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DICKENS (CHARLES)The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby... Edited by 'Boz', FIRST EDITION IN THE ORIGINAL 19/20 PARTS, mixed issue, half-title, engraved portrait frontispiece by Daniel Maclise, 39 etched plates by 'Phiz', most with varying degrees of foxing, some soiling throughout, publisher's blue-green pictorial wrappers, some spines restored, 11 parts with cellophane outer wrapper crudely attached with tape, preserved in red cloth folding box with gilt lettered spine [Eckel pp.64-66; Gimbel A40; Hatton & Cleaver pp.129-160], 8vo, Chapman and Hall, April 1838–October 1839Footnotes:FIRST EDITION OF 'NICHOLAS NICKLEBY' IN THE ORIGINAL MONTHLY PARTS. This set has the following issue points: part 4 with 'visiter' on p.123, line 17 (first state); part 5 with 'letter' on p.160, 6 lines up (second state); the first 4 plates in parts 1 & 2 with publisher's imprints; part 8 plate 16 from third steel ('in' omitted); part 12 plate 23 with 'Mr' present; and part 15 plate 29 in second impression. The 'Nickleby Advertiser' front catalogues are present, as are all the back advertisements including the scarce folding 'Amesbury's Supports' one in part 3. Part 11 is without the small slip on yellow paper (described as 'non-essential' by Hatton & Cleaver) whilst the advertisement in part 19/20 for 'Hill's Seal Wafer' is present but lacks the attached wafers, as often.'Dickens was a busy twenty-five year old in 1837. While the final number of Pickwick was quickly being bought up from the bookseller's stalls, and Oliver Twist was highlighting the pages of Bentley's Miscellany, the young novelist signed a contract in November with Chapman and Hall to produce a manuscript for another serial tale beginning the following March. The new work was published in the same manner and form as Pickwick, but Dickens received ten times the amount per number—a healthy £150—as he received for his first novel. The first number, which appeared in April 1838, sold over 48,000 copies.... Nicholas Nickleby clearly shows Dickens's maturing power.... With the good-natured yet temperamental Nickleby providing the story's dramatic center, Dickens learned how to weave parallel plots into a unified structure, completing his transition from journalist to novelist' (Grolier, Essential Parts p.14.)This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: •• Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

BUCKLAND WRIGHT (JOHN)[SANDFORD (CHRISTOPHER)] Heart's Desire. Inscribed by Me: Chrysilla von Dansdorf, LIMITED TO 70 COPIES ONLY, this copy unnumbered, title printed in purple, engraved vignette and 7 engraved plates by and after John Buckland Wright, one word pencil amendment to final leaf of text, contemporary quarter maroon calf over marbled boards, gilt lettered title on spine, t.e.g., spine rubbed and faded, small stain on upper cover [Reid A30], small 4to, Paris, for Private Circulation Only [London, printed by the Tintern Press, and A. Alexander & Sons, 1939]Footnotes:THE ONLY EDITION, LIMITED TO 70 COPIES. An erotic tale of lesbian love purporting to have been translated from a Greek manuscript, but actually written by Christopher Sandford of the Golden Cockerel Press.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: •• Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

MUSIC – BEATRICE HARRISONArchive of material relating to cellist Beatrice Harrison, comprising: i) Manuscript notebooks: including her reminiscences of Delius beginning '...Delius is able to express through the medium of his music the sight, the sound and even the very scent of Nature perhaps more exquisitely than any other composer... he said our performance has inspired him to write a Double Concerto which he did!... Delius had a wonderful charm...', 7 pages, 230 x 180mm.; album titled 'Manuscripts', including poems and notes on a visit to Sandringham in September 1918 ('...The queen showed us her boudoir & bedroom. A perfect dream, all is lovely... the spirit of King Edward pervades all. Terrible news from Russia. Played with dear Princess in the sunset... Princess M sang. Curious voice!...'), 74 pages, 163 x 200mm., 1908-1919; 'Cello Notes', written in pencil, describing a busy schedule, with notes on performances, venues and pieces played, including her American tour taking in New York, Boston and the White House ('...White House/March 1st/L'Amor de May-/Serenade Delius/Allemande Senaille'), various dates in the UK ('...Bax came down & I played him his concerto he was delighted... July 23/Promenade/Concerto-Elgar/Conductor Wood...'); c.100 pages, 8vo, 1935-1942; notebook containing handwritten copies of reviews of May Harrison's performances in Spain, 1906; and two othersii) Diaries: unbound diary from 1907 including notes for May 29th '...I am making my debut as a 'cellist at the Queen's Hall under the conductorship of Mr Henry J. Wood. I am playing the Saint Saens Concerto... I do hope it will go well...'; with four memorandum diaries belonging to Beatrice and her sister May Harrison, noting appointments, pupils and hours practised ('...went to my boring lesson with little Renaud... he is too killing & looks like an owl in spectacles! Only did 4 hrs cello...'), including May Harrison's European tour of 1908, 8vo, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1916 and 1962iii) Albums, scrapbooks and ephemera: ten albums containing newspaper cuttings and printed programmes, many annotated, illustrating her career from 1901 to the 1930's, folio (410 x 290mm.) and smaller; with other ephemera including photographs, an autograph letter signed 'Percy Grainger', 13 January 1930, concert poster for the Wigmore Hall, and much elseFootnotes:'I AM MAKING MY DEBUT AS 'CELLIST AT THE QUEEN'S HALL': ARCHIVE OF THE CELLIST FAMED FOR HER DUETS WITH NIGHTINGALES.Beatrice Harrison (1892-1965), '...the leading British cellist of her generation...' (Anne Pimlott Baker, ODNB), is perhaps best known for her hugely-popular performances accompanied by nightingales, first broadcast from her Surrey garden on 19 May 1924, one of the BBC's first live outside broadcast recordings and a tradition she continued for the next twelve years.A musical prodigy, at the age of twelve she won a cello exhibition to the Royal College of Music, making her debut at the Queen's Hall with Henry Wood in 1907, as noted in her diary here, and embarked on a busy solo career undertaking tours of Europe, North America and the UK. She became a good friend of Princess Victoria after playing to Edward VII at a dinner party, and visited the Royal family at Sandringham. Her illustrious career embraced many 'firsts'; she was the first to perform several important works on the cello, in particular those of Frederick Delius, who wrote his double concerto of 1915 for her and her sister, the first to make standard recordings of other pieces such as Elgar's cello concerto in 1920, conducted by the composer, the first woman cellist to play at Carnegie Hall and the first British cellist to enjoy an international reputation. She was much admired by, and friends with, composers such as Delius, Elgar and Arnold Bax, who all wrote for her. This archive was used in compiling her autobiography The Cello and the Nightingales edited by P. Cleveland-Peck, 1985.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

DICKENS (CHARLES)Sketches by 'Boz'. Illustrative of Every-Day Life and Every-Day People... New Edition, IN THE ORIGINAL 20 MONTHLY PARTS, additional etched title and 39 plates by Cruikshank, with publisher's imprint from part 7 onwards, p.18 with '8' set lower, p.50 with '0' set higher, 'p.83' level and clear, 'p.515' correct, p.526 with 'reeledbefore', advertisement leaves as called for by Hatton & Cleaver comprising those in part 1 (8pp.), part 2 (8pp. including Address), part 3 (4pp., 8pp., 18-page Mechi Catalogue with wrappers), part 5 (4pp. 'Proclamation'), part 9 (4pp.), publisher's pink pictorial wrappers, some soiling, 8 of the parts noted by Collis as 'untouched' (3 with backstrips chipped), others restored by Riviere or Morrell (3 wrappers substituted, see condition report for further details), each part preserved in Collis's annotated paper wrapper, together with loosely inserted letterpress from part 2, a single uncut sheet with the 2 plates from part 3, and letters from Thomas Hatton and Thomas Thorp, housed in brown and green half morocco top-opening slipcase, with gilt panelled spine and laid on manuscript title label [Eckel p.15; Gimbel A6; Hatton & Cleaver p.89-128], 8vo, Chapman & Hall, November 1837-June 1839Footnotes:W.H. COLLIS'S 'BEST SET' OF 'SKETCHES BY BOZ' IN THE ORIGINAL PARTS. One of the rarest of Dickens's works to appear in parts, the present set is complete with all the advertisements called for by Hatton & Cleaver, and the usual thirteen additional plates supplied to supplement the twenty-seven etchings which appeared in the earlier book form issue.The Sketches had first been published in different periodicals and newspapers, and some were then gathered into book form in two series published 1836 and 1837 (see preceding lots). The copyright was purchased outright by Chapman and Hall who issued the work in monthly parts to meet the form's growing popularity, and to coincide with appearance of the final part of Pickwick Papers. The change from Pickwick's standard green wrappers to light pink was not popular at the time, resulting in fewer advertisements being supplied.In the letter from Thomas Thorp, dated 10 December 1931, the bookseller is amongst other things offering Collis an incomplete set of 'Boz' ('I can let you have Sketches by Boz, as catalogued, for £165, or will give you a good price for the two missing parts'); the offer was evidently not taken up since Collis's notes show that most of the parts were bought on two separate occasions in 1934, and one in 1928, the earliest date we have found recording a purchase by Collis.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: •• Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

