you three times

Nicholas

*** it is an old Russian tradition to greet each other with three kisses on Easter day.

The photograph was sent by Nicholas II to his cousin, Grand Duke Cyril (Kyrill) Vladimirovich (1876-1938), grandson of Tsar Alexander II.

Cyril served in the Navy and had a position of Aide de Camp to Nicholas II.

The Grand Duke escaped the revolution and died in France. On 8 August 1922 Cyril declared himself “Curator of the Russian Throne,” a title which did not exist. Two years later, on August 31, 1924, he proclaimed himself Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russias. By the laws of the Russian Empire, he was the prime claimant after the execution of the Tsar’s family. Cyril became the third in the line of succession to the Imperial Throne after the death of Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich in 1908.