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Click here to subscribeAirfix 1/72 figures - 20 Boxed & sealed plastic military figure sets to include 2 x British Commandos, 2 x US Marines, 2 x Luftwaffe Personnel, 2 x Eighth Army, German Paratroopers, Gurkhas, US Paratroops, Highland Infantry, Waterloo French Artillery, British Infantry, Waterloo British Artillery, American Infantry, British Infantry, Afrika Korps, Confederate Infantry and German Mountain Troops, a couple have some seal split but excellent overall
Airfix 1/72 figures - 33 boxed military plastic figure sets to include RAF Personnel, WW11 US Paratroops, Washington's Army, Italian Infantry, Waterloo French Infantry, Waterloo British Infantry and many others, some duplications, boxes vary from sealed to used but all sets do appear to be complete
Airfix 1/72 figures - 18 Boxed plastic military figure sets to include 2 x British Infantry, 2 x German Infantry (variants), Eight Army, Union Infantry, US Paratroops, British Paratroops, 2 x German Paratroops, RAF Personnel, Gurkhas, Italian Infantry, Australian Infantry, British Infantry, French Infantry, Japanese Infantry and Russian Infantry plus a British Commandos empty box, sets appear to be complete with many unremoved from original plastic
Airfix 1/72 figures - 22 Boxed plastic military figure / model sets to include Washington's Army, British Paratroops, US Marines, Waterloo Highland Infantry, Russian Infantry, German Paratroops, Luftwaffe Personnel, British Grenadiers 1776, RAF Personnel, Afrika Corps, British Commandos, AEC Matador + 5.5 Inch Gun, Waterloo French Cavalry, British 8th Army and British Cavalry, features duplication, 18 sets sealed, excellent
Three boxed Dragon military action figures to include 2 x WWII (70152 Sibret 1944 US Army 630th Tank Destroyer Battalion Private Roscoe and 70207 Sevastopol 1942 Soviet Naval Infantry Black Sea Fleet Seaman Dmitri) and 70296 Soldat Wehrmacht-Heer Schutze Peter Schmidt, all in gd condition, with some accessories but appearing to be incomplete, boxes gd overall
Great British and World stamps, including Queen Victoria imperf penny reds, other QV issues, King George V half crown seahorse, King George V Malta two shillings, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Iraq, Japan etc, EFTA first day cover 20th Feb 1967 addressed to 'Army Security Vetting Unit' and other stamp related items, in albums and loose, in one box
Written four days before his assassination – ‘It has always been a mystery why the lunatic right suppose that I am one of them’ NEAVE AIREY: (1916-1979) British soldier and politician, the first British prisoner-of-war to succeed in escaping from Colditz Castle during World War II. Following the war Neave served with the International Military Tribunal at the Nuremberg Trials. The politician was assassinated in a car bomb attack at the House of Commons. T.L.S., Airey Neave, with holograph salutation and subscription, one page, 4to, House of Commons, London, 26th March 1979, to Donald McCormick. Neave thanks his correspondent for their letter and remarks 'Your book should be very fascinating. Like you, I am always being contacted by mysterious Colonels', further adding 'It has always been a mystery why the lunatic right suppose that I am one of them, but they have said similar things about a number of my colleagues who are moderate in every respect!'. A letter of good content. VG Donald McCormick (1911-1998) British journalist and historian who also wrote under the pseudonym Richard Deacon. As a journalist on the foreign desk of the Sunday Times McCormick worked alongside Ian Fleming at one stage.Neave's assassination at the hands of the Irish National Liberation Army, on 30th March 1979, came just two days after the vote of no confidence which brought down James Callaghan's government and a few weeks before the general election, which brought about a Conservative victory and saw Thatcher come to power as Great Britain's first female Prime Minister.
ANDERS WLADYSLAW: (1892-1970) Polish General of World War II and later a politician and prominent member of the Polish government-in-exile in London. Book signed and inscribed, being a hardback edition of An Army in Exile - The Story of the Second Polish Corps, First Edition published by Macmillan & Co. Ltd., London, 1949. Signed by Anders in fountain pen ink to the title page, 'To Mr. Louis Fisher, with compliments from the author, W. Anders' and dated London, 28th July 1949 in his hand. Bound in the publishers original red cloth and with gilt titles to the spine. Accompanied by the dust jacket (some tears and small areas of paper loss). The boards very slightly cracked at the interior edge with the spine and with some light age wear, G
KOENIG MARIE JOSEPH: (1898-1970) French General of WWII. Posthumously appointed Marshal of France. Koenig commanded the Free French Brigade at the Battle of Bir Hakeim in North Africa, 1942. T.L.S., Koenig, with two holograph annotations, one page, 4to, Paris, 21st March 1964, to Louis Joxe, Minister of State, in French. The letter bearing the printed heading “Le General Koenig”, is a request for funds stating `As you may have learned, I have received from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Army, Veterans and war victims, the mission of promoting a Committee in charge of collecting funds which will be intended for the change of site of the memorial of Camerone and to its reconstruction.´ Koenig further explains to the Minister how much he expects his collaboration and adds two friendly lines in his hand. Light crease to the upper left border. G to VG The Battle of Camerone or Camaron, took place on 30th April 1863 in Mexico, between the French Foreign Legion and the Mexican army, and is regarded as a defining moment in the Foreign Legion's history. A small infantry patrol, led by Captain Jean Danjou, numbering just 65 men was attacked and besieged by a force that may have eventually reached 3,000 Mexican infantry and cavalry, and was forced to make a defensive stand at the Hacienda Camaron, in Veracruz. The conduct of the Legion, who refused to surrender, led to a certain mystique, and the battle of Camaron became synonymous with bravery and a fight-to-the-death attitude.
BRADLEY OMAR: (1893-1981) American General of World War II who later served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army 1948-49 and as first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 1949-53. Book signed, being a hardback edition of A Soldier's Story, First Edition published by Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1951. One of a limited edition of 750 'especially printed and bound' copies signed ('Omar N Bradley') by Bradley to the limitations page and numbered 677 in his hand. Bound in the publisher's original tan cloth with a maroon facsimile signature to the front cover and gilt and black title to the spine. Featuring map endpapers and many black-and-white illustrations throughout. Some light age wear, VG
ENOLA GAY: Signed 10 x 8 photograph by three crew members of the Enola Gay individually, comprising Paul Tibbets (1915-2007) American Brigadier General in the United States Air Force, pilot of the Enola Gay, the first aircraft to drop an atomic bomb, Hiroshima, 6th August 1945, Thomas Ferebee (1918-2000) American Colonel in the United States Air Force, bombardier of the Enola Gay and Theodore J. Van Kirk (1921-2014) American Major in the United States Army Air Forces, navigator of the Enola Gay. The cardstock photograph features four different images of Tibbets, the Enola Gay, and its crew. Signed by all three in blue inks with their names alone to the image. EX
[NUREMBERG TRIALS]: Selection of signed pieces, cards, album page (1), signed 10 x 8 photographs (2) etc. by British and American barristers and lawyers associated with the Nuremberg Trials following the end of World War II comprising Telford Taylor (1908-1998, American lawyer, Counsel for the Prosecution at the Nuremberg Trials) signed 10 x 8 photograph of Taylor seated in a half-length pose at his desk, and a black ink signature on a white adhesive label; Benjamin Ferencz (1920- , American lawyer and investigator of Nazi war crimes, Chief Prosecutor for the United States Army at the Einsatzgruppen Trial) signed 10 x 8 photograph of Ferencz presenting documents during the Nuremberg Trials; Robert H. Jackson (1892-1954, American attorney and judge, the Chief United States Prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials) black fountain pen ink signature on a printed card from the Supreme Court of the United States, Washington D.C.; Hartley Shawcross (1902-2003, English barrister who served as the lead British prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials) fountain pen ink signature ('Hartley Shawcross') on an oblong 12mo piece; David Maxwell Fyfe (1900-1967, British lawyer and judge who was one of the prosecuting counsels at the Nuremberg Trials) blue ink signature and date, 29th December 1952, in his hand on a small oblong 12mo card; and Norman Birkett (1883-1962 British barrister, judge and politician who served as the alternate British judge during the Nuremberg Trials) black fountain pen ink signature on a page removed from an autograph album, dated at The Temple, London, January 1939, in his hand. Also including an unsigned vintage 11.5 x 5.5 photograph of various American judges standing and seated together in two rows at the time of the OMGUS military tribunal. G (1) to generally VG, 8
LEY ROBERT: (1890-1945) German Nazi Politician, head of the German Labour Front 1933-45. A rare A.L.S., Dr. Robert Ley, on one side of an official Prisoner of War postcard, n.p. (Nuremberg), 23rd September 1945, to his mistress Madelaine Wanderer, in German. Writing in bold pencil, Ley proclaims that he has 'had great sorrow and anxiety about you', but does now know why, continuing 'It was suddenly as if I heard your voice, but it was imagination. If I could only get some news of you. It's miserable. If you are unhappy you could perhaps try applying to Prof. Morell'. Beneath his signature appear two lines of text in Ley's hand, 'Internal Security Detachment, O.U.S.C.C., P.A.C., A.P.O. 403, U.S. Army'. Hand addressed by Ley to the verso. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG Madelaine Wanderer (1926-2007) Estonian ballet dancer with whom Ley conducted an affair after his second wife, Inge, had shot herself in a drunken brawl in 1942. Theodor Morell (1886-1948) German doctor, the personal physician to Adolf Hitler. Ley's letter was written just over a month before he committed suicide while awaiting trial at Nuremberg for crimes against humanity and war crimes.