NAVAL – LOG BOOKSi) Two Naval Log Books from the General Elliott, the first titled 'Captain Drummond's Journal in a Voyage to Bombay & China commencing 20th December 1788 & ending 19th June 1790', commencing with a five-page manuscript list of officers and men, a daily precis of the weather encountered on voyage, followed by some 90 pages of printed forms with manuscript insertions detailing the course, wind direction, observations and other notes of the voyage from England to Bombay and return via St Helena, also including list of ships belonging to the English East India Company in 1789, list of cargo on return journey ('...170 half chests China ware... 55 chests Peko... 70 Bales Raw Silk...'), eight pages of pen and ink profile drawings of islands such as Madeira, Trinidad, Comero, Socatra, Pulo Timoan, some leaves excised, bookplate of Robert Drummond Esq, Megginch Castle, c.60 leaves, dust-staining and other marks, some water damage, reverse calf with blind-stamped decoration, folio (367 x 232mm.), 20 December 1788 to 19 June 1790; the second concerning the voyage of the General Elliott from Blackwall Dock to Bengal and back via St Helena, commencing with a daily precis of the weather and some 140 pages of printed forms with manuscript insertions on the weather etc., some leaves excised, c.130 leaves, dust-staining and other marks, rough canvas cover sewn over calf boards, stained, binding loose and partly detached, folio (380 x 240mm.), 14 November 1793 to 22 July 1794ii) Manuscript order book for HMS Dryad under Captain Adam Drummond, comprising some 80 separate orders including 39 numbered general orders covering duties, procedures and discipline ('...No Women to be permitted on board... The men to be accountable for the cleanliness of their wives...'), additional specific orders for The Master ('...he will never suffer any liquor to be drawn off but upon deck...'), The Surgeon ('...for stoves for the use of the sick, application must be made to the quarter-deck...'), The Purser ('...Provisions from the steward Room to be issued out between 7 and 8 in the morning...'), Marines, The Boatswain ('...The Forecastle being immediately under his command, he is expected to keep it very clean, the ropes neatly coiled...'), The Carpenter ('...the earliest discovery of any leaks...'), and The Gunner ('...He is to examine the magazine frequently and cause the Powder to be turned every six weeks...'), each entry signed by 'Adam Drummond, Captain' and the relevant parties, c.52 pages, dust-staining and marks, original vellum boards with title inscribed on upper cover in ink, binding worn, spine detached, 4to (234 x 190mm.), [1805-1807] (3)Footnotes:'170 CHESTS CHINA WARE... 55 CHESTS PEKO'. The British East Indiaman General Elliott (so named to honour General Elliott's defence of Gibraltar) undertook six voyages between 1783 and 1795, captained by Robert Drummond (1759-1815), 6th Laird of Megginch. The first copper-bottomed ship in the East India fleet to make the voyage to Bombay, she was then sold into the West Indies trade and was eventually broken up in 1802 after coming to grief in 1798. On coming into his family estate, Megginch Castle in Perthshire, Drummond commissioned a hexagonal dovecote topped by a weathervane in the shape of the General Elliott to commemorate the vessel in which he had made a record-breaking voyage to Bombay in 1783. Robert Drummond's brother Admiral Sir Adam Drummond (1770-1849) succeeded him as 7th Laird in 1815 after a long career in the Navy and had also served under him as a teenager on the General Elliott. The Dryad was his second command as captain, a post he held from 1805 to 1807. In November 1805 aboard the Dryad he harried four French ships fleeing from Trafalgar into the path of a British squadron resulting in their capture at the Battle of Cape Ortegal.Provenance: Robert Drummond (1759-1815), and his brother Admiral Sir Adam Drummond of Megginch (1770-1849); thence by descent.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: •• Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

MILDMAY WALTER: (c.1523-1589) English statesman who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer (1566-89) to Queen Elizabeth I, and founded Emmanuel College, Cambridge. D.S., Wa: Mildmaye, one page, 4to, n.p., 5th July 1571. The manuscript document is a warrant for payment addressed to Robert Taylor, one of the tellers of the receipt of the Queen Majesty's Exchequer, and states 'These are to require you to pay unto Newell Sotherton clerk of the Estreats in the Exchequer the sum of £6 13s 4d for serving the queen's majesty in writing and estreating forth all the fines issues and amercements before him into the 12 shires in Wales for this present 13th year of the queen majesty's reign as heretofore hath been yearly allowed unto him for the same….'. With integral leaf docketed to the verso, one with a Latin endorsement signed by Sotherton. About EX

[GUNPOWDER PLOT]: HOWARD THOMAS: (1561-1626) 1st Earl of Suffolk. English Admiral who commanded the Golden Lion in the attack on the Spanish Armada in 1588. Howard later served as Lord Chamberlain of the Household (c.1603-14) and as Lord High Treasurer 1614-18. In 1605 Howard was privy to communications relating to the Gunpowder Plot and examined the cellar in the House of Lords where he discovered the brushwood concealing the gunpowder and the plot subsequently collapsed. Howard was commissioned to investigate and try the plotters. A good D.S., T Suffolke, one page, slim folio, n.p., 25th August 1613. The manuscript document is a warrant for payment and states, in part, 'Henry Marten doctor of the Civil laws the king's advocate and Levynus Munck Clerk of his majesty's signet employed commissioners into the Palatinate for the settling of the Princess Elizabeth her jointure, humbly demand allowance for their charges of transportation to and fro according to the Privy Seal of his majesty dated the eighth April 1613 the sum of £150 14s 0d. They further demand allowance for their entertainment of diet at four marks by the day, beginning from the first of March last past, and ending the twentieth of August inclusive, according to the said Privy Seal £922 13s 4d', the warrant totalling £1073 7s 4d. Signed by both Marten and Munck at the foot, acknowledging receipt of £400 0s 0d, and signed by Suffolk beneath and further countersigned by Julius Caesar (1558-1636) English lawyer, judge and politician who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer 1606-14. With blank integral leaf. Some light age wear and minor staining at the folds, about VG    Sir Henry Marten (1562-1641) English judge and politician who served as Judge of the High Court of Admiralty 1617-41. Marten was made King's advocate on 3rd March 1609 and in March 1613 was sent abroad in connection with the marriage settlement of the Lady Elizabeth. Levinus Munck (c.1568-1623) English politician, Member of Parliament for Great Bedwyn in 1601. Munck served as Chief Secretary to Sir Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, from 1602-12. In 1613 he was sent on diplomatic business to the Low Countries and afterwards accompanied the Princess Elizabeth to Heidelberg following her marriage to the Elector Palatine. By this time he held the appointment of Clerk to the Signet and was also receiving interest on money loaned to the Crown. Elizabeth Stuart (1596-1662) Electress consort of the Palatinate 1613-23 and Queen consort of Bohemia 1619-20, known as the 'Winter Queen'. Eldest daughter of King James VI and I of Scotland, England and Ireland and his wife, Anne of Denmark.  A significant intention of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 was to assassinate Elizabeth's father and the Protestant aristocracy, kidnap the nine-year-old Elizabeth from Coombe Abbey, and place her on the throne of England - and presumably the thrones of Ireland and Scotland - as a Catholic monarch.

CAREY ROBERT: (c.1560-1639) 1st Earl of Monmouth. English nobleman and courtier, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth I who served as a volunteer against the Spanish Armada and as Warden of the Middle March 1596-98. Lower portion of a D.S., Ro: Cary, one page, oblong 8vo, n.p., n.d. (c.1620). The manuscript document is a fragment of a warrant for payment and states '…..4 labourers were employed the space of 4 days wherefore he prayeth to have allowance for his and their pains and charges in the service aforesaid to be rated by the honourable Sir Robert Cary knight chamberlain of the prince his highness and paid by the right worshipful Adam Newton esquire his highness's receiver general'. Some light age wear and minor staining, otherwise VG    Sir Adam Newton (d.1630) Scottish scholar, royal tutor and secretary to Henry, Prince of Wales. After the death of the Prince, in 1612 Newton became receiver-general, or treasurer, in the household of Prince Charles, later King Charles I.

DIGBY GEORGE: (1612-1677) 2nd Earl of Bristol. English politician who served as Secretary of State 1643-45. Bristol supported the Royalist side in the English Civil War but his ambition and instability of character caused serious problems to himself and the two kings he served. D.S., Bristol, one page, small 4to, n.p., 22nd February 1670 [1671]. The manuscript document, entirely in the Earl's hand, is a receipt issued to Thomas Duppa for 'the Summe of two hundred pounds upon account of the arrears of renths Due to mee from ye Diocesse of Salisbury, for wch. I promise to furnish unto him the formal discharges requisite in Lieu of this present note under my hand'. Some light age wear and minor creasing to the edges, otherwise VG    

CHARLES II: (1630-1685) King of England, Scotland (1649-51) and Ireland 1660-85. An unusual D.S., Carolus R, at the foot, as King, in exile, one page, oblong folio, Brussels, 4th July 1657, in Latin. The manuscript document, to which the King has added one word in his own hand, is addressed to 'The most serene, powerful, elevated, and illustrious, emperors, kings, princes, marquises, counts, orders, barons, dynasties and all their inheritances….from military camps, divisions, provinces, walled cities, rivers' ships, ports, roads and bridges' administrators and all the relative….' and regards Lord Jacob, Count of Castlehaven (whose name, Jacobus, King Charles inserts in his own hand), requiring that he and his servants, horses and weapons are able to move safely and freely on their journey, and concluding 'And above all these friends, the benevolence, the favour, and protection of the duties surround them and turn out; and according to their facts for this, it will be very pleasant for us, when the opportunity will come, to return the same grace to them'. Countersigned at the foot by Sir Edward Nicholas (1593-1669) English politician who served as Secretary of State to both King Charles I and King Charles II. With blind embossed paper seal affixed. With blank integral leaf. Some light staining and age wear and with a few small holes and areas of paper loss at some folds, none of which affect the King's signature. About VG    James Tuchet (c.1617-1684) 3rd Earl of Castlehaven. Irish soldier who played a prominent role in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

ANNE: (1665-1714) Queen of England, Scotland & Ireland 1702-07 and Queen of the Kingdom of Great Britain 1707-14. D.S., Anne R, as Queen, at the head, one page (vellum), oblong folio, given at the Court at St. James's, 1708 (the day and month not stated). The manuscript document is a military commission appointing Simon Parry to be a Captain of a Company in the Regiment of Portuguese Foot, led by Lieutenant Colonel Constantine de Magny, and 'to take the said Company into your care and charge and duly to exercise as well the officers and soldiers thereof in arms and to use your best endeavours to keep them in good order and discipline'. Countersigned at the foot by Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland (1675-1722) English statesman who served as Secretary of State for the Southern Department 1706-10 and later as First Lord of the Treasury 1718-21. With remnants of the blind embossed paper seal. Some light staining and age wear and small areas of paper loss to the lower edge, G  Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland, was one of the five Whigs, collectively called the Junto, who dominated the government from 1708-10. However, the Earl had many enemies and was disliked by Queen Anne who dismissed him in June 1710.

