DUMAS ALEXANDRE: Pere (1802-1870) French Writer whose historical novels of high adventure include The Three Musketeers (1844). 'I must have finished my three acts by the 15th.'A.L.S., Alex. Dumas, one page, 8vo, n.p., n.d., to Porcher, in French. Dumas states `I will come to have dinner with you when my first act will be finished, and it won´t be finished before Wednesday´ further adding `When I go for dinner with you I will eat for three days like a wolf and a fool´ and concludes `I must have finished my three acts by the 15th. ´ With blind embossed monogram to the upper left corner. Some very light staining and minor age wear and a few small traces of former mounting to the left edge, not affecting the text or signature, about VG Jean Baptiste Porcher (1792-1864) & Alix Renique Porcher (1807-1887), French Theatrical Agents who used to purchase copyrights and ticket passes for their authors, later reselling them at the entrance doors of theatres. Dumas is one of the most widely read of French writers and his works have inspired more than 200 motion pictures.
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SCOTT ROBERT FALCON: (1868-1912) British Antarctic Explorer. A very fine, rare vintage signed sepia 7 x 10 photograph, the photogravure image depicting Scott standing in a half length pose, c.1900. Photograph by J. Thomson of London and bearing his blind embossed Royal Warrant to the lower photographer's mount. Signed ('Con') by Scott with his family name in dark fountain pen ink to a light area of the image. Some light age wear and very minor mottling to the photographer's mount and very slightly irregularly trimmed to the left and right edges, about VG 'Scott of the Antarctic' led two expeditions to the Antarctic regions: The Discovery Expedition of 1901-04 and the ill-fated Terra Nova Expedition of 1910-13. On the first expedition he set a new southern record and discovered the Polar Plateau on which the South Pole is located. During the second venture Scott led a party of five which reached the South Pole on 17th January 1912 after Roald Amundsen's Norwegian Expedition.On their return journey, Scott and his companions died from a combination of exhaustion, starvation and extreme cold. Following the news of his death Scott became a celebrated hero and national icon.
BEAUHARNAIS JOSEPHINE DE: (1763-1814) Empress of the French 1804-14, the first wife of Napoleon I. L.S., Lapagerie Bonaparte, two pages, 8vo, n.p. (Chateau de Malmaison?), 30th May 1800, to an unidentified recipient, in French. Josephine thanks her correspondent for the plants which she had been promised and informs her correspondent that her gardener (Alexander Howatson?) will receive and take care of the plants, which she provides a list of, and which includes a rose, as well as various species of Eucalyptus, Magnolia, Laurel and Hibiscus etc. She further invites her correspondent to visit her garden and provide her with some advice. The text of the letter is in the hand of Mme. De Remusat. Some very light, minor age wear, otherwise VG In 1799, while Napoleon was in Egypt, Josephine purchased the Chateau de Malmaison. She had it landscaped in an English style, hiring landscapers and horticulturalists from the United Kingdom including Thomas Blaikie, a Scottish horticultural expert, and Alexander Howatson, a Scottish gardener. The rose garden was begun soon after purchase and Josephine took a personal interest in the gardens and the roses, as illustrated by the present letter, and learned a great deal about botany and horticulture from her staff. Josephine wanted to collect all known roses so Napoleon ordered his warship commanders to search all seized vessels for plants to be forwarded to Malmaison. The English nurseryman Kennedy was a major supplier and, despite England and France being at war, his shipments were allowed to cross blockades. Sir Joseph Banks, Director of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, also sent her roses. The general assumption is that she had about 250 roses in her garden when she died in 1814. Unfortunately, the roses were not catalogued during her tenure, however Josephine produced the first written history of the cultivation of roses, and is believed to have hosted the first rose exhibition, in 1810. The present letter was written just nine days before the Battle of Montebello on 9th June 1800, part of the lead-up to the Battle of Marengo on 14th June 1800, when the vanguard of the French Army in Italy engaged and defeated an Austrian force in a glorious victory. In 1795 Josephine Beauharnais met Napoleon Bonaparte, six years her junior, for the first time. She became his mistress and in January 1796 Napoleon proposed to her. The marriage was not well accepted by Napoleon's family, who were shocked that he had married an older woman with two children. As the wife of Napoleon, Josephine became the first Empress Consort of the French and was crowned by Pope Pius VII at Notre Dame de Paris on 2nd December 1804. She did not bear Napoleon any children and, as a result, he divorced her in 1810 to marry Marie Louise of Austria.
FLENSBURG GOVERNMENT:An extremely rare and historically important Top Secret document prepared by Commodore Tully Shelley, Intelligence Officer with the U.S. Navy, 36 pages (originally 37, unfortunately lacking the first page), folio, n.p. (SHAEF Headquarters, Germany), 19th June 1945. The carbon typed document represents the original English translation of the daily notes prepared by Walter Ludde-Neurath in his capacity as personal adjutant to Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz, and date from 2nd – 17th May 1945 at the time when Doenitz was serving as head of the Flensburg Government. The momentous document was completed under the instruction of Major General Sir Kenneth Strong commences with a summary of its contents, the salient points listed in numbered paragraphs from 4-11 (1-3 evidently originally on the missing first page), in part, ‘Historically enclosure (A) is a document of great value, and for the immediate future there can be gained from the document a very good insight in to the aim of the Doenitz government.… the Doenitz Government accepted this report of Hitler’s death as a fact and acted thereon accordingly. It is very interesting to note that Doenitz acted upon Bormann’s despatch and completely disregarded Goebbels’ later despatch insofar as the formation of the new government was concerned.…...Doenitz expressed himself very forcefully as favouring co-operation with the Western Powers… Doctor Rössner on the 17 May 1945 reported the recent growing development among the troops and officers toward Eastern orientation… Thoughts were developing among German officers that the German Fleet should be sailed to Kronstadt instead of to English harbours. In addition, further centers of attraction favouring the Russian side were set forth, such as: (a) The hoped for rapid re-establishment of national unity, quoting Stalin, “Germany must not be dismembered”….(c) A better provisional outlook in the East for each professional soldier….In conversation with Dr. Rössner, Doenitz branded such a position as monstrously short-sighted…but no one considers the price which in the long run we would have to pay: the giving up of Volkische existence…(following a meeting between Doenitz, Speer, Wegener, Keitel, Jodl and Wagner on 11th May 1945 to discuss the problem of East vs. West)…the Russians occupy that portion of Germany east of the Elbe, which was from the standpoint of supplying food an area of overabundance…. He (the Russian) will find it easy to create bearable living conditions… in conjunction with dexterous management and propaganda threatens the Bolshevization of the largest part of the population in this area. The West has been an area of agricultural scarcity… refuges… sizeable overpopulation… The inevitable results are hunger, epidemic and the promotion of radicalism among the masses…. And knowledge of the happier fate of the East German area will do the rest for the Bolshevization of this part of Germany too. The problems of this world and in particular of Europe have not been settled by this war…future disruption and the hope for a bettering of our fate lead people to seek the path of least sacrifice… the East appears enticing. The complete lack of understanding of the Anglo-Americans of these problems and their short sighted, colonial-minded management of the German people leads further in the direction of throwing us into the arms of the Russians. If the foregoing problems are not soon carried through to an energetic solution, the developments will necessarily bear Bolshevistic fruit.’ and continues with the complete English translations of Ludde-Neurath’s daily notes commencing on 2nd May 1945 and which state, in part, ‘Minutes of discussions and decisions…Radio despatch 1807/30/ag 14. Received: 30 April 1835 Contents: F R R Grand Admiral Doenitz: The Fuhrer has designated you as his successor instead of ex-Reichsmarschall Goering. Written confirmation follows. From now on, you will order such measures as will be found necessary in the current situation…(in reply)…My Fuhrer, my loyalty to you will be unconditional. I shall make every effort in order to relieve you in Berlin. Nevertheless if fate forces me to lead the German Reich as your chosen successor, I shall conduct this war to the end in a manner befitting this unique heroic struggle… of the German Volk. Radio despatch 1446/1/ag 32 Transmitted: 1 May 1518 Contents: F R R Grand Admiral (Top Secret. Officer messenger only!). The Führer died yesterday at 1530. The testament of 29 April confers on you the office of Reichespresident… Reichsleiter Bormann is trying to get to you today in order to brief you on the situation. Goebbels…..Daily notes 2 May 1945 1030 hrs......Translation of enclosure (C) 19 May 1945 …Subj.: Geneva prisoner of war and wounded convention of 1929 and Hague rules for land warfare of 1907…..…The unconditionalness of the military surrender means, as has been previously laid down, juristically speaking, only that the insistence of the enemy on full disarmament, etc., must be undertaken without contradiction or reservation. As for the rest, the enemy has relative to the Geneva and Hague Conventions no further reaching rights than those… In regards to article 5 of the Convention on prisoners of war, according to which prisoners have the duty upon questioning to reveal only their true names, ranks and numbers… the obligation of secrecy does not stand any longer on account of the unconditional surrender… prisoners can incur punishment… if they give no answer or an incorrect answer if they are questioned regarding their membership of the NSDAP….Since the war from the German side was conducted according to repeated declarations of the former German authorities as a battle of “Weltanschauugen”, the Allies must be presumed to have the authority… to examine all Germans whether they are or not to be employed as public functionaries in the administration of the occupied area…’ Each page bears the red stamped words TOP SECRET at the head and with two file holes to the head of each page, some small tears, creasing, light age wear and small areas of paper loss to the head of most pages, generally GA VITALLY IMPORTANT DOCUMENT DETAILING THE VERY FINAL STAGES OF THE THIRD REICHWalter Ludde-Neurath (b.1914) German Kriegsmarine officer of World War II, Personal Adjutant to Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz from 1944-45. The present lot is accompanied by a copy of a T.L.S. by Ludde-Neurath, one page, 4to, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, 13th November 1980, in German. Writing in response to having been sent a copy of the present document, Ludde-Neurath replied ‘I naturally find it extremely interesting that a carbon copy of my daily notes has suddenly appeared. As far as my recollection goes I had only two originals produced and only the one carbon copy. It is evidently this latter one which has now been offered to you’. Ludde-Neurath used his daily notes as the basis for his book Unconditional Surrender – A Memoir of the Last Days of the Third Reich and the Donitz Administration (2010) being the English translation of Regierung Donitz: die letzen Tage des Dritten Reiches originally published in 1950.Provenance: The present document was previously the property of Major General Sir Kenneth Strong, General Eisenhower’s Chief of Intelligence, and produced for his own personal evaluation of the workings of the Flensburg Government. Owing to restrictions imposed by the-saleroom the complete catalogue description can not be shown here. Please contact the auctioneers for further details.
PUCCINI GIACOMO: (1858-1924) Italian Composer. A good, large signed and inscribed sepia 6.5 x 9 photograph of Puccini standing in a full length pose resting one hand in his trouser pocket and holding a cigarette in the other. Signed ('Giacomo Puccini') in bold dark fountain pen ink across a light area at the centre of the image and inscribed in Italian ('Al distintissimo artista Sr. F. Galente....') and dated Buenos Aires, 11th July 1905, in his hand. Matted in a rust colour with gold border to an overall size of 10.5 x 14.5. Some light age wear and a few minor chips, largely to the edges of the image, G Felipe Galante (1872-1953) Italian-born Argentine Painter. A friend of the Italian Tenor Enrico Caruso, Galante also gave the singer painting lessons. Puccini has been labelled the greatest composer of Italian opera after Verdi. His most famous works include La Boheme (1896), Tosca (1900) and Madama Butterfly (1904), all of which are among the important operas played as standards.
WORLD WAR II:An extremely rare and historically important original flow-chart, the partially printed document, completed in typescript, is entitled Gliederung Oberkommando d. Wehrmacht, one page, oblong folio, n.p. (Flensburg), May 1945, in German. The organisational diagram showing the composition of the German Army High Command (OKW) as at 10th May 1945, with Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel as Chef OKW/Chefgruppe and Generaloberst Alfred Jodl as Chef Wehrmachtsfuhrungsstab and also identifies the ranks of various other German officers within the structure of the OKW including Hermann Reinecke, Rudolf Lehmann, Siegfried Adolf Handloser, Leopold Bürkner, Erich Dethleffsen and Heinz Assmann. Some light overall creasing and some tears and areas of paper loss to some edges and corners, professionally restored in places, GProvenance: The present document was previously the property of Major General Sir Kenneth Strong, General Eisenhower's Chief of Intelligence, and retained by him as an historical souvenir of the end of World War II in Europe.The present document was produced at the insistence of the Allies when a SHAEF Control Party visited Doenitz’s headquarters at Flensburg on 12th May 1945. The team comprised fourteen Americans led by Major General Lowell W. Rooks and eleven British under Brigadier E.J. Foord. A meeting was convened between 8.25pm and 8.45pm on the 12th May with the OKW representative, Colonel Meyer-Detring. As a result OKW were ordered to produce by 10am on the 13th May a number of documents relating to the composition of the Armed Forces and their senior commanders. The present document was one of those so produced and is historically significant in that it is the last OKW organisational diagram to include Field Marshall Keitel as its chief. However, by midday, Germany’s new Chancellor, Grand Admiral Döenitz, was advised that the Supreme Commander of the Army High Command, Field Marshal Keitel was, on the instructions of General Eisenhower, to be relieved of his post immediately and treated as a prisoner of war. Colonel General Jodl assumed Keitel’s position until both the Acting German Government and the German High Command were dissolved, and its members arrested, on the 23rd May 1945.Four days after the surrender at Reims, General Eisenhower ordered General Rooks, a deputy G-3 of SHAEF, to establish a Control Party at Flensburg in order to impose the will of the Supreme Commander on the OKW in the areas of Germany occupied by the Western Allies. Headed by General der Infanterie Friedrich Fangohr, Rook’s orders were to compile information about the German command system through the collection and safeguarding of all OKW documents at FIensburg. Following Field Marshal Keitel’s arrest, General Jodl assured the Allied general that he would undertake to carry out SHAEF directives in the interests of maintaining order and saving the German people from catastrophe. Meanwhile, Doenitz declared that the German armed forces had taken an oath to him personally and would obey his orders. He understood the critical situation that the Reich now found itself in, with severe shortages of food, currency, and fuel. The focus had shifted from military to civilian needs, in which Doenitz felt compelled to organised through a central German authority. General Rooks brushed suggestion aside, stating that SHAEF army group commanders would organise their own zonal affairs, and that the OKW would only be involved in matters common to all Allied zones. On the 17th May, Doenitz’s censored statement to the German people removed any doubts or aspirations the fledgling continuation government had of leading its citizens, "The German Reich has had to capitulate because it was at the end of its power of resistance. The first consequence that we have to draw is the most loyal fulfilment of the demands made on us. There must be no officer and no soldier, who would try by illegal means to evade the consequences which have arisen out of the last war and an unconditional surrender." Despite these evidences of co-operation, messages of were still being transmitted from inside the OKW enclave that were angering the Allies, including arrangements made to established a German chain of command through which it could carry out the initial steps of disbanding the enemy forces. This prompted the imposition of censorship of Flensburg radio and its ultimate closure. Other criticisms arose when senior Allied officers were photographed in friendly poses with high-level German commanders and when reports were printed that enemy leaders were receiving special treatment, and that some members of the old regime might be perpetuated in power. On 19th May, the Supreme Commander directed the 21 Army Group to consult with the SHAEF control party at Flensburg and then to arrest the members of Doenitz' "so-called government" and of OKW. On the morning of 23rd May, General Rooks summoned Doenitz, Jodl, and Friedeburg to his office and informed them of the Supreme Commander's order. The officers were then put under guard, but, despite all precautions, Admiral Friedeburg killed himself by taking poison. With the arrest of Doenitz and members of his staff, the main work of the SHAEF Control Party at Flensburg was ended. General Rooks indicated his intention of leaving the area about 27th May and handed over local control to a small joint U.S.-British Ministerial Control Party. However, he retained general policy control of the southern branch of OKW which was still in existence and made attempts to disband German forces in that sector. Wilhelm Keitel (1882-1946) German Field Marshal who served as Chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (Supreme Command of the Armed Forces) for most of World War II, making him the Chief of Defense for Germany.Alfred Jodl (1890-1946) German General, who served as the Chief of the Operations Staff of the Armed Forces High Command (OKW). After the war, Jodl was indicted on the charges of conspiracy to commit crime against peace; planning, initiating and waging wars of aggression; war crimes; and crimes against humanity.The Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (or OKW), part of the command structure of the German armed forces during World War II. It served as the military general staff for Adolf Hitler's Third Reich, coordinating the efforts of the German Army (Heer), Navy (Kriegsmarine), and Air Force (Luftwaffe). In theory, the OKW was only Hitler's military office, was charged with translating Hitler's ideas into military orders, and had little real control over the Army, Navy and the Air Force High Commands. The OKW was headed for the entire war by Wilhelm Keitel and reported directly to Hitler, from whom most operational orders actually originated as he had made himself Oberster Befehlshaber der Wehrmacht (Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces). Alfred Jodl was Keitel's Chef des Wehrmachtführungsstabes (Chief of Operation Staff).Owing to restrictions imposed by the-saleroom the complete catalogue description can not be shown here. Please contact the auctioneers for further details.