OLBRICHT FRIEDRICH: (1888-1944) German General of World War II, Knight's Cross winner. Olbricht was one of the plotters involved in the 20 July plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Executed by firing squad. D.S., Olbricht, two pages (seemingly incomplete), 4to, Berlin, 28th February 1944, in German. The partially printed document, completed in typescript, is a recommendation for the award of the German Cross in Silver to Generalleutnant Hans Schirmer, head of the 'General z.b.V IV', the narrative stating, in part, 'The construction and further development of the army patrol service and the support system in the home war zone, in all occupied areas and in the states allied and friendly with Germany is his main achievement. With foresight, he proposed all the measures at an early stage and carried them out despite considerable personal and material difficulties that were necessary to maintain the discipline of the Wehrmacht members…….Schirmer's ideas are focused on maintaining discipline in the armies…..They have proven their worth in times of particular danger. The truck kitchen groups were built at his suggestion. They have proved to be a strong foundation in the army support departments for maintaining male discipline at focal points immediately behind the front'. Three file holes to the lefty edge, and a few small tears and minor areas of paper loss to the edges, not affecting the text or signature, G
BUSCH ERNST: (1885-1945) German Generafeldmarschall of World War II, Knight's Cross winner with Oak Leaves. D.S., Busch, in bold purple indelible pencil, one page, oblong 8vo, Headquarters, High Command of Army Group Centre, 22nd November 1943, in German. The typed document relates to a recommendation for the awarding of the German Cross in Silver to Senior Physician Dr. Muller, Busch stating 'I concur with the statement made by the Commander-in-Chief of the 3rd Panzer Army and support the award of the German Cross in Gold'. With an official purple ink stamp dated 26th November 1943 and several annotations in various colours of indelible pencil. One file hole to the left edge and a few small staple holes to the upper left corner, VG
WENCK WALTHER: (1900-1982) German General der Panzertruppe of World War II who commanded the German Twelfth Army at the Battle of Berlin, 1945. Knight's Cross winner. T.L.S., W. Wenck, one page, 4to, Nuremberg, 26th April 1966, to Mr. J. van Mastrigt, in German. Wenck thanks his correspondent for their letter and forwards a signed photograph (no longer present) as requested. A few light, minor creases, VG
HENRY II: (1519-1559) King of France 1547-59. A very fine L.S., votre bon mary, Henry, one page, folio, on the field of Honnecourt [Honnecourt-sur-Escaut, Nord, France], 3rd August 1554, to his wife Catherine de' Medici, in French. Written in a bold, elegant hand, the King informs his wife that he has signed the advance to the Duke of Lorraine that she has sent, and returns it, and is astounded that his officials have made difficulties in performing her request, given that they know that he will always and most willingly accommodate the Duke. With address panel ('A la Royne ma femme') to the verso and one small light stain where the seal was originally affixed. VG The letter, transcribed in French, reads, in full - 'M'amye, ayant receu la lettre que m'avez escripte pour la requeste que vous avoit faicte notre fitz le Duc de Lorraine, j'ay incontinant signe la provision que m'en avez envoyee que je vous renvoye presentement. Estant bien esbahy que mes officiers aient faict difficulte d'en faire ce que leur en avyez mande, d'aultant que oultre votre commandement, ilz peuvent bien penser que en meilleure chose icelluy notre dit filz seroict toujours tresvoluntiers gratifye de moy. Et faute dire que cella se soit addresse a quelques ungs des dites officiers qui n'entendant pas bien comme ilz ont a eulx eyduire [?] en leurs estatz. Ce que toutefoys se trouvera rabille par la dit provision. Vous avisant que je suis party ce matin de Crevecueur pour ma cheminer de ainsi que je vous ay faict scavoire par ma derniere depesche. Et n'est depuis survenu chose que merite plus longue lettre. Priant dieu m'amye vous avoir en sa saincte garde. Escript au camp de le e> jour d'aoust 1554'.Catherine de' Medici (1519-1589) Italian noblewoman, Queen consort of France 1547-59.Charles III (1543-1608) Duke of Lorraine, husband of Claude of France (1547-1575) French Princess, the second daughter of King Henry II and Catherine de' Medici.In 1552, Lorraine was invaded by France, and Charles's mother, Christina of Denmark's regency was terminated (his father, Francis I, had died in 1545). The Duke was removed from Lorraine to France, to be raised at the French royal court in accordance to the needs of French interests. Following his marriage to Claude of France in 1559 he was allowed to depart to Lorraine and take control of his domain. His presence at court may account for the King's reference to the Duke as 'our son'.The present letter was signed during the Italian War of 1551-59 which began when King Henry II of France declared war against Holy Roman Emperor Charles V with the intent of recapturing Italy and ensuring French, rather than Habsburg, domination of European affairs. An early offensive into Lorraine was successful. Henry captured the three episcopal cities of Metz, Toul and Verdun, and secured them by defeating the Habsburg army at the Battle of Renty on 12th August 1554.The Battle of Renty was a minor French victory during an Imperial invasion of Picardy that was most notable as Charles V's last battle The main theatre of war in 1554 was on the north-eastern border of France. The year began with a French campaign in the Meuse valley, capturing Marienburg and Dinant. Charles responded by building new fortresses further downstream, around Liege. Henry then moved north from Dinant to attack Namur.This threat drew Charles into the field for the last time. This forced the French to pull back from Namur. By mid-August the two armies were operating in the Pas-de-Calais. The French army was led by Anne, Duke of Montmorency, Constable of France. It also included Francois, Duke of Guise, one of the most successful French military commanders of the period, and Gaspard de Coligny, Admiral of France.On 12th August the French began a siege of the castle of Renty. Early on 13th August Charles responded by sending his vanguard to capture the Bois Guillaume, a wood that was one of the keys to the French position. The Imperial attack hit the forces led by the Duke of Guise. At first he was badly pressed, but after gathering his forces he was able to defeat the Imperial attack.Guise was unable to press his advantage as the woods were now filled with Imperial arquebusiers. Colingy now played a part in the battle, leading around 1,000-1,200 men into the woods and clearing out the gunners. This ended the battle, which rated as a minor French victory. Charles withdrew from the area, ending his active military career. He did send an army on a raid into Picardy, but didn't accompany it. Later in the same year Charles began the process of abdicating from his titles, a two-year long process.Both sides were able to claim victory at Renty. Although the French had won the small battle, a few days later they decided to lift the siege, so Charles's operations had saved the castle.The French commanders soon fell out over who deserved the credit for the victory at Renty. Montmorency and Guise were bitter rivals and Coligny was a supporter of Montmorency. The tension between the two camps would soon play a part in the outbreak of the First French War of Religion, the start of a long period of civil war within France.
LA TOUR D´AUVERGNE HENRI DE: (1611-1675) Viscount of Turenne. French General, one of the only six Marshal General of France, appointed by Louis XIV. His multiple military exploits and battle victories earned him to be considered one of the greatest military commanders in modern history. La Tour d´Auvergne was killed by an Imperial cannonball at the Battle of Salzbach. A very fine rare A.L.S., `Turenne´, two pages, 4to, Collincourt, 9th July 1654, to Monsieur Le Tellier, Counselor to the King and Secretary of his commandments in Court, in French. Turenne states in part `J´envoi a votre Excellence des lettres de Monsieur le Comte Broglie dans lesquelles il compte, outre ce qui était a l´armée des ennemis, l´année passée trois mille Espagnols nouveaux venus, quatre mille Irlandais et quatre nouveaux regiments de Wallons…. on a vu débarquer encore ces jours passes a Dunkerke deux ou trois mille… Il n´I a point de munitions sur ces frontieres ici…´ (“I am sending to your Excellency letters from Count Broglie in which he counts, in addition to what was in the enemy army, last year three thousand new Spaniards, four thousand Irish and four new regiments of Walloons…. They have reported still these last days having seen two or three thousand disembarking at Dunkirk… There is no ammunition on these borders here…”) With address leaf, bearing remnants of a red wax seal. With small area of paper loss to the address leaf. Overall minor age wear, with small water stain to the bottom left corner not affecting the text or signature. About G
Queen Elizabeth I’s Privy Council authorise a payment for the cost of sending troops to Ireland during the Nine Years’ War ELIZABETHAN PRIVY COUNCIL: A good L.S. by six members of Queen Elizabeth I's Privy Council comprising Thomas Egerton (1540-1617) 1st Viscount Brackley, English nobleman and statesman, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal 1596-1617, Lord High Chancellor of England 1596-1617 and Lord High Treasurer 1613-14, signed Tho: Egertone C[ustos] S[igilli]; Charles Howard (1536-1624) 1st Earl of Nottingham, English statesman and Lord High Admiral under Queen Elizabeth I and King James I, commander of the English forces during the battles against the Spanish Armada, signed Notingham; George Carey (1547-1603) 2nd Baron Hunsdon, English politician who served as Lord Chamberlain 1597-1603, patron of the professional theatre company in London known as known as the Lord Chamberlain's Men (William Shakespeare being one of the writers and performers for the company), signed G Hunsdon; Roger North (1530-1600) 2nd Baron North, English peer and politician, Treasurer of the Household 1596-1600, signed R: North; William Knollys (1544-1632) 1st Earl of Banbury, English nobleman, Comptroller of the Household 1596-1600 and Treasurer of the Household 1601-16, signed W. Knollys; and Robert Cecil (1563-1612) 1st Earl of Salisbury, English statesman who served as Secretary of State of England 1596-1612, Lord Privy Seal 1598-1608 and Lord High Treasurer 1608-12, the principal discoverer of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, signed Ro: Cecyll, one page, folio, Court at Greenwich, 22nd July 1598, to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, Lord Treasurer of England. The Privy Councillors write to authorise a payment of £390 to the chamberlain of Bristol for the cost of sending 700 troops to Ireland, in part, 'After our right harty commendations to your good lordship, whereas there were 700 men that were leavied in sondry countyes of this realme and directed to the porte of Bristoll to be there imbarqued and transported for the realme of Ireland - wherein order was given to the maior of Bristoll to provide shipping and victualles for their transportation and to see them dyeted duringe their abroad there which he hathe performed accordingly and sent us a note of the particuler charges of the transportation, victualles and dyett of the foresaid souldiers amounting to the somme of 390 li - these shalbe to praye your good lordship according to a privie seale graunted for the defrayinge of those charges to paye or cause to be paide unto Thomas Pitt, chamberlain of the said citty of Bristoll authorised by the maior to receive the same……wherein these togeather with her majesty's privie seale givinge warrant and dyrection to your lordship to paye suche sommes of monye for this service…..' Countersigned at the foot by William Wade, Clerk of the Privy Council. With integral address leaf, further bearing a docket signed ('W. Burghley') by William Cecil (1520-1598) 1st Baron Burghley, English statesman, the chief adviser of Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign who served as Secretary of State 1550-53, 1558-72 and Lord High Treasurer 1572-98, the text ordering that the payment be made (signed by Burghley just under two weeks before he died). Some extensive overall foxing and staining and a few small areas of paper loss and neat splitting to folds (strengthened and repaired to the verso). GA minute authorising the present letter was entered in the Acts of the Privy Council under 21st July 1598 (see Acts of the privy Council of England 28, 1597-1598, pp. 599-600)The Privy Councillor's letter was signed during the Nine Years' War (also known as Tyrone's Rebellion) 1593-1603 and immediately preceded the defeat of the English Army at the battle of the Yellow Ford in County Armagh on 14th August 1598.