GEORGE II: (1683-1760) King of Great Britain and Ireland 1727-60. Manuscript D.S., George R, as King, at the head, two pages, large folio, n.p. (London), n.d. (c.1747-48), headed Abstract of the Charge of the Guards &c and detailing the accounts (listed both daily and annually) for the staff officers, Horse and Grenadier Guards, Royal Regiment of Horse Guards, Dragoon Guards, Foot Guards, Regiment of Invalids etc., totalling £838,582.18.2 per annum. Countersigned at the foot of each page by three Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, two of whom also served as British Prime Ministers, Henry Pelham (1694-1754) British Prime Minister 1743-54, Henry Bilson-Legge (1708-1764) Chancellor of the Exchequer 1754-55, 1756-57 & 1757-61 and George Grenville (1712-1770) British Prime Minister 1763-65. Some light, minor age wear and staining to the edges and a few small tears, otherwise about VG   

GEORGE IV: (1762-1830) King of the United Kingdom 1820-30. D.S., George PR, as Prince Regent, on behalf of King George III, two pages, folio, Carlton House, 15th June 1818. The manuscript document is addressed to Lord Eldon and is a Warrant for affixing the Great Seal to the acceptance, in duplicate, of the King of Wurttemberg's Accession to the General Treaty signed in Congress at Vienna on the 9th June 1815, and to the Acts thereunto annexed. Countersigned at the conclusion by Viscount Castlereagh (1769-1822) British Statesman, who served as Secretary of State for Foreign Affais (1812-22) and was central to the management of the coalition that defeated Napoleon Bonaparte. With blank integral leaf and blind embossed paper seal affixed. About EX    The present document relates to the settlements made at the Congress of Vienna, which met from the end of September 1814 to June 1815 in order to re-organise and settle the shape of post-Napoleonic Europe.

ELIZABETH II: (1926-   ) Queen of the United Kingdom 1952- . D.S., Elizabeth R, as Queen, at the head, one page, large oblong folio, Court of Saint James's, 26th March 1966. The partially printed document, completed in typescript and manuscript, appoints Harold Halliwell to be a Consul in Costa Rica and grants him 'full power and authority under the superintendence of Our Consul-General there by all lawful means to aid and protect Our Merchants and others Our Subjects who may trade with or visit or reside within his Consular District'. Countersigned at the foot by Michael Stewart (1906-1990) British politician who served as Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 1965-66, 1968-70. With blind embossed circular seal. Some light age wear and a few small stains to the edges, not affecting the text or signatures. About VG  

POMARE IV: (1813-1877) Queen of Tahiti 1827-77. L.S., Pomare, two pages, 4to, on board 'the ship belonging to the Queen' (HMS Basilisk, whilst in exile at Raiatea), 29th February 1844, to Captain Hunt, in Tahitian. In the manuscript letter the Queen makes a request of her correspondent, stating, in part, 'I have a word for you, but I am much afraid lest you should be angry with this word. It is this; come and take this sick man on shore, he has a bad disease and it is infectious. I am alarmed for my children, on that account. I write with some degree of fear to you Captain. But it is for you to decide. Should it be agreeable to you to take the sick man on shore, it will be well with me. Compassionate me in my troubles. I fear for my children, as they would not be able to go out of the reach of this disease'. Accompanied by a contemporary English translation penned to a separate 4to sheet of paper. Some light age wear and a small area of paper loss to the upper left corner of the Queen's letter, not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG, 2   The present letter is dated during the bloody French-Tahitian War of 1843-47 at which time Queen Pomare IV exiled herself to Raiatea in protest of France declaring Tahiti a French protectorate. Queen Pomare IV was the mother to ten children, all fathered by her second husband. Seven of the children had been born before 1845, and two of those seven died at early ages.

MOURAVIEFF NICOLAS: (1768-1840) Russian General. Manuscript D.S., Mouravieff d'Aporta, one page, oblong 8vo, Vienna, 20th October 1801, in French. Mouravieff acknowledges the receipt of a loan payment of one thousand florins from the Comte d'Antraigues. Neatly laid down at the left and right edges and with some light creasing, about VG     Louis-Alexandre de Launay (1753-1812) Comte d'Antraigues. French pamphleteer, diplomat, spy and political adventurer during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. At the time of the present document the Count and his family were living in Vienna on an allowance provided by Tsar Paul I of Russia. 

DOWNING GEORGE: (c.1625-c.1684) Anglo-Irish statesman, soldier, diplomat and spymaster, after whom Downing Street (including the residence of the British Prime Minister) in London is named. Downing is also credited with being responsible, more than any other man, for arranging the acquisition of New York from the Dutch. D.S., G Downing, one page (vellum), slim oblong folio (14 x 2.25), n.p., 18th September 1658. The manuscript document is a receipt for the sum of five hundred pounds and relates to the counties of Northampton and Rutland. Some very slight, minor age wear, VG   

WALPOLE ROBERT: (1676-1745) British Prime Minister 1721-42. Fine ink signature ('R Walpole') on a small oblong 8vo piece evidently clipped from a manuscript treasury document, bearing the place and date Whitehall Treasury [Cham]bers, 14th September 1721. Also bearing the countersignatures of two Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, George Baillie (1664-1738, Scottish politician) and Richard Edgcumbe (1680-1758, 1st Baron Edgcumbe, English Politician). Lightly laid down at the four corners, otherwise VG    

CARTERET JOHN: (1690-1763) 2nd Earl Granville. British Prime Minister for four days in February 1746. A rare D.S., Carteret, one page, folio, Whitehall, 11th May 1721. The manuscript document is a bill of accounts totalling £325 submitted and signed by Abraham Stanyan in Constantinople, 20th September 1718, and states, in part, 'Abraham Stanyan Esq., his Majesty's Ambassadour & Plenipotentiary for the mediation of a Peace between the Emperour, the Republick of Venice, and the Grand Signior, humbly craves allowance of the following Extraordinary Expences from the 24th June to the 10th August 1718. 1. Gratuitys to Two Druggermen for their Services during the Campaign…..150:0:0. 2. Presents to a Vizur Aga and two Chiauses who attended him during the Campaign……120:0:0. 3. To the Waggoners, Mule and Camel Drivers…..20:0:0. 4. To the Chief of the Arabs who pitch the Tents 10:0:0….', Carteret has approved the accounts at the foot beneath a statement, 'I allow this Bill amounting to three hundred and Twenty five Pounds by his Maj.tys special Command'. The lower half of the document is neatly inlaid. One minor, neat split at the edge of a fold and with some minor age wear, otherwise VG    Abraham Stanyan (c.1669-1732) British diplomat and politician who served as Ambassador to Austria 1715-16 and as British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire 1718-30.  These posts came in a period when England held the role of mediator between the Habsburgs and the Ottomans, and having worked in the capitals of both powers Stanyan was an influential part of the negotiations.

[WORLD WAR I]: EDWARD VIII: (1894-1972) King of the United Kingdom January - December 1936. Later Duke of Windsor. A fine autograph manuscript, unsigned, four pages, 4to and slightly smaller, n.p. (London), n.d. (July 1919). The boldly penned holograph manuscript, with a number of corrections, is the draft of a speech made by the Prince of Wales at a dinner in honour of Marshal Foch following the end of World War I and states, in part, 'This is an occasion of such unique & historical interest that I find it very difficult to address such a so distinguished an assembly. It is indeed a great honour for me to be presiding here this evening & that it should fall to my lot to propose such a wonderful toast; it is almost impossible for me to find adequate words……to welcome so many famous allied commanders…..At this dinner are gathered together, comrades in arms drawn from many nations…..who have been engaged in a long & desperate (sic) struggle against the most powerful military combination that the World has ever known & who have emerged from the struggle completely victorious……France & Paris have already celebrated peace & our overwhelming victory; the other allied nations & their capitals will doubtless do the same. But just now we are celebrating it all in the British & London way & I feel that yesterdays triumphal pageant was a brilliant success. We feel that it represented the great war, that it represented victory in every sense of the word & that no one who was present could fail to carry away but the proudest & most inspiring memories which will last a life time……To me as one of the younger generation these memories will be specia particularly vivid as during my periods of active service in several theatres of war I often had the priviledge (sic) & good fortune of being closely associated with many of our allied armies army corps divisions & even regiments…….It is obvious that this last greatest of world struggles has broken all records from every point of view but I would venture to point out that never before has so large a number of allies been fighting & working together…..Now that the great war is over & the powerful enemies that have so long disturbed the peace of the World & menaced our freedom are finally overthrown & subdued we all rejoice to welcome here those who have shared with us the perils & sufferings of the trying & strenuous campaign & who now share with us the joy of our victory. Representative of every allied power are present this evening but there is one power whose representative has occupied a unique position. In Marshall (sic) Foch we salute the great captain…..His position as a Supreme C. in C. has no comparison in history either from the point of view of power or responsibility. In this position he has revealed a genious (sic) for war equal to the greatness of his task & the magnitude of his difficulties'. Together with a further selection of holograph notes, unsigned, four pages, oblong 4to and 8vo, n.p. (London), n.d. (July 2019), being the Prince's briefer manuscript notes prepared in composing his speech, with various corrections and the different sections each marked with an ink and blue indelible pencil line, the notes concluding with a passage in French, 'C'est pour moi un tres grand honneur et tres grande joie de vous acceuillir ici au nom du Roi et de boire a la sante des grandes nations allies dont vous etes les representants distingues Je n'ai qu'une pensée ce soir “vive nos braves allies”' and his Toast to Foch, 'The Commanders & representatives of the armies forces of our allies coupled with the name of Marshall (sic) Foch'. A rare manuscript with interesting content. A few slight stains and minor age wear to the preparatory notes, the manuscript speech VG, 2  Ferdinand Foch (1851-1929) French Marshal, a General and military theorist who served as the Supreme Allied Commander from March 1918.  The 'triumphal pageant' which the Prince of Wales describes as having taken place the day before in the present manuscript was undoubtedly the Victory Parade Peace Day held in London on 19th July 1919. Although fighting on the Western Front had ceased in November 1918, peace negotiations would continue for many months and the Treaty of Versailles was not signed until June 1919. When negotiations were reaching their conclusion and a 'proper peace' was within sight, a peace committee was founded to decide how Great Britain would publicly mark the end of World War I and acknowledge the widespread feelings of jubilation within the country.  With a Bank Holiday having been agreed upon, on the morning of the 19th July thousands of people gathered in London to participate in a spectacle, the likes of which had not been witnessed before. Almost 15,000 troops participated in the victory parade which was led by the Allied commanders Douglas Haig (British Commander-in-Chief), John Pershing (Head of the United States Expeditionary Force) and Ferdinand Foch (Allied Supreme Commander). The latter received the honour of being created a Field Marshal in the British Army on the same day and, on 20th July 1919, was the guest of honour at a dinner for the British and Allied Commanders and their staffs at the Carlton Hotel. It was at this dinner, attended by around 400 people, that the Prince delivered his speech. It was published in The Times on 21st July 1919. A monument to those killed and wounded, designed by Edwin Lutyens, was unveiled in Whitehall to mark the end of the victory parade. Although it was a temporary construction, another made from Portland stone and designed by Lutyens was to replace it in 1920 and, known as the Cenotaph, still stands today.

