145
WORLD WAR II: An exceptional and extremely rare vintage multiple signed ‘Short Snorter’,
1/2
Description
WORLD WAR II: An exceptional and extremely rare vintage multiple signed ‘Short Snorter’, the American One Dollar bank note, featuring over twenty five signatures, including ‘The Big Three’ of Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin, and many other leading political and military figures of World War II, all collected by Frank Sawyer, valet to Winston S. Churchill, at various historic meetings between 1939-45. The identified signatories on the ‘Short Snorter’ are -Winston S. Churchill (1874-1965) British Prime Minister 1940-45, 1951-55. At the outbreak of World War II Churchill was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty and, following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain, became Prime Minister in 1940. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) American President 1933-45. Following the attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Roosevelt obtained the approval of the United States Congress to declare war on Japan and, a few days later, Germany. The President worked closely with Winston S. Churchill and Joseph Stalin (as well as Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek) in leading the Allies against Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan in World War II. ‘The Big Three’ of Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin met regularly during World War II, most notably at the Tehran Conference (1943) and the Yalta Conference (1945). Joseph Stalin (1878-1953) General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union 1922-52. Stalin met Winston S. Churchill and/or Franklin D. Roosevelt in several conferences during World War II to plan military strategy and, later, to discuss Europe’s post-war reorganisation. King George VI (1895-1952) King of the United Kingdom 1936-52. In 1939, following Britain’s declaration of War on Nazi Germany, King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth, resolved to stay in London and reside at Buckingham Palace despite the German bombing raids (one of which nearly killed them). Throughout World War II King George VI made various morale boosting visits and travelled to see Allied military forces abroad.Anthony Eden (1897-1977) 1st Earl of Avon. British Prime Minister 1955-57, succeeding Winston S. Churchill after having served as his deputy for almost fifteen years. Eden served as Foreign Secretary on three occasions, including a spell for most of World War II from 1940-45, and also briefly served as Secretary of State for War in 1940. Louis Mountbatten (1900-1979) 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma. British Admiral of the Fleet. Mountbatten, a favourite of Churchill, served as Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia Command from 1943-46. Harold Alexander (1891-1969). 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis. British Field Marshal. Alexander oversaw the final stages of the Allied evacuation from Dunkirk and later held high ranking field commands in Burma, North Africa and Italy.Alan Brooke (1883-1963) 1st Viscount Alanbrooke. British Field Marshal who served as Chief of the Imperial General Staff, the professional head of the British Army, during World War II. Arthur Tedder (1890-1967) 1st Baron Tedder. British Marshal of the Royal Air Force. Tedder served as Air Officer Commanding RAF Middle East Command during World War II and directed air operations in the Mediterranean and North Africa, including the evacuation of Crete and Operation Crusader in North AfricaHastings Ismay (1887-1965) 1st Baron Ismay. British Indian Army General and Diplomat. During World War II Ismay served as chief military assistant to Winston S. Churchill, becoming the principal link between the Prime Minister and the Chiefs of Staff Committee. . Max Aitken (1879-1964) 1st Baron Beaverbrook. Canadian Business Tycoon, Politician and Newspaper Proprietor. A friend and confidant of Winston S. Churchill, Beaverbrook was appointed Minister of Aircraft Production (1940-41) by the Prime Minister and also went on to serve Churchill as Minister of Supply (1941-42), Minister of War Production (1942) and Lord Privy Seal (1943-45). Randolph Churchill (1911-1968) British Journalist & Politician, son of Winston S. Churchill. Churchill played an active role during World War II, both in political office and military service. Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969) American President 1953-61. A General with the United States Army during World War II, Eisenhower served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe.W. Averell Harriman (1891-1986) American Politician & Diplomat who served under President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a special envoy to Europe and as the U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union 1943-46 and U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, 1946. Kathleen Harriman (1917-2011) American Journalist, daughter of W. Averell Harriman. Harriman accompanied her father to the Yalta Conference in 1945. Roy W. Howard (1883-1964) American Journalist, President of United Press. Howard was granted an interview by Joseph