BRADLEY HELEN: (1900-1979) English Artist, influenced by L. S. Lowry. Small series of four A.Ls.S., Helen Bradley, eight pages (total), 8vo, Wilmslow, Cheshire, 16th March & 18th June 1979 and n.d., each to Roger Thornton. Bradley writes on various subjects including her exhibitions, Salvation Army bands, the Crane Gallery in Manchester ('Andras Kalman was there then and, although I could never afford to buy his pictures, he was nevertheless very kind to me and let me spend some time looking - I learned a great deal.'), L. S. Lowry ('What a pity your uncle didn't ask Lowry for a little sketch. I know he's have given it to him.') and her own work ('I never draw. People wonder how I manage, but if I were to draw anything on any canvas or watercolour paper I should never be able to paint. It seems odd, but a painter doesn't draw!'). EX, 4
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ISRAEL: An Israeli banknote individually signed by various prominent Israelis comprising Menachem Begin (1913-1992) Prime Minister of Israel 1977-83, Nobel Peace Prize winner; Yitzhak Shamir (1915-2012) Prime Minister of Israel 1983-84, 1986-92; Teddy Kollek (1911-2007) Mayor of Jerusalem 1965-93; and Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (1936- ) Israeli Politician; and further signed to the other side by Saad Haddad (1936-1984) Founder of the South Lebanon Army. Two of the signatures are in pencil. VG
HARDINGE HENRY: (1785-1856) British Field Marshal, succeeded the Duke of Wellington as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces (1852-56) during which time he had responsibility for the direction of the Crimean War. A.L.S., Hardinge, four pages, 8vo, Stanhope Street, 16th April 1851, to Colonel H. Doyle. Hardinge informs his correspondent that he has seen Richardson's monument to Major Broadfoot, commenting that it is 'in the old style our Church monuments...The likeness was very good even in death & I expressed my satisfaction at the successful execution.' The Field Marshal adds 'I cannot say whether the staff of St. Pauls will consider Mr. R. an "eminent sculptor"& as this is one of your conditions, not necessarily dependant on the work he might produce, but on a reputation for skill...I wd. suggest before you give him the trouble of a design or model, that you should ascertain from these dignitaries whether Mr. R. wd. in their estimation fulfill the conditions imposed.' and also states 'Chantrey's fame originated in a Church monument at Lichfield, but in the case in which you justly take an interest, the employt. of an eminent artist must depend on the Dean of Chapter's notion of his eminence & the price to be given for the work.' In closing he also makes reference to the Battle of Albuera and the loss of men in his old 57th Regiment ('but I believe the gallant 24th lost more offrs. killed on the spot'). Together with a D.S., H. Hardinge, one page, 4to, War Office, 24th August 1829. The partially printed document is addressed to the Paymaster General and concerns the accounts of the Grenadier Fort Guards for the year 25th December 1826 to 24th December 1827 during which the expenditure totalled £80767.14.10 3/4. Hardinge requests that the balance of £2.19.4 be paid against the amount already issued. Boldly signed by Hardinge at the foot in his capacity as Secretary at War (1828-30, 1841-44). With blank integral leaf (slight traces of former mounting). About VG, 2 Edward Richardson (1812-1869) English Sculptor who executed a number of military memorials. His monument to Broadfoot is in St. George's cathedral, Madras. Major George Broadfoot (1807-1845) British Soldier in the East India Company. His death and services were described by Hardinge in an official battle report thus, 'It is now with great pain that I have to record the irreparable loss I have sustained, and more especially the East India Company's service, in the death of Major Broadfoot of the Madras army, my political agent. He was thrown from his horse by a shot, and I failed in prevailing upon him to leave the field. He remounted, and shortly afterwards received a mortal wound. He was brave as he was able in every branch of the political and military service' Francis Chantrey (1781-1841) English Sculptor whose works include The Sleeping Children (1817) in Lichfield Cathedral. The Battle of Albuera took place on 16th May 1811 during the Peninsular War.
