155788 Preisdatenbank Los(e) gefunden, die Ihrer Suche entsprechen

MASON-MACFARLANE NOEL: (1889-1953) British Lieutenant-General who served as Governor of Gibraltar 1942-44 during World War II. Mason-MacFarlane proposed the assassination of Adolf Hitler to the British government. Fountain pen ink signature ('F N MacFarlane, Lt. General') on a small, irregularly clipped piece. Neatly mounted to a small page removed from an autograph album, G Mason-MacFarlane, described as a 'courageous eccentric', had his proposal to assassinate Hitler turned down by his superiors. Lord Halifax, the Foreign Secretary, said of Mason-MacFarlane's plan to assassinate Hitler while he was on a stand reviewing the Wehrmacht for his 50th birthday celebrations on 20th April 1939, 'We have not reached that stage….when we have to use assassination as a substitute for diplomacy'. Hitler for his part regarded Mason-MacFarlane as a personal enemy.

[COCKLESHELL HEROES]: HASLER HERBERT 'BLONDIE' (1914-1987) British Lieutenant Colonel with the Royal Marines who led a small commando raid in World War II, known as Operation Frankton, which was later dramatised in the film The Cockleshell Heroes (1955). A rare A.L.S., H. G. Hasler, one page (folding air mail stationery), slim 4to, Lochgilphead, Argyll, 8th November 1976, to Mr. E. S. Engstrom. Hasler thanks his correspondent for their letter and for the brochures about the Queen Mary, as well as the packet of Bicentennial coins, which he very much appreciates, commenting 'It all looks interesting, and I will certainly look forward to visiting the ship if I am ever within range of her'. Hand addressed by Hasler to the verso. Some very light, minor creasing, VG 

MOUNTBATTEN LOUIS: (1900-1979) British Admiral of World War II, later serving as the last Viceroy of India of British India (1947) and as the first Governor-General of the Dominion of India (1947-48). T.L.S., Mountbatten of Burma, with holograph salutation and subscription, one page, 8vo, London, 12th May 1958, to Castleton Knight, on the printed stationery of the First Sea Lord at the Admiralty. Mountbatten writes with some self-importance, thanking his correspondent for their letter 'which was so nice that it made me wonder whether you would have liked to have had a souvenir from me', continuing 'On the assumption that you would, I am taking the liberty of sending you a photograph in memory of our long and happy association'. Some light creasing, about VG Castleton Knight (1894-1970) British film producer and director who worked primarily in documentaries, including A Queen Is Crowned (1953) about the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

MOUNTBATTEN LOUIS: (1900-1979) British Admiral of World War II, later serving as the last Viceroy of India of British India (1947) and as the first Governor-General of the Dominion of India (1947-48). T.L.S., Mountbatten of Burma, with holograph salutation and subscription, one page, small 4to, Broadlands, Romsey, Hampshire, 3rd March 1966, to Michael Harrison. Mountbatten thanks his correspondent for their letter and adds that [Graham] Clifford has informed him that they had met 'and had been most stimulated by your conversation', also remarking that Clifford is currently on a world tour on behalf of the Institution of Electronic and Radio Engineers and also the National Electronic Research Council and that 'I shall be meeting him in Canada in April when we shall have a chance of talking over your letter'. Mountbatten further writes 'I see from your letter that you wrote the English version of the pamphlet you enclosed. I am astonished to note that no effort has been made to translate your English into French, for the French version appears to be entirely different in layout and phrases. I also regret to see that no attempt has been made to produce the diagrammatic figures with French titling in the French text. In fact anybody who understands both languages would be thoroughly lost trying to compare one version with the other. I wonder what the explanation is.' Accompanied by the original envelope. VG Michael Harrison (1907-1991) Maurice Desmond Rohan. English detective fiction and fantasy author, a noted Sherlock Holmes scholar.

NAVAL LEADERS: A rare multiple signed 8vo page removed from an autograph album individually signed by nineteen British and American naval officers, the majority of whom served in World War II, comprising Philip Vian (1894-1968) British Admiral of the Fleet, Dudley Pound (1877-1943) British Admiral of the Fleet, Andrew Cunningham (1883-1963) 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope, British Admiral of the Fleet, Charles Little (1882-1973) British Admiral, Second Sea Lord 1938-41, William Boyle (1873-1967) 12th Earl of Cork and Orrery, British Admiral of the Fleet, John Tovey (1885-1971) British Admiral of the Fleet, Henry Harwood (1888-1950) British Admiral, noted for his participation in the Battle of the River Plate, Louis Mountbatten (1900-1979) 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, British Admiral of the Fleet, Gordon Campbell VC (1886-1953) English Vice Admiral, Victoria Cross winner for his actions in the north Atlantic whilst commanding HMS Farnborough, 17th February 1917, Norman Holbrook VC (1888-1976) British Naval Commander, Victoria Cross winner for his actions as Commander of the submarine HMS B11 in the Dardanelles, 13th December 1914, thereby becoming the first submariner to receive a VC, also the first naval VC gazetted in World War I, Bruce Fraser (1888-1981) 1st Baron Fraser of North Cape, British Admiral of the Fleet, James Somerville (1882-1949) British Admiral of the Fleet, William Whitworth (1884-1973) British Admiral who served as Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel 1941-44, Alan G. Kirk (1888-1963) American Admiral, Robert Ghormley (1883-1958) American Vice Admiral, Commander, South Pacific Area during World War II, Harold Stark (1880-1972) American Admiral, Chief of Naval Operations 1939-42, Emile Muselier (1882-1965) French Admiral who led the Free French Naval Forces during World War II, A. V. Alexander (1885-1965) 1st Earl Alexander of Hillsborough, British politician who served as First Lord of the Admiralty 1929-31, 1940-45 and 1945-46, and Johannes Furstner, Dutch Vice Admiral, commander of the Royal Dutch Navy and later a naval minister. All have signed in bold, dark fountain pen inks. An impressive grouping of signatures. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG

[OPERATION MINCEMEAT]: MONTAGU EWEN (1901-1985) British judge, Naval intelligence officer and author, known for his leading role in Operation Mincemeat (1943), a critical military deception operation which misdirected German forces' attention away from the Allied invasion of Sicily during World War II. T.L.S., Ewen E S Montagu, one page (folding air mail stationery), 4to, London, 28th April 1982, to Mr. Engstrom. Montagu thanks his correspondent for their letter and interesting enclosures, adding that he has spent some time looking for a photograph of himself and remarking 'The trouble is that, when you get to my age (81) you have no recent photos and any that you had when you might (with a bit of flattery) have been said to be just photogenic have long been given away…..I thought of somewhere else where I have some old papers and thought that there just might be some photos among them - there were - but not any of me! I am sorry that I can't help'. Some very light, extremely minor creasing and one small tear to the edge of one fold, otherwise VG Montagu was the author of The Man Who Never Was (1953), an account of Operation Mincemeat, which was made into a movie three years later. A second British film based on the events was released in 2022 under the title Operation Mincemeat.