AVELLANEDA NICOLAS: (1837-1885) President of Argentina 1874-80. Ink signature ('N Avellaneda') and lengthy inscription to one page of a piece of 4to printed stationery from the President of Argentina, dated Buenos Aires, 9th August 1879 in his hand. The inscription, in Spanish, states 'Greetings from the Argentine Republic to the distinguished and venerable lady who makes a collection of autographs, and I present to her the sincere homage of my personal respect'. With integral leaf featuring an English translation in an unidentified hand in purple indelible pencil. Inscribed to Mary Ford, wife of Sir Francis Clare Ford, and with an A.N.S., F. C. Ford, by him to the lower left corner, 'Autograph of Senor Avellaneda, President of the Argentine Republic in 1878-1879 when I was H. M.'s Minister at Buenos Aires'. Together with an 8vo page of manuscript notes, unsigned, in the hand of Mary Ford, being English extracts from a letter of Avellaneda's to Francis Clare Ford on his arrival in Buenos Aires to present his credentials to the President, August 1879. Lightly laid down to a card and also featuring a small English newspaper article relating to Avellaneda. Some light age wear, G to VG, 2   Sir Francis Clare Ford (1828-1899) English Diplomat who served as Minister Plenipotentiary to Argentina 1878-79 and later as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Brazil 1879-81 and Ambassador to Spain 1887-92.

PORTER COLE: (1891-1964) American Composer and Songwriter. D.S., Cole Porter, one page, slim oblong 8vo, Peru, Indiana (as printed on the document, although likely New York), 12th December 1941. The partially printed financial document, completed in manuscript in an unidentified hand, issued by the Wabash Valley Trust Company, is a promissory note in which Porter agrees to repay the sum of $4000 after six months with interest at a rate of 5% per annum. With several official stamps, none of which affect Porter's signature, and with a related printed receipt stapled to the verso. Accompanied by a T.L.S. by Margaret Moore, Secretary to Cole Porter, one page, 4to, New York, 15th December 1941, to Mr. A. H. Cole, on the printed stationery of the Waldorf Astoria. Moore writes to return the note duly signed by Porter as requested. Some creasing and minor age wear, about VG, 2   

PONCHIELLI AMILCARE: (1834-1886) Italian Composer. Best remembered for his opera La Gioconda (1876) based on a play by Victor Hugo. An exceptional and rare M.S., `Ponchielli´, seven pages, oblong folio (12 x 9) stave paper, n.p., n.d. Signed by Ponchielli to the heading of the front page. The full autograph working manuscript is in the hand of Ponchielli and corresponds to the complete score of his work Dio Amore as he entitles to the heading. He also annotates to the front page heading `Parole di Silvio Pellico´ ("Words by Silvio Pellico"). Ponchielli has penned over 90 bars of music, on three staves, adding tempos alongside and the Romanza voice text beneath the musical notes, bearing also multiple annotations, crossed words and amendments. Attractively bound within modern decorative boards featuring sea horses and with a gilt stamped leather title to the front. Small overall minor age wear and staining otherwise VG   Dio Amore! is a work for choir and pianoforte by Ponchielli, opus 277. Musical critics have widely commented about this Romanza that it highlights the innate sense of Ponchielli's theatre as well as his uncommon lyrical vein.Silvio Pellico (1789-1854) Italian Writer, Poet and Patriot active in the Italian unification.

LUTOSLAWSKI WITOLD: (1913-1994) Polish composer and conductor. An attractive A.M.Q.S., W Lutoslawski, one page, oblong 8vo, n.p., 31st January 1989. In bold black fountain pen ink Lutoslawski has penned a manuscript stave and several bars of music which he identifies as being from his Third Symphony. With an inscription in his hand to the upper edge. EX   Lutoslawski's Symphony No.3 was written between 1973-83 and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Georg Solti, gave the world premiere on 29th September 1983.

PENDERECKI KRZYSZTOF: (1933-2020) Polish composer and conductor. A.M.Q.S., K Penderecki, one page (manuscript paper), slim oblong 8vo, n.p., 17th January 1992. In bold black ink Penderecki has penned several bars of music from an unidentified composition, adding an inscription in his hand to the upper edge. About EX   

CORTOT ALFRED: (1877-1962) Franco-Swiss Pianist and Conductor. A.M.Q.S., Af. Cortot, one page (manuscript paper), slim oblong 8vo, n.p., September 1946. In bold black fountain pen ink Cortot has penned four bars of music across two staves which he identifies as being from a piece by Schumann. Some light age wear and a minor crease to one corner, otherwise VG  

GREGORY XIV: (1535-1591) Pope of the Roman Catholic Church 1590-91. His tenure lasted only ten months. Gregory XIV, during his brief pontificate, excommunicated King Henry IV of France, modified the Apostolic Constitution so that the penalty for abortion did not apply until the foetus become animated, and bestowed the red cap upon the Cardinals who before wore only a hat. Very rare Autograph Manuscript by Gregory XIV, one page, oblong 8vo, n.p., n.d., in Italian. An excellent document comprising ten lengthy lines where Gregory XIV refers to respect to traditions and relics, mentioning the ones kept in the San Pietro Martire church at Trigolo, Cremona, where Gregory XIV was appointed Bishop 1560-90, stating in part `..che quelle forze non solo si portavano per rispetto de le Imagini grandi, per avere Sante reliquie riposte in una cassetta che stá a´piedi della Madonna..´ Accompanied by a full transcription of the text. With slightly irregular edges and few stains mainly due to age wear and former affixing to the verso, otherwise G

BENEDICT XV: (1854-1922) Pope of the Roman Catholic Church 1914-22. His Pontificate was dominated by World War I, which he termed ''The suicide of Europe''. An excellent manuscript Apostolic blessing in the hand of Pope Benedict XV, signed `Benedictus PP. XV´, beneath a large 13 x 20 photograph (32.5 cm x 50 cm). The image shows the Pope in a full length pose, standing, wearing his Papal white habit. The Pope´s blessing states `Al diletto figlio Conte Guido Morlani, e alla sua consorte, impartiamo di cuore la benedizione apostolica.´, also dated in his hand `Dal Vaticano 10th December 1915´.  A good bold black ink autograph manuscript. Extremely small minor age wear with very few small stains to the matted edge, otherwise VG   

PIUS XII: (1876-1958) Pope of the Roman Catholic Church 1939-58. An excellent manuscript Apostolic blessing in the hand of Pope Pius XII, signed `Pius PP. XII´, beneath a large 13.5 x 18.5 photograph (33.5 cm x 47 cm). The image shows the Pope in a head and shoulders profile pose, wearing his Papal habit. The Pope´s blessing states `Alla diletta figlia Fernania Ojetti imprtiamo di cuore, come pegno di abondante grazie celesti, la Nostra Apostolica Benedizione´, also dated in his hand `Dal Vaticano, 2nd February 1941´. The photograph bears to the bottom matted border an attractive blind embossed Papal seal. Extremely small minor creases, otherwise VG   

Matisse on the Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence MATISSE HENRI: (1869-1954) French Artist. An important typed manuscript, with extensive manuscript additions by Matisse, unsigned, one page, folio, n.p. (Vence), n.d. (c.1950), in French. The typed manuscript, evidently prepared by a journalist following an interview with the artist, is entitled An Hour with Matisse, and provides details of Matisse's work at the Chapelle du Rosaire de Vence as it reaches its final stages of decoration, explaining that the eminent architect Auguste Perret has supervised the project, and that Matisse's studio is currently a replica of the chapel's interior with a huge amount of drawings affixed to the walls, many in yellow, green and blue, representing the colours to be used in the stained glass, further describing the position of the altar, the white marble floor, and the black and white ceramic tiles which Matisse is creating. The manuscript continues with several questions posed to Matisse, which he responds to in his own hand, explaining that the square ceramic tiles are to be decorated in black and white in order to strike a balance with the colours of the stained glass, and expressing his view that the hardest challenge in building and decorating the chapel was to fill a relatively small space with the monumental and expressive concept that he wished to achieve. Matisse also states that he has not felt the need to change his religious views in order to create the chapel, and that all of his life his work has been made with the religious feeling of the mystery of nature. Finally, the artist remarks that he has not had time to consider future projects as the chapel has not yet been completed. The final third of the page was originally part of a separate sheet and is now neatly affixed to the base of the primary sheet. VG    In 1941 Matisse, living in the south of France, developed cancer and underwent surgery. During his long recovery he was assisted by a young nurse, Monique Bourgeois, who also served as a model for several of the artist's drawings and paintings. In 1943 Bourgeois entered the Dominican convent in Vence and became Sister Jacques-Marie. In due time Matisse bought a house in Vence and remained in touch with the young nun. She told him of the plans the Dominicans had to build a chapel and sought Matisse's help with the design of the building. Matisse agreed and the project commenced in 1947. Over the next four years the artist worked on the chapel, its architecture, stained glass windows, interior furnishings, murals, and the priests' vestments. The chapel features three sets of stained glass windows which Matisse dedicated much of his time to. All three sets make use of just three colours: an intense yellow for the sun, an intense green for vegetation and cactus forms, and a vivid blue representing the Mediterranean Sea, the Riviera and the Madonna. For the walls Matisse designed three murals to be made by painting white tiles with black paint and then firing the large sections of tile. Although Matisse had been baptised a Catholic, he had not practised the religion for many years. The artist had never undertaken work of the kind before, and upon completion Matisse himself declared the chapel to be his 'masterpiece'.

