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BRANDT RUDOLF: (1909-1948) German SS officer of World War II who served as the Personal Administrative Officer to Reichsfuhrer-SS Heinrich Himmler and was involved in securing the 86 victims of the Jewish skeleton collection. Brandt was tried and convicted in the Doctor's Trial at Nuremberg and subsequently executed. Fountain pen ink signature ('Brandt'), with typed rank beneath, on an oblong 12mo piece evidently clipped from the conclusion of a letter or document. Lightly mounted to the base of an A4 sheet of paper featuring a reproduction image of Brandt in a head and shoulders pose wearing his uniform. VG    

HOFMANN OTTO: (1896-1982) German SS functionary of World War II who served as head of the SS Race and Settlement Main Office 1940-43 and was present at the Wannsee Conference in January 1942 for the so-called 'Final Solution to the Jewish Question'. Ink signature, with rank etc. alongside and beneath, on an oblong 12mo piece evidently neatly clipped from an official document and with a circular purple stamp to the left edge. Lightly mounted to the base of an A4 sheet of paper featuring a reproduction image of Hofmann in a head and shoulders pose wearing his uniform. VG   

DUNN MICHAEL: (1934-1973) American Actor, an Academy Award nominee. An extremely rare signed and inscribed 9.5 x 7 photograph, the image depicting Dunn standing outdoors in a full length pose in costume as Midget Castiglione alongside several other actors, including Richard Widmark (in costume as Detective Daniel Madigan), in a scene from the thriller film Madigan (1968). Signed by Dunn in blue fountain pen ink to a light area at the head of the image. Autographs of Dunn are rare in any form as a result of his untimely death at the age of 38. EX   Provenance: The present photograph originates from the collection of Pierre Goulliard, a French gentleman who, for over 50 years, dedicated himself to obtaining in person autographs of British, American and European movie stars, always obtaining the signatures in fountain pen ink.

BERGER GOTTLOB: (1896-1975) German SS-Obergruppenfuhrer und General der Waffen-SS, Chief of the SS Main Office responsible for recruiting Schutzstaffel (SS) during World War II. Signed Christmas and New Year greetings card, the slim oblong 8vo folding card featuring a printed greeting and design to the front cover, signed by Berger to the blank inside with a four-line message in his hand, in German, stating, in part, 'I hope you haven't flown over to the wrong side. That would be a pity for you and your fine name'. The card was most likely sent to a former SS officer who joined the East German police and intelligence apparatus, as many did. VG  

[EINSATZGRUPPEN]: BERGER ERNST (1904-1960) German SS-Obersturmfuhrer who was a member of SS-Einsatzgruppe C and was responsible for the deaths of 25,000 Jews in the Brest-Litovsk area in 1942. In 1944 Berger was promoted to criminal director and employed in the Reich Security Main Office. D.S., Ernst G. Berger, Kriminal Direktor, one page, oblong 8vo, n.p., 1st March 1946, in German and English. Berger certifies his true signature. A few very minor, extremely light stains to the edges, VG   The Einsatzgruppen were the Schutzstaffel (SS) paramilitary death squads of Nazi Germany that were responsible for mass killings, primarily by shooting, during World War II.

LUFTWAFFE: A good D.S. by Karl Koller (1898-1951) German General der Flieger, the last Chief of the General Staff of the Luftwaffe 1944-45, Gunther Korten (1898-1944) German Colonel General who served as Chief of the General Staff of the Luftwaffe 1943-44 and who died from injuries suffered in the 20 July plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, and Rudolf Wodarg (1908-     ) German Colonel with the Luftwaffe Intelligence Department during World War II, three pages, 4to, Headquarters, 4th April 1944, in German. The partially printed document, completed in typescript, is a Recommendation list No.1. for the award of the War Service Cross Class I with swords, issued by Wodarg and presented to Korten, relating to Major Heinrich Golcher and Major Walter Kienitz, both of Air Force Ops. Staff, the summary of reasons for the recommendations stating, in part, 'Major (Gen.St.) Golcher has been working, for the past one and three quarter years, in the Air Force Operations Staff, as head of section and as the regular deputy of the head of the department. He has dealt efficiently with the tasks assigned to him. Deserving of particular emphasis are his quick intellectual grasp, his commendable application and his painstaking thoroughness, which make him a valuable colleague. In addition, he has always shown great skill and judgement in handling the 'intelligence' sphere of responsibility, and in cooperating with the most senior governmental officials. In his position as my deputy…..his eye for the essential is particularly to be stressed. Since 1.10.1943, he has been simultaneously in charge of the attache section, which he heads with judgement and skill - particularly with regard to relations with foreign attaches…….Major (Gen. St.) Kienitz has been working, for the last two years, in the Air Force Operations Staff as head of section or sub-department. He has dealt efficiently with the tasks assigned to him. Deserving of particular emphasis is his work as head of the enlarge 'Eastern' territories section. Being an officer far above the good average, he succeeded, in a short space of time, thanks to his organisational ability and by the appropriate employment of his subordinate staff, in producing the data on the Soviet Union which the leadership required. Kienitz displayed forward strategic thinking in the working up of this knowledge of the enemy. He has accustomed himself, with commendable drive and energy, to the work of the 'Western enemy air forces' sub-department, of which he has been head for 5 months. Here too, Major (Gen.St.) Kienitz's judicious management produces outstanding results in the assessment of the enemy, particularly on the military side…..' Signed ('Wodarg') by Wodarg in bold fountain pen ink to the first page and countersigned ('Korten') by Korten beneath a brief typed statement supporting the recommendations. Koller's signature appears on a separate slim oblong 8vo piece, originally affixed to the base of the third page of the document, with a brief typed note supporting the proposals. Two file holes to the left edge of each page and with some light creasing and minor age wear, about VG   Karl Koller's diary, covering the period of 16th April to 9th May 1945, published as The Koller War Diary, is a detailed record of great value, largely for the events of Hitler's last days in which he was a principal intermediary and in regular telephone communication with the Bunker. In the last days of the war Koller flew from Berlin to Berchtesgaden to inform Hermann Goring of Hitler's decision to die in the capital.

KNIGHT'S CROSS: Three original unsigned contemporary documents, each essentially identical, each three pages, folio, Headquarters, n.d. (September/October 1941), in German. The partially printed documents, completed in typescript, are issued by the Reich Minister for Air and Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, and are recommendations for the award of the Knight's Cross to Captain Robert Menzel, Squadron Commander of 3rd Sqn. (A.S.)/41st Gp. (Armd.), the summary of reasons for the recommendation stating, in part, 'In the course of numerous bold reconnaissance flights and in the successful directing of artillery fire, Captain Menzel has, with his squadron, as his army superiors unanimously report, taken an outstanding - at times, decisive - part in the victorious battles of this division in Poland, France, Yugoslavia and in particular Soviet Russia. It is characteristic of the exemplary attitude of this officer that he flew the most difficult assignments himself, and so provided his air-crews with an inspiring model of soldierly courage and constant readiness for action. The reconnaissance results from sorties which he has flown personally have been of prime importance for the armoured division's operations. I consider this officer who, in his role of carrying out tactical reconnaissance for an army formation…..to be worthy of being decorated with the Knight's Cross'. Each with two file holes to the left edges and some slight staining to the head of each page, otherwise VG, 3    Robert Menzel (1914-1944) German Luftwaffe pilot of World War II, killed in action. Ultimately Menzel's recommendation for a Knight's Cross was downgraded and on 13th November he was awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (DKG).

[KNIGHT’S CROSS]: An interesting, small group of T.Ls.S. and Ds.S. relating to a proposed recommendation for Hauptmann Robert Menzel, Squadron Commander of 3rd Squadron, to be awarded with a Knight’s Cross, comprising (in chronological order) a contemporary typed copy of a letter from Major Berendsen of the 8th Armoured Division, one page, 4to, Divisional Command Post, 11th July 1941, to Major Heinsius, Group Commander, in German, stating, in full, ‘The proposed recommendation of Capt. Menzel for the Knight’s Cross has my warm support. In Poland, France, Yugoslavia and now in Russia, the squadron, frequently operating under the most difficult conditions, has assisted the divisional command in the making of operational decisions by the production of clear, accurate reports. In this connection, Capt. Menzel has often flown personally as observer, particularly in France, since – owing to enemy air superiority – his squadron’s losses reached a very serious level. On the previous day, during the advance on Utena via Vilkomierz, we were able to lay the basis for the subsequent success at Dunaburg, because we were informed in such good time of the move of stronger Russian forces from Jonava to Vilkomierz that suitable defensive measures could be put in train. On that day in particular, the timely arrival of a reconnaissance report also saved the division from an unpleasant surprise and serious casualties. In the same way, it was on the basis of the pilots’ reconnaissance reports regarding the Ariogalla bridgehead, which gave early warning of the approach of strong armoured forces from Kovno towards Kedainia, that the division decided to form a defensive front. The reconnaissance sorties, which were flown continuously on that day, provided complete proof of a change of course of these forces towards the advance patrols of 6th Armd. Div., and thus produced the basis for the division’s decision to continue to press forward towards Dunaburg’, signed at the foot by an adjutant to certify that the text is a true copy; a typed statement signed (‘Bogatsch’) by Rudolf Bogatsch (1891-1970, German Luftwaffe General of World War II, Knight’s Cross winner), one page, 4to, Headquarters, Army High Command, 20th September 1941, on the printed stationery of the Air Force General attached to the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, in German, stating, in full, ‘I support very warmly the proposal regarding this Squadron Commander, who has shown exemplary courage and eagerness for action. His contribution to 8th Armoured Division’s successes cannot be regarded as other than decisive’; a T.L.S. by Oberstleutnant von Wrede, one page, 4to, Headquarters, Army High Command, 25th September 1941, to the Reichsminister for Air and Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, in German, submitting the recommendation for the award of the Knight’s Cross to Menzel and remarking that it had the support of Bogatsch; a typed draft (with many pencil corrections in an unidentified hand) of the Summary of reasons for recommendation for Menzel, prepared on behalf of the Reichsmarschall [Hermann Goring], one page, 4to, Berlin, 1st October 1941, in German, stating, in part, ‘In the course of numerous bold reconnaissance flights and in the successful directing of artillery fire, Captain Menzel has, with his squadron, as his army superiors unanimously report, taken an outstanding – at times, decisive – part in the victorious battles of this division in Poland, France, Yugoslavia and in particular Soviet Russia. It is characteristic of the exemplary attitude of this officer that he flew the most difficult assignments himself, and so provided his air crews with an inspiring model of soldierly courage and constant readiness for action. The reconnaissance results from sorties which he has flown personally have been of prime importance for the armoured division’s operations. I consider this officer who, in his role of carrying out tactical reconnaissance for an army formation……to be worthy of being decorated with the Knight’s Cross’, initialled at the foot in purple indelible pencil by Ernst Cabanis (1890-1968, German Generalleutnant, an advisor in the Luftwaffe Personnel Office) and with a further annotation at the head requesting a copy of Menzel’s flight logbook; the official copy of Menzel’s recommendation for a Knight’s Cross, three pages, 4to, Berlin, 1st October 1941, in German, the partially printed Vorschlagsliste completed in typescript and providing details of Menzel’s date of birth, rank, unit etc., as well as a photograph of him in a head and shoulders pose in uniform, the summary with the same content as the draft initialled by Cabanis, the cover annotated and initialled in green indelible pencil by Gustav Kastner-Kirdorf (1881-1945) German aviator who served in the Luftwaffe during World War II, Chief of the Luftwaffe Personnel Office 1939-43. Two file holes to the left edge of each of the documents and with some light overall age wear, generally VG, 5 Despite the recommendations of Hermann Goring and others, Hauptmann Robert Menzel did not ultimately receive a Knight’s Cross, but was awarded with a Deutsche Kreuz in Gold (DKG). The War Order of the German Cross was instituted by Hitler in September 1941. It was awarded in two divisions: in gold for repeated acts of bravery or military leadership; and in silver for distinguished non-combat war service.

KRIEGSMARINE: Selection of A.Ls.S. (2), T.L.S. (1), signed photograph (1) etc., by various Admirals who served in Nazi Germany's navy, comprising Karl Donitz (bold example to the verso of a colour picture postcard, dated 5th December 1964 in his hand), Hellmuth Heye (signed to the verso), Werner Fuchs (briefly referring to Erich Raeder), Kurt Assmann and Kurt Caesar Hoffmann (to the aviation philatelist Hans Rossbach). Generally VG, 5

SEGAL GEORGE: (1934-2021) American actor, an Academy Award nominee. Vintage signed and inscribed 6.5 x 9.5 photograph of Segal in a full length pose in costume as Quiller, emerging from a book shop and holding a newspaper in one hand, in a scene from the British neo noir eurospy film The Quiller Memorandum (1966). Signed in blue fountain pen ink to the image. About EX   Provenance: The present photograph originates from the collection of Pierre Goulliard, a French gentleman who, for over 50 years, dedicated himself to obtaining in person autographs of British, American and European movie stars, always obtaining the signatures in fountain pen ink.

