JEFFERSON THOMAS: (1743-1826) American President 1801-09, one of the Founding Fathers and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. A fine A.L.S., twice, as President, Th: Jefferson and Th:J, in the third person, one page, 8vo, n.p. (Washington?), 5th January 1804, to [Louis-Andre] Pichon. The President presents his salutations to his correspondent and invites him and his wife to dinner the following Monday, further remarking 'Th:J. has written an invitation to the same effect to M. & Made. Bonaparte, & their friends who are with them', explaining that he has used the phrase 'as while it includes the Baron de Maupertuis & M. Sotin, it might also include Mr. Patterson & Miss Spear who he understands are with Made. Bonaparte, or any other persons of whom he is uninformed and whose company would be agreeable to M. Bonaparte'. With integral address leaf in Jefferson's hand ('Monsr. Pichon'). With a small area of paper loss to the upper right corner of the integral leaf and corresponding neat tear to the upper right corner of the first page, both evidently caused at the time of the letter being opened. The small tear to the first page only very slightly affects a couple of letters of text and not the signatures and has been neatly repaired to the verso. A letter of good associations. About VG £8000-12000 Louis-Andre Pichon (1771-1854) French Diplomat who served as Ambassador to the United States 1801-04. Napoleon Bonaparte recalled Pichon to Paris in September 1804, reportedly for failing to have thwart the marriage of Jerome Bonaparte to Elizabeth Patterson. Jerome Bonaparte (1784-1860) French Prince, the younger brother of Napoleon. Elizabeth Patterson (1785-1879) American Socialite, the first wife of Jerome Bonaparte. Jefferson refers to several other individuals including Baron de Maupertuis, an acquaintance of Jerome Bonaparte from the West Indies and apparently related to Bonaparte's mother; Pierre Jean Marie Sotin de la Coindiere was a former minister of police in France in 1797, appointed French commissary for Georgia in 1802 and a witness at the wedding of Bonaparte & Patterson; Mr. Patterson most likely refers to John Patterson, one of several brothers of Elizabeth, and not her father, William Patterson, who is known not to have accompanied his daughter and son-in-law to Washington; and Anne Spear, Elizabeth's maternal aunt. The present letter is written shortly after the wedding of Jerome Bonaparte and Elizabeth Patterson which took place on Christmas Eve, 24th December 1803, in Baltimore, Maryland. Napoleon Bonaparte was angered by his brother's marriage and demanded that Jerome return to France and the marriage be annulled. The demands were ignored initially, and Jerome refused to return to France without his wife. In the autumn of 1804 Jerome and his pregnant wife set sail for France in order to attend Napoleon's coronation, however on arrival Elizabeth was denied permission to enter continental Europe on the orders of Napoleon. Jerome travelled alone to Italy in order to reason with his brother, telling his wife that he would 'do everything that must be done', but tragically she would never see him again except for a brief eye-to-eye contact in 1817. Provenance: Jefferson's letter would appear to have first been offered at auction by the Charles Hamilton Galleries in New York on 29th July 1976 (Auction 98, lot 152).
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EISENHOWER DWIGHT D.: (1890-1969) American General of World War II. American President 1953-61 & EISENHOWER MAMIE DOUD (1896-1979) American First Lady of the United States 1953-61, wife of Dwight D. Eisenhower. Book signed, by both Dwight and Mamie Doud Eisenhower individually, being a hardback edition of Meet Mister Eisenhower by Merriman Smith, published by Harper & Brothers, New York, 1955. Signed by both Dwight Eisenhower and Mamie Doud Eisenhower in black fountain pen inks with their names alone to the half title page. Also signed and inscribed by Merriman Smith (1913-1970, American Journalist & White House Correspondent, Pulitzer Prize winner) in dark black fountain pen ink to the front free endpaper. Accompanied by the dust jacket and housed in a handsome custom designed dark blue quarter leather and navy cloth clamshell box. VG £150-200
FRANKLIN WILLIAM TEMPLE: (1760-1823) American Diplomat. Grandson of Benjamin Franklin, and his Secretary since he was sixteen. Best known for his involvement with the American diplomatic mission in France during the American Revolutionary war. He was also Secretary for the American delegation that negotiated the United States independence at the Treaty of Paris in 1783. Rare A.L.S., `Franklin fils´ ("Franklin son"), with flourish, a large and good signature example, being very similar to Benjamin Franklin´s one, one page, 4to, n.p. [Passy], 30th December [1778], to Monsieur Ruault, Librarian, in French. The young Franklin sends an urgent request to the French Librarian, on Christmas period, and most probably on behalf of his grandfather, stating `I beg you, Monsieur Ruault, to send to Passy, tomorrow, 2 copies of my Grandfather´s works. The best binding that you can.´ Annotated to the upper left corner in the librarian´s hand `Sent on the 31st, brochés´. With blank address leaf in his hand, `Monsieur Ruault - Libraire - Rue de la Harpe - F.b St. Germain´, bearing several postmarks. Overall age wear and creasing, otherwise G £600-900 Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American Founding Father of the United States. Franklin was a Polymath, Writer, Freemason, Scientist, Politician and Diplomat. He was the first United States Ambassador to France. Known as ''The First American'' for his campaigning for colonial unity.Temple Franklin remained always very close to his mentor and Grandfather Benjamin Franklin. He Published in 1818 Memoirs of the Life and Writings of B.F.In February 1778, the present letter´s year, Benjamin Franklin visited Voltaire accompanied by his grandson, telling him to ask for Voltaire´s blessing. Voltaire did so stating `God and Liberty´. In this same month of February Benjamin Franklin signed the alliance Treaty between France and the United States of North America.
