OTTO VON BISMARCK (1815-1898) Autograph letter signed "v. Bismarck" Friedrichsruh, 24 May 1896

Small autograph note of receipt by the addressee. 4° (26 x 20 cm). In German. 1 page. Double sheet. Thick paper. Enclosed an older collection envelope. To General Alexander von Spitz (1832-1910) in Berlin, thanking him for a letter: "[...] Ich werde den beigefügten Geschäftsbericht des Kriegerbundes mit Interesse durchsehen, und freue mich, daß Euere Excellenz den Geist pflegen, der unser Heer zu großen Erfolgen geführt hat [...]" "[...] I will look through the enclosed annual report of the Kriegerbund with interest, and am pleased that Your Excellency cultivates the spirit that has led our army to great successes [...]" Spitz was chairman of the Deutscher Kriegerbund since his retirement in 1896. Prussian politician and statesman, Bismarck dominated German and European affairs from the 1860s to 1890s. As Prussian Minister-President and first Chancellor, he decisively determined the politics of the new German Empire. In 1890, differences of opinion with Emperor Wilhelm II, who had been in office for only two years, led to Bismarck's dismissal.