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[CHRISTIE JOHN REGINALD]: (1899-1953) English Serial killer of the 1940s & 1950s, his victims including at least eight females, amongst them his wife Ethel, whom he strangled at his flat at 10 Rillington Place, Notting Hill, London. Christie was arrested, convicted and hanged in 1953. An historically important Autograph Manuscript, unsigned, seven pages, folio, Pentonville Prison, 8th July 1953, being the holograph pencil notes made by Detective Chief Inspector George J. Woolcott while present at an interview with John Reginald Christie, conducted as part of an official Private Inquiry by John Scott Henderson QC into the conviction of Timothy Evans, a tenant at 10 Rillington Place. Woolcott heads his manuscript 'Interview between Mr. G. Blackburn and Prisoner, J. W. H. Christie, at Pentonville Prison between 6.30pm and 8pm on Wednesday, 8th July 1953' and notes that the Prison Governor and Chief Officer of the Prison were also present along with himself and [George] Blackburn (Assistant Chief Constable of West Riding, Head of C.I.D. 1939-48), and adds the following introduction, 'Mr. Blackburn opened the interview by telling Christie that he was enquiring into the Evans case and gave him clearly to understand that no matter what he might say in reply to any question, he, Mr. Blackburn, could offer Christie no hope whatever of any favour being shown to him in any way or suggest anything whatever to interfere with the course of justice.' Woolcott's manuscript continues Replies to Questions and what follows are comprehensive notes on the responses that Christie provided, in part, 'It was not easy for me to walk up and down stairs at the time of the Evans' murders…..Evans went on the bus with me; he went to Paddington.…..I went up to Evans' flat with Chief Inspector Jennings and Inspector Black. They will tell you the state I was in. We didn't know Mrs. Evans a great deal. My wife looked after their kiddie. We never went out with them. We were just amiable. We wanted to help them in any way we could. She was taking pills and things. I recall quite clearly giving her sound advice. As we knew her she was looking half like a skeleton. My wife knew what was wrong with her. She was too far gone (pregnant). It was a waste of time taking pills. When we chatted our persuasion was more emphatic than we wanted it to be. We made it sound as dangerous and as bad as we could to make her pack up taking the stuff. After Evans had the fight upstairs they were going to separate but the Probation Officer has a talk to them. My wife said that if there was any controversy about the baby she wanted to adopt it and she offered to adopt it legally. She was told that Evans' mother was going to take the baby. I had no ill feeling against Evans. I knew bits behind the scenes about him. I just didn't like to be seen with him. He wasn't my type. Once he brought home three gold wristlet watches and said he was selling them for a sailor friend. He asked me to buy one. Then he told me a café proprietor had offered him a bag of sugar to sell if the price was fair. I knew he was working for a baker and it was to come from the shop, but the proprietor was not a man who would sell sugar…..' continuing 'How he came to live at Rillington Place - We had rooms and were looking for a flat. We found this flat…..The Evans never interfered with us and we weren't inclined to make them our friends. They got wed because of their baby. He got some furniture and if we could help them we did. Some people in our street told me he had been hitting her. His mother caught him once hitting her in some mews and gave him a hiding for hitting her. Evans lived there about 18 months while we were there. We went there in 1937. Evans was not there when war broke out. Their first baby was a girl, Geraldine. She was 14 months old. I don't recollect anyone teaching it to walk. I don't think it was capable. It could only say the usual "dad, dad". I wouldn't know when a child should talk, we never had any children. I never heard it talk. Mrs Evans was not working all the time she was there, she gave up just after they came because of the baby. My wife told me after the baby was born that Mrs Evans wanted to go to work but she couldn't go out and look after the baby. My wife promised to look after the baby. She looked after it for over three weeks, then his mother, Mrs Probert, or his sister looked after it. She didn't get any payment. I think she had the idea that she would adopt it later. I don't know if Mrs Evans was working right to the end. They used to bring the baby down on their way out and call for it when they came in. We could here it downstairs when it was crying. They used to leave it upstairs if they hadn't gone out for long. They left their doors open and if it cried my wife went up with my torch and saw to it. I never fed it. I should be too scared to feed a baby. We went up to their flat once or twice. When they distempered the walls they asked us to go up and see it. They had only been there about a week then. There was no necessity to go up otherwise. I don't know if I went up after that, I'm not certain. I had no quarrels with Evans, he showed respect for me. He always called me "Mr". They should have been grateful to me. They had nothing against me. She told me he didn't know she was taking the pills etc. That was a few days after our talk to him and her. He told me that he didn't know that she was taking them. All these things you have talked about have been drummed into me time and time again, and not so kind as you are with it. My solicitors and legal advisers have been very severe with me. I can't say why I can't remember whether I killed Mrs Evans or not……can't remember what happened in 1949 but what's more surprising still I can remember my school days quite well. If I could remember I would tell you. Next Wednesday is not far away so what does it matter. When I am upset I always go off my food. I was off food for thirteen days at once last year. I feel certain I didn't see Inspector Black after the Evans case. He told me if I wanted anything I could write to him. I don't think I got the sack from the Post Office because of what was said in the Evans case. I was away ill, then I went back and something cropped up. Two of their investigating officers came and spoke to me and escorted me to the door. No one pointed the finger at me after the Evans' case, on the contrary, they were always willing to help. My wife and I were very happy until the blacks bought a house. When I was in the witness box Counsel suggested I knew more than I was saying. He suggested that I killed Mrs Evans and her baby, I still say, and I am not emphatic, that I did not kill the baby. The solicitors have been harder on me than you to try and jog my memory. They have been vigorous with me but no matter what anyone says I am sure I didn't kill the baby. I know you want to know the truth, so do I. I still stick to what I have said about my wife when she died. When Counsel suggested that I killed Mrs Evans and her baby the Judge pulled him up. No one does something wrong admits it at first. If it can be said without doubt that I am responsible for something I would accept it, if the opposite with medical evidence etc. I accept that. I was not down and out when the police found me. I have been in the