Less than a month after a decisive defeat at the Battle of Naseby, King Charles I sends instructions to Prince Rupert CHARLES I: (1600-1649) King of England, Scotland and Ireland 1625-49. A fine L.S., Charles R, as King, at the head, one page, folio, Court at Ragland, (Raglan, Monmouthshire), 9th July 1645, to Prince Rupert of the Rhine ('Right deare and entirely beloved nephew'). The King forwards an enclosure (no longer present) from the Governor of Cardiff, explaining 'you will understand the reason why the foote under the command of Sir Bernard Asteley have not beene transported over to Bridgewater according to our former orders and withall the governor's advice and opinion what is now fit to bee done, which we cannot but approve of, yett that all difficulties may bee removed, and that the manner of transporting the men and likewise our own passage may bee fully stated and secured, wee pray you speedily to consider thereof and if you shall bee of this opinion, and that you shall find the course propounded may be safely taken, then wee desire you to give instant order for the sending all the boates you can from Bristoll unto Goldcliffe, there to receive and transport them over to Porshutt Poynt [Portishead] where you may give order for their landing and disposeing as you shall find best' and further stating 'And in order to this we have sent Our Commands to the governor of Chepstow to have in all readynesse all the boates about that place to bee sent likewise to Goldcliffe for this purpose. But wee shall not give any farther directions herein until we shall receive your answere and (if you shall approve hereof) the manner how you have disposed each perticular that so our resolutions may bee put in speedy and active execution'. In a holograph postscript signed ('CR') with his initials the King urges Prince Rupert 'I desire you to hasten the answer to this letter'. Countersigned at the foot by George Digby (1612-1677) 2nd Earl of Bristol, English politician who served as Secretary of State 1643-45. Docketed to the verso. Some light overall age wear and minor staining, the body of text a little light and rubbed in places, although remaining legible. A couple of minor, small neat splits and holes, most neatly repaired to the verso. G Prince Rupert of the Rhine (1619-1682) German-English army officer, admiral, scientist and colonial governor who rose to prominence as a Royalist cavalry commander during the English Civil War. In April 1645 King Charles I conferred on his nephew, Prince Rupert, the honorific title of Master of the Horse, and at last (after a six-month delay) gave him command of the guards, increasing already marked tensions between him and a number of the King's councillors, including George Digby. Indeed, an agent at Oxford reported 'All is governed by P. Rupert, who grows a great courtier…..Certainly the Lord Digby loves him not'. Bernard Astley (d.1645), son of the career soldier Jacob Astley (1579-1652) 1st Baron Astley of Reading, who had given military instruction to the young Prince Rupert while at his parents' court in The Hague in 1621 and made Governor of Oxford by King Charles I in 1642. Bernard Astley was killed in the defence of Bristol in September 1645. The King's letter is written less than a month after Sir Thomas Fairfax scored a Parliamentarian victory at the Battle of Naseby, on 14th June 1645, destroying the main Royalist army under King Charles I and Prince Rupert, a defeat which realistically ended any genuine hope of Royalist victory. Prince Rupert and his men subsequently fled to Bristol and the King and his court to Raglan Castle in Monmouthshire. Fairfax occupied Yeovil on 7th July and engaged George Goring's Royalist army, which fell back on Bridgwater, which capitulated on 23rd July giving Fairfax control of Somerset and Dorset. Prince Rupert surrendered Bristol on 10th September and was instantly dismissed by King Charles and ordered to leave England.
One of the first official exchanges between the then mightiest world power and the Republic of China GEORGE V: (1865-1936) King of the United Kingdom 1910-36. An unusual L.S., George R.I., as King, with holograph salutation and subscription, three pages, small 4to, Buckingham Palace, 31st March 1916, to Yuan Shikai, President of the Republic of China ('Our Good Friend'), on stationery featuring a gold embossed coat of arms at the head. The King states that he has received 'with very great pleasure the reproduction of Our Portrait upon porcelain, which You recently caused to be forwarded to Us through Sir John Jordan, Our Minister at Peking' and continues 'We thank You most cordially for this gift which We look upon as a welcome testimony of Your friendliness and of the interest which You take in Us and Our Royal House. Sir John Jordan will have the honour of delivering this Letter to You, and We have commanded him to express to You Our warm appreciation of this pleasing manifestation of Your good-will, which We heartily reciprocate'. Countersigned at the conclusion by Edward Grey (1862-1933) 1stViscount Grey of Fallodon. British statesman who served as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs 1905-16. An exceptional and extremely rare letter exchanged between the King of the United Kingdom and the President of the Republic of China, two of the largest world empires and powers of the early 20th century. VGYuan Shikai (1859-1916) President of the Republic of China 1912-15, 1916 and Emperor of China 1915-16. Yuan Shikai, a former Qing general, succeeded Sun Yat-sen as President in March 1912 and proclaimed himself as Emperor of China in 1915. In the face of popular condemnation and opposition from his own Beiyang Army, he was forced to abdicate and re-establish the republic in 1916.Sir John Jordan (1852-1925) British diplomat who served as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from the United Kingdom to the Qing Empire 1906-10 and to the Republic of China 1910-20.
RUSSIA: A good, small selection of four 8vo pages removed from an album bearing seventeen signatures, to the rectos and versos, by various Grand Dukes and Grand Duchesses of Russia, members of the House of Romanov, and a few other members of European royal families including George Mikhailovich (1863-1919) Grand Duke of Russia, General in the Russian Army, Maria of Greece and Denmark (1876-1940) Grand Duchess Maria Georgievna of Russia, wife of Grand Duke George Mikhailovich, Sergei Mikhailovich (1869-1918) Grand Duke of Russia, murdered by the Bolsheviks, Xenia Alexandrovna (1875-1960) Grand Duchess of Russia, sister of Tsar Nicholas II, Alexander Mikhailovich (1866-1933) Grand Duke of Russia, husband of Grand Duchess Xenia and an advisor to Tsar Nicholas II, Nicholas Mikhailovich (1859-1919) Grand Duke of Russia, a first cousin of Emperor Alexander III, Prince Christopher of Greece and Denmark (1888-1940) Greek and Danish Prince, son of King George I, Olga Constantinovna (1851-1926) Grand Duchess of Russia, Queen consort of the Hellenes 1867-1913 and briefly Regent of Greece November - December 1920, Vera Konstantinovna (1854-1912) Grand Duchess of Russia, granddaughter of Tsar Nicholas I, Konstantin Konstantinovich (1858-1915) Grand Duke of Russia, grandson of Tsar Nicholas I and a poet and playwright, Elisabeth of Saxe-Altenburg (1865-1927) Grand Duchess Elizabeth Mavrikievna of Russia, wife of Konstantin Konstantinovich, Tatiana Constantinovna (1890-1979) Russian Princess, daughter of Konstantin Konstantinovich, Constantine Constantinovich (1891-1918) Russian Prince, son of Konstantin Konstantinovich, murdered by the Bolsheviks, Oleg Konstantinovich (1892-1914) Russian Prince, son of Konstantin Konstantinovich, died at the young age of 21 from wounds suffered whilst fighting the Germans in World War I, Igor Constantinovich (1894-1918) Russian Prince, son of Konstantin Konstantinovich, murdered by the Bolsheviks, Andrew of Greece and Denmark (1882-1944) Greek and Danish Prince, father of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Alice of Battenberg (1885-1969) Hessian Princess, mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Nicholas of Greece and Denmark (1872-1938) Greek and Danish Prince, cousin of Tsar Nicholas II, Elena Vladimirovna (1882-1957) Russian Grand Duchess, wife of Prince Nicholas of Greece and Denmark, Vera Constantinovna (1906-2001) Russian Princess, daughter of Konstantin Konstantinovich, Georgy Konstantinovich (1903-1938) Russian Prince, son of Konstantin Konstantinovich etc. Some very light, minor age wear and a few tape stains to the edges, generally VG, 4 Provenance: The present pages were removed from the personal album of Baron Robert Stuker (1863-1940) Swiss historian, interpreter, diplomat and educator, a language specialist who was appointed tutor at the Greek Royal Court under King George I. Stuker was later appointed as Royal Chamberlain, Court Librarian and Personal Secretary to the King. Stuker accompanied members of the Greek Royal family on trips, took on sensitive diplomatic missions and became the King's advisor. Following his service with the Greek Royal family, Pope Pius XI appointed the Reformed Protestant Stuker as master of ceremonies and interpreter at the Vatican in 1924, posts he was to hold until 1935. In later years the album was added to whilst in the custody of Jurg Stuker (1914-1988) Swiss antiquarian bookseller and founder of the Stuker auction house in Bern, stepson of Robert Stuker.