[HMS ARK ROYAL]: HOLLAND CEDRIC (1889-1950) English Vice Admiral who commanded the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal during World War II. T.L.S., Cedric Holland, with holograph salutation and subscription, one page, 8vo, Albert Place, London, 16th September 1958, to Ashley T. Cole. Holland thanks his correspondent for their letter and returns a book (no longer present) which he has signed and continuing to comment 'More than any other ship in which I have ever been she had a peculiar spirit which knit close all those who served in her'. Together with a telegram (received copy) from Holland to a Colonel Rutherford, inviting him to dinner on board HMS Ark Royal, 12th December 1940. G to VG, 2

‘They will throw little, if any, light on the origin, construction and methods of propulsion of the objects known as Flying Saucers, or on the aims of their operators or occupants’ DOWDING HUGH: (1882-1970) British Air Chief Marshal, Commander of RAF Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. A.L.S., Dowding, one page, 8vo, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, 1st August 1955, to Lord Beaverbrook. Dowding commences his letter by stating ‘I think that the enclosed will amuse you’, continuing to explain, ‘It was what I gave to the Sunday Express in response to a telephonic request for my reactions after the Daily Express report on Eisenhower’s announcement of the U.S. intention to construct & launch satellites…..Needless to say, they did not print it’, and concluding by hoping that Beaverbrook will enjoy his stay on the Riviera. Together with a typescript of a letter submitted by Dowding to the editor of the Sunday Express, stating, in full, ‘I have seen the article headed “Flying Saucers – Official” in this morning’s Daily Express. It is an example of confused thinking to suppose that man-made artificial satellites have anything to do with the objects which are popularly known as Flying Saucers. There is nothing mysterious about these projected meteorological instruments; they will be made of known materials, projected into their orbits by known methods and will be subject throughout to the Earth’s gravitational field. They will throw little, if any, light on the origin, construction and methods of propulsion of the objects known as Flying Saucers, or on the aims of their operators or occupants. Daily Express “Opinion” asks:- “What about Flying Saucers now? Hallucinations? Spots on the Sun?” Anyone who has been satisfied with these explanations to date will have no cause to change his opinion because a new long-range weather recording device is projected for launching in two years’ time. Or can it be that the hitherto sceptical Daily Express is booking a seat on the Flying Saucer Band Wagon?’. A remarkable letter and document demonstrating Dowding’s firm belief in UFOs. Two file holes to the left of each piece, only affecting one word of text in Dowding’s letter. VG, 2 Max Aitken (1879-1964) 1st Baron Beaverbrook. Canadian-British newspaper publisher who served as Minister of Aircraft Production 1940-41. Beaverbrook acquired the Daily Express in 1916 and built it into the most successful mass-circulation newspaper in the world, with sales of 2.25 million copies a day across Great Britain. Dowding was a firm believer in Flying Saucers and, along with the paranormal, developed a strong interest in UFOs during the 1950s. The Air Chief Marshal is quoted as having declared ‘The cumulative evidence for the existence of UFOs is quite overwhelming and I accept the fact of their existence…..More than 10,000 sightings have been reported, the majority of which cannot be accounted for by any ‘scientific’ explanation….I am convinced that these objects do exist and that they are not manufactured by any nation on earth’.

SMIK OTTO: (1922-1944) Czechoslovak fighter ace of World War II who became the highest scoring Slovak fighter ace in the RAF. Killed in Action when shot down over the Netherlands. Rare portion of a World War II date D.S., Smik, one page, small 8vo, n.p., n.d., evidently neatly clipped from a combat report, the narrative stating, in part, 'I was airbourne (sic) from Base at 21.25….I was at 5,000 feet when I saw Diver below me…..I dived and attacked it from port quarter and below, using cannon only and giving 2-second burst. I saw red flashes on the fuselage and Diver crashed near Ashford. I resumed patrol and…..saw a Diver at 2,000 ft…..Dived and made stern attack….giving finishing burst with cannon. Scored hits on fuselage and both wings flew off. Diver crashed N.E. of Battle. At 22.00 hours I was over channel at 4,000 ft. Saw Diver below…..Went down and fired 2-second burst M[achine] G[un]. Saw no strikes owing to heavy rain but Diver exploded and fell near Tenterden…..' Autographs of Smik are rare in any form as a result of his death at the age of 22. Neatly trimmed and with one slightly clipped corner, about VG

ZUMBACH JAN: (1915-1986) Polish-Swiss fighter ace of World War II who participated in the Battle of Britain. A portion of a D.S., J Zumbach, one page, oblong 8vo, n.p., n.d. (April 1942). The typed document, evidently clipped from a combat report, states, in part, 'I was leading my Squadron at a height of 12,000 ft. when……I saw 12 F.W. 190s on my right……The E[nemy] A[ircraft] dived down towards the bombers as I ordered by Sqdn. to attack them. I gave the 1st and 2nd F.W. 190 a short burst from 300 yards in order to head them off. The whole enemy formation then turned to the left and up and were engaged by 315 Sqdn……The E/A then turned left and went straight up. I fired at him again from 300 yards when he gave a half roll and I fired as it was upside down. He then dived down spinning to earth and I followed…….I gave him more bursts. I finally left at 10,000 ft. (as I noticed that I was below the height of the bombers), the E/A still spinning slowly to earth…..When I turned towards the bombers I was met head-on by 4 Me.109 flying about 100 ft. above, who opened fire from 100 yards……I claim 1 F.W. 190 probably destroyed'. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG The text relates to the probable destruction of a Focke-Wulf F.W. 190 five miles from Lille, France, on 27th April 1942.

SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE: A good multiple signed 10 x 8 photograph by various World War II pilots of 65 Squadron RAF comprising Robert Stanford Tuck (flying FZ-L), Brian Kingcome (flying FZ-O), Gordon Olive (flying FZ-A) and John Nicholas (flying FZ-H), the RAF Museum photograph depicting six Mk.1 Supermarine Spitfires flying in formation (the other two, FZ-P and FZ-B being flown by George Proudman and Ian McPherson, both of whom were killed in action). Signed by the four pilots in bold black and blue inks with their names alone to clear areas of the image. Together with a T.L.S., Brian Kingcome, with holograph salutation and subscription, one page, 4to, Fulham Road, London, 11th August 1986, to Paul Terry, apologising for the delay in writing and continuing, ‘Regarding the picture of the flight of six Spitfires, I can confirm that it was Gordon Olive who was leading the second section of three aircraft in FZ-A. Gordon was an Australian – or still is, from what you say – and was “A” Flight Commander…..I talk about the “second section” because the flight of six aircraft was made up of a section of three aircraft from “B” Flight led by Bob Tuck……and a section of three from “A” Flight led by Gordon Olive……The squadron, by the way was 65, stationed at Hornchurch in Essex at the time.’ and also including an A.L.S. by the widow of Gordon Olive, returning the Spitfire photograph and explaining the circumstances under which her husband signed the photograph shortly before passing away. Some light, minor surface creasing and age wear, generally about VG, 3

GREAT ESCAPE THE: A small, miscellaneous selection of A.Ls.S., signed magazine photographs of various sizes etc., by various individuals who participated in, or were closely associated with, the Great Escape from Stalag Luft III in 1944 during World War II, comprising Leonard Trent VC, Jimmy James (2; in one briefly referring to Per Bergsland, Leonard Trent and David Jones), Michael Shand, Paddy Barthropp, Per Bergsland and William ‘Tex’ Ash. Generally VG, 7

MOULIN JEAN PIERRE: (1899-1943) French President of the National Council of the Resistance during World War II. Widely regarded as one of the main heroes of the French Resistance. Moulin was tortured by German Nazi Gestapo officer Klaus Barbie and died as a result of these tortures. Rare T.L.S., `Jean Moulin´, one page, 8vo, Rodez, near Toulouse, 28th November 1938, to Monsieur Maurice Bellonte, in French. On the printed heading of the “Prefecture de l´Aveyron, Cabinet du Prefet”, Moulin in his capacity as Prefect of Aveyron states `C´est bien volontiers que, par couier de ce jour, je suis intervenu tres chaleureusement aupres de mon Collegue des Pyrénées-Orientales en vue de la régularisation de la situation du jeune Oriols que vous avez le désir d´employer dans votre propriété..´ (“It is with pleasure that, by courier of this day, I intervene very warmly with my colleague from the Pyrénées-Orientales with a view to regularizing the situation of the young Oriols that you wish to employ in your property..”) Moulin was the France´s youngest Prefect. Only a month later he was appointed Prefect of Chartres, where he decided not to collaborate with German invaders, joining the French Resistance. In June 1940 he was arrested by the Gestapo. With blank integral leaf. Two binder holes to the left border, not affecting the text or signature. VG Maurice Bellonte (1896-1983) French Aviator who set flight distance records. Associated with Dieudonné Costes, he performed in 1930 the first westbound crossing of the North Atlantic, from Paris to New York, on board if the Breguet XIX, named Point d´Interrogation”.