[JFK’S NAZI SPY LOVER]: [ARVAD INGA] (1913-1973) Danish journalist and Hollywood gossip columnist who (falsely) claimed to have had three personal meetings with Adolf Hitler and who also (accurately) entered into a romantic relationship with John F. Kennedy during World War II. These two matters led to J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI investigating Arvad as a potential Nazi spy. A fascinating group of T.Ls.S., some of them carbon typed retained copies, etc., all relating to the Nazi’s own investigation of Inga Arvad within the Reichs Chancellery and of claims (published in various articles Arvad authored) that she had been received by Adolf Hitler on several occasions, including (in chronological order) a carbon typed retained copy of a letter from Dr. Helmuth von Feldmann, a senior member of Joseph Goebbels’ Ministry of Propaganda staff, one page, 4to, Berlin, 26th March 1936, to the German Embassy in Copenhagen, replying to their request of December 1935, via the foreign office, for further information regarding Arvad and informing them that she was crowned as a Beauty Queen in 1932, then married ‘a supposed Egyptian prince [Kamal Abdel Nabi; in fact a diplomat] in Paris, who was imprisoned soon after’, returned to Copenhagen penniless and worked as an amateur journalist writing novellas for women’s magazines before developing a relationship with the Jewish filmmaker [Paul] Fejos, obtaining a leading role in a film which failed in Denmark, and also stating ‘In Germany she allegedly had relationships with Mrs. Goebbels and Mrs. Goring’ and that ‘Danish correspondents were astonished to report that she received an interview with the Fuhrer, even though she had no assignment and no relationship with Berlingske Tidende’, and in concluding adding that the Foreign Office has also been informed; a T.L.S. by Herluf Andersen, a Danish journalist, one page, 4to, Copenhagen, 17th August 1936, to Adolf Hitler, in German, explaining that he has been invited to attend the Nazi Party Rally in Nuremberg, and is currently working for the right-wing Berlingske Tidende, and would like to take the opportunity of his visit to meet Hitler for a personal interview, adding that the questions will be submitted ahead of time so that Hitler can decide whether he answers all of the questions or not, as well as choosing any other topics he may want to discuss. With two official stamps, one from Adolf Hitler’s Private Chancellery, to the head, and accompanied by two further related covering letters; a carbon typed retained copy of a letter from Georg Ferdinand Duckwitz (1904-1973, German diplomat who served as an attaché for Nazi Germany in occupied Denmark during World War II and who was instrumental in Danish resistance groups rescuing 95% of Denmark’s Jewish population ahead of their intended deportation in 1943), three pages, 4to, Copenhagen, 10th September 1936, in German, expressing the view that the embassy has always rejected requests for interviews with Hitler from Danish press representatives, and complaining of the underhand tactics used by Inga Arvad following one brief meeting she had with Hitler in November, remarking that she is only regarded as a casual journalist in Denmark ‘who knows how to turn occasional interviews and articles into a business’ and that she had offered the article following her meeting with Hitler to the highest bidder from the major newspapers, adding that there is outrage and a mood of incomprehensibility within journalistic circles of how it was possible that Arvad, married to a Jew, managed to obtain an unauthorised interview with Hitler, and concluding that Herluf Andersen would be a more suitable candidate to interview the Fuhrer; and a brief T.L.S. by Wilhelm Wolf (1897-1939, Austrian politician and historian, the last Austrian foreign minister before the de facto annexation of Austria by the Nazi German Empire in 1938), one page, 4to, Berlin, 18th September 1936, to the Secretary of State and head of the Presidential Chancellery, in German, returning various enclosures, and with various pencil annotations, one stating, in full, ‘For the attention of the office. According to the report here from Copenhagen, Frau Arvad is supposed recently to have had an audience with the Fuhrer. Do we hold any information about this?’, to the verso of Wolf’s letter is a T.L.S. by Werner Kiewitz (1891-1965, German diplomat, a ministerial adviser in the Reichs Chancellery), one page, 4to, Berlin, 1st December 1936, in German, stating, in part, ‘The files of the Presidential Chancellery show no evidence that the Danish woman, Frau Inga Arvad, asked for, and had, a conversation with the Fuhrer and Reich Chancellor. Jung, a counsellor in the Reich Chancellery, informed me, in answer to a telephone enquiry, that – according to papers held there – Frau Arvad was merely received by the Fuhrer at the end of 1935, but that, on the other hand, there is no trace of an audience in September 1936 on the files. The Reich Chancellery has, in addition, obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs a copy of a report from the German embassy in Copenhagen, dated 10th September 1936, and as a result, is now in the picture as to the background of the journalist Frau Arvad. Care is to be taken that Frau Arvad is not received again. It is also impossible to tell from the files whether the Dane, Herluf Andersen, perhaps had an opportunity to talk to the Fuhrer, on the occasion of the Reich Party Rally, to which – according to his letter – he was invited. It can certainly be seen from the above that there are further steps to be taken in this matter’. An intriguing group of documents linking two of the 20th century’s most famous political leaders, Adolf Hitler and John F. Kennedy, via a Danish journalist who may have been a Nazi spy. Each of the documents with file holes to the left edges, some tears, a few small areas of paper loss, and light overall age wear, generally G, 6 The life and career of the Danish journalist Inga Arvad would appear to be a tangled web of fact and fantasy. Her claim of having been Hitler’s guest at the 1936 Summer Olympics, and of having been received by him personally on three occasions, are simply not true based on the evidence of the present documents. In one article she wrote her description of Hitler was later translated into English as ‘You immediately like him….The eyes, showing a kind heart, stare right at you. They sparkle with force’. Another source claims that, on meeting Hitler, Arvad asked the Fuhrer whether he was wearing a bullet proof vest. His response (one that seems totally unlikely and without foundation) was ‘Frisk me’, which Arvad claimed to have done, and found that he was not wearing any such protection. The Beauty Queen also claimed that Hitler had told her that she was a ‘perfect example of Nordic beauty’. Owing to restrictions imposed by The Saleroom we are unable to display the full description for this lot. Please contact us directly for a complete description, or visit our website.

FALKENHAUSEN ALEXANDER VON: (1878-1966) German General who served as a military advisor to Chiang Kai-shek, becoming an important figure during the Sino-German cooperation to reform the Chinese Army. Falkenhausen served as head of the military government of German-occupied Belgium 1940-44. Arrested and imprisoned following the 20 July plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. A.L.S., von Falkenhausen, No. 360, two pages, oblong 8vo, n.p., 16th November 1945, to Captain Biddle, in German. Falkenhausen requests his correspondent's assistance with several matters which he details in three numbered paragraphs, in part, '1) When the papers which were taken away from me on arrival here were returned, several were missing - among others, a notebook for 1944, an almanac for 1945, a letter written in French, a small notebook……I should be particularly grateful for their immediate return, especially since I need the notes urgently for my disposition. 2) On 10.10, during the course of an inspection of cell 70, a silver cigarette case was removed. In spite of repeated requests, both oral and in writing, the said object has so far not been given back to me……3) My trunk has arrived today from England. It is locked; the keys were taken away from me some time ago. Since I need urgently the things in it, I request that a locksmith should open the trunk'. VG    

WARLIMONT WALTER: (1894-1976) German staff officer of World War II, Deputy Chief of Operations Staff of the Armed Forces High Command 1939-44. Warlimont was wounded in the 20 July plot to assassinate Hitler and was later convicted in the High Command Trial at Nuremberg and sentenced to life imprisonment as a war criminal. A.L.S., W. Warlimont, one page, 4to, Nuremberg, 20th December 1945, to the General Secretary of the International Military Tribunal. Writing whilst awaiting trial at Nuremberg, Warlimont states, in full, 'On the advise of the Prison-officer I beg you to arrange that I can see to-night the German counsel of the “General Staff”, Dr. Exner. Another conference was agreed upon between us during our first meeting on Dec. 17th. I should appreciate especially the conference being arranged before Dr. Exner leaves Nuremberg because of the adjourning of the Court.' Neatly laid down and with two file holes to the upper edge, about VG   Franz Exner (1881-1947) Austrian-German criminologist and criminal lawyer who served as defence counsel to the German High Command at the Nuremberg Trials.

Jodl’s instructions to Donitz and Keitel the day before surrendering the German armed forces [JODL ALFRED]: (1890-1946) German Generaloberst, Chief of the Operations Staff of the German Armed Forces High Command 1939-45. An historically important D.S., Jodl, Colonel General, in the hand of an unidentified Allied radio operator at the SHAEF headquarters, one page, 4to (feint ruled paper), n.p. (Reims), n.d. (6th May 1945). The document, completed entirely in bold pencil and evidently translated into English from Jodl's original German text, is an Open Telegram addressed to Grand Admiral Karl Donitz and Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel, and states, in full, 'Orders to those concerned necessary to take direction “Frankenstrub” as quickly as possible and amicably'. Accompanied by two contemporary carbon typed copies of the same text. Some light age toning to the principal document and light overall creasing and age wear to the two carbon copies. G, 3  The present documents are dated just a day before Jodl signed the unconditional surrender of the German armed forces on behalf of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW). Jodl had been authorised by Donitz to sign the surrender, but subject to negotiating a 48-hour delay, ostensibly to enable the surrender order to be communicated to outlying German military units. 'Frankenstrub', the OKW facility in Berchtesgaden on the Austrian border, was a code word for the retreat. Provenance: The present documents originated from the personal archive of Major-General Sir Kenneth Strong (1900-1982) who served as a senior intelligence officer under General Dwight D. Eisenhower at SHAEF and played a leading part in the negotiations for the unconditional surrender of Germany in 1945.

[NUREMBERG TRIALS]: [GORING HERMANN]: (1893-1946) German Political and Military leader, Commander of the Luftwaffe during World War II. One of the most powerful figures in the Nazi Party, Goring was convicted as a war criminal. An historically important D.S. by the four chief prosecutors representing France, the United Kingdom, the USSR and the United States of America at the Nuremberg Trials, six pages, 4to, n.p. (Nuremberg), n.d. (1946). The typed document is headed International Military Tribunal No.1. - The United States of America, The French Republic, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics - against - Hermann Wilhelm Goering et al,, Defendants and is a Motion as to evidence of defendants addressed to the Honourable Tribunal following their ruling of 11th December 1945, that the defence counsel, at the conclusion of the case for the Prosecution, would be invited to submit to the Tribunal the evidence they propose to offer. The Prosecutor's proposals, intended to avoid 'issues upon uncontested facts, and to assisting the defendants' counsel in the presentation of evidence' are set out in a number of paragraphs, in part, 'FIRST: That the Tribunal require counsel for each defendant to submit in writing, not later than at the close of the case for the Prosecution, particulars showing the nature of the defense and of any evidence in support thereof which he desires to offer to the Tribunal. The statement of the nature of the defense will include an admission or denial of the following: 1) That for a period of years preceding 8 May 1945 there existed a common plan or conspiracy to commit or which involved the commission of the following crimes defined in the Charter of the International Military Tribunal, to wit, crimes against peace, war crimes and crimes against humanity. 2) That the defendant concerned participated in the said common plan or conspiracy. 3) That the wars…..were (a) wars of aggression, and (b) wars in violation of international treaties, agreements or assurances. 4) That the facts and events, particulars of which are set out under the following paragraphs of the Indictment, took place substantially as stated in the said Indictment, to wit - Count One. Paragraph IV (A) Nazi Party as the central core of the common plan or conspiracy. (B) Common objectives and methods of conspiracy. (C) Doctrinal techniques of the common plan or conspiracy. (D) The acquiring of totalitarian control of Germany: Political. (E) The acquiring of totalitarian control of Germany: Economic; and the economic planning and mobilization for aggressive war. (F) Utilization of Nazi control for foreign aggression. Count Three. Paragraph VIII (A) Murder and illtreatment of civilian population of or in occupied territory and on the high seas. (B) Deportation for slave labor and for other purposes of the civilian populations of and in occupied territories. (C) Murder and illtreatment of prisoners of war, and of other members of the armed forces of the countries with whom Germany was at war, and of persons on the high seas. (D) Killing of hostages. (E) Plunder of public and private property. (F) The exaction of collective penalties. (G) Wanton destruction of cities, towns and villages and devastation not justified by military necessity. (H) Conscription of civilian labor. (I) Forcing civilians of occupied territories to swear allegiance to a hostile power. (J) Germanisation of occupied territories. Count Four. Paragraph X (A) Murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation and other inhumane acts committed against civilian populations before and during the war. (B) Persecution on political, racial and religious grounds in execution of and in connection with the common plan mentioned in Count One. Where any of the matters recited in the foregoing paragraphs (1) to (4) inclusive and in the sections of the indictment referred to in said paragraphs are admitted, the statement of admission will further show the extent to which the participation of the defendant in such matters is admitted. Where any matters recited…..are denied, Defense Counsel will submit particulars of such denial, together with a detailed statement in writing of the evidence in support thereof. This written statement will contain the following:- (a) A precise statement of the evidence which counsel for each defendant proposes to elicit from each witness whose appearance has been approved, or who has been alerted by the Tribunal. (b) So far as possible a list of all documents, appropriately identified, which will be relied upon in the course of the proceeding…….That the Tribunal require Defense Counsel not later than at the close of the case for the prosecution to recite in writing their precise objections, if any, to the authenticity or genuiness (sic) or translation of any documents introduced in evidence by the Prosecution…..That not later than 10 days in advance of the date Counsel for any defendant proposes to call a witness to the stand, said Counsel be required to present to the Tribunal an affidavit prepared by the witness covering the relevant matters concerning which he is ready and able to testify……That within 7 days of the receipt of affidavits…..the Prosecution be required to indicate, in writing, whether it desires that the affiant be called to the stand for purposes of cross examination. The fact that the Prosecution enters no objection to any affidavit and does not request the appearance of the affiant will not be construed as an admission by the Prosecution of any of the matters contained in said affidavit'. Signed at the conclusion by the Chief Prosecutors Auguste Champetier de Ribes (1882-1947, French jurist and politician), David Maxwell Fyfe (1900-1967, British lawyer and judge), Roman Rudenko (1907-1981, Soviet lawyer and statesman) and Robert H. Jackson (1892-1954, American attorney and judge). An important document prepared by the Prosecution at the Nuremberg Trials for the presentation of evidence by the Defence Counsel of Hermann Goring and the 23 other major political and military leaders of the Third Reich in what was the first and best known of the Nuremberg Trials. Some light age wear and minor traces of professional restoration, otherwise VG    Provenance: The present document originated from the archives of Dr. Hans Werner who was responsible for directing the printing of the Record of the Trial of Major War Criminals in 42 volumes and in three different languages (English, French & German) immediately following the Nuremberg Trials. 