RODIN AUGUSTE: (1840-1917) French Sculptor. D.S. twice, Augustin Rodin and Aug. Rodin, one page, oblong 8vo, on the 182 Rue de l´Université printed stationery, 3rd June 1909, in French. The manuscript document, entirely in Rodin´s hand, is a receipt for the sum of 23,000 francs received from Mr. Pulitzer as the final payment for one marble bust and a bronze bust. Rodin´s second signature and date are penned across an official French revenue stamp neatly affixed to the document. With blank integral leaf. A few minor, very neat excisions and one small hole in the upper left corner, otherwise VG    

`It is said that the Amazons used to burn their right breast… that it would prevent them from shooting with the bow´ ROUSSEAU JEAN-JACQUES: (1712-1778) French Writer and Philosopher. A very good and interesting content autograph manuscript, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d. [1745-46], in French. Rousseau writes a short text, being related to the history of women, stating in part `It is said that the Amazons used to burn their right breast since their very early youth, lest that it would prevent them from shooting with the bow. ´, further saying `However, this one seems to have both breasts, as well as all the others I have seen till now.´ This text was taken from Montfaucon´s work L´Antiquité Expliquée (1719-24). Page with watermark.Small overall minor age toning, with right and bottom edges irregularly trimmed. G   The present text corresponds to Rousseau´s work about the history of women, written between 1745 and 1751 for his benefactress Mrs Louise Marie Madeleine Dupin, and which would never be published. Rousseau worked as secretary of Madame Dupin at that time. Bernard de Montfaucon (1655-1741) French Benedictine Monk. A scholar who founded the discipline of palaeography and who edited works of the Fathers of the Church. He is regarded as one of the founders of the modern discipline of Archaeology. Montfaucon wrote L´antiquité Expliquée 1719-24. This lengthy work, in French and Latin, includes 15 volumes. This edition obtained great success, and the 1800 copies printed were sold in less than two months, something never seen till then for such kind of erudition and research works.

DUMAS ALEXANDRE: Fils (1824-1895) French Author and Dramatist. Autograph Manuscript, unsigned, two pages, folio, n.p., n.d. (watermark of 1857), in French. The substantial fragment of manuscript, with extensive corrections, is an unused portion of the comedy L'Ami des Femmes and represents dialogue between J[ane de Simerose] and de M[ontegre], the final version of which sees Jane passionately asking Montegre whether, if her husband has broken his word, that is a reason to break hers, in part, 'So long as I am to keep his name, I must respect it. Would she still be a wife who at my age had said to two men that she loved them, who belonging legally to one, should calmly give herself to the other, and whom each of the two would have this right to despise, for you would despise me in spite of yourself if I were to believe you, and already, to expect that I can believe you is to despise me - I am married, as you are - and you talk to me of love. Who do you take me for? To put me in a web of lies, terrors, insults, adulteries, to make me blush before another, before you, before myself, to lower myself in the esteem of others and my own - Never. Die if you have not the courage of duty - I do have - and I am alive'. Rare in this form. Some light overall creasing and minor age wear, G     The passage contained in the present manuscript fragment may have been a trial for part of Act IV. In the published play, Act I introduces de Royes, the 'friend' of the title, who claims to be an expert on women, and de Montegre, who has briefly met Jane two or three times before. She loved but is separated from her husband, who was unfaithful after a month of marriage, On meeting de Montegre again she wistfully thinks he might be someone she could trust and writes a note asking him to meet her 'tomorrow - I love you'. However, her husband turns up towards the end of Act III with adoption papers for a young orphan whom he hopes Jane will bring up with his support, and Jane is given pause. In Act IV she is followed by de Montegre to Paris, where she manages to evade him. On returning home she upbraids him for trailing her in secret rather than declaring himself openly, and refuses to trust him. At the end of Act V de Montegre arranges for Jane's note of assignation to be put in the hands of the husband, as if from Jane herself, de Royes 'expert' knowledge is confounded, and Jane and her husband are reconciled. The present manuscript fragment suggests an alternative which Dumas could not use, possibly because it seemed too final at this stage of the play.

Flaubert’s research notes for Salammbo FLAUBERT GUSTAVE: (1821-1880) French novelist. A significant autograph manuscript, unsigned, three pages, folio, n.p., n.d. (c.1857), in French. Flaubert's extensive manuscript notes are entitled Un repas de noces - Lettre d'Hyppolochus a Lincée('A wedding meal - Letter from Hyppolochus to Lincée') and were prepared by the novelist as research notes for chapter one ('The Feast') of his historical novel Salammbo. The text states, in part, (translated) 'Caranus making a nuptial feast in Macedonia invited twenty parasites there. As soon as they were seated at table each of them was given a bottle of silver. They had each received before entering the room a gold band estimated at five gold Ecus….. For us happy for the rest of our days, with what we took from the feast of Caranus, we seek goods, country houses, slaves to buy, with the presents with which he has showered us'. Rare in this form. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG     Hippolochus was a Macedonian writer and student of Theophrastus, who addressed in a letter to his fellow student Lynceus of Samos a description of a wedding feast in Macedon in the early 3rd century BC. The bridegroom was a certain Caranus, most likely a relative of the Caranus who had been a companion of Alexander the Great.  Flaubert's Salammbo is a historical novel which was published in 1862. Enormously popular in its day, the novel opens with a feast to celebrate the victory of the battle of Eryx, won against Rome, and was praised for its style and story. Provenance: It is believed that the present manuscript was originally included with a series of other research notes made by Flaubert, totaling some 26 pages, and entitled Letters of Alciphron. As well as including extracts relating to a wedding feast, the manuscript also featured observations relating to courtesans and the manners of the people of Greece (see Les Amis de Flaubert, bulletin 12, 1958).

APOLLINAIRE GUILLAUME: (1880-1918) French Poet, Playwright and Novelist. One of the forefathers of Surrealism, Apollinaire is credited with coining the word Surrealism. A good and unusual autograph manuscript page, two pages, 4to, n.p., [London], n.d., [1904-07], in French. Written to a book note cover, Apollinaire disorderly annotates upside down multiple thoughts, political and poetical ones, titles, or even loose sentences. Apollinaire states in part `La mort des sirenes´(`The death of mermaids´), `Je me réjouis parce que je ne sais rien… parce que j´ai le droit de ne plus rien croire..´(`I am delighted because I do not know anything… because it is my right not to believe anything anymore..´), `Avoir le courage de dire des mots sales´ (`To have the courage of saying dirty words´), `Il est évident qu´il n´y a pas de vide entre les astres…´ (`It is obvious that there is no empty space between the stars..´), `Masturbation.. civilisation.. couvents´ (`Masturbation.. civilisation.. convents´), `La littérature sofadique depuis la Révolution´, and to the verso `Que deviendra mon coeur parmi tous ses am..´ (`What will my heart become among all these..´). Uneven right edge. Very small overall minor staining and age wear. G   

SAINT-EXUPERY ANTOINE DE: (1900-1944) French Writer, Poet and pioneering Aviator. French aristocrat who became a laureate of several France's highest literary awards and is best remembered for his novella The Little Prince ('Le Petit Prince'), 1943, and for his lyrical aviation writings, including Night Flight (1931) and Wind, Sand and Stars (1939). Rare autograph manuscript by Saint-Exupery, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d., in French. Saint-Exupery, in his usual very difficult writing, seems to annotate twelve lengthy lines of his thoughts which could be a draft for one of his articles for the newspapers. The partially transcribed document states in part `It was simply a man´s house….and I was feeling as we were all friends.. But I was embarking in this deceiving drama… this room with the curtains closed..´ Overall age wear, mostly to edges with very small minor tears not affecting the text, otherwise G     Saint-Exupéry disappeared over the Mediterranean on a reconnaissance mission in July 1944, and is believed to have died at that time. Prior to the war, Saint-Exupéry had achieved fame in France as an aviator. His literary works - among them The Little Prince, translated into over 250 languages and dialects - posthumously boosted his stature to national hero status in France.

MOLNAR FERENC: (1878-1952) Hungarian-born author, stage director, dramatist & poet. An entertaining A.L.S., Ferenc Molnar, two pages, 4to, n.p. (New York), 29th May 1950, to Mr. Raeburn. Molnar sends his correspondent a story (no longer present) entitled Question Period for the book Adventure in Paris, remarking 'Its stilted, pompous language is the result of the mutual efforts of Mr. Mussey and myself. We wanted to create a slightly ridiculous, professorial, pseudo-scientific mood for this satirical piece' and further explaining that he will send 'the positively last' story this week, also commenting on a design for the dust jacket, 'In my modest opinion this design is only good if you print it without any changes, i.e. without polishing, prettifying, correcting the half-crazy, semi-idiotic, primitive, not to say pre-Raphaelitic, would-be-Chagall-Dali-Picasso-imitating surrealistic madhouse quality of it'. Molnar proceeds to write of a mutual friend ('the Actor') who he believes is still in Florida, and whom he misses for two reasons, '1. For having to do without his kind personality, his erudition, his good taste, his flawless English and mainly his good judgement unfortunately very often influenced by his good heart. 2. For not being able to meet you either telephonically or in person, both opportunities being seemingly dependent on the Actors presence in town', concluding 'Please forgive me for my English but I learned it from two Russian-born Broadway producers and from native Brooklyn waiters of some Sixth Avenue Delicatessen, not yet famed for their proficiency nay command of the King's modern American English'. In a postscript Molnar declares 'Just before licking the glue on the envelope the telephone rings and who phones but the Actor, and from New York! So please disregard the first sentence of paragraph 4 of the present letter, and be informed that the Actor just promised me to read and correct said manuscript with me today, Monday, 29 May, at Macario's, at noon sharp, while eating spaghetti without meat sauce'. The letter is written on brittle paper with age toning and some tears and small areas of paper loss at the edges. At one time the letter has also been split in two at the central horizontal fold and since re-joined to a good standard, the repairs only very slightly affecting the text. About G  Ben Raeburn (1911-1997) American publisher who owned Horizon Press from 1953-84. Raeburn was known for both his editing skills and his fine eye for design. June Barrows Mussey (1910-1985) American journalist and translator who wrote under the pen name Henry Hay. 

HOWARD ROBERT: (1626-1698) English playwright and politician who fought for the Royalist cause in the English Civil War. Manuscript D.S., Ro: Howard, one page, oblong 8vo, n.p., n.d. The document, comprising two lines of text, concerns a financial transaction, registered and payable, of 691957.11.4. Some very light, minor staining, otherwise VG   Howard served as Secretary to the Treasury 1671-73 and as Auditor of the Exchequer 1673-98.