ROOSEVELT FRANKLIN D.: (1882-1945) American President 1933-45. An excellent vintage signed and inscribed sepia 10.5 x 9 photograph of Roosevelt seated in a half-length profile pose at his desk, holding a pen in one hand as he prepares to sign the papers before him. Photograph by Harris & Ewing of Washington DC and bearing their blindstamp to the lower left corner. Signed by Roosevelt in dark fountain pen ink to the lower border, 'For Dr. Frank Hood Shultz from Franklin D Roosevelt'. Lightly hinged at the upper two corners to a cream mat and measuring 14 x 11 overall. VGDr. Frank Hood Shultz (1873-1955) American dentist who resided in Washington DC.

[EISENHOWER DWIGHT D.]: (1890-1969) American General of World War II. American President 1953-61. HORROCKS BRIAN (1895-1985) British Lieutenant-General of World War II, commander of the XXX Corps in Operation Market Garden. Autograph Manuscript, unsigned, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d. (c.1952). The manuscript, penned in blue fountain pen ink (and with a few pencil corrections), is an appreciation of Dwight D. Eisenhower and states, in part, 'General Eisenhower is a warm and friendly man with a most persuasive manner; one of those rare beings who has risen to the supreme heights and yet remained at heart a simple person. It is these qualities allied to his complete selflessness which have made him so popular, and no one can remain in his presence for long without succumbing to his charm. Even the British soldiers who do not as a rule take kindly to “foreign” Generals knew him affectionately as Ike. He has been accused of being pro-British, be that as it may, there is no doubt at all that the British are pro-Eisenhower……But no one can rise to be the commander of the military forces of the free Western world on charm alone and after a few minutes in his company it is soon obvious that behind his charming personality lie many sterling qualities. He is a man of the highest possible moral courage and having once decided on what is the right thing to do nothing will deflect him from his course. For a General he has a remarkably shrewd political sense which is particularly important in his present appointment……There have been rumours in connection with the next Presidential election in the U.S.A: we must all pray that these are untrue and implore our friends across the Atlantic to add one last thing to their generous Marshall Aid, by leaving us IKE. He is irreplaceable over here'. Two partial holes to the left edge, which is irregularly torn, although not affecting the text. G

BRADLEY OMAR: (1893-1981) American General of the Army who served in World War II. Vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph of Bradley in a head and shoulders pose wearing his uniform. The official U.S. Army photograph dates from 16th March 1967. Signed ('Omar N Bradley') to the lower white border with a typed inscription above. A couple of very light, extremely minor corner creases, otherwise VG  

FLYING TIGERS THE: Small selection of signed colour photographs (2; one an 8 x 10 and the other a postcard), magazine photographs of various sizes (two multiple signed) etc., by various American pilots associated with the First American Volunteer Group of the Republic of China Air Force, better known as the Flying Tigers, who operated in 1941-42 during World War II, including David 'Tex' Hill, Charles Older, John Rossi, Robert Scott, Erik Shilling, Morton 'Twisty' Bent, Roland Richardson, Paul Clouthier, William Musgrove, Kenneth Jernstedt, Robert Raine, Robert Keeton etc. A little duplication. Generally VG to EX, 7

[TUBE ALLOYS PROJECT]: FEATHER NORMAN (1904-1978) English nuclear physicist who worked on the Tube Alloys project, the secret British programme to develop nuclear weapons, during World War II. Manuscript D.S., Norman Feather, one page, 4to, n.p., 28th May 1947. Feather responds to a researcher's questionnaire entitled World Inquiry, with their manuscript questions at the head of the page, '1. Were your scientific “debut” easy or difficult? 2. Did means of living…..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? Which do you consider as your masterpiece?'. Feather provides his answers beneath, in full, '1. Easy - that is one stage of advance followed another without interruption or any great difficulty. 2. I was enabled to study through the award of scholarships, and to carry out my early researches whilst holding a research fellowship at Cambridge. Since then I have always held a university teaching post. 3. (a) Discovery of disintegrations produced by neutrons (1932) (b) Proof that the time of fission is less than 10-13 second (1939)', adding his signature and date below. VG

            [MANHATTAN PROJECT]: ROSSI BRUNO (1905-1993) Italian experimental physicist who worked on radar at the MIT Radiation Laboratory during World War II and played a pivotal role in the Manhattan Project, heading the group at the Los Alamos Laboratory that carried out the RaLa Experiments. A brief T.L.S., Bruno Rossi, one page, 4to, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1st March 1948, to Henri Corbiere, on the printed stationery of the Laboratory for Nuclear Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Rossi thanks his correspondent for their letter and returns the answers to the questions contained in his questionnaire. Together with the questionnaire referred to, one page, 4to, n.p., 1st March 1948. At the head of the page appear Corbiere's three questions, in manuscript, '1. Were your “scientific debut” easy or difficult? 2. Did means of living….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? Which do you consider as your masterpiece?' and beneath Rossi has provided his answers, in full, '1. Fairly easy. 2. I lived solely through my work. 3. I don't know'. Some very light, minor age wear, VG, 2

[MANHATTAN PROJECT]: KERST DONALD WILLIAM (1911-1993) American physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project at the Los Alamos Laboratory during World War II, taking responsibility for designing and building the Water Boiler, a nuclear reactor and the first to use enriched uranium as a fuel. Manuscript D.S., D. W. Kerst, one page, 4to, n.p., 2nd June 1950. Kerst responds to a researcher's questionnaire entitled World Inquiry, with their manuscript questions at the head of the page, '1. Were your scientific “debut” easy or difficult? 2. Did means of living…..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? Which do you consider as your masterpiece?'. Kerst provides his answers beneath, in full, '1. The debut was made easily through the usual process of a graduate student of physics publishing research while working toward a doctor's degree. 2. I lived solely by my work in the university. 3. I am probably better known for my work in developing the betatron, but I have always worked in high voltage nuclear research particularly with the Van der Graaf electrostatic generator', adding his signature at the foot of the page. One minor, light stain to the right edge, only very slightly affecting a few words of Kerst's text, but not the signature. About VG

[MANHATTAN PROJECT]: CREUTZ EDWARD (1913-2009) American physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project at the Metallurgical Laboratory and the Los Alamos Laboratory during World War II. Typed D.S., E Creutz, one page, 4to, Carnegie Institute of Technology, 14th April 1953. Creutz responds to a researcher's questionnaire entitled Enquete Mondiale (World Inquiry), with their manuscript questions at the head of the page, '1. Were your scientific “debut” easy or difficult? 2. Did means of living…..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? Which do you consider as your masterpiece? 4. What is your maxim of life?'. Creutz provides his answers in typescript immediately beneath, in full, '1. Difficult in that it required a considerable amount of physical and mental effort, but easy in that the emotional rewards for this effort were very great. 2. Financial support came entirely through work in teaching and research. 3. Probably best known for work on atomic chain reaction during the last war. 4. None', adding his signature and academic title below. A very minor, thin light band of discoloration to the right edge, otherwise VG

[MANHATTAN PROJECT]: WILSON ROBERT R. (1914-2000) American physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project at the Los Alamos Laboratory during World War II, becoming head of the Cyclotron Group and later its Research Division. Manuscript D.S., Robert R. Wilson, one page, 4to, n.p. (Ithaca, New York), 29th November 1954, in French. Wilson responds to a researcher's questionnaire entitled Enquete Mondiale - Homage a Niels Bohr in which the researcher poses two questions in French, at the head of the page, the first asking how Bohr ranks amongst the great physicists of the 20th century, and the second asking if, by Bohr's discoveries in atomic physics, or by the extent of his work, he is comparable to Newton, Maxwell, Planck, Einstein or Louis de Broglie. Wilson provides his answers below, in French, stating that Bohr holds a premier place with Einstein and that his scientific work is comparable to that of Newton, Maxwell, Planck and Einstein. Rare. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG

BOCKSCAR: Signed 8 x 10 photograph by two crew members of the Bockscar B-29 bomber aircraft individually, comprising Charles W. Sweeney (1919-2004) American Major General in the United States Army Air Forces, pilot of the Bockscar, the second aircraft to drop an atomic bomb, Nagasaki, 9th August 1945, and Frederick Ashworth (1912-2005) American Vice Admiral with the United States Navy who served as the weaponeer of the Bockscar, the image depicting the mushroom cloud following the explosion of the Fat Boy bomb on Nagasaki. Signed by Sweeney in bold blue ink and by Ashworth in bold red ink, both to clear areas of the image, also adding their ranks and date of the bombing etc. in their hands beneath their signatures. VG