police myself. They have to put the frills on. There is something else you don't know. There were three policemen at Putney, not one. Two were sure I was not Christie and said "Let him go", but nothing was said about that. I remember Chief Inspector Griffin at Notting Hill. I made a statement to him, but I can't remember and I didn't know that I had a medical exam when I first went to Brixton on remand. When I was at Putney and they asked questions I didn't know what they were saying. I asked them to tell me something. They said they had found three bodies in the kitchen. I said if that's the case I must have done it. There was very little in my statement apart from promptings. Police and solicitors said it would be a miracle if there were two stranglers in one house. It pointed it was me. No one has suggested to me that I killed Mrs Evans. There were two stranglers in the house because someone killed the baby I know I didn't do it. There is a similarity. Evans case was four and a half years ago, then there's the same now. My solicitor mentioned the similarity of the cases. They questioned me about all sorts of murders. They asked me if I was at Windsor. You remember the little girl that was strangled at Windsor but there, mine were all adults. I am not certain whether the story I told at my trial was true. I am certain there was phenol-barbitone with my wife. I am certain and stick to it regardless of the laboratory. My mind has worked over and over for months. They talked to me and I get a picture in my mind and I believe it has happened, then I develop another picture and I believe that. I volunteered to be hypnotized and accept the truth drug. Do you think I would do this if I wasn't telling the truth? I know the effects of gas poisoning, I got some when a 15 inch gas main was hit with a bomb in Harrow Road during the war. It doesn't take long for people to be overcome. I can't say why I was not overcome and Mrs Evans was. If I used the gas tube in the same way on those three, I wouldn't get gassed. I wouldn't discuss my case with other prisoners in Brixton. I talked to two people. One was Sir George Miller who got three years. We talked about photography. He was an amateur photographer, so was I, I was keen on it. Then there was that fellow, Haskain, he had fits. He told me why he left home and how the police told him not to worry. In my cell I start trying to think, then my mind wanders. I behave myself here, nothing worries me. I will try and think again and see if I can help myself and you by the time I see you tomorrow but it stands very clearly in my mind that I did not kill the baby. Thank you for being so kind to me.' Together with a folder containing various related letters and documents including a T.L.S. by George Blackburn, one page, 4to, Wakefield, 16th July 1953, to Woolcott, on the printed stationery of the County Chief Constable's office, West Riding Constabulary, thanking him for his assistance in the inquiry and referring to favourable letters of appreciation from Scott Henderson and the Home Secretary, David Maxwell Fife; a briefer set of pencil notes from the interview, in the hand of Woolcott, three pages, folio; a contemporary copy of the final typescript of the interview, presented to a second inquiry in 1965, along with a contemporary copy of Woolcott's signed statement given to the later inquiry, one page, folio, 29th November 1965, in part, 'I recall accompanying Mr. Blackburn when he interviewed Christie at Pentonville Prison. I refer to my handwritten note of the interview….I recall that I wrote out the head note before Mr. Blackburn commenced his questions. The replies are I am certain the actual replies made by Christie….Christie's attitude was that he was emphatic that he did not kill Geraldine Evans and the last sentence in the notes was in fact made by Christie after the interview had concluded and was not in answer to any question. I have no recollection of Mr. Blackburn commenting at the interview upon whether there was any evidence that Christie had killed the child. In fact I am certain that evidence available was never at any time mentioned either in the case of Mrs. Evans or the child….', a small number of T.Ls.S. from the office of The Treasury Solicitor regarding the Inquiry by Mr. Justice Brabin into the deaths of Beryl and Geraldine Evans, all to Woolcott, referring to his statement and asking him to appear before Brabin on 20th December 1965 at the Royal Courts of Justice, and in another letter returning Woolcott's original pencil notes. Also included are photocopies of the pages of Woolcott's personal scrapbook containing newspaper articles relating to the various cases he was involved in during his career from August 1929 - January 1958, covering his role in the 1953 Inquiry. G to VG, Sml Qty. A FASCINATING AND IMPORTANT MANUSCRIPT MOST LIKELY THE LAST PRIMARY EVIDENCE PROVIDED IN RELATION TO THE EVANS MURDERS BY CHRISTIE BEFORE HE WAS HANGED ON 15TH JULY 1953 Timothy John Evans (1924-1950) Welshman accused of murdering his wife and daughter at their residence at 10 Rillington Place, London in November 1949. In January 1950 Evans was tried and convicted of the murder of his daughter, and he was sentenced to death by hanging. During his trial, Evans had accused his neighbour John Reginald Christie of being responsible for the murders. Three years after Evans's trial, Christie was found to be a serial killer who had murdered a number of women at his property, including his wife, and this cast serious doubt on the safety of Evans's conviction. Because Christie's crimes raised doubts about Evans's guilt in the murders of his wife and daughter, the serving Home Secretary, David Maxwell Fyfe commissioned an inquiry to investigate the possibility of a miscarriage of justice. It was chaired by John Scott Henderson QC. The inquiry ran for one week and its findings upheld Evans's guilt in both murders with the explanation that Christie's confessions of murdering Beryl Evans were unreliable because they were made in the context of furthering his own defence that he was insane. The conclusion was met with scepticism by the press and the public alike: if Christie's confessions were unreliable, why should those of Evans be acceptable? The enquiry ignored vital evidence, and was biased to the prosecution case. The result of a prolonged campaign was that the Home Secretary, Frank Soskice, ordered a new inquiry chaired by High Court judge Sir Daniel Brabin in 1965-66. Brabin found it was "more probable than not" that Evans murdered his wife and that he did not murder his daughter. This was contrary to the prosecution case in Evans's trial, which held that both murders had been committed by the same person as a single transaction. The victims' bodies had been found together in the same location and had been murdered in the same way by strangulation. Despite his perverse conclusion, the Brabin enquiry exposed police malpractice during the Evans case, such as destruction of evidence. Since Evans had only been convicted of the murder of his daughter, Roy Jenkins, Soskice's successor as Home Secretary, recommended a Royal pardon for Evans, which was granted in October 1966. The case generated much controversy and is acknowledged as a major miscarriage of justice. It played a large part in the abolition of Capital Punishment in the United Kingdom.