VICTOR EMMANUEL III: (1869-1947) King of Italy 1900-46 who also served as Emperor of Ethiopia 1936-41 and King of the Albanians 1939-43. Bold, dark fountain pen ink signature ('Vittorio Emmanuele') to the upper edge of an 8vo page removed from an album, dated Athens, 11th April 1907 in his hand. Together with Elena of Montenegro (1873-1952) Queen consort of Italy 1900-46. Dark fountain pen ink signature ('Elena') and date, Racconigi, 1911, in her hand on an 8vo page removed from an album, also signed by Yolanda of Savoy (1901-1986) Italian Princess, eldest daughter of King Victor Emmanuel III; Mafalda of Savoy (1902-1944) Italian Princess, second daughter of King Victor Emmanuel III, arrested by the Gestapo in September 1943 and placed in Buchenwald concentration camp where she died at the age of 41 (the lot also including an adult signature on another page); Umberto II (1904-1983) King of Italy May - June 1946, the only son of King Victor Emmanuel III; and also featuring the childlike 'signature' of the four-year old Giovanna of Savoy (1907-2000) Italian Princess, daughter of King Victor Emmanuel III, Tsaritsa of Bulgaria 1930-43 as consort of Tsar Boris III (the lot also including an adult signature on another page); and further signed to the verso by Princess Helen of Serbia (1884-1962) Serbian Princess, daughter of King Peter I, later Princess Elena Petrovna of Russia and wife of Prince John Constantinovich of Russia from 1911-18; Louise Mountbatten (1889-1965) Princess of Battenberg, sister of Louis Mountbatten and Princess Alice of Battenberg (the mother of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh), later Queen consort of Sweden 1950-65 as the wife of King Gustav VI Adolf; and one other. Also including two further 8vo pages removed from an album and bearing seventeen further signatures of members of the House of Savoy and other royal families including Prince Filiberto of Savoy (1895-1990) Duke of Genoa and a General in the Royal Italian Army who supported Benito Mussolini; Prince Ferdinando of Savoy (1884-1963) Duke of Genoa and an Admiral in the Royal Italian Navy; Prince Tommaso of Savoy (1854-1931) Duke of Genoa, nephew of King Victor Emmanuel III; Prince Adalberto of Savoy (1898-1982) Duke of Bergamo, son of Prince Tommaso of Savoy, served as a General in World War I and World War II; Prince Eugenio of Savoy (1906-1996) Duke of Genoa, son of Prince Tommaso of Savoy; Princess Bona of Savoy-Genoa (1896-1971) Princess Bona of Bavaria, daughter of Prince Tommaso of Savoy; Princess Anne of Orleans (1906-1986) Duchess delle Puglie, wife of Prince Amedeo of Savoy, Duke of Aosta; Princess Francoise of Orleans (1902-1953) French Princess, later a Princess of Greece and Denmark as the wife of Prince Christopher of Greece and Denmark 1929-40; Prince Henri of Orleans (1908-1999) Count of Paris, the Orléanist claimant to the throne of France as Henry VI from 1940-99; Princess Adelaide of Savoy-Genoa (1904-1979) Italian Princess, daughter of Prince Tommaso of Savoy; Philipp, Landgrave of Hesse (1896-1980) German Prince, husband of Princess Mafalda of Savoy, Philipp joined the Nazi Party in 1940 although later fell out of favour with Adolf Hitler and was placed in Flossenburg concentration camp (then Dachau) and was later arrested by US Forces at the end of the war, his relative Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was named after him; Frederick IX (1899-1972) King of Denmark 1947-72 (signed, as Prince, at Cannes in 1922, the year in which he was engaged to Princess Olga of Greece and Denmark); Prince Rene of Bourbon-Parma (1894-1962) Italian Prince, father of Queen Anne of Romania; and Princess Margaret of Denmark (1895-1922) Danish Princess, wife of Prince Rene of Bourbon-Parma. An impressive selection of signatures, most relating to the Italian royal family. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG, 4 Provenance: The present pages were removed from the personal album of Baron Robert Stuker (1863-1940) Swiss historian, interpreter, diplomat and educator, a language specialist who was appointed tutor at the Greek Royal Court under King George I. Stuker was later appointed as Royal Chamberlain, Court Librarian and Personal Secretary to the King. Stuker accompanied members of the Greek Royal family on trips, took on sensitive diplomatic missions and became the King's advisor. Following his service with the Greek Royal family, Pope Pius XI appointed the Reformed Protestant Stuker as master of ceremonies and interpreter at the Vatican in 1924, posts he was to hold until 1935. In later years the album was added to whilst in the custody of Jurg Stuker (1914-1988) Swiss antiquarian bookseller and founder of the Stuker auction house in Bern, stepson of Robert Stuker.
BREZHNEV LEONID: (1906-1982) General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union 1964-82. T.L.S., `L Brezhnev´, in Cyrillic, two pages, folio, 5th October 1945, to the Head of the Political Directorate of the Red Army, Colonel General Tovarisch Shikin, in Cyrillic. Letter signed five months after the end of WWII. Stating to the heading “Personnel Department - Confidential”. Brezhnev, in his capacity as Major General, Head of the Political Department of the Carpathian Military District, approves the appointment of Lieutenant Colonel Mikhail Grigorievich Mironov as inspector of party and political work in the administrative units of organizational-instruction section of the Political Directorate of the Carpathian Military District. The document lists Mironov´s personal information, his past services and merits, the awards received and his Communist Party of Bolsheviks membership since 1939 and his affiliation to the Red Army since 1936, and his service to the Patriotic war since 1941. Also signed at the base by Colonel General L. Mekhlis and by Colonel P. Khomyakov. Multiple pinholes to the left border, not affecting the text or signatures. VG
HALLER JOZEF & RUDEANU VASILE: Jozef Haller von Hallenburg (1873-1960) Polish Lieutenant General and a political and social activist. Haller created the Blue Army in France in 1918 on behalf of the Polish National Committee, & Vasile Rudeanu (1871-1965) Romanian General, a skillful negotiator speaking many foreign languages. In November 1914 he was sent by the Romanian government to Rome, Paris and London with the goal of getting ammunition and weapons to form an army. To an 8vo page removed from an autograph album Haller and Rudeanu respectively annotate `Général J. Haller´, dated 25th February 1919, and `Mission militaire Roumaine en France, Général Rudeanu´. The album page has been neatly affixed to a larger card. The page was removed from the Amédée de Flers´ autograph album, a French military aviator during World War One. G to VG
‘Mrs. Thatcher herself was in favour of the reinstatement of capital punishment for terrorism’ NEAVE AIREY: (1916-1979) British soldier and politician, the first British prisoner-of-war to succeed in escaping from Colditz Castle during World War II. Following the war Neave served with the International Military Tribunal at the Nuremberg Trials. The politician was assassinated in a car bomb attack at the House of Commons. An interesting T.L.S., Airey Neave, with holograph salutation and subscription, one page, 4to, House of Commons, London, 17th December 1975, to Mr. A. Pancott, on the printed stationery of The Rt. Hon. Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, M.P. Neave replies at the request of Thatcher and informs his correspondent 'Mr. Ian Gilmour is the Shadow Home Secretary, and he spoke in the Debate on Capital Punishment as Mr. Jenkins' opposite number. As there was a Free Vote on Mr. Ivan Lawrence's motion, speeches represented the personal judgement of Members. Mrs. Thatcher herself was in favour of the reinstatement of capital punishment for terrorism', further remarking 'Mrs. Thatcher also asked me to thank you for your comments at the end of your letter, and assures you that she and other Conservative Members will do all they can to ensure strong opposition to the Socialist Government'. A letter of excellent content. A few small, minor staple holes and two light rust stains, VG Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013) British Prime Minister 1979-90. At the time of the present letter Thatcher was Leader of the Opposition (1975-79). Airey Neave had agreed to be Thatcher's campaign manager as she successfully attempted to become leader of the Conservative Party. Neave became Head of her Private Office following her election as leader in February 1975. Neave's assassination at the hands of the Irish National Liberation Army came just two days after the vote of no confidence which brought down James Callaghan's government and a few weeks before the general election, which brought about a Conservative victory and saw Thatcher come to power as Great Britain's first female Prime Minister.