ZHUKOV GEORGY: (1896-1974) Marshal of the Soviet Union. Served in WWI and WWII. The most decorated General officer in the history of the Soviet Union and Russia. A.N.S., Zhukov, in Cyrillic, one page, 4to, to a typed letter addressed to Marshal Zhukov, General-in-Chief of the Soviet Union in Germany, Berlin, dated 8th September 1945, in Cyrillic. Zhukov annotates in bold and thick blue pencil `Inspect this factory immediately. If it is really French, stop dismantling until my decision is made´, across the page, in Cyrillic. The typed text is sent by French General-in-Chief in Germany, General Army Corps Koeltz, member of the Coordinating Committee, and states at the heading `Content - French factory in Gera near Leipzig´, further reporting `..I brought to your attention that all the equipment of the factory - that belongs to a French citizen Mr Viktor Derbuel,… who is the only owner of the factory, - should have been sent to Russia at the end of August, according to instructions received from the Soviet local authorities´, further adding `..I would be obliged if you could confirm that necessary instructions will be given in Gera in order that the equipment would be left in hands of its rightful owner or at hands of its qualified representative, and that protection of a French citizen's property would be provided with absolute safety.´ A good context letter few months after the fall of Berlin between members of the Coordinating Committee. VG 

ZHUKOV GEORGY: (1896-1974) Soviet General and Marshal of the Soviet Union who oversaw some of the Red Army’s most decisive victories during World War II. D.S., in Cyrillic, three pages, 4to, n.p., 28th November 1940. The partially printed document, in Cyrillic, and completed in another hand, is an attestation document verifying the personal details and career of a Russian military officer, stating that he was born in 1902 and is of Jewish heritage, and that he has served with the Red Army since 1929. Signed by Zhukov at the conclusion of the third page, approving the contents, and also bearing several other unidentified countersignatures. Some file holes and small tears to the left edge, G

[BRITISH-SOVIET ALLIANCE]: TEMPLE WILLIAM (1881-1944) English Anglican priest, Archbishop of Canterbury 1942-44. Small collection of three World War II date T.Ls.S., William Cantuar, as Archbishop of Canterbury, three pages (total), 8vo and small 4to (1), Lambeth Palace, London, June 1942 - May 1943, one to the Organising Secretary of the British-Soviet Alliance Anniversary and two to Mrs. Rothman. The Archbishop writes on various matters regarding Russia, in part, 'I am deeply interested to hear of the Demonstration and Pageant to be held on June 20. It will now celebrate not only the first alliance between this country and Russia, but the treaty published this morning. I trust that our two nations may grow in mutual understanding and appreciation and work together in cordial goodwill for victory in the war….' (12th June 1942), '….I felt obliged to consult the Dean of Canterbury [Hewlett Johnson] about this scheme, because I was puzzled by it and its relation to the big drive lately conducted for the Red Cross in Russia. But the Dean has quite satisfied me…..' (5th November 1942), 'Just after my Secretary had sent the letter of to-day's date I heard from M. Maisky and am now very glad to give you my name as one of the sponsors of the scheme for re-building the Hospital in Stalingrad' (20th May 1943). A small staple hole to the upper left corner of the first letter and a few very minor, light creases, otherwise VG, 3 Hewlett Johnson (1874-1966) English priest of the Church of England, Marxist Theorist and Stalinist who served as Dean of Canterbury from 1931-63, at which time he acquired the nickname 'The Red Dean of Canterbury' due to his unyielding support towards Joseph Stalin and the Soviet Union. Ivan Maisky (1884-1975) Soviet diplomat who served as the Soviet Union's Ambassador to the United Kingdom 1932-43.

‘Winston Churchill is strongly anti-Italian, and is all for going to war with Mussolini’[MUSSOLINI BENITO]: (1883-1945) Italian Fascist Dictator of World War II. SNOWDEN PHILIP (1864-1937) 1st Viscount Snowden. British politician who served as the Labour Party's first Chancellor of the Exchequer 1924, 1929-31. An interesting T.L.S., Snowden, three pages, small 4to, Tilford, Farnham, 21st August 1935, to the Rt. Hon. G. N. Barnes ('My Dear George'). Snowden thanks his correspondent for their letter and adds that he is in complete agreement with the contents, continuing 'It is a devil of a situation, and I am not at clear what can be done. Only one thing is certain, and that is that Mussolini is determined on his military adventure, and nothing will stop him. The powers have been wasting time in fruitless talk which they knew would make no impression on Mussolini. All this has played his game. Our prohibition of the export of arms to Abyssinia has been outrageous, and if it were lifted now I am afraid it is too late to help Abyssinia. The British Cabinet is to meet this week, and I do not know if they will take any decisive action. I do hear that there is a party in the Cabinet who are for enforcing sanctions. Winston Churchill is strongly anti-Italian, and is all for going to war with Mussolini. I suppose that the stumbling block in the way of strong action by Britain is our alliance with France. This has been the curse of our foreign policy from before the War…..I saw Lloyd George yesterday and he told me that Sam Hoare has asked him to come and see him. This rather looks as if the Government were anxious to get united support for any drastic action they may have to take…..One thing only seems evident and that is that [the] League is going to burst up. I see that Lansbury has written to the Pope asking him to call a world Conference to be held on the Hill of Cavalry where the nations will agree to a general sharing out of the surface of the earth!' and concluding his letter by discussing Lloyd George and the Trade Unionists and also remarking 'I do not think that the Labour Party is making any headway in the country, and I should be surprised if they poll their 1929 vote at the next Election'. Together with a second T.L.S., Snowden, two pages, small 4to, Tilford, Farnham, 15th April 1936, to George [Barnes]. Snowden states that he is glad to have received his correspondent's letter and writes 'Like you I am dismayed about the international situation. I see no likelihood of a way out of the Abyssinian situation which will not be a victory for Italy at the expense of the League of Nations. For the time being the League is destroyed. Mussolini has successfully defied the League. The other Powers have played a cowardly game all through. They have been afraid to tackle Musso. France has been in league with him all the time. The next few days will bring matters to a head……If there were another Government possible I think Baldwin would have to go'. Two letters of very good content. Some light dust staining and minor age wear, G to about VG, 2 George Barnes (1859-1940) British politician, Leader of the Labour Party 1910-11. Snowden's letters are written at the height of the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, a war of aggression fought between Italy and Ethiopia from October 1935 to February 1937. It is seen as an example of the expansionist policy that characterised the Axis powers and the ineffectiveness of the League of Nations before the outbreak of World War II.

LUDENDORFF ERICH: (1865-1937) German General and politician who served as First Quartermaster General of the German Army 1916-18 and contributed significantly to the Nazis' rise to power. Vintage signed sepia postcard photograph of Ludendorff in a head and shoulders pose wearing his uniform and medals. Signed ('Ludendorff') in fountain pen ink with his name alone to the lower border. One heavy crease to the upper left corner, otherwise VG

HUGENBERG ALFRED: (1865-1951) German businessman and politician who served as leader of the German National People's Party and was instrumental in helping Adolf Hitler become Chancellor of Germany, later serving in his first cabinet as Reich Minister of Economics, 1933. Vintage signed sepia postcard photograph of Hugenberg in a head and shoulders pose. Signed in fountain pen ink with his name alone to the lower border. A couple of small, minor pinholes to the upper and lower borders, otherwise VG

NEURATH KONSTANTIN VON: (1873-1956) German diplomat who served as Foreign Minister of Germany 1932-38. Vintage signed 4 x 6 photograph of Neurath in a head and shoulders pose. Signed in fountain pen ink with his name alone at the base of the image, across a darker area, although reasonably legible. Together with Joachim von Ribbentrop (1893-1946) German politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nazi Germany 1938-45. Bold dark fountain pen ink signature ('Joachim v. Ribbentrop') on a small oblong 12mo card. Also including Franz von Papen (1879-1969) German politician and diplomat who served as Chancellor of Germany in 1932 and as Vice-Chancellor under Adolf Hitler 1933-34. Bold pencil signature ('F. v Papen') on a small oblong 12mo card. VG to EX, 3