BROWN JOHN: (1810-1882) Scottish physician and essayist known for his three-volume Horae Subsecivae (Leisure Hours, 1858) and his dog story Rab and his Friends (1859) as well as his essay Pet Marjorie (1863) on Marjorie Fleming, the ten-year-old prodigy and alleged 'pet' of Walter Scott. A.L.S., J Brown, two pages, 8vo, Rutland Street, Edinburgh, 1st March 1866, to a friend. Brown apologises for not having sent an enclosure (no longer present) earlier and remarks 'I don't know if you will think any of it worth printing', further referring to some manuscript verses and concluding 'Our best regards to you both, & mine to all unseen but not unloved friends about you'. VG   

STEVENSON ROBERT LOUIS: (1850-1894) Scottish novelist of Treasure Island (1883), Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886) and Kidnapped (1886). D.S., with his initials R.L.S., in pencil, one page, 8vo, n.p. (Apia, Samoa), n.d. (May 1891?). The partially printed manuscript document, completed in ink, is an invoice prepared for Stevenson by P. H. Krause, a butcher, for a leg of mutton, veal etc., totalling $7.62. Stevenson has approved the invoice, giving his instruction 'Please pay' and signing his initials beneath. The instruction and signature are lightly struck through in pencil, as indication that the transaction was completed, and the invoice is also marked as 'Paid' and signed by Krause. Some light overall age wear and minor staining, a few small holes, mainly to the upper part of the document, only very slightly affecting a few words and the date, and with one neat split to the right edge, G    

CAPEK KAREL: (1890-1938) Czech Writer & Playwright, best known for his science fiction works and the play R. U. R. (Rossum's Universal Robots, 1920) which introduced the word 'robot'. A brief A.L.S., Karel Capek, one page, 8vo, n.p., n.d., to an editor, in Czechoslovakian. Capek sends his correspondent a story and asks for his manuscript to be returned, if possible sooner rather than later. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, about VG   

Baudelaire incorporates a charming poem into his letter BAUDELAIRE CHARLES: (1821-1868) French Poet, a pioneering translator of Edgar Allan Poe. An excellent and rare autograph letter incorporating an autograph poem, unsigned, one page, 12mo, n.p., Tuesday 3rd November, n.y., in French. Baudelaire addresses a short message to an unidentified woman stating `Vous m´avez envoyé des vers sans papillon, permettez-moi de vous offrir des fleurs sans vers, et pour vous prouver que mon gout a su comprendre le votre, mettez-les ce soir à votre boutonniere.´, (`You sent me verses without a personal note, allow me to offer you flowers without verses, and to prove that my taste has understood yours, put them in your buttonhole this evening.´) At the base of the page Baudelaire states or entitles his poem `Pas toujours la Nature embellit la Beauté´, (`Not always Nature embellishes Beauty´), the Nature and the Beauty is a subject Baudelaire would write about more extensively, and beneath writes a four verse poem `…….C´est donc lui la beauté, car c´est moi la nature. - Si toujours la nature embellit la beauté….´ Autograph verses by Baudelaire are extremely rare and sought after, and this piece elegantly combines a letter and a poem, for which only this manuscript is known. With blank integral leaf. Small overall minor age wear, very small clipped corner to the upper left and very small tear to the bottom edge. G

ROSTAND EDMOND: (1868-1918) French Poet. Best known for his play Cyrano de Bergerac. A fine A.L.S. `Edmond Rostand´, one page, small 4to, Paris, 13th March 1913, in French. Rostand in his usual clean and attractive fountain pen ink writing, and referring to his correspondent as `My dear Poet´, states in part `I have received the manuscript with very beautiful verses that you have so kindly dedicated to me and I am sorry that I have not been able to thank you earlier. I am at this moment all the more overwhelmed with tasks and close to my departure..´ With blank integral leaf. Extremely small minor creasing to the borders, otherwise VG   

TAVARES-BASTOS ANTONIO DIAS: (1900-1960) Brazilian poet. Manuscript D.S., A. D. Tavares Bastos, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d., in French. Tavares-Bastos responds to a researcher's questionnaire entitled Enquete Mondiale ('World Enquiry') with their questions at the head of the page, '1. Were your literary beginnings happy or difficult? 2. Did a means of existence (a second profession or personal wealth) allow you to exist as a Man of Letters, or was it just income from your pen? 3. What book made you most famous? Which do you consider your masterpiece?' Tavares-Bastos provides his answers to the first two questions immediately beneath, explaining that his literary beginnings were difficult due to bad teachers and that he owes everything to his self-education, and further adding that unfortunately he had no personal fortune and that more than ever now literature does not generate enough income to feed a man. About EX    

GIDE ANDRE: (1869-1951) French Author, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1947. A good unpublished draft article manuscript by Gide related to the World War One foyer Franco-Belgian. A lengthy and interesting draft, two pages, to different sheets, folio, n.p., n.d., in French, including multiple corrections, amendments, slightly untidy, stating in part `I have had to end up going there to see by myself. Because beneficence is the school of mistrust..  Philanthropy has often only a distant connection with true charity. “We cannot please everybody” they respond to me when I transmit the complaints of some particularly mistreated refugees…´ further referring to the Franco-Belgian foyer and to the denounces related to the cloakrooms saying in part `..we have had a lot of trouble to persuade people that the Franco-Belgian foyer attends equally the French.. Nevertheless the complaints about the cloakrooms became lately so numerous that files were full. I know it is a scabrous matter, very difficult and irritating, this is why the assistance must work and fight against such kind of abuse..´ Overall age wear with trimmed edges. G    

Becquerel’s notes and scientific diagrams on Radioactivity BECQUEREL HENRI: (1852-1908) French physicist, the first person to discover evidence of radioactivity. Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1903. A good set of manuscript notes, scientific calculations and diagrams prepared by Becquerel, unsigned, two pages, oblong 4to, n.p., n.d., in French. The notes, presumably prepared by the physicist for a lecture, are headed Radioactivity, and form an extensive list of prompts, in part, 'Historical. 1st Observation 1896. 1st proof. Medal. Discharge of electrified bodies. Experiment on phosphorescent sulphides. General for uranium salts. Atomic property. Role of the air. Laws of loss. Exp. by Kelvin, Beattie and de Smolan, 1897. Rutherford 1899. Ionization. Saturation current, 1898. Thorium. M. Schmidt and M. Curie. Work of M. and Mme. Curie. Polonium. Radium. Debierne. Actinium. Radium spectrum. Magnetic deviation experiences. Giesel, Meyer and Schveider. H. B. Cliches. Concentration. Deviable and non-deviable rays'. To the foot of the first page appear various scientific calculations and in the left column of each page Becquerel has added eleven small pen sketches illustrating the deviations of Polonium. An interesting and rare scientific manuscript on the subject for which Becquerel is most famous, and in which he acknowledges the contributions made by his colleagues including Pierre and Marie Curie, Ernest Rutherford etc. VG    

DEBYE PETER: (1884-1966) Dutch-American Physicist, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, 1936. T.L.S., P. Debye, one page, 4to, Ithaca, New York, 30th October 1961, to Dr. Hans Muller, on the printed stationery of the Department of Chemistry at Cornell University, in German. Debye states that he thinks that he can find a manuscript for his correspondent, continuing 'My secretary tells me that she has kept some handwritten manuscripts', although adding 'But your address seems incomplete to me. Doesn't it include a street with a number? I will wait until I have received information from you on this point'. Two file holes to the left edge, not affecting the text or signature, VG    

SYNGE RICHARD L.M.: (1914-1994) British Biochemist, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, 1952. Manuscript D.S., R L M Synge, one page, 4to, Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeenshire, 27th April 1953. Synge responds to a researcher's questionnaire entitled World Inquiry, with their questions at the head of the page, 1. Were your scientific "debut" easy or difficult? 2. Did means of living (another profession or a private income) enable you to make yourself known in science? Or did you live solely through your work of laboratory? 3. What work (or what discovery) made yourself more famous? Synge provides his answers immediately beneath, '1. I suppose rather easy. 2. Lived nearly entirely from laboratory work. 3. Invention of partition chromatography with A. J. P. Martin, 1941'. Synge also suggests the researcher consults Les Prix Nobel en 1953 for further information and apologises for the delay in replying. Some very light, extremely minor foxing and a few small, neat tears to the edges, otherwise VG    

PRELOG VLADIMIR: (1906-1998) Croatian-Swiss Organic Chemist, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, 1975. Autograph Manuscript Signed, V. Prelog, two pages (feint squared graph paper), Copenhagen, 15th March 1972. Evidently originally part of a larger working scientific manuscript (with various corrections), perhaps for an essay or lecture, the text states, in part, 'Enantiomers differ only by the sign of their optical activity, whereas diastereoisomers, which can be optically active or inactive, differ also in other scalar properties…..All practically encountered cases of stereoisomerism could be interpreted by stereomodels, but the world of stereomodels itself has never been analyzed adequately. One of the reasons for that was the terrifying multiplicity of isomers and stereoisomers. Several times in the history of chemistry attempts have been made to find general algorithms…..The most famous contributions to mathematics are: the development of the theory of graphs called trees by Cayley, general enumeration theory by Polya, and recently the application of a neglected concept of group theory…..' Signed and dated by Prelog at the head of the first page. VG    

CUVIER GEORGES, BARON: (1769-1832), French Naturalist and Zoologist, known as “The founding father of Paleontology”. He was a major figure in the early 19th century in establishing fields of comparative anatomy and paleontology by comparing living creatures with fossils. His most famous work was Le Regne Animal , 1817, The Animal Kingdom, A.L.S., 'G.Cuvier', one page, 8vo, n.p., n.d., to Monsieur Dumond, Paris, in French. Cuvier states in part `..that the deliveries of the manuscript of the 8 th volume of the dictionary have been cancelled following last Monday's meeting …´ With address leaf. Very small minor age wear and creasing,  with minor tear to the upper left corner of the address leaf, otherwise G.   Cuvier's name is one of the 72 names inscribed on the Eiffel Tower

FABRE JEAN-HENRI: (1823-1915) French Entomologist and Naturalist. A precursor of Ethology and well-known Author for the lively style of his popular books on the lives of insects. A good manuscript signed `J.H. Fabre´, three pages, 4to, n.p., n.d., in French. The lengthy and small writing manuscript is entitled `Les Alizés´ (”The Trade Winds”). This article was published in the scientific magazine Science Elementaire, the work was entitled `Le Ciel´ (“The Sky”), edited in 1867 and re-printed more than ten times until 1920. G to VG    