KRAY REG: (1933-2000) English Gangster who, with his brother Ron, were the foremost perpetrators of organised crime in London during the 1950s & 60s. Group of five A.Ls.S., Dad, twelve pages (total), 4to, n.p. (various prisons including Nottingham), August - December (1991), all to Brad Lane. In the first letter Kray states that he and Brad's mother must get together to 'patch up our differences as the way it is it is no good to any of us….Your mother and I can sort out our differences easy enough with a bit of give and take both ways. I know this.', in further letters referring to money, telling Brad 'Don't ever doubt me', enquiring about a page of manuscript from a book about villains which he has mislaid etc., also including a further two A.Ls.S., Reg, five pages (total), 4to, 1st March 1991 & 26th June (1991), each to Kim, in the letters referring to various friends and business associates ('Terry went bankrupt'…..'I have no wish to see Rose….my visits are too precious'…..'Tell him he owes me a favour. don't trust him at all. He is dangerous and does not keep word….') etc. Five of the letters are accompanied by the original envelopes. Generally VG, 7

LOUIS XIV: (1638-1715) King of France 1643-1715. Fine D.S., Louis, as King, at the foot, one page (vellum), oblong folio, Versailles, 23rd May 1686. The manuscript document, in French, states, in part, that the King has been 'pleased with the exchange that the Seigneur of Maineuillette, Lieutenant in the regiment of the French Guards, has made of the Commanderie of Montauban, in the great priory of Languedoc in his possession, against the Commanderie of Laon, in the great priory of Bourgogne, owned by the Seigneur de St Alvar of the said regiment….' and awarding Seigneur de Maineuillette the Order of Notre Dame of Montcarmel and of St. Lazare of Jerusalem. Countersigned at the foot by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Marquis de Seignelay (1651-1690) French Politician, son of Jean-Baptiste Colbert. Some very light, minor age wear, VG

VILLIERS GEORGE: (1592-1628) 1st Duke of Buckingham. English Courtier, a favourite of King James I. Assassinated. A fine, excellent, large D.S., Buckingham, three pages, large folio (vellum, 34 x 28), 14th October 1663. The handsomely penned manuscript document is a tripartite Indenture relating to the sale by George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle of his properties at Boreham in Essex including Beaulieu Palace, a former residence of King Henry VIII (and, later, Oliver Cromwell). Signed by Buckingham at the foot and countersigned by Ranald Grahme (1605-1685, English Politician), Robert Clayton (1629-1707, British Merchant Banker, Politician & Lord Mayor of London) and George Lulls. With five braided tassles at the base, one bearing a good red wax seal of Buckingham, two with remnants of seals and two lacking the seals. The margins of the document have attractive decorations. Some wear and holes at the centre of a couple of the folds, otherwise about VG George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle (1608-1670) English Soldier & Politician, a key figure in the restoration of King Charles II.

TREASURY DOCUMENT: A manuscript document issued by the Lords of the Treasury, one page, folio, 21st March 1690, being a warrant for the payment of £455 to be made to William Dutton Colt, Envoy Extraordinary to the Princes of Brunswick, signed in the right margin by Sidney Godolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin (1645-1712, English Politician, Lord High Treasurer 1702-10), Richard Hampden (1631-1695, English Politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer 1690-94) and Stephen Fox (1627-1716, English Politician). Some light overall age wear and minor foxing, G

WALPOLE ROBERT: (1676-1745) British Prime Minister 1721-42. A good D.S., R Walpole, one page, folio, n.p., (Treasury Chambers), 27th May 1734. The manuscript document is a warrant ordering that a payment of £37.10.0 be made to Robert Smith, being one quarter of his annual salary for his position as Master of the Mechanicks to His Majesty. Signed by Walpole in the right margin and countersigned by William Clayton (1671-1752, British Politician, Lord Commissioner of the Treasury) and William Yonge (c.1693-1755, British Politician, Lord Commissioner of the Treasury). Further signed by the attorney Samuel Herring to the verso. A single bold ink line runs through the text, evidently an indication that the payment had been made. With detached integral leaf. Some very light, minor age wear to the edges, otherwise VG Robert Smith (1689-1768) English Mathematician.

BRITISH PRIME MINISTERS: A small 8vo piece neatly clipped from a manuscript Treasury Warrant, n.p., n.d., bearing the signatures of two British Prime Ministers, Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle (1693-1768, British Prime Minister 1754-56, 1757-62, signed Holles Newcastle) and Lord North (1732-1792) British Prime Minister 1770-82. Further signed by Henry Bilson-Legge (1708-1764, English Statesman, Chancellor of the Exchequer 1754-55, 1756-57 & 1757-61) and two others. The manuscript text to the verso makes a reference to the 'said Province of New Yo[rk]'. With four small printed title labels neatly affixed alongside the signatures. Some very light, minor age wear, otherwise VG

GRENVILLE WILLIAM: (1759-1834) 1st Baron Grenville. British Prime Minister 1806-07. D.S., Grenville, one page, 4to, Downing Street, 9th February 1799. The manuscript document is an invoice submitted and signed by Lord Robert Stephen FitzGerald, His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Copenhagen, seeking payment of £100 for stationery and postage from 5th April - 5th July 1798. Signed by Grenville at the foot, approving the bill. A small printed coat of arms of Grenville is neatly affixed at the base of the page. Some very light, minor age wear to the extreme edges, otherwise VG