Stalin in 1936. King Peter II (1923-1970) King of Yugoslavia 1934-45. Following the invasion of Yugoslavia in 1941 by Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary and Italy (all of whom annexed various parts of the country) King Peter II travelled to London where he joined numerous other governments in exile from Nazi occupied Europe. All of the signatures are in fountain pen inks and, by the very nature of the short snorter, some are more legible than others. It is of particular interest, most likely as a deliberate act, that the Soviet Dictator Joseph Stalin chose to sign his name across the image of American President George Washington at the centre of the bank note. The short snorter also features the ownership signature of Frank Sawyer. Some light overall age wear, otherwise about VG An exceptionally rare collection of signatures by some of World War II’s most important political and military leaders, including ‘The Big Three’ of Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin. Provenance: The present short snorter was previously in the possession of Frank Sawyer, who served as Winston Churchill’s valet during World War II, leaving his service after the end of the war. In such a role Sawyer, would have accompanied Churchill on many domestic and foreign trips, not least to the various conferences held in Casablanca, Moscow, Tehran and Yalta during the course of the war. On such trips, Sawyer evidently had access to many of the important individuals in Churchill’s company and took such opportunities to extend the collection of significant signatures on his short snorter. American Book Prices Current record only a small handful of autographs by Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin together on one piece having been previously sold at auction, including a White House card signed at the Tehran Conference ($65,000, Profiles in History, 2014), another White House card signed by all three, from the Forbes Collection and contained in an album ($22,000, Christie’s New York, 2010) and a United States card signed at the Potsdam Conference (£15,000 [$26,258], Christie’s, 2003).Owing to restrictions imposed by the-saleroom the complete catalogue description can not be shown here. Please contact the auctioneers for further details.
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
WORLD WAR II: An exceptional and extremely rare vintage multiple signed ‘Short Snorter’, the American One Dollar bank note, featuring over twenty five signatures, including ‘The Big Three’ of Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin, and many other leading political and military figures of World War II, all collected by Frank Sawyer, valet to Winston S. Churchill, at various historic meetings between 1939-45. The identified signatories on the ‘Short Snorter’ are -Winston S. Churchill (1874-1965) British Prime Minister 1940-45, 1951-55. At the outbreak of World War II Churchill was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty and, following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain, became Prime Minister in 1940. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945) American President 1933-45. Following the attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Roosevelt obtained the approval of the United States Congress to declare war on Japan and, a few days later, Germany. The President worked closely with Winston S. Churchill and Joseph Stalin (as well as Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek) in leading the Allies against Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and Imperial Japan in World War II. ‘The Big Three’ of Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin met regularly during World War II, most notably at the Tehran Conference (1943) and the Yalta Conference (1945). Joseph Stalin (1878-1953) General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union 1922-52. Stalin met Winston S. Churchill and/or Franklin D. Roosevelt in several conferences during World War II to plan military strategy and, later, to discuss Europe’s post-war reorganisation. King George VI (1895-1952) King of the United Kingdom 1936-52. In 1939, following Britain’s declaration of War on Nazi Germany, King George VI and his consort, Queen Elizabeth, resolved to stay in London and reside at Buckingham Palace despite the German bombing raids (one of which nearly killed them). Throughout World War II King George VI made various morale boosting visits and travelled to see Allied military forces abroad.Anthony Eden (1897-1977) 1st Earl of Avon. British Prime Minister 1955-57, succeeding Winston S. Churchill after having served as his deputy for almost fifteen years. Eden served as Foreign Secretary on three occasions, including a spell for most of World War II from 1940-45, and also briefly served as Secretary of State for War in 1940. Louis Mountbatten (1900-1979) 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma. British Admiral of the Fleet. Mountbatten, a favourite of Churchill, served as Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia Command from 1943-46. Harold Alexander (1891-1969). 