`Whereas, the Wife has claimed that the Waiver was and is invalid… by reason of her status as surviving spouse to share in the Father´s Estate…´ KENNEDY JACQUELINE & ONASSIS CHRISTINA: Jacqueline Kennedy (1929-1994) Wife of American President John F. Kennedy, First Lady 1961-63; & Christina Onassis (1950-1988) American-born Greek heiress to the Aristotle Onassis fortune as his only daughter with Tina Onassis Niarchos. Very rare and exceptionally interesting Typed Contract Signed, `read and approved Jacqueline Bouvier Onassis´ individually and as Guardian of her children, and `Read and Approved Christina Onassis´ individually and as Personal Representative of her Father´s Estate, twenty-three pages, folio, London, 7th May 1975. The document being the original Agreement of Family Compromise and Settlement between Christina Onassis (herein called the "Daughter"), and Jacqueline Bouvier Onassis (herein called the "Wife"). The very interesting contract content, in its preliminary part, states in part `Whereas, the Daughter is the sole surviving issue of the late Aristotle S. Onassis…Whereas, the Wife is the surviving spouse of the Father, having been married to him on October 10th 1968 on the Island of Skorpios, Greece… Whereas, on November 25th 1972 in New York, the Father and the Wife each executed and delivered a Mutual Waiver and Release…(copy attached).. Whereas the Father died on March 15th 1975… Whereas, the Wife has claimed that the Waiver was and is invalid… by reason of her status as surviving spouse to share in the Father´s Estate…and the Daughter…has disputed all such claims made by the Wife.. Whereas the Wife and the Daughter each desires…a legally valid and binding compromise, settlement…and discharge for all time under the present and future laws of every jurisdiction throughout the world of any and all claim, right, title…past, present or future..´ Further listing the thirteen agreements clauses, stating in part `..2) Payment to Wife. .. by way of compromise and settlement and on a lump sum (forfaitaire) basis, the Daughter, individually and as the Personal Representative of the Father´s Estate to the Wife in London, England, the sum of $20,500,000 (U.S.) by banker´s draft, issued by a non-United States bank and payable in London…3) Obligations of Wife…4) Children of the Wife. During the marriage of the Wife and the Father, the Wife´s two children by her prior marriage, John Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy, resided with the wife. The Wife, as Guardian of said children, hereby acknowledges on behalf of her children that the Father at no time had any obligation for the support of her children, but that he nevertheless contributed to their support, maintenance and welfare during the marriage…´ Also signed by four witnesses at the conclusion, each party chosen two, and to the front page by the English Notary Public James Malcolm Waugh. Bearing to the front a red notarial seal affixed with bounded green ribbon. A historical document with extremely interesting legal content. EX £12000-18000 Christina Onassis, diagnosed with clinical depression, died at the early age of 37. She was found in her bathtub in Buenos Aires. She had lost her entire immediate family in a three years period, her brother, Alexander, died in a plane crash in 1973 at the age of 24, her mother Tina died of a suspected drug overdose in 1974, and her father Aristotle died in March 1975.
RHODESIA: Small selection of T.Ls.S. (3) an A.L.S. and signed photograph etc. by various Governors and Prime Ministers of Rhodesia comprising Herbert Stanley (Governor of Northern Rhodesia 1924-27 and of Southern Rhodesia 1935-42; one an A.L.S. to Miller, marked Private and stating, in part, 'I had a very interesting time in the old country….I met a good many members of Parliament, and the impression which I formed was that any proposal for the transfer of the High Commission Territories at this stage would be likely to encounter a considerable amount of opposition in the House of Commons, though, I suppose, it would be carried if it were made a question of confidence', 25th February 1937, and the other a T.L.S. to Theo Feilden of The Imperial Review, congratulating him on the paper and stating, in part, 'It provides an attractive and stimulating record of the Empire's solidarity in the face of the common enemy, and by making that record accessible in so convenient a form to the public at home and abroad it should serve a very useful purpose', 13th July 1940), Godfrey Huggins (Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia 1933-53 and the first Prime Minister of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland 1953-56; vintage signed 6.5 x 8.5 photograph as Viscount Malvern), Roy Welensky (second and last Prime Minister of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland 1956-63; two T.Ls.S., in both making references to his wife), and Ian Douglas Smith (Prime Minister of Rhodesia 1964-79). Generally VG, 6 £80-100
![[SOUTH AFRICA]: Louis Botha (1862-1919) South African Politician, the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa 1910-](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/3d1efb42-d105-4f52-beb8-ab6c01265f3c/6851e848-c469-4743-b79d-ab6d00b96e83/468x382.jpg)
[SOUTH AFRICA]: Louis Botha (1862-1919) South African Politician, the first Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa 1910-19. L.S., Louis Botha, two pages, 8vo, Pretoria, 22nd March 1907, to Mr. [Arthur] Lynch, on the printed stationery of the Prime Minister's office. Botha states that he read his correspondent's letter with 'feelings of genuine pleasure' and adds that he wishes 'to express my cordial thanks for your sincere congratulations' which are very much appreciated; Earl of Kimberley (1826-1902) British Politician, Secretary of State for the Colonies 1870-74, 1880-82 and Foreign Secretary 1894-95. The town of Kimberley in South Africa is named in his honour. A.L.S., Kimberley, two pages, 8vo, n.p. (London?), 17th May 1880, to Emily, on the printed stationery of the Colonial Office, marked 'Private'. Kimberley informs his correspondent 'Every one wants to have three letters after his name, & it will soon be a distinction not to have them' although adds that he will enquire regarding her man and 'see whether his colonial services warrant my considering him for the St. M & St. G' , further remarking 'At present I must make very few after the late deluge of stars & ribands'. About VG, 2 £100-150 Arthur Lynch (1861-1934) Irish Australian Civil Engineer, Physician, Journalist, Author, Soldier, Anti-Imperialist & Polymath. Lynch was sympathetic with the Boers upon the outbreak of the Second Boer War and travelled to South Africa as a war correspondent. He met Louis Botha in Pretoria and raised the Second Irish Brigade to fight against the British, an act for which he was tried for treason and sentenced to death, but later pardoned. Botha had been appointed Prime Minister of the Transvaal on 4th February 1907 in the month before the present letter.
NEHRU JAWAHARLAL: (1889-1964) Indian Prime Minister 1947-64. An excellent A.L.S., Jawaharlal Nehru, one page, 4to, Lausanne, 13th February 1936, to Mr. Shah. Nehru first refers to his wife´s health, stating `Two weeks ago my wife was removed here from Badenweiler. The change seems to have done her some good and she is slightly better.´, further saying `I am returning to India soon. Probably I shall go by air, taking the K.L.M airlines from Marseille… Till then I remain here, leaving Lausanne on the 28th evening.´, and adds before concluding `I have recently been to London where I spent a very busy time.´ Folded. With very small pinholes to the upper left corner, otherwise VG £600-900
PARK CHUNG-HEE: (1917-1979) South Korean General, later President of South Korea 1963-79. Park assumed the presidency after first ruling the country as head of a military junta installed by the May coup in 1961. Signed F.D.C., in Korean, oblong 8vo envelope, Korea, 4th November 1961. The document being the 15th commemorative anniversary of foundation of Unesco. Signed in bold blue ink to a clear area of the front envelope. VG £100-150
PARK CHUNG-HEE: (1917-1979) South Korean General, later President of South Korea 1963-79. Park assumed the presidency after first ruling the country as head of a military junta installed by the May coup in 1961. Signed 5.5 x 3.5 Presidential card, in Korean, 2nd October 1976. The card bears an attractive blind embossed monogram to the heading. A bold and clean black ink signature, bearing the printed text beneath “Park Chung Hee - President of the Republic of Korea”. EX £100-150
MARX HARPO: (1888-1964) American Film Comedian, one of the Marx Brothers. A brief A.L.S., with his initial H, one page, 4to, New York, n.d., to [Mildred] Dilling, on his scarce, early personal printed stationery. Marx simply states, 'Please give this check (no longer present) to York'. Marx's illustrated notepaper is headed Harpo Duer Marx and features two circular images of the comedian, the first in a youthful head and shoulders pose with the caption Mr. Marx at Home and the second depicting him in a full length pose playing his harp with the printed caption Mr. Marx Being Funny. To the left margin appear several testimonials including one by W. Somerset Maugham ('Why do we all love Harpo Marx?') and another by George Bernard Shaw ('I was much embarrassed by Mr. Marx'). An attractive, early letter with a good association. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG £200-300 Mildred Dilling (1894-1982) American Harpist whose pupils included Harpo Marx.
