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Click here to subscribeA British Army Rifle Regiment Officers Pattern 1892 Sword, plated hilt with regimental motif, fish skin wired grip, straight fullered etched blade with leather covered scabbard.Lot 1234 - wear, scratches, discolouring to leather, blade minor scratches, overall good condition, marks to handle.
A British Army General Officers Mameluke Sabre, with ivory grip, simple crossguard, curved etched blade with brass scabbard, manufactured by Hamburger Rogers & Co London. *Ivory Act 2022 License Number ABRB1EHNLot 1239 - scabbard - slight scratches, finger marks, etc. Blade - overall good, slight marks, handle slight marks overall good.
Rare Lieutenant Colonel in charge of US Army Air Forces Special Services During WW2 Jack Lyon Signed Original 12x8 inch Overall Black and White Vintage Photo. Further Signed by the Photographer Richard Sharpe. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
Vinyl - Approx 70 rock & pop LPs to include The Band, Barclay James Harvest, The Doors, Badger, Captain Beefheart, Big Brother & The Holding Company, Bonzo Dog Band, Erasure, Baker Gurvitz Army, Blind Faith, Everything But The Girl, Be Bop Deluxe and more. Condition varies but at least Vg overall
Vinyl - 40 Synth / New Wave LPs including Kraftwerk x 2, Yello (inc one signed by Dieter Meier), Depeche Mode x 5, Cabaret Voltaire, Ultravox x 7, Perennnial Devide, OMD, FSK, The The, Tubeway Army, Visage, Marc & The Mambas, The Human League, The Associates and others. Condition varies but at least Vg overall
˜THE SILVER-GILT MOUNTED PRESENTATION MAMELUKE SWORD TO LIEUTENANT GENERAL GEORGE SIR RONALD SCOBIE, K.B.E., C.B., M.C. BY THE GREEK ARMY, BY WILKINSON, LONDON SILVER HALLMARKS, 1946, with curved polished blade double-edged towards the point, etched with olive fruit and foliage, palmette, the presentation inscription and the Patriotic inscription ~ΈΛΛΑΔΙ ΓΑΡ ΣΠΕΥΔΟΝΤΕΣ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΗΝ ΠΕΡΙΘΕΙΝΑΙ?~, rectangular ricasso etched ~Wilkinson~ on the back-edge, silver-gilt hilt comprising cross-guard cast and chased with olive foliage in low relief, decorated in the centre with a classical profile bust on one face and with the crowned Royal cypher ~GRVI~ enclosed by the Most Noble Order of the Garter on the other, back-strap chased with foliage, a pair of ivory grip-scales (small ages cracks) retained by a pair of rivets with gilt heads, and with its original knot, in its scabbard with silver-gilt mounts cast and chased with palmettes and strapwork in low relief against a punched ground comprising chape, middle-band with a ring for suspension, applied in enamel with the Most Honourable Order of the Bath on one face and the Greek Order of George 1st, gold cross (military division) on the other, locket with a further ring, decorated in blue enamel with the dates 1944-46 on a scroll on one face and a military emblem on the other, and remaining in very fine condition throughout, 82.0 cm blade¦¦Sir Ronald Mackenzie Scobie (1893-1969) was educated as a scholar at Cheltenham College and at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, he was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in February 1914. He excelled at all sports and shortly before the outbreak of war played rugby for Scotland against England, Ireland, and Wales. ¦¦Scobie was sent out to France in October 1914. Though wounded shortly after his arrival, he recovered to fight in the trenches for the remainder of the war, being twice mentioned in dispatches and winning the Military Cross. Promoted captain in 1917, he received his brevet majority just two years later. In September 1920 he returned to England, where for four years he commanded a company at Woolwich. From 1927 to 1931 he was a staff captain, and later a brigade major, at Aldershot, before spending three years overseas as director of military artillery at the Royal Military Academy, Australia, during which he was promoted brevet lieutenant-colonel. On 9 February 1927 he married Joan Duncan (b. 1904/5), daughter of William Henry Sidebotham, a solicitor, of Farnham, Surrey and they later had a daughter.¦¦By 1939 Scobie was in London, as a full colonel and assistant adjutant-general at the War Office, and on the outbreak of war was made deputy director of mobilization, a role at which he excelled. In late spring 1940 he went out to the Middle East to serve as deputy adjutant-general on General Wavell~s staff before being appointed, in August, as a brigadier, general staff, in the Sudan. There, under General Sir William Platt, he helped plan the northern arm of the massive pincer that broke Italian military power in east Africa. Scobie with Platt captured Agordat in February 1941, broke the kernel of Italian resistance at Keren in March 1941, and finally took the whole of Eritrea. In the opinion of General Sir Frank Messervy, a fellow officer and friend, it was Scobie, through his diplomatic handling of two quarrelling divisional commanders and his insistence on persevering with the attack, who saw the crucial battle of Keren through to its victorious end.¦¦In October 1941, a month before Sir Claude Auchinleck launched his ~Crusader~ offensive against Rommel, Scobie, now a major-general, was appointed to succeed General Moreshead as commander of the garrison of Tobruk. After leading the 70th British division in by sea to relieve the Australian defenders, he and his men held the fortress in the face of furious enemy assault and even broke out from the town to make contact, if only for a few hours, with Auchinleck~s advance troops. Besieged again, with only forty-eight hours of artillery ammunition left, Scobie kept attacking as the battle of Sidi Razegh raged to the south. The garrison held out for another two weeks before finally being relieved. For his efforts in Eritrea and at Tobruk he was appointed OBE in 1941 and CB in 1942.¦¦From February to August 1942, for the duration of Rommel~s counter-offensive, Scobie was once again on the staff as deputy adjutant-general. His next posting was as general officer commanding another beleaguered outpost, this time the island of Malta. There he remained, blockaded by sea and under attack from the air, until the siege was finally lifted with the conclusion of the north African campaign. He returned to Cairo in 1943 as chief of staff to General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson, commander-in-chief Middle East, where, among other tasks, he helped plan the invasion of Sicily and amphibious operations in the Aegean.¦¦In the following year Scobie was given command of the British force due for dispatch to Greece to keep order, following the German withdrawal, until a constitutional administration could be established. When he and his force duly arrived in October 1944 they found the country in a state of complete disorder and on the verge of widespread civil war. Members of EAM, the communist-led movement of national liberation, and of its military wing, ELAS, were threatening to seize power and already occupied much of Athens and the surrounding countryside. Supported by the British government, Scobie declared publicly that all guerrilla groups must disband, that he would stand by the returned Greek government in exile, led by Georgeios Papandreou, until a legal armed force was behind it and free elections could be held, and that he would protect it against any coup d~état. EAM denied the charge that they were preparing a coup, but the crisis quickly reached boiling point.¦¦In December 1944 heavy fighting broke out in Athens between ELAS and British troops. At one point British and Greek government forces seemed in danger of being overwhelmed. Reinforcements were sent, with a corps commander to take operational control, enabling Scobie to assume overall command. Only after a visit to Athens by Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden late in December did the civil strife there begin to draw to a close. Papandreou resigned, a regency was declared, and a new cabinet formed, more acceptable to EAM. But it took forty days of bitter fighting before Scobie and four ELAS delegates signed a military truce, on 11 January 1945, and disarmament of the guerrillas could start.¦¦Scobie~s fine efforts in Greece were recognized by his appointment to KBE in 1945. Most Greeks, too, held him in high esteem, perhaps unusually for a commander of foreign troops engaged as a temporary force of occupation, but their affection and respect were genuine. He received the freedom of Athens and the grand medal of the municipality, and was decorated with the grand cross of George I of Greece, and whenever in public was greeted by cheers and cries of ~Scobie! Scobie! Scobie!~. He remained in command in Greece until 1946. Abridged from the Oxford Dictionary of Biography, accessed October 2022. ¦¦
Seven: Major T. A. S. Tryon, West Yorkshire Regiment 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya (Capt. T. A. S. Tryon. W. Yorks.); Efficiency Medal, Kenya, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (Captain T. A. S. Tryon) mounted for wear, light contact marks overall, generally very fine (7) £600-£800 --- Terence Adrian Spencer Tryon was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the West Yorkshire Regiment from the Army Cadet Forces on 2 June 1940, and was promoted War Substantive Lieutenant under the African Colonial Forces Section on 12 December 1941. Based on his Africa and Burma Stars is is possible that he was seconded to the Royal West African Frontier Force, which served in Italian Somaliland, Abyssinia, and Burma. He was advanced Captain in December 1948, and to Major in June 1953, and served in Kenya as Temporary District Officer (Screening) Nanyuki District, Central Province from October 1954. He relinquished his commission in November 1957. The West Yorkshire Regiment did not serve as a unit in Kenya, and consequently it is believed that this is a Regimentally unique group of medals. Sold with copied research.