AIREY RICHARD: (1803-1881) British General, Quartermaster General under Lord Raglan during the Crimean War. Airey issued the fateful order for the Charge of the Light Brigade. L.S., Richard Airey, one page, folio, Horse Guards, 27th August 1852, to Sir William Gomm. The manuscript letter is marked Duplicate at the head, and transmits a letter from Captain James Irving of the 1st Bengal Cavalry, by direction of the Commander-in-Chief, relating to an amount due to Irving 'for the value of a horse & gig by Captain Lambert of the 96th Regt.'. The following two pages of the letter bear a transcript of Irving's letter of 21st August 1852, in part, 'In January 1851 Capt. Lambert was marching through the station….in the Bengal Presidency where my Regiment the 1st Bengal Cavalry was stationed at that time. I was selling off my prospects with the intention of retiring from the service. Capt. Lambert came to my house and after trying some of my horses he purchased a New South Wales horse and a half panelled Gig for the sum of £120 or 1200 Rupees and promised to pay me on his arrival at the station of Lahore where his Regiment was located. He reached that station about 2 months after. I beg to state I have met Capt. Lambert's wishes in every way but he has evaded payment in such an ungentlemanly manner that I have thus forced to seek redress having left the service and consequently cannot afford to lose so large a sum.' Some small tears and minor areas of paper loss to the left edge, not affecting the text or signature, otherwise about VG Sir William Gomm (1784-1875) British Field Marshal.

VICTORIA: (1819-1901) Queen of the United Kingdom Great Britain & Ireland 1837-1901. Final page of a D.S., Appd. Victoria R. I., as Queen, at the conclusion, one page, folio (a large corner at the lower left of the page neatly torn away), War Office, January 1883. The manuscript document related to the Good Service Pensions of £100 awarded to five military officers including Colonel John Miller. Together with a bold ink signature ('Victoria R I', as Queen) on a piece neatly clipped from the head of a military commission, bearing a blind embossed blue paper seal, and also including a bold, dark ink signature of King George IV (1762-1830) King of the United Kingdom 1820-30, as King, on a piece neatly clipped from the head of a document. G to VG, 3

[EDWARD VII]: (1841-1910) King of the United Kingdom 1901-10. ALBERT PRINCE: (1819-1861) Prince Consort of the United Kingdom, husband of Queen Victoria. A rare D.S., Albert, on behalf of his son, the infant Prince of Wales, large oblong folio (vellum), Brighton, 5th March 1842. The manuscript document, issued in the name of Prince Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, Duke of Saxony, Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay etc., appoints James Robert Gardiner to be Auditor and Keeper of the Records of the Duchy of Cornwall and indicates that he will receive an annual salary of £400. Boldly signed by Prince Albert in dark ink at the foot. With a blind embossed paper seal affixed by a tag at the base and a good red wax seal affixed by a blue ribbon at the centre of the base and contained in a gold coloured case with the embossed Prince of Wales feathers. Some light age wear at the head of the document, otherwise VG

MELIES GEORGES: (1861-1939) French Film Director, a pioneer of cinema and innovator in the use of special effects. Rare D.S., G. Melies, one page, 4to, Paris, 20th April 1914, being a receipt issued on Melies' attractive printed stationery. The manuscript receipt, in French, is for the sum of 310 Francs, being the payment of royalties due from the sales, in New York, of some of Melies' films which are listed on a separate sheet and include Handsome Harry's Wooing, Rival Collectors and Batty Bill's Love Affair. Three file holes to the left edge of both documents, not affecting the text or signature. VG

The Oeconomy of Human Life translated from an old Indian Manuscript, London: T.Rickaby for S & E Harding 1795, 8vo, stipple engraved vignettes, slightly toned, full morocco

China - Manuscript. Chinese Military Formation. [Su Zhan Chen Diao Dui Heng Di Qi Su Hao Ling Tu Shuo], with 10 manuscript ink and colour drawings of military formations, 26 pp including text, red chops, some damp staining, yellow brocade silk covered boards, lettered on cover ‘Su Zhan Chen Tu’, all rather worn, sold not subject to return, 33.5 x 19.5cm. Provenance: Sotheby’s sale, circa 1985

After Holbein Three small 17th century bookplate portraits engravings, trimmed and mounted c.15 x 10cm; with three small engraved decorative panels and a publisher’s imprint; and two grey paper manuscript leaves of shaped outline, decorated with two verses in pen and ink from the old English Ballad ‘The Old House at Home’, adorned with fine watercolour vignettes, each 30 x 24cm

Two ‘Grand Tour’ travel journals, late19th century, the two oblong manuscript journals recording travels and artworks seen in Italy, illustrated with watercolours, prints, etc (2)

COBBETT (William) A Grammar of the English Language, 1819, 8vo, interleaved with a large number of annotations, notes and a manuscript index, title marked in ink below author’s name ‘to his son James aged 14, in Dec. 1817’, rebacked and recased preserving spine stripe; with - A Geographical Dictionary of England and Wales, 2nd edition 1854, worn cloth; and 2 others later on Cobbett (4)