[NUREMBERG TRIALS]: HALIFAX EARL OF (1881-1959) British politician who held several senior ministerial posts including Secretary of State for War 1935 and Foreign Secretary 1938-40. Halifax was the British Ambassador to the United States 1940-46. Halifax was one of the architects of the policy of appeasement of Adolf Hitler in 1936-38, working closely with Neville Chamberlain. However, after Kristallnacht and the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 he was one who pushed for a new policy of attempting to deter further German aggression by promising to go to war to defend Poland. An historically important D.S., Halifax, two pages, folio, n.p. (Washington DC), n.d. (22nd March 1946). The typed document is headed Reply to Interrogatory submitted by the Counsel for the Defence of Freiherr von Neurath in the present trial before the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg by the Right Honourable the Earl of Halifax, His Britannic Majesty's Ambassador at Washington, D.C. and commences with three questions submitted to Halifax, 'Question 1. On the occasion of your visit to Berlin in November 1937 did you in effect declare to Freiherr von Neurath, then Reich Foreign Minister, when discussing the Austrian question “that the English people would not understand why they should be embroiled in a war against Germany, because two German states wished to amalgamate?”. Question 2. Did you wish to give Freiherr von Neurath, Reich Foreign Minister, to understand that the British Government had no objection to the Anschluss between Germany and Austria and would not oppose it? Question 3. Did you also make a similar declaration to the same effect when subsequently visiting Hitler at Berchtesgaden?'. Halifax's answer follows, in full, 'All that I remember saying, either to Hitler or von Neurath, on the matter referred to in the above three questions is as follows:- I made it clear that it was not necessarily the policy of His Majesty's Government to stand for the status quo in Europe as it existed in November 1937. We were, however, directly concerned to see that the various questions which we had discussed - Anschluss Danzig, Sudeten Deutsch - should be handled by negotiation and not by force, and with the free assent and goodwill of those primarily concerned'. Signed by Halifax at the conclusion and countersigned by Hubert Norman Pullar (1914-1988) in his capacity as His Majesty's Consul at Washington DC, as a witness to Halifax's signature. With several official British Embassy and Foreign Office stamps. Neatly mounted and with several file holes to the upper edges of each page, otherwise VG    Konstantin von Neurath (1873-1956) German diplomat who served as Foreign Minister of Germany 1932-38. Neurath was tried as a war criminal in Nuremberg and sentenced to fifteen years' imprisonment for his compliance and actions in the Nazi regime, receiving an early release in 1954. Provenance: The present document originated from the archives of Dr. Hans Werner who was responsible for directing the printing of the Record of the Trial of Major War Criminals in 42 volumes and in three different languages (English, French & German) immediately following the Nuremberg Trials

[NUREMBERG TRIALS]: An interesting group of T.Ls.S. etc. by various individuals, all relating to Dr. Fritz Sauter, a German lawyer and defence counsel at the Nuremberg Trials, comprising (in chronological order), an official English translation prepared by Virginia von Schon of a document addressed by Sauter to the Secretary General of the International Military Tribunal, one page, 4to, Nuremberg, 17th December 1945, stating, in part, 'Last week I requested that a certificate be made out for me that I can present to the Housing Office in Munich to prevent requestioning of my home and my office. I take the liberty of repeating this request herewith, especially in consideration of the fact that I again received a special delivery letter from Munich yesterday, according to which the rooms used by me up to now are to be requisitioned. Thus I am running the risk of being without quarters in Munich after the end of the Nuernberg trial, and I am convinced that the International Military Tribunal in no way sanctions what amounts to a punishment for me for my activity at this court in having my rooms in Munich taken over meanwhile by others'; a D.S. by Brigadier General William L. Mitchell (1897-1974, General Secretary of the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg), one page, 4to, n.p. (Nuremburg), 17th December 1945, being a typed memorandum addressed to the Commanding General of the International Military Tribunal and stating, in part, 'It is requested that the attached petition from Dr. Sauter, who is a defense counsel in the trials at Nurnberg, be turned over to the military government authorities for appropriate action. The Tribunal has informed defense counsel that it expects that each of them will regard his duty to the International Military Tribunal as of the first and most pressing importance. Consequently, counsel are not entitled to be absent from the sessions of the court without the expressed permission of the Tribunal. Since Dr. Sauter is assisting in the trial, the Tribunal is anxious that he should not suffer the loss of his office and apartment as a result of his work at the trial'; a D.S. by Brigadier Leroy H. Watson (1893-1975) of the United States Army, one page, oblong 8vo, Headquarters Command (Nuremberg), 18th December 1945, to the Commanding General of the Third United States Army, the typed document stating that it is to the interest of the court that Dr. Sauter's office and apartment should not be taken from him whilst he is acting as defence counsel at the Nuremberg Trials; a D.S. by Captain R. A. Knight, Assistant Adjutant General to Lieutenant General Lucian Truscott, one page, oblong 8vo, Headquarters, Third United States Army, 4th March 1946, to the Commanding General of the International Military Tribunal, the typed document concerning Sauter's request and stating, in part, 'It will be noted that the action recommended by OMG is not based on Dr. Sauter's present activities but upon his past record. Pending further information the Director, Office of Military Government for Bavaria has been requested to withhold further action'; a D.S. by Captain Augustus B. Hill, Chief, Social Insurance, Benefits, and Housing Section, Manpower Branch, two pages, 4to, Office of Military Government for Bavaria, 20th February 1946, being a typed memorandum addressed to Lt. Edward T. Diaz at the Headquarters of the Third United States Army and stating, in part, 'The housing case of Dr. Heinrich (sic) Sauter has been investigated by this office…..According to the records of the Investigation Section, Special Branch Public Safety, at this Headquarters, Dr. Heinrich (sic) Sauter, of Counsel for the Defense at the War Crimes Trials at Nuremberg, joined the Nazi Party in 1941. His Nazi affiliations are further shown by his memberships in the NSKK and the NSRB. In September, 1940, Dr. Sauter applied to the Police-Praesidium, Munich, for permission to carry a pistol; this application was referred to the Gestapo, and their answer, in the files of Special Branch, was that they had no objections to Dr. Sauter's being armed…..the apartment and office of Dr. Sauter have been taken over by the Housing Office in order to accommodate former concentration camp inmates and victims of the Nazi persecutions. Dr. Sauter and his small family have been assigned other quarters……Information received by this office indicates that Dr. Sauter was not only a member of the Nazi Party but also, in every sense of the term, an “activist”. The report is that up until the time of the occupation of Munich by our troops, Dr. Sauter was denouncing and condemning the Allies bitterly. That he was “an avowed believer in Nazism” seems beyond dispute…..Housing policy in regard to members of the Nazi Party has been laid down by the Office of Military Government for Germany (US) at Berlin…..which states…..no Nazi is permitted to live under conditions more favorable than those enjoyed by other persons in the community. It is a matter for German authorities to decide if compliance with this policy requires the eviction of any Nazi from his home…..It is therefore the opinion of this office that the German Housing Office of Munich was within its rights and had full authority to require Dr. Sauter to relinquish his former premises and to occupy others less desirable'; a D.S. by Lieutenant Colonel Airey Neave (1916-1979), in bold pencil, one page, slim 8vo, Office of the General Secretary, International Military Tribunal, 22nd March 1946, being a typed memorandum and stating, in full, 'Dr. Sauter was not appointed by the court. I have informed him of the circumstances and the papers have been referred to C.I.C. who have no comments to make', also annotated and signed by Leroy H. Watson with his initials in pencil. Each of the documents are neatly laid down to the recto and verso of four individual pages and all have file holes to the upper edges. Some staining to two of the documents, otherwise generally VG, 7    Dr. Fritz Sauter, a German lawyer, served as defence counsel to Joachim von Ribbentrop (to 5th January 1946), Walther Funk and Baldur von Schirach at the Nuremberg Trials. Airey Neave (1916-1979) British Lieutenant Colonel who was held as a prisoner of war at Colditz Castle (Oflag IV-C) during World War II, making a successful escape on 5th January 1942 and becoming the first British officer to make a 'home run' from Colditz. Neave was later recruited as an intelligence agent for MI9 and served with the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg where he was honoured with the role of reading the indictments to the Nazi leaders on trial. Provenance: The present document originated from the archives of Dr. Hans Werner who was responsible for directing the printing of the Record of the Trial of Major War Criminals in 42 volumes and in three different languages (English, French & German) immediately following the Nuremberg Trials.

[NUREMBERG TRIALS]: A small selection of various signed items by British and American barristers and lawyers associated with the Nuremberg Trials following the end of World War II comprising Telford Taylor (1908-1998, American lawyer, Counsel for the Prosecution at the Nuremberg Trials) signed 5 x 7.5 photograph depicting him reading from a lectern during the trials; an A.L.S., Telford Taylor, one page, 8vo, New York, 3rd December 1979, explaining to his correspondent that he has no photographs for distribution; a T.L.S., Telford Taylor, one page, 4to, New York, 11th September 1949, agreeing to sign a copy of The Nuremberg War Crimes Trials for his correspondent; and a black ink signature and inscription on a white adhesive label, dated January 1981 in his hand; Benjamin Ferencz (1920-     , American lawyer and investigator of Nazi war crimes, Chief Prosecutor for the United States Army at the Einsatzgruppen Trial) signed 7 x 4.5 photograph of Ferencz in a half-length pose delivering his opening statements at the Einsatzgruppen Trial. Signed in white crayon to the image and with the original printed caption affixed to the verso; Hartley Shawcross (1902-2003, English barrister who served as the lead British prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials) Ink signature ('Hartley Shawcross') on an oblong 12mo piece; David Maxwell Fyfe (1900-1967, British lawyer and judge who was one of the prosecuting counsels at the Nuremberg Trials) Blue ink signature on an 8vo sheet of blind embossed stationery from the House of Commons, with four typed words and the date 15th November 1946. Also including an unsigned vintage 11.5 x 5.5 photograph of various American judges standing and seated together in two rows at the time of the OMGUS military tribunal. Generally VG, 8 

[NUREMBERG TRIALS]: A small selection of T.Ls.S. and A.Ls.S. by British and American barristers and lawyers etc., associated with the Nuremberg Trials following the end of World War II comprising Hartley Shawcross (1902-2003) English barrister who served as the lead British prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials. T.L.S., Hartley Shawcross, one page, 8vo, Royal Courts of Justice, London, 8th April 1947, to Miss. A. E. Payne, on the printed stationery of the Attorney General. Shawcross thanks his correspondent for their letter, which he had greatly appreciated, and continues 'Politics altogether apart, it seems to me that the country's success in overcoming the great economic difficulties which face us will depend very largely on the steadiness of the ordinary people; that is to say, on what we used to call morale during the war. Nobody has any objection to open and constructive criticism of the Government, but whispering campaigns which are merely intended to cause trouble do not assist the country at the present time. What you are doing, therefore, in order to try and keep people cheerful is most valuable', David Maxwell Fyfe (1900-1967) British lawyer and judge who was one of the prosecuting counsels at the Nuremberg Trials. T.L.S., David Maxwell Fyfe, with holograph salutation and subscription, one page, 8vo, Whitehall, London, 11th June 1954, to Stanley Bell, on the printed stationery of the Home Secretary. Maxwell Fyfe writes, in full, 'I was very glad indeed to read your name in the Gazette and hasten to congratulate you on your honour which was, I know, more than deserved', together with an A.L.S. by his wife, Sylvia Maxwell Fyfe (1903-1992, Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party 1951-54), one page, 4to, The Adelphi Hotel, Liverpool, 13th October n.y., to Colonel Bell, thanking him for allowing her and her husband use of his suite and adding 'David went off to the Midlands at 9am & I have returned to the attack in West Derby! It is too early to be saying much, but things do look rather good in Lancashire, don't you think?', Norman Birkett (1883-1962) British barrister, judge and politician who served as the alternate British judge during the Nuremberg Trials. A.L.S., Norman Birkett, one page, small 8vo (neatly trimmed edges), Chalfont St. Giles, Buckinghamshire, 9th March 1940, to Mr. Lewis, sending his autograph and remarking that he thinks Lord Hewart would also send his if it were applied for directly at the Royal Courts of Justice, and Robert H. Jackson (1892-1954) American attorney and judge, the Chief United States Prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials. T.L.S., Robert H. Jackson, one page, 4to, Washington DC, 7th October 1940, to the Honorable D. Lawrence Groner, Chief Justice, United States Court of Appeals, on the printed stationery of the Office of the Attorney General at the Department of Justice. Jackson acknowledges receipt of his correspondent's letter regarding the bill 'to empower United States commissioners to try cases involving petty offenses committed on Federal reservations', adding that he was pleased to know of Groner's interest in the matter and of his approval of the legislation, remarking 'The bill was drafted in the Department and passed at its request, as it seemed essential to make some provision for facilitating the disposition of such cases'. Also including an unsigned vintage 11.5 x 5.5 photograph of various American judges standing and seated together in two rows at the time of the OMGUS military tribunal. Generally VG, 6   