SCARLETT JAMES YORKE: (1799-1871) British General, a hero of the Crimean War for his actions during the Battle of Balaclava, 1854. A very fine A.L.S., J. Yorke Scarlett, four pages, 8vo, Bagshot, 13th March 1856, to General Sir William Coddrington (sic). Scarlett announces 'I fully expected & intended to be at my Port at Scutari by the 15th inst. but am detained by Lord Hardinge's desire that I may give evidence, if necessary, before the Chelsea Board to be assembled to investigate the Report of Sir J McNeil & Col Tulloch' and continues 'I should have very strenuously have resisted this detention if it had not been notified to me also by Lord Hardinge that in the event of a Peace being the result of the Conference he does not wish me to return to re-embark the Cavalry for England. I am therefore riding at single anchor ready to start at any moment I receive permission should the Conference not terminate in Peace.' Scarlett also offers his views on his position should the War continue, 'I fear this detention will not be without inconvenience to the service as every officer will be needed at his Port as early as possible and I do not anticipate a very rapid termination to the labours of the Chelsea Board....Preparations for War however are being continued here...I have written to B. Gen. Lawrenson now Com. the Cavalry at Scutari and to the officers of the Staff to put everything in a state for active service after 31st March: Reinforcements of Cavalry are under orders to embark and I expect if War continues that the British Cavalry will consist of 44 Squadrons - but we cannot reckon the whole as effective. Two strong German Squadrons are also under orders to embark.' In concluding Scarlett remarks 'Before you receive this no doubt the Telegraph will have solved our present doubts and your plan of operations will be fixed for the future.' A letter of excellent content relating to the end of the Crimean War. EX William John Codrington (1804-1884) British General, Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in the Crimea from 1855. Scarlett makes reference to the negotiations which led to The Treaty of Paris of 1856 which settled the Crimean War between Russia and an alliance of the Ottoman Empire, the British Empire, the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The treaty, signed on 30th March 1856 at the Congress of Paris, made the Black Sea neutral territory, closing it to all warships, and prohibiting fortifications and the presence of armaments on its shores. The treaty marked a severe setback to Russian influence in the region.
WHITE GEORGE S.: (1835-1912) British Army Officer, Victoria Cross winner for his actions at Charasiah, 6th October 1879. An original 8.5 x 14.5 colour Vanity Fair print by Spy, signed by White. The image, entitled Ladysmith, depicts White standing in a full-length profile pose. Published 14th June 1900. Signed by White with his name alone in pencil to the lower border. Matted in dark brown and framed and glazed in a contemporary gold coloured frame to an overall size of 12 x 18. VG
MONTGOMERY B. L.: (1887-1976) British Field Marshal of World War II. Wartime L.S., B. L. Montgomery, General, Eighth Army, one page, 8vo, Italy, 6th November 1943, to Mrs. Thomas. Montgomery states that he will 'eagerly await the arrival of your treasured edition of Pilgrims Progress' and adds 'I shall much enjoy reading it'. Accompanied by the original envelope. VG
EISENHOWER DWIGHT D.: (1890-1969) American General of World War II, later American President 1953-61. Wartime T.L.S., Dwight D Eisenhower, one page, 8vo, Office of the Commanding General, United States Army, Headquarters European Theater, 1st February 1944, to William Harris. The General writes, in full, 'My secretary tells me that you have written her requesting my autograph. Because you are yourself an ex-soldier and you have two sons in the Air Force, I shall be more than delighted to grant your request. Good luck to you.' Numbered in ink by the recipient to the upper left corner and with two file holes to the right edge, none of which affect the text or the signature. Together with a dark fountain pen ink signature ('Dwight D Eisenhower') on a page removed from an autograph album, and also including Kay Summersby (1908-1975) Irish Chauffeur and later Secretary to Eisenhower 1942-45. Dark fountain pen ink signature ('Kay Summersby') on a page removed from an autograph album. Both of the pages are annotated and numbered in ink in the hand of the collector and have tape stains to one edge, some of which slightly affect the signatures. Generally G to about VG, 3