A fine William and Mary small ebony table timepiece with silent-pull quarter repeat and alarm Willaim Cattell, London, circa 1690 The seven finned pillar single fusee movement with verge escapement, silent-pull quarter repeat on two bells and alarm sounding on the smaller of the two, the symmetrical foliate scroll engraved backplate signed William Cattell, Londini fecit to a central shaped cartouche beneath leafy spray engraved and pierced backcock apron, the 6 inch square gilt brass dial with silvered alarm disc and single winding hole to the matted centre within applied silvered Roman numeral chapter ring with stylised fleur-de-lys half hour markers and Arabic five minutes within the narrow outer track, the angles applied with gilt winged cherub head cast spandrels, the case with unusual gilt brass hinged carrying handle to the domed caddy surmount above complex top mouldings and foliate scroll pierced elongated lozenge shaped sound fret to the upper rail of the front door, the dial aperture with raised edge mouldings and with gilt cherub head and scroll cast escutcheon mounts to uprights, the sides with break-arch glazed side apertures, on conforming shallow skirt base with squab feet, 32cm (12.5ins) high. Provenance: The property of a private collector, formerly the property of Major Frederick Lord Aldersley Packman (1865-1944), a manuscript inventory of his collection included in the lot records the clock being gifted in February 1939, unfortunately the name of the individual who received the clock is indistinctly entered. William Cattell is recorded in Loomes, Brian The Early CLOCKMAKERS of Great Britain as apprenticed1664/5 to Edward Stanton and gaining his Freedom of the ClockmakersÕ Company in April 1672. He worked from Fleet Street and took his son, Thomas, as an apprentice in 1681. Loomes notes that William Cattell was not heard of later than 1687 and suggests that he died prior to 1697. The current lot is designed to sound the hours and quarters on two bells only on demand. This form of quarter repeat mechanism is thought to have been devised for night-time use in the bedroom; whilst striking clocks with quarter repeat facility were generally intended to be utilised downstairs during the day and upstairs at night. As a consequence silent-pull quarter repeating timepieces are rarer as the original owner have to have been extremely wealthy to afford a timepiece reserved exclusively for use in the bed chamber; especially one that was also fitted with an alarm mechanism. The current lot is extensively illustrated in ANTIQUARIAN HOROLOGY Volume 25 number 2 pages 202-3. These illustrations clearly show the repeat mechanism which is closely related to the system used by Joseph Knibb as described and illustrated in Allix, Charles and Harvey, Laurence HOBSONÕS CHOICE pages 36-7..

Mughal illuminated manuscript page , paper painted in colours with a courtly couple at ease, within panels of script and a border of green foliage, signed in red, the reverse of script in black with red highlights within coloured lines, decorated area 19 x 12.5cm, laid on a mounting card.

GHOSTS: Lee, Frederick George: Glimpses of the Supernatural: 2 vols, org. pictorial cloth, 8vo, 1875. * with a manuscript letter from the Author contemporary with the book, requesting information on the "Hinton Ghost Story"

ARTHUR ELPHINSTONE, 6th LORD BALMERINOCH: (1688-1746) Scottish nobleman and officer in the Jacobite army. A contemporary manuscript folio copy of, `The Right Honerable Arthur Lord Balmerinoch, his Speech on the Scaffold at London, 18th August 1746.` Taken prisoner at the Battle of Culloden, Lord Balmerinoch was tried by parliament, and beheaded. With ... 4 others, inc. Ms verse, title, `The Lament of the Auld House of Spottiswoode.` Also a 4 page letter, Naval Brigade, before Sebastopol, June 2nd. *Provenance: Spottiswoode letters

MARQUIS OF HAMILTON: (1606-1649): folio manuscript request to John Spottiswoode. Sent from Lythall, 3rd February, 1639. James Hamilton was chief advisor to Charles I on Scottish Affairs. Later to be an opponent of the Earl of Montrose. With ... another document, signed Geo. Cancellr. 1627. (2) *Provenance: Spottiswoode letters

CHURCHILL, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer: manuscript note/part document signed by Winston S. Churchill as Colonel, 4th Queen`s Own Hussars. Montgomery of Alamein as Colonel Commandant, Royal Tank Regiment. Bertie D. Fisher as Colonel, 17th/21st Lancers. 220 x 110 mm, creased.

ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT: the Virgin Mary and her cousin Elisabeth at prayer, before the births of Jesus and John the Baptist, when Mary uttered the Magnificat. With eight lines of text in a liturgical hand, decorative surrounding border of naturalistic daisies and strawberries and other foliage, heightened with gold and white, 25 lines of text on verso with decorative initial letters, some fading of lettering, on vellum, 150 x 90 mm, [Lowlands] ? c15th cent ? Framed and double glazed.

LIND, James Burnie: Manuscript diary for 1858, kept during the Indian Mutiny: org. wrappers.

LOG BOOK: Manuscript `Log Book of the `Darling` (Schooner) of Cowes, Commanded by Sir Charles Harvey, July, 1877`. old boards with paper title label, 4to, 1877. With another. (2)

A New and Accurate Map of The County of Cornwall from an Actual Survey made by Thomas Martyn [late 18th Century]: - printed by William Faden, Charing Cross, 20th February 1784, with dedication armorial to Robert Hoblyn of Nanswhyden and vignettes of inscriptions on local granite stones and the Scilly Isles, 73 x 102cm, in 18 rectangular parts, layed-out and stuck down. Robert Hoblyn [1710-1756] was a politician and book collector who in his early in life travelled in Italy, where he collected many scarce books. He inherited an fortune, which was very increased by his success in mining. With his wealth he restored his ancestral home, Nanswhyden House, employing Potter as the architect. He delighted in building and collecting books, and destroyed all the documents relating to the cost. The books formed a useful collection, and were divided into the classes of natural and moral philosophy. He made a manuscript catalogue in which he marked with a star those works which were not in the Bodleian and all clergymen and persons of literary tastes had free access to the library. The books were sold in London in 1778, and produced about £2,500. Nanswhyden House was destroyed by fire on 30 November 1803, together with its collections of ancient documents, the records relating to the Stannary parliament, and a cabinet of minerals.

STOCKHOLM: ` La Place de Norr-Malm a Stockholm avec le Chateau Royal, La Statue de Gustave Adolphe, Le Palais Rle. & l`Opera`, hand coloured aquatint, after Alfred Marelin, 535 x 350 mm, laid down and trimmed to the plate mark, with title in early manuscript hand, n.d. early 19th cent.