HUGO VICTOR: (1802-1885) French Poet and Novelist. Vintage signed sepia cabinet photograph, the oval image depicting Hugo in a head and shoulders pose. Photograph by M. Lopez of Paris. Signed by Hugo in bold black fountain pen ink with his name alone to the lower photographer's mount. Matted in dark brown and framed and glazed in a decorative frame to an overall size of 10 x 12. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG The French Poet, Novelist and Dramatist of the Romantic Movement, Hugo is considered one of the greatest and best-known French writers. In France his literary fame comes first from his poetry, however outside of France his best-known works are the novels Les Miserables (1862) and Notre-Dame de Paris (1831; known in English as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame). Hugo also earned respect as a campaigner for social causes, such as the abolition of capital punishment. (See also lot 55)
EDWARD VI: (1537-1553) King of England & Ireland 1547-53. Son of King Henry VIII and Jane Seymour and England's first monarch to be raised as a Protestant. A good, rare D.S., Edward, as King, at the head, one page (vellum), oblong folio, Manor of St. James's, 24th May 1547. The manuscript document is a Warrant addressed to Richard Bonnye (or Bunny), Receiver of the Royal Rents and Revenues in the counties of Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmorland, Lancashire, the Bishopric of Durham and the Archdeaconry of Richmond, commanding him to annually deliver to Sir Thomas Grey, Treasurer of the town of Berwick, the sum of £3000 for payment of the fees and wages of the officers and soldiers of the town. Countersigned at the foot by Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset ('E: Somerset'; c.1500-1552, Lord Protector of England 1547-49 during the minority of his nephew, King Edward VI) and five other members of the Privy Council comprising John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford ('J Russell'; c.1485-1554/55, Lord Privy Seal 1542-55 and Lord High Steward, for the Coronation of King Edward VI, 1547) Sir Thomas Cheney ('T Cheyne'; c.1485-1558, English Administrator & Diplomat, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports in South East England 1536-58), Sir Anthony Denny ('A D….' a large part of the signature worn away, 1501-1549, Groom of the Stool, a confidant of King Henry VIII who attended the monarch on his death bed), Henry FitzAlan, 19th Earl of Arundel ('H. Arundell', 1512-1580, English Nobleman, Lord Chamberlain) and Sir Ralph Sadler ('R. Sadleyr', 1507-1587, English Statesman, Secretary of State 1540-43, Master of the Great Wardrobe 1543-53). With a large portion of the blind embossed paper seal of the Privy Council affixed. A small diamond shaped spindle hole appears in the upper left margin, not affecting the text or signatures, some light overall creasing and minor dust staining and with a few very small holes to the lower edge and the upper edge a little frayed. A small area of text to the right side of the document is a little rubbed and a few words are partially illegible, G A rare document signed by the nine-year old King Edward VI in the first year of his reign, four months after the death of King Henry VIII, and countersigned by his uncle, Edward Seymour, leader of the Regency Council. Sir Thomas Grey (c.1509-1570), the beneficiary of the present Warrant, served as Justice of the Peace for Northumberland 1547-54 and as Treasurer for Berwick-upon-Tweed 1547-50. The fall of Edward Seymour as Protector in 1550 cost Grey the treasurership of Berwick, which was transferred to Richard Bunny (c.1513-1584) to whom the present Warrant is addressed. Provenance: The present document was formerly contained in the collection of Sir Thomas Phillipps (1792-1872) English Antiquary and Book Collector who amassed the largest collection of manuscripts in the 19th century. The document was sold by Sotheby's on 27th June 1977 (lot 4865, MS 25912) and most likely derived from the collection formed by the antiquary John Wilson of Broomhead (1719-1783) which included a volume of Bunny's paper as receiver of the Northern Revenues. The third of the Tudor monarchs, King Edward VI's reign was marked by economic problems and social unrest that culminated in riot and rebellion in 1549. The transformation of the church into a recognisably Protestant body also occurred under Edward, the architect of the reforms being Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, whose Book of Common Prayer is still used. King Edward VI fell ill in February 1553 and died at the young age of 15.
HENRIETTA MARIA OF FRANCE: (1609-1669) Queen Consort of England, Scotland & Ireland 1625-49. Wife of King Charles I. A.L.S., Henriette Marie, one page, small 4to, n.p., n.d., to Henry Rich, Lord Holland ('Mon cousin'), in French. The Queen Consort writes 'I am extremely distressed that my letter should have to begin on such a sad note as the need to commiserate with you on your loss. I take an interest in everything which affects you as you are someone I hold in the greatest esteem. I will not write more but will tell you more [later] and also hear news of your meeting'. Written in her distinctive hand, Henrietta Maria has struck through several words of text and made other alterations. With integral address leaf addressed in her hand, 'A Mon cousin, le comte de holand', and bearing two small red wax seals and pink coloured threads. Small areas of identical paper loss to the right edge of each page, just affecting a few words of text, and possibly caused when the letter was originally opened. A few small areas of light staining, otherwise about VG Henry Rich (1590-1649) 1st Earl of Holland. English Courtier, Peer and Soldier. In 1623, as Baron Kensington, Rich had been involved in the negotiations with the French which concluded with the marriage of King Charles I to Henrietta Maria. He is recorded as having displayed 'a penchant for political dealings with women'. He was one of the many lovers of Marie de Rohan, the veteran of French Court intrigue. Serving as her High Steward, Rich's relationship with Henrietta Maria as Queen Consort of England blossomed in the 1630s, from which time the present letter most likely dates. The fifteen-year-old Henrietta Maria married King Charles I by proxy on 11th May 1625, shortly after his accession to the throne. Her Roman Catholicism made her unpopular in England and she never had a coronation. The Queen Consort immersed herself in national affairs as civil war loomed, and was compelled to seek refuge in France in 1644. The execution of King Charles in 1649 left her impoverished. The mother of his two immediate successors, King Charles II and King James II, Henrietta Maria returned to England after the Restoration although returned again to Paris in 1665, where she died four years later.
BEATLES THE: An excellent vintage set of signatures by all four members of the English rock band of the 1960s individually, comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, on a page contained in an autograph album. Neatly annotated in a small hand in red ink by the collector at the head of the page, 'Thursday Nov. 21st 1963'. Each of the Fab Four have signed the page in bold blue inks (Lennon signing in black fountain pen ink, with a couple of extremely light, minor smudges to a couple of letters). The album also includes signatures of Peter Jay (of Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers), The Brook Brothers (Geoff and Ricky individually) as well as a number of friends and relatives of the collector. A small oblong 12mo section of the head of the page signed by The Beatles has been neatly clipped away, otherwise VGProvenance: The signatures of The Beatles contained in the present album were obtained by a friend of the vendor, a young female fan of the band who had won a competition to meet The Beatles following their performance at the ABC Cinema in Carlisle on 21st November 1963.The Beatles are recognised as the best-selling band in history and the band were collectively included in Time magazine's compilation of the 20th century's 100 most influential people. They are recognised as the foremost and most influential musical act of the rock era.
![VERDI GIUSEPPE: (1813-1901) Italian Composer. A.L.S., G. Verdi, one page, 8vo, Santa Agata, 14th October 1877, to [Giovanni]](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/e4a5dd8c-8f10-4d54-b199-a6c800823567/3f067615-9ab7-45d2-b936-deadf967fe56/468x382.jpg)
VERDI GIUSEPPE: (1813-1901) Italian Composer. A.L.S., G. Verdi, one page, 8vo, Santa Agata, 14th October 1877, to [Giovanni] Maloberti, in Italian. Verdi writes a brief letter to his friend, stating 'Here you have 120 Lire for the whole year 1878. Do not send me either the Chinese vases or the other one'. With blank integral leaf. Some very light, extremely minor foxing, VG Giovanni Maloberti (1799-1880) Italian Violinist and the Philharmonic concertmaster in Piacenza, a close friend of Verdi for more than fifty years. When Maloberti retired from playing music he became an antique dealer and, in Verdi, he found the ideal customer. The composer was, as the present letter suggests, a passionate antique collector and filled his homes with antique furniture, paintings and objet d'art. Verdi rose to prominence in the Italian opera scene after the era of Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini, whose works significantly influenced him, and is now regarded as one of the pre-eminent opera composers in history. Verdi's operas remain extremely popular, in particular the works Rigoletto, Il trovatore and La Traviata, all of which continue to be performed each year at the leading opera houses around the world.
CASEMENT ROGER: (1864-1916) Irish Patriot, Revolutionary and Nationalist, executed for treason. A.L.S., Roger Casement, three pages, folio, Lourenco Marques, Mozambique, 29th May 1897, to His Excellency the Governor of Mauritius. Casement writes in his capacity as a British Diplomat and Consul and announces, for the information of the next of kin, that the Director of the Civil and Military Hospital in Lourenco had deposited £6.11.10 with him, 'belonging to a native of Mauritius whom the hospital authorities styled "Luiz Oguis", who died… on the 4th…' Casement continues to state that, from other sources, he has been informed that 'a native of Mauritius named Louis Auguste, a mason by profession was admitted to the hospital some time ago suffering from a contagious disease.' In concluding he asks which authority in Mauritius should be sent the money. Some extensive, neat splitting to central fold (repaired), small tears to edges and light water staining, just affecting a few words of text but not the signature, G Casement worked in the Congo for Henry Morton Stanley and the African International Association from 1884 before joining the Colonial Service, under the authority of the Colonial Office, first serving overseas as a clerk in British West Africa before transferring to the Foreign Office service as British Consul in the eastern part of the French Congo. Casement has been described as the 'father of 20th century human rights investigations', in recognition of his Casement Report on the Congo (1905) in which he exposed the abuses of the enslavement, mutilation and torture of natives on the rubber plantations, and his important investigations of human rights abuses in Peru, which led to his knighthood in 1911. During World War I Casement sought the aid of the German military for the 1916 Easter Rising which sought to gain Irish independence from British rule. As a result he was arrested, convicted and executed for treason.
PICASSO PABLO: (1881-1973) Spanish Painter, a co-founder of the Cubist movement. An exceptional vintage signed and inscribed 7 x 9 photograph of Picasso standing outdoors in a half length pose wearing an overcoat, scarf and with a plain dark beret upon his head. In one hand he holds a lit cigarette. Signed in bold, dark fountain pen ink at the head of the image, 'Para Jaime Sabartes, esta fotografia hecha en Tolosa en donde estuviamos juntos este invierno, Picasso' and dated 1946 in his hand. A very fine signed portrait with an excellent association. Lightly mounted and professionally and handsomely matted in white and framed and glazed in a plain, light coloured wooden frame to an overall size of 20.5 x 24.5. VG Jaime Sabartes (1881-1968) Catalan Spanish Artist, Poet and Writer. Sabartes was a close personal friend of Picasso whom he first met in 1899 (the same year in which Picasso painted his first portrait of Sabartes). In 1935 Sabartes became Picasso's secretary and administrator, organising his papers, books and poems, as well as taking responsibility for arranging exhibitions. Sabartes collected a great many works by Picasso which he donated to the Museu Picasso in Barcelona in 1963 forming the core of this gallery which was initially known as the Sabartes collection. His books and papers were donated to the Museo Picasso in Málaga. The inscription on the present photograph translates as 'For Jaime Sabartes, this photograph was made in Tolosa where we were together this winter, Picasso'. Picasso demonstrated extraordinary artistic talent in his early years and went on to create art in a variety of mediums (paintings, sculptures, ceramics) and also worked as a stage designer, poet and playwright. One of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century, he is remembered for co-founding the Cubist movement.
WASHINGTON BOOKER T.: (1856-1915) American Educator, Author, Orator, a dominant leader in the African-American community.L.S., Booker T Washington, one page, 4to, Tuskegee, Alabama, 31st March 1911, to Edwin C. Lewis, on the printed stationery of The Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute for the Training of Colored Young Men and Women. Booker sends a request to his correspondent, stating 'I am writing this personal appeal to you because I believe that you are interested in the kind of work we are trying to do at The Tuskegee Institute ', and continuing 'Our students pay their own board partly in cash, and partly in labor and in addition provide their own books, clothing, travelling expenses, etc., but they are wholly unable to pay the cost of fifty dollars per year, the cost of teaching each one.' Washington further adds 'This we have to ask friends to provide and I thought that you might like to assist in providing the whole or part of the support of a student for a year.' Some very light, extremely minor age toning to the extreme edges of the letter, VGEdwin Lewis (1881-1959) American Methodist Theologian.From 1890-1915 Washington was the dominant leader in the African-American community. From the last generation of black American leaders born into slavery, Washington was the leading voice of the former slaves and their descendants, basing himself at the Tuskegee Institute, a historically black college in Alabama, and from where the present letter was signed. Washington mastered the nuances of the political arena in the late 19th century, which enabled him to manipulate the media, raise money, strategise, network, pressure, reward friends and distribute funds while punishing those who opposed his plans for uplifting blacks. His long-term goal was to end the disenfranchisement of the vast majority of African Americans, who still lived in the South. Washington also was a key proponent of African-American businesses and one of the founders of the National Negro Business League.
BERLIOZ HECTOR: (1803-1869) French Composer. `An advance before his second tour of Russia´.A.L.S., Hector Berlioz, one page, 8vo, Paris, 12th October 1867, to Camille, in French. Berlioz informs his correspondent 'I have just received via you from my buyer Du Jacques the sum of two thousand francs that he only owed me on the 1st November next, that he kindly advanced me due to my trip to Russia' and further remarks 'When you see him, thank him on my behalf. A thousand greetings'. In a postscript Berlioz confirms that he will leave on the 12th November. Some ink blotting to certain words of text (but not the signature) evidently caused by the letter being folded while the ink was still wet. Some light creasing and a few small pinholes to the upper left corner and with a neat split to the central fold (partially repaired to the verso) only very slightly affecting a few words of text, GThe present letter is written by Berlioz ahead of his second tour of Russia. The tours proved so successful that they secured the composer's finances despite the large amounts of money he was losing in writing unsuccessful compositions. Indeed, having been persuaded by Mikhail Glinka to undertake the tours, Berlioz amusingly quipped 'If the Emperor of Russia wants me, then I am up for sale'.The French Romantic composer Berlioz is best known for his compositions Symphonie fantastique and Grande messe des morts (Requiem). His influence was critical for the further development of Romanticism, especially in composers like Richard Wagner, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Franz Liszt, Richard Strauss and Gustav Mahler.