German Second World War Metallic and Cloth Insignia. Comprising a General-Luftzeugmeister triangular form badge worn on the right breast of overalls. 2 tropical national coloured Tropheim shields, one with re-soldered pins. 1 bronze, 1 silver army drivers badge without backing plates. Coastal Artillery shoulder board. A scarce field post officials shoulder board. Customs officials shoulder board. Luftwaffe cloth paratroopers qualification badge. Luftwaffe cream work overall sleeve rank patch. 2 SA shoulder boards, which are both glued to cards. Kriegsmarine medical personnel trade patch, glued to card. Kriegsmarine Engineers sleeve patch, glued to cloth backing. A group of 5 Red Cross pieces of insignia which comprises of 2 arm triangles in different constructions. 2 Red Cross sleeve shields, 1 machine woven, 1 Bevo woven. 1 Red Cross collar patch. Waffen SS Obersturmbannfuhrers camouflage uniform strip of insignia for one sleeve. Army farriers trade patch. Army Obergefreiter trade patch on green. Another army Gefreiter trade patch in herringbone twill. Army technical artisan sleeve patch, pink machine woven on field grey green. Army tropical Obergefreiters rank patch. Army Obergefreiter rank patch grey on field grey green, generally good condition (lot) £100-£140
A FINE PAIR OF CULTURED PEARL AND DIAMOND PENDENT EARCLIPS, BY VERDURAEach surmount designed as stylised knots pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds, suspending a detachable cultured pearl drop of white or black tint, each caped with similarly-cut diamonds, mounted in 18K gold and platinum, diamonds approximately 7.50cts total, signed Verdura, with maker's mark for 'Amalphy', French assay marks, stamped 'Made in France', with maker's pouch, length 4.7cm and without pearl 2.3cmBorn in 1899 in Palermo, Italy, to an aristocratic family, Fulco Santostefano della Cerda’s, Duke of Verdura's, earliest beginnings were steeped in the beauty and sumptuousness inherent to both his homeland and social status. A vivacious and imaginative child, Fulco’s later designs would be deeply influenced by the family’s 18th century home, Villa Niscemi, as well as his love of nature and happy childhood days rambling around the vast estate. Inheriting the title of duke at the young age of, it became clear that the family’s financial situation did not reflect its noble status, and Verdura knew he would have to make a career for himself in order to upkeep the extravagant lifestyle to which he was accustomed. Having joined the army in 1916, Verdura would have to abandon a promising military career after sustaining a serious should injury which took months of recuperation to heal from. Luckily, the young duke had a wealth of family connections that placed him at the centre of Europe’s glittering interwar society.While on a visit to Venice in 1927 with his good friends, celebrated composer Cole Porter and his socialite wife Linda, Verdura was introduced to Coco Chanel. The two connected instantly, and shortly thereafter Verdura moved to Paris to work for Chanel as a textile designer. However, the young duke’s flair for jewellery design soon became evident and he began to help Chanel rework pieces from her own personal collection, some of which would be copied to be sold at the iconic 31 Rue Cambon location. Little of Verdura’s early work from this period survives, however by 1930 the design that would solidify his representation as one of the period’s foremost jewellery designers came into being. The Maltese Cross jewels consisted of two mismatched gold crosses set with an array of colourful gems, both Byzantian yet oddly contemporary in look. Verdura’s first Maltese Cross pieces were a pair of brooches which he gifted to the renowned fashion editor Diana Vreeland. Next came a pair of white enamel cuffs for Chanel herself, which she wore constantly. The lack of symmetry, yellow gold and brightly coloured stones were in stark contrast to the clean lines and white gold and platinum favoured by other jewellery designers of the time.In 1934, Verdura left Paris for the United States, where his charm, pedigree and good looks allowed him to easily insert himself into high society. Landing in New York before making his way to California, Verdura would meet Paul Flato, Hollywood’s most prominent jewellery designer, and soon became his Head of Design, his work appearing on the necks, arms, and fingers of era’s most standout starlets. By the late 1930s however, Verdura was ready to strike out on his own. His first solo store was opened at 712 Fifth Avenue on September 1st, 1939, the very day war was declared in Europe. The war denied American jewellery connoisseurs the ability to commission works from the master French and Italian ateliers, but Verdura filled the gap by introducing a uniquely European flair to the American market. He continued to produce commissions for actresses, notably Joan Fontaine, and New York society queens throughout the decade, but a collaboration with surrealist artist Salvador Dalí in 1940 allowed Verdura to explore his love of fine art through the lens of jewellery making. The collection consisted of five miniatures painted by Dalí, set by Verdura with gold and jewels. The pieces were exhibited at both the Julien Levy Gallery and the Museum of Modern Art in New York throughout 1941 and 1942, before being bought into private collections, although some re-merged for the Verdura company’s 75th anniversary exhibition The Power of Style: Verdura at 75 in 2014.Verdura’s success continued throughout the 40s, 50s and 60s. It seems he designed pieces for almost every style icon of the era, from royalty to socialites. Notable pieces include the Indian Feather Tiara created in 1957 for Betsey Cushing Whitney and the Double Crescent bracelet, which first appeared in 1940s and but was revived in popularity when it was worn by Princess Diana in 1997.After decades living in the world of glitter and gold, Verdura retired to London in 1973, passing on the company to his long-time business associate Joseph Alfano. The duke would spend the last few years of life indulging his other creative loves, publishing his childhood memoir The Happy Summer Days in 1976. He died in 1978 and was buried in his beloved hometown of Palermo.The Verdura company, meanwhile, continued to maintain its place in the world of fine jewellery. In 1983 the company was sold to Ward Landrigan, the former Head of Jewellery at Sotheby’s. The sale included the complete Verdura archives, consisting of over 10,000 original drawings and sketches, almost half of which were never realised. Landrigan aimed to re-introduce Verdura’s genius to a new generation and in 2004 was joined in the business by his son, Nico Landrigan, who became the company’s president in 2009. Today, Verdura’s classic collections are still available for purchase, including the Constellation Collection, the Caged Collection, the Byzantium Collection, and the Stardust Collection, each with their own unique backstory that offers insight into the mind of their brilliant creator.Verdura’s jewellery was never produced on a mass scale and his most famous pieces were often commissioned works. This has made the Verdura name all the more collectible for the discerning jewellery lover at auction.Condition Report: Cultured pearls:One black: Very good lustre, with green and pink overtones, minor natural blemishes visible under a bright light sourceOne White: Very good lustre, with green, pink and silver overtones, superficial natural blemishes visible under a bright light sourceDiamonds: approx. 7.50cts total, bright and livelySignature, French assay marks and maker's marks located on the clip fittingsEarclips for non pierced ears, includes rubber bands on the back fittingsEagle's head for French 18K gold and dog's head for French platinumMinor signs of wear, overall in good conditionTotal gross weight approx. 47.40g