PAPEN FRANZ VON: (1879-1969) German politician and diplomat who served as Chancellor of Germany in 1932 and as Vice-Chancellor under Adolf Hitler 1933-34. Signed postcard photograph of Papen in a head and shoulders pose. Signed ('F v. Papen') in black ink with his name alone to the lower white border. Some very light, extremely minor age wear and a couple of insignificant, small stains to the image, otherwise VG

‘It may be the same suffering of the eternal fight against hatred, envy and ignorance’HITLER ADOLF: (1889-1945) Fuhrer of the Third Reich 1933-45. An extremely rare A.L.S., Adolf, two pages, small 4to, Detmold, 8th January 1933, to Winifred Wagner ('My honoured and dear Wini'), on Hitler's personal printed stationery (with his Munich address lightly crossed through), in German. Hitler writes in bold pencil and states, in part, 'For weeks and weeks I am again involved in difficult and hard work, troubles and worries. I do not know whether you are able to understand me altogether, only I beg of you to forgive me, at least that I express my thanks only today for a present with which you gave me the most beautiful pleasure. For two years the Christmas season is only a season of sorrow for me and I cannot overcome myself to be like the years before, so I must beg you very heartily to accept my thanks this way and belatedly. I believe there will be a time when I may be able to prove my grateful attachments to you not only with words but with deeds. Unfortunately, there will always be new mountains to conquer. I can't understand today why in my youth Richard Wagner and his fate meant more to me than so many other great Germans. It may be the same suffering of the eternal fight against hatred, envy and ignorance - those are the same sorrow and only for that reason I dare, my dear Wini, to write like that to you and express my wishes on the 8th of January while others do on the 1st of January…..May the summer be a success for you. May fate permit me to be able to contribute somewhat…..' A letter of significant content and good association. Autograph letters of Hitler containing such private and personal content are exceptionally rare and highly desirable. Several neat tears have been professionally restored to a very high standard and only very slightly affect a few words of text, but not the signature. About VG Winifred Wagner (1897-1980) English-born wife of composer and conductor Siegfried Wagner, the son of composer Richard Wagner.  Hitler, who greatly admired the music of Richard Wagner, first met Winifred Wagner in 1923 and the two maintained a close friendship for two decades. In 1933, the year of the present letter, there were rumours of an impending marriage between Hitler and Wagner.  Winifred Wagner ran the annual Bayreuth Festival from 1930-45, to which Hitler leant his support, giving it government assistance and tax-exempt status. Hitler's reference in the present letter to the summer being successful for Wagner was clearly made in relation to the Bayreuth Festival. Hitler and Wagner corresponded for almost twenty years although the letters have not been disclosed to scholars and have been kept locked away by one of Winifred Wagner's grandchildren. Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany on 30th January 1933, just a matter of weeks after writing the present letter.

HITLER ADOLF: (1889-1945) Fuhrer of the Third Reich 1933-45. A significant World War II date D.S., Adolf Hitler, three pages (separate leaves), 4to, Fuhrer Headquarters, 11th September 1941, to the Head of the High Command of the Wehrmacht [Wilhelm Keitel], marked Secret Command Document, in German. Hitler states, in part, 'The armaments industry is more than busy with orders. The implementation of the programmes I have determined is therefore only possible if the demands of the departments of the Wehrmacht are coordinated and brought into line with the capacities of the industry. The programmes I have determined therefore require the following measures: 1.) Concentration and limitation of all procurements of the departments of the Wehrmacht on their own armaments, 2.) Balancing within the entire Wehrmacht by the High Command of the Wehrmacht if deliveries of orders cannot be guaranteed…..3.) General adjustment and coordination of necessary procurements of the departments of the Wehrmacht considering the capacities of the industry. In order to carry out these measures, I command that the demands of the departments of the Wehrmacht regarding procurement and development be sent to the procurement offices via the Head of the High Command of the Wehrmacht. The latter, together with the Reich Minister for Armament and Ammunition, examines the capabilities of the armaments industry to meet the demands and decides on my behalf about the type and scope of the orders. I authorise the Head of the High Command of the Wehrmacht to make cuts in non-urgent production and to issue corresponding refusals…..If production should only be possible by restricting productions of priority programmes, I reserve the right to decide. The Head of the High Command of the Wehrmacht issues implementing regulations in agreement with the Reich Minister for Armament and Ammunition'. A typed notation at the conclusion indicates that copies of the document were also sent to the Commander-in-Chief of the Wehrmacht, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, the Reich Minister for Armament and Ammunition and the Reichsfuhrer SS, along with the instruction 'Document to be destroyed!'. The verso of the final page features various typed details and indelible pencil annotations and initials regarding the distribution (and destruction) of copies of the Fuhrer's Secret Command Document. Two file holes to the left edge of each page, and with some slight tears and small areas of paper loss to the edges, none of which significantly affect the text, and none touching Hitler's signature, otherwise about VGWilhelm Keitel (1882-1946) German Field Marshal who held office as chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the high command of Nazi Germany's armed forces, from 1938-45.Hitler's 'Secret Command Document' was issued just three days after the Fuhrer's Directive 35 in which he ordered the beginning of Operation Typhoon, the German strategic offensive which led to the Battle of Moscow, a military campaign lasting from 2nd October 1941 to 7th January 1942. The Battle of Moscow, one of the most important battles of World War II, is regarded by historians as the first critical turning point of the war. The Soviets were able to successfully prevent the most serious attempt to capture their capital and represented the first time since the Wehrmacht began its conquests in 1939 that it had been forced into a major retreat.

HITLER ADOLF: (1889-1945) Fuhrer of the Third Reich 1933-45 & KEITEL WILHELM (1882-1946) German Field Marshal who held office as chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the high command of Nazi Germany's armed forces, from 1938-45. A World War II date D.S. by both Adolf Hitler ('A Hitler'; a bold example) and Wilhelm Keitel ('Keitel') individually, one page, 4to, Fuhrer Headquarters, 9th March 1942, in German. The typed document is issued in the name of the German people and announces the appointment of Gustav Adolf von Wulffen to be the Commandant of Potsdam army garrison with effect from 1st March 1942. Signed by both Hitler and Keitel at the foot alongside a blind embossed circular seal featuring the Nazi eagle and swastika. VGGustav Adolf von Wulffen (1878-1945) German Generalmajor and SS-Brigadefuhrer of World War II.

[HITLER ADOLF]: (1889-1945) Fuhrer of the Third Reich 1933-45. An interesting presentation album containing over 180 photographs by Ernst Baumann, the post-war prints (most approximately 7 x 5) depicting Adolf Hitler and other Nazi leaders as well as the Berghof, the Fuhrer's retreat in the Bavarian Alps, and with further photographs documenting life in Nazi Germany during the war and in its immediate aftermath, each neatly mounted to the pages of the album and many with small printed captions in German, the images including Hitler in various poses, Hermann Goring (participating in Curling, playing an accordion etc.), Dietrich Eckart, the Platterhof Hotel, the Kehlsteinhaus ('Eagle's Nest') and its tunnels, lift & interior, Eva Braun (with her Scottish Terrier dogs Negus and Stasi and a rabbit etc.), Martin Bormann, the gatehouse to the Berghof and other images of the residence in 1942, SS-Wach-Battalion officers marching and exercising with rifles and other guns, carrying out physical exercise, as well as various images depicting the destruction and ruins of the Eagle's Nest and other buildings, the tunnels of an air raid shelter below Obersalzberg (converted in 1968 as a reconstruction of Hitler's work space and Braun's apartment as a tourist 'attraction') etc. Signed and inscribed to the final page by Ernst Baumann and dated 11th May 1978 in his hand. Contained in the original slipcase. About EX Ernst Baumann (1906-1985) German photographer and publisher of postcards who worked as a war correspondent during World War II and was released from American captivity in 1947. 

