155.00€
A remarkable original archival group documenting the career of a Greek Royal Guard officer during the reign of King Constantine II.
This unusual collection brings together a period studio portrait of Infantry Captain Konstantinos Mantouvalos (Κωνσταντίνος Μαντούβαλος) with four original confidential military documents dated 26 April 1966, concerning his proposed recognition with the Medal of Military Merit, 4th Class (Μετάλλιο Στρατιωτικής Αξίας Δ’ Τάξεως).
At the time, Captain Mantouvalos was serving with the Vassiliki Froura (Βασιλική Φρουρά), the Royal Guard of the Kingdom of Greece, the institution that preceded today’s Presidential Guard/Evzones. The documents were issued through the Στρατιωτικός Οίκος της Α.Μ. του Βασιλέως – the Military Household of His Majesty the King.
1. Original framed portrait
A handsome monochrome studio portrait of Captain Konstantinos Mantouvalos, photographed in a formal seated pose at a professional photographic studio in Pyrgos, Greece.
The photograph is mounted in an attractive period wooden frame and retains an elegant original signature on the lower-right portion of the mounting board.
Frame dimensions: approx. 29 cm × 21 cm
Photographic window: approx. 15.5 cm × 11 cm
2. Four original military documents
The accompanying documents are original typewritten administrative papers dated 26 April 1966.
They are prominently marked:
ΕΜΠΙΣΤΕΥΤΙΚΟΝ — “CONFIDENTIAL”
The documents were issued by the:
Στρατιωτικός Οίκος της Α.Μ. του Βασιλέως
Military Household of His Majesty the King
Under the heading:
Ηθικαί αμοιβαί
Moral Rewards / Commendations
the papers concern the formal recommendation/proposal to recognize Captain Mantouvalos with the:
Μετάλλιο Στρατιωτικής Αξίας Δ’ Τάξεως
Medal of Military Merit, 4th Class
The pages retain their original official stamps, signatures/countersignatures and administrative formatting, providing an unusually direct insight into the workings of the Greek military and Royal Household in the period immediately preceding the political upheavals of 1967.
The combination of a named Royal Guard officer’s portrait and original confidential Royal Household military paperwork makes this a particularly interesting archival group.
Rather than being a later reproduction or commemorative publication, the four documents are contemporary administrative records from 1966, offering a rare first-hand glimpse into the recognition and administration of officers serving the Greek Royal Guard during the reign of King Constantine II.
The material will be of particular interest to collectors and researchers of:
Greek Royal history
The Royal Guard / Vassiliki Froura
Evzones and Greek military history
King Constantine II
20th-century Greek political and military history
Military decorations and awards
Original military documents and archival ephemera
The complete group is in very good vintage condition.
The wooden frame has attractive age-related character while remaining structurally sound, with the glass securely in place. The photograph retains excellent clarity, contrast and tonal depth, with no significant fading.
The four documents display natural, uniform age toning and the original fold marks associated with administrative storage. They remain complete, intact, tear-free and clearly legible, with the original purple official ink stamps still strong and visible.
Please study the photographs carefully, which form an integral part of the description.
A compelling and highly unusual archival survivor from 1966 Greek Royal and military history, preserved as a coherent group of portrait and official documentation.
