Very rare and important large original vintage photograph of Czar Nicholas II delivering the Throne Speech at the opening of the State Duma in the Saint George’s Hall of the Winter Palace, St. Petersburg, April 27th, 1906, photographed by K. E. von Gan, official Court photographer. Mounted on a photo board 14 5/8 x 10 3/4 in. (37 x 27,4 cm). Condition: excellent, very clean.

A similar photograph and of identical size (37,1 x 27,3 cm) from the Hermitage museum collection is published in the exhibition catalog “Nicholas and Alexandra”, Nr. 79.

Please note that the above image is greatly compressed for internet viewing.

Nicholas II is reading the text of the manifesto. Diamond-set Imperial crown, orb, and scepter are laid on pillows. The ermine mantle is placed on the throne.

Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (wife of Nicholas II) in a richly embroidered dress is standing between Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna (left) and Empress Maria Feodorovna (mother of Nicholas II) with her two daughters.

Image of Empress Alexandra is amazingly sharp. She is wearing her famous pearl tiara.

Empress Maria Feodorovna (in dark dress) with her two daughters (sisters of Nicholas II): Xenia (right) and Olga (behind the Empress). All three are wearing diamond tiaras and sashes of the Saint Andrew Order. Empress Maria is also wearing a chain of the Order.

Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna, wife of Grand Duke Vladimir, the uncle of Nicholas II.

Grand Dukes: Nicholas Nikolaevich, Vladimir Alexandrovich, Constantine Constantinovich, Alexei Alexandrovich.