ALEXANDER II: (1818-1881) Emperor of Russia 1855-81. Assassinated. A very fine signed sepia cabinet photograph, the image depicting the Emperor in a formal head and shoulders pose wearing his military uniform and medals. Photograph by Levitsky and bearing his imprint to the lower mount. Signed ('Alexandre') in bold, dark fountain pen ink to a clear area at the base of the image and dated 1876 in his hand. EX The present photograph was signed in a significant year of the Emperor's life. The third of his four children with his mistress Princess Catherine Dolgorukov, Boris Alexandrovich Yurievsky, was born on 23rd February 1876 (and died a few months later on 11th April 1876). The Emperor appears prominently in the opening two chapters of Jules Verne's Michael Strogoff (published in 1876; see also lot 78) Alexander II sets the book's plot in motion and sends its eponymous protagonist on the dangerous and vital mission which would occupy the rest of the novel. Verne presents the Emperor in a very positive light, as an enlightened yet firm ruler, dealing confidently and decisively with a rebellion. Alexander II's most important act as Emperor was the emancipation of Russia's serfs in 1861, for which he earned the title Alexander the Liberator.
NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804- 14, 1815 LANNES JEAN (1769-1809) Marshal of France. Duc de Montebello. One of Napoleon's most daring and talented generals and a personal friend of the Emperor. BESSIERES JEAN-BAPTISTE (1768-1813) Marshal of France. Duc d´ Istria. CAFFARELLI DU FALGA MARIE-FRANCOIS AUGUSTE DE (1766-1849) French General who served as aide-de-camp to Napoleon and organised Pope Pius VII's trip to France for Napoleon's coronation as Emperor. A rare D.S. by Napoleon I ('Bonaparte'), Jean Lannes ('Lannes'), Jean-Baptiste Bessieres ('Bessieres'), Marie-Francois Auguste de Caffarelli du Falga ('A. Caffarelli') and a number of others, at the conclusion, six pages, folio, Paris, 20th October 1800, in French. The manuscript document is a marriage certificate issued for Leon Aune and Anne Clair, in the presence and agreement of Napoleon, and comprises ten clauses with references to the endowment provided by the parents of Anne Clair, and to the wedding contract. Signed by Leon Aune and Anne Clair at the conclusion, alongside the signature of Napoleon and the other witnesses at their marriage, and also with a number of annotations in the margins throughout the document, each initialled by both the bride and groom. An interesting combination of signatures with a good association. Neatly tied into the original paper wrappers with the title and date to the front cover. The edges of the paper a little ragged and with some light overall age wear, otherwise VG Leon Aune (1777-1803) French Military officer, labelled 'the second Grenadier of France' by Napoleon. Aune served as a Second Lieutenant in the Foot Grenadiers of the Consular Guard and received a sabre and musket of honour in March 1800 in recognition of his brilliant actions. Aune wrote to Napoleon to thank him for his weapons of honour and he was to receive a reply from Bonaparte stating 'I have received your letter, my brave comrade. You needed not to have told me of your exploits, for you are the bravest grenadier in the whole army, since the death of Benezete. You received one of the hundred sabres I distributed to the army, and all agreed you most deserved it. I wish very much to see you. The War Minister sends you an order to come to Paris'. This letter, circulated throughout Napoleon's army, would serve to have a tremendous effect on the enthusiasm and morale of the troops. Napoleon had Aune taught to write, so that he could be promoted, although was to tragically die at an early age from pneumonia. Napoleon signed a decree following Aune's death approving a pension of 500 Francs to Anne Clair, his widow. Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military and political leader, rose to prominence during the French Revolution and, as Napoleon I, served as Emperor of the French from 1804-14, and again in 1815. Napoleon dominated European and global affairs for more than a decade while leading France against a series of coalitions in the Napoleonic Wars. He was victorious in most of these wars and the vast majority of his battles, building a large empire that ruled over continental Europe before its final collapse in 1815. One of the greatest commanders in history, Napoleon's political and cultural legacy has ensured his status as one of the most celebrated and controversial leaders in history.
PLANCK MAX: (1858-1947) German Theoretical Physicist, noted for his work on quantum theory. Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1918. An outstanding vintage signed 9.5 x 13 photograph of Planck in a head and shoulders pose looking directly towards the camera in a determined manner. Photograph by Lotte Jacobi and signed ('Jacobi') by her in bold pencil to the lower photographer's mount. Signed ('Dr. Max Planck') by Planck in bold, dark fountain pen ink with his name alone to the lower photographer's mount. Framed and glazed in the original plain black wooden frame (bearing the Ryman & Co. Ltd., Fine Art Dealers, of High Street, Oxford, framer's original printed label pasted to the verso) to an overall size of 10 x 13.5. Some very light, extremely minor silvering to the edges of the image and some equally minor, extremely light staining to the photographer's mount, not affecting the signature, otherwise VG The present portrait was captured (and signed) by the German-American photographer Johanna Alexandra 'Lotte' Jacobi (1896-1990). An accomplished portrait photographer, her other subjects included Albert Einstein, Robert Frost, Marc Chagall, J. D. Salinger, W. H. Auden, Martin Buber, Chaim Weizmann and many others. Jacobi travelled from assignment to assignment with her equipment, bringing her studio to the models. Her preference was to make subjects most at ease before taking a photograph, an interesting policy given Planck's apparently determined expression in the present image. Provenance: The present photograph was signed for Sir Harold Thompson (1908-1983) English Physical Chemist who graduated in 1929 and worked with Planck in Berlin. He returned to Oxford in 1930 (at which time he evidently had the present photograph framed) after receiving a Ph.D. from the Friedrich Wilhelm University of Berlin. The photograph was acquired directly by the vendor from a member of Thompson's family. Max Planck made many contributions to theoretical physics, but his fame as a physicist rests primarily on his role as an originator of quantum theory, which revolutionised human understanding of atomic and subatomic processes.
BADEN-POWELL ROBERT: (1857-1941) British Lieutenant General, founder of the Scout movement. An excellent vintage signed 8 x 9.5 photograph, the image showing Baden-Powell in a half length pose wearing his uniform. The image is by Vandyk of London and is presented within a decorative border to the photographer's mount. Signed ('R S S Baden-Powell') in bold black fountain pen ink to a clear area at the base of the image and dated May 1905 in his hand. Some very light, extremely minor age wear and a few spots of foxing to the photographer's mount, not affecting the image or signature, otherwise VG Baden-Powell served in the British Army from 1876-1910 and successfully defended the town during the Siege of Mafeking in 1899 during the Second Boer War in South Africa. In 1907, two years after the present photograph was signed, Baden-Powell held a demonstration camp, the Brownsea Island Scout Camp, which is now regarded as the beginning of Scouting. He wrote Scouting for Boys in 1908 and two years later Baden-Powell retired from the army to form The Boy Scouts Association.
![[PHILIP & MARY]: [PHILIP II] (1527-1598) King of Spain 1556-98, King of Portugal 1581-98 & King of England and Irelan](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/e4a5dd8c-8f10-4d54-b199-a6c800823567/050924d5-de5d-46be-dc55-852c913e2a62/468x382.jpg)
[PHILIP & MARY]: [PHILIP II] (1527-1598) King of Spain 1556-98, King of Portugal 1581-98 & King of England and Ireland jure uxoris 1554-58 & [MARY I] (1516-1558) Queen of England 1553-58 & Queen consort of Spain 1556-58. A fine document issued in the names of Philip and Mary, one page (vellum), slim oblong folio, 1st March 1555, being an Exemplification of a Fine, boldly penned in Latin in an accomplished scribal hand (two letters with attractive strapwork) and confirming the sale from John Lindsell to Richard Weston of listed parcels of land (Bradlese [i.e. Bradley's] Mead and Wood etc.) in Roxwell, in the parish of Writtle, Essex. With the seal of the Court of Common Pleas affixed at the foot, the seal tag bearing a notarial mark. The brown wax seal (with a diameter of 5") is largely intact, although somewhat rubbed, and depicts Queen Mary seated on a throne and with two coats of arms to the recto and the Queen riding on horseback to the verso. Some staining, just affecting a few words of text, and some light age wear, otherwise a clean and attractive document. About VG Richard Weston (c.1510-1572) English Judge and Politician, Solicitor General 1557-59 and Justice of Common Pleas 1559-72. In January 1555 Weston purchased, for the sum of £280, the Manor of Skreens in the hamlet of Roxwell, which he made his principal residence; the purchase in the present document presumably being contingent upon this. Weston is buried in Writtle church. His grandson and namesake, the 1st Earl of Portland (1577-1634/35) served as Chancellor of the Exchequer and later Lord Treasurer under both King James I and King Charles I, and was one of the most influential figures in the early years of Charles I's Personal Rule. The other party to the transaction, John Lindsell (d.1558) was a local Clerk of Assize. An Act for the Marriage of Queen Mary to Philip of Spain was passed by the English Parliament in April 1554 and, in reality, served as a business contract between England and Spain, specifying what Spain could effect from the union, while at the same time giving assurances that England would not become a satellite of Spain. Under the terms of the marriage treaty, Philip was to enjoy his wife's titles and honours as King of England and Ireland for as long as their marriage should last. All official documents were to be dated with both their names (with Philip's preceding Mary's, as deemed proper for husband and wife, evident in the present example). Mary I, the only child of King Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon to survive to adulthood, ascended to the throne in 1553 upon the death of her younger half-brother King Edward VI who had succeeded their father in 1547. The fourth crowned monarch of the Tudor dynasty, Mary is remembered for her restoration of Roman Catholicism. In the five years of her reign over 280 religious dissenters were burned at the stake, the executions of the Protestants leading to her posthumous sobriquet 'Bloody Mary'.
PAUL I: (1754-1801) Emperor of Russia 1796-1801. Assassinated. L.S., Paul, as Emperor, one page, 4to, Gatchina, 6th October 1797, to Lieutenant General [Christoph von] Benckendorff, in French. The Emperor states 'I authorize you, according to your letter of 2nd October, to make the expenses you will judge are necessary´ and further adds `the money will be returned to you later, and based on the memoirs you will send me. ´ With blank integral leaf. Some very light, minor creasing and age wear and with a small area of paper loss to the integral leaf, VG Christoph von Benckendorff (1749-1823) Baltic Baron, General and Military Governor of Livonia, Estonia. Emperor Paul I, son of Peter III and Catherine the Great, had a relatively short reign over Russia. Overshadowed by his mother (who had suggested his father may actually have been her lover Sergei Saltykov) for much of his life, Paul I's reign lasted five years ending with his assassination by conspirators. His most important achievement was the adoption of the laws of succession to the Russian throne - rules that remained until the end of the Romanov dynasty and of the Russian Empire.
FLEMING IAN: (1908-1964) British Author, creator of James Bond. T.L.S., Ian F., with holograph salutation and subscription, one page, 4to, Kemsley House, London, 25th May 1955, to Antony Terry ('My dear Tony'). Fleming states that he is pleased to inform his correspondent that their salary has been increased by £1.1.0 per week and adds 'I am sorry that it is not possible for the Accountants to include this increase in the salary payment which will be made to you at the end of this month, but it will be included in the June payment'. Two file holes to the left edge, not affecting the text or signature, and with a few very light, extremely minor creases, otherwise VG Antony Terry (1913-1992) British Journalist, a former European Editor of The Sunday Times who was first hired in 1949 by Fleming (at the time the Foreign manager for the newspaper). Terry's obituary in The Independent stated that he was 'one of the paper's most valuable assets, a one-man listening post, a fastidious checker of facts, a burrower into dark corners and a traveller who never complained of fatigue' Fleming, the English author, journalist and World War II naval intelligence officer introduced the world's most famous secret service agent, James Bond, to the public in his novel Casino Royale (1953). In April 1955, the month before the present letter was written, Fleming's third 007 work, Moonraker, was published. In 2008 The Times ranked Fleming fourteenth on its list of 'The 50 Greatest British Writers since 1945'.
MARLBOROUGH DUKE OF: (1650-1722) John Churchill. English Soldier and Statesman. Commander-in-Chief of the Forces 1690-91, 1702-08. D.S., Marlborough, one page, folio, Office of Ordnance [London], 1st February 1702/3. The manuscript document is addressed to the Right Honourable John Granville, Lieutenant General of Her Majesties Ordnance and is a warrant of approval for Alexander Fort Jnr. to be employed as a Joiner at The Ordnance. Countersigned at the foot by James Craggs (1657-1721) Secretary to the Master-General of the Ordnance. With blind embossed paper seal affixed. Some light overall discoloration and age wear, creasing and some small tears, only slightly affecting the text, but not the signature. With a portion of the lower right corner of the document neatly excised. Accompanied by a small selection of unsigned printed ephemera and vintage postcards relating to Marlborough. About G, 7Alexander Fort Jnr. Son of Alexander Fort who held high office as Master Joiner in the late 17th century and was one of the most noted of Sir Christopher Wren's group. At the time of the present document Marlborough was Master-General of the Ordnance, responsible for all British artillery, engineers, fortifications, military supplies, transport and field hospitals. Marlborough's career spanned the reigns of five monarchs, reaching the zenith of his powers and securing his fame and fortune upon the accession of Queen Anne in 1702, the present document being signed in the first year of her reign. Through his sheer force of personality Marlborough raised the standing of British arms to a level not known since the Middle Ages, his victories allowing Britain to rise from a minor to a major power, ensuring the country's growing prosperity throughout the 18th century.
RUPERT OF THE RHINE: (1619-1682) German Prince, a noted Soldier, Admiral, Scientist, Sportsman & Colonial Governor. Nephew of King Charles I of England. A fine D.S., Rupert, one page, 8vo, n.p., 3rd November 1679. The manuscript document is a receipt in which the Prince acknowledges that he has 'Received of Thomas Bennett Esqe. the sum of fifteene hundred pounds: being in full for my two Pencons due at Mich[aelma]s last….'. Boldly signed at the foot. With blank integral leaf. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, otherwise a clean and attractive document. VG Prince Rupert had a varied career, becoming a soldier at a young age who, at 23 years, was appointed Commander of the Royalist Cavalry during the English Civil War and thus becoming the archetypal Cavalier and ultimately the senior Royalist General. Following the Restoration, Prince Rupert returned to England and, having retired from his military and naval career, pursued his interest in scientific research. The Prince was the third founding member of the Royal Society, being referred to by his contemporaries as a 'philosophic warrior', and many of his inventions were of a military nature. Rupert is credited with developing a form of gunpowder which, when demonstrated to the Royal Society in 1663, had a force of over ten times that of regular powder.