[EAST INDIA COMPANY]: A small archive of military commissions and other documents relating to the career of Francis Charles Trevor, an artillery officer who served in India from the mid to late 19th century, including Colin Campbell (1792-1863) 1st Baron Clyde, British Field Marshal, Commander-in-Chief, India, 1857-61. D.S., Clyde, one page, oblong folio, Simlah, Bengal, 24th August 1859, appointing Francis to be a 1st Lieutenant in the Queen's Army in the East Indies; George Harris (1810-1872) 3rd Baron Harris, British peer, politician and colonial administrator who served as Governor of Trinidad 1846-54 and as Governor of Madras 1854-59. D.S., Harris, one page (vellum), oblong 4to, Fort St. George, 14th May 1858, appointing Francis to be a 1st Lieutenant in the Corps of Artillery; Prince George (1819-1904) Duke of Cambridge, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces 1856-95, four Ds.S., George, each one page, oblong folio, n.p., 1863-78, each being military commissions variously appointing Francis to be a Second Captain of a Battery in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, a Major in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, and a Colonel in the Land Forces, each with pale blue blind embossed seals affixed; and two other documents (one a passport bearing a facsimile signature of the Marquess of Salisbury, 1898) relating to Charles Cecil Trevor and Charles Edward Trevor. Some light overall age wear, dust staining, and splits to some folds etc. Generally G, 8
[MOROCCO]: MATRA JAMES: (1746-1806) American Sailor and Diplomat who had accompanied James Cook on his voyage to Botany Bay in 1770. Matra served as His Majesty's Consul General at Tangier from 1786-1806. Small archive of nine contemporary manuscript drafts of letters from Matra, unsigned, thirty five pages (total), folio, n.p. (Tangier), June - December 1804, to Earl Camden. Matra writes a series of diplomatic letters in which he makes references to Napoleon, French espionage and other matters, stating, in part, 'I believe it will appear Sir that the restless ambition of Buonaparte is not content with disturbing of Europe, but that he seriously means in his leisure moments to attempt something in this country. Towards the close of last summer a Passenger landed here from…..Spain; about 30 years of age, he was in the Turkish dress & called himself Ali Bey, a Syrian, but he spoke not a word of Arabick. His story was that when he was an infant his Father & Family took refuge in England…..since he grew up his time has been employed in travelling through England, France & Spain. I have always observed here that the more absurd the Tale the more readily it was believed by Moors……yet this man had not been twenty four hours in the Country before he was suspected to be a Brother of the Corsicans, & still all over the Country he goes by no other name than Bonaparte…….he was asked if he wanted anything from the Emperor; he answered no, he was very rich & only desired to return to, and spend his days, in the religion of his ancestors…..About the middle of September he received from Cadiz forty cases, two of which were filled with mathematical instruments, the others contained such articles as are usually given at this Court as Presents…..The whole was consigned to the Spanish Arsenal. About this time he solicited my acquaintance considering him as an adventurer……The Emperor arrived shortly after with whom he went to Mequinez & we never met, which at that time I did not much regret, as we had here…..a man decorated with the Order of the White Eagle…..by the late Ali Bey of Egypt, who had been sent young as a Hostage to St. Petersburgh, & by an Empress of the Greek Church, brought up in the Catholick Religion. I believed him to be a Polish Jew…..who had taken up a trade he was no means qualified for & I concluded that this second Ali Bey was one of the same cast……On his arrival Mr. Goblot the Spanish Vice Consul & Secretary visited him & generally was with him every evening at what time all the Servants & Interpreters were put out & the Room shut……Goblot is a French man, but he has been near thirty years in the Spanish Service……In his [the Syrian's] journey to Mequinez under the very eye of the Emperor, he sounded all the Rivers, measured their breadth & examined the roads & mountains with the accuracy of a Quarter Master General…..The Moors are petrified…..The Emperor seems blinded by his piety & charities…..& by the very valuable Present he made him……yet I believe that H.I.M. is not altogether without his suspicions…..I conclude…..he can surely be no common traveller……that he is immediately an Agent for Spain I cannot readily believe because there is scarce any temporal advantage which……would induce the Court of Madrid to send a Christian here……Much is not easily to be done against a man who has such a command of money, & parts with it so readily as he does, but I will lose something on him. His principal Servants & Interpreters are Jews & I know that I can command the Services of the Jewish Priesthood in Morocco…..& I hope in the course of the summer to have him completely surrounded' (6th June 1804), 'Until about a week past there was every reason to expect a civil war of the most serious consequences. H.I.M., who was in Mequinez, for reasons not distinctly understood here had a dispute with the Udaya, a most powerful tribe who cover a great extent of Territory' (18th July 1804), 'I have the honour to inform Your Lordship that for a month past an attack by this country on the commerce of America was considered as certain. The Emperor had loaded one of his Frigates…..in the Pass given by the American Consul there was a prohibition for the ships entering any Port blockaded by the United States…….I believe My Lord there has been for a long time past very considerable intrigues here on the part of Spain to procure a revolution, as under the present Emperor there is no probability that they will obtain any corn from this country….' (25th August 1804), 'I have this morning received official notice from the Emperor that it is his intention to send a Person to London with a considerable sum of Money to purchase certain articles and I am requested to assist him…..to procure good Bills of Exchange……the sum I believe will be nearly two hundred thousand Mexicos' (18th September 1804), 'The danger I most apprehend arises from the disposition of the Emperor, which is a secret to none of the Parties. It is impossible to detest anything more than Mulay Suleiman does the Jewish Butchers of Gibraltar, whom he has described to myself as a set of Rascals enriched at his expense. He certainly has not much more love for us……we are the only nation who get anything from him, & he would be glad……to be rid of us…..The state of Health in Gibraltar and the main parts of Spain has caused a most rigorous Quarantine to be established here; but I have after a little struggle obtained a continuance of the supply for the Garrison…..all subject to the usual laws of Quarantine' (29th September 1804), 'I had a long conversation……I then learnt for the first time that the Emperor expected we would make him a Present of two Ships. I did not lose one moment to employ the strongest, but most decent language I could, utterly to destroy every hope of that nature……A very long experience has taught me the full value of such promises, yet when the state of Gibraltar became so deplorable….I wrote directly & solely to himself…..I told him plainly that if our Army was reduced the Spaniards who were in force at the lines were not such blockheads as to let the Peace stand in the way of such an acquisition as Gibraltar…..The opposition I meet with in this business is astonishing. Of course nothing is…..openly…..said, but every street & alley in the place is filled with whispers of the danger I am leading the country into' (20th October 1804), 'Of Bin Tab I know nothing personally……but I have a sufficient knowledge of his character from many who have associated with him in Portugal, Spain & Italy; he is a merchant & man of pleasure, and having lived much with the Christians, his manners are more polished than those of any other man of this country, As to other points I suppose he is a complete Moor as I have never known a change of life make any real change in the national character of these People……he generally keeps an open table where ever he is, & is reckoned a good judge of wine, of which he is very fond……of the English he knows much more than he is willing people should suppose' (21st October 1804)OWING TO LIMITATIONS IMPOSED BY THE SALEROOM THE COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THIS LOT CAN NOT BE DISPLAYED HERE. Please contact us directly for further information.
SAN MARTIN JOSE DE: (1778-1850) Argentine General, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of Chile 1817-19 and President of Peru 1821-22. An interesting and early letter signed by San Martin, who refers to the United Provinces of South-America. L.S., `Jose de San Martin´, four pages, folio, at the Santiago General Headquarters, Chile, 6th June 1817, to the Secretary of State of the Finances Department, in Spanish. San Martin states `La imprenta que trajo el ejército de los Andes, de cuya propiedad me consulta usted en su nota de antes de ayer, pertenece al Estado de las provincias Unidas de Sud-América; pero como por ahora no la necesita está francamente cedido su servicio al de este Pais, y podrá entre tanto disponer de ella´ (“The printing press that the army brought from the Andes, whose ownership you asked me about in your note the day before yesterday, belongs to the State of the United Provinces of South America; but as for now he does not need it, his service is openly ceded to that of this country, and therefore there is a free disposal of it in the meantime”) To the front page, upper left corner, a registration and approval annotation by the Finance Ministry. The letter bears beneath San Martin´s lines, two responses by officers, the first of a page and half is by Mr. Argomedo, stating `The State´s Attorney under State secrets in the Treasury Ministry, in charge of the file of proposals by several interested parties on the printer´s better performance, says that according to the report done by His Excellency Chief General, we cannot talk at this stage about its sale….´ To the third page the second officer´s text confirming the previous proposal by Argomedo, and to the last three lines in the hand of officer Romero. With extremely small clips to the left edge, otherwise VG The present document was signed by San Martin only four months after having defeated the Royalists and taking over the capital Santiago de Chile. San Martin then refused the governorship of Chile in favour of Bernardo O´Higgins, because he said did not wish to be diverted from his main objective which was the capture of Lima. He would spend the next 14 months clearing the country of Royalists soldiers and rout the remaining troops until the Battle of Maipu in April 1818. San Martin´s incredible campaign across the formidable barrier of the four cordilleras has been compared to Hannibal or Napoleon´s ones.
LIBERATORS OF CUBA: An attractive multiple signed document, one page, large folio, Bayamo, 28th November 1868, in Spanish. The partially printed document being a decree entitled ''Republic of Cuba - Liberator Army of Cuba and Provisional Government'', and bears a very attractive and large printed coat of arms to the heading. The decree contains a unique article related to the supplying of the corps and is signed by nine members of the provisional government, including CARLOS MANUEL CESPEDES DEL CASTILLO (1819-1874) 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; PEDRO FIGUEREDO (1818-1870) known as Perucho, Cuban Poet and Musician. A freedom Ativist. Figueredo composed the national anthem of Bayamo. He was captured and executed; LUIS MARCANO (1831-1870) Dominican General of the Cuban Army during the Ten Years´ War. He took part in the 1868 Battle of Bayamo. Shot in a fight; Donato Marmol (1843-1870) Cuban Officer and Patriot. Marmol died during the Ten Years´ war of smallpox at the early age of 27; Ramon de Cespedes (1808-1890) Cuban Politician and Lawyer; Fernando Fornaris y Cespedes (1837-1875) Cuban Lawyer, military Officer and Writer. Executed, etc.. Bearing a large black paper seal affixed at the base alongside the bold ink signatures. Professional small repair to the verso. Small overall minor age wear with edges very slightly trimmed. G to VG
SLAVERY ABOLITION DECREE - CUBA: CESPEDES DEL CASTILLO CARLOS MANUEL (1819-1874) 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 attractive signed printed document, one page, large folio, Bayamo, 27th December 1868, in Spanish. The document being a decree is entitled ''Slavery Conditioned Abolition Decree - Carlos Manuel de Cespedes - Captain-General of the Liberator Army of Cuba and Leader of the Provisional Government'', and bears a very attractive and large vignette to the heading, showing the flag Cuban star, and a Cuban shaking hands with indigenous. The decree contains nine articles, and commences stating “The Cuban Revolution, proclaiming the independence of the Homeland and with it all freedoms, cannot accept the inconsistency of restricting it to only one part of the country´s population. A free Cuba is incompatible with a proslavery Cuba..´ further saying on its first article `All slaves are declared free..´. Boldly signed by Cespedes at the base of the document `C. M de Cespedes´. Bearing a large blind embossed seal to the head and a large black paper seal affixed, both of the Liberator Cuban army. Overall age wear, with multiple tears to the edges, and overall staining, with fox stains. Repaired to the verso. F
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 L.S., `A. Maceo´, one page, 4to, Republic of Cuba, 8th September 1896, in Spanish. The present letter was signed only three months before being killed. The document bears a blind embossed seal and is the appointment of Sargent Nicolas Yneraite as second-Lieutenant, and signed by Mateo y Grajales in his capacity as Lieutenant General of the Liberation Army of Cuba. Overall age wear, creasing and staining, with few holes and small tears to edges. About F
CIENFUEGOS CAMILO: (1932-1959) Cuban Revolutionary. Member of the 1956 Granma expedition along with Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, Juan Almeida Bosque and Raul Castro, which launched the armed insurgency against dictator Fulgencio Batista. Cienfuegos was one of Castro´s top guerrilla commanders. Appointed Head of Cuba´s armed forces in 1959, he disappeared that same year during a nigh flight at the early age of 27. Rare D.S., `Camilo Cienfuegos´, one page, oblong 12mo, La Habana, 10th April 1959, in Spanish. The document bears five typed lines, being a dispatch sent to a judge, is entitled `Diligence from Commandant Camilo Cienfuegos´, stating `Sir Judge, I have the honour to report to you that on the 8th of the present month concluded the time permitted to propose evidences in the present court case´ Cienfuegos signature is beneath the typed text ''Comandante Camilo Cienfuegos''. Countersigned alongside, most probably by the judge. Bearing to the verso an ink collection stamp. Uneven bottom edge. Small age wear and toning, with an extremely small hole, not affecting the text or signature. G In 1957 Cienfuegos became one of the leaders of the revolutionary forces, appointed to the rank of Comandante. In 1958 he was put in command of one of three columns which headed west out of the mountains with the intention of capturing the provincial capital city of Santa Clara. Che Guevara was in command of another column and Jaime Vega was in command of the third. Vega's column was ambushed and defeated by Batista's forces. Cienfuegos' and Guevara's columns reached the central provinces, where they combined their efforts with other groups. Cienfuegos' column attacked an army outpost at Yaguajay and, after a tough fight, forced the garrison to surrender on 30 December 1958. This earned him the nickname ''The Hero of Yaguajay.'' Cienfuegos then advanced against Santa Clara in conjunction with Guevara's forces, together, the two columns captured Santa Clara on 31 December. Batista fled Cuba the next day, leaving the guerrilla fighters victorious. At a rally on January 1959, Castro interrupted his speech to ask Cienfuegos (''Am I doing all right, Camilo?'') His response ''Vas bien, Fidel'' (''You're doing fine, Fidel'') was taken up by the crowd and became a slogan of the revolution.