Football autographs 1948. Autograph album containing the signatures of teams and individual players from the period. Team signatures include Wolverhampton Wanderers (4 pages containing 41 signatures), Walsall (16), Army (10) and Navy (8), Charlton Athletic (12), Sheffield United (13), Burnley (14), Birmingham City (11), Bolton (13), Fulham (15), Blackpool (13), Portsmouth (16), Aston Villa (15), Middlesborough (16), Blackpool (9), Luton Town (18), Rotherham (12), Liverpool (14), Grimsby (12), Stoke City (12), Bournemouth (18), Coventry City (23), Everton (14) etc. Individual signatures include Frank Swift, Laurie Scott, Ted Ditchburn, Eddie Bailey, Ernie Jones (Spurs), Neil Franklin etc. Includes some cricketers signatures including Lancashire (9). Signatures include Shorthouse, Williams, Crook, Cullis, Bartram, Potts, Finney, Dickinson, Mortenson, Matthews, Lewis, Rooke, Lawton, Harris, Liddell etc. Some signatures of teams on pieces laid down to album pages, some signatures signed directly to album page. G
CAPRA FRANK: (1897-1991) Italian-born American Film Director, Academy Award winner. T.L.S., Frank Capra, one page, 4to, Los Angeles, California, 14th February 1944, to Stephen Longstreet, on the printed stationery of the United States Army Signal Corps Photographic Center, Special Coverage Section. Capra thanks his correspondent for their letter and synopsis 'of your long and excellent writing record' and continues 'We would be more than happy to request for your services if and when you join the Army. A man with your background and writing ability would be a great addition to our slender forces.' Signed by Capra in his capacity as a Colonel in the Signal Corps. VG Stephen Longstreet (1907-2002) American Author.
Cricket match invitation. ‘The Seasonne of Crickette in the Yeare 1904’. Four page folding card invitation from John H. Leslie to a Mr Kirby ‘The Old Shoebury Cricket Match will take place this year on Wednesday and Thursday, June 22 and 23 and I hope you will be able to play. Please let me know as soon as you can’. The card has the address of the Army & Navy Club, SW and is dated 16th April 1904 with printed caricature of ‘The Shoebury Nestor’ a wooden legged sailor batting to inside page. G
A collection of Dinky Toys army vehicles including a three ton army wagon, an armoured command vehicle, a 5.5 medium gun, a personnel carrier and a covered wagon, together with unboxed centurian tank, a personnel carrier, an armoured personnel carrier, a gun, one jeep and wagon, two motorbikes and sidecar.
A Nickel Plated Brass Alto Saxophone, inscribed `1st Army Corps Band Competition, first Prize Presented by Messrs Hawkes & Son, London, Won by 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment`, with mouthpiece and instruction book, in a stitched leather case (a/f); A Silver Plated Class A Cornet by Mayers and Harrison, in a plush lined case (2)
Three boxed Dinky Toys: 420 Forward Control Lorry, green with red hubs (G); 253 Daimler Ambulance (G/F); 622 10-Ton Army Truck (G), all in P boxes. Together with unboxed Dinky 919 Guy Van Golden Shred (F/P), and Accessory Packs 851 oil drums and cases, and 50100 Racing Decals (both VG in original packs). (6)
Four early 20th century dressed dolls comprising a bisque Armand Merseille doll having brunette hair and sleeping blue eyes, the markings to back of head Armand Merseille Germany 390, a Heubach Koppelsdorf black Indian squaw doll marked 444.130, a further native American (red Indian) dressed bisque doll and a wool doll dressed in army uniform, three dolls @ 30 cm (high) and one @ 25 cm (high) - (4)
ARTHUR ELPHINSTONE, 6th LORD BALMERINOCH: (1688-1746) Scottish nobleman and officer in the Jacobite army. A contemporary manuscript folio copy of, `The Right Honerable Arthur Lord Balmerinoch, his Speech on the Scaffold at London, 18th August 1746.` Taken prisoner at the Battle of Culloden, Lord Balmerinoch was tried by parliament, and beheaded. With ... 4 others, inc. Ms verse, title, `The Lament of the Auld House of Spottiswoode.` Also a 4 page letter, Naval Brigade, before Sebastopol, June 2nd. *Provenance: Spottiswoode letters
JACOBITE RISING OF 1745: Five contemporary letters sent to John Spottiswoode by an unnamed solicitor living in Edinburgh, during Prince Charles Edward Stuart`s (Bonnie Prince Charlie) six week occupation of Edinburgh in 1745. These unpublished letters describe in vivid detail the panic, the dangers faced, the rumours that were rife, the hopes for the settlement, as the Highland army were in the midst of the residents, while above impregnable in the castle the Hanoverian garrison waited. All the letters are unsigned doubtless for reasons of security should they have been intercepted. The first letter dated September 19th , just two days after the Prince`s entry into the city. The last is dated 26th October, five days later the Prince marched out of Edinburgh on his ill fated journey South *Provenance: Spottiswoode letters.