HIROHITO (1901-1989) Emperor Showa of Japan 1926-89 & KOJUN (1903-2000) Empress Consort of Emperor Showa of Japan. An exceptional, very fine pair of vintage signed 9.5 x 12.5 photographs by Emperor Hirohito and Empress Kojun individually, the images depicting them both standing in formal three quarter length poses, the Emperor wearing a suit and the Empress in traditional Japanese dress. Signed by both with their names alone, in Japanese characters, in bold, dark fountain pen inks to light areas of the images. Individually framed and glazed in the original attractive sterling silver presentation frames, both featuring the Imperial Japanese seal at the head, to overall sizes of 12 x 15 each. Both are contained in their original wooden boxes. A rare pair of signed portraits. EX Provenance: The present photographs were presented to Thomas Clayton Davis (1889-1960) Canadian Lawyer, Judge & Diplomat, while serving as the Canadian Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan, June 1954 - March 1957. Prince Hirohito married his distant cousin Princess Nagako Kuni (the future Empress Kojun) on 26th January 1924. Empress Kojun was Empress Consort from 1926 to 1989, making her the longest lived Empress Consort in Japanese history. Hirohito, or Emperor Showa as he is more commonly known in Japan, began his reign whilst Japan was already one of the world's great powers. He was head of state under the Constitution of the Empire of Japan during Japan's imperial expansion, militarisation and involvement in World War II. During the post-war period Hirohito became the symbol of the new state and Japan's recovery, and by the end of his reign, Japan had emerged as the world's second largest economy.
WREN CHRISTOPHER: (1632-1723) English Architect. An attractive D.S., Chr. Wren, (twice), two pages, large folio, Chelsea, 15th October & 12th November 1700. The neatly and boldly penned document is a page (numbered 161 and 162 at the head of each side) removed from the official ledger of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea and is an 'Abstract of the Expense of Provisions' for the two months in which Wren, in his capacity as a Commissioner of the hospital, and two other commissioners, Viscount Ranelagh (Paymaster of the Forces) and Sir Stephen Fox (Commissioner of the Treasury) authorise Ralph Cooke, Treasurer of the hospital, to pay various sums to listed individuals in payment for their provisions, the total payable for September being £510.14s.6¾d and for October £459.14s.1¾d. Each of the tradespeople have individually signed the document as confirmation of having been paid, and include Charles Hudson, butcher (£159.12s.8d), Thomas Marston, baker (£63.19s.8d), John England, brewer (£72.18s.11d), Robert Madock, cheesemonger (£80.10s.7¼d), John Gill, whitster (£74.14s.3½d; a whitster supplying bleach for whitening clothes), Elizabeth Hastings, tallow-chandler (£6.14s.9¼d; a tallow-chandler supplying candles made from animal fats), Barthalina Fells, lamps (£6.16s.9d) and Henry Powell, steward (£45.6s.10d). Individually signed by Wren, Ranelagh and Fox to either side of the document. An interesting and very handsome document. Some extremely light, very minor age wear to the extreme edges, not affecting the text or signature, VG Richard Jones (1641-1712) 1st Earl of Ranelagh. Irish Peer & Politician. Paymaster of the Forces 1685-1702. Ranelagh was expelled from the House of Commons in 1703 when discrepancies were found in his accounts as Paymaster, and he was discovered to have appropriated more than £900,000 of public funds. Sir Stephen Fox (1627-1716) English Politician. Paymaster of the Forces 1661-76 and 1679-80. Fox founded the Royal Hospital Chelsea, from where the present document originates, to which he contributed £13,000. Unlike some other statesman of his day, Fox grew rich in the service of the nation without being suspected of corruption or forfeiting the esteem of his contemporaries. The Royal Hospital at Chelsea was founded by King Charles II in 1682 as a retreat for veterans and opened its doors to the Chelsea Pensioners a decade later (mismanagement by Ranelagh, a signatory to the present document had caused the delay). Wren was responsible for designing the hospital and the hospital's chapel is a fine and rare example of the architect's pure ecclesiastical work. Sir Christopher Wren is one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history, responsible for rebuilding many churches in the City of London following the Great Fire in 1666, including his masterpiece, St. Paul's Cathedral, completed in 1710. Wren was also a noted astronomer, mathematician and physicist whose work was highly regarded by Isaac Newton. A founder of the Royal Society, Wren served as its President from 1680-82.
ELGAR EDWARD: (1857-1934) English Composer. 'I do not like the tone of his letter & it is all nonsense…'A.L.S., Edward Elgar, two pages, 4to, Hereford, 30th July 1908, to [Alfred H.] Littleton. Elgar thanks his correspondent for their letter commenting on one received from a Mr. Foote of Tunbridge Wells and continues 'I do not remember writing to him, probably his letter to me was acknowledged. I return his letter (no longer present) & shall be much obliged if you will let him know that I will not go'. He further remarks 'I do not like the tone of his letter & it is all nonsense for him to talk of educating the south. I send some letters (also no longer present) I have received from Tunbridge Wells & you will see they have done Gerontius and the Kingdom. I do not know anything of the society but it looks as if Mr. Foote wanted to take the wind out of the other people's sails - But I do not know. I only guess & may be wrong. Anyhow it seems clear that things are not so stagnant as Mr. Foote seems to want me to think'. In a hastily written postscript Elgar adds that he will write concerning a symphony very soon. Some very light, minor age wear and creasing to the edges, and with a few very minor repairs to a few tears, not affecting the text or signature. About VG Alfred H. Littleton (1845-1914) Chairman of the music publishers Novello & Co. Elgar refers to Francis J. Foote, conductor, composer and leader of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Choral Society. A separate organisation, the Tunbridge Wells Vocal Association, founded in 1870, also existed in the affluent Kent town which naturally gave rise to a certain amount of rivalry. In 1907 Foote made the mistake of announcing that he would begin rehearsing Elgar's The Dream of Gerontius. However, the Vocal Association beat him to it and staged a performance of the work on 19th March 1907, followed by a performance of The Kingdom on 30th March 1908, both of which Elgar refers to in the present letter. On each occasion Elgar sent the Association a 'best wishes' telegram as it was the first time these two works had been performed in the area. In fact Foote never did succeed in performing any of Elgar's works in Tunbridge Wells. Many of Elgar's works have entered the British and international concert repertoire and among his best known works are orchestral compositions including the Enigma Variations (Op.36 1898-99) and the Pomp and Circumstance Marches (Op.39, 1901-30). He also composed concertos for violin and cello, two symphonies as well as choral works, including The Dream of Gerontius (Op.38, 1900).
STEPHENSON GEORGE: (1781-1848) English Civil Engineer who built the first public inter-city railway line in the world to use steam locomotives, 1830. A fine L.S., Geo. Stephenson, two pages, 8vo, Tapton House, 10th July 1848, to John Ellis. Stephenson informs his correspondent that he is forwarding a letter (no longer present) sent from 'your great man' Barlow, continuing to express doubts about his suitability, and asking 'Wouldn't it better to fix upon some person who has a little knowledge of geology and coal working to report upon the subject referred to in our correspondence?', further remarking 'You will have many a serious business on the coal under the railway. Perhaps there is no man would have done as I have; I might have made the Company pay for the coal, bit I did not think it was necessary to do so.' Stephenson concludes 'I must say again that Barlow is an unfit man to give his opinion on such subjects.' The conclusion of Stephenson's signature slightly runs on to the otherwise blank integral leaf. A letter of fine content for its references to coal and railways. Some very light, minor traces of mounting to the verso, VGJohn Ellis (1789-1862), British Businessman, Chairman of the Midland Railway. During the construction of the Midland Railway, several seams of coal were discovered as workmen cut the Claycross Tunnel. Stephenson's vision of a country supplied with coal by railway was beginning to take shape and he proceeded to expand into the lands around Claycross. Renowned as the 'Father of Railways', Stephenson was considered by Victorians as a first-rate example of what could be achieved with diligent application and a thirst for improvement. Great Britain led the world in the development of railways which acted as a stimulus for the Industrial Revolution by facilitating the transport of raw materials and manufactured goods. Stephenson was farsighted in realising that the individual lines being built would eventually be joined together, and would need to have the same gauge. His rail gauge of 4 feet 8 1⁄2 inches (1,435 mm), sometimes called the 'Stephenson gauge', is the standard gauge by name and by convention for most of the world's railways. In 2002 Stephenson was named in the BBC's list of the 100 Greatest Britons.
WARHOL ANDY: (1928-1987) American Pop Artist. A large folio printed edition of Interview magazine, entitled The Movies "A" to "Z", September 1985, Vol. XV, No.9, published by Warhol, the colour front cover featuring a close-up portrait of actor Sylvester Stallone as boxer Rocky Balboa. Signed ('Andy Warhol') by Warhol in bold black ink with his name alone to a clear area of the front cover. A few minor, small tears and stains to the edges of the covers and some very light overall age wear, not affecting the signature, otherwise VG Sylvester Stallone (1946- ) is perhaps most famous for his screen role as Rocky Balboa in a series of seven films made between 1976 and 2015. Rocky IV, the most financially successful film in the series, was released in 1985, the same year as the present magazine. Stallone and Warhol's paths crossed on several occasions, beginning in 1979 in New York. On each occasion Stallone recalls Warhol taking his portrait. Warhol was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as Pop Art. His works explore the relationship between artistic expression, celebrity culture and advertisement that flourished by the 1960s. His New York City studio, The Factory, was a well-known gathering place that brought together distinguished intellectuals, drag queens, playwrights, Bohemian street people, Hollywood celebrities and wealthy patrons. Warhol is credited with coining the widely-used expression '15 minutes of fame'.
NELSON HORATIO: (1758-1805) British Admiral during the Napoleonic Wars, the victor of the Battle of Trafalgar, 1805. A good A.L.S., Nelson & Bronte, four pages (the conjugate leaves very neatly split at the central vertical fold, and now two separate leaves), 4to, HMS Amazon, (although mailed from Deal, Kent), 14th October 1801, to his mistress Emma Hamilton ('My Dearest Friend'). Nelson announces 'Tomorrow week all is over no thanks to Sir Thos. [Troubridge] I believe the fault is all his, and he ought to have recollected that I got him the medal of the Nile. Who upheld him when he would have sunk under grief & mortification. Who placed him in such situation in the Kingdom of Naples that he got by my public letters titles, the Colonelcy of Marines, Diamond Boxes from the King of Naples, 1000 ounces in money for no expenses that I know of. Who got him 500£ a year from the King of Naples and however much he may abuse him, his pension will be regularly paid. Who brought his character into notice, look at my public letters. Nelson that Nelson he now Lords it over, so much for gratitude. I forgive him but by God I shall not forget it' and further reports of the weather ('the day is very bad, blows rains & great sea') and adds that he is anxiously waiting for Emma's letters, 'they are my only comfort for they are the only friendly ones I receive'. Nelson also writes of Captain Somerville who is aboard the Amazon with his wife and family and who has only £100 a year to maintain them, remarking 'He has been begging me to interceed (sic) with the Adm.[iralty] again but I have been so rebuffed that my spirits are gone & the great Troubridge has what we call cowed the spirits of Nelson but I shall never forget it.' The admiral resumes his letter having just received Emma's 'kind letters' which have 'given me great comfort' and asks 'Pray tell Sir Willm. that if I can I will write to him this day but certainly tomorrow. I have much to do from Admiralty orders, letters &c. I rejoice at your occupation…Have you done anything abt. the turnip field. Say everything that is kind for me to Sir Wm., Mrs. Cadogan &c. I have delivered your message to Sutton & Bedford. You may rely on a visit.' Nelson concludes 'Ever my Dear Friend your affectionate half sea sick Nelson & Bronte' although continues with an extensive postscript, signed with his initials N & B, sending thanks for 'Revd. Drs letter & Mrs. N[elson's] Her going to Swaffham is mentioned 7 times & in the Postscript. It put me in mind of the directions for the Cardinal. I have laughed but she is [a] good wife for him or he would have been ruined long ago. His being a Doctor is nonsense, but I must write tomorrow & congratulate him or else the fat will be in the fire', and finally confirms that he has written to Sir William at Merton. The final page bears the address panel, entirely in Nelson's hand and signed ('Nelson & Bronte') by him, addressed to Lady Hamilton at 23 Piccadilly in London and dated Deal, 14th October (annotated by Emma Hamilton 'the date of the year' and with 1801 added in another, unidentified hand; Hamilton's words somewhat smudged). With the almost complete remnants of the black wax seal (in two sections as originally broken). A letter of interesting content and good association, with many references to Nelson's contemporaries. Some light creasing and overall age toning and with a few small tears to the final page (evidently caused by the breaking of the seal), not affecting the text or signature, about VG Emma Hamilton (1765-1815) Lady Hamilton, second wife of Sir William Hamilton. Mistress of Lord Nelson. William Hamilton (1730-1803) Scottish Diplomat, husband of Emma Hamilton. British Ambassador to the Kingdom of Naples 1764-1800. William Nelson (1757-1835) 1st Earl Nelson, 2nd Duke of Bronte. Anglican Clergyman and elder brother of Lord Nelson, referred to as the 'Revd. Dr.' in the present letter. By a special remainder William Nelson succeeded in his younger brother's titles upon his death in 1805 and was further honoured as Earl Nelson and Viscount Merton in recognition of his brother's achievements. William Nelson's wife, also referred to in the present letter, was Sarah Yonge (c.1749-1828). They were married at Swaffham in Norfolk on 9th November 1786. 1801 had been a busy year for Nelson, both domestically and in service. In January, he met with his wife, Frances 'Fanny' Nelson for the last time. With their marriage effectively over, the heartbroken Fanny, was taken in by Nelson's father, Reverend Edmund Nelson, whilst Horatio Nelson's open cohabitation with Emma Hamilton scandalised polite society. In the same month Nelson was promoted to Vice Admiral of the Blue and appointed second in command to Admiral Sir Hyde Parker whose fleet were to sail to the Baltic. In February Emma Hamilton gave birth to Horatia, Nelson's daughter, at 23 Piccadilly, the home of Sir William Hamilton (and to where the present letter was addressed). Nelson received the news whilst at Torbay, preparing to sail, and was overjoyed at the birth. On 2nd April 1801 Nelson participated in the Battle of Copenhagen during the War of the Second Coalition. The British naval fleet, under the command of Parker, defeated a Danish fleet anchored just off Copenhagen, with Nelson leading the main attack. He famously is reputed to have disobeyed Parker's order to withdraw by holding the telescope to his blind eye to observe the signals from Parker. The signals had given Nelson permission to withdraw at his discretion, yet he declined. Copenhagen is often considered to be Nelson's hardest-fought victory, ranked among battles such as the Battle of Trafalgar, as the Danes offered a very steadfast resistance. The British public viewed the Battle of Copenhagen as a great victory and as a result ministers in England called for Nelson to take over Parker's command. Nelson was subsequently appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Baltic fleet and made Viscount Nelson of the Nile and of Hillborough. Nelson was writing to Hamilton almost daily from HMS Amazon in October 1801, however the present letter is not published in The Letters of Lord Nelson to Lady Hamilton (1814) and neither is it published in The Dispatches and Letters of Vice Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson (Vol. IV, 1799-1801, ed. by Nicolas and published by Henry Colburn, London, 1845) or in Nelson - The New Letters (ed. by White and published by the Boydell Press, 2005).
NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815.An extremely rare L.S., Nap, one page, 4to, Moscow, 5th October 1812, to the Duc de Feltre, Minister of war, in French. Napoleon sends an urgent order from Moscow, and states in full, ´Monsieur le Duc de Feltre, the 500 mills that I have requested must reach the station. By military cartage they will never arrive in time to be of any use for us. I pray God to keep you under his saintly protection ' With the small 12mo original holograph note of receipt neatly pinned to the lower left corner. A letter of good content. Some extremely light, minor age wear, VG The French Invasion of Russia began on 24th June 1812 when Napoleon's Grande Armee crossed the Neman River in an attempt to engage and defeat the Russian army. Napoleon entered Moscow in September, just a few weeks before the present letter was written, although there was no delegation to meet the Emperor. The Russians had evacuated the city, and the city's governor, Count Fyodor Rostopchin had ordered the city to be burnt. Napoleon's hopes had been set upon a victorious end to his campaign, but victory in the field did not yield him victory in the war. The loss of Moscow did not compel Alexander I to sue for peace, and both sides were aware that Napoleon's position grew worse with each passing day. After a month, concerned about the loss of control back in France, Napoleon and his army left and the campaign effectively ended on 14th December 1812, with the last French troops leaving Russian soil. The campaign was the decisive turning point in the Napoleonic Wars and the reputation of the Emperor had been severely shaken. Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military and political leader, rose to prominence during the French Revolution and, as Napoleon I, served as Emperor of the French from 1804-14, and again in 1815. Napoleon dominated European and global affairs for more than a decade while leading France against a series of coalitions in the Napoleonic Wars. He was victorious in most of these wars and the vast majority of his battles, building a large empire that ruled over continental Europe before its final collapse in 1815. One of the greatest commanders in history, Napoleon's political and cultural legacy has ensured his status as one of the most celebrated and controversial leaders in history.
JORDAN DOROTHEA: (1761-1816) Anglo-Irish Actress and Courtesan, the mistress and companion of the future King William IV. Rare A.L.S., Dora Jordan, two pages, 4to, Mortimer Street, n.d. ('Friday', annotated 1808 in another hand), to Miss. Dalrymple. Jordan states that she will be detained at the theatre tomorrow from 12 noon until 3pm and therefore won't be at Bushy to receive her correspondent and continues 'I have only to assure you that my best and most sincere good wishes must soon attend you; and allow me to add, that if you are as happy as you deserve to be, (and of which you have so fair a prospect) your lot will be a most enviable one', further concluding that 'Sophy desires her love'. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG In 1797 King George III appointed his son William, Duke of Clarence, as Ranger of Bushy Park, carrying with it residence at Bushy House, which Jordan makes reference to in the present letter. The future King William IV lived there with his mistress, and their ten illegitimate children, until the couple's relationship came to an end in 1811. In the present letter Jordan also makes reference to her eldest illegitimate daughter, Sophia Sidney (1795-1837) Baroness De L'Isle and Dudley, who served as State Housekeeper in Kensington Palace shortly before her death. Pretty, witty and intelligent, Jordan made her first appearance on the London stage at Drury Lane in 1785 and remained there until 1809 playing a large variety of parts. It was said that the actress had the most beautiful legs ever seen on the stage and she was particularly remembered for her comedic roles. Jordan soon came to the attention of wealthy men after her arrival in London and the Duke of Clarence took the actress as his mistress for twenty years. Together they produced ten illegitimate children, Jordan having previously given birth to four other children by other men with whom she had conducted affairs.
WILHELM II: (1859-1941) German Emperor & King of Prussia 1888-1918. A good, large vintage signed Imperial cabinet photograph of the Kaiser in a head and shoulders pose wearing his full military dress adorned by various medals and orders and a damask sash. Photograph by Reichard and Lindner of Berlin. Signed ('William I.R.') with the English form of his signature, as Imperator er Rex (Kaiser and King) to a clear area at the head of the image and dated 1889 in his hand. Bearing the photographer's stamp and date, 1888, to the base of the image and lower photographer's mount and with photographer's imprint to the verso. An impressive signed photograph. Some very light, minor overall foxing, otherwise VG The present image was captured by the Berlin photographers Reichard and Lindner in the first year of the Emperor's reign. Wilhelm II served as the last German Emperor from 1888, ending with his abdication in 1918. In 1890 he dismissed the Chancellor Otto von Bismarck and launched Germany on an aggressive 'new course' of foreign affairs that culminated in his support for Austria-Hungary in the crisis of July 1914 that, within a matter of days, led to World War I.
WRIGHT WILBUR: (1867-1912) & ORVILLE (1871-1948) American Aviators who invented and built the world's first successful airplane and made the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight on 17th December 1903. An historically important D.S. by both Wilbur Wright ('Wright Brothers W.W.') and Orville Wright ('Wright Brothers O.W.') individually, being a signed cheque, Dayton, Ohio, 27th January 1908. The partially printed cheque, completed in the hand of a cashier, F. A. Finckhouse, is drawn on The Winters National Bank (marked No.1 to the upper right corner) and is made payable to James Allen, Chief Signal Officer, for the sum of $2500. Signed by Wilbur Wright to the recto and signed by Orville Wright to the verso, the latter with an additional holograph endorsement, in full, 'Returned by James Allen, Chief Signal Officer'. A rare pair of signatures on a highly significant document. With a small tear at the centre, only very slightly affecting the text, and with one file hole close to, but not affecting, Wilbur Wright's signature. Some light overall age wear and minor dust staining, otherwise VG An historic document marking the birth of the United States Air Force - the cheque that launched the company of 'The Wright Brothers' and won them the contract to produce the first American military aircraft. On 17th December 1903, Orville Wright piloted the first powered airplane 20 feet above a wind-swept beach in Kittyhawk, North Carolina. The flight lasted 12 seconds and covered 120 feet. The event immediately attracted the attention of foreign governments in Europe but it wasn't until some years later that officials within the U.S. War Department recognised the potential. A little over three years had elapsed since their first successful powered 'Flyer' by which time the Wrights were ready to offer their machine to the U.S. Board of Ordnance and Fortification, headed at the time by Chief Signal Officer Brigadier General James Allen. The Wright's agreed to deliver an aircraft to the Boards specifications for a sum of $25,000 (a bargain considering the $50,000 the American Government had given Samuel Langley in 1903, for his unsuccessful flight trials). The Board, however, insisted on putting the contract out to tender, despite the Wrights being the only company working on powered flight. So, in December, the Board released an 'Advertisement and Specification for a Heavier-Than-Air Flying Machine'. This specification was primarily based upon the Wright's machine, to carry two men (a pilot and observer) at a speed of 40 miles per hour, for at least an hour, and which could also be dismantled for transport and quickly re-assembled. The purpose of the contract for tender was to discourage irresponsible or impecunious bidders as each respondent was required to deposit with the Signal Corps a certified check amounting to 10% of his bid, to be forfeited in case of failure. As the Wrights had the only machine that fitted the criteria of the specification, theirs was the only bid expected. In January 1908, the Wright Brothers reorganised their business partnership, changing their accounts at the Winters National Bank in Dayton Ohio from the 'Wright Cycle Co.' to simply 'Wright Brothers'. It was now, at this time of prosperity, that on 27th January 1908, the brothers submitted their formal proposal to sell a flying machine as specified, for $25,000. The present certified cheque, representing 10% of their bid to supply the first powered military aircraft to the U.S. Army, was originally accompanied by their tender, and was the first that the brothers issued and signed having restructured their business.The deadline for tender submissions closed on the 1st February 1908, and, unexpectedly, 41 bids were received by the Army, ranging from $850 to $1 million. Most were unfeasible and at the very least impactable, and just three (like the Wrights') were accompanied by the necessary certified cheque. The Army, however, awarded two contracts, one of which was to the Wright Brothers. As agreed, the present cheque was returned and the funds released on the 29th February 1908, as indicated by Orville Wright on the verso of this historic cheque.Following the completion of rigorous supervised trials at Fort Meyer in Virginia (during which time several speed and endurance records were set) the Wright brother's aircraft was officially accepted on 9th August 1909 by the Aeronautical Division of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, progenitor of the U.S. Air Force.Autographs of both Wilbur and Orville Wright together on one item are extremely rare, and the present signed cheque is of particular interest due to its historical importance.The American brothers and aviation pioneers are credited with having invented, built and flown the world's first successful airplane. The brothers' fundamental breakthrough in achieving this was their invention of three-axis control, which enabled the pilot to steer the aircraft effectively and to maintain its equilibrium. This method became and remains standard on fixed wing aircraft of all kinds. From the beginning of their aeronautical work, the Wright brothers focused on developing a reliable method of pilot control as the key to solving "the flying problem". This approach differed significantly from other experimenters of the time who put more emphasis on developing powerful engines.
HENRY VIII: (1491-1547) King of England 1509-47. A fine D.S., Henry R, (a good, bold example) as King, at the head, one page (vellum), oblong folio, Westminster, 30th October 1533. The manuscript warrant is addressed to Baron Windsor, Keeper of the Great Wardrobe, and orders him to deliver clothing to John Berwick, Richard Bolton, William Hammond and Thomas Maxson, the 'children of our lease' [leash], each to receive 'oon Dublet of chamlet…any dublet….lyned with fustyan and Canvas….three shyrthendy shyrte….made with draught worke….a gowne of fowre brode yardes of woollen cloth….to bee finred with yrisshe lambe….thre peyre of hosen….fowre peyre of doble soled shoes (or eight peyres of single-soled)…oon hatte…five brace of colers, fowre cheynes of the best…[and]…thre leases'. With a blind embossed paper signet seal at the foot. A very small printed identification slip is neatly affixed at the base. Some extremely minor overall creasing and very light dust staining and two very slight traces of former mounting to the verso, otherwise a clean and attractive document overall, about VG Andrews Windsor (1467-1543) English Nobleman, Keeper of the Great Wardrobe from 1504 until his death. King Henry VIII's household was the home for many animals and pets (he kept ferrets, his first wife Catherine of Aragon owned a monkey; canaries and nightingales could be found in ornamental birdcages hanging in the windows at Hampton Court) however it was his dogs, particularly beagles, spaniels and greyhounds, that the King considered his favourites. As illustrated by the present document, the monarch's dogs were adorned with decorative collars of velvet (permitted only to Royal dogs) and the Royal leash boys were equally handsomely attired. King Henry VIII regularly sent dogs (all garnished with a good iron collar) as gifts to foreign leaders. It has been recorded that some sixty-five dog leashes were found in the King's closet upon his death. Henry VIII was the second monarch of the Tudor dynasty and has been described as 'one of the most charismatic rulers to sit on the English throne'. The monarch notably initiated the English Reformation, thereby greatly expanding royal power, and the scale and complexities of his legacy are such that, in their work Henry VIII in History (2012) Betteridge and Freeman state 'throughout the centuries [since his death] Henry has been praised and reviled, but he has never been ignored'. Provenance: Formerly part of the Enys Collection of Autographs and Manuscripts.
CATHERINE II: (1729-1796) Empress of Russia 1762-96, known as Catherine the Great.An excellent A.L.S., Catherine, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d. (December 1765), to Count von Münnich, in French. The Empress states 'I am very satisfied learning that the horrors of the tradesman….and his fellows of iniquity have been uncovered. Continue with this affair in the same way you have been doing since the beginning. ´ She continues `Here it is not as cold as it was the first days…. but the path between town and here could harm someone convalescent. I am getting better and will return soon', further concluding `You might say that the Empire will not suffer because of my stay here´ With blank integral leaf. Lightly mounted and matted in light beige, and framed and glazed in a decorative frame to an overall size of 14 x 16. VG Count Burkhard Christoph von Münnich (1683-1767) German Soldier and Engineer, a Field Marshal of the Russian Empire. Münnich was the major Russian Army reformer and founder of several elite military formations and also became involved in the politics of the Russian Empire. As a statesman, he is regarded as the founder of Russian Philhellenism, and served underPeter the Great, Catherine I, Peter II, Anna of Russia, Peter III and Catherine II. Catherine the Great, the most renowned and the longest-ruling female leader of Russia, came to power following a coup d´état when her husband, Peter III, was assassinated. Russia was revitalised during her reign, growing larger and stronger than ever and becoming recognised as one of the great powers of Europe. As a patron of the arts she presided over the age of the Russian Enlightenment and the Catherinian Era is often considered the Golden Age of the Russian Empire.