PICABIA FRANCIS: (1879-1953) French Painter and Poet. An Avant-garde artist associated with Cubism. Picabia was also one of the early main figures of the Dada movement. Rare A.L.S., `F. Picabia´, two pages, 4to, Paris, 32 Av. Charles Floquet, Monday, n.d., to a Colonel, in French. Picabia states in part `I have just learned about your visit to Paris. I very much regret not having met you´ further asking a service `Can you do me a small service regarding my friend Marcel Loridan, aviator who will be appointed Knight of the Legion d´Honneur in the month of July; it would be a question of knowing if his nomination is something more or less sure, as this information would be very useful for him to have it right now…´ Small creasing and minor age wear, mostly to edges, with a very small tear to the folding edge, not affecting the text or signature, otherwise G Marcel Loridan (1883-1971) French pioneer Aviator. Winner of the Michelin Cup, Loridan established in 1911 the world altitude record with his Farman biplane, and further also records for longest flights in time and distance. Loridan was a pilot in the French Army during the First World War, being awarded with the Croix de guerre 1914-1918.
SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL: (1581-1660) French Catholic Priest. Venerated both in the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. Canonized in 1737 by Pope Clement XII. Vincent de Paul is known for his humility and for serving the poor. Extremely rare and lengthy L.S., `Vincent de Paul I.[ndigne] P.[retre] d[e] l[a] M[ission]´, (''Vincent de Paul, Unworthy Priest of the Mission''), with five lines in his hand, three pages, 4to, Paris, 7th June 1658, to Firmin Get, in French. Saint Vincent de Paul commences referring to his correspondent´s letter and to Knight Paul who has accepted to go to Barbaria, stating in part `La grace de Notre Seigneur soit avec vous pour jamais. J´ai été fort console de votre lettre qui m´apprend votre voyage de Toulon et ce que vous avez négocié avec Mr. le Commandeur Paul. Il me semble que vous ne pourriez agir avec plus de discrétion ni de succes… j´ai mis en déliberation si je devais me donner l´honneur de lui écrire pour l´en remercier, mais je m´en suis trouvé indigne pour n´avoir des paroles répondantes à l´honneur de son affection et a la grandeur de son courage. Je me propose seulement de célébrer la Sainte Messe en action de grace a Dieu....´ (“The grace of Our Lord be with you forever. I was very consoled by your letter which tells me about your trip to Toulon and what you have negotiated with Commander Paul. It seems to me that you could not act with more discretion or success… I have been deliberating whether I should give myself the honour of writing to him to thank him for it, but I found myself unworthy for not having words responding to the honour of his affection and the greatness of his courage. I do only intend to celebrate Holy Mass in thanksgiving to God…”) Saint Vincent de Paul further comments on what he considered cannot be expected at this stage from the King, mentioning the Dunkerke siege and saying `.. Et pour vous dire ma pensée a vous, s´ils refusent l´entretien de l´armée pendant les deux mois, je n´estime pas qu´il faille attendre du Roy a cause du siege important de la ville Dunkerke par mer et par terre….´ (“And to tell you my thought, if they refuse the maintenance of the army during the two months, I do not consider that it is necessary to wait for the King because of the important siege of the Dunkirk city by sea and by earth he is involved with..”) Further again Saint Vincent comments the possibility of sending Philippe Le Vacher to Alger, refers to Le Vacher´s proposals regarding the Turkish and to his return to Marseille and Paris, saying `Il faut envoyer quelqu´un en Alger pour négocier avec le Pasha… les Turcs lui pourront faire quelques avances, mais j´ai peine a le croire… Mr. le Vacher partira pour Marseille dans dix ou douze jous… il a beaucoup travaillé´ (“We have to send someone to Algiers to negotiate with the Pasha… the Turks could make some advances to him, but I find it hard to believe… Mr. le Vacher will leave for Marseille in ten or twelve days… he has worked a lot“) Referring to the funds he has forwarded to Firmin Get, Saint Vincent de Paul is very much concerned, and states in part `Je suis en peine du lieu où vous garderez cet argent. Je crains qu´il ne soit pas en sureté chez vous qui logez hors de la ville, et la pensé m´est venue si vous ne feriez pas bien de le mettre aux Carmélites, où il n´y aurait rien a craindre en y faisant porter votre coffre-fort a deux serrures… Priez Mr. Napollon de ne point dire que vous l´avez, de crainte que la nouvelle n´aille jusqu´a Alger…´ (“I am worried about where you will keep this money. I fear it is not safe with you lodging outside the town, and a thought has occurred to me, and that is if you would not do well to leave it with the Carmelites, where there would be nothing to fear, sending to them your safe with two locks… Please ask Mr. Napollon not to say that you have it, lest the news reach Algiers… ”) Before concluding he says that nothing else should be sent to the Consul `Il ne faut plus rien envoyer au Consul, qu´on lui envoi tout et qu´on ne sache a quoi il emploi l´argent..´ (“We must not send anything more to the Consul, we send everything to him and we do not know what he uses the money for..”) To the inside pages borders, in vertical, Saint Vincent adds five lines in his hand, boldly written, in his difficult writing, and informs his correspondent that he is sending two letters for the Commandant Paul, one from the King and one from Mazarin. Overall age wear and creasing, with small professional repair to the last addressee page, otherwise about G Saint Vincent de Paul refers to Louis XIV (1638-1715) King of France. The Dunkirk siege in 1658 was a military operation by the allied forces of France and Commonwealth England intended to take the fortified port city of Dunkirk, an important Spanish base at the time. Dunkirk (Dutch for 'Church in the dunes') was a strategic port on the southern coast of the English Channel in the Spanish Netherlands. The French and their English Commonwealth allies were commanded by Turenne, Marshal of France. The siege would last a month and featured numerous sorties by the garrison and a determined relief attempt by the Spanish army under the command of Don Juan de Austria and his confederate English royalists under Duke of York and rebels of the French Fronde under the Great Condé that resulted in the battle of the Dunes.Cardinal Mazarin (1602-1661) Italian Cardinal, Diplomat and chief of Minister to Kings Louis XIII and Louis XVI
PROFUMO JOHN: (1915-2006) British politician whose sexual relationship with the young model Christine Keeler in 1961 created a scandal known as the Profumo affair. Vintage signed sepia postcard photograph of Profumo in a head and shoulders pose wearing his military uniform. Signed in bold blue fountain pen ink to the lower white border and dated 1945 in his hand. Some heavy traces of former mounting to the verso, otherwise VG Profumo served with the British Army from 1939-50, attaining the rank of Brigadier. He participated in the D-Day landings at Normandy and was engaged in the subsequent fierce fighting to secure that region of France.
HAMMETT DASHIELL: (1894-1961) American author of hardboiled detective fiction including The Maltese Falcon (1930). Hammett's novels had a large influence on films, particularly in the genres of detective fiction, mystery thrillers and film noir. A.L.S., Dash, one page, 4to, Alaska, 21st September 1943, to Florence [Morash]. Hammett writes whilst serving with the American army, and shortly after his involvement in the Aleutian Islands campaign, stating, in part, 'There won't be much news in this except that in course of fidgetting (sic) my way around the world I've moved again. The only change in address is a new APO number……The new station is fairly rugged, but I think I'm going to like it. That's all that's news with me. What makes with you? And Paul? I'll try to manufacture more - though possibly bogus - news in a day or two and write you more lengthily and - I hope - more interestingly. Meanwhile, my best to that man and to you my love - and write'. At the base of the page Hammett adds his address, 'Cpl. S. D. Hammett, 3118358, 14th Sig. Serv. Det., APO #980……'. Some very light, minor creasing, VG
D'ANNUNZIO GABRIELE: (1863-1938) Italian poet & playwright. Vintage signed postcard photograph of D'Annunzio standing outdoors in a full-length pose wearing his military uniform. Signed ('Gabriele d'Annunzio') in black fountain pen ink to the image and dated June 1920 in his hand. Some very light silvering to the image, a couple of minor corner creases and some light traces of former mounting to the verso. About VG D'Annunzio was associated with the elite Arditi storm troops of the Italian Army during World War I, taking part in actions such as the Flight over Vienna, and the public perception of him at this time transformed D'Annunzio from a literary figure into a national war hero.