[NUREMBERG TRIALS]: SAUCKEL FRITZ (1894-1946) German Nazi politician, Gauleiter of Gau Thuringia from 1927 and the General Plenipotentiary for Labour Department from March 1942 until the end of World War II. A.L.S., Sauckel, two pages, folio, n.p. (Nuremberg), n.d. (1945-46), to Alfred Rosenberg, in German. Sauckel writes in bold pencil and states, in part, 'My main witness for the work assignment of the workers from the East has arrived. Therefore, I am drawing your attention to the following in order to avoid unnecessary objections…..This witness will express: Based on your personal request an agreement existed between your ministry and the office of BA [i.e. Sauckel's Generalbevollmächtigter für den Arbeitseinsatz, responsible for the deployment of foreign and eastern labourers] in which all correspondence with the 'Reich commissioners' must go through your office, i.e. through you…..When you say that I did not answer your letter it is important to note that I came to you in person immediately. There were 4 meetings, 3 at your office…..and 1 in your apartment……My witness will also express clearly that I have given the strictest instructions to not use any kind of violence while recruiting or when carrying out orders and that such violence was not used by any office or any department….The commissioned officer of the G.B.A. was attached to the Reich commissioner. He was able to give instructions, but the execution was under the control of the Reich commissioner'. A letter of interesting content in which Sauckel clearly attempts to deflect blame for his own horrendous human rights abuses by making Rosenberg a scapegoat. Some light age wear, VG    Alfred Rosenberg (1893-1946) Baltic German Nazi theorist and ideologue who served as head of the NSDAP Office of Foreign Affairs 1933-45 and as head of the Reich Ministry for the Occupied Eastern Territories 1941-45. Both Sauckel and Rosenberg were among the 24 persons accused in the Nuremberg Trial of the Major War Criminals before the International Military Tribunal. Both were found guilty, sentenced to death, and executed by hanging on 16th October 1946. Provenance: The present letter originated from the archives of Dr. Alfred Thoma, defence counsel at Nuremberg for Rosenber,g and bears his name, in Sauckel's hand, to the upper edge of the first page.

BLOMBERG EVA MARGARETE VON: (1913-1978) German typist & secretary, the second wife of Werner von Blomberg, Commander-in-Chief of the German Armed Forces 1935-38. A rare A.L.S., Eva v. Blomberg, one page, oblong 8vo, Nuremberg, 11th March 1946, to Mr. Bailey of the Internal Security Office, in German. Blomberg writes, in full, 'Would you be so kind and do his wife the favour of allowing the enclosed letter (no longer present) through to her husband. I am very sorry to have to trouble you for your help. Once again, warm thanks'. Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Blomberg. Some light creasing and very slightly irregularly torn to the lower edge, otherwise VG    At the age of 59 Werner von Blomberg married his second wife, the 25 year old Erna Gruhn, also known as Eva Margarete. The marriage caused something of a scandal as the Berlin police had a long criminal file on Gruhn and her mother, a former prostitute. Among the reports was information that Blomberg's new wife had posed for pornographic photos in 1932. The police file eventually made its way to Hermann Goring (who had been best man at the wedding) and he used it to argue that Blomberg was unfit to serve office, and also informed Hitler (who had been present at the wedding) of his findings. Hitler ordered Blomberg to annul the marriage to avoid a scandal and preserve the integrity of the army, however Blomberg refused. When Goring threatened to make the police file public Blomberg was forced to resign his posts to prevent that. As a consequence Hitler took personal command of the military and used the opportunity for a major reorganisation of the Wehrmacht. Blomberg spent World War II in obscurity and was arrested by the Allies in 1945 and gave evidence at the Nuremberg Trials. Whilst in detention at Nuremberg his health declined rapidly and he faced the contempt of his former colleagues and the intention of his young wife to abandon him.

TIMOFEEV-RESSOVSKY NIKOLAY: (1900-1981) Soviet Biologist. An influential personality who conducted research in radiation and population genetics, receiving in the 1930´s direct funding from the Third Reich, praising him as one of the world´s best geneticists and opponent to Communism. Unusual signed and inscribed 8.5 x 11 photograph by Timofeev-Ressovsky in a head and shoulders pose. Signed in bold blue ink `A la revue “Sapere”, hommage de N. Timofeeff-Ress´ to the bottom right corner. VG   

Eichmann prepares his defence of the Lidice Massacre EICHMANN ADOLF: (1906-1962) Nazi SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer, known as the 'architect of the Holocaust.' An extremely rare, lengthy and significant Autograph Manuscript Signed, with his initial E, four pages, folio, n.p. (Jerusalem), n.d. (c. June 1961), in German. The manuscript represents Eichmann's instructions, in seven numbered sections, to his Defence Attorney, Robert Servatius, ahead of the day's proceedings at the Jerusalem District Court during Eichmann's trial and state, in part, '1.) ….concerning the documents of the 24.6.61, pages 12 to 25, a) Factual inaccuracies b) Important things aren't mentioned at all, [in fact] important documents are ignored c) Namely the Lidice-issue is inside, but my compilation "special treatment" was not given to me by Dr. Wechtenbruch, because he believed "Lidice" didn't come in today yet. 2.) To save what can still be saved a) Please don't ask me about what I said about document 912 (testimony Sievers)…..it complicates the whole matter and resolves nothing…..Therefore today I am compelled to answer mostly by my own way. 3.) Please do not discuss the document 396….because it is hung in limbo without coherence; while the documents 1254 + 1255 ("According to the order RFSS the Jews are hanged") are recorded as dropped. Why that???? It should be brought!!! 4.) Namely the "Lidice" instance is on turn, but instead and for nothing else I would need my special elaboration about the special treatment; Poles….Jews. Today I gave the file to Dr. Wechtenbruch, so he can incorporate it, but unfortunately it wasn't done; I shall get it back tomorrow. I couldn't have guessed, that "Lidice" wasn't [scheduled] for today because Dr. W. [withheld] my special treatment note, nevertheless for today no "program" remains and "Lidice" is scheduled for tomorrow…….6.) After these "preparations" I have the biggest concerns, because we didn't discuss this matter yet. Therefore I beg you, to ask me as few as possible…..I wish to skip "Lidice" (doc. 557 to 914) to skip "Ganzenmuller" (doc. 1253 + 1537) to skip "Execution" (doc. 1254 to 396) the only solution would be to schedule it for tomorrow. Because then the matter would be cohesive and [could be] discussed and submitted in more detail…..therefore to avoid giving the impression as if I want to hide something, when nothing is to hide. 7.) Doc. 1531….does not respond to that, what the indictment accused me in this regard. Namely if SS Leaders Burger and Linka (?) are my subordinates, as the indictment claims…..' Signed by Eichmann at the conclusion of the third page. The fourth page bears a further brief note (later crossed through) concerning documents numbered 1129 to 1140 which are in brown folder number 2. An exceptional document relating to one of history's most important war crimes trials which resulted in Israel's only judicial execution to date. Accompanied by a complete English translation. VG   Robert Servatius (1894-1983) German Lawyer known for his defence of Nazi war criminals including Adolf Eichmann. Servatius was assisted at Eichmann's trial by the legal assistant Dieter Wechtenbruch. The Lidice Massacre took place in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia (now the Czech Republic) in June 1942 and saw the whole village destroyed on the orders of Adolf Hitler and Heinrich Himmler. The massacre was an act of reprisal for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich and the genocide totalled 340 deaths including 82 children who were later exterminated after having been transferred to the Chelmno concentration camp on the orders of Adolf Eichmann. During his trial Eichmann faced four counts of crimes against humanity against non-Jews, including his participation in the Lidice Massacre. He was found guilty for deportation of part of the population of Lidice, but not for the massacre itself.

MARIA THERESA: (1717-1780) Empress Consort of the Holy Roman Empire 1745-65. Mother of Marie Antoinette. D.S., `Benevola Maria Theresa´, three pages, large folio, Vienna, 18th December 1752, to Cardinal Millini of Milan, in Latin. Empress Maria Theresa, in her capacity as Holy Roman Empress and Archduchess of Austria, refers to the humble petition received from Joannes Georgius Liber, Baron of Steinbach, who expects that his son would be appointed at the cathedral and which position they expect will be unoccupied shortly. The Empress further refers to the capacity and knowledge of the candidate, doctorate with honours in Germany-Hungary, and to his family close support to them, and states in part `We will accept and do what His Holiness will decide about all of us, and we will agree on all… For all these reasons we do hope and are confident that the mentioned and suggested candidate Joannes, Baron of Steinbach, will get your favour to be given the post in one of the cathedrals mentioned, after the sad death of Pater Particella… ´ With two countersignatures. Accompanied by the original envelope, opened as a folio, with blank integral leaf, and bearing an attractive and large paper seal affixed. Also including a 4to engravement of Maria Theresa. Very small minor age wear, otherwise G to VG   

ISABELLA I OF CASTILE: (1451-1504) Queen of Castile 1474-1504. Catholic Monarch who ruled jointly with her husband Ferdinand II of Aragon as The Catholic Monarchs 1475-1504. They are recognized for laying the foundations for the political unification of Spain, and also for completing the Reconquista as well as their support and financing of Christopher Columbus´ voyage of 1492 which led to the opening of the New World. An exceptional manuscript letter, dated in 1483, signed by the Queen `Yo la Reyna´ ("I the Queen"), one page, oblong 4to, Miranda de Ebro, 2nd September 1483, to Sancho de Vergara, in old Castilian. The document bears at the heading the written text `The Queen´, stating below `Sancho de Vergara, I have discussed with Johan de Luxan, Knight of my Household, certain matters that he will share with you on my behalf. I do beg and trust you to fully believe him. Given at the town of Miranda de Ebro, 2nd of September 1483´. Countersigned at the base by Fernando Alvarez `As ordered by the Queen´. With a registration annotation to the verso, referring to the order given by the Queen and the matter related, being a lawsuit regarding property in the town of Corella, in Navarra. Only four months prior to our letter´s date, Castilian forces captured the last ruler of the Muslim Emirate of Granada, Muhammad XII, known as Boabdil, at the battle of Lucena. Overall age wear, with very slightly irregular edges, and very small toning, otherwise G    

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´, one page, folio, Madrid, 15th November 1576, to `..the Duke, Governor and captain General´, in old Spanish. The document states in part `..Crisafa de Lodopoli, widow, reports that while Captain Francisco Enriquez Castellano was imprisoned by the Turks, her husband Juan Ladico gave him a loan of fifty Venetian gold cequines, equivalent to fifteen reales each, to help with his ransom. And having agreed that the mentioned amount plus interests would be returned in Naples either to him or to his procurator, and having tried to sort this out friendly, she reports that nothing has been returned and that six years have past…´ The King states that the widow must be attended and the amount due returned, and orders his correspondent to attend all her claims and amounts requested promptly. Countersigned by Vargas. With a paper seal affixed to the verso address leaf in fine condition. Two small holes to the left border as a result of a former binding and right edge slightly trimmed, otherwise G    The “Zecchino” (`cequines´ in the present letter), was a gold coin of 3,5 grams, 986 pure, used by the Republic of Venetia in 1284. First called “Ducat”, and from 1543 called Zecchino after Jacobo D´Antonio Sansovino, called “Zecca”. Venetia called from then on “Ducat” the silver coin.Luis de Zuñiga y Requesens. Ambassador to Rome, Captain General of Milan and Governor of the Netherlands succeeding the Duke of Alba, under King Philip II with who he was educated since childhood. Luis de Zuñiga was the tutor of John of Austria (1547-1578 Illegitimate son of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Military leader at the service of his half-brother Philip II. John of Austria fought at the Battle of Lepanto as Admiral of the Holy Alliance fleet.

ISABELLA CLARA EUGENIA: (1566-1633) Sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands in the Low Countries with her husband, Archduke Albert VII of Austria. Their reign is considered the Golden Age of the Spanish Netherlands. Isabella, the eldest daughter of King Philip II of Spain, was one of the most powerful women in 16th and 17th century Europe. A fine A.L.S., Isabel, two pages, folio, Marymont, All Saints Day, 1609, to her cousin, the Duchess, in Spanish. Isabella sends thanks for a present received from her cousin and wonders why she has not enclosed a letter, also referring cryptically to the need for guarding against people who would take them by surprise, as they did the Archduke Leopold. Some extremely light, very minor age wear, VG    

CHARLES VII: (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.