Thomas Jefferson autographed document Jefferson, Thomas, autographed document signed, Richmond: February 1, 1781, title to purchase of 290 acres by John Ramey, letterpress and manuscript (in another hand) signed by Jefferson as Governor and bearing a wax seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia, old tape repairs to verso, approximately 8.5"h x 13"w (Letter of certification in office)

"Stonewall," Jackson autographed manuscript Jackson, General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall," autographed manuscript signed by County Clerk Chapin, Rockbridge: June 5, 1863, a 4 page manuscript of the contents of General Jackson`s estate appraisal done by William White, A L Nelson and Hugh Barclay, four slaves are named in the appraisal, four conjoined leaves, each approximately 8"h x 12"w; together with a docking slip signed by the County Clerk and Notary Public on the appraisal court filing, approximately 9"h x 12"w (Letter of authentication in office)

"Stonewall" Jackson autographed letter Jackson, General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall," autographed letter signed, Darkesville: July 5th, 1861, a request for a check to be sent payable in Richmond of his bank balance, 2 pps of manuscript on 4 pps, signed twice by Jackson, once scratched out, each approximately 5"h x 8"w (Letter of authenticity in the office)

Bell & Schoepf autographed document Bell, Major James R. & General A. Schoepf, autographed document signed, US Military Prison, Fort Delaware: June 17, 1865, a full page manuscript letter addressed to President Johnson being a request for amnesty, docketed on conjoined leaf signed by General A. Schoepf and others, approximately 8"h x 10"w, together with a signed document oath of allegiance to the US, approximately 8"h x 5"w

Important Elizabethan document raising revenue for the strengthening of the Isle of Wight, Hampshire – Reign of Elizabeth I manuscript in English, dated 1596, approx 8ft x 11ins, being a taxation register for the Isle of Wight, signed by Thomas Denys, John Leigh and others who were commissioners for the exchequer, together with four further documents, three on vellum and one on paper which has also been signed by Denys and Leigh. One of these documents mentions George Carey, Baron Hunsdon Governor of the Island and in charge of overseeing its defences. An important primary source of information about the Isle of Wight at this time when it was at the forefront of the nation’s defences against attack from France and Spain. The document lists a considerable number of people who were living on the island, listed in the various divisions of the Manor of the Isle of Wight, which presumably covered the entire island. It is thus a considerably important source for the population of the Island during the latter years of the reign of Elizabeth I. The date is also of great interest. The Spanish Armada had been repulsed eight years earlier – with the Isle of Wight being one of the coveted prizes for the Spanish High Command. However threat of invasion by Spain and to a lesser extent France still remained and it was at the time when this document was drawn up that it was considered vital to strengthen the island’s defences, particularly the fortress of Carisbrooke Castle. As a result the outer fortifications to the castle were rebuilt. It is probable therefore that the reason for the need to levy taxation on the population of the island was for this very purpose. It is also possible that extra revenue was required to replace the heavy losses to both the Army and Navy in raids on the Spanish Main at this time. George Carey who is mentioned in these documents rose to become Lord Chamberlain and as such was patron of the ‘Chamberlain’s Men’ theatre company of which Shakespeare and Richard Burbage were members. Sir Thomas Denys was also a notable figure in Elizabethan England and a trusted servant to the Queen, particularly in the South West where he performed many duties as commissioner for the revenue.

China – slavery employment contract for a Chinese slave worker in Cuba dated 1855, written in Spanish and Chinese script, printed document with manuscript insertions by bother the Cuban slave owner and the Chinese slave. Folio 2pp, slight fraying and browning but clearly legible throughout. See description for the circumstances of this document in lot 22.

China – slavery employment contract for a Chinese slave worker in Cuba dated 1855, written in Spanish and Chinese script, printed document with manuscript insertions by bother the Cuban slave owner and the Chinese slave. Folio 2pp, slight fraying and browning but clearly legible throughout. See description for the circumstances of this document in lot 22.

China – 19th c manuscript fine manuscript being an Obeisance to the Three Treasures, written on paper approx 103x255mm, probably from Guangdong-Jiangxi, South West China, 19th c – written in Yao vernacular in Chinese characters with some traditional Yao pictographs, written in black and red ink with pink colouring on rice paper, sewn with rolled paper string, some wear. The text appears to be a blend of Daoist, Buddhist and magical/exorcistic elements. It contains amongst other things the names of devils, a reference to five dragon kings who will come to wash bodies clean, references to Daoist priests, the injunction to make obeisance to the ‘Three Treasures’ (the Buddhis Triratna of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha) repeated calls to have a faithful heart and to give thanks , a reference to eating people (a way of denoting a bad society or epoch) a dharani, or charm for going on a voyage, with a reference to a Golden Body 1,000x10,000 feet high, able to save the people of the world etc.

American War of Independence payslip issued by the State of Connecticut dated April 25th 1780 paying Captain John Bernard £30, manuscript document on a sm 4to leaf of paper, in good condition, signed by Finn Wadsworth, Samuel Lyman and John Lawrence.

Sir Thomas More attacks William Tyndale [Sir Thomas More] manuscript on 2pp 4to being a an extract from the papers relating to the dispute between Sir Thomas More and William Tyndale at the time of the divorce of Catherine of Aragon – for which both eventually were beheaded. Written in an early Tudor script in English the document lists several points for consideration with what seems to be a conclusion of an argument. This fragment is doubtless a fair copy of a section of a wider document putting forward More’s position, but although there is no date, the ‘hand and star’ watermark in the paper suggests that it was made in France in the first three decades of the 16th c – which would suggest that this is a contemporaneous transcript, probably taken from an early discourse on the historic debate. The document itself is in a fine condition. Marks along the left hand edge of the paper indicate that this was removed at some stage from a larger volume. More and Tyndale clashed in 1535 at the height of the crisis surrounding Henry VIII’s intention to divorce his Queen. Tyndale was also a wanted man for the heresy of translating the Bible into English. Both More and Tyndale were subsequently brutally executed on the King’s command, and both are now revered as English Saints.