KIPLING RUDYARD: (1865-1936) English writer, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1907. A.L.S., Rudyard Kipling, one page, 8vo, Bateman's, Burwash, Sussex, 17th September 1914, to Captain Slessor. Kipling writes a letter of testimony for Mortland Park upon his entering military service, in part, 'I have known him since his earliest days and can testify that he has always been exceedingly keen on the army, a student of military matters as well as a good drill, and I have no hesitation in affirming my belief that he would make a very good officer'. With blank integral leaf. Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Kipling. VG
MARLBOROUGH DUKE OF: (1650-1722) John Churchill. English soldier and statesman, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces 1690-91, 1702-08. L.S., Marlborough, two pages, 4to, n.p., 3rd March 1718/9, to the Earl of Cadogan. The body of the letter is written in an elegant, bold hand and states, in full, 'I cannot refuse the request of Col. Symonds to recommend him to your favour, his long and faithfull services set forth in the enclosd memorial. I am very well acquainted with, as well of his disappointments, you will see the late Queen granted him a Warrant for Half Pay as Lieut: Colonel which he was deprived of soon after his Majesty's accession to the Throne and thereby left a considerable time in a starving condition till provided for in the Invalids and has been now near two years on the Establisht. of Half pay as Captain of a Company of them which keeps him in very poor circumstances in a great age after an uncommon length of service so that if any thing further could be therefore done speedily to make him easy for the remainder of his days it would be a great satisfaction to me and my service you may think fit to do him shall be lookd on as a mark of friendship'. With integral leaf (neatly detached). Some light age wear and one small, neat split to the edge of a fold, only just affecting two letters of Marlborough's signature. G William Cadogan (1671-1726) Irish-born British army officer, a close associate and confidant of the Duke of Marlborough.
GORDON CHARLES GEORGE: (1833-1885) British Army officer and administrator, known as Chinese Gordon. Manuscript notes, unsigned, one page, 8vo, n.p. (Labore, Sudan), n.d. (4th July 1876). The page of notes are a summary of a letter written to Romolo Gessi and state, in part, '1. Engineer Dept & you to be paid monthly. 2. Egyptian Employer's after the order from Cairo. 3. Your nomination as Vakul (?) with all the attributes of Ali…..only see all money letters are signed by me after you'. The notes continue to refer to the purchase of horses, the hiring of a stable, the cost of food, tin water cans etc. and also include a table chart drawn by Gordon with several columns, one headed Already sent up and another To be sent. With a large area of paper loss to the lower left quarter, affecting a number of the sentences, and with some ink blotting, light creasing and age wear. Only FR Romolo Gessi (1831-1881) Gessi Pasha. Italian soldier, governor in the Turkish-Egyptian administration and explorer of north-east Africa. In 1876, while serving under Gordon in the Turkish Sudan, Gessi explored the course of the White Nile in the area of Bahr El Jebel and mapped its descent from Lake Albert. Gordon regarded Gessi, perhaps unfairly, as merely a brilliant mercenary.
‘It is said the Prince of Peace has been beheaded and that the King has resigned his crown which is said to be (ad interim) on the brow of the Prince of Asturias’ BERESFORD WILLIAM: (1768-1854) Anglo-Irish General in the British Army, and a Marshal in the Portuguese Army, who fought alongside the Duke of Wellington in the Peninsular War. Beresford led the failed British invasion of Buenos Aires in 1808. A good, lengthy A.L.S., W. C. Beresford, seven pages, folio, Madeira, 18th & 19th April 1808, to Sir William Sidney Smith in Rio de Janeiro. Beresford writes an informative letter, expressing disappointment and regret at his correspondent's sudden departure and continuing, in part, 'If anything goes forward in your part of the world you may be sure I'll hasten to the Spanish port that lies within your command…..I shall feel most gratified & happy provided some one there goes and wipes away the stigma that late occurrences has left upon our name in that quarter. I am rebut to giving you the names of all those our friends there, it would fill this paper, for with very slight & few exceptions all the Creole part are such, and the Clergy of that description more so than the laity, but all upon the principle of our assisting their independence…..You will easily conceive that among the numbers that wish for emancipation from the Spanish yoke there must be some more forward and adventurous than others…..Pina who came from Buenos Ayres with me and who was Linieres secretary is now at Rio de Janeiro and is most capable to let you into the characters of all on the Rio de la Plata…..His conduct in leaving his country was from the purest & most patriotic motives and not from interested ones, nor could I ever prevail upon him to accept any pecuniary remuneration for the service he did me…..Since your leaving us we have had a merchant importer from England and have seen papers to the 22nd Ult. General Whitelock's defence was closed and the Court Martial was to be laid before the King…..His defence was very indifferent.….In fact he has left everything to be decided by the evidences on the prosecution and I do not see how he can escape with less than cashiering. Passengers which came in….say that the expedition to the Baltic had been countermanded. If this is true I conclude the King of Sweden has been obliged to join the confederacy. There had been some skirmishes in Finland between his troops and the Russians & the latter had advanced. I think it is fortunate if he has joined the confederacy as I do not see how he could have resisted, and I rejoice in it as it will leave us a considerable disposable Force and there is now nowhere but South America to employ it. By those who go in the Hydra you will learn the reports of the tragedy performed or about to be performed in Spain…..It is said the Prince of Peace has been beheaded and that the King has resigned his crown which is said to be (ad interim) on the brow of the Prince of Asturias. What truth there is in all this it is not easy to discern but we may draw from it there has been an uproar at Madrid and as the instigators to it can not be very doubtful we may conclude that whosever blood first flowed was but a prelude to much more and that finally the royal family will all suffer……I have not had a syllable from His Majesty's ministers…..I can not but conclude they are waiting intelligence from Rio de Janeiro…..The enclosed I wrote yesterday morning and in the evening came here…..the long looked for dispatches & their contents…..were not to me unpleasant or unwelcome. They contain the new arrangements for this Island, and by which the civil government is to be restored to the Portuguese…..I am promised to be immediately recalled and with having hopes of being shortly employed…..but where heaven knows. I have not seen any newspapers but it appears the news of the Swedes having made a peace is premature, it is however wished for by all in England, and must I conceive shortly take place, in the mean time I am certain our fleet proceeds to the Baltic, but I do not learn any army goes with it……Here then I think as late news from the Mediterranean as could be brought via Holland from England'. In a postscript Beresford further informs his correspondent, 'Poor Lord Claud H[amilton] is I fear in a very hopeless way. We must not be surprised to hear at any moment of his departure….' With integral address leaf, also signed ('Maj. Genl. Beresford') and bearing the remnants of a red wax seal (small area of paper loss where originally broken). Some light, minor overall age wear, VGSir William Sidney Smith (1764-1840) British Admiral and intelligence officer who served in the American and French revolutionary wars and the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon Bonaparte, reminiscing later in his life, said of Smith: 'That man made me miss my destiny'.In October 1807, Spain and France signed a treaty to divide Portugal between them. The following month Smith was appointed to command an expedition to Lisbon, either to assist the Portuguese in resisting the attack or to destroy the Portuguese fleet and blockade the harbour at Lisbon should that be unsuccessful. Smith arranged for the Portuguese fleet to sail for Rio de Janeiro, at that time a Portuguese colony. He was involved in planning an attack on the Spanish colonies in South America, in combination with the Portuguese, contrary to his orders, but he was recalled to Great Britain in 1809 before any of the plans could be carried out.Beresford occupied Madeira, in the name of the King of Portugal, as Governor and Commander-in-Chief for six months from December 1807.
RYBINSKI MACIEJ: (1784-1874) Polish General who briefly served as Commander-in-Chief of the Polish Army during the insurrection of 1830-31. L.S., Rybinski, two pages, small 4to, Paris, 20th May 1847, to Doctor Charles Robert Berr, in French. Rybinski responds to his correspondent's letter and confirms that he has searched the army records for some trace of the presentation of the national award which Berr claims to have, although adding that all of the searches were fruitless and that the decree of the National Government, in not awarding the decoration to all doctors without exception, does not authorise him to grant the reward whilst the army is inactive. Rybinski further states, however, that he has 'taken note of your request in order to be able to testify to you the case that I make of the services rendered to humanity and to my country, at the first opportunity, when the Polish army can resume its active state'. With a small portion of the integral address leaf present, bearing the remnants of a red wax seal. Some light creasing and age wear and one small tear to the right edge, about VG
KITCHENER HERBERT: (1850-1916) 1st Earl Kitchener. Irish-born British Field Marshal and colonial administrator. An extremely rare and highly unusual large vintage signed 21.5 x 16.5 sepia photograph by Kitchener and six of the seven members of his mission to Japan comprising Henry Rawlinson (1864-1925; 1st Baron Rawlinson, British General), William Lambton (1863-1936; British Major-General), Leopold Greville (1882-1928; Lord Brooke, 6th Earl of Warwick, British Brigadier General), Tsuneyoshi Murata (1838-1921; Japanese Major, inventor of the Murata rifle), Nagayuki Asano (1864-1947; Japanese head of the Asano clan which ruled over Hiroshima Domain) and Lieutenant Colonel Yoshida. The image, which also features Captain Oswald Fitzgerald (1875-1916; British military officer with the 18th Bengal Lancers and Kitchener's 'constant and inseparable companion' whom he appointed his aide-de-camp), depicts Kitchener and the other officers standing together in full-length poses, each wearing their uniforms and medals, in the grounds of the Shiba Palace, Tokyo, in November 1909. Photograph by Shibata of Tokyo. Signed by the six in dark fountain pen inks to a light area at the base of the image, some adding their ranks alongside their signatures. Some light age wear and a few minor stains and scuffs, most evident to the photographer's mount. About VG Kitchener served as Commander-in-Chief, India, from 1902-09 and had been promoted to the highest army rank of Field Marshal in September 1909. As part of a tour to Australia and New Zealand Kitchener visited China and Japan and it was at the latter that he and his staff were treated as official guests of the nation; a palace at Tokyo was set aside for their use, a ceremonial reception was accorded to them and an invitation to attend the Imperial Manoeuvres was pressed on them. It was on the occasion of the Imperial Grand Japanese Manoeuvres that the present photograph was taken.