PEIXOTO JULIO AFRANIO: (1876-1947) Brazilian physician, writer, politician & historian. Manuscript D.S., Afranio Peixoto, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d., in French. Peixoto responds to a researcher's questionnaire entitled Enquete Internationale ('International Enquiry') with their questions at the head of the page, '1. Were your literary beginnings happy or difficult? 2. Did a means of existence (a second profession or personal wealth) allow you to exist as a Man of Letters, or was it just income from your pen? 3. What book made you most famous? Which do you consider your masterpiece?' Peixoto provides his answers to the three questions immediately beneath, stating that his literary beginnings were scandalous as when he was eighteen he wrote a symbolic tragedy in five acts which was printed in Leipzig in various colours (orange, red, blue, violet and black) and which caused a literary madness amongst the young students who followed his work, explaining that he was employed as a university professor, and was also involved in politics, adding that literature in Brazil is sumptuary, and remarking that his first novel, Le Sphinx, was published in many editions and that Bugrinha, which was translated into French, gave him most pleasure. Some very light, extremely minor age wear and one very small tear to the right edge, VG    

‘It looks suspiciously like witchcraft’ EINSTEIN ALBERT: (1879-1955) German-born Theoretical Physicist, Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1921. A.L., unsigned (and seemingly incomplete), two pages, 4to, n.p., n.d. (c.1945-50), to [Ernst Gabor] Straus, in German. Einstein announces ‘I am glad that you were able to confirm the negative result regarding the divergence identity’ and continues ‘Now the point is that you gain confidence in terms of the usefulness, or uselessness, of the particular approach [formula] If it turns out that this does not work, we should return to the series expansion in powers of [formula], of which I wrote to you earlier, with the restriction to the terms that I gave at the time. This is safe, and it must be shown whether those terms have alternating signs. I then know – if this proves to be true, how we can try an approximate solution for the whole area which we can then further examine’, further stating ‘But today I am writing about another matter, namely a proof for the inequality of adjunction of the equation Ts=0. It looks suspiciously like witchcraft: but there is – as far as I can see at the moment, not a fault in it. I ask you for a critical re-examination, because it is so easy to shoot a buck, especially when a long calculation is included. It is again a matter of proving identities, in a way that I have tried several times without success’. At the foot of the first page Einstein has neatly penned several lines of scientific formulae and to the complete right half of the verso the physicist has meticulously written out over ten lines of other calculations and equations headed Geodatische Linie (‘Geodesic Lines’). A letter of good content and interesting association, enhanced and made all the more desirable by Einstein’s extensive manuscript formulae. About EX Ernst Gabor Straus (1922-1983) German-American mathematician of Jewish origin who helped found the theories of Euclidean Ramsey theory and of the arithmetic properties of analytic functions. Straus worked as an assistant to Einstein and collaborated with him on his early work on relativity.

PASTEUR LOUIS: (1822-1895) French chemist and microbiologist. A good autograph manuscript in the hand of Pasteur, unsigned, eight pages, 8vo, Lille, n.d. (c.1855), on the printed stationery of the Science Faculty at the Douai Academy, in French. The manuscript, with extensive corrections and deletions, is the draft of an important address Pasteur delivered to the Academic Council of the North as first Dean of the new Faculty of Sciences at Lille, regarding the reform of secondary education which had been imposed by the Fortoul ministry to ensure the equality of scientific and literary fields, stating, in part, 'In the almost unanimous tendency of the Council to blame the new study plan or at least to desire substantial modifications, I ask to make a few observations and to submit a few reservations. I can hardly believe that its legislators, acting at the start of a new reign, under the circumstances that everyone knows, in the middle of a century which scientific discoveries have transformed and will mark in the following ages of a ineffaceable sign, I can hardly believe I say that the legislators of the new study plan under the inspiration of a great politician, only have in view the more or less advanced science of the student who leaves the benches of college and its relative strength in an exam. They probably thought more of the man than of the child, of society than of college, of the century and its tendencies than of examination. And yet the method has been placed above the man, and the evaluation of the teaching staff has weakened since the application of the study plan', Pasteur continuing to enumerate the causes of this weakness, '1. The creation of departmental academies suddenly removed a number of distinguished professors. 2. The creation of many new faculties has led to the same result. 3. The modifications which obliged the pupils of the Normal School to have a two-year internship before undergoing the tests of the aggregation ... have seriously prejudiced a good recruitment of this School. 4. The number of professors has suddenly increased greatly in the field of science. We had to take very inexperienced teachers…..so the best teachers came out of high schools and colleges, even though we introduced the study of mechanics, cosmography, botany, zoology, and that for needs of the service, the history teachers were forced to teach logic or grammar, the professor of philosophy, rhetoric, and professor of mathematics, physics or natural history…..Conferences imposed on masters absorbed their leisure, and exhausted their zeal. Finally, what imperiously demanded the talent and experience of the masters was the study plan itself. One of the characteristics of this system is the sequence of successive studies, the solidarity of the teachings of the various teachers. From there these programs stopped imposed, down to the smallest details. But what is the use of indicating subjects without the in-depth knowledge of the science they are dealing with. How to choose when you don't have the taste for form. Who does not know that the summaries that new programs assume want more skilled teachers and require facts and theories. It is enough to cast eyes on the famous instruction of November 1854 to be convinced…..that the real reforms to be made must apply today to the teaching staff, and that what should attract above all the attention of the authority is the higher normal school and in general the recruitment of teaching staff....' VG    In 1854, Pasteur was named Dean of the new faculty of sciences at the University of Lille, where he began his studies on fermentation. It was on this occasion that Pasteur uttered his oft-quoted remark 'dans les champs de l'observation, le hasard ne favorise que les esprits prepares' ('in the field of observation, chance favours only the prepared mind').

TEUFEL ERASMUS VON: (c.1480-1552) Baron de Gundersdorf. Austrian General in the service of Emperor Ferdinand I of Habsburg who was present at the first siege of Vienna by the Turks and the Battle of Plastovcu in 1552. At the latter he was captured by Suleiman the Magnificent's forces and executed, apparently by being thrown to sea. An extremely rare D.S., Eras Teufel, one page, folio, n.p., 6th April 1546. The boldly penned manuscript document, in an unidentified hand and untranslated language, is signed by Teufel at the foot and apparently originated from the collection of the 19th century German philographer Carl Kunzel (1808-1877). Some light overall age wear and a few small, minor tears, creases and areas of paper loss to the edges, otherwise VG    

GORDON CHARLES GEORGE: (1833-1885) British Army officer and administrator, known as Chinese Gordon. Manuscript notes, unsigned, one page, 8vo, n.p. (Labore, Sudan), n.d. (4th July 1876). The page of notes are a summary of a letter written to Romolo Gessi and state, in part, '1. Engineer Dept & you to be paid monthly. 2. Egyptian Employer's after the order from Cairo. 3. Your nomination as Vakul (?) with all the attributes of Ali…..only see all money letters are signed by me after you'. The notes continue to refer to the purchase of horses, the hiring of a stable, the cost of food, tin water cans etc. and also include a table chart drawn by Gordon with several columns, one headed Already sent up and another To be sent. With a large area of paper loss to the lower left quarter, affecting a number of the sentences, and with some ink blotting, light creasing and age wear. Only FR    Romolo Gessi (1831-1881) Gessi Pasha. Italian soldier, governor in the Turkish-Egyptian administration and explorer of north-east Africa. In 1876, while serving under Gordon in the Turkish Sudan, Gessi explored the course of the White Nile in the area of Bahr El Jebel and mapped its descent from Lake Albert. Gordon regarded Gessi, perhaps unfairly, as merely a brilliant mercenary.

KELLERMANN FRANÇOIS CHRISTOPHE: (1735-1820) Marshal of France, Duc de Valmy. An excellent Autograph Manuscript Signed twice by Marshal Kellerman, to the heading `François Christophe de Kellermann, Duc de Valmy, Marechal et Pair de France´, and at the base of the autograph document `Le Marechal de Kellermann, Duc de Valmy, Pair de France´, one page, 4to, Luneville, 9th July 1818, in French. The document bears two attractive ink stamps and one blind embossed seal, and at the base a red wax seal in good condition. Kellermann grants a power of attorney to his secretary Mr. Beraud, stating that he is residing in Paris at the Rue St. Dominique, and authorizing him to receive the payment of dividends on his behalf. The document bears a watermark. VG  

