RARE and historically important original photograph of Czar Nicholas II and French President Raymond Poincaré boarding the Imperial yacht ALEXANDRIA at a navy pier in St. Petersburg, July 1914, by Court photographer Karl von Ghan of Tsarskoe selo.

Photograph 8 3/4 x 6 1/2 in. (22,3 x 16,6 cm), photoboard 14 1/16 x 10 5/16 in. (35,5 x 26,1 cm).

Near MINT condition.

The purpose of the French visit was to strengthen ties between France and Russia on the eve of the World War I.

The talks took place on board the yacht ALEXANDRIA between July 20 and 23, 1914 (Russia entered the war on July 20).

Nicholas II is wearing the Navy uniform.

Sailor from the yacht ALEXANDRIA. The name of the yacht is partially visible on the caps.

A group of saluting cossacks of His Majesty’s Own Convoy headed by the Leib-Cossack (chief-cossack).

French flag is partially visible in the upper left corner of the image.

‘Von (fon) Ghan and Co. ‘ with the Imperial warrant

Tsarskoe Selo

Another photograph taken on the same occasion at the same navy pier but from the opposite site.