BRISSOT JACQUES PIERRE: (1754-1793) Also known as ''De Warville'', French leading figure of the Girondins. Brissot was guillotined aged 39, after having conducted his own defence and responded point by point the absurdities of the charges against him. An excellent D.S., `J.P. Brissot´, two pages, folio, Paris, 24th September 1792, in French. The document bears the printed heading ''Decree of the National Convention - First year of the French Republic'', and states in part `.. the commissars appointed to the Pyrenean departments, in order to grant the defence and order are authorized to suspend General Staff Officers, or any other officer whether civil or military if they judge the replacement necessary… and to order the arrest of the persons they will consider suspicious..´ Also signed at the base by Camus and by Pétion alongside Brissot´s signature, and bearing a National Convention paper seal affixed. With blank integral leaf. Folded, with very small age wear, otherwise VG £800-1200 Brissot and the Girondins supported the idea of keeping King Louis XVI under arrest instead of executing him, both as a hostage and as a bargaining chip. Brissot believed that once Louis XVI was executed all of France's foreign negotiating power would be lost. His early works on legislation, his pamphlets, speeches in the Legislative Assembly and the Convention, demonstrated dedication to the principles of the French Revolution. Brissot's own idea of a fair, democratic society, with universal suffrage, living in moral as well as political freedom, foreshadowed many modern liberationist ideologies. Armand-Gaston Camus (1740-1804) French Revolutionist. Camus obtained the abolition of titles of nobility in 1791. Member of the National Convention, he wrote in January 1793 that he voted ''Death without appeal''. Camus was captured and kept in captivity by the Austrians for 39 months, and was exchanged for Marie Therese of France in November 1795. Camus remained republican and refused to take part in the Napoleonic regime. Jérôme Pétion de Villeneuve (1756- 18?) French Writer and Politician. Mayor of Paris 1791-92. On 4th August 1792, only a month before the present letter was signed, Pétion demanded the deposition of the King.
COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC SAFETY : A good D.S., by seven members of the Committee of Public Safety, three pages, folio, 5th January 1795, in French. The document, bearing an attractive vignette to the heading, is a report issued by the Commission of Public works and submitted to the Committee of Public Safety, related to the fortifications of the Château de la Mothe aux bois, Morbecque. Boldly signed to the left border by seven members of the Committee of Public Safety, comprising LAZARE CARNOT (1753-1823) French Physicist and politician. Known as the Organizer of Victory in the French Revolutionary Wars. Carnot adds a seven lines annotation stating in part `We must first know what the land contains..and then we will be able to order its purchase, and after this we will make a project..´ ; JEAN JACQUES DE CAMBACERES (1753-1824) French Noble, Lawyer and Statesman during the French Revolution and French Empire. Co-Author of the Napoleonic code, which still is at the base of the French and many other countries civil law; PIERRE-LOUIS PRIEUR DE LA MARNE (1756-1827) French Lawyer and Politician. He voted for the death of King Louis XVI ; Jean Pierre Chazal (1766-1840); Jean Pelet (1759-1842); Pierre Marec (1759-1828) and André Dumont (1764-1838). VG £200-300 The castle of la Mothe aux bois was built in 1065 by the Count of Flanders. Considered a national belonging in 1795 it was sold to Sieur Taffin de Douai.
GREGOIRE HENRI: (1750-1831) Also known as Abbé Grégoire ("Abbot Gregoire"). French Catholic Priest, Abolitionist and revolutionary Leader, appointed President of the Convention. Rare A.L.S., `Bishop Senator Gregoire´, two pages, 4to, Paris, 28th September 1810, to Sauquaire de Souligné, in French. Greoire states in part `I have expressed my way of thinking as opposed to yours… You have been blessed with distinguished talents, but these talents being a blessing of heaven, they claim a legitimate use of it. Your heart, Monsieur, is may be more religious than what you believe..´ A lengthy letter of good content. With blank address leaf bearing a small area of paper loss as a result of the opening. G £300-400 Gregoire is well remembered for his memorable speech in the first session of the National Convention, 21st September 1792, stating `Kings are in morality what monsters are in the world of nature´. Two months after Gregoire delivered a speech demanding that King Louis XVI be brought to trial and immediately after was elected President of the Convention, over which he presided in his episcopal dress. Abbé Gregoire attempted to save the life of the monarch by proposing that the death penalty should be suspended.
NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) French Military and Political leader, Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. A very fine D.S., Bonaparte, as General in Chief of the Army, three pages, folio, Cairo, Egypt, 27 Fructidor, year 6 (13th September 1798), in French. The lengthy manuscript document is in the form of a report prepared for Napoleon, providing plans for the loading of a cargo to be made of products from Egypt and to be sold in Smyrna and Salonika, giving very detailed instructions for the transportation of the Egyptian produce, comprising rice, ammonium salt, incense and coffee, to markets in Greece and the Levant and for the subsequent use of the local monies generated in income, the report justifying the selection of produce 'Because the English, in case they come and visit, would be more easily persuaded that this shipment belongs to locals who never allocate all their funds to one good' and 'because the coffee would facilitate the outright sale of all the rice, in case it was abundant in Smyrna and in Salonika, where a lot of it is shipped and sold when there is a lack of rice from here. From then on, buyers who would like to buy coffee, since it is a much sought-after commodity, would have to buy a quantity of rice equal to the quantity of coffee they would ask for. This way, the deal would only be quicker, and infinitely more profitable', further stating 'Ammonium salt would find its place, for there is such a lack of it in the Levant, where they haven't received any of it from England for a long time……And although it is expensive here, it deserves our attention, especially if the quantity produced could be larger. Incense, because of its great consumption by the Greeks, in their homes and in their churches, would be an excellent good. We would need fine quality, and white. This constitutes, at all time, an easy trade', adding that 'The same applies to good quality hemp, since I have heard there won't be any of it shipped to Turkey, as well as seeds and other drugs in Constantinople, but as it is not a good time to put together a large shipment because of its scarcity, we can choose goods that are easier to obtain, while making sure to give preference to the ones that can facilitate the trade of rice, which should be the base of the load'. The author of the report also remarks 'This shipment's net proceeds would be spent right away on wet goods such as wine, spirits, fine linseed oil. I would buy the wine in Santorini, Naxos, or any other island in the archipelago where they produce it in great quality. I would prefer these islands to Tenedos, because although the wine there is as good in colour and in taste, they are less busy - I could make purchases and load the ship in much less time. Besides, the load would look like it is destined to be shipped to Russia, which they do in that area now and again. This pretext would hide the destination all the more since I have known the merchants of the said islands for several years; they know I was conducting business in the Black Sea when I was settled in Bucharest', continuing to inform Napoleon that 'I could also load dry fruits, such as figs and various types of raisins. I will arrive just as the shipments to Russia begin, and very certainly nobody will assume that what I bought was to be shipped to Egypt. It will, moreover, be up to me to take all the precautions, for a swift and fortunate return, the season we are about to enter being the most favourable for such venture' also adding various reasons why he is 'convinced that I would easily escape our enemies' vigilance' and recommending a sailing ship and Captain named Hadgi Ourea Dipsara based in Alexandria, whom he has known for a long time, adding 'It would be his decision to choose a suitable night to slip away without being seen' and concluding 'He would certainly succeed thanks to his vessel being in a superior running order, and well-found since he has 25 men, then would go to the harbour to find the 250 barrels, which is more than adequate for the goods referred to above. They will be loaded in appearance for various Greek and Turkish recipients, and branded as such. To add more credibility to the operation, each part will have an accompanying letter written in the oriental style.' At the conclusion of the report appears a statement in another hand, reading, in full, 'Desirous of favouring the said commercial undertaking, as much as to have news of what is happening on the archipelago as to procure wine for Egypt, Citizen Poussielque will draw up a report for me concerning the means at our disposal for procuring the above mentioned cargo'. The instruction is signed by Napoleon at the conclusion. A document of fascinating content. Some very light, extremely minor age wear and one very small, neat tear to the upper right corner of the final page, only very slightly running through two lines of text, VG £2000-3000 In 1798 Bonaparte led a military expedition to Egypt which was to serve as a springboard to his goal of achieving political power (a coup was orchestrated by Bonaparte in November 1799 with the result of him becoming First Consul of the Republic). In August 1798, the month before the present document was signed, the British Fleet commanded by Horatio Nelson had captured or destroyed all but two French vessels in the Battle of the Nile which had severely damaged Napoleon's desire to strengthen the French position in the Mediterranean. His army had succeeded in a temporary increase of French power in Egypt, although it faced repeated uprisings. Citizen Poussielque served as the Chief Administrator of the French Army.
‘some measures must be adopted to force people who pretend to be soldiers & receive pay & provisions as such to do their duty’ WELLINGTON DUKE OF: (1769-1852) Anglo-Irish Field Marshal, the Victor of Waterloo, 1815. British Prime Minister 1828-30, 1834. A fine A.L.S., Wellington, four pages, 4to, Head Quarters, 16th October 1810, to Charles Stuart. Wellington states that he has just been informed by the Admiral of the loss of forty boats at Santarem, regarding it a serious misfortune which can be attributed solely to the Government, and that he has written advising of the arrangements to be applied in consequence, principally regarding defence, although also advising Stuart of other immediate actions which should be taken, 'First; the Island of Lyceria which is at present at the enemy's command is full of corn & cattle. There is a safe communication now with the South end of it & all the supplies should be drawn away immediately to Lisbon. If the Admiral can station a flotilla at the N.E. extremity of this Island, so as to prevent the enemy from bringing their boats lower down the river, if not already brought down, this Island may yet be safe. But at all events the Corn, Cattle, Straw &c. should be brought away from it. Secondly the Province of Alentejo being now open to the enemy, the people should be directed to remove under the cover of Palmella & Fort St. Filippe at Setuval, which are both garrisoned, & the ordenanza should be collected there. It is probable however that Fort St. Filippe & Palmella are not provisioned, as was the case with Obidos which was therefore abandoned as was the case with other Portuguese forts withstanding repeated applications and remonstrances of the Govt. Thirdly care should be taken of the other boats in the river that they don't fall into the hands of the enemy. Positive orders ought to be given that all boats of every description should anchor on this side on every night between Alhandra & Lisbon. As soon as the Marquis de la Romania's Corps shall be across the Tagus there will be no occasion for fleets of boats going over; & when they do go for provisions or other purposes, they should be under the charge of some officer of the Police who should force their return'. Wellington further acknowledges receipt of Stuart's letter and informs him that he signed a letter to Dom Miguel Forjaz that morning, remarking 'I intended & do advert to the conduct of all the Militia of Lisbon, as well as that of Thomar; the conduct of the whole is infamous, & some measures must be adopted to force people who pretend to be soldiers & receive pay & provisions as such to do their duty. The Lisbon Volunteer Chasseurs are as bad as the rest; I don't believe one third of the number are here' and further writing 'The enemy have made no movement of importance this day. They have certainly one, probably two Corps d'Armee on this front near Sobral, but not a shot has been fired since the day before yesterday, excepting from the lines at Alhandra on a reconnoitring party yesterday'. A letter of fine military content written in the wake of a loss to the enemy. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG £1200-1800Charles Stuart (1779-1845) British Diplomat, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Portugal and Brazil 1810-14. British Ambassador to France 1815-24, 1828-30 and British Ambassador to Russia 1841-44. In 1810 a newly enlarged French Army under Marshal Andre Massena invaded Portugal. British opinion, both at home and in the army, was negative and suggestions were made that they should evacuate Portugal. However, the Duke of Wellington succeeded in slowing down the French forces at Burcaco and then prevented them from taking the Lisbon Peninsula through the construction of massive earthworks, known as the Lines of Torres Vedras, which had been assembled in complete secrecy and had flanks guarded by the Royal Navy. The baffled and starving French invasion forces retreated after six months.