A good accumulation of mid-19th century Military / Army related signed clippings, free fronts and letters, including signatures and letters from Major General John Hope (a signed army paymaster accounts slip), Viscount Hutchinson (Free Front and letter), Sir George Murray (signed document), Sir Sigismund Low, Sir Franic Grenfell (on headed War Office letter), Sir Wolseley, General Charles Gordon (a letter to another General concerning conditions of retirement from the army, Sir Thomas Steele, Field Marshall Simmons, Charles William Vane, Viscount Beresford, Sir Charles Napier of Magdala (signed letter and clipping, along with several period newspaper cuttings of his death), Sir Samuel Trevor Dickens, Major General Sir Henry Torrens, Sir Huson Low, General James Simpson, Sir Alexander Campbell, Lord Hyde Colin Campbell (letter to Lord Fitzroy) Sir Hector Munro, Colonel Redvers H. Buller (letter and clippings). All presented in a period folio with annotated sleeves by the original Victorian collector, period cuttings and information about the individuals within. Also from the same collection; 15 envelopes containing cut signatures and Carte De Visites from such notables as Lord Beaufort, the Archbishop Of York, Earl Of Harrowby, Duke Of Marlborough etc. 100+.
A cased Army & Navy center-fire revolverdating: last quarter of the 19th Centuryprovenance: EnglandRifles, 38 cal. barrel, marked "Army & Navy C.S.L."; frame marked "MARK III 38", serial number "1936" and "W&S"; checkered grip scales. In a wooden case with blue cloth lining, with Army & Navy label.dimensions: length 22.5 cm.
A lot of twelve military beltsdating: late 19th Centuryprovenance: ArgentinaAn army belt of black leather, with straps for a sabre; an air-force belt of black leather; an air-force belt with black strap; a navy belt of black leather with straps for a sabre; a belt with effigy of a rayed sun at the buckle; a navy belt of white fabric (1960`s-70`s); a navy infantry`s belt of dark green fabric (1980`s); an army NCO`s presentation belt with straps; an army NCO`s gilt belt; a naval academy belt of black cloth; a naval academy officer`s with straps; a naval academy NCO`s with straps. All complete with buckle.dimensions: dimensions varie cm.
CHARLES M. CLODE - MILITARY FORCES OF THE CROWN: Their Administration and Government, 2 volumes 1869 together with three volumes of `Her Majesty`s Army` by Walter Richards including `Indian & Colonial Forces`, `Types of the Indian Army - Bengal & Punjab Armies` 1964, + Colonel John Dunlop - `The Development of the British Army` 1899-1914, 1938 (7)
Boer War good group of approx 72 original snapshot photographs showing aspects of the Boer War, including British troops in the field, shots of army camps, a funeral of a soldier, three soldiers each with amputated legs, natives in the field, street scenes, some landscape shots etc. Some with pencil captions to verso.