The Corner-stone Document of Irish Freedom 1916 PROCLAMATION OF THE IRISH REPUBLIC An Original Proclamation, ''Poblacht na hEireann / The Provisional Government of the Irish Republic to the People of Ireland, Printed at Liberty Hall, Dublin, under the protection of soldiers of the Irish Citizen Army, on Easter Sunday, 1916, and red from the steps of the General Post Office, O'Connell St., Dublin on Easter Monday morning by P.H. Pearse, in the presence of the other signatories of the document, thereby heralding the Rising, and Ireland's advance towards self -determination. Single broadsheet, overall size 30 2/16'' x 20 2/16'', width of printed lines, 18 ?'', printed text 29 1/16'', on poor paper with smudging and uneven inking, some minor tears, and creases. As emphera, w.a.f. The most important document in Irish History, one of an amazingly small few known surviving copies, most of which are in Public Institutions. The Proclamation, the corner-stone of modern Irish history, the Irish Declaration of Independence, was probably the literary composition of P.H. Pearse, with some changes and amendments by James Connolly and Thomas MacDonagh. It was printed in Liberty Hall, Dublin, on an old ''Wharfdale Double-Crown,'' printing machine. The work commenced about mid-day on Sunday 23rd April and was completed approx. 1.00 on Easter Monday morning. James Connolly organised all arrangements. The printer was Christopher Brady and the compositors Michael Molloy, and Liam O'Brien all of whom had previously been employed in the work of printing ''The Worker's Republic,'' for Connolly. Mr. Brady who worked the machine throughout described his task as one of great difficulty. He found it hard to ink the type evenly and the rollers refused to maintain an even pressure, with the result that nearly all copies show much smudging in parts and faint printing in other parts. In the beginning an attempt was made to set the entire document at the one time, but it was found this was not viable as there was not enough type available, and it had to be set in two stages. Firstly, top half, from ''Poblacht'' down to and including the words? ''among the nations.'' Then bottom half, from ''The Irish Republic,'' .. to ''Joseph Plunkett'' The paper used was of the poorest quality, a cheap line which was purchased from Saggart Mills, and similar to that used on the ''Workers Republic.'' A print run of 2500 copies was planned, with the intention of supplying the country as well as the city. It seems unlikely however, because of the difficulties encountered in the work, dilapidated machinery, scarcity of paper etc., that anymore than 1000 copies were in fact printed. Finally the work of distribution was then handed over to Mrs. Helen Moloney, as ordered by Connolly. The type for the second section or bottom half was still in the press, when the British soldiers entered Liberty Hall, on Thursday 27th April 1916. Mr. Michael J. Molloy told the story of how he came to be one of the three men who printed the 1916 Proclamation, in an article entitled ''My Easter Week,'' published in the Evening Herald, on April 4th, 1966. In 1925, Mr. Joseph J. Bouche published a booklet, for the Biographical Society of Ireland which was a short history and a bibliography of The Proclamation. He examined the few available copies of the original from libraries etc., and this paper is now the definitive tool for ascertaining the true copies. A photocopy of the booklet accompanies this lot. He defined six main points from which the first issue can be identified: 1. Size of paper: approx. 30'' x 20''. 2. Quality and colour paper 3. Style of typography including wrong fonts and spaces 4. Measurements of form or type face, or length of line 5. Differences in spelling notably in the names of the signatories 6. Other typographical in exactitudes The above copy conforms in size, type of paper, etc., and contains all the typographical in exactitudes and irregularities called for by Bouch. It contains the 23 wrong font ''e'' as called for. It also contains the reversed ''e'' in the third ''the'' on the first line of the last paragraph. Also according to Bouch the spacing matter or bars between the lines frequently caught the ink and showed a line of varying lengths. This copy has one such line. In addition, this document contains further typographical errors which were missed by Bouche & other bibliographers, historians alike, & which on examination, are to be found in all other true copies of the original. These are three lower case ''t''s. This copy also displays clearly that the original Proclamation was in fact printed in two parts, as the distance between the last two paragraphs, etc., and the top half again varies in size. The above example is a very clean copy, slightly frayed at left hand edge, without loss, a few minor tears, one larger tear without loss, repaired, fold marks as usual, but a much better than average copy, mounted and framed. Provenance: Purchased by present vendor some years ago from a leading Dublin book-dealer. * The authenticity of the above Proclamation, the founding document of the Irish Republic is guaranteed. The number of intact surviving copies is now believed to be not much in excess of 20, most of them in secure institutional custody. There can be no more desirable document for persons and institutions with an interest in modern Irish history. Copies in good condition are few and far between and we are pleased and privileged to offer this excellent example.
Dinky Toys, Corgi - An unboxed and playworn collection of mainly military diecast model vehicles. Lot includes Dinky Toys 10 Ton Army Truck; Corgi Toys King Tiger Tank; Dinky Toys Leopard Recovery Tank and similar. Models show varying levels of play wear ranging Poor - Fair Plus overall. (This does not constitute a guarantee)
A BRITISH 1821 PATTERN OFFICER'S SWORD the 89cm slightly curved polished blade with indistinctly etched decoration, the ricasso marked 'ARMY / & NAVY / CO-OPERATIVE / SOCIETY / 105 / VICTORIA ST / LONDON / S.W.', the back edge numbered '12335', the steel hilt with a three bar knuckle guard, fully chequered backstrap, and a wire-bound fish-skin grip, in a brown leather covered field service scabbard, overall 106cm long.
Taxidermy: Indian Leopard Skin (Panthera pardus fusca), circa 1920, Indian, adult skin rug with snarling open-mouthed head mount, hand-painted glass eyes, limbs outstretched, nose to tail 204cm, across the forelimbs 131cm, across the rear limbs 126cm, with green scalloped felt trim border, backing material lacking, (af).Provenance:- Shot by Captain Roe whilst serving with the British Army in the Himalayas in the 1920's.Left rear lower leg detached but present and complete, tail tip missing, good strong colour remains to hide overall, wooden jaw set, both ears tips flattened and worn, hole to forehead 5mm by 3mm, hole to right flank, loose and missing filler around gumline, in need of restoration, 04/10/22
A large collection of various Military and other uniform buttons, to include States of Guernsey; Jersey Musical Union; Various Fire Service buttons to include National Fire Service; Canadian Lord Stratconas Horse; Trinity House; Ministry Civil Aviation; Garde Republicaine; 17th Lancers; Irish Defence Forces; British Navy; Indian Army; Royal Thames Yacht Club; Own Gurkha Rifles; Royal Munster Fusiliers; Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; Royal Army Service Corps; 21st Lancers (Empress of India's); Royal Corps of Signals, etc etc. (very large quantity, hundreds) Mostly good, some showing signs of wear and rusting etc, overall good.
WW2 German Army / Waffen-SS Panzer Assault Badge in Bronze by Adolf Schultz, fine example of a bronze grade panzer assault combat badge with much of its original bronze finish remaining to both the obverse and reverse of the award. Badge has the correct ball hinge fitting and catch. Remains in very good overall condition.
Axis Forces Croatian Order of King Zvonimir 1st Class with Swords, fine example in gilt brass and enamel with the original loop and neck ribbon. Remains in very good overall condition with no visible damage to the enamel. Accompanied by a postcard photograph of a German army officer wearing the award.
Mint Un-Issued WW2 German Army M-42 Single Decal Steel Combat Helmet, superb example of a factory fresh steel combat helmet which retains all of its original rough textured field grey paint finish. Helmet has its original single decal which is 99% intact. Complete with the original leather liner system to the inside which shows just some minor storage staining. Shell appears to be stamped in the rear ‘qal 64’ and batch number ‘5-73’, the markings are lightly stamped and not clear. Overall this is a fantastic example of how a M-42 combat helmet would have been when it left the factory, I would assume that due to the condition this helmet was liberated from a factory by a US GI as opposed to being captured in the field.