TALLEYRAND-PÉRIGORD CHARLES MAURICE DE: (1754-1838) French Diplomat and Statesman. Prime Minister of France July-September 1815. L.S., `Ch Mau Talleyrand´, two pages, folio, n.p., n.d., in French. Talleyrand signs at the base of a copy of a letter received by Talleyrand `..letter from Citizen Schimmelpenninck, Ambassador and extraordinary and plenipotentiary Minister of the Batavian Republic to the French foreign affairs Minister´. The document refers to the cargo of a ship which the Batavian government claims as his, the plenipotentiary Minister reminding Talleyrand `No need to remind you Citizen Minister how many times and with which interest I have talked to you, in the name of the Batavian Republic, about this affair and to whom belongs exclusively this cargo. You also know that I had the honour of mentioning this matter during my meeting with the First Consul who has always supported our cause… looking for truth and reality and judging the matter returning finally to our Republic, a friend and an ally of France, a property we have been too long deprived of.´ Paper with a very attractive Pro-Patria watermark. Extremely overall minor age wear. Folded. VG £300-400
BERTHIER LOUIS ALEXANDRE: (1753-1815) Marshal of France, Prince of Wagram and Neuchatel. Chief of Staff under Napoleon. A very interesting D.S., Alex Berthier, a large and good signature example, one page, folio, Milan, 9th December 1796, to General Dumas, in French. The partially printed document bears the heading of the General Chief of Staff, Milan Head-Quarters, and states in part `The General in Chief orders General Dumas to consider as null and void the order he was given to replace General Dallemagne, commander of one of the divisions of the siege of Mantua..´ With blank integral leaf. Three pinholes not affecting the text or signature. VG £250-350 Thomas Alexandre Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie (1762-1806) French General during revolutionary wars. Father of Alexandre Dumas the Author. Dumas was one of the highest-ranking men of African descent ever to lead a European army, and the first person of color in the French military to become General.Claude Dallemagne (1754-1813) French General who fought in the American Revolutionary War and later in the French revolutionary wars, and took part in the 1796 Italian campaign under Napoleon Bonaparte. The Siege of Mantua lasted from July 1796 to February 1797. French forces under Napoleon Bonaparte besieged and blockaded a large Austrian garrison at Mantua until it surrendered. This surrender, together with the heavy losses incurred, led the Austrians suing for peace in 1797.
BERTHIER LOUIS-ALEXANDRE: (1753-1815) Marshal of France, Prince of Neuchatel. Chief of Staff under Napoleon. Very attractive D.S., `Ml. Berthier´, one page, large oblong 18 x 14, vellum, Paris & St. Germain, 22nd March 1805, in French. Berthier, in his capacity as Royal Master of Hound, appoints Paul Chatenay as Guard of the Imperial Captaincy of the St. Germain Vésinet forest. Bearing to the front an attractive Emperor´s coat of arms vignette, and an eagle red wax seal, partially clipped. Also bearing several attractive ink stamps to front and verso. Countersigned by Girardin and Claret de Fleurieu at the base and to the verso by Perache Franqueville. Folded. Overall minor age wear and creasing, mostly to borders. G £150-200 Alexandre Girardin d´Emmenonville (1776-1855) French General under Napoleon who would become first huntsman to Louis XVIII and later to Charles X.Pierre Claret de Fleurieu (1738-1810) French Explorer and general intendant of the House of the Emperor.Pascal Pierre Pérache de Franqueville (1748-1809) Lieutenant of the King´s Guards and responsible of the forests department under the Empire.
BERNADOTTE JEAN-BAPTISTE: (1763-1844) Marshal of France, Prince de Pontecorvo and King Charles XIV John of Sweden and Norway 1818-44. L.S., J.B. Bernadotte, with large flourish underneath, with holograph sentence, two pages, folio, Hanover, 3rd September 1804, to General Rivaud, in French. Bernadotte announces that `The Bremen Senate has accepted to make a loan of one million to the Hanover States..´ further saying `..please inform that I wish to have the first five hundred thousand paid in three weeks time... Because we need money to grant the troops salaries..´ The document bears a watermark dated 1801. With blank integral leaf, folded. With two small tears to the lower edge and fold, otherwise VG £200-300 Olivier Rivaud (1766-1839) served the Hanover States since 1803, and was later appointed commandant of the 2nd division in the Grande Armée under Bernadotte.
BRUNE GUILLAUME MARIE ANNE: (1763-1815) Marshal of France. A good A.N.S., `Le G.al Brune´, four lines in his hand, at the base of a L.S., `Auguste Berger´, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d. [1793-94], in French. Brune annotates `Certified that Auguste Berger has not received any payment since he has been appointed as my aide-de-camp´ at the base of Berger´s letter, saying `Citizen Auguste Berger, first aide-de-camp to General Brune, declares that since he was appointed on 22nd July 1793 he has not received any payment for this reason..´ Edges very slightly trimmed, otherwise about VG £200-300 Aimé-Jean Auguste Berger de Castellan (1774-1853) Aide-de-camp to General Brune.
![[TREATY OF PARIS]: MURRAY GEORGE (1772-1846) British Soldier & Politician, Chief of Staff to the Army of Occupation in France](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/3d1efb42-d105-4f52-beb8-ab6c01265f3c/d6e06928-5c14-4143-99bb-ab6d00b9bd93/468x382.jpg)
[TREATY OF PARIS]: MURRAY GEORGE (1772-1846) British Soldier & Politician, Chief of Staff to the Army of Occupation in France following Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. L.S., G. Murray, three pages, small folio, Cambray, 4th June 1817, to 'My Lord'. Murray announces 'It has been agreed upon with Count Woronzaw [Voronstov] that the Russian Troops about to move towards the Coast in place of Encamping shall occupy Cantonments between Bailleul and Bergues' and further informs his correspondent 'These Troops are to march in 5 Divisions (or Columns) and it is at present intended that the movement shall take place so as that the first Division may arrive in its Cantonment upon the 27th of June, and the following Divisions on the next succeeding days', further enclosing a note of the Cantonments in which the troops will be accommodated in the march, asking that the arrangements be submitted to Sir Henry Fane ('in order that he may be so good as cause the British Cavalry to vacate in time') and concluding 'Should there be any particular Quarters in the Cantonments to be taken up by the Russian Troops which it may be desirable should not be occupied by them, I beg you will transmit me a memorandum on the subject, and I shall request Count Woronzaw to give orders accordingly'. Together with the enclosures referred to, being two manuscript documents, three pages (total), folio, n.p., n.d. (June 1817), in French. The first is headed 'Emplacement des Colonnes Russes' and the second 'Marche Route des Troupes Russes', naming various villages (situated in the hinterland around Dunkirk) and their populations etc., and how they will be divided between the five Divisions, both signed at the conclusion by a Captain Moore, certifying that they are true extracts from the originals. Some light foxing, a few small tears and minor age wear, most noticeable to the letter which also has a small area of paper loss to the upper right corner of the first page, not affecting the text or signature. G, 3 £100-120 The present letter was signed just six days before the Treaty of Paris of 10th June 1817, which, fulfilling the Articles of the Congress of Vienna, was the third and final treaty drawn following Napoleon Bonaparte's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo on 18th June 1815. The troops referred to in the present letter and documents were presumably being withdrawn from France. Prince Mikhail Semyonovich Vorontsov (1782-1856) Russian Field Marshal, renowned for his success in the Napoleonic Wars. Sir Henry Fane (1778-1840) British General who commanded brigades under the Duke of Wellington.