Important Elizabethan document raising revenue for the strengthening of the Isle of Wight, Hampshire – Reign of Elizabeth I manuscript in English, dated 1596, approx 8ft x 11ins, being a taxation register for the Isle of Wight, signed by Thomas Denys, John Leigh and others who were commissioners for the exchequer, together with four further documents, three on vellum and one on paper which has also been signed by Denys and Leigh. One of these documents mentions George Carey, Baron Hunsdon Governor of the Island and in charge of overseeing its defences. An important primary source of information about the Isle of Wight at this time when it was at the forefront of the nation’s defences against attack from France and Spain. The document lists a considerable number of people who were living on the island, listed in the various divisions of the Manor of the Isle of Wight, which presumably covered the entire island. It is thus a considerably important source for the population of the Island during the latter years of the reign of Elizabeth I. The date is also of great interest. The Spanish Armada had been repulsed eight years earlier – with the Isle of Wight being one of the coveted prizes for the Spanish High Command. However threat of invasion by Spain and to a lesser extent France still remained and it was at the time when this document was drawn up that it was considered vital to strengthen the island’s defences, particularly the fortress of Carisbrooke Castle. As a result the outer fortifications to the castle were rebuilt. It is probable therefore that the reason for the need to levy taxation on the population of the island was for this very purpose. It is also possible that extra revenue was required to replace the heavy losses to both the Army and Navy in raids on the Spanish Main at this time. George Carey who is mentioned in these documents rose to become Lord Chamberlain and as such was patron of the ‘Chamberlain’s Men’ theatre company of which Shakespeare and Richard Burbage were members. Sir Thomas Denys was also a notable figure in Elizabethan England and a trusted servant to the Queen, particularly in the South West where he performed many duties as commissioner for the revenue.
The American War of Independence and the raising of the American Colonial Army 1776. An Act for providing Reinforcement to the American Army – printed Act as part of pages taken from a journal of Colonial Acts dated 1776. This one is 5pp folio, and is accompanied by several other Acts which together form a group of the first laws as laid down by the newly created United States of America. The Army Act in effect creates the Revolutionary Army which went on under Washington to defeat the British under Cornwallis and thus give birth to America as a separate sovereign state. This extract from the Journals of Acts is in total 28pp. Although only an extract it is nevertheless a most significant historical document for the birth of America
American War of Independence payslip issued by the State of Connecticut dated October 9th 1781 paying Ralph Pomeroy £10 out of the tax of two shillings and sixpence on the pound. Partially printed document on an oblong 8vo slip of paper, with ms insertions, signed by Finn Wadsworth and William Moseley, in good condition. Possibly a payslip for a soldier in the Revolutionary Army.
Judaica – Autographs album dated around the significant date of 1948/49 (foundation of the State of Israel), including entries and signatures by : Rabbi Isaac Halevy Herzog (First Chief Rabbi of the State of Israel), Moshe Shertok (aka Moshe Sharret), first Prime Minister of Israel, Hadassah Samuel, S Assaf (Scholar in Rabbinic History), Yigal Allon (an important figure in the army and politics of the time). In a tooled leather binding showing devout Jews at the Western Wall to front cover.
WWII correspondence ‘... Montgomery is regarded by the men who came through the fighting in Italy as a butcher...’ a remarkable series of more than 70 autograph letters sent by a British soldier, Kenneth Hipkin of 13th Corps Troops Workshop REME to his wife Susan just after the end of WWII making his own observations on the war and the personalities involved. It is remarkable that most of these letters were not destroyed or heavily obliterated by the censor, such were the forthright views expressed in them. In one letter he remarks about the fate of the 243 British paratroopers imprisoned for mutiny in Kuala Lumpur in what was known as the ‘Kluang Incident’: ‘...what a vile and terrible crime has been committed against these men, men who risked their lives for their country. It is high time England had a purge and got rid of all the Nazi elements...the MPs of the British Army make the German Gestapo look like a bunch of Boy Scouts...’ On the effects of the atomic bomb, he writes: ‘...they were the most ghastly sights I have ever seen and it is a grave thing when one realises that a supposedly civilised country, America, used this most hideous form of warfare not on military objectives not on troops but without warning on defenceless people. His views on Montgomery are also revealing: ‘...Montgomery is regarded by the men who came through the fighting in Italy as being a butcher. They say he used to completely disregard the loss of life a battle might cost... that ‘idiot’ Montgomery known as the Butcher says we still need large forces of infantry even though the atom bomb has come...’, ‘...we may as well be under German rule, it couldn’t be much worse than this. ‘[Churchill] is nothing but a wicked old war monger and will never be happy till he sees Britain fighting Russia. Like all Tories he is afraid of Communism spreading and thinks he and his type would loose their power and their money and to prevent that happening would be prepared to start a war that may cost thousands of men’s lives...’ Hipkin is clearly from the far left in his political thinking, but these letters provide a valuable insight into the thinking of the ordinary soldier in the wake of the end of WWII and the dawn of the Cold War. Not everyone though of Churchill and Montgomery as heroes.