FERDINAND MARIA OF BAVARIA (1884-1958) Prince of Bavaria, Infante of Spain & INFANTA MARIA DE LA PAZ (1862-1946) Infanta of Spain, daughter of Queen Isabella II and sister of King Alfonso XIII. Husband and wife 1906-12. A rare vintage signed 9 x 13 photograph by both Ferdinand Maria and Maria de la Paz individually, the image depicting the Infante standing in a full-length pose, wearing his uniform and medals, alongside his wife who is seated in a three-quarter length pose holding their young baby in her arms. Photograph by Franzen of Madrid and bearing their imprint to the lower mount. Signed ('Ferdinand Maria') by the Infante and signed ('Maria Teresa') by the Infanta, both in fountain pen inks to the base of the image. The Infanta has also added the name of their first child, Luis Alfonso, and the date, 1907, in her hand. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG   

FRANÇOIS I: (1494-1547) King of France 1515-1547. First King of France from the Angouleme branch. He succeeded his cousin and father-in-law Louis XII. A Patron of the arts who initiated the French Renaissance and attracted Italian artists to France, including Leonardo da Vinci, whose Mona Lisa was bought by King Francis. A rare L.S. 'Francoys', a clean signature, one page, vellum, 4to, in French. The letter is clipped to the right edge, not affecting the signatures. Stating to the heading `Francois par la grace de Dieu, Roi de France, A nos amis et féaux..´, further referring to a payment order and to a quittance, stating in part `A tous mandons..a notre conseiller et receveur general de son office, du quartier d´octobre, novembre et décembre.. payer la somme de 6000 livres et de longtemps fait avant et depuis..´  Countersigned at the base by Robertet `Par le Roy - Robertet´. Accompanied by an engraving of François I.Overall age wear due to age, with few former traces of affixing to edges. Clipped right edge. F to G   Florimond Robertet (1460-1527) the King´s secretary. A important and powerful figure and diplomat of his time, very well considered by the King

CHARLES IX: (1550-1574) King of France 1560-74. He ascended the throne at the very early age of ten years upon the death of his brother Francis II who died at the early age of sixteen. From 1560 to 1563 his mother Catherine de´ Medici held the regency of France. Charles IX died at the age of 23. Very rare and fine D.S., `Charles´, one page, folio, Moulins, France, 23rd January 1566, to the Parliament of Bordeaux and for the Count of Daubijoux, in old French. The document refers to the process request that `… you have listened to and followed since long this matter, and knowing the process the Count of Aubijoux is facing, and the long pursuit that his passed father and mother have made to you, and knowing how important this matter is to them…´ The King further requests and expects a prompt and fair decision, according to justice, which the Count deserves. Countersigned at the base by Robertet. With address leaf. Water stain to the right border, not affecting the signature. About G   

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.

A King’s banquet [LOUIS XIV] - CHAMBORD DINNER: (1638-1715) Also known as Louis the Great or The Sun King. King of France 1643-1715. Son of Louis XIII. His reign of more than 72 years is the longest recorded of any monarch in European history. A curious and interesting manuscript document, being the list of dinners prepared for the King and his Royal entourage, including the King´s mistress Madame de Montespan, during their voyage to Chambord, two pages, folio, September 1684, in French. The document, entitled `Pour les disners que doit donner Sa Majesté au voyage de Chambor en Septembre 1684´ ("For the dinners that His Majesty will offer during the trip to Chambord in September 1684"), lists eleven different coaches, mentioning the persons occupying each coach and the dishes that will be served, and lists also six tables separately, also detailing who will eat at that table and the menu, stating in part `Le Carosse du Roy de Monseigneur & Madame la Dauphine - Jeux de 4 petits potages, une grande entrée et 4 petites, un plat de rost, 4 petits plats d´entremets, 2 salades, 2 plats de fruits et 4 compotes - Une table pour le Capitaine des gardes et personnes de qualité de 12 couverts….. - Deux Carosses de Madame la Dauphine pleins de Dames, un carosse de Madame de Montespan, un carosse du corps de madame… Un Carosse de Madame La Princesse de Conty… - Un carosse des filles de Madame La Dauphine, Un carosse des femmes de Madame La Dauphine… Un carosse des Ecuyers de madame La Dauphine…´ ("The King´s coach, and of Monseigneur & Madame la Dauphine - Set of 4 small soups, a large starter and 4 small ones, a roast dish, 4 small dessert dishes, 2 salads, 2 fruit dishes and 4 compotes - A table for the Captain of the guards and quality people with 12 seats… .. - Two Coaches for Madame la Dauphine full of Ladies, a coach for Madame de Montespan, a coach with the service corps of Madame… A Coach for Madame La Princesse de Conty… - A coach for the daughters of Madame La Dauphine, A coach for Madame La Dauphine Ladies of company… A table for Miss de Bessola, A coach for the Ecuyers of Madame La Dauphine…´ Most of the coaches with members of the Royal family are served similar menus than the King´s one, although often with a smaller number of dishes. The other coaches and tables are served with a single dish `Un plat de Rost, du pain et du vin´ ("A roast dish, bread and wine") The King´s mistress travels alone. At the base of the coaches, tables and dishes list, the document states `We will have one officer and two young men attending the service of each coach. They will take care of the aunts. For the extraordinary daily persons accompanying the march, 8 dozens of… table wine.... pieces of meat and money 25tt per day´ Overall age wear, mostly to edges, with trimmed edges and very small tears. About G   The present voyage to Chambord took place from 21st September 1684 when the Royal courtship departed from Versailles, reaching Chambord three days after on 24th September, for a distance of 180 km approximately. Madame de Montespan (1640-1707) Françoise de Rochechouart de Mortemart, Marquise of Montespan was the "Maitresse-en-titre" ("Entitled mistress") of King Louis XIV. They had seven children together. Consdered by many and called the "true Queen of France". Madame de Montespan is an ancestress of many Royal Houses in Europe, including Spain, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, etc…

LOUIS PHILIPPE I: (1773-1850) King of the French 1830-48. A good hardback bound folio album containing over thirty A.Ls.S., Ls.S., and a few Ds.S. by Louis Philippe I and various members of his family, including his wife, children etc., comprising (in the order in which they appear in the album) -I) Louis Philippe I - L.S., Louis Philippe D'Orleans, one page, 4to, Neuilly, 11th July 1821, to the Mayor and Members of the Municipal Council in the town of de Blangy (i.e. Blangy-sur-Bresle), on black bordered mourning stationery, thanking them for their letter of condolences on the death of his mother, Louise Marie Adelaide de Bourbon, Duchess of Orleans.II) Louis Philippe I - D.S., Louis Philippe D'Orleans, one page, folio, Palais Royal, 23rd July 1822, in French. The partially printed document, completed in manuscript, is a Permission de Chasse (Hunting Permit) allowing Le Chevalier de Cartougiere to hunt once a week, accompanied by one other individual and dogs, in the forest at Boudy [de-Beauregard], further giving him the authority to shoot hare, rabbit, partridge and other birds. With blank integral leaf.III) Louis Philippe I - L.S., Louis Philippe D, one page, folio, Paris, 15th May 1839, to [Ignazio Giovanni] Cardinal Cadolini, in French, congratulating him on a promotion. Countersigned at the foot by Jean-de-Dieu Soult (1769-1851) French Marshal General, Prime Minister of France 1832-34, 1839-40 & 1840-47. Accompanied by the original envelope.IV) Louis Philippe I - A.L.S., Louis Philippe D, one page, 4to, Paris, 26th November 1832, in French, authorising Mr. James to pay the sum of 10,000 francs from his personal account to the Comte de Monterliver.V) Louis Philippe I - L.S., Louis Philippe D, one page, folio, Paris, 25th May 1837, to [Mario] Cardinal Mattei, in French, thanking him for his letter of good wishes received at Christmas. Countersigned at the foot by Louis-Mathieu Mole (1781-1855) Prime Minister of France 1836-39 and a close friend and associate of the King. With blank integral leaf. Accompanied by the original envelope.VI) Louis Philippe I - L.S., Louis Philippe D, one page, small 4to, Paris, 11th December 1839, to Comte Corbineau, in French, advising him that the opening of the Sessions of Chamber will take place on 23rd December and requiring him to be present.VII) Louis Philippe I - L.S., Louis Philippe D, one page, folio, Paris, 25th March 1845, to 'Mon Cousin', in French, thanking his correspondent for their letter of good wishes received at Christmas. Countersigned at the foot by Francois Guizot (1787-1874) French Minister of Foreign Affairs 1840-48 and Prime Minister 1847-48. With blank integral leaf.VIII) Chevalier de Foulaine - A.L.S., Le Che. F-N de Foulaine, one page, 4to, Nantes, 3rd July 1832, to Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily (1782-1866, Queen Consort of the French, wife of Louis Philippe I) 'Madame', in French, stating, in part, 'Witnesses of the disasters ravaging the West have justly said that the four principal causes were: the last pamphlet by the Viscount of Chateaubriand; the one by Mr. Graney; the newspaper entitled "The Friends of Order" published in Nantes; and endless manuscript copies of the "Little Almanack of Great Men". They have added, Madame, that the old men, devoted to the dynasty of Louis-Philippe should enlighten the masses, while the Garde Nationale, the League, and Generals Bonnet and Solignac would calm the ill-will. I have mixed the colours; another, Madame, will paint the picture; but no one will watch with more zeal for the prosperity of my august benefactress', with an A.N.S. by Maria Amalia, with her initial M, to the verso of the integral leaf, n.p., n.d. (1832), stating, in full, 'Here is another work by Chevalier de Foulaine, if it is good I am willing to take two or three copies and thank him for having sent them'.IX) Louis Philippe I - D.S., as Duke of Chartres, one page, folio, Vendome, 4th July 1791, in French. The manuscript document is issued in the name of the 14th Regiment of Dragoons and is a certificate relating to Claude Leonard de Bourcier and the tax of the company. Also bearing several countersignatures and a red wax seal to the upper left corner.X) Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily (1782-1866) Queen Consort of the French 1830-48, wife of Louis Philippe I. A.L.S., with her initial M, one page, 8vo, Neuilly, 15th July 1836, to an unidentified correspondent, in French, advising that the King would like to see a sketch of the small plan of the castle before taking a decision on a report.XI) Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily - A.L.S., Marie Amelie, three pages, 8vo, Claremont [House, Surrey], 30th June 1853, to Princess Bagralieu (?), in French. The Queen writes a largely social letter to her friend, making reference to the marriage of the Duke of Brabant (the future King Leopold II of Belgium) and Lord Howden (Minister Plenipotentiary in the British Embassy at Madrid 1850-58) whom she understands to be in Paris, and asking for her respects to be paid to him. Accompanied by the original envelope.XII) Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily - A.L.S., with her monogram MA, two pages, 8vo, Neuilly, 27th June 1839, to her son, Francois d'Orleans, Prince of Joinville (1818-1900, French Admiral, famous for bringing the remains of Napoleon from Saint Helena to France in 1840), in French. The Queen seeks news from her son, adding that the war is escalating in the Levant, informing him that the trial of the Chamber of Peers takes place today and that it had been delayed by the important capture of Martin Bernard, and further reporting of excellent news that she has received from Seville. With blank integral leaf.XIII) Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily - A.L.S., with her monogram MA, three pages, 8vo, Paris, 8th September 1838, to her son, Francois d'Orleans, Prince of Joinville, in French, explaining that she had learned with sadness of a boat carrying her letters being held up at Brest, reporting on the perfect health of the Prince's father, although remarking that his sister, Princess Marie of Orleans, is in declining health (she was suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis at the time) and will be spending the winter at a villa in Italy accompanied by a very good doctor.XIV) Louis Philippe I - A.L.S., Le Duc d'Orleans, in the third person, one page, 4to, Neuilly, 16th August 1818, to Sir Charles Stuart, in French, asking his correspondent to forward a letter to His Highness, the Prince Regent (the future King George IV of the United Kingdom), informing him that the Duchess had given birth to a son, the Prince of Joinville, on 14th August.XV) Ferdinand Philippe, Duke of Orleans (1810-1842) French Prince Royal, eldest son of Louis Philippe I and Maria Amalia, who tragically died at the untimely age of 31. A scarce A.L.S., Ferdinand Philippe d'Orleans, one page, 4to, Marseille, 10th November 1839, to a General, in French, informing him of his proposed arrival in Lyon to inspect the soldiers and their military manoeuvres, and that he may also visit the works of the fortifications. With blank integral leaf.XVI) Duchess Helene of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1814-1858) French Crown Princess, wife of Ferdinand Philippe, Duke of Orleans. A.L.S., with her initial H, one page, 8vo, n.p., 12th April 1839, to an unidentified correspondent, in French, referring to a matter about which they had previously spoken and asking for an address to be sent to a Baroness.Owing to restrictions imposed by The Saleroom we are unable to display the full description for this lot. Please contact us directly for a complete description, or visit our website.      