The Statutes of Henry VIII – bound volume of printed Acts of Parliament from the first 15 years of his reign. Modern binding, interior contents in remarkably fine condition. Including the maintenance of archery and the shooting of long bows, measures against Edmund Dudley continuing punishments which had been brought against him by Henry VII, the maintenance of wars, an Act banning mummers, an Act for the punishment of murder, an extensive Act of General Pardon, and many Acts concerning trade, roads, overseas wars etc. The Acts contained in this volume cover the first 15 years of Henry VIII’s reign, when the King was largely uninterested in the administration of the realm – that duty largely falling to Cardinal Wolsey. The various Acts printed here provide a fine insight into what England was like at this time, and how Government, as such was administered. At this time, Parliament rarely met with the power largely administered by the King’s Council. Some of these pages have contemporary marginal manuscript notes indicating observations on points of details contained in the Acts. Volumes of Acts from such an early time rarely appear on the market. The present volume is in remarkably fine condition throughout, with no evidence of blemishes, and with bold legible printing.

Ephemera – Victorian Card Games 19th c manuscript entitled ‘Games of Patience by Perseverance’ listing the rules of 24 different variants of the popular solo card game (known also as ‘Solitaire’). Oblong folio, red morocco boards a little rubbed but interior contents good. Clearly a personal volume, possibly copied from a published source.

Architecture 19th c manuscript volume in both German and English discussing architecture throughout Europe, with a number of drawings in the text illustrating various points made by the author. An interesting volume, clearly produced by a German architectural observer but written in both German and English with observations on various buildings in England including Westminster Abbey. No date but probably mid 19th c.

The Proclamation of Elizabeth II as Queen Royalty – Elizabeth II an original printed Proclamation for the Accession of Elizabeth II to be Queen dated February 6th 1952, printed on a large sheet of paper approx 30x22ins, in near mint condition. The Document is in the name of the ‘Lords Spiritual and Temporal’ assisted ‘with these of His late Majesty’s Privy Council’ and announces the death of George VI and the accession of ‘the High and Mighty Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary’ in the traditional language of such documents which has not changed for centuries. The document is surmounted by the Royal Coat of Arms, and lists some 200 names of people who would have signed the original manuscript proclamation. Included in this list are Sir Winston Churchill, David Maxwell Fyfe (chief prosecutor at the Nuremburg Trials), Clement Atlee, Anthony Eden and Aneurin Bevan as well as a large number of Royal Courtiers. A rare document. Although printed and of the present reign, documents of this nature rarely appear on the market. By their very nature they were produced for use at the time and many copies of this document would have been destroyed either at the time or in the intervening years. The present example was obtained at the time and has not been seen in public since.

The waterman that brings this letter... Postal History manuscript letter written by Joseph Haley from Hampton Court, no year but probably late 17th/early 18th c, writing to his cousin and expressing his desire to come up to London and adding : ‘...I pray diret your letter to mee at my wifes at Hampton Court the waterman that brings this letter to you his name is Philkinton...’ 1p 4to

17th c receipt manuscript receipt dated 1634 signed by Sir William Russell in the sum of £50 payable to the Earl of Pembroke – to whom with his brother the First Folio of Shakespeare was dedicated. Sir William Russell, of Strensham Court, Worcestershire was at this time treasurer of the Navy.

Art and Artists – Michelangelo manuscript on 3pp folio c early 19th c discussing the expulsion of Piero de Medici and his followers from Florence in 1494 and discussing Michelangelo’s departure to Bologna.

A fine archive relating to South Africa, the Boer War and Cecil Rhodes – a group of three manuscript journals compiled by James Tait Plowden-Wardlaw covering the period immediately before to the period immediately after the Boer War, and noting in considerable detail the events which were happening around him in South Africa. Written in a flowing hand in both pencil and ink with considerable observation and description, each journal sm 4to size, one lacking top cover but otherwise good, the other two in good order throughout. These journals provide an important first hand account of his associations with the major figures in Southern Africa at the time, notably Cecil Rhodes, and Sir Charles Metcalfe, described as ‘the evil genius of Rhodes’. He also describes Rhodes’ death and attending Rhodes’ funeral. Other references include descriptions of the major figures in the Boer nation, and references to the concentration camps set up by the British and Emily Hobhouse, the young English girl who campaigned for the welfare of Boer prisoners: ‘...the Boer women were supplied for instance with flour but had no opportunity for baking bread with it. They had no vegetables except rice and no fresh milk for the infants... there was some truth in Miss Hobhouse’s statements...’ Plowden-Wardlaw (1873-1971), was a barrister who served as an advocate in the Supreme Court of the Cape Colony – hence his first hand experience of people and events. In later life he became a priest serving as Vicar of St Clement’s Cambridge. He is also a noted author on ecclesiastical subjects (see following lot).

WWII – manuscript diary compiled by Second Lieutenant P J L Walker covering the period December 1940 to October 1941 describing in some detail the conditions of his daily life in the Army from recruitment at Aldershot to his operations as an officer in the Indian Army. Written in a neat sloping hand in a foolscap sized hardback book.

Military – Scotland manuscript document dated November 26th 1796 being a petition from the West Lowland Fencibles and the Royal Westminster Militia to the Duke of Gloucester, Major General Commanding Sunderland Barracks, expressing their heartfelt sorry at their ‘very un-soldier like conduct and unmanly behaviour’ and humbly begging that they may once again be allowed to go to town as usual. 2pp folio some slight water staining but totally legible throughout. The West Lowland Fencibles were a military unit now somewhat obscure to history. They were formed along with other similarly named regiments to form a Lowland Military barrier in the wake of the Highland Rebellion in 1745. From the nature of this document there appears to have been some sort of affray between the Fencibles and an English regiment of Militia also stationed at Sunderland. The Fencibles were moved after this to Newcastle where the following year exactly the same thing happened this time involving the Cheshire Militia – the following day the Cheshire men were completely absolved of any blame.