SOVIET GENERALS: A World War II date D.S. by a number of Soviet Generals including Andrei Grechko (1903-1976) Marshal of the Soviet Union who participated in the Soviet invasion of Poland; Lev Mekhlis (1889-1953) Soviet politician and a prominent officer in the Red Army 1937-40; and Ivan Petrov (1896-1958) Soviet General of World War II, two pages, 4to, various places, February 1945, in Cyrillic. The typed document is addressed to the Chief of Staff of the 271st Infantry Division and concerns the military career of Lieutenant-Colonel Vladimir Petrovich Rudenko, stating that he was born in 1908 and has served with the Red Army since 1940, and was awarded a military service medal, further adding that he is 'disciplined, demanding of himself and subordinates…..work is conscientious, diligent…..ideologically restrained, morally stable…..dedicated to the cause of the Lenin-Stalin party and the Socialist Motherland'. Signed in various colours of indelible pencil and ink by various individuals beneath brief text and with several official circular stamps. Some light overall age wear, a few very small holes and minor tears to the edges, about VG
MUSSOLINI BENITO: (1883-1945) Italian Fascist Dictator of World War II. Executed. An excellent content and rare early Autograph Manuscript by Mussolini, three pages, 4to, n.p. [Rome], n.d. [April 1925], in Italian. Mussolini´s bold black ink manuscript is entitled `Prime Osservazioni´, ("Initial Observations"), contains multiple corrections, amendments, crossed and underlined sentences, some underlined in blue pencil,and relates to his opinions on the proposal of reforms in the Italian army presented by General Antonino Di Giorgio, Minister of war, stating in part `…L´ordinamento costringerá ad una dura battaglia perché investe in pieno la routine di talune mentalitá professionali…´ ("…The legal system will force a hard battle because it fully affects the routine of certain professional mentalities...") Mussolini considers the armed forces reforms proposal of law courageous because it would get rid of the conventional lies, saying `…per molti individui, l´esercito non è già lo strumento che la nazione si prepara per defendersi, ma è uno strumento di parata, di ordine pubblico, di difesa delle istituzioni..´ ("…for many individuals, the army is not yet the instrument that the nation is preparing to defend itself, but it is an instrument of parade, of public order, of defence of institutions...") Further again Mussolini concludes stating `…un ordinamento senza foglia di fico..´, the metaphorical expression refers to Adam and Eve fig leaf, indicating the intention to conceal a dishonest action, pretending to do one thing but actually doing another very different, hiding the true situation, and for this reason he is in favour of removing the fig leaf from the regulations and explain openly the real situation. Including a full transcription of the manuscript. Very small overall age wear, with pinholes to the corners, and few very small holes to the last page, none affecting the text. Very small minor traces of former affixing to corners, otherwise G Antonino Di Giorgio (1867-1932) Italian General. Participated in World War One. Minister of war 1924-25 under Mussolini. Both the Superior Council of the Army and the Senate rejected Di Giorgio´s reform of the Armed Forces.
[WORLD WAR II]: A printed softcover 8vo booklet containing over 100 maps of British towns and cities, published by the Army General Staff, Department of War Maps and Surveying, Berlin, 1940, the front cover marked as to be used only by members of the service and indicating that the maps were up-to-date as of 30th June 1940. Issued ahead of Germany's intended invasion of England in the autumn of 1940, the booklet features alphabetically ordered maps (some of them folding out) of various towns and cities including Aldershot, Bath, Birmingham, Blackpool, Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Derby, Ipswich, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Sheffield, Torquay, Truro, Wigan, Wolverhampton and York etc. Each map names various roads and streets as well as identifying rivers and other places of interest (sports grounds, railway stations etc.). London is not included. Some light overall age wear and minor staining to the grey and black printed cloth wrappers. About VG
LA NOUE FRANÇOIS DE: (1531-1591) Also known as “Bras-de-fer” (“Iron Arm”). French Huguenot Captain. Best remembered for his exploits, such as the capture of Orléans at the head of only fifteen cavaliers in 1567, or the defeat he inflicted to Royalist troops before Rochefort. La Noue died as a result of a wound he received at the siege of Lamballe in Brittany. Very rare with historical content A.L.S., `La Noue´, one page, folio, Senlis, n.d. [May 1589], to the Duke of Longueville, in old French. Senlis is a small town in the north of France where Monarchs of the early French dynasties lived, attracted by the proximity of the Chantilly forest. An excellent military letter, La Noue reporting to his correspondent and master about the last events occurred, and stating in part `…La ville de Crespy se fust rachetée du sac à six mille escuz…et maintenant, à ce qu´on me dit, la plume volle par les rues… Si nous eussions guère tardé, les ennemys nous eussent réveillez… Et le corps de l´armée ennemye… on croit que la dire armée vient prendre Mouy, Merlon, et de là à Clermont…´ (“`…The town of Crespy was redeemed itself with the bag of six thousand shields…If we had been little late, the enemies would have woken us up…And the body of the enemy army… it is believed that the said army is coming to take Mouy, Merlon, and from there to Clermont…”) La Noue further refers to Spanish troops which would be on the way to support the enemy, saying in part `…Si cela est, il faut que le Roy se soyt amuzé à ataquer Louviers…si l´ennemy a occupé la plaine en premier… il faut penser à choisir un autre lieu meilleur en ces villages ligueurs entre Crespy et Soissons…´ (“If it is so, the King must have had fun attacking Louviers... if the enemy has occupied the plain first...we must think about choosing another better place in the league villages area between Crespy and Soissons...”) A letter of excellent and historical content. With addressee to the verso. Small overall age wear with few water stains, although remaining perfectly legible. Professionally repaired to the verso to the edges. About G The present letter was most probably written during the siege of Senlis, where the troops of the Duque of Longueville, Henri I d´Orleans, together with the troops commanded by François de la Noue defeated the Catholic League of France, supported at that time by the Pope Sixtus V, and by the King of Spain Philip II.Henri I d´Orleans (1568-1595) Duke of Longueville. Governor of Picardie, Soldier and Grand Chamberlain of France 1589-95 under Henry IV. He died at the very early age of 26. His funerary monument is at the Louvre Museum. Henri I of Orleans was the loose inspiration behind the character of Longueville in William Shakespeare´s Love´s Labour´s Lost. In 1570, at the siege of Fontenay, La Noue had his left arm shattered by a bullet and amputated. He ordered a mechanic of La Rochelle to make him an artificial iron arm with a hook allowing him to hold his reins.Charles IX (1550-1574) commissioned La Noue in 1572, after the Saint Bartholomew´s Day Massacre, to reconcile the inhabitants of La Rochelle to the King. The inhabitants of La Rochelle, the great stronghold of the Huguenots, were not in favour and La Noue decided to give up the Royal commission and acted as General of La Rochelle 1574-78.In 1579 La Noue was imprisoned for five years, and during his captivity he wrote his celebrated Discours Politiques et Militaires, published in 1587 in France, same year in English, and few years later published in German. His work had an immense influence on soldiers of all European nations.
TROTSKY LEON: (1879-1940) Russian Marxist Revolutionary. Founder and first Leader of the Red Army. Assassinated. Very rare A.L.S., `Leon´, one page, small 8vo, Pachuca, Mexico, 8th July 1937, to Frida Kahlo, in French. Trotsky, deported from Norway, landed in Mexico only six months before the present letter was written, in January 1937, when he and his wife were hosted by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in their own home. Shortly after and seduced by Kahlo´s charms, they had an affair, as the present letter demonstrates, Trotsky annotating at the base `Je t´……….´, being the starting letters of `Je t´aime´ (`I love you´). Trotsky states `Je n´ai pas réussi à envoyer hier la carte postale ; je la met dans l´enveloppe parce que je suis obligé d´envoyer les lettres par l´intermédiaire de l´administration de M. Gomez( ?) et ma carte postale parrait être comprise comme une ``plainte´´. Mes saluts les plus chaleureux´ (`I did not manage to send the postcard yesterday; I put it in the envelope because I am obliged to send the letters through the administration of Mr. Gomez(?) and my postcard seems to be understood as a ``complaint''. My warmest greetings´) With blank integral leaf. Accompanied by the original envelope, postmarked and stamped in Mexico. Small overall age wear with a vertical crease, otherwise G Trotsky was exiled to Kazakhstan in January 1928, and was later expelled from the Soviet Union to Turkey in February 1929, accompanied by his wife Natalia Sedova and their eldest son, Lev. He made requests to enter Belgium, France, Norway, Germany and the United Kingdom, but all refused access.In July 1933, Trotsky was offered asylum in France although he was forbidden to live in Paris and found himself under the surveillance of the French police. In February 1934 a decree was issued to deport Trotsky from France. Trotsky would then be admitted in Norway where he lived from 1935 to 1936. Almost all Trotskyists who were still within the Soviet Union's borders were executed in the Great Purges of 1936-1938. In December 1936, Trotsky and his wife were deported from Norway after spending the last four months under house arrest, at a farm distant from Oslo, harshly treated and forced to stay indoors for 22 hours per days and under the constant guard of thirteen policemen. Deported by the Norwegian authorities, Trotsky arrived to Mexico in January 1937.From January 1937 to April 1939, Trotsky and his wife lived in the Coyoacan area of Mexico City, at La Casa Azul (The Blue House), the home of the painter Diego Rivera and his wife and fellow painter, Frida Kahlo, with whom Trotsky had an affair. His final move was a few blocks away to a residence on Avenida Viena in April 1939, following a break with Rivera.Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) Magdalena Frida Kahlo y Calderón. Mexican surrealist Painter, known for her self-portraits and naive folk Mexican art. Kahlo married Mexican artist Diego Rivera, and is regarded as an icon for feminism movements.Diego Rivera (1886-1957) Mexican Painter, husband of Frida Kahlo.