LOUIS XVI: (1754-1793) King of France and Navarre 1774-1791, King of the French 1791-92. The only King of France to have been executed. An 8vo hardback edition of the Defense de Louis, Prononcee a la Barre de la Convention Nationale, Le Mercredi 26 Decembre 1792…..Par le Citoyen Deseze…. ('The Defence of Louis XVI as Delivered at the Bar of the National Convention, Wednesday, 26th December 1792…..by Citizen Deseze….'), L'Imprimerie Nationale, by order of the Convention, Paris, 1792. With several pages of engravings and autograph letters etc. tipped into the binding following the front free endpapers including King Louis XVI fragment of an autograph note, unsigned, one page, 12mo, n.p., n.d., in French, being an order for a number of gold locks to be made for several chests, in part, '2 in the private cabinet, 1 between the black cabinet and the corridor to the dining room, 1 between the black cabinet and the jewellery cabinet, 1 between the jewellery cabinet and the private cabinet, 1 between the jewellery cabinet and the library…..there are only three copies, there still must be some in Paris'; Raymond Deseze (1750-1828) French Advocate who defended King Louis XVI when brought before the Convention for trial. A.L.S., Deseze, three pages, 8vo, Brevannes, n.d. ('Le lundi matin'), thanking his correspondent for the information supplied to him and remarking that he 'was right in thinking that I did not read a consultation….I don't even remember very well the evidence I could have had under my eyes and the way I made use of it', further referring to a lawyer in Brussels and a report which should be sent by courier; Francois Denis Tronchet (1726-1806) French Jurist who, alongside Deseze and Malesherbes, defended King Louis XVI when brought before the Convention for trial. A.L., unsigned, in the third person (his name Le Senateur TRONCHET printed at the beginning of the text), one page, small 8vo, Paris, 19Vendimiaire year 12 of the Republic, to Monsieur Du Poirier, seeking a meeting with his correspondent regarding an urgent matter and suggesting 6pm and, if possible, dinner with his friend. With integral address leaf in Tronchet's hand (small area of paper loss to one corner caused by the original breaking of the seal); Guillaume-Chretien de Lamoignon de Malesherbes (1721-1794) French Statesman and Minister who, alongside Deseze and Tronchet, defended King Louis XVI when brought before the Convention for trial. A.L., unsigned, one page, 8vo, (place indecipherable), 29th October 1775, to a gentleman, in French, forwarding a response he has received and referring to various individuals and a court case. Attractively bound in half-morocco, with raised bands to spine and small gilt stamped title, mottled boards and marbled pastedowns and endpapers. A rare, unusual grouping and presentation related to one of the most important events in French history. Some light age wear, minor foxing in places and a few light stains to some pages, G   

The King of France plans his escape upon Napoleon´s return from Elba and describes him as `The Tyrant who comes to bring to France all the plagues of Civil War and Foreign War´ LOUIS XVIII: (1755-1824) King of France 1795-1824, with a brief interruption during the Hundred Days in 1815. An extremely important L.S., `Louis´, with historical content, one page, folio, Paris, 11th March 1815, to the abbot of Montesquiou, in French. Also signed at the base by his correspondent `L´abbé De Montesquiou´. The King sends a desperate order to his correspondent, the Minister of the interior, in a state of great alarm, because he has been informed that Napoleon has returned from his exile on the island of Elba, and landed on the French coast on 1st of March 1815, only ten days before the present letter was written. The King refers to Napoleon as `The Tyrant who comes to bring to France all the plagues of Civil War and Foreign War´. On 10th March, a day before this letter was sent, Napoleon entered Lyon where the King´s brother was, the Count of Artois had to hastily leave the same day. On the 20th May, Napoleon entered Paris and King Louis XVIII went for the second time into exile, starting the period called "Les Cent Jours" ("The Hundred Days"). The letter states `Monsieur le Préfet, je vous fais cette letter pour vous announcer que l´urgence des circonstances exigeant que je rassemble à Melun une armée de reserve, je vous ordonne de faire dans votre département, un appel à tous les hommes de bonne volonté que vous ferez armer et que vous enverrez, par tous les moyens les plus prompts, au lieu du rendez-vous organisés en Colonne Mobile. Le salut de la Patrie depend de la prompte execution de cette mesure qui, si elle est bien conduite, pour opposer une résistance invincible au Tyran qui vient apporter à la France tous les fléaux de la guerre Civile et de la guerre Etrangère. C´est vous dire combien je compte sur votre zèle à me seconder dans une semblable conjoncture..´ ("Monsieur the Prefect, I am writing this letter to announce you that the urgency of the circumstances require me to assemble a reserve army in Melun, I order you to make in your department, an appeal to all the men of good will that you will make arm and that you will send, by all the quickest means, to the meeting place organized in Mobile Columns. The salvation of the Fatherland depends on the prompt execution of this measure which, if it is well conducted, is to oppose an invincible resistance to the Tyrant who comes to bring to France all the plagues of Civil War and Foreign War. This is to tell you how much I count on your zeal to assist me in such a situation") Louis XVIII makes an interesting comment, mentioning the Civil War that Napoleon is going to provoke because of the French split support to Bourbon Monarchy and to Napoleon. With blank integral leaf. Extremely small creasing to the upper edge, otherwise about EX    Abbot François-Xavier de Montesquiou-Fézensac (1757-1832) French Clergyman and Politician. President of the National Assembly 1790-91. As a Royalist, he had to flee to England after the Storm of the Tuileries, and lived in the United States during the Reign of Terror 1792-95. Close to Louis XVIII, he was appointed under the First Restoration Minister of the Interior from May 1814 to March 1815.

NAPOLEON IV: (1856-1879) Louis-Napoleon, Prince Imperial of France, the only child of Napoleon III, Emperor of the French, and Empress Eugenie. Titular Emperor of the French 1873-79. A rare A.L.S., Napoleon, two pages, small 8vo, n.p. (Cowes, Isle of Wight), n.d. (23rd September 1877), to Major Ward Ashton ('My dear Major'). The Prince thanks his correspondent for sharing in his grief and remarks 'Count Clary's death is for me a great loss, he was one of my best and most devoted friends', further adding that he has already written to Countess Clary 'to tell her the kind way in which you sympathised with her in her profound affliction'. In concluding Napoleon asks his correspondent to thank Bigge and Wodehouse on his behalf. With blank integral leaf. Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by the Prince Imperial. Autograph letters of Napoleon are rare as a result of his early death at the age of 23 when he was killed in a skirmish with a group of Zulus whilst serving with the British forces in the Anglo-Zulu War. VG    Edward John Ward Ashton (1836-1880) British Army officer who had served in the Crimean War, a friend of Empress Eugenie and military instructor to the Prince Imperial. Joachim Charles Napoleon Clary (1837-1877) French soldier and politician who took charge of the Imperial Household in England.  Arthur Bigge (1849-1931) 1st Baron Stamfordham. British Lieutenant Colonel who fought in the Anglo-Zulu War. Queen Victoria summoned Bigge to Balmoral Castle in 1880 to provide an explanation of the death of the Prince Imperial and later served as Private Secretary to the Queen from 1895-1901, and to King George V from 1910-31. Josceline Wodehouse (1852-1930) British Army General who fought in the Anglo-Zulu War.

MARIE HENRIETTE OF AUSTRIA: (1836-1902) Queen of the Belgians as spouse of King Leopold II. A good A.L.S., `Marie Henriette´, two pages, small 8vo, two pages, Chateau de Laeken, 29th August 1877, to a General, in French. The letter bears an attractive blue crowned embossed monogramme with her initials. The Queen responds to her correspondent, a General who asked for the Queen´s autograph, stating in part `My dear General, the Minister Devaux has told me that you wished to get my signature for a member of your family..´ Very small professional repair to the right edge, not affecting the signature. G to VG    

FREDERICK WILLIAM I: (1688-1740) King in Prussia and Elector of Brandenburg 1713-40. Known as the 'Soldier King', he was succeeded by his son, Frederick the Great. L.S., Fr. Wilhelm, two pages, folio, Berlin, 8th February 1740, to Friedrich Karl von Schonborn, in German. The King acknowledges receipt of his correspondent's letters of the 8th and 10th January in which he informs the King of the restoration of the Captain of Dobeneck to the Duke of Anhalt's regiment, along with the voluntary acquisition of some non-naturalised subjects, remarking 'This special favour and friendship which your Excellency shows us in that, we recognise with all thanks and we will not let pass by any possibility at the occasion of other important matters to show our true counter-friendship. What Your Excellency likes to state about our Lieutenant Woldeck, we leave to your generosity, whether you want to give him the permission to engage only one or two men whom your Excellency will be able to spare', further referring to concerns over Major de Schultz and that nothing has been reported to him about what occurred, 'However we will see to justice and satisfaction about the mentioned Major, since apparently he has by his own will taken in custody the recruit stationed in Ansbach'. With a red wax seal affixed alongside the signature and the original address panel lightly laid down beneath the signature. Some light overall age wear and a few minor, neat tears to the edges and small areas of paper loss, G   Friedrich Karl von Schonborn (1674-1746) Prince-Bishop of Wurzburg and Prince-Bishop of Bamberg 1729-46 who also served as Reichsviekanzler (Vice-Chancellor) of the Holy Roman Empire 1705-34.

LUDWIG II OF BAVARIA: (1845-1886) King of Bavaria 1864-86. Called the Fairy Tale King for his extravagant artistic and architectural projects, he is also remembered as the devoted patron of the composer Richard Wagner. Attractive D.S., Ludwig, a bold and large signature, one page, folio, Schloss Berg, Berg Castle in Bavaria, 18th June 1879, in German. The partially printed document shows a very attractive heading ''Ludwig II by Grace of God, King of Bavaria'', being a decree appointing Secretary Minister Max von Gietl who is promoted to the post of Legation Council in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The document bears beneath the Emperor´s signature a large and very attractive Imperial paper seal affixed, with embossed coat of arms and entitled ''Ludovicus II - Dei Gratia Rex''. Countersigned by the Secretary General of His Majesty. With blank integral leaf. Very small overall minor creasing, otherwise VG    

FRANZ FERDINAND OF AUSTRIA: (1863-1914) Archduke of Austria. Heir to the Austrian throne since 1896. His assassination is widely considered the reason for the outbreak of World War One a month later. Extremely rare superb matte-finish signed 6 x 8.5 photograph by Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the image depicting the heir to the throne in a half length pose, wearing his military uniform and medals. Boldly signed in black ink to the lower mount, an attractive and good signature example, also dated `1st of January 1912´, in his hand. Very attractively presented on its original and elaborated multi-tiered 11.5 x 14.5 mount, bearing an appealing affixed brass or gilt crown above the image. Framed in oak (most probably its original frame), with decorative gilt liner, also glazed, to an overall size of 17.5 x 20. A scarce and most impressive royal signed photograph framed. About EX    Though it was not expected that Franz Ferdinand would succeed to the Austrian throne, the suicide of his cousin, Crown Prince Rudolf, and later the renounce of Franz's father, Archduke Karl Ludwig, to his right to succession, cleared the way for Franz Ferdinand to become ruler of Austria. On June 28th 1914, Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, were riding in an open car through Sarajevo, Bosnia, when Nedeljko Cabrinovic, a member of the Serbian secret society Black Hand, threw a bomb at their car. Shaken but unharmed, the Archduke insisted on maintaining his schedule, including a speech and a trip to the hospital to visit those who had been injured in the attack. During an unexpected wrong turn en route to the hospital, the car was spotted by an associate of Cabrinovic's, Gavrilo Princip, who opened fire with a pistol. Both the Archduke and his wife were struck and died shortly after. The attack strained Austro-Serbian relations to a breaking point, and his assassination is usually cited as the immediate impetus for the outbreak of World War I a few weeks later. 

UMBERTO I: (1844-1900) King of Italy 1878-1900. Assassinated. D.S., Umberto, one page, folio, Monza, 21st October 1878, in Italian. The partially printed document is a decree approving a proposal by the Minister for war, relating to infantry second Lieutenant Carlo Bernacchino who has ceased serving the mobile militia as per his request. Signed by the King, on his first year of reign, at the foot. With countersignature. With blank integral leaf. Extremely small pinholes to the spine as a result of its detachment. G to VG    

SOPHIA OF PRUSSIA: (1870-1932) Queen of Greece 1913-17 & 1920-22, as consort of King Constantine I. Granddaughter of Queen Victoria. A fine A.L.S., `Sophie´, two pages, oblong 8vo card, [Luzern], 18th July 1920, to `Dolly´, Dorothée de Talleyrand, in German. The Queen, close to the end of her first exile expresses her feelings about the difficult times she is living and her hopes about peace returning to Europe. She further refers to the happiness that the arrival of her two sisters, the Prussian Princesses, will bring to her solitude and points out the sadness of the empty city and hotels. Three months later her sorrow and solitude increased after the death of her son, Prince Alexander, who died at the early age of 27 from the effects of a monkey bite. A lengthy untranslated letter. VG    Dorothée de Talleyrand (1862-1948) wife of Jean de Castellane.

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   

GONZAGA MARIE LOUISE: (1611-1667) Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania 1645-48 & 1649-67. Marie Louise Gonzaga married two Kings of Poland, brothers Wladyszlaw IV and John Casimir II. Gonzaga is widely regarded as one of the most influential and powerful Queens of Poland. Rare A.L.S., `Marie de Gonzague´, one page, 4to, Paris, 20th March 1644, in French. The future Queen refers to  the situation of the religious of Nevers, her birthplace, stating in part `..you will have to show your goodness to consider the situation of the religious of Nevers who do not have two thousand lire for their nourishment, and if they were obliged to pay as they are requested to, with a pension we that we give them, they will not have enough to live on and they would be forced to vacate the convent..´ Gonzaga further requests the reduction of the `harsh taxes which they do not have the means to pay…´ Very small overall minor age wear. With very small area of paper loss to the left bottom corner edge, not affecting the text or signature. G   