CHARLES V: (1500-1558) Holy Roman Emperor 1519-56, and King Charles I of Spain 1516-56. L.S., Yo el Rey, one page, folio, Burgos, 16th July 1524, to the Councillor of the Royal House, in old Castilian. Writing in his capacity as King of Spain, King Charles I states `I hereby instruct you to register in the Royal House books and apply the corresponding food rations to Juan de Quirós, as the newly appointed young server in charge of the whippets.´ further adding that de Quiros will replace 'our master Martin from Mallorca, after his death, who was long since in charge of our whippets, and this with his same salaries, robes and food rations....for two whippets.´ Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG In 1524, in the same year as the present letter was signed, the Peasants Revolt broke out in Germany, and was to last for a further two years. At the end of April 1524 Emperor Charles V and King Henry VIII formed a new league to support the Duke of Bourbon in a fresh attack on France and in July 1524 the Emperor prohibited the holding of the proposed German synod at Spires. Grandson of the Catholic Kings, Ferdinand & Isabella, Charles V was ruler of both the Holy Roman Empire (for 37 years) and the Spanish Empire ( for 40 years). Through inheritance he brought together such extensive territories in western, central and southern Europe, and the Spanish colonies in America and Asia. So large were his domains that they were described as 'the empire on which the sun never sets'
ADAMS MARCUS: (1875-1959) British Society Photographer, noted for his portraits of children. An interesting archive of letters, personal papers, original photographs and drawings etc., previously belonging to Adams, featuring correspondence between Adams and his sitters, most notably the young Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II, and quite possibly including the earliest signature of the monarch (aged 3 years) to have ever appeared at auction. The archive includes – (i) An extremely early, bold pencil signature (‘Elizabeth’) by Princess Elizabeth, at just 3 years of age and most likely executed with the assistance of her nurse, Clara Knight (1879-1946), known as ‘Allah’ within the Royal household, at the foot of an A.L.S. C Knight, by Knight, one page, 8vo, Piccadilly, 18th December 1929, to Marcus Adams, announcing ‘Your beautiful holly has made us look like Xmas already! The Princess says I am to say “Thank you very much for your lovely holly”. I don’t think I have ever seen such wonderful berries’.(ii) A remarkable and charming series of three folio sheets of paper removed from Marcus Adams’ sketchbook and featuring a series of bold pencil sketches and doodles accomplished by the three year old Princess Elizabeth, with the assistance of the photographer, the first image is open to interpretation and depicts the head and neck of what could either be described as a somewhat fierce looking animal with cat like features, or a human with a rather angry stare, annotated by Adams ‘Drawn by Marcus Adams July 31st 1929 with the aid of Princess Lillybet (sic) in the children’s studio, London’, the outline of the drawing, including the ears, most likely in the hand of the Princess and the facial features, in particular the eyes, most likely in the hand of Adams. A long arched line appears above the drawing, again annotated by Adams, ‘This line was drawn by Princess Lillybet (sic) July 31st 1929’, the page also featuring the surname ‘Adams’ written in capital letters, evidently by the photographer himself. The second page features a pencil list in the hand of Adams (including ‘Bulbs, Seeds, Roses, Sweetpeas’ and other garden and household items) over which appear a series of drawings of animal heads, most resembling cats, again evidently drawn principally by Adams in an attempt to teach the young Princess how to draw, but also with some less well accomplished drawings of animal heads, undoubtedly the efforts of the Princess. The third page features a pencil drawing by Adams of a large country house and gardens, with a sole figure walking across the lawn and with a large tree in the foreground, the page featuring a series of somewhat random and bolder pencil lines, scribbles and circles etc., obviously the work of the young Princess. The name Lilybet appears at the base of the page, in the hand of Adams, and is heavily crossed through in pencil, presumably by the Princess.(iii) A rare, early A.L.S., Elizabeth, one page, 8vo, Piccadilly, 18th December 1933, to Marcus Adams (‘Dear Mr. Adams’), stating, in full, ‘Ever so many thanks for the lovely holly you sent me today, and the Xmas cards. Wishing you a very happy xmas, from Elizabeth’. Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by the Princess. Some light overall staining and soiling, slightly affecting the text and signature.(iv) A fascinating autograph manuscript signed (‘Marcus Adams’) by Adams entitled ‘Notes’ on my contacts with the Royal Family from 1928 to present day, nine pages, 4to, n.p., 1958, stating, in part, ‘…the curtain is completely raised to reveal the understanding of prophecy. The world will be awakened to realise the importance of this age and how vital the birth of Princess Elizabeth is in the fulfilment of things come…For this reason I appreciate… and feel highly honoured to have had the opportunity of making exclusive portrait records of the early life of this important personality……I have produced a series of portraits that convey the dignity of Royalty combined with a standard that justify my efforts, they are not just mere snapshots taken in a careless and casual fashion that may be news today and forgotten soon after… but never reach the standard of dignity that the Royal family deserve…Events can be recalled at the time of the Coronation of King George, when in one day over 200 called at the studio for press copies… to say nothing for the telephone calls… It was estimated that one particular group was produced… to some thousand million imprints. Besides the actual press there was always a constant request for right to reproduce… on mugs, jigsaw puzzles, handkerchiefs… babies rattles, almanacs, these all had be considered on their own merits, if any doubt was involved it was always referred to the Controllers of the Palace …I well remember on one occasion at Windsor the leading cable got so warmed up it showed signs of burning…I recall an incident that happened during the sitting my assistant whispered to me that the focussing screen had smashed. I met the circumstance calmly by taking two stamps from my wallet and sticking it together. The King who was always alert, remarked What’s the trouble Adams, Oh only the screen is broken and I am mending the bits with two of your fathers portraits, they acted in a perfect fashion and we can proceed with all speed….I was working with the late Queen Mary and Princess Elizabeth, she was in a great hurry, so I lost no time… After I had finished my part Her Majesty turned to Mr. [Bertram] Park and said, As Marcus Adams has been so quick I can spare you time to make some pictures of me, which dress would you like best… Thus Mr. Parks made some interesting studies, whilst I acted as his assistant. She [Elizabeth] was a child and I treated her as a child… a sitting would last about an hour. During one sitting complete with baby Margaret and the parents: my son tells me I exposed about 300 plates, it was probably the most difficult task I had encountered…’ Stapled within stiff card wrappers bearing the ink title and signature of Adams to the front cover.(v) A.L.S., Marcus Adams “Gollywog”, one page, 4to, Swallowfield, Berkshire, Christmas 1931, to ‘H.R. Princess Elizabeth’, stating, in full, ‘A sprig of Holly and a big wish for a very Happy jolly & Bright Xmas from the Hills of Oxfordshire and the sender’.(vi) A collection of ten folio pages removed from a scrapbook belonging to Adams and with various A.Ls.S., T.Ls.S., autograph notes, a few pencil drawings, some original photographs by Adams, Bertram Park and Howard Coster (some loose and most neatly laid down to pages) etc., all relating to the photographer’s work with the British Royal family and others, 1929-34,(vii) A collection of correspondence comprising around 60 A.Ls.S., T.Ls.S., a few telegrams etc., from various individuals, most ladies-in-waiting to various members of the British Royal family but also including some other notable individuals, all to Marcus Adams or his son Gilbert Adams, late 1920s-1990, most on the subject of photographs, thanking Adams for prints or arranging appointments etc.,An exceptional archive of material containing several extremely rare examples of the autograph of the young Queen Elizabeth II in various forms. Some age wear, generally G to VG, Qty. Owing to restrictions imposed by the-saleroom the complete catalogue description can not be shown here. Please contact the auctioneers for further details.
DAVY HUMPHRY: (1778-1829) British Chemist & Inventor. A.L.S., Humphry Davy, three pages, 4to, Montpelier, 17th (?) (January) 1814, to Monsieur Le Baron Delessert in Paris. Davy states that he has 'not yet profited by your letter of credit' and adds that he proposes to stay at Montpelier for a further ten days and would like the letter of credit sent there, explaining 'I am just going to make a journey to the extinct volcanoes in this neighbourhood & on my return I will send you bills of exchange for as much money as I shall want whilst I am in the south of France.' In a postscript Davy remarks 'If you can have the goodness to transmit the enclosed letter (no longer present) to London it will serve as a letter of notice to Messrs Drummond & Messrs Morland & Co in case the other letters should have miscarried'. With integral address leaf (small area of paper loss caused by the seal being broken, not affecting the text or signature). Some very light, minor age wear, VG Jules-Paul-Benjamin De Lessert (1773-1847) French Industrialist, Financier & Philanthropist. Humphry Davy, the Cornish chemist and inventor, is best remembered today for isolating a series of substances for the first time; potassium and sodium in 1807 and calcium, strontium, barium, magnesium and boron the following year, as well as discovering the elemental nature of chlorine and iodine. A President of the Royal Society (1820-27), whose laboratory assistant was Michael Faraday, Davy also invented a very early form of incandescent light bulb as well as the Davy Lamp.
VOLTAIRE: (1694-1778) François-Marie Arouet. French Enlightenment Writer and Philosopher. '...the Russians are already wading in the Prussian snows...' Rare A.L.S., with his initial `V´, one page, 8vo, Les Délices, 23rd November n.y. (1755-60 during which time Voltaire lived at Les Délices, his residence in Geneva), to an unidentified correspondent, evidently another writer, in French. Voltaire begins his letter by referring to his correspondent's novel ('vous aviez sans doute commencé le roman par la queue') and further writes `People say that the 24 thousand soldiers will march and that the Russians are already wading in the Prussian snows. If this is true, send a message…´. Voltaire concludes by asking his correspondent to forward his letter to some colleagues in their own country, and sends his regards ('Je vous embrasse de mon hermitage'). With blank integral leaf. Some light creasing and two extremely small holes in the left margin, not affecting the text or signature, VGVoltaire's reference to the large number of soldiers is in relation to the Seven Years' War (1754-63) which was being fought at the time. It involved every European great power of the time except the Ottoman Empire, spanning five continents, and affected Europe, the Americas, West Africa, India, and the Philippines. The conflict split Europe into two coalitions, led by the Kingdom of Great Britain on one side and the Kingdom of France on the other. For the first time, aiming to curtail Britain and Prussia's ever-growing might, France formed a grand coalition of its own, which ended with failure as Great Britain rose as the world's predominant power, altering the European balance of power. Voltaire, the French Enlightenment Writer, Historian and Philosopher was famous for his wit, his attacks on the established Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion, freedom of speech and the separation of church and state. A versatile writer, he produced works in almost every literary form.
ROBESPIERRE MAXIMILIEN: (1758-1794) French Lawyer and Politician. One of the most influential figures of the French Revolution. Guillotined. 'Do not forget to take hostages...and bring the terror to Ghent'.A rare and exceptional L.S., Robespierre, (and also by four other members of the Committee of Public Safety), two pages, 4to, Paris, 16th June 1794, to [Pierre-Rene] Choudieu and [Joseph-Etienne] Richard, on the printed stationery of the Committee of Public Safety, War department, in French. The letter states `We expect, dear colleagues and representatives of the citizenship, that the city of Ypres will have capitulated when this letter will reach you. If however the enemy would persist in defending the city and you would have to negotiate the conditions of their surrender, you are free to fix them in the best way you will consider and find convenient according to the National dignity, accelerating this way the important victory we must not let escape.´ further specifying `The decree which states that we will not take English nor Hanovrien prisoners does not affect the Hesse people, you must take them prisoners and exchange the others against the same number of our soldiers and sailors. Regarding the emigrants there is no way or option of pardon..´ Robespierre and the members of the Committee further order `Inmediately after Ypres´ surrender you must do the same with Nieuport and besiege Ostende.´ and instruct `Do not forget to take hostages among the important persons devoted to the imperial party...take the Bruges warehouses, and bring the terror to Ghent', further concluding `You will soon become the absolute masters of the maritime Flanders.' Countersigned at the conclusion by Lazare Carnot ('Carnot'), Georges Couthon ('Couthon'), Jean-Marie Collot d'Herbois ('Collot d'herbois') and Jacques Nicolas Billaud-Varenne ('Billaud Varenne'). With blank integral leaf.A letter of excellent historical content signed by the four instrumental figures of the Reign of Terror. Some light overall foxing and signs of age wear, the central vertical fold strengthened in places with clear tape and some small areas of paper loss and minor tears at the edges, most of which have been professionally repaired. None of the faults affect the signatures. G The present letter was signed by Robespierre and Couthon just over a month before their executions, by guillotine, at the young ages of 36 and 38 respectively. Pierre-Rene Choudieu (1761-1838) French Politician, a Member of the Convention and a Deputy to the Legislative Assembly. He voted for the death of the King and contributed to the fall of the Girondins. Choudieu was accussed of complicity in the insurrection of 1st April 1795 and imprisoned. Joseph-Etienne Richard (1761-1834) French Politician, a Member of the Convention and the Legislative Assembly. Lazare Carnot (1753-1823) French Politician, Engineer, Freemason and Mathematician. The 'Organiser of Victory' in the French Revolutionary Wars. President of the National Convention May - June 1794 and a Member of the Committee of Public Safety 1793-94. Georges Couthon (1755-1794) French Politician and Lawyer, known for his service as a deputy on the Legislative Assembly during the French Revolution. President of the National Convention 1793-94 and a Member of the Committee of Public Safety 1793-94. Jean-Marie Collot d´Herbois (1749-1796) French Actor, Dramatist and Revolutionary. President of the National Convention June 1793 and a Member of the Committee of Public Safety 1793-94. Although he saved Madame Tussaud from the guillotine, d'Herbois administered the execution of more than 2,000 people in the city of Lyon during the Reign of Terror. Jacques Nicolas Billaud-Varenne (1756-1819) French Revolutionary, an instrumental figure during the Reign of Terror. President of the National Convention September 1793 and President of the Committee of Public Safety July - September 1794. The Committee of Public Safety was created in April 1793 by the National Convention and then restructured in July 1793, and formed the de facto executive government in France during the Reign of Terror. A forceful unit during the French Revolution, the Committee reached the height of its powers between August 1793 and July 1794 (during which time the present document was signed) under the leadership of Robespierre, who had established a virtual dictatorship. Following the execution of Robespierre the Committee's influence diminished and it was disestablished in 1795. Robespierre is one of the best known and most influential figures of the French Revolution, particularly remembered for his defence of the Republic and his role in the Reign of Terror. Robespierre's personal responsibility for the excesses of the Terror remains the subject of intense debate among historians of the French Revolution, however his name is continually associated with the radical purification of politics through the killing of enemies.
FOX CHARLES JAMES: (1749-1806) British Statesman. L.S., C. J. Fox, one page, folio, St. James's, 29th March 1782, to Sir William Hamilton, marked 'No.1' to the upper left corner. Fox informs his correspondent that, following the resignation of Viscount Stormont, King George III has 'been pleased to appoint me to be one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State' and, as such, 'make a new arrangement in the Departments by conferring that for Domestick Affairs and the Colonies on the Earl of Shelburne, and entrusting me with the sole Direction of the Department for Foreign Affairs'. Fox adds that in the future Hamilton should address his letters to him, and that 'I shall not fail to lay regularly before the King' those letters 'and to transmit to you such orders and instructions as His Majesty shall think proper to give for your Guidance and Direction'. With blank integral leaf. Some very light, extremely minor dust staining and age wear, VGSir William Hamilton (1730-1803) Scottish Diplomat who served as British Ambassador to the Kingdom of Naples from 1764-1800. Hamilton's second wife was Emma Hamilton, the mistress of Horatio Nelson.As the present letter confirms, Fox was appointed as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs two days earlier on 27th March 1782. He served in the post until 5th July of the same year and was later reappointed from April-December 1783 and February-September 1806.Great Britain's Prime Minister, Lord North, resigned in March 1782 as a result of the strains of office and the disastrous American war, and was replaced by the new ministry of the Marquess of Rockingham, under whose administration Fox was first appointed as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Rockingham died unexpectedly on 1st July 1782 and Fox refused to serve in the successor administration of the Earl of Shelburne. The ensuing political turmoil culminated in the Fox-North Coalition which came to power on 2nd April 1783, representing the first occasion when King George III had been allowed no role in determining who should hold government office. Charles James Fox, the arch-rival of William Pitt the Younger, rose to prominence in the House of Commons as a forceful and eloquent speaker with a notorious and colourful private life. In a parliamentary career spanning almost forty years Fox's opinions evolved into some of the most radical ever to be aired in the Parliament of his era.
EDISON THOMAS: (1847-1931) American Inventor of the phonograph and light bulb among many other items.A.L.S., Edison, (a somewhat hurried example), one page, 8vo, n.p., n.d. (1921), to [Jaffrey P.] Buchanan. Typically written in bold pencil, Edison writes, in full, 'I want 3 booths in Machines 21 made sound proof like those up stairs & with ventilation. Do it as soon as possible. Driscoll can do it if you tell him what to do. Hurry it'. Some very light, minor age wear, otherwise VG Jaffray P. Buchanan was employed by Edison as Manager of his Record Disc Division. The present note refers to Edison and Buchanan´s works on the production of the phonograph records. The American Inventor and Businessman Edison developed many devices that greatly influenced people's lives around the world, including the phonograph, the motion picture camera and, of course, the long lasting and practical light bulb. A prolific inventor, holding more than a thousand US patents to his name, Edison was one of the first inventors to apply the principles of mass production and is often credited with the creation of the first industrial research laboratory. Edison has often been described as America's greatest inventor.
MORRIS WILLIAM: (1877-1963) 1st Viscount Nuffield. British Automobile Manufacturer, Engineer and Philanthropist.A.L.S., W. R. Morris, one page, 4to, Oxford, 24th November 1906, to some unidentified gentlemen, on the printed stationery of 'W.R. Morris, Motor and Cycle Engineer. Contractor to His Majesty's Government'. Morris writes a letter of testimonial, stating, in full, 'F. Poulter has been with me for the past two years and I have always found him industrious, straightforward and quick at his work. He leaves me through slackness of work.' An early letter, written from one of the first premises Morris operated from. Some extremely light, minor foxing and some very slight age wear to the edges, otherwise VG Morris was the British equivalent of America's Henry Ford, manufacturing cars in mass production whilst acquiring other car companies on the way. Among the cars made by his company were the Morris Minor (launched in 1948). William Morris became the richest man in the United Kingdom, giving away over £30m of his fortune (equivalent to £700m in today). He donated millions to medical research and founded Nuffield College, Oxford. As well as being recognised as a major figure in Britain's motor industry, Morris was one of the greatest philanthropists of modern times, using much of his wealth towards the development of medical equipment and hospitals.