HART REGINALD: (1848-1931) Irish General with the British Army, Victoria Cross winner for his actions in the Bazar Valley, Afghanistan, on 31st January 1879 during the Second Anglo-Afghan War. A.L.S., Regd. C. Hart, three pages, 8vo, United Services Club, London, 13th October 1907, to Templeton. Hart thanks his correspondent for a journal which he has found very interesting, further adding 'I hope your O[ld] C[heltonians] dinner was a success. It is only through the energy & zeal of you, two secretaries & Hunter that O.C's keep together at all'. In concluding Hart states that he would like if possible to go to Cheltenham on the 1st November. Rare. Some very minor, small traces of former mounting to the verso of the final page, otherwise VG Hart had been educated at Cheltenham College before being commissioned in the Royal Engineers.
ROBERTS FREDERICK: (1872-1899) British Lieutenant, Victoria Cross winner for his actions during the Battle of Colenso in South Africa on 15th December 1899. Son of Earl Roberts, himself a Victoria Cross winner. A very fine, extremely rare vintage signed sepia 5.5 x 8 photograph, the image depicting the young army officer seated in a three-quarter length pose wearing his uniform. On a table at his side appears a small dog. Signed ('Fred Roberts') in fountain pen ink with his name alone to a clear area of the upper left corner of the image. Autographs of Roberts are extremely rare in any form as a result of his tragically early death at the age of 27 from the wounds he received during the Battle of Colenso, his Victoria Cross citation being confirmed posthumously on 2nd February 1900. Some light traces of former mounting to the verso, otherwise about EX
[WORLD WAR I]: An original colour lithograph 19 x 29” World War I recruitment poster printed by Haycock-Cadle Co., Camberwell and published by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee, London, c.1914/15, numbered Poster No.32, printed with blue and red backgrounds and the white title in cursive script to the upper half, 'If you cannot join the Army -' and the white subtitle in identical script to the lower half, 'Try & get a Recruit'. Small area of paper loss to the lower left corner, several minor tears to the edges (repaired with tape in places to the verso) and at the folds, about G
NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. An excellent, early D.S., Buonaparte, two pages, folio, n.p., 23rd November 1793, in French. The manuscript document is headed Republique Francaise, Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite and is a commission issued by the Administration Generale de Transport et Convois Militaires, stating, in part, 'Citizen Berthel, officer in charge of military convoys and transportation, will be leaving tomorrow, the fourth of Frimaire [24th November] with the convoy that is heading for Montlyon and Briamon with the purpose of there charging the cannons and other ammunition for the camp under Toulon, and he will spare neither effort nor money to see that the service is rendered promptly and well....The administration and municipalities are asked, in the name of well-being of the Republic, to recognize Citizen Berthel as officer in charge of military Convoys and Transport, deputised by Citizen Cartaux, General of the Army of the Alps, and to lend said Citizen Berthel any support and help necessary.' At the conclusion of the document appear the brief statements of around six officials, marking Berthel's progress, including one signed by Bonaparte, in his capacity as General of the Artillery, in full, 'Citizen Berthel has acquitted himself until now with zeal and intelligence in the task with which he is charged'. With a good red wax seal affixed. A rare example of Napoleon's signature. Some extremely light, minor age wear, VG The rare autograph of Napoleon, signing Buonaparte, appears on the present document issued at the time of the Siege of Toulon, 18th September - 18th December 1793.
JOURDAN JEAN BAPTISTE: (1762-1833) Marshal of France. An excellent and fierce L.S., `Jourdan´, at the Warem Head Quarters, north-east of Liege, 20th July 1794, to General Scherer, in French. The letter bears the printed heading of the Sambre & Meuse army alongside a Republican vignette and the motto “Liberté - Égalité”. Jourdan, in his capacity as Commandant in chief of the Sambre & Meuse army, orders the definitive attack, stating `Puisque le Commandant du Quesnay, n´a pas voulu obéir au décret de la Convention Nationale, il faut mon Camarade qu´il subisse le sort que ce décret ordonne; cela servira d´exemple a Valenciennes et a Condé´ (“Since the Commander of Quesnay did not want to obey the decree of the National Convention, it is necessary my Comrade that he undergo the fate that this decree orders; this will serve as an example to Valenciennes and Condé”) further instructing how far he expects his General to act, saying `Fais en consequence tout ton possible pour accélérer le moment de la prise de cette place; augmente ton artillerie, enfin réduis en poudre et la place et la garnison´ (“Do everything possible to hasten the day of taking this place; increase your artillery, and finally reduce to powder both the place and the garrison”) Only few weeks earlier Jourdan obtained a very important victory at the battle of Fleurus, an allied defeat which led to the destruction of the Dutch republic. With address leaf bearing a red wax seal showing a republican image. With a large tear to the upper right edge, although only affecting one word. Small overall minor age wear. G Barthélemy Louis Schérer (1747-1804) French General during the French Revolutionary Wars. He served with distinction at the battle of Aldenhoven.
SUCHET LOUIS GABRIEL: (1770-1826) Marshal of France. Duc d´Albufera. One of the most brilliant of Napoleon´s Generals. An excellent A.L.S., `L.G. Suchet´, two pages, 4to, Lenzburg, 28th June 1799, to his brother Gabriel Suchet, in French. The partially printed document bears at the heading "Suchet, Brigade General" and only few days earlier appointed "Chief of Headquarters - Danube army". Suchet makes a lengthy report of the armies situation and states in part `Since that affair happened near Zurich.. our military front posts are extremely close.. on more than one bridge the sentries talk to each other..´, further saying `..In the meantime the army rests, reinforces, and gets ready to support the good citizens´ wish, which means to obtain the victory..´ A good military report including his confidential own thoughts to his younger brother. VG Gabriel Suchet (1773-1835) Brother of Louis Gabriel Suchet. French Politician and Knight of the Empire.
BERTHIER LOUIS-ALEXANDRE: (1753-1815) Marshal of France, Prince of Neuchatel. Chief of Staff under Napoleon. A very good content L.S., `Alexandre´, one page, 4to, Valladolid, 11th January 1809, to Marshal Duc de Dalmatie, in French. An interesting military letter by Berthier, from Valladolid, where he has arrived with Napoleon who will stay until the 17th January before returning to France. On this same date, 11th January, Napoleon wrote to his brother Joseph from Valladolid `You can make your entrance to Madrid whenever you consider it convenient´, after having obtained several recent victories against the English and Spanish. Berthier states in part `La division Heudelet vient d´arriver a Valladolid ainsi que le 17º d´Infanterie légere, mais la division Marchand a du vous joinder ainsi que Mr. le Maréchal Ney avec la division Maurice Mathieu…. La division Heudelet se trouvera en mesure de maintenir vos communications entre Astorga et Lugo´ ("The Heudelet division has just arrived in Valladolid as well as the 17th light Infantry, but the Marchand division had to join you as well as Mr. le Maréchal Ney with the Maurice Mathieu division…. The Heudelet division will be able to maintain your communications between Astorga and Lugo") Berthier further refers to Napoléon´s orders regarding the English troops retreat, and says `Il parait bien difficile, Monsieur le Maréchal, que dans la position ou se trouve l´armée Anglaise, elle puisse s´embarquer, Sa Majesté compte sur votre zele et votre énergie pour la détruire´ ("It seems very difficult, Mr. Marshal, that in the position where the English army is, that they could embark. His Majesty is counting on your zeal and your energy to destroy it") Accompanied by a Bulletin Analytique on the printed heading of Marshal Duc de Dalamatie, from Valladolid, same date, referring to Marshal Ney troops. Very small minor age wear, otherwise G to VG The letter is addressed to the Duc de Dalmatie, Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult (1769-1851) Marshal of France.Etienne Heudelet de Bierre (1770-1857) French General. He distinguished himself at Austerlitz. Heudelet fought in Marshal Soult´s invasion of Portugal in 1809.Jean Gabriel Marchand (1765-1851) French GeneralMichel Ney (1769-1815) Marshal of France, Duc d´Elchingen and Prince de la Moskowa. Executed. David Maurice Mathieu de la Redorte (1768-1833) French general who fought at Tudela.
BERTHIER LOUIS-ALEXANDRE: (1753-1815) Marshal of France, Prince of Neuchatel. Chief of Staff under Napoleon. Rare L.S., `Alexandre´, one page, 4to, Dresden, 5th July 1813, to Monsieur the General Count of Monthion, in French. An interesting letter by Berthier, referring to the reorganization of the Grande Armée only three weeks before the Battle of Dresden, forwarding the Emperor´s orders `Order of the Army, instructing that all the sappers, gunners, artillery or navy soldiers, who have been withdrawn from their ranks to be employed…, will return to their corps… and 60 prisoners, chosen among those who have wounded hands and are not able to serve in the infantry corps, will be destined to each sapper regiment..´ Berthier orders his correspondent to contact Generals Rogniat, Daru and Durosnel to forward the orders and execute the Emperor´s orders. Left edge very slightly irregular, otherwise G to VG
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