BONAPARTE ELISA: (1777-1820) Grand Duchess of Tuscany 1809-14. Younger sister of Napoleon Bonaparte. Wife of Felix Baciocchi. A good L.S., 'Elisa', one page, small 4to, 15th December 1812, to the Minister of War, in French. Elisa gives him the information he needed 'about the alleged engaging attempts with the enemy on the Island of Elba…' It seems that there is no evidence to confirm General Duval's opinion. She further states 'General Duval's assumptions seem to be contradicted by some circumstances recalled in the attached report…'. And before concluding she states that if this would have happened 'the culprits would be immediately brought before a military commission…' Overall creasing with repair to verso. Together with Felix Baciocchi (1762-1841) General of the First French Empire, Prince of Lucca and Piombino. L.S., 'Félix', one page, folio, Massa, 20th January 1808, to the Crown treasurer of Westphalia, Monsieur Duchambon, in French. Félix regrets to see him leaving his post as Head Intendant of his House, and states 'moving to the service of the beloved Monarch to whom I am linked by the ties of blood, you remain close to me…' Folded. With blank integral leaf. Small overall age wear. About G, 2 £150-200 Henri Jacques Clarke (1765-1818) Marshal of France in 1816, one of six created under King Louis XVIII from 1815-24. Duc de Feltre and Minister of War under Napoleon.
NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. A very fine L.S., Napol (a good example of the Emperor's more complete signature, with a bold flourish), two pages, with gilt edges, 4to, Rambouillet, 10th September 1807, to Prince Eugene Napoleon ('Mon fils'), in French. The manuscript letter is in the hand of Napoleon's private secretary, Claude Francois de Meneval, and the Emperor states, 'I see, according to your latest report, that the 4th regiment of riflemen has 58 horses present, the 9th has 68 horses present, the 25th has 63 horses present' and continues to declare 'I don't know why these depots have so few horses when combined they have 674 men present', adding 'Nevertheless make sure you make as many of them as possible leave for Naples to strengthen the regiment there, and hasten their departure so that it can take place on the 1st of October'. Napoleon further asks his son to consider reinforcing the Naples army, instructing 'Prepare for the following detachment: a captain, a lieutenant, a second-lieutenant, and 14 men from the Light Infantry Regiment. Same for the 1st Regiment of Line Infantry. I already gave you orders for the 6th regiment based in Corfu. Same for the 10th Line Infantry Regiment, for the 22nd and 20th Light Infantry, and for the 52nd, 62nd, 101st Regiments of the Foreign Legion, which will be 27000 men in total' and concluding 'I wish for these 27000 men to be ready on the 1st October, to go to Ancona, and from there to Naples. They can march with the 900 cavalry men'. With blank integral leaf. A letter of fine military content and good association and featuring a scarce example of Napoleon's signature. About EX £2500-3500 Eugene de Beauharnais (1781-1824) Duke of Leuchtenberg. French Prince, the first child and only son of Empress Josephine, the first wife of Napoleon I, by her marriage to Alexandre de Beauharnais. Napoleon formally adopted Eugene as his son. Regarded by historians as the ablest of Napoleon's relatives, Prince Eugene commanded the Army of Italy and served as Viceroy of Italy under his stepfather.
NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. A good L.S., Nap, one page, 4to, St. Cloud, 27th April 1811, to the Duc de Feltre, in French. Napoleon instructs `Order that the 11th regiment of Hussars supply 20 former Hussars, all from Holland, to complete the 2nd Regiment of Lancers of the Imperial Guard.´ Accompanied by the small 12mo holograph receipt, pinned to the bottom left corner. VG £1000-1500 Henri Jacques Guillaume Clarke (1765-1818) Marshal of France in 1816, one of six created under King Louis XVIII from 1815-24. Duc de Feltre and Minister of War under Napoleon.The 2nd Régiment of Light Cavalry, Lancers of the Imperial Guard, also known as the Red Lanciers ("Lanciers Rouges"), was a light cavalry regiment in Napoleon´s Imperial Guard. They were formed in 1810, after the Kingdom of Holland was annexed by France, being their original purpose to serve as Hussars of the Dutch Royal Guard. The units were of an elite order, and were known for their loyalty and military might. Their first campaign would be the Russian campaign of 1812, suffering enormous losses against the Cossacks and under extremely hard weather conditions.
JOSEPHINE DE BEAUHARNAIS: (1763-1814) Empress of the French 1804-14, as first wife of Napoleon I. L.S., `Josephine´, one page, 4to, Chateau de Malmaison, 6th November 1812, to the Minister of war, in French. Josephine asks her correspondent to attend her request regarding Sieur Fizelier, stating in part `..I attach his services report. He asks for an upgrade appointment in the corps where he is serving, and I recommend him…´ Folded, with left border repaired to the verso, otherwise G £800-1200 Henri Jacques Guillaume Clarke (1765-1818) Marshal of France in 1816, one of six created under King Louis XVIII from 1815-24. Duc de Feltre and Minister of War under Napoleon.