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis. British Field Marshal. Alexander oversaw the final stages of the Allied evacuation from Dunkirk and later held high ranking field commands in Burma, North Africa and Italy.Alan Brooke (1883-1963) 1st Viscount Alanbrooke. British Field Marshal who served as Chief of the Imperial General Staff, the professional head of the British Army, during World War II. Arthur Tedder (1890-1967) 1st Baron Tedder. British Marshal of the Royal Air Force. Tedder served as Air Officer Commanding RAF Middle East Command during World War II and directed air operations in the Mediterranean and North Africa, including the evacuation of Crete and Operation Crusader in North AfricaHastings Ismay (1887-1965) 1st Baron Ismay. British Indian Army General and Diplomat. During World War II Ismay served as chief military assistant to Winston S. Churchill, becoming the principal link between the Prime Minister and the Chiefs of Staff Committee. . Max Aitken (1879-1964) 1st Baron Beaverbrook. Canadian Business Tycoon, Politician and Newspaper Proprietor. A friend and confidant of Winston S. Churchill, Beaverbrook was appointed Minister of Aircraft Production (1940-41) by the Prime Minister and also went on to serve Churchill as Minister of Supply (1941-42), Minister of War Production (1942) and Lord Privy Seal (1943-45). Randolph Churchill (1911-1968) British Journalist & Politician, son of Winston S. Churchill. Churchill played an active role during World War II, both in political office and military service. Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969) American President 1953-61. A General with the United States Army during World War II, Eisenhower served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe.W. Averell Harriman (1891-1986) American Politician & Diplomat who served under President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a special envoy to Europe and as the U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union 1943-46 and U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, 1946. Kathleen Harriman (1917-2011) American Journalist, daughter of W. Averell Harriman. Harriman accompanied her father to the Yalta Conference in 1945. Roy W. Howard (1883-1964) American Journalist, President of United Press. Howard was granted an interview by Joseph Stalin in 1936. King Peter II (1923-1970) King of Yugoslavia 1934-45. Following the invasion of Yugoslavia in 1941 by Germany, Bulgaria, Hungary and Italy (all of whom annexed various parts of the country) King Peter II travelled to London where he joined numerous other governments in exile from Nazi occupied Europe. All of the signatures are in fountain pen inks and, by the very nature of the short snorter, some are more legible than others. It is of particular interest, most likely as a deliberate act, that the Soviet Dictator Joseph Stalin chose to sign his name across the image of American President George Washington at the centre of the bank note. The short snorter also features the ownership signature of Frank Sawyer. Some light overall age wear, otherwise about VG An exceptionally rare collection of signatures by some of World War II’s most important political and military leaders, including ‘The Big Three’ of Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin. Provenance: The present short snorter was previously in the possession of Frank Sawyer, who served as Winston Churchill’s valet during World War II, leaving his service after the end of the war. In such a role Sawyer, would have accompanied Churchill on many domestic and foreign trips, not least to the various conferences held in Casablanca, Moscow, Tehran and Yalta during the course of the war. On such trips, Sawyer evidently had access to many of the important individuals in Churchill’s company and took such opportunities to extend the collection of significant signatures on his short snorter. American Book Prices Current record only a small handful of autographs by Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin together on one piece having been previously sold at auction, including a White House card signed at the Tehran Conference ($65,000, Profiles in History, 2014), another White House card signed by all three, from the Forbes Collection and contained in an album ($22,000, Christie’s New York, 2010) and a United States card signed at the Potsdam Conference (£15,000 [$26,258], Christie’s, 2003).Owing to restrictions imposed by the-saleroom the complete catalogue description can not be shown here. Please contact the auctioneers for further details.
The History Makers - An auction of autograph letters & historical documents
Sale Date(s)
Lots: 1-185
Venue Address
Hilton London Canary Wharf
South Quay
Marsh Wall
London
E14 9SH
United Kingdom
General delivery information available from the auctioneer
Shipment
Once payment has been received in full we will be delighted to mail your puurchases to you. Lots are securely packed in house and shipments are generally made through the Royal Mail using one of their tracked services which will require a signature upon delivery. Overseas deliveries are sent via insured air mail will also require a signature upon delivery. If you require your package to be sent via couriers such as FedEx or DHL please advise us as this will incur additional costs.