HESS RUDOLF: (1894-1987) German politician, a leading member of the Nazi Party who served as Deputy Fuhrer to Adolf Hitler 1933-41. Bold pencil signature ('R. Hess') on a small 12mo piece (1.5 x 1) apparently clipped from a document or letter, lightly mounted to an irregularly trimmed sheet of white paper beneath a portion of a printed letterhead featuring the Nazi Eagle and Swastika. G

BORMANN MARTIN: (1900-1945) German Nazi Party official of World War II who served as Chief of the Nazi Party Chancellery 1941-45 and as Private Secretary to Adolf Hitler 1943-45. Autograph minute signed, with his initial B, in bold red crayon, to the upper left corner of an A.L.S., Kerrl, by Hanns Kerrl (1887-1941) German Nazi politician, Prussian Minister of Justice 1932-34 and Reichsminister of Church Affairs 1935-41, three pages, 4to, Charlottenburg, Berlin, 4th April 1939, to Bormann, in German. Kerrl asks Bormann to deliver a book and letter (no longer present) to the Fuhrer, adding that it is very, very important to him and remarking 'I am sure that the Fuhrer will like to read this clever book, as soon as he has taken notice of my letter. I have written Hitler in the letter, that I beg him for a discussion if he thinks it necessary after having read the book'. Bormann's note indicates that Kerrl's request was settled by a consultation. Two file holes to the left edge of each page, not affecting the text or signature, and a few light, minor creases to the left edge. VG

BAUR HANS: (1897-1993) German aviator and SS-Gruppenfuhrer who served as Adolf Hitler's personal pilot and leader of the Reichsregierung squadron during World War II. Signed 4 x 6 photograph of Baur standing in a three-quarter length pose, in uniform, shaking the hand of Adolf Hitler in 1938. Signed by Baur in bold blue ink with his name alone to the lower border and additionally signed and inscribed in black ink to the verso, also adding the date, March 1985, in his hand. Together with an A.L.S., Hans Baur, on one side of a correspondence card, Ammersee, n.d., in German (untranslated). Also including a printed T.L.S., with a facsimile signature of Adolf Hitler, one page, oblong 8vo, Berlin, Christmas 1942, to an unidentified correspondent, on the gold printed stationery of Hitler, in German. Hitler asks the recipient to accept a package as a small gift, explaining 'It come from broadcasts that were made available to me from abroad or from the occupied territories'. Some very light, minor age wear to Hitler's card, G to VG, 3

GORING HERMANN: (1893-1946) German politician and military leader, one of the most powerful figures in the Nazi Party who served as President of the Reichstag 1932-45 and as Minister President of Prussia 1933-45. T.L.S., Hermann Goring, one page, 4to, Berlin, 26th June 1936, to Paul Hans, on the printed stationery of the Minister President of Prussia, in German. Goring writes, in full, 'At your request, I gladly decided to take on the honorary sponsorship of your daughter Martina and to allow you to have me entered in the church register as a witness at the baptism. The assumption of the sponsorship happens under the condition that no further obligations are derived from it. I wish the godchild the best of health and am sending her a present of 100 RM'. With blank integral leaf. Two file holes to the left edge and with a couple of minor paperclip rust stains to the upper edge, none of which affect the text or signature, VG

GOEBBELS JOSEPH: (1897-1945) German Nazi politician who served as Reichsminister of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda 1933-45. Bold, dark fountain pen ink signature ('Dr. Goebbels') on a plain postcard with a small sepia magazine portrait of Goebbels neatly affixed above the signature. Dated Berlin, 19th April 1933 in an unidentified hand. One small, minor corner crease, otherwise VG 

RIBBENTROP JOACHIM VON: (1893-1946) German politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nazi Germany 1938-45. T.L.S., Joachim Ribbentrop, one page, 8vo, Berlin, 4th April 1938, to Maxence, in German. Ribbentrop states that, due to an overload of work, he is only able today to thank his correspondent for their kind congratulations on his appointment. Ribbentrop continues to add that he and his wife would be happy to see Maxence again, should he ever come to Berlin, or if Ribbentrop's diplomatic duties permit him to visit Paris again. With blank integral leaf. One very light, extremely minor area of discoloration to the lower right corner, VG

SCHIRACH BALDUR VON: (1907-1974) Nazi German politician who served as the Nazi Party national youth leader and head of the Hitler Youth 1931-40, and later as Gauleiter of Vienna 1940-45. Vintage signed sepia postcard photograph of Schirach standing outdoors in a full-length pose, wearing his uniform, seemingly addressing an audience. Signed ('Baldur von Schirach') in fountain pen ink with his name alone to the lower border. Some light, minor overall discoloration, only very slightly affecting the signature, G

ELTZ-RUBENACH PAUL VON: (1875-1943) German politician who served as Reich Postal Minister 1932-37 and Reich Minister of Transport 1932-37. Ink signature ('Frhr. v. Eltz') on a plain postcard with a small newspaper portrait neatly affixed above the signature. Dated Berlin, 13th September 1933, in another hand. Accompanied by the original envelope. VG

[NAZI OCCULT]: DARRE RICHARD WALTHER: (1895-1953) SS-Obergruppenfuhrer of World War II. Reich Minister of Food and Agriculture 1933-42. T.L.S., R Walther Darre, one page, 4to, Berlin, 12th June 1935, to SS-Oberfuhrer Weisthor (an alias of Karl Maria Wiligut), in German. Darre warmly thanks his correspondent for having sent him a copy of the book Arminius and adds that he hopes soon to find the time to read it. Some light overall creasing and one small tear to the left edge, not affecting the text or signature, about VG Karl Maria Wiligut (1866-1946) Austrian occultist and SS-Brigadefuhrer. Wiligut, who also used the alias Weisthor, was employed within the personal staff and offices of Heinrich Himmler and Karl Wolff, and claimed to be in the tradition of a long line of German mystic teachers, reaching back into prehistoric times. He also claimed to have spiritual powers that allowed him direct access to genetic memories of his ancestors thousands of years in the past. Wiligut contributed significantly to the development of Wewelsburg as the order-castle and ceremonial centre of SS pseudo-religious practice and also designed the Totenkopfring, which Himmler personally awarded to prestigious SS officers. Arminius (18/17 BC - 21 AD) was a Roman officer and later chieftain of the Germanic Cherusci tribe who is best known for commanding an alliance of Germanic tribes at the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD.

BLOMBERG WERNER VON: (1878-1946) German Generalfeldmarschall who served as the first Minister of War and Commander-in-Chief of the German Armed Forces (1935-38) in Adolf Hitler's government. Vintage signed colour postcard photograph of Blomberg in a head and shoulders pose wearing his uniform. Signed in fountain pen ink with his name alone to the lower white border. Some very light, minor age wear, otherwise VG

KEITEL WILHELM: (1882-1946) German Field Marshal who held office as chief of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW), the high command of Nazi Germany's armed forces, from 1938-45. D.S., Keitel, one page, folio, Berlin, 3rd March 1938, in German. The partially printed document, completed in a neat calligraphic hand, is issued in the name of the Reich and appoints Dr. Otto Delp to be a senior field pharmacist with the expectation that he will be true to his oath and 'will faithfully discharge his official duties and will justify the trust placed in him'. Signed by Keitel at the foot and also bearing a facsimile signature of Adolf Hitler alongside a blind embossed circular seal featuring the Nazi eagle and swastika. With blank integral leaf. Two file holes to the left edge, not affecting the text or signatures. VG

MANTEUFFEL HASSO VON: (1897-1978) German General of World War II who commanded the 5th Panzer Army. Knight's Cross winner with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. T.L.S., H v. Manteuffel, one page, oblong 8vo, Diessen am Ammersee, n.d., to Herr van Mastrigt, in German. Manteuffel thanks his correspondent for their letter and for the stamps ('which I can always “make use of” - at least, I can exchange them, when I should double their value!') and adds that he looks forward to receiving his correspondent's wants list of autographs, remarking 'I have in mind e.g., Hoth, Black, Kreipe, Gille, von Saucken, Donitz, Halder, Heinrici, von Mackensen, Harpe, Rendulic, Nehring etc.'. VG