Napoléon I to his brother Joseph, King of Spain, on his arrival to Spain.`..preside yourself the first victory, announcing your arrival to Spain with a major event, and making the battle be followed by words of peace..´And in his hand,`Do not worry, you will not miss any thing… Be cheerful, and most of all take care of yourself. Reach Madrid.´ NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. An exceptional and rare L.S., `Napoleon´, with a four lines autograph annotation in the hand of Napoleon at the conclusion, four pages, 4to, Bayonne, 13th July 1808, to his brother the King of Spain, Joseph Napoleon, in French. An excellent military content letter with an unusually lengthy annotation by Napoleon, signed with his full name, a good signature example. The Peninsular war started with the 2nd of May 1808 uprising, only two months before the present letter was written, when France turned on Spain, previously its ally. Napoleon states in part `.. One of the four millions that you have here has departed yesterday evening under the escort of Tascher. The other three will depart tomorrow, with an infantry escort. This way you will have on the 16th in Vitoria, four millions, 3 to 400 cavaliers, and one thousand infantry men. All necessary in Vitoria.´ Napoleon further refers to `Marshal Bessieres is today, with all his troops gathered at Medina de Rio Seco. Most probably on 15th May the battle against La Cuesta will take place..´, and to the French troops in Burgos, saying `..you will march with your reserve troops to Marshal Bessieres´ camp, to reinforce his position and to preside yourself the first victory, announcing your arrival to Spain with a major event, and making the battle be followed with words by peace..´ further again, Napoleon shows his discontent with General Savary, stating `..The military positions of the French armies in Spain was excellent. In the war a false positioning changes everything. It is still a good one; but, against my opinion, Savary has disseminated the division…You will find attached the orders which I have just dictated to General Bertrand for General Savary, where the army position is described considering all scenarios. Keep this copy. When you will learn that General Bessieres has defeated La Cuesta, your position will be better than ever.´ Napoleon further refers to the French armies and his Generals in several Spanish cities. And beneath his signature Napoleon, in his hand, adds a post-scriptum stating `Do not worry, you will not miss any thing. General Reille, my aide-de-camp, will send tomorrow 10.000 men to Figueres in Catalonia. Be cheerful, and most of all take care of yourself. Reach Madrid.´ One of Napoleon´s lengthier and most important letters to come to the autograph market, with exceptional content, showing how Napoleon was planning and considering meticulously any small eventuality, guiding his brother the King of Spain, step by step, instructing him how to act on each occasion, while still showing him his affection. Overall age wear and creasing. Professionally repaired with reinforced paper, only affecting the reading of few words. F to G £6000-9000 Joseph Bonaparte (1768-1844) King of Naples and Sicily (1806-08) and later King of Spain (1808-13, as Jose I). Elder brother of Napoleon Bonaparte.Jean-Baptiste Bessieres (1768-1813) Marshal of France, Duc d´ Istria.Gregorio Garcia de la Cuesta (1741-1811) Spanish General of the Peninsular War. Garcia de la Cuesta together with Lieutenant-General Blake, were defeated on 14th July at the Battle of Medina de Rio Seco. Napoleon had predicted on the present letter that the victory would take place a day later.Anne Jean-Marie Savary (1774-1833) French general under revolution and Empire and minister of Police. In 1805, shortly before the Battle of Austerlitz, he was sent by Napoleon with a message to the emperor Alexander I with a request for an armistice. In 1808, Savary induced Ferdinand VII, King of Spain, to cross the Pyrenees and go to Bayonne, a decision which cost him his crown and his liberty until 1814. In 1812, the day before the Malet coup d´etat, Malet arrested Savary who was close to be killed by General Guidal. Savary was among the last to desert the Emperor at the time of his abdication, and among the first to welcome his return.Henri-Gatien, Count Bertrand (1773-1844) French General. Grand Marshal of the palace since November 1813, title given to refer to the leader of the Military Household of the Emperor. The responsibilities of his position included: keeping accounts of the expenses and ensuring the security of the household. He exercised his duties during the last days of the Empire as well as in exile on the islands of Elba and Saint Helena, up until the death of the Emperor.
![[GUILBERT YVETTE]: (1865-1944) French Cabaret Singer & Actress of the Belle Epoque. An interesting A.L.S., Schiller, by her h](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/3d1efb42-d105-4f52-beb8-ab6c01265f3c/4dfbf237-15ef-4a17-8fec-ab6d00b5f1f9/468x382.jpg)
[GUILBERT YVETTE]: (1865-1944) French Cabaret Singer & Actress of the Belle Epoque. An interesting A.L.S., Schiller, by her husband Dr. Max Schiller (1860-1952), three pages, 8vo, Badgastein, 16th July 1932, to 'Dearest friends' (apparently a physician, Sir Henry, and his wife), on the printed stationery of the Grand Hotel de L'Europe. Schiller announces 'It is worth while to get the Croix de la Legion d'Honneur if it gives you a chance to hear from so very dear friends' and continues to add that he and Guilbert are in Badgastein to heal their rheumatism, remarking 'Yvette has it almost continually and I have every year my two attacks of sciatica. I do not complain with 71 years on his shoulders one has to be satisfied and as to Yvette her rheumatism does not prevent her to do as she is used to do an immense, immense work. But she is well rewarded. I do not speak of the Croix de la Legion. Her reward is a continuous success. We finished before leaving Paris a series of almost consecutive ten concerts in Paris which were all sold out. It looked as if Paris had seen her for the first time. And then she looks wonderful, well and hardly shows her age. It must be certainly the effect of Sir Henry's treatment years ago'. Schiller adds that they had intended to go to London to appear at the St. Martin's Theatre, but decided against it, and attempts to persuade his correspondents to visit, 'I wish you and the Doctor would make up your mind and to spend here a few weeks. The waters are so rejuvenating…..Sir Henry would return to England a new born man and his patients would have a new Doctor, although he did not "buy British"…..on the way to or back from Gastein you could see a few magnificent performances in Salzburg which would fill with joy your "theatrical" heart'. Some very light, minor creasing and one small split to the edge of a fold, VG £80-100 Yvette Guilbert had been awarded the Legion d'Honneur, as the Ambassadress of French Song, on 9th July 1932, just a week before the present letter was written.
![[CHARIOTS OF FIRE]: ABRAHAMS HAROLD: (1899-1978) British Athlete, Olympic Gold Medallist in the 100 metres sprint at the 1924](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/3d1efb42-d105-4f52-beb8-ab6c01265f3c/9fb9ef49-f690-4483-9888-ab6d00b55872/468x382.jpg)
[CHARIOTS OF FIRE]: ABRAHAMS HAROLD: (1899-1978) British Athlete, Olympic Gold Medallist in the 100 metres sprint at the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. Abrahams was immortalised in the film Chariots of Fire (1981). A vintage 8vo printed menu card for a Dinner given to Sportsmen in the News by the International Sports Fellowship at the Hotel Russell, London, on 17th October 1953, signed ('Harold M. Abrahams') by Abrahams in blue ink with his name alone to the verso and further signed by over fifteen other sportsmen and women including the athletes Roger Bannister (the first man in history to run the mile in less than four minutes), Christopher Chataway (pacemaker to Bannister) and Jim Peters, the footballer Joe Mercer and the cricketers W. Stuart Surridge, Alec Bedser, Eric Bedser and Alf Gover etc. All have signed in bold fountain pen inks or pencil. VG £100-120
POWELL KENNETH: (1885-1915) British Athlete and Tennis Player who competed in the 1908 & 1912 Summer Olympics as well as at the Wimbledon Championships. Killed in action at Ypres during the First World War. Rare A.L.S., Kenneth Powell, one page, 8vo, Reigate, 4th May 1913, to [Percy] Rootham. Powell informs his correspondent, in full, 'Please accept this (enclosure no longer present) from me as an expression of thanks for what you have done for the Surrey Clubs.' Annotated and initialled in pencil at the foot by Rootham, '(Enclosing a copy of the Redhill L.T.C. for 1913)'. Autographs of Powell are rare as a result of him being killed in action at the young age of 29. Some light overall age wear and minor traces of former mounting to the verso. Together with a multiple signed 8vo sheet of printed stationery from the Ranelagh Club, Barnes, by the original nine members of the University of Oxford crew who participated in the Boat Race of 1939, comprising Richard Burnell (Olympic Gold medallist in 1948), George Huse, J. L. Garton, A. G. Slemeck, R. R. Stewart, Frank Waldron, H. A. W. Forbes, R. M. A. Bourne (replaced by J. R. Bingham in the actual race owing to injury) and H. P. V. Massey. All have signed with their names alone in fountain pen inks. Neatly laid down to a page removed from an album. About VG, 2 £100-150 Percy Rootham (1872-1939) British Vice President of the Lawn Tennis Association 1923-39.