LIBERATION OF CUBA - CESPEDES DEL CASTILLO: (1819-1874) Carlos Manuel de Céspedes del Castillo Cuban Revolutionary. Known as the ''Father of the Motherland'', Cespedes is considered a Cuban hero who freed slaves and leaded the declaration of Cuban Independence in 1868. An excellent historical content D.S., `C.M. de Cespedes´, one page, large folio, Bayamo, 19th October 1868, in Spanish. The document is a decree, bearing to the heading an attractive vignette of a coat of arms of the Provisional Government, and at base a large black paper seal of the (“Ejercito Libertador de Cuba”, Army of Liberation of Cuba. The decree, signed by Cespedes in his capacity of General in chief of the Liberation army of Cuba, contains the appointment, posts, and names of the new members of the new Government. Also signed by Ignacio Martinez and by Fernando Fornaris y Cespedes. An excellent and attractive document. Overall age wear with trimmed edges and repair to the verso to the fold. G Cespedes was a landowner and lawyer in eastern Cuba, near Bayamo, who purchased an estate with a sugar plantation in 1844, after returning from Spain. On 10th October 1868, only 9 days before the present document was issued, he made the “Grito de Yara” (“Cry of Yara”), declaring Cuban independence. he Ten Years' War. That morning, after sounding the slave bell, which indicated to his slaves it was time for work, they stood before him waiting for orders, and Cespedes announced that they were all free men and were invited to join him in war against the Spanish government of Cuba. In April 1869, he was chosen as President of the Republic of Cuba in Arms
MACEO Y GRAJALES JOSE ANTONIO: (1845-1896) Guerrilla iconic Leader and second-in-command of the Cuban army of independence. Cubans nicknamed Maceo ''The Bronze Titan'' because of his multiple wounds in battle, while Spanish nicknamed him ''The elder Lion''. Maceo was killed near Punta Brava by Spanish forces after being betrayed by the physician of his headquarters. Rare D.S., `Jose Maceo´, one page, folio, Head Quarters of El Perico, 14th March 1896, in Spanish. The present letter was signed by Maceo six months before being killed. The partially printed document bears a printed coat of arms to the upper left corner and is the appointment of vice-Lieutenant Miguel Fernandez as Lieutenant, and signed by Mateo y Grajales in his capacity as General Major of the Liberation Army of Cuba. Overall important age wear, creasing and staining, with few holes and small tears to edges. Large repairs to the verso. P
MASO MARQUEZ BARTOLOME DE JESUS: (1830-1907) Cuban Politician and military Patriot. A main figure of Cuban independence. President of the Cuban ''Republic in Arms'' 1897-98. D.S., `Bart. Masó´, two pages, Cuba, 1st of August 1898, to officer Eligio Fariñas, in Spanish. The partially printed document, bearing the heading ''El Presidente de la Republica de Cuba'', is a military appointment in favour of Eligio Fariñas, appointing him as infantry Lieutenant. Signed at the base by the President of the Republic Bartolomé Masó. The present document is signed during the short period of 12 months that Masó was President. Bearing to the front three blind embossed seals, one of the Liberating Army. With several countersignatures to the verso by several members of the government, including Jose Clemente Vivanco (1873-1946), also bearing several ink stamps of various ministries of the Republic of Cuba. Overall age wear and creasing, mostly to edges. F to G
‘I trust in the courage and patriotism of my soldiers, and I promise myself a certain victory’ BOLIVAR SIMON: (1783-1830) Venezuelan military and political leader who led what are currently the countries of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Bolivia to independence from the Spanish Empire. Bolivar served as the first President of Colombia 1819-30, the sixth President of Peru 1824-27 and the first President of Bolivia 1825. An interesting, rare A.L.S., Bolivar, three pages, 4to, Headquarters of Carupano, 27th June 1816, to Benoit Chasseriau, on Bolivar's printed stationery as Supreme Chief of the Republic, Captain General of the Armies of Venezuela etc., in Spanish. Bolivar forwards his correspondent a collection of bulletins which 'will instruct you of the operations we have executed, and of the advantages gained over the enemy wherever we have appeared', remarking 'If fortune, which has protected us hitherto in spite of the scarcity of means with which we have undertaken the first operations, continues to favour us in the future when we already have a very considerable body of troops, the campaign will be decided very soon in our favour'. Boliver further adds that he has been at Carupano for a month, busily raising and organising his army, and informs Chasseriau, 'At present, the only thing that stops me is General Marino, who should arrive at any moment with a large body that he brings me from Guiria. I expect it within two days to begin my marches immediately on Cumana. Although the enemy has concentrated there or in its vicinity, I trust in the courage and patriotism of my soldiers, and I promise myself a certain victory. The plains have been abandoned by the Spaniards who have brought to Cumana the troops with which they covered them, against the innumerable guerrillas who fight in that part for freedom. To take advantage of these circumstances, I have sent General Piar to Maturin with orders to put himself at the head of the army that must be formed from the meeting of our guerrillas. Their marches will be fast and they will go where it suits us best.' Bolivar concludes his letter by writing 'Friend, everything conspires to assure us the fruit of our efforts. The Spaniards are so disappointed that they cannot succeed and that their situation is desperate that although they appear to defend themselves, they only try to flee and save themselves. The generosity of the conduct that I have proposed towards them, I believe, goes to influence a lot to facilitate the freedom of my country'. A letter of excellent content and good association. Some light overall age wear and a few small tears and holes to the edges, G Benoit Chasseriau (1780-1844) French diplomat and spy, a comrade in arms of Simon Bolivar whom El Libertador appointed Minister of the Interior and the Police at Cartagena, Colombia. In 1816, the year of the present letter, Chasseriau helped finance Bolivar's expedition to los Cayos in the southwestern part of Haiti. Manuel Piar (1774-1817) General-in-Chief of the Army fighting against Spain during the Venezuelan War of Independence. In 1817, following his military victories, Pilar, a mesitzos, came into conflict with Bolivar. In what is one of the independence struggle's darkest episodes, Bolivar gave orders for Piar to be arrested and tried for desertion, insubordination, and conspiring against the government. On 16th October 1817 Piar was executed by a firing squad.
SUCRE ANTONIO JOSE DE: (1795-1830) Venezuelan independence Leader and Hero. Statesman and General, also known as the ''Grand Marshal of Ayacucho''. One of Simon Bolivar's closest friends. President of Bolivia 1825-28 and President of Peru 1823. Assassinated. An excellent and rare A.L.S., `A.J de Sucre´, one page, 4to, Headquartes at Cuzco, 12th January 1825, to a Prefect of a Peruvian department, in Spanish. The letter bears to the upper left corner the printed text ''United Liberator Army of Peru'', and Sucre referring to the reports received dated 7th, and two dated 8th, instructs urgent troops movements, stating in part `..you refer on a further report dated 7th to the troops arrival from Ica. It is also necessary that the… who will be unoccupied arrive very fast. The Hospital has reduced to half, or less than half the number of injured...´ Further again Sucre sends a very urgent order, requesting urgent arrival of troops, and saying `The troops are not in good physical condition, and therefore it is necessary that they come rushing, rushing all those not urgently needed there´ The document bears two circular paper seals affixed to the left front border, one of them showing the Crown coat of arms of King of Spain Ferdinand VII, which could mean that the present letter written and signed by Sucre could have been intercepted. Autograph documents of Sucre are rare in any form after his assassination at the age of 35. Small overall minor age wear, with large remnants of former affixing to the verso, but not affecting the front.G The present letter is written only a month after Sucre secured the independence of Peru with his victory at Pampa La Quinua, where, in his capacity as Simon Bolivar´s Lieutenant, defeated the Spanish Royalist troops at the Battle of Ayacucho. Although Royalists signed the final capitulation, the military campaign of Sucre continued through 1825 in upper Peru and finally ended in 1826.