Please click on the link below regarding costs:
https://www.autographauctions.co.uk/component/com_makepayment/
Important Information
Viewing is available in the week prior to the auction at our Nottingham offices, by appointment only. Viewing will also be available on the sale day at the Hilton London Canary Wharf from 10am
Terms & Conditions
Buyers Terms & Conditions
1. Interpretation
1.1. "Auctioneers" means " International Autograph Auctions Ltd. "
1.2. "Catalogue" means the brochure relating to a sale (including any addendum thereto) and any other related documents and advertisements.
1.3. "Conditions" means these terms and conditions of sale
1.4. "Hammer Price" means the price at which a lot is knocked down by the Auctioneers to the Purchaser.
1.5. "Purchaser" means the person who purchases a lot or lots pursuant to these conditions.
1.6. "Seller" means the person who is selling the lot or lots pursuant to these conditions.
1.7. "VAT" means Value Added Tax.
2. Bidding
2.1. The highest bidder for each lot shall be the Purchaser of that lot.
2.2. No person shall be entitled to retract a bid. The Auctioneers reserve the right of refusing any bid without giving any reason and of altering, adding to, dividing, consolidating or withdrawing any lot or lots for sale.
2.3. The Auctioneers reserve the right to fix a reserve price for any lot at a figure no higher than the lower estimate.
2.4. The Auctioneers reserve the right to bid on behalf of the Seller on lots which are subject to a reserve price. The Seller shall not be entitled to bid where the Auctioneers have reserved such a right.
2.5. In the case of a dispute as to any bid the Auctioneers may immediately determine the dispute or put up the lot again at the last undisputed bid or withdraw the lot.
2.6. The Auctioneers will accept written commission bids free of charge from any person who is unable to attend the sale. Bids will also be accepted by telephone and fax at the sender's risk.
2.7. Lots will not normally be sold at less than two-thirds bottom estimate.
3. Payment
3.1. Each Purchaser shall give in his name and address and proof of identity (if required) to the Auctioneers at a sale and shall if required pay such deposit as the Auctioneers may specify.
3.2. The Purchaser shall pay the Hammer Price together with a premium of 27% on the Hammer Price (this amount includes VAT and must not be shown separately or claimed as input tax). By the making of any bid the Purchaser acknowledges that his attention had been drawn to this fact and that he assents to the Auctioneers receiving the said commission. A 22.5% premium will be payable by Purchasers outside the European Union (EU). Zero-rated goods such as books will be subject to a premium of 22.5% whether within or outside the EU unless entered by a VAT registered Seller.
3.3. Items marked with an asterisk * in the Catalogue after the lot number and before the description will be subject to VAT at 20% on the Hammer Price (not chargeable to Purchasers outside of the EU).
3.4. Payments for lots must be made in cash, bankers draft or cheque guaranteed by the bank upon which it is drawn. Lots will not be released against cheques from Purchasers unknown to the Auctioneers until cleared by such Purchaser's bank. Payment is accepted by Visa and Mastercard. A surcharge of 3% plus VAT will be levied to accounts settled by credit cards. Payment is also accepted by most debit cards with no surcharge.
3.5. Overseas clients are requested to settle accounts by USA Dollars or Sterling bank transfer (details upon request), by Sterling cheques only if drawn on major English clearing houses, by Visa or Mastercard (a surcharge of 3% plus VAT [clients outside the EU exempt from VAT] will be levied to accounts settled by this method) or if payment is made on personal accounts in foreign currency the client is requested to add the equivalent of a further £10 to cover bank conversion charges. The Auctioneer reserves the right to claim back from the Purchasers any shortfall due to bank charges or currency fluctuations on that account.
3.6. No lots will be released by the Auctioneers until receipt of payment in full from the Purchaser.
4. Risk
4.1. All lots shall be the sole risk of the Purchaser from the fall of the hammer.
4.2. The Purchaser shall take all lots in the condition in which he finds them. It is the responsibility of all intending Purchasers to satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the authenticity in the authorship, date, age, period, condition or quality of any lot.
5. Liability
5.1. Neither the Seller of any lot nor the Auctioneers make or give nor has any person in the employment of the Auctioneers any authority to make or give any representation or warranty in relation to any lot and any implied conditions or warranties are excluded.