MILCH ERHARD: (1892-1972) German Generalfeldmarschall of World War II who oversaw the development of the Luftwaffe. Knight's Cross winner. Vintage signed sepia postcard photograph of Milch in a head and shoulders pose wearing his uniform and Knight's Cross. Photograph by Heinrich Hoffmann of Munich. Signed ('Milch') in bold pencil to a clear area of the image. VG

FRANCIS II: (1768-1835) Last Holy Roman Emperor 1792-1806, who dissolved the Holy Roman Empire after the defeat against Napoleon at Austerlitz. Founder of the Austrian Empire, ruling from 1804 to 1835 as Francis I, first Emperor of Austria. An excellent and cleanly written A.L.S., `Le tres affectionné frere et neveu - François´, one page, 4to, Vienna, 1st of July 1794, to Prince Albert of Saxony, in French. Francis II, in his capacity as Holy Roman Emperor, sends a close letter to his uncle reporting on the birth of his child, stating `..by announcing to Your Royal Highness that the Empress, my very dear spouse, has given birth to an Archduchess, I flatter myself knowing that Y.R.H will share the satisfaction that I feel for such a joyful event..´ With blank integral leaf. Very small repair to the verso and fold, otherwise VG  Prince Albert Casimir August of Saxony (1738-1822) Duke of Teschen. Son of King Augustus III of Poland. His spouse Archduchess Marie Christine was the sister of Holy Roman Emperor Leopold II, father of Francis II. Prince Albert was a notorious Art collector, founder of the Albertina in Vienna, with the largest collection of old master prints and drawings in the world. On 8th June 1794 Empress Maria Theresa of Naples gave birth to Archduchess Marie Caroline who died nine months later in childhood on 16th March 1795.

PHILIP II: (1527-1598) King of Spain 1556-98. During his marriage to Queen Mary I of England, he was King of England and Ireland 1554-58. Rare L.S., `Yo El Rey´, as King, one page, folio, Madrid, 2nd of April 1565, to Juan Clavero, in old Castilian-Spanish. The document being an authorization of absence certificate, by which the King grants the salaries due to Juan Clavero, Chaplain of the Royal court, who has not been paid because of his absence because of his studies, stating `…deis y libreis al dicho Juan Clavero, nuestro Capellán, los albaranes de la dicha su quitación conforme al estilo de vuestro oficio, del tiempo que os constare, que dentro de los dichos tres años habrá estudiado en alguna Universidad aprobada, no obstante que no haya residido personalmente en nuestra corte, ni servido actualmente en nuestra Real Capilla…´ (“…give and release to the said Juan Clavero, our Chaplain, the delivery notes of the said salaries according to the way it is done by your office, for the time that you have checked, that within the said three years he will have studied at a recognized University, notwithstanding that he has not been personally residing at our court, nor currently served in our Royal Chapel..”) Countersigned at the base by the King´s secretary Saganta. Accompanied by a full transcription of the letter. Small overall minor age wear, mostly to edges, and a very small hole to the centre fold, otherwise G

PHILIP III: (1578-1621) King of Spain 1598-1621. D.S., Yo el Rey, as King, a bold and large good youth signature example, one page, folio, Royal Palace of Valencia, 1st of February 1602, to Juan Alfonso Pimentel y de Herrera, Count of Benavente, Captain General of the Kingdom of Valencia, in Spanish and Valencian dialect. The King refers to a Royal Supreme Criminal Court decision regarding two sentenced prisonners accused of murder who were not given to the authorities as ordered, and requests the execution of the court decision. The document bears to the lower part of the document several countersignatures and to the verso a paper seal affixed. Folded, with several large tears to the folds and holes, affecting the text but none affecting the signature. Overall age wear. F

CHARLES III of SPAIN: (1716-1788) King of Spain 1759-88 as King Charles III, previously King Charles VII of Naples and Sicily 1734-59. Charles resided in Naples for nineteen years and gained valuable experience as Ruler before becoming King of the Spanish Empire. Charles III is widely regarded as the most successful European ruler of his generation. An excellent L.S., `Carolus´, one page, large oblong 21 x 16, Naples, 28th June 1747, to a Turkish Royal Prince, in Latin. The cleanly written document, signed by Charles in his capacity as King of Naples and Sicily and Duke of Parma and Piacenza, states in part `The present letter which will be presented to you by D. Guglielmo de Ludorff who we have decided will remain at your court and in charge of our affairs..´, further referring to the previous envoy who is requested to return to his own Kingdom court, and reaffirming his wishes of strengthen their friendly relationships, Charles says `For this reason, D. Guglielmo de Ludorff is most of all in charge of securing the firm and particular attention we make to your person and your merit, and expect your contribution and your friendship which with very great pleasure exists at present between us and the Ottoman Porte… wishing you a long and happy life..´ Countersigned at the base by Giovanni Fogliani d´Aragona. Bearing to the verso a large and very attractive paper seal affixed showing a Royal coat of arms. G At the time of the present letter, the Turkish ruler was Sultan Mahmud I (1696-1754) and the present letter is most probably addressed to his court.

ELIZABETH OF AUSTRIA: (1554-1592) Queen of France 1570-74 as the wife of King Charles IX. A member of the House of Habsburg, Elizabeth was the daughter of Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor, and Maria of Spain. A good L.S., Ysabel, two pages, folio, Vienna, 11th August 1590, in German. Elizabeth makes a gift of money to a poor woman, named as Cordula Garinin, who has submitted a petition to her and whose parents had been for many years in the service of the royal house of Austria. Also bearing an unidentified countersignature ('Grossonack'?) and with a good blind embossed papered seal affixed. Autographs of Elizabeth of Austria are rare in any form as a result of her death at the age of 37 from pleurisy. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, otherwise VG  In early 1580, Elisabeth bought some lands near Stallburg and founded the Convent of Poor Clares Mary, Queen of Angels, also known as the Queen's Monastery. Elisabeth henceforth devoted her life to following the example of her convent's holy patron in the exercise of piety, relief of the poor, and health care. Even impoverished daughters of the nobility found her support.

HENRY IV OF FRANCE: (1553-1610) King of France 1589-1610 and King of Navarre 1572-1610. First French Monarch of the House of Bourbon. Assassinated. L.S., Henry, with holograph `Votre Byen bon amy´, (`Your very good friend´) in his hand, one page, Coutras, 4to, 22nd August 1582, as King of Navarre, to Sieur de Varillant, in old French. The document refers to the possibility of obtaining a freehand for Sieur de Manques, whose father was foreigner, in case he would be persecuted because of the Francs-fiefs land taxation. With small traces of a former seal. Overall age wear, folded, with small repair to the verso and few very small holes to the folds. F   The present letter is signed at Coutras, where five years later, on 20th October 1587, took place the Battle of Coutras, a decisive engagement during the French Religious Wars between a Huguenot army under Henry of Navarre, future Henry IV of France, and a Royalist army led by Anne de Joyeuse who was killed while attempting to surrender to a victorious Henry of Navarre.