Peter Nilouss (1896-1943)Paris signed in Latin (lower right); signed, inscribed in Cyrillic and numbered '7' (verso)oil on canvas65.5 x 54cm (25 13/16 x 21 1/4in).Footnotes:ProvenanceBertha Goloubovsky, great, great aunt of the present of the present owners, who lived with Nilouss in Paris from the 1920s until his death in 1943Thence by direct descent to a private French collection'Painting is delicate... like pollen on the wings of a butterfly...', Peter NiloussNilouss was born in Baltssky Uyezd and moved as a child to Odessa. He later attended the art classes of Kyriak Kostandi where his precocious ability garnered praise and he went on to study at the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg, exhibiting in the Peredvizhniki exhibitions from 1891. The first stages of his artistic success were governed by independent creativity, his style influenced by everyday urban life. During the Russian Civil War, in 1920, he emigrated to Paris where his artistic focus changed and departed from the credo of the Peredvizhniki, moving towards impressionistic paintings that were occasionally saturated with a delicateness of colour and light. Increasingly Nilouss came to prefer the landscape genre. In his memoir, he recalled that he was a faithful 'wanderer' for thirteen years, and 'then the evolution from extreme realism to individualism began', characterised by his 'mood palette' (P. Nilouss, Autobiographical note, Odessa's page, 1915, 13th June, C.2). Subsequently his 'third period' was characterised by 'symbolic-romantic' and 'retrospective' paintings which portrayed an aestheticizing reality with people strolling through romantic landscapes and streets. During this time Nilouss had come to understand that, for him, romanticism excluded realism, and that the impressionist approach was his way forward. 'It took me nine years. Gradually I concluded that real art is within us, and that you need to draw what you feel. A new painting is distinguished by the fact that it never copies but reincarnates the narrative' (P. A. Nilouss,In search of the uncatchable, Voronezh, 2011, Kvarta, pp. 11-13.) The 'fourth period' of his style revealed a break from romanticism and a move towards a 'modern' style characterised by French street views, still lives and women against the backdrops of landscapes. From a letter to E. Bukorezk in 1933, the artist writes, 'Now I am looking for the motive of the streets and spend a lot of time looking for the narrative.' (P. Nilouss, Letters from emigration, 1920-1937, Odessa, 2008.) The present painting portrays this fourth period of the artist's vision and a probable sketch for the present painting has the title 'La rue Bois-le-Vent',executed in 1934. (P. A. Nilouss, In search of the uncatchable, Voronezh, 2011, Kvarta, pp. 69, image 25).This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ** VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Petr Petrovich Konchalovsky (Russian, 1876-1956)'A street in Ryazan', 1931 signed in Cyrillic (lower right); verso with painting of a river landscape, stretcher bearing labels including the number '899' from the artist's handlistoil on canvas60 x 73cm (23 5/8 x 28 3/4in).unframedFootnotes:ProvenanceThe collection of the artist, handlist number '899' (according to label on verso)Acquired by a noble European family in Russia between 1960-1970Thence by descentExhibitedMoscow, 1933, The 8th Exhibition of the Works of P.P. Konchalovsky, no. 45Academy of Art USSR, Department of Exhibitions (according to label on verso)LiteratureVystavka kartin, zasluzhennogo deyatelya iskusstv P.P. Konchalovskogo, 1930-1932, Vseros, 1932, eds. N. Maslenikov, V. Nikol'skii, p. 36, no. 45Konchalovsky. Khudozhestvennoe nasledie, Moscow, Iskusstvo, 1964, p. 170, listed as 'zhi 1690, no. 899'A Street in Ryazan is from the series of of 'Ryazan landscapes' referred to by the artist's wife in (O. Konchalovskaya, 'Nash zhiznennyi put' ['Our Life Path'] (1956), in K. Frolova, Konchalovskii. Khudozhestvennoe nasledie, Moscow, 1964, p. 56. Madame Konchalovskaya recalls the journeys the couple made to and from Ryazan to see their son Misha who had been drafted into military service and was stationed there. '[...] we spent that whole cold winter travelling back and forth ... the carriages were unheated and lit with candles.' (ibid.).With Cezanne ever a towering influence from his days in the Knave of Diamonds, in the 1920s Konchalovsky returned to a more traditional style of painting, his palette tamer, his representation less exuberantly expressionistic. By the 1930s, a preoccupation with winter landscapes was apparent, the complex manifestations of the Russian winter providing material for the artist's creative language.A Street in Ryazan displays Konchalovsky's mastery of colour and homage to the fauve palette; the bold orange of the upper side of the building affording no warmth to the composition, rather suggesting the pale light of the winter sun. The juxtaposition of the cool colours with the warm serves to emphasise the bitter cold of the winter, the blue of the snow drifts ambiguous – the sun could be setting or rising, the viewer cannot know. Nevertheless, the painting resonates with the energy of the men who appear to be engaged in building work, their footprints in the snow rendered with two blue strokes. In the foreground, pigeons bob up and down, foraging for food, unbothered by the men or the weather.A comparable work from the 'Ryazan series' is Pier at Ryazan (private collection), numbered '898' on the verso and hence the one prior to the offered lot (number '899') in the artist's handlist. In Pier at Ryazan, the same creative credo of Konchalovsky can be observed: a preoccupation with the energy which humans bring to a landscape, as evidenced by the men in the foreground carrying logs and the smoke issuing from the little wooden hut on the snow-laden riverbank.In the Ryazan series, Konchalovsky appears to be observing man in his context. He shows the monumentality of landscape, emphasised by free, confident brushwork in wide, artistic strokes of thick paint, and against this he shows man: small, unremarkable and yet busy with life. The laconic nature of his landscapes is undercut by the vibrant colours and it is in colour that he shows the impact man has made on landscape. In Oleg's House in Ryazan, 1931, a huge pink house dominates the composition, evidence of how humans can alter their landscape.A Street in Ryazan is emblematic of Konchalovsky's mode of expression in the 1930s. Its highly complex colour permutations undermine the apparent silence and repose of landscape, speaking as it does of the drama and energy of man within nature.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

A SILVER-GILT AND PLIQUE-À-JOUR ENAMEL IMPERIAL PRESENTATION TANKARDPavel Ovchinnikov with Imperial Warrant, Moscow, circa 1889the body enriched with scrolling floral cloisonné enamel motifs within twisted wirework panels, flaring to octagonal arched segments delineated by beadwork and spiral columns, raised upon conforming base with interlacing strapwork, the underside inscribed 'Souvenir DE S.A.I. Le Grand Duc Georges Alexandrovitch de Russie to Col. W.F.Cody, Paris 1889', the base revealing plique-à-jour Imperial Eagle within foliate ground, bracket handle with scaling joined to trefoil thumbpiece at hinge, the lid with smaller plique-à-jour panel within border of butterflies and birds within floral ground, 88 standard height: 16cm (6in).Footnotes:ProvenancePresented by Grand Duke Georgii Aleksandrovich (1871-99) to William Cody ['Buffalo Bill'] (1846-1917), according to inscription on base.Architectural in form and featuring brightly coloured filigree enamel panels, granulation and interlacing strapwork, the current tankard is an adaptation of the Turkish seventeenth century prototype featured in the Drevnosti Gosudarstva Rossiiskogo (Antiquities of the Russian State), compiled by Fedor Solntsev in 1850s and instantly adopted by Russian silversmiths as their favourite source of the artistic inspiration. The firm of Pavel Ovchinnikov made several identical tankards, a few of which were acquired by the Imperial Cabinet and members of the Romanov family to be used as diplomatic gifts and presentation pieces. In 1897, during the official visit of the French President Félix Faure to Saint Petersburg, one of the officers of the French squadron received a very similar tankard as an official gift. (Fig 1). In 1889 an identical tankard was presented to an anonymous official by G. Netchaev-Maltsov (Sotheby's, Geneva, 13-15 November 1995, lot 446).The Hillwood Museum and Gardens in Washington, DC has in its collection another example identical to the current tankard but without an inscription identifying the occasion for which the gift may have been presented. In addition to their traditional shape and décor, each tankard was decorated with plique-à-jour panels depicting the Russian Imperial Eagles amidst floral fields. The presence of the Imperial symbols further underscored the importance of such gifts as an official expression of friendship and appreciation. Among this group of presentation tankards, the current example stands out as the most historically significant. According to the inscription, Grand Duke Georgii Aleksandrovich presented it to William Cody, one of the most famous and popular Americans of the late 19th century.William Cody (1846-1917), who earned his nickname 'Buffalo Bill' by hunting 4,280 buffalo in eighteen months, was a soldier during the Civil War, a scout, a Pony Express rider, an invaluable tracker and experienced gunman, who at the end of his life had come to symbolize the American frontier and the nation's spirit of adventure. Cody's frontier experience and positive public image was particularly helpful during official visits of foreign dignitaries to the Western territories. During the highly publicised visit of Grand Duke Aleksei Aleksandrovich to the USA in 1871-1872, Cody was instrumental in organising a hunting adventure on a scale that surpassed anything that the Russian Grand Duke, an experienced hunter and sportsman himself, had experienced before. When the Grand Duke Aleksei, the third son of Tsar Alexander II, arrived at the hunting camp in Nevada, 'Buffalo Bill' was waiting mounted on a splendid horse. Over six feet tall, Cody cut an impressive figure in his spangled buckskin suit, a coat trimmed with fur, and a black slouch hat. Cody's leadership and assistance during the hunt was later kindly acknowledged by the Grand Duke who presented Buffalo Bill with gifts that are now part of the collection at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming, USA. It was probably with the encouragement and at the recommendation of his royal uncle that twenty years later, while vacationing in Paris, Grand Duke Georgii met William Cody.In the summer of 1889, William Cody was on his second tour of Europe with Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, a highly successful circus-like attraction that included horseback parades, re-enactments of famous Civil War battles, Indian attacks on wagon trains, and stage coach races. The show was enormously popular and propelled Cody to worldwide fame. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria, Russian Grand Duke Michael, and the King of Denmark were among the guests who attended the show during the tour of England two year earlier. In 1889 the Wild West show became the main attraction of the Paris Exposition Universelle and a 'must see' venue for many foreign visitors flocking to the French capitol that summer. Grand Duke Georgii Aleksandrovich (1871-99), the son of Emperor Alexander III and the brother of the Russian Emperor Nicholas II, arrived in Paris on August 26 for a few days of sightseeing. Very bright and capable, he was seen by many of his contemporaries as 'intellectual and magnanimous, with an engaging personality', and 'the one who could have become a strong and popular tsar' (1). Sadly, in the early 1890s Grand Duke Georgii was diagnosed with tuberculosis and spent most of his time travelling in pursuit of the proper medical treatments, eventually settling in the small town of Abas-Tuman in the Caucasus. Two days after his arrival in Paris the Grand Duke noted in his dairy: 'We had visited the Exposition today. Afterwards we went to see Buffalo Bill [show]. It was most interesting' (2). The scale of the performance and larger than life personality of its founder must have left an unforgettable impression on the eighteen year old Grand Duke, who arranged to have this very special gift delivered to William Cody on his behalf.1. Suzanne Massie, 'A Royal Visit: The Grand Duke Alexis in the United States,' in The Tsar and the President, Alexander II and Abraham Lincoln Liberator and Emancipator, the American–Russian Cultural Cooperation Foundation, 2008, p. 62.2. The Diaries of Grand Duke Georgii Aleksandrovich, State Archive of the Russian Federation, fund 675, unit 1, file 6, 16/28 of August 1889.We would like to thank Larisa Kriachkova, Chief Curator of Archival Depository of the State Archive of the Russian Federation and the staff of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center for their research assistance.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ** VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

A very rare American glass target ball by E E Sage & Co and an A H Bogardus ball, dated 1877Of moulded globular bottle shape with short narrow necks, the first in deep amber or brown inscribed all-over 'E.E. SAGE & CO PATAPLYD/ GLASS M'F'R'S CHICAGO ILL', read from bottom to top, 7.7cm high, the other in golden amber glass moulded with a quilted diamond design, the central band inscribed 'BOGARDUS' GLASS BALL PAT'D APR 10 1877.', 7.8cm high (2)Footnotes:Target balls were a relatively short-lived forerunner to the modern clay pigeon, with the first target ball shooting being reported in England in an issue of Bell's Life in London on 11 May 1867. They were typically filled with feathers and corked to simulate a bird being hit. Whilst the sport never fully took off in Britain, it became very popular in the United States driven most notably by Captain A H Bogardus, who patented his first ball and trap on 10 April 1877. Edwin E Sage subsequently patented a 'superior' advertising target ball on 21 August 21 1877, but a successful trademark infringement case filed by Bogardus combined with failing health caused him to close his business and he had left Chicago by late 1878. During their short time E E Sage & Co. produced balls in both blue and amber glass with moulding in three variants. Their target balls are incredibly rare, with only six or so recorded prior to the discovery of the present example, so this represents a remarkable survival.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

A Dutch moulded and silver-mounted flask, second half 17th CenturyOf translucent amethyst glass, the squat globular body decorated overall with 'nipt diamond waies', the tall slender neck with a single ring collar, the silver cover attached to the neck collar by a chain, 24cm highFootnotes:It was not until the latter part of the 17th century that the use of carafes became common in northern Europe, many of which were mounted in silver or gilt bronze. The technique of 'nipt diamond waies' originated in Venice and was popular in the Netherlands for decorating such bottles and flasks in the 17th century. The term was first used in 1677 by George Ravenscroft who used the technique to decorate early British vessels of lead glass and this method of ornament continued in England into the first half of the 18th century. A similar amethyst glass bottle is illustrated by Franz Adrian Drier, Venezianische Gläser (1989), p.98, no.94. A smaller example in amethyst glass with 'nipt diamond waies' was in the Krug Collection sold by Sotheby's on 7 July 1981, lot 143. See also the related amethyst example moulded with ribs, lot 138. A very similar example in blue glass in the Rijksmuseum (inv. no.BK-KOG-135) is illustrated by Pieter Ritsema van Eck, Glass in the Rijksmuseum (1993), pp.188-9, no.299. Another in blue glass with an applied handle from the Overduin Collection was sold by Bonhams on 21 May 2014, lot 19.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ** VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

A Flight, Barr and Barr vase, circa 1820-25With entwined snake handles picked out in gold and a square foot decorated with a band of raised gold anthemions, painted in the style of Thomas Baxter with a young lady embracing her mother who sits by a spinning wheel, titled 'Beneath a Mother's Eye, Mallet', the reverse with a sorrowful lady, titled 'Kate is Craz'd, Cowper', reserved on a claret ground, a band of white 'jewels' applied around the rim, 19.6cm high, script mark referring to Coventry Street addressFor further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