MARCONI GUGLIELMO: (1874-1937) Italian Inventor who developed a radio telegraph system. Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1909. An excellent D.S., G. Marconi, three pages, 4to, Pisa, n.d., [1934], in Italian. The printed document is a proof copy of Marconi's preface to Antonio Pacinotti: la vite e l'opera (edited by Giovanni Polvani and published by Lischi and Sons in two volumes, Pisa, 1934). The text commences `Seventy five years ago, between 1858 and 1859, a young man from Pisa, working on some of his extremely original scientific tests, "dreams" as he used to call them, created for the first time ever a magnetic-electric device, suitable to generate a continuous electric induced power from a permanent mechanic power…this young man was Antonio Pacinotti...and seventy five years of tests and further works have only served to prove all the advantages of such a discovery as its inventor predicted. His creation was simply perfect and represents in the history of the electricity the indispensable element, sought for fifty years, and never achieved…this was the great Italian creation: the battery. ´ Marconi further makes references to Pacinotti´s works, his tests and research, and his permanent lack of funds which made impossible the development of many of his projects and ideas. Marconi concludes `I finish…. expressing my wish that more tributes of this kind will show to Italians and foreigners, with accurate and objective explanation of honest and sincere historical facts, the work and life of many other great geniuses of our country. This way we will be sure that we are collaborating to the tasks that the Duce has called us for, that our beloved Italy will be admired and dreaded, and be at the head of the world. ´ Signed by Marconi at the conclusion. A document of good content and with an interesting association. Some light overall age toning and a few very small, extremely minor tears to the edges, not affecting the text or signature, VG Antonio Pacinotti (1841-1912) Italian Physicist, best known for inventing an improved form of direct current electrical generator, or dynamo, which he built in 1860 and described in a paper published in 1865. Pacinotti also discovered that the device could also be used as an electric motor. The publication in which the present preface by Marconi appeared was entitled Antonio Pacinotti - Life and Work, and was a compilation of writings, drawings, news and other documents compiled and edited by the Italian Physicist Giovanni Polvani (1892-1970). Marconi is recognised for his pioneering work on long-distance radio transmission and for the development of a radio telegraph system. He is often credited as the inventor of radio and shared the 1909 Nobel Prize in Physics (with Karl Ferdinand Braun) in 'recognition of their contributions to the development of wireless telegraphy'. Marconi was also an entrepreneur and businessman who founded The Wireless Telegraph & Signal Company in the United Kingdom in 1897 (which became the Marconi Company) and he succeeded in making a commercial success of radio by innovating and building on the work of previous experimenters and physicists.
ELIZABETH II: (1926- ) Queen of the United Kingdom 1952- . A charming, early A.L.S., Elizabeth, one page, 8vo, Windsor Castle, 25th April 1941, to Prebendary Percival. The young Princess, writing just a few days after her fifteenth birthday, thanks her correspondent for a book although remarks 'I am afraid I have got a copy of it but I would be most delighted with R. L. Stevenson's "Virginibus Puerisque"', adding 'I have not got it and I should love to read it'. Princess Elizabeth continues to add that it was most kind of her correspondent to have remembered her birthday and concludes 'I am sending the book (no longer present) back to you as I did not know what you would like done with it'. An elegantly penned letter. Some very light, extremely minor creasing, VG Launcelot Percival (1869-1941) Anglican Priest who served in the Ecclesiastical Households of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, King George V, King Edward VIII and King George VI. Robert Louis Stevenson's Virginibus Puerisque was published in 1881 and was the first collection of the Scottish writer's essays. The works, including On Falling in Love, Apology for Idlers, English Admirals and Child's Play, promote a spirit of playfulness in defiance of both the hardships of human life and the restrictions imposed by bourgeois Philistinism. Although not selling well, the volume did enjoy a good critical reception which confirmed Stevenson as one of the rising stars of the literary scene. In 2015 Queen Elizabeth II became the longest reigning British monarch, surpassing the reign of her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, and is the longest reigning Queen regnant and female head of state in world history.
WORLD WAR II: An exceptional and extremely rare vintage multiple signed ‘Short Snorter’, the American One Dollar bank note, featuring over twenty five signatures, including ‘The Big Three’ of Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin, and many other leading political and military figures of World War II, all collected by Frank Sawyer, valet to Winston S. Churchill, at various historic meetings between 1939-45. The identified signatories on the ‘Short Snorter’ are -Winston S. Churchill (1874-1965) British Prime Minister 1940-45, 1951-55. At the outbreak of World War II Churchill was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty and, following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain, became Prime Minister in 1940. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) American President 1933-45. Following the attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Roosevelt obtained the approval of the United States Congress to declare war on Japan and, a few days later, Germany. The President worked closely with Winston S. Churchill and Joseph Stalin (as well as Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek) in leading the Allies against Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan in World War II. ‘The Big Three’ of Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin met regularly during World War II, most notably at the Tehran Conference (1943) and the Yalta Conference (1945). Joseph Stalin (1878-1953) General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union 1922-52. Stalin met Winston S. Churchill and/or Franklin D. Roosevelt in several conferences during World War II to plan military strategy and, later, to discuss Europe’s post-war reorganisation. King George VI (1895-1952) King of the United Kingdom 1936-52. In 1939, following Britain’s declaration of War on Nazi Germany, King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth, resolved to stay in London and reside at Buckingham Palace despite the German bombing raids (one of which nearly killed them). Throughout World War II King George VI made various morale boosting visits and travelled to see Allied military forces abroad.Anthony Eden (1897-1977) 1st Earl of Avon. British Prime Minister 1955-57, succeeding Winston S. Churchill after having served as his deputy for almost fifteen years. Eden served as Foreign Secretary on three occasions, including a spell for most of World War II from 1940-45, and also briefly served as Secretary of State for War in 1940. Louis Mountbatten (1900-1979) 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma. British Admiral of the Fleet. Mountbatten, a favourite of Churchill, served as Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia Command from 1943-46. Harold Alexander (1891-1969). 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis. British Field Marshal. Alexander oversaw the final stages of the Allied evacuation from Dunkirk and later held high ranking field commands in Burma, North Africa and Italy.Alan Brooke (1883-1963) 1st Viscount Alanbrooke. British Field Marshal who served as Chief of the Imperial General Staff, the professional head of the British Army, during World War II. Arthur Tedder (1890-1967) 1st Baron Tedder. British Marshal of the Royal Air Force. Tedder served as Air Officer Commanding RAF Middle East Command during World War II and directed air operations in the Mediterranean and North Africa, including the evacuation of Crete and Operation Crusader in North AfricaHastings Ismay (1887-1965) 1st Baron Ismay. British Indian Army General and Diplomat. During World War II Ismay served as chief military assistant to Winston S. Churchill, becoming the principal link between the Prime Minister and the Chiefs of Staff Committee. . Max Aitken (1879-1964) 1st Baron Beaverbrook. Canadian Business Tycoon, Politician and Newspaper Proprietor. A friend and confidant of Winston S. Churchill, Beaverbrook was appointed Minister of Aircraft Production (1940-41) by the Prime Minister and also went on to serve Churchill as Minister of Supply (1941-42), Minister of War Production (1942) and Lord Privy Seal (1943-45). Randolph Churchill (1911-1968) British Journalist & Politician, son of Winston S. Churchill. Churchill played an active role during World War II, both in political office and military service. Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969) American President 1953-61. A General with the United States Army during World War II, Eisenhower served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe.W. Averell Harriman (1891-1986) American Politician & Diplomat who served under President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a special envoy to Europe and as the U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union 1943-46 and U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, 1946. Kathleen Harriman (1917-2011) American Journalist, daughter of W. Averell Harriman. Harriman accompanied her father to the Yalta Conference in 1945. Roy W. Howard (1883-1964) American Journalist, President of United Press. Howard was granted an interview by Joseph Stalin in 1936. King Peter II (1923-1970) King of Yugoslavia 1934-45. Following the invasion of Yugoslavia in 1941 by Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary and Italy (all of whom annexed various parts of the country) King Peter II travelled to London where he joined numerous other governments in exile from Nazi occupied Europe. All of the signatures are in fountain pen inks and, by the very nature of the short snorter, some are more legible than others. It is of particular interest, most likely as a deliberate act, that the Soviet Dictator Joseph Stalin chose to sign his name across the image of American President George Washington at the centre of the bank note. The short snorter also features the ownership signature of Frank Sawyer. Some light overall age wear, otherwise about VG An exceptionally rare collection of signatures by some of World War II’s most important political and military leaders, including ‘The Big Three’ of Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin. Provenance: The present short snorter was previously in the possession of Frank Sawyer, who served as Winston Churchill’s valet during World War II, leaving his service after the end of the war. In such a role Sawyer, would have accompanied Churchill on many domestic and foreign trips, not least to the various conferences held in Casablanca, Moscow, Tehran and Yalta during the course of the war. On such trips, Sawyer evidently had access to many of the important individuals in Churchill’s company and took such opportunities to extend the collection of significant signatures on his short snorter. American Book Prices Current record only a small handful of autographs by Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin together on one piece having been previously sold at auction, including a White House card signed at the Tehran Conference ($65,000, Profiles in History, 2014), another White House card signed by all three, from the Forbes Collection and contained in an album ($22,000, Christie’s New York, 2010) and a United States card signed at the Potsdam Conference (£15,000 [$26,258], Christie’s, 2003).Owing to restrictions imposed by the-saleroom the complete catalogue description can not be shown here. Please contact the auctioneers for further details.
ELIZABETH PETROVNA: (1709-1762) Empress of Russia 1741-62. D.S., Elisavet, as Tsesarevna, in Cyrillic, one page, folio, St. Petersburg, 14th November 1737, in Cyrillic. The boldly penned manuscript document is a decree stating 'On this date there has been transferred from our patrimonial office to Our room the sum of 200 roubles: of which you are to take account'. Annotated at the foot in another hand with instructions to record the transaction and to 'inform the expenditure department of Her Highness' decree'. Some extremely minor, very light age wear at the edges of the document, VG The daughter of Peter the Great, Empress Elizabeth led her country into the two major European conflicts of her reign, the War of Austrian Succession (1740-48) and the Seven Years' War (1756-63) but is also recognised for the exorbitant sums of money she spent on the grandiose baroque projects of her favourite architect, Bartolomeo Rastrelli, particularly in Peterhof and Tsarskoye Selo, and the Winter Palace and the Smolny Cathedral in Saint Petersburg are among the chief monuments of her reign. Elizabeth remains one of the most popular Russian monarchs due to her strong opposition to Prussian policies and her decision not to execute a single person during her reign.
VICTORIA: (1819-1901) Queen of the United Kingdom Great Britain & Ireland 1837-1901. A lengthy A.L.S., Victoria, seven pages, 8vo, Windsor Castle, 19th January 1850, to a cousin, in German. Writing on black monogrammed mourning stationery the Queen pens a letter of condolence on the passing of 'our aunt Adelheid', commenting 'I was certain how large your grief and your sympathy would be. You were prepared, but this doesn't diminish the deep sorrow we are feeling, when such dear and admirable people are taken away from us! But now the much-loved are well, because their suffering was great for several years'. The Queen also expresses her pleasure that their aunt had witnessed the marriage of a nephew, 'Also we were pleased with this marriage and we hope the young couple will be happy' and further writes 'Poor, good Edward is quite orphaned now and every day he feels more how big his loss is; and he has also lost his home with this! The dear aunts loved him and treated him like their own child - You can be sure, dear cousin, that we will give him any compensation we could to relieve the pain of his loss'. Victoria remarks on the cold weather in England and Germany and concludes her letter in a positive manner, 'Now receive my deepest wishes for the New Year. Furthermore, may God save you and your revered husband and your dear children, and may the year 50 be good for the luck and restoration of Germany. With cordial regards from my dear Albert, I remain, for always, Your loyal cousin and friend….' . Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG The present letter was written following the death of Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen (1792-1849) Queen Consort of the United Kingdom and of Hanover 1830-37, the spouse of King William IV. Adelaide had passed away at the age of 57 at Bentley Priory in Middlesex on 2nd December 1849. Queen Victoria's long reign of 63 years and seven months is known as the Victorian era of British History and witnessed a long period of peace and prosperity as well as overseeing great industrial, cultural, political, scientific and military change within the United Kingdom, further marked by a great expansion of the British Empire.
MONTGOMERY B. L.: (1887-1976) British Field Marshal of World War II. A good vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph, the engaging image depicting Monty in a formal half length pose wearing his uniform. The official Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) image is by Private D. Moller of the US Army and dates from 19th March 1956 according to the official NATO credit stamp to the verso. Signed by Montgomery in bold turquoise fountain pen ink to a light area of the background, 'To: the Stewart family in memory of my visit to Pekin in May 1960. Montgomery of Alamein'. Some minor corner creasing and a very small tear to the upper white border, about VG Michael Stewart - British Diplomat who served as Charge d'Affaires at the British Embassy in Peking 1959-62 and later as the British Ambassador in Athens 1967-71. Montgomery served as the first Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (Deputy SACEUR) from 1951-58 and after a visit to China declared himself impressed by the Chinese leadership. Montgomery is regarded as Britain's greatest military commander since the Duke of Wellington. One of the most prominent and successful British commanders of the Second World War, Montgomery is most famous for his successful command of the Allies against German Erwin Rommel in the Western Desert Campaign in North Africa, and his role commanding in the invasions of Italy and Normandy.
![JOHN XXIII: (1881-1963) Pope of the Roman Catholic Church 1958-63. T.L.S., with his initials, + A.[ngelo] J.[oseph] R.[oncall](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/e4a5dd8c-8f10-4d54-b199-a6c800823567/439dc415-7662-4bdd-fd69-25492862b964/468x382.jpg)
JOHN XXIII: (1881-1963) Pope of the Roman Catholic Church 1958-63. T.L.S., with his initials, + A.[ngelo] J.[oseph] R.[oncalli], as Apostolic Nuncio, one page, 4to, Paris, 11th January 1949, to General Charles de Gaulle, in French. The carbon typed letter is Roncalli's retained copy in which he sends New Years greetings to de Gaulle, stating 'The succession of years and events does not detract from the tranquil and serene vision of your honourable person before my eyes and heart', further sending his best wishes to de Gaulle and his family, concluding 'I associate them with those I entrust to our good God for the prosperity of France'. A letter of good association. Some extremely light, very minor age wear, VG Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970) French General of World War II. Later President of the French Republic 1959-69. Cardinal Roncalli served as Apostolic Nuncio to France from 1944-53 and was unexpectedly elected Pope in 1958 (not least to Roncalli himself, who had come to Rome with a return tricket to Venice). He was the first Pope to take the pontificial name of John upon election in more than 500 years. Pope John XXIII called the historic Second Vatican Council (1962-65) and his passionate views on equality were summed up in his famous statement 'We were all made in God's image, and thus, we are all Godly alike'. Known in Italy as 'Il Papa Buono', the Pope of the children, John XXIII made many passionate speeches during his pontificate, one of which was on the day that he opened the Second Vatican Council in the middle of the night to the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square, 'Dear children, returning home, you will find children: give your children a hug and say: This is a hug from the Pope!'
TALLEYRAND-PERIGORD CHARLES MAURICE DE: (1754-1838) French Statesman. D.S., Ch. Maur. Talleyrand, one page, 4to, Paris, 8th January 1797, in French. The manuscript document was issued at the Ministry of External Affairs and Talleyrand, in his capacity as the Minister of External Affairs, confirms the content of a general receipt issued by the cashier of the Treasury, relating in particular to a man named Palomba who 'is included for the sum of thirty francs, total of one twentieth retained for the aforementioned four month period, on the basis if eighteen hundred francs annual salary, counting from the first of Vendemiaire (September) last.' Signed by Talleyrand with a typically small signature at the conclusion and countersigned by Paganel, the Secretary General. Some light age wear and minor traces of former mounting to the left margin. A small, neat tear at the centre of the head of the page has been repaired to the verso. About VG Talleyrand worked at the highest levels of successive French governments, usually as Foreign Minister or in some other diplomatic capacity. His career spanned the regimes of King Louis XVI, the years of the French Revolution, Napoleon I, King Louis XVIII and King Louis-Philippe I. Those he served often distrusted Talleyrand but, like Napoleon, found him extremely useful.