WWII – manuscript diary compiled by Second Lieutenant P J L Walker covering the period December 1940 to October 1941 describing in some detail the conditions of his daily life in the Army from recruitment at Aldershot to his operations as an officer in the Indian Army. Written in a neat sloping hand in a foolscap sized hardback book.
![WWII – propaganda Deutschland in Kampf [Germany in Battle] a report prepared for the use of the German Army only by the](http://lot-images.atgmedia.com/SR/3114/2874103/252-201313014535_468x382.jpg)
A remarkable record of the ATS in WWII – the official log book of the 41st Dorset shire ‘C’ Company Group 8 ATS, detailing its activities from formation on December 5th 1939 to its disbandment on October 14th 1940, written in a neat hand by the log keeper who signs as Volunteer D Ball. The log is augmented with a wealth of photographs of the members of the Company, both as individuals and also in group shots, official documents, letters, press cuttings, and original poetry. A fine record of a front line unit of the ATS chronicling its activities before disbandment, when members were dispersed throughout the British Army. The ATS was hurriedly formed in the wake of the outbreak of war, and this particular unit had the vital task of providing logistical support in one of the most at-risk zones of the south coast under the constant threat of imminent invasion by the Nazis. A rare surviving record of an often forgotten aspect of WWII.
India – outstanding letter of Gandhi – written while in detention in 1943 – and instigating his secret negotiations for Indian Independence – autograph – M K Gandhi, father of the Indian nation an outstanding typewritten letter signed dated Detention Camp October 26th 1943, on 2.25 pp folio, with two textual corrections in Gandhi’s hand, signed by him at the end. This is unquestionably one of the most important letters of Gandhi ever to be offered for sale. Addressed to the Additional Secretary of the Government of India in New Delhi, Gandhi makes a typically reasoned plea for his own and his followers’ release from house arrest: ‘...it is unthinkable that when India’s millions are suffering from preventable starvation and thousands are dying of it, thousands of men and women should be kept in detention of mere suspicion when their energy and the expense incurred in keeping them under duress could at this critical time, be usefully employed in relieving distress...the huge place in which I am being detained with a large guard around me, I hold to be a waste of public funds. I should be quite content to pass my days in any prison...’ However, crucially the letter also refers to the resolution of the All India Congress held on August 8th 1942 where Gandhi had himself given a clarion call of ‘Do or Die’ for Indian independence. He adds: ‘ ...as the Government are aware I offered to meet the member of the Working Committee in order to discuss the situation and to know their mind. But my offer was rejected. I had thought and still think that my talk with them might have some value from the Government stand-point. Hence I repeat my offer. But it may have not such value so long as the Government doubt my bona fides. As a Satyagrahi however, in spite of the handicap, I must reiterate what I hold to be good and of immediate importance in terms of war effort. But if my offer has no chance of being accepted so long as I retain my present views, and if the Government think that it is only my evil influence that corrupts people, I submit that the members of the Working Committee and other detenus should be discharged...’ Gandhi knew that there were two clear cut factions in the Congress – the first believed in non-violence, as was Gandhi’s philosophy, while the second believed in armed struggle. This second group had already gone underground, splitting into two splinter groups – the ‘Indian National Army’ of Netajee Subhashchandra Bose which had allied itself to Hitler’s Germany and was supported by General Tojo in Japan, and the Azad Dastas of Babu Jaiprakash Narayan which was bent on an armed campaign within India. This letter, couched in coded diplomatic terms therefore signifies Gandhi’s desire to achieve a diplomatic strategical struggle for independence, and eventual successful establishment of the State of India. The letter comes with research notes and letter of provenance prepared by the present vendor.
