Prince Nicholas Orlov Antique Signed Letters St Petersburg 1862 Russian Reforms
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Fine antique collection of three long signed letters from the Russian diplomat and author Prince Nicholas Alexeevich Orlov (1827-1885), in French from St Petersburg to Monsieur Belnalette corresponding on the Russian political and economic situation in Russia. There is a brief outline of the content in the final image
The Emancipation Reform of 1861 in Russia was the first and most important of liberal reforms passed during the reign (1855-1881) of Emperor Alexander II of Russia. The reform effectively abolished serfdom throughout the Russian Empire.
The 1861 Emancipation Manifesto proclaimed the emancipation of the serfs on private estates and of the domestic (household) serfs. By this edict more than 23 million people received their liberty. Serfs gained the full rights of free citizens, including rights to marry without having to gain consent, to own property and to own a business. The Manifesto prescribed that peasants would be able to buy the land from the landlords. Household serfs were the least affected: they gained only their freedom and no land.
The serfs were emancipated in 1861, following a speech given by Tsar Alexander II on 30th March 1856. State owned serfs, i.e., the serfs living on Imperial lands, were emancipated later in 1866.