Harrach Family Heraldry Document, signed, dated June 22, 1728

Aloys Thomas Raimund, Count Harrach (7 March, 1669, Vienna - 7 November, 1742, Vienna - see first photo) was an Austrian politician and diplomat. He was the envoy of the Austrian Emperor in Dresden in 1694, served in the same function in Spain from 1697 to 1700 and was in Dresden again in 1711, and thereafter in Berlin and Hannover on diplomatic missions. From 1715 to 1742 he acted as 'Landmarschall' in Lower Austria, and from 1728 to 1733 as viceroy of Naples, from where he gathered numerous art pieces (Gallery in Rohrau). From 1734 to his death (in 1742) Count Harrach was a member of the Secret State Conference (Geheime Staatskonferenz) in Vienna. (source: Wikipedia)

With their high-profile political careers in service of the court in Vienna, the Harrach family were wise in business matters, and certainly in lower Austria, glass-making was an important aspect of the economy.* It is with that appreciation of business and the arts that Count Aloys von Harrach gave permission for the glassworks to be built on the family's property in around 1712, not taking an active role in running the business - this was left to entrepreneurs from the ranks of the serfdom. It was a little later that Harrach family members became directly involved in ownership and management of the glass works.
(source: From Neuwelt to the Whole World: 300 Years of Harrach Glass, edited by Jan Mergl)

I came into possession of this remarkable document, which is beautifully inked on vellum with the Harrach family coat-of-arms, handwritten in old German script, and signed by Thomas Aloys Raimund Graf von Harrach, as Land Marshall and Archduke of "Austria unter-der-enns" (Lower Austria), with original wax seal, witnessed by two others, with their original wax seals. One of the two witnesses was Franz Jacob Graf ?? von Brandis, who I believe was a secretary to the Land Marshall.

I can't read old German, but I have been able to very loosely translate this document using free on line resources, but I won't attempt to do it word for word here. Basically, this document attests that the image a the top is a true and accurate rendition of the coat-of-arms of the Harrach family, approved by Aloys von Harrach by virtue of his position as head of the family, dated June 22, 1728 (this would be right about the time he became the Viceroy of Naples).

For someone who collects Harrach glass, this is a real treasured possession for me. A document that is actually signed and sealed by the Harrach family member who got it all started over three hundred years ago. There can be no doubt as to the origin of the Harrach "feather plume" mark - it's right in the center of the shield on their coat-of-arms.

I am still looking to get a better translation of this document, if anyone out there understands or reads old German - please let me know. I hope to have this document museum framed, once I have the translation nailed down.

wrg