SPANISH EARTH THE: An original typescript of the narrative to the documentary film The Spanish Earth (1937), eight pages (including a title page with credits), 4to, n.p., n.d. (1936/37), with numerous holograph corrections and directions, most of which are likely to be in the hand of the film's director, Joris Ivens. The text states, in part, 'This Spanish earth is dry and hard and the faces of the men who work that earth are hard and dry from the sun. This worthless land with water would yield much for 50 years we have wanted to irrigate but they held us back. Now we will bring water to it to raise food for the defenders of Madrid. The village of Fuenteduena……is on the Tajo river and the main highroad that is the life-line between Valencia and Madrid. All food for Madrid comes on this road. To win the war, the rebel troops must cut this road…..This is the true face of men going into action. It is a little different from any other face that you will ever see…..When you are fighting to defend your country, war as it lasts becomes an almost normal life. You eat and drink, sleep and read the papers……When these men started for the lines three months ago many of them held a rifle for the first time. Some didn't even know how to reload. Now they are instructing the new recruits how to take down and to reassemble a rifle……The bearded man is Commander Martinez de Aragon. Before the war he was a lawyer. He was a brave and skillful (sic) commander and he died in the attack on the Casa del Campo on the day we filmed the battle there…….The clenched fists of Republican Spain. Enrique Lister, a stonemason from Galicia. In six months of fighting he rose from a simple soldier to the command of a division. He is one of the most brilliant young soldiers of the Republican Army……He talks of the army of the people, how they are fighting for Spanish democracy and for the government they themselves have chosen……It is a nation disciplined and brave. It is a new nation forged in the discipline of its soldiers and the enduring bravery of its women…..Living in the cellars of that ruined building are the enemies. They are Moors and civil guards…..they are professional soldiers fighting against the people in arms, trying to impose the will of the military on the will of the people, and the people hate them, for without their tenacity and the constant aid of Italy and Germany, the Spanish revolt would have ended six weeks after it began…..Death comes each morning to these people of the town……The smell of death is acrid high-explosive smoke and blasting granite. Why do they stay? They stay because this is their city. These are their homes. Here is their work. This is their fight. They fight to be allowed to live as human beings……Before, death came when you were old or sick, but now it comes to all this village. High in the sky and in shining silver it comes to all who have no place to run, no place to hide…..' . Together with six unsigned 10 x 8 photographs and slightly smaller, most with annotations etc. by Joris Ivens to the versos, all relating to The Spanish Earth and including images of Ivens and Hemingway in a trench, Ivens and Hemingway accompanied by Luise Rainer and Joan Crawford, ruined buildings and burnt-out cars captured during the filming of The Spanish Earth etc. Some overall age wear, creasing and small tears to the edges of the pages etc., generally G, 7 The anti-fascist documentary film The Spanish Earth (1937) was directed by Joris Ivens during the Spanish Civil War and made in support of the democratically elected Republicans. The film's narrative was written by Ernest Hemingway and John Dos Passos and originally narrated by Orson Welles and re-recorded by Hemingway (with Jean Renoir providing the narration for the French release of the film). President of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt invited Ivens and Hemingway to show the film at the White House on 8th July 1937 ahead of its premiere
GREGORY XIV: (1535-1591) Pope of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States 1590-1591. During his brief pontificate which lasted only ten months, Gregory XIV excommunicated King Henry IV and levied an army for the invasion of France. Rare manuscript letter, with corrections and amendments in the Pope´s hand, one page, folio, n.p., 25th March January 1587, to Cardinal Monte-Alto, in Italian. Gregory XIV, in his capacity as Cardinal Nicolo Sfondrati, thanks his correspondent for reading his letter to his uncle Pope Sixtus V and states in part `Un Molto favore ben grande m´ha fatto V.[ostra] S.[signoria] Ill[ustrissi]ma, facendo leggere a N[ostro] S[igno]re quella lettera mia delli 8 di Gen[nai]o…et dando poi aviso a me di quanto S.[ua] B.[eatitudi] senti, et rispose in quell fatto…´ ("Y.[our] I.[llustrious] S.[signoria] did me a very big favour by making Our Eminence read that letter of mine dated on the 8th of January... and then giving me notice of what Y.[our] B.[eatitudi] feels, and replied to those facts...") Further again, and before concluding Gregory XIV states in part `..osservato poi il tempo, che il vic[ari]o mio stesse occupato in celebrar la messa, tornó con tutti I Sbirri a cercare con quell malmodo, che giá ho scritto..´ Accompanied by a full transcription of the letter. Small overall minor age wear, otherwise G Alessandro Peretti di Montalto (1571-1623) Italian Catholic Cardinal Bishop.
MALUS ETIENNE-LOUIS: (1775-1812) French Officer, Engineer, Physicist and Mathematician. Malus participated in Napoleon´s expedition to Egypt. He is best-remembered for Malus´s law. Member of the Academy of Sciences, awarded by the Royal Society of London, Malus important mathematical work mostly related to the study of light. He is credited with the discoveries of the polarization of light by reflection and for his theory of double refraction. Malus died at the early age of 36. Very rare D.S., `Malus´, and adds beneath `Chef de B.[ataill]on du génie´, ("Engineer´s Battalion Chief"), one page, oblong folio, Cairo, Egypt, 19th June 1800, in French. The partially printed document, being a receipt of payment from the National Treasury, with the heading of the Army of Egypt. Malus acknowledges receipt of three hundred and seventy five Pounds. Overall age wear and staining, mostly to borders, with edges slightly trimmed. About G
BERNADOTTE JEAN BAPTISTE: (1763-1844) Marshal of France, Prince de Pontecorvo and King Charles XIV John of Sweden and Norway 1818-44. A rare and early L.S., `J. Bernadotte´, one page, folio, at the head Quarters of Giesen, in Saxony, Germany, 10th December 1798, to citizen Michelon, medical Chief of the Army of Mayence, in French. Bernadotte, in his capacity as General of Division, sends a personal enquiry to Michelon regarding an Austrian doctor, persecuted by the Austrian government, who Bernadotte wishes to appoint to a front line hospital, stating in part `Je réclame donc de vous, Citoyen, que vous me fassiez le plaisir de m´indiquer quell serait le genre d´emploi que vous croiriez propre au Citoyen Franzenberg, et si vous regardez comme possible qu´il puisse obtenir un hôpital de première ligne; celui d´Anvers par exemple…´ (“I therefore request of you, Citizen, that you do me the pleasure of indicating to me what kind of employment would be the one you would believe appropriate to Citizen Franzenberg, and if you consider it possible that he could obtain a front-line hospital; that of Antwerp for example…”) With address leaf bearing remnants of a former red wax seal. Overall age wear and toning, with repairs to the verso. G
[NAPOLEONIC VIGNETTE]: An attractive D.S. by three members of the National Board of Military Hospitals individually, two pages, folio, Paris, 26th September 1799, featuring a fine engraved vignette by Francois Godefroy at the head, in French. The partially printed document, completed in manuscript, is a commission appointing Michel Jousselin to be a bursar 3rd class of the hospitals of the Army of the Danube. Bearing the signatures of La Fleury, Demar and Monestile at the foot of the first page and with a later manuscript statement signed by Meric to the second page, dated at Paris, 31st March 1811, attesting to the length of service provided by Jousselin. The engraved vignette at the head depicts Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, healing, rejuvenation, and physicians, with his serpent-entwined rod in one hand, taking the hand of a wounded soldier, who is aided by one of his military comrades, as an angel prepares to rest a laurel wreath upon his head. With blank integral leaf. Some light overall age wear and some creasing and a few tears to the edges, about VGFrancois Godefroy (1743-1819) French engraver.
HARDENBERG KARL AUGUST VON: (1750-1822) Prussian Statesman. Prime Minister of Prussia 1804-06, 1807 & 1810-22. Hardenberg is recognized as one of the most important statesman of his time, being credited with the improvement of the army system, the abolition of serfdom, and most of all the complete reform of the educational system. A very good L.S., `A. Hardenberg´, one page, folio, Berlin, 7th April 1805, to Marshal Berthier, in French. Hardenberg, on behalf of the King of Prussia, and in his capacity as Prussian prime minister, reports to Marshal Berthier about the decoration granted to him by his sovereign, stating in part `C´est avec une satisfaction bien vive que je remplis les volontés du Roi mon Maitre, en transmettant de Sa part à Votre Excellence les marques des grands Ordres de Prusse´ (“It is with great satisfaction that I fulfil the wishes of the King my Master, by transmitting on His behalf to Your Excellency the marks of the great Orders of Prussia”) Hardenberg further refers to Napoléon, saying `Sa Majesté S´est determine à Vous les conférer Monsieur le Maréchal par une suite et des sentiments distingués qu´elle vous porte et du plaisir qu´elle éprouve à répondre aux vues de Sa Majesté Impériale, Votre Auguste Souverain´ (“His Majesty has determined to confer them on you, Monsieur the Marshal, by following and the distinguished feelings that he has for you and the pleasure that he feels in responding to the views of His Imperial Majesty, Your August Sovereign”) A letter of good association. With blank integral leaf. Small overall age toning, mostly to edges, small staining and remnants of former affixing to the verso of the blank leaf, otherwise G Frederick William III (1770-1840) King of Prussia 1797-1840.
NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. A fine military L.S., `Np´, two pages, gilt edges, 4to, Hartha, Saxony, near Leipzig, 23rd September 1813, to the Duc de Feltre, in French. The present letter is dated during the last few victorious campaigns of Napoleon, less than a month earlier obtaining an important victory at the Battle of Dresden, but also less than a month before the defeat at the crucial Battle of Leipzig. Napoleon refers to the organization of the French troops, mostly the ones located in Germany, and insists on the importance of the officers´ formation. Napoleon shows once more his military planning and organization skills and knowledge of each regiment, stating in part `J´ai ordonné que les quatre premiers escadrons de chaque regiment de gardes d´honneur fussent réunis à l´armée… Je desire que les 6 autres escadrons restent à Francfort et Hanau pour s´y former. J´espère donc avoir d´ici à la fin d´octobre 6000 hommes de cavalerie de garde d´honneur…´ (“I have ordered that the first four squadrons of each regiment of honour Guards be united with the army… I wish that the other 6 squadrons remain in Frankfurt and Hanau to form there. I therefore hope to have by the end of October 6,000 men of honour Guards cavalry…...”) Napoleon expresses in part his plans on future military campaigns, and orders to troops movements he expects, saying `Chargez le Duc de Valmy d´avoir un oeil là-dessus. Laissez ces regiments se bien former. Peut-être les y laisserai-je tout l´hiver ce qui alors me ferait une ressource très précieuse pour la campagne prochaine. Ces regiments ont besoin d´instructions: comme la Garde est trop loin pour les fournir, je desire que vous tiriez des régiments de cavalerie qui sont en Espagne…´ (“Ask the Duc of Valmy to keep an eye on this. Let these regiments form well. Perhaps I will leave them there all winter, this would then make me a very precious resource for the next campaign. These regiments need instructions: and because the Guard is too far away to provide them, I want you to take them from the cavalry regiments that are in Spain…”) Napoleon further continues explaining how the regiments should be formed. Accompanied by a small 12mo holograph pinned receipt to the bottom left corner. Very small overall minor creasing with one small stain, otherwise G to VG Henri Jacques Guillaume Clarke (1765-1818) Duc de Feltre and Minister of War under Napoleon. Later Marshal of France in 1816, one of six created under King Louis XVIII from 1815-24François Christophe Kellerman (1735-1820) Marshal of France, Duc de Valmy
MONTGOMERY B. L.: (1887-1976) British Field Marshal of World War II. Autograph Manuscript, unsigned (although with the 'signature' Field Marshal Montgomery incorporated into the title), four pages (separate leaves), folio, n.p. (Gstaad?), n.d. (February 1947). The manuscript is entitled 'Address by Field-Marshal Montgomery to the Gstaad Ski Club 16 Feb 1947', and states, in part, 'It is a great pleasure for me to be here tonight to present the "Montgomery Cup" for ski-jumping, and also to give the prizes for the various ski contests that have been held in Gstaad this week-end. I first came to Switzerland in 1903…..the object of that first visit was to learn French, but I also had my first lessons in winter sports……Since that time I have paid many visits to Switzerland and have become very fond of it; yours is a magnificent country, and one which produces a virile people of great character. Swiss history tells us of your long struggle for freedom; your early history especially is a long story of wars against aggression from outside. I have been reading how the Swiss Army defeated the Austrians at Morgarten in 1315 and at Sempach in 1386; I have also read how in the war against Germany in 1499 your Army defeated the German Army under Maximilian I at Dornach, which victory gained you your definite independence of the German Reich. In these and other wars your Swiss soldiers gained a high reputation for military skill and valour. So great were the military qualities of your young men that, even when the independence of the country had been won, they used to enlist in the armies of foreign powers and brought your country great glory on many battlefields. However, the Swiss Government finally decided that the hiring of Swiss fighting men by foreign powers was likely to endanger the home country and must cease. Since then Switzerland has enjoyed peace, and has observed a strict neutrality in the case of wars between two or more of her neighbours…..In your early days you suffered greatly from foreign aggression, and there are probably few nations who understand better than you do the distress that has been brought about in many European countries as a result of the late war……As a British soldier, I thank you for the splendid way in which you looked after our officers and men who escaped to your country from prisoner-of-war camps in enemy countries…..Many nations that have been drawn into war have gained much benefit from the neutrality of Switzerland…..Our two nations would seem to have much in common. We British are an independent and an individual people; our long freedom from oppression has made us self-reliant and our one passionate belief is in the liberty of the individual to go his own way……All nations today are grappling with the problem of how to reconcile this liberty of the individual with the demands of collective good. In Switzerland you seem to have reached a satisfactory solution to that problem and one which suits the nation…..To Switzerland and its people, I wish prosperity and happiness in the years that lie ahead'. Two small file holes to the upper left corner of each page and with some light overall age wear, about VG
A LARGE COLLECTION OF EARLY TO MID 20TH CENTURY GOUACHE JEWELLERY DESIGN ILLUSTRATIONS, intricately detailed paintings and sketches of predominately heraldic patterns, military sweetheart brooches and military badges, a range of designs for a wide assortment of British regiments, believed to be designs to be issued to the Garter King of Arms for approval, prior to being submitted to the Sovereign for formal approval, regiments include SAS, The Irish Guards, Cold streamers, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Kings Royal Rifle Corps, Lancers, Royal Artillery Ubique, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, WWII Trans Jordan Arabic Legion, The Arab Army, Fusiliers, Gurkhas etc., some paintings and sketches have been dated, dates to include 1932, 1938, 1941, 1945, 1949, 1951, 1956, 1964 and 1969, approximately six hundred and twenty paintings and sketches (condition report: paintings are either painted to card or card backed, some wear to edges of card, some have been cut partially removing borders etc., overall condition good)
A boxed early 20thC 9ct gold Masonic medal by M.E. Mazzucchelli of Perth, Western Australia, for the Kalgoorlie Chapter No.30, presented to M.Ex Comp. Edward A. Chambers, Foundation 1st Principal 1936-37, 4.7" overall, together with some researched provenence describing the life of the Exeter-born recipient, who emigrated to Australia and fought in the Australian army during WWI.
* Peninsular War. A rare illustrated Autograph Letter Signed from Corporal Daniel Sanders, 95th Regiment, no date, (watermarked R. Barnard, [18]11), to his sister Frances Sanders in Amersham, Bucks, a brief note thanking her for her letter and sending love, the first page largely taken up with a pen & ink and watercolour portrait (?self portrait) of a man in uniform with a rural landscape behind, image 140 x 120 mm, within ink ruled borders, the letter continuing at foot of pages 1 and 2 with integral address panel, 'Folkestone/79', some overall toning and spotting, a few old clear tape repairs to fold intersection (to verso of illustration), 4toQTY: (1)NOTE:Corporal Daniel Sanders joined the army 1 April 1809, and was wounded at Waterloo on 18 June 1815 and then invalided.