Essex 1633 manuscript deed on a single leaf of vellum dated 1633relating to property in Essex, in fine condition.

An important manuscript on Kingship [James II] – Autograph – Sir Edward Lutwyche manuscript signed ‘E Lutwyche’ being his opinion over whether a Sovereign has the power to overrule an Act of Parliament, no date but c1686. Folio, 3pp written in a sloping hand with integral blank page, modern boards. This opinion was almost certainly prompted by the case of Sir Edward Hales, a Catholic, who had not received Sacrament within three months of being admitted to the rank of Colonel of a foot regiment, not taken the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy. James II issued Hales by way of letters a dispensation from these laws. A collusive action was then launched in the King’s Bench before Sir Edward Herbert to test the power of the Sovereign to overrule and Act of Parliament by way of dispensation. Lutwyche, in this manuscript, comes to the same conclusion as Herbert, that a Sovereign may overrule an Act of Parliament in a particular instance. On his conviction, Hales appealed the judgement by pleading the King’s dispensation and the conviction was overturned and by this act it asserted dispensation as part of the King’s prerogative – and important distinction in the relationship between Monarch and the Rule of Parliamentary Law which still exists in theory at least today.

Middle East – Sir George Christopher Molesworth Birdwood, Anglo-Indian naturalist manuscript volume entitled ‘Historical Notes in elucidation of development of commerce and arts of the East’, written in his hand on about 250pp folio, original boards. Comprising extracts from known sources in reference to Egypt, Assyria, Chaldaea etc. Boards a little loose and spine defective but interior contents in good order.

Lunatics – remarkable manuscript letter written from the Manor House, Chiswick dated February 26th 1844 by an inmate describing in detail his circumstances and how he came to be taken to the House – a private Lunatic Asylum founded by the Quaker Edward Francis Tuke. The letter, closely written in a sloping legible hand on 26pp 8vo describes in detail his movements prior to being taken to Manor House, where he was ‘of course much agitated at the moment I came in – but my alarm soon subsided and I felt thankful tat being in the hands of a respectable family. Of course I saw at a glance the nature of the establishment and felt it my duty to conform to its regulations and know by my conduct whether there were or were not any grounds for imputation of insanity...’ A fascinating letter which mentioned both Tuke and also Robert Bell who was Tuke’s brother in law and who ran the establishment with him from 1841. The Manor House was an important institution in the history of mental illness. It was established by Tuke in 1833 and by 1844 was listed as having 16 inmates. Records show that the establishment continued throughout the 19th c moving to Chiswick House Asylum in 1893 where it continued until the late 1920s. It finally closed as a business in 1940.

Northumberland Manuscript map showing the centre of Alnwick, Northumberland, c1829, drawn in black ink on a leaf of paper approx 40x24cm, showing the parish church at centre with streets around, together with various legal papers relating to the move to establish a new footway in the centre of the town.

Newfoundland. December 10 1855 outer letter sheet from Harbor Grace to Edinburgh. Red Harbor Grace paid hand stamp and manuscript 6. Liverpool transit Dec 31 1855. Back stamped St.. John's Newfoundland/Dec 10/1855 and Edinburgh arrival JA/B.I.M/1856

A Nepalese Leparello painted manuscript in handwritten Newari circa 18th century.

A most interesting group of medals and photographic record relating to the cruise of HMS Amphitrite from 1902-1905 on her cruise and tour of duty in the China station, comprising Group of Four: 1914-15 star, BWM, Victory (350606 R J Thompson, Ch S.B.S. RN (the serial number partly mis-struck), Naval LS & GC, Geo V admiral’s bust (S.B. Stewd. HMS Pembroke) GVF; with a copy of service details; a manuscript diary, commencing with various medical observations and remedies (these early pages AF due to water damage) and leading into a 28 page account “The Cruise of HMS Amphitrite 1902-1905”, leaving Chatham April 1902 for the China station via Bombay, Singapore, Hong Kong, up to Japan and back finally paying off at Chatham on Aug 11th 1905; and accompanied by a heavy photograph album, the top and bottom covers being of lacquered decoration, the front with Chinese figures in a Sampan, their heads and hands picked out in ivory, (one hand missing, as is the album spine) and containing over 90 pages of photos, illustrations etc of China, Singapore, Malta, Hawaii etc and including group photos of officers of Amphritite, football team, naval, civic and geographic views, public beheadings etc. Generally GC, (some wear to the journal and photo album with some chips and small damage to lacquer) Plate 3

A collection of Islamic manuscript pages, 17th/ 18th century, some gilded and possibly referencing astronomy, 24cm high.

A 15th century French double sided illuminated page from a manuscript book of hours with floral and bird decorated bo rder beside various lines of script, the page measuring 18.75x13cm.

Collection of vellum manuscript legal documents ( Mortgages, Indentures, Conveyance, Deeds of Release & Partition, Lease etc. ) mainly 19th.C. but including 18th.C. items. Some have a Bedford reference. Together with a collection of paper legal documents, mainly 19th.C., some with reference to Bedfordshire locations : Sale of Willington & Cople Estate, Willington Manor House, Turvey Abbey Estate, Carlton and Bedford some with maps & plans CONDITION REPORT: Condition : Generally vg.

Dennis Ramsay (1925-2009). An oil on board still life, roses in a glass, signed bottom left Dennis Ramsay 1964, manuscript verso"Given by Dennis Ramsay, the artist, to Gordon Perry for helping Mark get into Eton 1965."15x20cm.