MARIE LOUISE I: (1791-1847) Austrian archduchess who reigned as Duchess of Parma 1814-47. The second wife of Napoleon I and as such Empress of the French and Queen of Italy 1810-14. D.S., Maria Luigia, two pages, small folio, Parma, 8th January 1842, in Italian. The partially printed document, completed in manuscript, grants the citizenship of Parma to Ercole Malagoli of Modena, a Doctor of Medicine, and states, in part, 'Having seen the petition brought to Us by Doctor of Physics Ercole, son of the late Captain Giovanni Andrea Malagoli of Modena…..to obtain the Citizenship of these States, on the report and proposal of Our President of the Interior, We have decreed and do decree….The Citizenship of Our Duchies is granted to Doctor of Medicine Ercole Antonio Felice Malagoli, born in Modena in the Parish of San Vincenzio on the 28th October 1817 to Captain Giovanni Andrea….' Signed by the Duchess at the conclusion and countersigned by Pazzoni, President of the Interior. Some light age wear and minor creasing to the left edge, otherwise about VG

LOUIS PHILIPPE I: (1773-1850) King of France 1830-48. An excellent content A.L.S., Louis Philippe D´Orléans, four pages, 4to, Richmond, 19nd May 1815, to Charles Stuart, in French. A lengthy and carefully written letter during the Hundred Days period, and only a month before Waterloo, Louis Philippe states in part `Permit me my dear Knight to send you copies which you will find enclosed to my correspondence with the King, as it is quite possible that they do not inform you at Ghent. I give very much importance to the fact that you are aware of all happening because you are the English Minister beside the King and also because you have always shown your willingness..´ further stating `I have another reason for this letter, this being that the Prince Regent, who is aware of this documents, thinks that I should send copy to you, and same to Duke of Wellington.´ Louis Philippe further reports about his conversations with the King between March and May 1815, with his wishes and decisions `The 23rd of March, when the King was leaving Lille and France, I asked His Majesty what was he expecting me to do, what was he ordering, and the King answered… ´ and further on saying `Allow me also to give you a parcel to be forwarded to Monsieur the Prince de Talleyrand, containing copy of these letters, because as I have been assured the King has appointed him his Prime Minister, and I very much wish him to get these copies. I have been informed that they are waiting for him at Ghent at any time from now on, and I fear that he did not receive the first two copies which I sent to him addressed to Vienna.´ Louis Philippe concludes with a very interesting statement `I write to Mr. de Talleyrand saying that if he is appointed Prime Minister I recommend that from now on the first Prince and heir should be aware of what they will be expecting from him in future..´ On a post-scriptum in English, Louis Philippe adds `As the copies for Prince Talleyrand are not ready I will postpone the sending of them till the next post.  Extremely small, minor age wear, otherwise VG   Charles Stuart (1779-1845) British Diplomat, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Portugal and Brazil 1810-14, British Ambassador to France 1815-24, 1828-30 and British Ambassador to Russia 1841-44.       The Hundred Days marked the period between Napoleon´s return from exile on the ısland of Elba to Paris on 20th March 1815 and the second restoration of King Louis XVIII on 8 July 1815 after Napoleon´s second abdication. Louis Philippe flee France during the period of the French Revolution in order to avoid imprisonment and execution. He spent 21 years in exile, mostly in England, after he left France in 1793. George IV (1762-1830) King of the United Kingdom 1820-30. From 1811 until his accession, he served as Prince Regent during his father's mental illness. Duke of Wellington (1769-1852) Anglo-Irish Field Marshal & British Prime Minister 1828-30, 1834. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand Périgord (1754-1838) French Diplomat and Statesman. Prime Minister of France July-September 1815. 

FRENCH ROYALTY: PHILIPPE VII: (1838-1894) King of the French 24th - 26th February 1848, Count of Paris and the Orléanist claimant to the French throne from 1848-94. A.L.S., Le Cte. De Paris, in the third person, one page, 8vo, Ravensworth Castle (Tyne & Wear, England), 10th December 1862, to Mr. Grillon, in French. The Count instructs his correspondent to have a letter addressed to Lord Stanley of Alderley and then placed in the post to him. Some light staining, only very slightly affecting the text but not the signature, together with PRINCE HENRI (1820-1883) Count of Chambord, disputedly the King of France from 2nd - 9th August 1830 as Henry V (although never officially proclaimed as such). Legitimist Pretender to the throne of France 1844-83. A.L.S., Cte. de Chambord, one page, 8vo, n.p., n.d., to a gentleman, in French. The Count writes, in full, 'I would be obliged if you had the following changes made to the first chapters of the Second Part: France on the Outside. I believe it would be useful to have the detailed titles of those chapters reproduced in the table of contents.' Some light age wear and a very small, minor tear to the lower left corner, also including MORNY CHARLES DE (1811-1865) Duke of Morny. French Statesman, the extra marital son of Hortense de Beauharnais, thereby making him the half-brother of Emperor Napoleon III. A.L.S., Morny, one page, 8vo, n.p., n.d. ('Samedi'), to a lady, in French. Morny invites his correspondent to dinner that evening, adding 'and then we will go to the Opera Comique to hear the rehearsal of the Opera d'Arles….will you please arrive at 6.30 as the rehearsal starts at 7' and asking her to 'RSVP'. Some very light, minor age wear and a couple of small, neat splits to the edges of folds, G, 3 Henry Stanley (1827-1903) 3rd Baron Stanley of Alderley. British Peer and Historian who converted to Islam and in 1869 became the first Muslim member of the House of Lords.

ALBERT II: (1934-     ) King of the Belgians 1993-2013 & PAOLA (1937-     ) Queen of the Belgians 1993-2013 as Queen Consort of Albert II. An excellent signed colour 6.5 x 9 photograph by both King Albert II and Queen Paola individually, the formal image depicting the Royal couple standing together in full-length poses. Signed ('Albert') by the King with his name alone and signed ('Paola') by the Queen, who also adds a few words and the date, 21st September 2012, in her hand, both in bold black inks to the lower photographer's mount. With a gold embossed crown at the head of the mount. Framed and glazed in the original frame to an overall size of 8.5 x 10.5 and contained in the original red card presentation box featuring a gold crown to the lid. Some light age wear to the box, otherwise about EX

MOVILA IEREMIA: (1555-1606) Voivode of Moldavia 1595-1600 & 1600-06. Very rare L.S., `Hyeremia Boebo´ ("Ieremia Voivod"), two pages, folio, Zuchovica, 20th September 1596, to Reverend Bishop Alphonso, Apostolic Nuncio in Transylvania, in Latin. Movila, in his capacity as Voivode of Moldavia presented to the heading as `Ieremia Movila, By the Grace of God, Prince and life heir of Moldavia….´, refers to the letters received from his correspondent, to the Secretary Simon who has reported a number of messages, and states in part `..Finally, and regarding the Christian Princes, we hope that your Holiness will intercede on our behalf and with insistence, and for this and similar matters dealt we thank to your Illustrious Holiness…´, further saying `..Your Holiness has supported us, and we could value your blinding and abundant affection, which as we expect between Christian Princes will bring and maintain good friendship and peace, and that God with his grace will reward us and our Kingdom…´, and before concluding says `We received the letters from Joanis de Marini, from Prague, and we learned the news and also that our old friendship was well remembered. We deeply rejoice learning that the Christian army… and will become powerful. And we pray God so that he will always concede everything because of the Christian offerings..´ With address leaf, bearing remnants of a former wax seal. Small overall age wear and creasing, otherwise G

NICHOLAS II: (1868-1918) Emperor of Russia 1894-1917. A very fine, unusual dark fountain pen ink signature ('Nicolas II, Empereur de toutes les Russies') on an 8vo page removed from an album, dated Peterhof [Palace, Saint Petersburg], 25th August 1904 in his hand. Examples of the Tsar's signature in which he declares himself Emperor of all Russia are extremely rare and desirable. A few minor, light stains caused by ink from another page of the album, otherwise about EX The Tsar's signature is dated just under two weeks after the birth of Alexei Nikolaevich (1904-1918) on 12th August 1904. The last Tsarevich of Russia, Alexei was the youngest child and only son of Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. Born with haemophilia, Alexei's parents attempted to treat the condition with the methods of the peasant faith healer Grigori Rasputin. Provenance: The present page was removed from the personal album of Baron Robert Stuker (1863-1940) Swiss historian, interpreter, diplomat and educator, a language specialist who was appointed tutor at the Greek Royal Court under King George I. Stuker was later appointed as Royal Chamberlain, Court Librarian and Personal Secretary to the King. Stuker accompanied members of the Greek Royal family on trips, took on sensitive diplomatic missions and became the King's advisor. Following his service with the Greek Royal family, Pope Pius XI appointed the Reformed Protestant Stuker as master of ceremonies and interpreter at the Vatican in 1924, posts he was to hold until 1935. In later years the album was added to whilst in the custody of Jurg Stuker (1914-1988) Swiss antiquarian bookseller and founder of the Stuker auction house in Bern, stepson of Robert Stuker.