India a fine large scale campaign map entitled ‘Camp of Exercise 1875-76, Map of the Country Round Delhi, sheet 1. Drawn to a scale of 4 ins to the mile, bearing the printed signature of Lord Roberts, showing the disposition of British Army forces along the Nugufgurgh Canal. Printed on linen, coloured, some creasing but easily ironed out in our estimation. Approx 36x34ins.
India – Relic of the Indian Mutiny – Original Portrait of King of Delhi with two framed Peepal leafs from the historic tree under which British Women and children were massacred at Delhi with a handwritten note on the reverse. A very rare collection of items relating to the Delhi massacre of British and Europeans in May 1857 under a Peepul tree in the Delhi Palace courtyard on the orders of the King of Delhi which started the Indian Mutiny. The miniature paintings are of the King of Delhi & the Jama Masjid Delhi. The 2 leaves in the frame are explained by the old handwritten note on the reverse reading: ‘Delhi 1858 Peepul leaves from the tree under which the King of Delhi massacred 40 of our country people (chiefly women).’ In 1857 the ageing King of Delhi Bhahadur Shah II was a mere pupet ruler under British protection who had no power and was only an emperor within the confines of his palace at Delhi’s Red Fort. When the Indian Mutiny began in May 1857 the native rebel sepoys reached Delhi and From beneath the windows of the King’s apartments in the palace they called on him to acknowledge and lead them. Bahadur Shah did nothing at this point (apparently treating the sepoys as ordinary petitioners) but others in the palace were quick to join the revolt. During the day the revolt spread. European officials and dependents Indian Christians and shop keepers within the city were killed some by sepoys and others by crowds of rioters. The news of these events finally tipped the sepoys stationed around Delhi into open rebellion. The next day Bahadur Shah held his first formal court for many years. It was attended by many excited or unruly sepoys. The King was alarmed by the turn events had taken but eventually accepted the sepoys’ allegiance and agreed to give his countenance to the rebellion. On 16 May up to 50 Europeans who had been held prisoner in the palace or had been discovered hiding in the city were killed by the King’s servants under a peepul tree in a courtyard outside the palace. The news of the events at Delhi spread rapidly provoking uprisings among sepoys and disturbances in many districts. Bahadur Shah Zafar was proclaimed the Emperor of the whole of India as the Mutiny gained momentum and the massacre of the British women and children beneath the peepul tree of the Palace courtyard acted as catalyst accelerating the uprising and eventual heavy handed reprisals by the mutiny – crushing forces of the British East India Company Army. As a whole a historical document and artefact of the Mutiny. Frame height 29.5cm width 23cm.
British India – Ten early 19th c Lithographs of Burma – 1825. A rare set of ten lithographs of the Anglo-Burmese War from views taken at and near Rangoon, colour aquatints by George Hunt after J Moore. Engraved by G Hunt, published 1825. The First Anglo-Burmese War arose from friction between Arakan in Western Burma and British-held Chittagong to the north. After Burma`s defeat of the Kingdom of Arakan in 1784–1785, in 1823, Burmese forces again crossed the frontier and the British responded with a large seaborne expedition that took Rangoon without a fight in 1824. In Danuphyu, south of Ava, the Burmese general Maha Bandula was killed and his armies routed. The 1826 Treaty of Yandabo formally ended the First Anglo-Burmese War, the longest and the most expensive war in British India history. Fifteen thousand European and Indian soldiers died, together with an unknown number of Burmese army and civilian casualties. The campaign cost the British five million pounds sterling to 13 million pounds sterling that led to a severe economic crisis in British India in 1833. A rare set of prints of Burma.
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