* Peninsular War. Autograph Letter Signed from 'James Carrigan, Band 95th Regiment', Campo Miore, [Portugal], 7 November 1809, to his brother James in the 3rd Battalion 93rd Regiment, but the letter addressed to Jeny, 'We had a very long march after we landed in this country and went within eighteen leagues of Madrid to a place called Tullavera where the French and Our Army had a Great Engagement’, also ‘Our Band is greatly reduced since poor Cairns and Smith died’, some overall spotting and a little fore-edge fraying, 3 pages with integral address panel, faint London Paid marking and indistinct Falmouth mileage mark, folioQTY: (1)
A GEORGE III SILVER OVAL SAUCE TUREENPAUL STORR, LONDON 1797With an armorial finial to the domed cover, twin scroll handles, engraved with a coat of arms and on an oval pedestal foot23.5cm (9 1/4in) long607g (19.55 oz) The armorial for the Earldom of Eglinton in the Peerage of Scotland. The ancestral seat was Eglinton Castle in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire. The date of assay (1797) would suggest that the engraving refers to Colonel Hugh MONTGOMERIE (formerly SETON) (1739-1819) KT and 12th Earl of Eglinton, who succeeded his third cousin Archibald MONTGOMERIE (1726-1796) 11th Earl in 1796. He was the son of Colonel Alexander SETON (1719-1783) of Colysfield by Lillias MONTGOMERIE (1715-1783) daughter of Robert MONTGOMERIE Baronet Skelmollie. He joined the army in 1756 and served in the American war as captain in the 78th foot and afterwards as captain in the first royals. In 1772 the 12th earl had married Eleanora HAMILTON (1750-1817) daughter of Robert HAMILTON by Jean MITCHELL. He was earlier an MP for Ayrshire (1780-1796) and later Scottish representative of peers in the House of Lord. Blazon: quarterly of four - 1,4: grand quarters counter quartered one and four: azure, three fleurs de lis or (Montgomerie); two and three: gules, three annulets or stoned azure (Eglinton) all within a bordure or charged with a double tressure flory-counterflory. 2,3: grand quarters counter quartered one and four: or, three crescents within a double tressure flory-counterflory gules (Seton); two and three: azure, three garbs or (Buchan), overall an escutcheon per pale gules and azure, the dexter charged with a sword in pale proper, pommelled and hilted or, supporting an imperial crown, the sinister charged with a star of twelve points argent, all within a double tressure flory-counterflory or. Crest: a lady dressed in ancient apparel azure holding in the dexter hand an anchor or and in the sinister the head of a savage suspended by the hair couped all proper (Eglinton) Supporters: two wyverns, wings elevated vert and vomiting fire proper. Mottoe: GARDEZ BIENCondition Report: Marks to base are partially obscured, marks to cover are clearStands wellCover sits wellEngraving rubbedLight scratches and wear commensurate with age and use Condition Report Disclaimer
The Khyber Pass, 1936/7.A large panoramic photograph of the Khyber Pass, produced by the British Army for issue to the artillery posts guarding the 'North-West Frontier'. Overlays for the photograph were issued (not present) which identified and labelled various locations in the pass. The overlays could be periodically updated by military intelligence. Using the overlay and photograph, commanding officers were able to clearly identify target locations when instructing remote gun placements to open fire on the transient enemy forces. Composed of two photographs joined at the centre, overall image approx 20cm x 182cm, recently mounted, framed and glazed at considerable expense.
* Prussian Sword. A WWI Prussian army officer's sword, the 79 cm slightly curved steel blade plain and slightly pitted, brass stirrup hilt with oak leaf decoration, wire-bound black celluloid grip and lion head pommel inset with red glass eyes, overall length 92 cm, in its black metal scabbard QTY: (1)
* Swords. A 1912 pattern cavalry officers sword, the 83 cm blade by Army & Navy Cooperative Society, numbered 13397, steel bowl engraved with foliate scrolls, fish skin grip and plated pommel, overall length 103 cm, in its brown leather scabbard, together with another 1912 pattern sword with camouflage painted guard, poor conditionQTY: (2)
A flintlock rifle with a 77cm rifled barrel with seven riffling grooves. fore and aft sights and prominent bayonet fitting, the flint lock mechanism with swan neck cock and roller bearing, the side plate marked 'Wood', Fitted with a ramrod beneath the barrel and scrolling brass trigger guard. The walnut stock with raised cheek piece, the brass butt plate engraved with issue marks for F59 A.R. 116 cm overall length. The Baker Rifle or Pattern 1800 Infantry Rifle was designed by Ezekiel Baker and was the first standard issue British made rifle used by the British Army. *CR: Ramrod does not move, walnut possibly sometime cleaned, light surface marks and wear. Action functions holding on half cock. *BP 22.5% (18.75% plus VAT) plus a lot fee of £8 inc. VAT on each lot.
A Second World War German Army Belt buckle, a wartime steel example with an Eagle in center, & ‘Gott mit uns’ motto around the edge. Maker’s mark ‘Dr.F. & Co. 1940’ on back. Green painted overall. *CR: Front very slightly rubbed, otherwise a nice example. *BP 22.5% (18.75% plus VAT) plus a lot fee of £8 inc. VAT on each lot.
A PATTERN 1857 ROYAL ENGINEERS OFFICER'S SWORD BY ROBERT MOLE & SONS, mid-late 19th Century, with 32 1/2in. nickel-steel thrusting blade of dumbell form, fullered and etched on both sides with scroll-work and Victoria royal cyphers with 'ROYAL / ENGINEERS' to one side and Royal Artillery 'UBIQUE' over, ricasso with brass proved plug to one side, with 'MADE BY / ROBt MOLE & SONS / Birmingham / ...for the / ARMY & NAVY / COOPERATIVE / SOCIETY / LONDON' over, blade back numbered 'M1944', gilded brass acanthus leaf guard, back-strap and pommel, wire-bound fish-skin grip; together with its nickel-steel scabbard with two suspension rings, a little staining towards the blade tip, some losses to the guilding, a little wear to the grip and a little grazing to the nickel on the scabbard, 39 1/2in. overall. This bladed product is not for sale to people under the age of 18. By bidding on this item you are declaring that you are 18 years of age or over.Please be aware that we are unable to send edged weapons or bladed products by postal courier to a UK residential address (Offensive Weapons Act 2019)
A CHINESE FIGURE OF A TERRACOTTA ARMY WARRIORLATE 20TH CENTURY 182.5cm high, 62cm wide, 36cm deep Provenance: Purchased The Museum of The Terra-cotta Warriors and horse, Xi'an, China, 2014. Condition Report: As catalogued this is not of any great age but is after the ancient models, the surface 'wear' and signs of age and antiquity are purely simulation. The overall condition genuinely reflects its lack of significant age and probable only display use in the private collection. The head is removable by designPlease refer to additional images for visual reference to conditionCondition Report Disclaimer
Northern Europe. Stockdale (John), Map of the Seat of the War in the northern part of Europe, 25th July 1812, large scale engraved map with contemporary outline colouring, sectionalised and laid on linen, inset table of the 'Changes of the Geographical Divisions of Europe since 1779', slight overall toning and staining, slight marginal ink staining, 1420 x 1555 mm, contained in a contemporary card slipcase with printed label to the upper cover, label with near-contemporary ink annotations, additional later library label to the verso of the 'Gibraltar Garrison Library, H. E. General Sir Robert T. Wilson KT. Governor and Patron', some wear to the slipcaseQTY: (1)NOTE:The map was designed and published primarily to enable army officers to follow the route of Napoleon's march on Moscow. It is a scarce map, with only one copy recorded on Copac (University of Oxford), no doubt exacerbated by its original price of the not inconsiderable sum of three guineas.
James Bond Quantum of Solace (2008) Original Wallpaper from the Set, the 10 x 10cm section of the Wallpaper seen at the end of the 2008 Spy Film when Bond (Daniel Craig) confronts Yusef about seducing female agents for valuable connections. These scenes were filmed at a disused Army Barracks located in Hampshire, England; which were rented to the Production Company by the MOD. The barracks were later demolished in 2015 & some of the remaining Wallpaper was salvaged. Framed (13 x 9.5 inches overall) with two stills & logo. Provenance: Obtained from a former MOD Estate Manager who assisted the Production Crew with accompanying letter.
Uberti Stainless .44 percussion revolver LICENCE REQUIRED Uberti Stainless Steel Remington New Model Army .44 percussion revolver, 8inch octagonal barrel, serial number 142227.UK FIREARMS LICENCE WITH .44 REVOLVER OR RFD REQUIRED TO BUY THIS LOT.36cm longThe revolver is in excellent overall condition with only very minor signs of occasional use. The bore is good with crisp rifling and no pitting. The action works correctly with good timing and lock up, the trigger is light. There is a brown mark to the end of the barrel where it meets the frame which is grease and has cleaned off with ease.
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![* Peninsular War. Autograph Letter Signed from 'James Carrigan, Band 95th Regiment', Campo Miore, [Portugal], 7 November 1809](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/232ef99e-da70-4638-9ab5-af42011b5f2d/35678071-46ae-4a81-ad05-af43011374ed/468x382.jpg)