[NAPOLEON BONAPARTE - THE LITTLE KNOWN FIRST WILL OF THE EMPEROR]: BERTRAND HENRI GATIEN (1773-1844) French General. Count Bertrand and Grand Marshal of the Palace. Bertrand was aide-de-camp to Napoleon I and the closest officer to the Emperor, who had full confidence in him. He served during the expedition to Egypt and the Battles of Austerlitz, Wagram, Leipzig and Waterloo and accompanied Napoleon I to Elba in 1814 and to St. Helena in 1815. Bertrand was condemned to death in 1816 but did not return to France until Napoleon´s death when King Louis XVIII granted his amnesty. In 1840 Bertrand went to St. Helena to bring Napoleon´s remains to France. An extremely rare and interesting Autograph Manuscript signed `C[om]te Bertrand´, two pages, 4to, Longwood, St. Helena, 2nd August 1819 and 12th December 1820, in French. Bertrand, the closest General to Napoleon in his last years, copies in full the letter he received from Napoleon I in 1819 with the Emperor´s first draft of his Last Will and Testament (predating his ultimate Will of 1821) and his instructions regarding his belongings. The autograph manuscript states, in part, loyally copying Napoleon´s letter, `My dear B[ertran]d, I send to you my codicil written in my hand in order that after my death you could claim everything that belongs to me here at St. Helene. You will dispose of it as follows. You will give half of my diamonds to Madame Bertrand and the other half to Madame de Montholon…´ Napoleon further asks Bertrand to give differing amounts of money to various individuals including Montholon, Marchand, St. Denis, Bertrand (receiving the greatest amount) and a few others, all of them the closest allies to Napoleon in his final years. The Emperor further states `You will keep my silverware, my weapons, my porcelain, my books…..for my son…´ further instructing `I will give you a letter this evening…with my instructions for the fund investment of a sum of 6.000.000, keep all this in order to be able to return them to me if it is convenient to me.´ Bertrand adds`2nd August Signed Nap. Written to the envelope To Count Bertrand, my grand Marshal…. Attached to a parcel stamped with 2 seals with coat of arms of the Emperor with the written text This is my will, written in my handsigned Napoleon…´ Marshal Bertrand adds`The Emperor gave me in the evening a parcel…. on which was written.. Bertrand will keep at my disposal or will open after my death.´ To the second page Bertrand adds an annotation, dated 12th December 1820, giving some more details about the instructions received from the Emperor. An extremely interesting historical document in the hand of Napoleon´s closest General in his last years at St Helena. Very small overall minor age wear with one crease to bottom left corner, otherwise VG     The original copy of this first draft of Napoleon's Last Will and Testament was burned, together with other documents, by Bertrand and Marchand in the afternoon of 19th April 1821 following Napoleon´s orders as his final, and more commonly quoted, Last Will and Testament had been completed. Charles Tristan, Marquis de Montholon (1783-1853) French General during the Napoleonic Wars. He chose to go into exile on St. Helena with Napoleon I after the Emperor´s second abdication. Louis Joseph Narcisse Marchand (1791-1876) Count of the first Empire. Marchand was "Valet de chambre"of the Emperor, also during his captivity in St. Helena. Alongside Bertrand and Montholon, he was one of the three executors of Napoleon's Last Will and Testament. Louis Etienne Saint-Denis (1788-1856) called by Napoleon Mameluke Ali his "French-born servant". Napoleon required him to dress in the style of the Mamelukes. Saint-Denis went to Russia with Napoleon, joined Napoleon on Elba, returned to France for the "Hundred Days," and accompanied Napoleon into exile on St. Helena, where he served as second valet and as Napoleon's librarian. Saint-Denis was born at Versailles, where his father served King Louis XVI as an overseer of the royal stables. The Mamelukes were the slave horsemen of the Ottoman Empire. They became the rulers of Egypt. Napoleon was impressed by the Mamelukes' courage and fighting skills. He formed a special Mameluke corps in the French army.

Important archive of letters regarding Napoleon’s last wishes [NAPOLEON] BERTRAND HENRI GATIEN & MONTHOLON CHARLES TRISTAN: An exceptional archive of seven letters of historical content, being original manuscript copies of the letters written to Empress Marie Louise of Austria and to Prince Metternich, in Vienna, by Generals Bertrand and Montholon in their capacity as executors of Napoleon´s will. All the letters are written in the months following Napoleon´s death at Saint Helena and report on the Emperor´s last will and his last instructions to his loyal Generals. The archive comprises one A.L., by Montholon, two pages, folio, London, 7th July 1821, to Empress Marie Louise; one A.L.S. by Bertrand `Le C.te Bertrand´, also signed by Montholon `Le Cte de Montholon´, one page, 4to, Paris, 10th February 1822, to Empress Marie Louise; one L.S. by Bertrand, two pages, folio, 12th May 1822, to Empress Marie Louise; one A.L., by General Bertrand, two pages, folio, to Prince Metternich; one A.L., by General Bertrand, one page, folio, Paris, 16th May 1822, to Empress Marie Louise; one A.L., by General Bertrand, two pages, folio, Paris, 18th May 1822, to Empress Marie Louise; and one A.L., by General Bertrand, three pages, Paris 18th May 1822, to Prince Metternich, also adding at the base of the letter an eight lines autograph note, dated Paris, 24th May 1822, addressed to an Ambassador. Henri Gatien Bertrand (1773-1844) French General. Count Bertrand and Grand Marshal of the Palace. Bertrand was aide-de-camp to Napoleon I and the closest officer to the Emperor who had full confidence in him. He served during the expedition to Egypt and the Battles of Austerlitz, Wagram, Leipzig and Waterloo and accompanied Napoleon I to Elba in 1814 and to Saint Helena in 1815. Bertrand was condemned to death in 1816 but did not return to France until Napoleon´s death when King Louis XVIII granted his amnesty. In 1840 Bertrand went to Saint Helena to bring Napoleon´s remains to France; & Charles Tristan, Marquis de Montholon (1783-1853) French General during the Napoleonic Wars. He chose to go into exile on Saint Helena with Napoleon I after the Emperor´s second abdication. Napoleon dictated to Montholon the notes on his career, a trustworthy commentary on the events of the first part of his life. 1-To the first letter in the hand of Montholon, he states in part `Doctor Antommarchi qui aura l´honneur de remettre cette letter à V.M. a soigné l´Empereur V. auguste époux dans la maladie à laquelle il a succombé. Dans les derniers moments l´Empereur nous a chargé de faire connaitre a V.M. qu´il la priait de faire payer Mr. Antommarchi une pension de 6000 fr comme recompense de ses services a St. Hélene´ (“Doctor Antommarchi who will have the honour to deliver this letter to Y.M. has looked after the Emperor Y. August husband in the disease to which he succumbed. In his last moments the Emperor asked us to inform Y.M., asking you to make pay to Mr. Antommarchi a pension of 6000 fr as a reward for his services to St. Helene.”) further referring to another pension in favour of Abbot Vignali. 2-To the autograph letter signed by Bertrand and also signed by Montholon, they state in part `Madame, Chargés par l´Empereur Napoleon de l´Execution de ses dernieres volontés. Nous avons l´honneur de vous transmettre un extrait de ses dernieres dispositions. Jusqu´à present nous n´avons pas pu en donner commission a Votre Majesté, parce que nous n´avions pas de moyen certain de lui faire parvenir une lettre. Nous sommes chargés de remettre au Prince votre fils à Sa majorité divers objets qui ont été à l´Empereur.´ (“Madam, Charged by the Emperor Napoleon with the task of Execution of his last will, we have the honour to send you an extract of his last provisions. So far we have not been able to give these letters to Your Majesty, because we did not have a secure way to do so. We are responsible for handing over to the Prince your son when he will become adult various objects of the Emperor.”) 3-To the third letter, Bertrand explains few important matters to the Empress, stating in part `D´apres le Code Civil des Lois Françaises, un pere ne peut disposer que de la moitié de ses biens lorsqu´en mourant il laisse un fils; mais ces lois qui régissent les particuliers, ne furent point applicables au Souverain don't les domaines étaient gouvernés par des lois spéciales. Ce n´est pas a la Veuve et au fils de l´Empereur Napoleon qu´il est nécessaire de dire que pour avoir perdu son trone il n´était pas cependant devenu un simple particulier; il y a dans la pourpre et dans l´onction sainte et sacrée, des caractères qui ne s´éffacent jamais´ (“According to the Civil Code of French Laws, a father can only dispose of half of his property when he dies and leaves a son; but these laws which govern individuals, were not applicable to the Sovereign since the domains were governed by special laws. It is not to the Widow and to the son of the Emperor Napoleon that it is necessary to say that for having lost his throne he had not, however, become a private individual; there are in the purple and in the holy and sacred unction, characters that never fade”) further pointing out the real situation and value of the legacy, stating in part `V.M. pensera sans doute comme feu l´Empereur son époux qu´après avoir commandé à l´univers et dispose de tant de trésors, ce n´était pas un heritage de quelques millions, qui fut bien précieux pour son fils… Supplier V.M. d´observer que la somme que feu l´Empereur a légué excedent beaucoup celles qui se trouvent disponibles..´ (“Y.M. will undoubtedly think like the late Emperor Your husband that after having commanded the universe and having obtained so many treasures, it was not an inheritance of a few million, which was very precious for his son… We beg you to observe that the sum that the late Emperor bequeathed greatly exceeds what is available…”) 4-To the fourth letter, Bertrand kindly requests Prince Metternich´s help to deliver a letter to the Empress and expects his support to facilitate the execution of Napoleon´s will. 5-To the fifth letter, Bertrand states `Le plus illustre des captifs don't l´histoire puisse jamais faire mention, le genie immortel qui joignit a la gloire d´imposer silence a l´Europe pendant un quart de siècle….. exprima dans les derniers jours de sa vie le désir que sa dépouille mortelle fut transportée dans un coin de la France; Ses exécuteurs testamentaires avant de quitter Londres addresserent au Roi Georges IV une requête a l´effet d´obtenir l´accomplissement de ces voeux de feu L´empereur Napoleon…´ (“The most illustrious of the captives that history can ever mention, the immortal genius who joined the glory of imposing silence on Europe for a quarter of a century… expressed in the last days of his life the desire that his remains were taken to France; His will executors before leaving London addressed to King George IV a request for the fulfilment of these wishes of the late Emperor Napoleon...”)   An exceptional archive of extremely interesting documents with historical content. Attractively folio quarter bound in decorative green and black boards, with gilt title ('Succession de Napoleon I') to the spine and preliminary blanks. VG  OWING TO RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE SALEROOM WE ARE UNABLE TO PUBLISH THE COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THIS LOT. PLEASE REFER TO IAA EUROPE S.L. FOR MORE INFORMATION

 Napoleon reflects on his main steps to power whilst planning his memoirs NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. A remarkable Autograph Manuscript, unsigned, one page, folio, n.p. (Saint Helena; the paper featuring a watermark incorporating an image of Boadicea in her war chariot), n.d. (1815-21), in pencil. The manuscript represents Napoleon’s initial working draft for his proposed memoirs, listing a table of contents of thirteen chapters (the last of which is left blank) and seemingly drawn up in haste, the handwriting difficult to decipher in places and with several deletions and corrections, in part, ‘chap. 1 18 brumaire ch 2 General sense….action of the government .....1800….ch 3 tasks of the legislative body 1800 1801 ch 4 finances 1800 1801 ch 5 war of Vendée1800 and 1801 ch 6 defence ch 7 armies…..ch 8 preli[minaries] of St Julien ch 9 Holland ch…..Italy ch 10….ch 11 negoc[iations] of 1800-1801 Lunéville, Amiens…..Return of peace ch 12 Revolt of the populations. Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Genoa ch 13….’. Autograph material of Napoleon is extremely rare in any form, particularly so from Saint Helena, and the present document (most likely prepared at Longwood House as he dictated his memoirs to Emmanuel, Comte de Las Cases) is of particular historical interest as Napoleon seemingly dismisses the early years of his life for his memoirs and instead concentrates on a decisive period of three years in which he rose from being First Consul to Emperor. Some light overall age wear and a few small, minor tears to the edges, otherwise VG