A very rare creamware 'Bacchus' jug, circa 1785-90Bacchus modelled seated on a barrel with his feet resting on a shallow step, grasping a branch of fruiting vine with both hands, more grapes moulded beneath the shaped rim above his head, the handle with vine leaf terminals, the mouldings picked out in blue and green translucent enamels, his hair, lion's skin costume and the barrel picked out in brown,Footnotes:ProvenanceJames and Timmey Challenger Collection, ChicagoBacchus is normally found together with Pan who stands on a barrel at the back of the jug. His depiction as a jug on his own is most unusual.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ** VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

A rare and important Privateer wine glass for The Lyon, circa 1756-60The bucket bowl engraved with the three-masted ship in full sail, inscribed around the rim 'Success to the LYON Privateer', on a double-series opaque twist stem containing a pair of gauze corkscrews, over a conical foot, 15.2cm highFootnotes:ProvenanceSir Hugh Dawson Collection, Sotheby's sale, 13 May 1960, lot 31Walter F Smith Collection, Sotheby's sale, 4 December 1967, lot 225Seton Veitch CollectionWith Delomosne and SonTrevor Davis CollectionWith Delomosne and Son, 28 November 2013Patrick and Mavis Walker CollectionLiteraturePercy Bate, English Table Glass (1905), pl.LXV, no.246Arthur Churchill, History in Glass (1937), pl.22, no.103E B Haynes, Apollo, May 1940, fig.9E B Haynes, Glass Through the Ages (1948), pl.85eDelomosne and Son, The Seton Veitch Collection (2006), no.42This glass belongs to a group of wine glasses with bucket-shaped bowls presumed to have been made for Bristol Privateers. In their catalogue, Delomosne and Son note that this may be the only known glass for the 'Lyon', but a slightly smaller glass for this ship had been withdrawn from a Sotheby's sale on 21 July 1934.The Privateers were in effect officially sanctioned pirate-ships. The Lyon was an active Bristol-based ship of 360 tons with 24 guns and a crew of 250 men, declared on 11 September 1756 and commanded by Captain Robert How. Discrepancies in the spelling of the name of the same ship are recorded in a letter from Bristol of 11 April 1757, reproduced in The London Chronicle (no.49)...'The Lion [sic] Privateer... fought two Hours with the Victory, Privateer of Bayonne, disabled her Masts' and that 'Captain How, who commands the Lyon, afterwards fell in with the Man of War and the Privateer, and the French Captain told him, that he lost 25 Men in the Engagement with him, though Captain How had not a Man wounded'.Between January and April 1757 The Lyon Privateer captured no less than six foreign vessels. For example, The London Chronicle notes that in January 1757 (no.10) it captured 'the Mermaid, bound from St. Domingo for Nantz, laden with 323 Hogsheads of Sugar, 4320 lb. of Indigo, and 15 Tons of Coffee', in March 1757 (no.38) 'The Industry, Boreland, from Carolina, for London, is retaken by the Lyon Privateer of Bristol, and sent into Yarmouth', in April 1757 (no.41) 'A French Privateer of 10 Carriage Guns, 12 Swivels, and 80 Men, is taken by the Lyon Privateer, and carried into Falmouth', and the same month (no.50) 'The Catherine, from Rochelle for Cayenne and the Acadia from Bourdeaux for Quebeck are taken by the Lyon Privateer of Bristol, Capt. How, and carried into Bristol'.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

A very rare engraved political commemorative opaque twist ale glass, circa 1768-70The tall round funnel bowl inscribed 'WILKES & LIBERTY.' AND 'No 45.' above a bird flying from an open cage, the double-series stem with two pairs of six-ply bands around a pair of opaque white spiral tapes, over a conical foot, 18.2cm highFootnotes:ProvenanceWith Delomosne and Son, 15 November 2010Patrick and Mavis Walker CollectionJohn Wilkes (1727-1797) was a controversial MP and journalist who played a critical role in the development of radical politics. He mocked the King's speech at the opening of Parliament in April 1763 in issue 45 of the 'North Briton', a weekly satirical pamphlet published by Wilkes. He was subsequently tried and convicted for seditious libel in 1764 but fled to Paris just before being declared an outlaw. When he returned to England in 1768, he was elected as a Radical Member of Parliament for Middlesex, where most of his support was located. He was imprisoned that May upon waiving his parliamentary privilege and became a political idol during his incarceration. Numerous gifts and trinkets were conveyed to his prison and houses were adorned with ornaments showing their support, many bearing emblems of the Cap of Liberty or a bird flying above a cage. His followers coined the phrase 'Wilkes, Liberty and Number 45'. A very similar ale glass is in the Fitzwilliam Museum (inv. no.C.640-1961).For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Two Staffordshire 'Martha Gunn' Toby jugs, circa 1810-20Modelled seated and holding a foaming jug and a cup, their black hats worn over white mob caps, one wearing a purple dress trimmed with a light blue collar, the other with a sprigged dress, purple collar and yellow apron, 22.8cm high (2)Footnotes:ProvenanceJames and Timmey Challenger Collection, ChicagoMartha Gunn was the most famous of the Brighton 'dippers', responsible for assisting the bathers on Brighton beach. Her notoriety was due to her reported friendship with the Prince of Wales who first visited the town in 1783.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ** VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

George Belcher (1875-1947) a cartoon of two women sat at a table, inscribed 'we'd better put R.I.P on the invites otherwise we shant know who is coming', pencil, signed, 46cm x 36cm, framed and glazed

A REGENCY LEATHER AND STUDDED TRUNK CIRCA 1818 Engraved 'Miss Abel 1818', with paper label for 'J Choat, Trunk, Chest & Box Maker, Brighton' 18cm high, 43cm wide, 26cm deep J. Choat, Brighton, advertises to be 'Makers of all sorts of strong Iron-bound Travelling Trunks, ...Hair and Leather Portmantues; Childrens' School Boxes and Trunks; Gilt Leather Trunks; Clothes Chests; ....Milliners ditto; Bonnet ditto, ... made to order on the shortest notice. Repaired or Exchanged.'It has been suggested that 'Miss Abel' (whose name is engraved into the brass plaque of this trunk) may possibly relate to one of the sisters who befriended Napoleon whilst he was exiled on the island of St Helena. The Balcombe family returned to England in 1818 and Betsy Balcombe (who had known Napoleon since the age of 13) did not become Mrs Abell until 28th May 1821 when she married Edward Abell.       Condition Report: There are marks, knocks, scratches, scuffs and abrasions consistent with age and use, some to the extremities and edges.There are some tears to the leather, the fabric tape bearers to the hinged top are torn, the marble paper interior is worn.Please see the additional photographs as a visual reference of condition. Condition Report Disclaimer

Y A GEORGE II MAHOGANY, BRASS AND MOTHER OF PEARL INLAID TRIPOD TABLEATTRIBUTED TO FREDERICK HINTZ, CIRCA 174073.5cm high, the top 62.4cm diameterProvenance: The Collection of Sir Michael Smurfit.This brass and mother of pearl inlaid mahogany tripod tea table is attributed to the German cabinet-maker, Frederick Hintz (d. 1772) who worked at the sign of 'The Porcupine' in Newport Street, Leicester Fields, London. The table is one of a small though distinct group of similarly shaped and inlaid tables, which have between 8 and 12 'lobes' and which are particularly associated with a community of émigré craftsmen resident in London. A number of these tables featured in the 1993 exhibition, John Channon and brass-inlaid furniture 1730-1760 at the Victoria & Albert Museum, alongside other related pieces. While sharing certain common features, this table is notable for the use of exotic mother of pearl, a relatively uncommon material at the time. The definitive work on this form is 'John Channon and Brass inlaid Furniture' by Christopher Gilbert and Tessa Murdoch, in which related examples are illustrated and it is noted that only thirty four such brass inlaid tables have been recorded. Hintz was born in 1711 in Settin, a town in former East Germany. By 1737 he was living in London and as a member of the Moravian Church, a protestant religious movement that grew in Germany and England during the mid-18th century comprising communities of craftsmen, he worked under the auspices of the church. He is known as a maker of stringed musical instruments and, records show that in 1748 he made a harpsichord for the Moravian Chapel in Fetter Lane. He was also, as recorded in a 1738 advertisement discovered by the furniture historian, R.W.Symonds, a maker of 'Desks and Book-Cases of mahogany, Tea-Tables, Tea-Chests, and Tea-Boards etc. all curiously made and inlaid with fine figures of brass and mother of pearl'. At the same time other German cabinet-makers working in London included Abraham Roentgen, with whom Hintz appears to have had a close professional relationship (they travelled to Germany together in June 1738), and the lesser-known maker, Gern.Tables that can be attributed to Hintz are in the Victoria & Albert Museum, museum no. W.3-1965, and another formerly in the collection of the Duchess of Roxburghe, illustrated in Ralph Edwards, Dictionary of English Furniture, vol. III, p. 207, fig. 15.A closely related table, also from a Symonds collection (which also included the celebrated Ashburnham lacquer commodes) was sold anonymously Christie's, London, 16 November 1995, Lot 61 (£67,500 including premium), and another was sold Christie's, London, 3 November 2011, Lot 67 (£79,250 including premium). Another was sold Phillips, London, 10 February 1998, Lot 78 (£85,000 hammer), and another with an idiosyncratic base of anthropomorphic legs with brass-inlaid shoe feet sold Sotheby's, New York, 26 May 2000, Lot 196 ($280,750 including premium).Condition Report: Marks, knocks, scratches, abrasions consistent with age and useThe top has some old cracks, splits and repairs to two of the lobes, these have been detached and re-attachedOverall with a cleaned and polished appearance, the colour is dark overall as per the online and catalogue imagesOne of the legs has and old split and crack through and some plugged repairs in this area too. This is probably old professional workPlease refer to additional images for visual reference to conditionCondition Report Disclaimer

Y A GEORGE III HAREWOOD, SATINWOOD AND MARQUETRY BOWFRONT COMMODEATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM MOORE, CIRCA 1780With a frieze drawer above the central cupboard door, bearing a retail label for 'Norman Adams Ltd' in the drawer87cm high, 114cm wide, 50cm deepProvenance: Norman Adams Ltd, 8-10 Hand Road, London, SW3 For a comparable commode by William Moore, see Sotheby's, New York, Important English Furniture, 12th October 2007, Lot 79 ($241,000). For a closely related pair of commodes, see also Christie's, The English Collector, 19th November 2015, Lot 600(£242,500). As The Knight of Glin and James Peill remark in Irish Furniture, Yale University Press, 2007, pp. 162-166, 'By far the most important cabinet-maker' (in Ireland) 'who reflected the new taste for neo-classicism and the Adam style was William Moore'.Possibly the son of William Moore, a cabinet maker recorded at Inns Quay and Charles Street, who died in 1759, he appears to have attended the School of Landscape and Ornament Drawing at the Dublin Society of Drawing Schools in 1768, after which he was employed in the workshop of John Mayhew and William Ince, before returning to Ireland at some time before December 1777. The firm of Mayhew and Ince is recorded in London between 1758 and 1804 and, although their actual work is not well documented, they were 'the most significant......of the major London cabinet makers of the 18th century' (Beard & Gilbert, The Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840, 1986, pp. 589-597) . In 1782 he placed an advertisement in Faulkener's, Dublin Journal, addressed 'To the Nobility and Gentry' informing 'those that may want inlaid work [that]he has brought the manufacture of such perfection to be able to sell for almost one half its original prices; as the greatest demand is for pier Tables, he has just finished in the newest taste a great variety of patterns, sizes and prices... card tables of new construction... also small pier tables with every article in the inlaid way'. In a very similar advertisement in the Dublin Evening Post he also mentions 'his long experience at Messrs. Mayhew and Ince'.The inlaid work found on the present commode is closely related to a number of other commodes attributed to Moore by The Knight of Glin and James Peill (op. cit.) including one in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum (fig. 231), and another formerly in the collection of Lady Binning (fig. 222). Another related example supplied by Moore to the Duchess of Manchester is also in the collection of the V&A (W.43-1949). During the 18th century a commode was a type of low cabinet or chest of drawers, used in grand dressing rooms and drawing rooms. It was often intended more for display than for any practical function. This semi-circular type was made fashioanble in the 1770's and 1780's by the neoclassical architect Robert Adam, who often used such geometric shapes in his designs.

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY SERPENTINE COMMODEATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS CHIPPENDALE, CIRCA 177084cm high, 105cm wide, 58cm deepProvenance: Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland, family seat to the Earl of Sutherland.The commode bears a collection inventory plaque to the rear panel.This commode shares similarities with the restrained furnishings at Dumfries House, Ayrshire. Dumfries contains documented furnishings by Chippendale as well as undocumented pieces that may have come from the same workshops. Features shared with this piece and those at Dumfries include the plain swan-neck handles, laminated blocks supporting the feet and the appearance of red wash to the rear panel and the underside (see Dumfries House: A Chippendale Commission, vol. I, Christie's London, 12 July 2007, lot 106 and R.Bird, 'Who was the Dumfries House Cabinet Maker?, vol II introduction). Condition Report: Marks, knocks, scratches and abrasions commensurate with age and use. Some old chips and splits. Some additional old splits to top (see images). Some later nails to the edge of the top (one has been disguised with filler). the front edge of the top with a more notice able scratch along it.Of polished appearance. Metalware appears original. No key present, all locks are open. Some neat old repair to the bead moulding at the edges of the drawer fronts. Some evidence of old worm to backboard, underside and backs of feet. Feet are original and are of laminated construction. Some water marks to backboards. Please refer to additional images for visual reference to condition. Condition Report Disclaimer