5.2. All statements contained in the Catalogue as to the authenticity, attribution, genuineness, origin, authorship, date, age, period, condition or quality of any lot are statements of opinion only and are not to be taken as or implying statements or representations of fact. Lots are sold subject to all faults and errors in description or otherwise.
5.3. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs 5.1. and 5.2. of these Conditions in the event of a dispute as to authenticity of any lot(s) the item or items in question should be returned to the Auctioneers within 21 days of receipt by the Purchaser of such lot(s) together with a formal statement by a recognised expert The Auctioneers shall at their option and without admission of liability reimburse the price paid by the Purchaser in respect of such lot(s). This does not constitute an approval service.
5.4. Neither the Auctioneers nor the Seller shall be responsible for any loss, damage or injury occasioned to or sustained by any person on the premises before, during or after a sale save in respect of death or personal injury caused by negligence of the Seller or the Auctioneers.
6. Capacity of Auctioneers
For all purposes of a sale the Auctioneers shall be deemed to be the agent of both the Seller and the Purchaser and they shall not be considered responsible for any default on the part of either the Seller or Purchaser.
7. Delivery
7.1. Lots will only be released once payment in full has been received from the Purchaser.
7.2 All lots are normally held at the sole risk of the Purchaser from the fall of the hammer. However, with effect from the 1st December 2013, the Auctioneer will indemnify the Purchaser against loss or damage to purchased lots from the fall of the hammer to the point of despatch at no extra charge to the Purchaser. Following receipt of payment lots will be despatched , at the Purchaser’s cost, by the most expedient means of transit (or in accordance with the purchaser’s written or emailed instructions).
With effect from the 1st December 2013 all shipments will be covered for the full value of the goods (including Purchaser’s premium but excluding import taxes) in the event of loss or damage. The charges for this service, which are as follows, will be added to the Purchaser’s invoice prior to shipment.
In the event that the Purchaser has either made alternative insurance arrangements or does not require to take advantage of the Auctioneer’s scheme, written (or emailed) instructions to that effect must be received prior to the goods leaving the Auctioneer’s premises.
Scale of Charges:
Shipment value including premium. Charge
Under £250 £5.00
£250-£500 £7.50
£501-£1000 £10.00
£1001-£2000 £20.00
£2001-£5000 £35.00
Over £5000 £50.00
7.3. Postage is subject to VAT at 20% within the EU
7.4. The Auctioneers will provide full customs declarations on the Hammer Price plus the Purchaser's premium and Purchaser's shall be responsible for any customs charges made by the country of import.
7.5. A charge will be made for the packing of deliveries which is subject to VAT at 20% within the EU.
8. Auctioneers Remedies
In the event that the Purchaser fails to pay for any lot(s) in full pursuant to these Conditions then the Auctioneers shall be entitled:
8.1. to rescind the sale of the relevant lot(s)
8.2. to resell the lot(s) without further notice either by public or private sale and the deficiency (if any) arising from such second sale together with all charges and expenses relating to the same shall be the responsibility of the defaulting Purchaser and shall be recoverable as and for liquidated damages.
9. Jurisdiction
These Conditions shall be governed by English law and the parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.
Online Bidding
International Autograph Auctions Ltd. offer an online bidding service for bidders who cannot attend the sale, however please be advised that a charge of 3% + VAT is chargeable on all purchases made through any of the online bidding facilities offered.
In completing the bidder registration and providing your credit card details and unless alternative arrangements are agreed with International Autograph Auctions Ltd. you
1. authorise International Autograph Auctions Ltd., if they so wish, to charge the credit card given in part or full payment, including all fees, for items successfully purchased in the auction, and
2. confirm that you are authorised to provide these credit card details to International Autograph Auctions Ltd. and agree that International Autograph Auctions Ltd. are entitled to ship the goods to the card holder name and card holder address provided in fulfillment of the sale.
3. confirm that you accept that an additional charge of 3% + VAT will be applied to your invoice for use of an online bidding facility