JENNER EDWARD: (1749-1823) English Physician & Scientist, the pioneer of smallpox vaccine, the world's first vaccine. An extremely rare and significant manuscript notebook, unsigned, the tall 8vo bound volume compiled by Jenner, comprising over 100 pages of holograph text (and some original illustrations and diagrams), n.p., n.d. (c.1822/23), being Jenner's transcripts of contemporary scientific texts relating to meteorology. Jenner's notes explore the various aspects of contemporary meteorology, including the observations and discoveries of leading academics including William Falconer, Luke Howard and Thomas Forster and cover a wide variety of meteorological subjects from instrumentation ('a complete apparatus of meteorological instruments should include the Barometer, Thermometer, Hydrometer, Photometer, Athrioscope, Cynometer') through to the influence of flora and fauna ('Animal effluvia as well as vegetable are capable of being mixed with the air, and suspended in it. These are now generally esteemed to be the cause or source of fevers of the malignant or contagious kind'). The comprehensive notebook includes texts from various publications, essays and papers, a few extracts of which include - 'The analysis of the atmosphere is one of the finest discoveries of modern Chemistry. It appears to consist of two distinct expansible fluids contained in different proportions, a single portion of oxygen gas being united to three parts by weight, or four parts by bulk, of azote. There is also a very slight admixture of carbonic acid gas, accounting perhaps to a thousandth part of the whole', from the Supplement to the Encyclopaedia Britannica written by Sir John Leslie between 1815-24, 'It is the frequent observation of the countenance of the sky, and of its connection with the present and ensuing phaenomena, that constitutes the antient and popular meteorology. The want of this branch of knowledge renders the predictions of the philosopher, who is attending only to his instruments less generally successful than those of the weather-wise mariner or husbandman', from the Philosophical Magazine, (Vol. XVI, London, 1803. Article XVIII), 'On the Modifications of Clouds, and on the Principles of their Production, Suspension and Destruction'; being the substance of an Essay read before the Askesian Society in the Session 1802-3, by Luke Howard, 'One of the principle uses of meteorology is, that it enables us to predict, in some measure, the ensuing changes of the weather. To do this accurately, a familiar acquaintance with the modification of the clouds, and indeed with all the operations which are going on above, appears necessary. When two or more contrary indications appear, the result must be deduced from those which ultimately prevail; & that when several agreeable signs appear, the event may be predicted with additional certainty…some animals express signs of uneasiness previous to an alteration of the weather long before there are any visible signs of a change. Dogs for instance become very drowsy & stupid before rain & their ears are sometimes found considerably inflamed….cats though in a less degree are affected in the same manner - and a leech, confined in a glass of water, has been found, by its rapid motions…to indicate fair or wet weather. Peculiarities in the electric state of the atmosphere may…affect the constitution of animals in the same manner as they appear to do ours, & thereby excite pleasurable or uneasy sensations', from the 'Researches about Atmospheric Phaenomena etc.' by Thomas Forster (London, 1813), 'The sound of bells heard form a great distance is a sign of wind, or a change of weather. When sea fowl and other aquatic birds return to the sea shore or marshes it indicates a change of weather and a sudden storm. When frogs croak much, toad crawl out in the evening, when earth worm come forth, ants remove their eggs, moles throw up earth, asses frequently shake and agitate their ears', from the 'Monthly Magazine or British Register' (Vol. 35, London, 1813) and 'An Account of Ireland, Statistical and Political' by Edward Wakefield,On two pages at the centre of the journal there can be found Jenner's grey & black water colour depictions of cloud types, faithfully rendered in the style of the originals as they appear in Luke Howard's On the Modification of Clouds (1803).A third original illustration has been neatly excised from its page. Bound in the original, plain dark cloth boards (some light staining and age wear) and with a pencil ownership signature and address to the front free endpaper of a Miss Perkins & Dr Perry of 3 Priory Street, Everton. Some light staining and age wear throughout, the text however completely legible and not significantly affected in any way. Generally G A fascinating and remarkable meteorological record compiled by Jenner for his personal reference. Jenner's interest in meteorology is not well documented, however, it would undoubtedly have been a subject of great importance to him in association with his experimentation with ballooning and his studies of bird migration. The present notebook offers a unique insight into the aspects of meteorology he most desired to understand.It was in 1784 that Jenner was to make his first tentative steps at being a balloonist. Influenced by his close friend, the surgeon William F. Shrapnell, Jenner carried out his first aeronautical experiment based on a balloon deign supplied by boyhood friend Dr. Caleb Parry. Jenner wrote 'your directions respecting the Balloon are so clear and explicit, 'tis impossible for me to blunder; but to make it quite a certainty, I intend first to fill it and see if it will float in the Castle-Hall, before the public exhibition. Should it prove unwilling to mount and turn shy before a large assembly, don't you think I may make my escape under the cover of three or four dozen Squibs and Crackers?' Subsequently, Jenner became known for his studies on the migrating Cuckoo, which were published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society (1788) and later in the posthumously published, Some Observations on the Migration of Birds (1824). It was not until the 18th century that significant progress occurred in the study of meteorology, so whilst little is known of Jenner's attraction to this interdisciplinary branch of science we can be sure that in these early days, Jenner was there to appreciate its importance. His forays into ballooning and the serious study of migration were undoubtedly made more pleasurable to his scientific mind by the knowledge he had gained in the study of meteorology. Jenner is frequently referred to as the 'father of immunology' and his work is said to have saved more lives than the work of any other human. A member of the Royal Society, in the field of zoology he was the first person to describe the brood parasitism of the cuckoo. In 2002 Jenner was named in the BBC's list of the 100 Greatest Britons.We are indebted to Mark Beswick, Archive Information Officer of the Met Office National Meteorological Archive and to Owen Gower, Manager of Dr. Jenner's House, Museum & Garden in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, for their assistance with the present lot.
SADE MARQUIS DE : (1740-1814) Donatien Alphonse François de Sade. French Writer and Philosopher.'…that is a mocking on people just for the pleasure of mocking…' Rare A.N., unsigned, two pages, 8vo, n.p., n.d. (1771), in French. De Sade's note appears at the foot of a brief set of accounts (also in his hand) relating to Paulet [Thomas Paulet, Mayor of the village of Lacoste and a trusted friend of De Sade] and totalling 400 florins. The list of expenses includes payments for wood, jars of oil and for the builders of a park. De Sade's note states, in part, 'As you can see, it wasn´t worth making this unnecessary action for the poor man of the chapel, that is a mocking on people just for the pleasure of mocking, and this is a discredit….', further remarking `If he would have been someone who could afford to pay…you wouldn´t have proceeded this way, am I right?' Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG The present note was written by Sade and given to Jean Antoine Fage, a French lawyer who served as De Sade's financial administrator. In 1774 Fage was dismissed for connivance with Mme de Montreuil, De Sade's mother-in-law, in organising the police raid of 6th January at the Lacoste Castle. De Sade, the French aristocrat, revolutionary politician, philosopher and writer, remains infamous for his libertine sexuality and is best known for his erotic works depicting sexual fantasies with an emphasis on violence and blasphemy against the Catholic Church. Incarcerated in various prisons and an insane asylum for over 30 years of his life, many of De Sade's works were written in prison. The words sadism and sadist are derived from his name.
GRIMALDI JOSEPH: (1778-1837) English Actor, Comedian & Dancer, the most popular English entertainer of the Regency era. Rare A.L.S., J. Grimaldi, one page, 4to, Spa Fields, 5th September 1817, to R. W. Elliston at the Theatre Royal, Birmingham. Grimaldi informs his colleague that he has returned to London following 'a most successful tour' and continues 'With respect to terms we cannot agree - If I work I must be paid - I can have no objection to visit Birmingham at the time proposed if I can obtain permission - And terms proposed by me accepted - the best nights receipt clear out of the week'. With integral address leaf in Grimaldi's hand and signed ('J. Grimaldi') by him. With a red wax seal and a small area of paper loss where originally broken. Some very minor, light dust staining to the edges, not affecting the text or signature, VGRobert William Elliston (1774-1831) English Actor and Theatre Manager. Elliston had an interest in the Theatre Royal, Birmingham, a patent theatre, however ill health and misfortune culminated in his bankruptcy in 1826.In the early 1800s Joseph Grimaldi expanded the role of Clown in the harlequinade that formed part of British pantomimes, most notably at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The actor is recognised as by far being the most popular English entertainer of his day and the Victoria and Albert Museum (among others) have concluded that no other Clown has achieved Grimaldi's level of fame.
BLERIOT LOUIS: (1872-1936) French Aviator, the first man to fly across the English Channel, 1909. T.L.S., L Bleriot, one page, 4to, Suresnes, 26th June 1928, to Monsieur Montfort, in French, on the highly attractive colour printed stationery of Bleriot-Aeronautique featuring a colour vignette of Bleriot's historic flight across the English Channel on 25th July 1909. Bleriot responds to his correspondent's letter and remarks 'I am happy to let you know that I am in my office in Suresnes on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11am. You could therefore come and by and see me at that time'. Some very light, extremely minor wrinkling to the extreme edges of the letter, not affecting the text or signature, VG The French Aviator Louis Bleriot, also a noted inventor and engineer, became world famous in 1909 for making the first flight across the English Channel in a heavier than air aircraft, winning the £1000 prize which had been offered by the Daily Mail newspaper.
BABBAGE CHARLES: (1791-1871) English Mathematician & Inventor. A.L.S., C Babbage, two pages, 4to, Dorset Street, Manchester Square, 7th January 1838, to a gentleman. Babbage announces 'I cannot readily suppose you have forgotten me nor do I wish at all to do more than give you every information you think requisite when you can act effectively must be left entirely to circumstances and your own judgement and I at least shall never urge you' and adds 'Most probably it will be desirable that I should be able to refer to books and papers when I see you & therefore I do not offer to visit you at Mortlake'. Babbage continues to explain 'I am almost always at home until twelve - and will be so for the next three days certainly. But if you sleep in town will you come and eat a beefsteak with me either on Tuesday at six or at any hour you will fix or else on Thursday. My house is undergoing a repair and I have only one habitable room or I would offer you a bed. I have two other subjects on which I wish to say a word.' Some extremely minor, very light age wear, VG Babbage generally favoured writing his letters on 8vo or 12mo paper, making the present, larger 4to example particularly desirable. Interestingly, American Book Prices Current, record several other letters by Babbage written on 4to paper, most written to eminent correspondents including Michael Faraday and Peter Mark Roget. It can safely be assumed therefore that Babbage held the recipient of the present letter in esteem given his choice of larger stationery. Babbage had a very large circle of friends and acquaintances who were frequent visitors to his home, where they were able to examine and admire the various examples of the analytical and difference engines. In 1838, the same year as the present letter, Babbage invented the pilot (or cowcatcher) during his time working for the Liverpool and Manchester Railway. The device is mounted at the front of a locomotive to deflect obstacles on the track that might otherwise derail the train. An English Polymath, Babbage is best remembered for originating the concept of a programmable computer and is considered by some as the 'father of the computer'.
EDWARD VIII: (1894-1972) King of the United Kingdom January - December 1936. Later Duke of Windsor.A rare D.S., Edward RI Col in Chief, as King and Colonel-in-Chief, at the head, one page, oblong folio, Court at Saint James's, 11th August 1936. The partially printed document is a military commission appointing Arthur Dare Heskett to be a Second Lieutenant in the Land Forces, Royal Regiment of Artillery. Countersigned at the foot by Harry Knox (1873-1971) British General, Adjutant-General to the Forces 1935-37. His signature is faded and barely legible. With blind embossed pale blue paper seal affixed. Documents signed by King Edward VIII during his brief reign as King are rare and desirable. With a heavy vertical fold at the centre and a light brown smudge mark close to, but not affecting, the King's signature. About VG Arthur Dare Heskett (b.1916) British Army Officer who rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.King Edward VIII became King on the death of his father, King George V, in early 1936. However, he demonstrated impatience with court protocol and caused concern among politicians by his apparent disregard for established constitutional conventions. Only months into his reign he caused a constitutional crisis by proposing marriage to the American divorcee Wallis Simpson. The Prime Minister and other political leaders opposed the marriage arguing that a divorced woman with two living ex-husbands was both politically and socially unacceptable as a Queen Consort. Furthermore, the marriage would have conflicted with King Edward's status at the titular head of the Church of England. When it became apparent that he could not marry Wallis and remain on the throne, King Edward VIII abdicated, becoming the only British sovereign to voluntarily do so. He was succeeded by his younger brother, King George VI, and with a reign of just 326 days, King Edward VIII was one of the shortest-reigning monarchs in British history.
ZOLA EMILE: (1840-1902) French Novelist, Playwright & Journalist. A.L.S., Emile Zola, two pages, 8vo, Medan, 18th August 1893, to a gentleman, in French. Zola informs his correspondent that he has just officially accepted the invitation of the English journalists 'and it is therefore absolutely decided that I shall attend their congress'. The novelist asks that he be kept informed if something untoward should happen and that his correspondent also sends him, as soon as possible, the toast to which Zola will have to respond to, further commenting 'They will also ask me, I believe, to speak anonymously to the press….Would you be so kind as to tell me what you think and what the majority of the journalists think. I want to know the land on which I am to walk'. In concluding Zola remarks that he will perhaps call on the services of his correspondent whilst in London. Some very light, minor age toning to the extreme edges and a few small areas of paper loss and minor tears, largely to the edges of the central vertical fold, otherwise about VGAs the present letter confirms, Zola did indeed travel to London to address the Institute of Journalists at their conference in 1893. Whilst in England's capital Zola was also honoured by one of the regular grand firework displays at Crystal Palace. On his visit the novelist was later to state 'I came away from London with a profound admiration of its wealth, grandeur and immensity. We have nothing in France to equal such things. It is a city made for me'. Zola was to return to London five years later, living in Upper Norwood from October 1898 to June 1899 while in voluntary exile during the Dreyfus affair. Zola was an important figure in the political liberalisation of France and in the exoneration of the falsely accused and convicted army officer Alfred Dreyfus which is encapsulated in the renowned newspaper headline J'accuse. Zola was nominated for the first and second Nobel Prize for Literature in 1901 & 1902.
MILL JOHN STUART: (1806-1873) British Philosopher and Political Economist. A.L.S., J. S. Mill, two pages, 8vo, Blackheath Park, 28th January 1866, to a gentleman. Mill acknowledges receipt of his correspondent's letter and adds that 'though the contemplated exhibition and botanical congress would be very interesting to me, my occupations will preclude me from taking any part in it…..' . Some very light, extremely minor age wear, otherwise VG The present letter is apparently unpublished and does not appear in The Later Letters (ed. Mineka and Lindley, 1972). Mill is considered one of the most influential thinkers in the history of liberalism and widely contributed to social and political theory and political economy. Mill was a proponent of utilitarianism, the ethical theory developed by his predecessor Jeremy Bentham (see lot 47). A member of the Liberal Party, Mill was the first Member of Parliament to call for women's suffrage.
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