LENNON & ONO: LENNON JOHN (1940-1980) English Musician, a member of The Beatles & ONO YOKO (1933- ) Japanese Artist, Singer & Peace Activist, wife of John Lennon 1969-80. A rare signed and inscribed album record sleeve by both Lennon and Ono individually for Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins (1968), being the first of three experimental albums by Lennon and Ono released with Apple Records and parent company EMI. Contained in the original cellophane wrapper and signed by Lennon and Ono individually in black inks with their first names (Lennon adding an inscription in his hand, ‘Greg – love’) directly beneath the controversial front cover image depicting the couple standing together in full length naked poses. Framed and glazed in a plain black frame to an overall size of 15.5 x 15.5. Together with a selection of unsigned related material and printed ephemera including the Wedding Album (1969) box set, being the third and final experimental albums recorded by Lennon and Ono, a white vinyl Bagism slip sleeve containing a cardstock image of a single slice of wedding cake, two printed folding booklets of images and newspaper reports of Lennon & Ono entitled The Wedding and The Press, a printed double-sided folding booklet of Lennon & Ono’s cartoon drawings recounting the story of their wedding, two postcards of the couple, several single records, an 8vo printed War Is Over! Christmas card etc. Some light overall age wear, generally about VG, Sml. Qty. £2000-3000 Provenance: The present album was signed and inscribed by Lennon and Ono for Greg Sams (1948- ) American-born Fractal Artist, Author & Publisher who, in 1968, opened SEED, a macrobiotic restaurant in London which became popular in the psychedelic scene in the late 1960s and was frequented by John Lennon (who drew a cartoon about his experiences there) and Yoko Ono.
ROSS DIANA: (1944- ) American Singer, Songwriter and Actress. Vintage signed and inscribed 3.5 x 2.5 photograph by Diana Ross and The Supremes, Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong, individually, the image depicting the all-female Motown singing group of the late 1960s in head and shoulders poses together. Signed by Ross in full, adding Supremes in her hand beneath her signature, and signed by Wilson and Birdsong with their first names, the latter adding the date 1967 in her hand. Each of the signatures are in bold black inks to clear areas of the image. Some very minor, light ink bleeding, VG £100-150
SAINT-SAËNS CAMILLE: (1835-1921) French Composer. A good A.L.S., `C. Saint-Saëns´, three pages, 8vo, n.p., 18th December 1904, on Saint-Saëns printed stationery, to Pauline Viardot, in French. Saint-Saëns states in part `My dear friend, I have given a recommendation letter addressed to you for Mme B. Gianoli who has recently sang two of my works on concert. It is a small woman, with not a really great voice but who has a talent of first rank, an unusual musical intelligence and an even more extraordinary modesty. Her dream would be to get some advices from you…´ The letter bears to the upper left corner a blind embossed seal with the composer´s initials. One very small stain not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG £150-200 Pauline Viardot (1821-1910) French Mezzo-Soprano and pedagogue of Spanish descent. A leading figure opera singer figure.
FRENCH COMPOSERS: A good selection of three A.Ls.S., by French Composers, comprising LEO DELIBES (1836-1891) A.L.S., Léo Delibes, one page, small 8vo, Rue de Rivoli, Paris, Thursday, n.d., in French. Delibes states in part `Would you allow me, as member of the jury of the city of Paris, and even more as friend, to ask you for a seat for me this evening?´; EMMANUEL CHABRIER (1841-1894) A.N.S., `Emmanuel Ch.´, one page, 8vo, being a card letter postmarked and post-stamped, Paris, 28th July 1888, to Catulle Mendes, in French. Chabrier explains the reason why he will be for 48 hours in Paris, and suggests appointment for lunch on Sunday;and DANIEL AUBER (1782-1871) A.L.S., `Auber´, one page, small 8vo, n.p., 15th January 1843, in French. Auber states in part `..it was only yesterday that I learnt what happened yesterday morning regarding Monsieur Rosman, In the meantime and until the first committee meeting takes place, I send you a lodge pass…´ With blank integral leaf. G, 3 £150-200 Catulle Mendes (1841-1909) French Poet
ROSSINI GIOACHINO: (1792-1868) Italian Composer. A rare and excellent D.S., `Gioachino Rossini´, two pages, 4to, thin paper, Paris, 15th March 1866, in Italian. The partially printed document being the official application form presented to register the copyright of one of his operas Le Siege de Corinthe in Milan, Italy. The document states in part `Gioachino Rossini intending to formally reserve the rights due to the author, according to the law from 25th June 1865, presents the opera with grand score for orchestra..´ Rossini signs beneath the opera title `L´assedio dil Corinto´, and the date of the premiere “1826”. Signed at the base by the prefect secretary. Bearing an official taxation stamp to the upper left front corner and two ink stamps of the Italian ministry to the front and verso. Also bearing to the verso a contemporary registry annotation related to Rossini and his opera, dated in Florence, on 1st of May 1866. Very small hole not affecting the text or signature, and very small tear to the bottom edge, otherwise G £600-900 Le Siege de Corinthe (1826) is a three acts opera by Rossini premiered in Paris in 1826, and was Rossini´s first French opera..
DONIZETTI GAETANO: (1797-1848) Italian Composer. An excellent A.L.S., G. Donizetti, one page, 4to, Naples, 28th July 1836, to Signor Severini, at Theatre Italien, in Italian. The composer refers to his opera Lucia di Lammermoor (1835), stating in part `I receive a letter from Paris informing me that you wish to perform this year my Lucia di Lammermoor and because the only owner is here in Naples, Sign Cottran, who reports not having received any request of the musical scores from Paris..´ further advising his correspondent to contact Cottran to negotiate the agreement on the Lucia´s scores. Hand-addressed by Donizetti to the verso, bearing several ink stamps. Overall creasing, with professional repairs to the verso. About G £1500-2000 Lucia di Lammermoor (1835) is an opera by Donizetti, premiered at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples. The present letter is written only 9 months after its first performance. The opera would not be performed in Paris until 1839.
`As a pianist, I have had a great success here..´ BARTOK BELA: (1881 - 1945) Hungarian Composer. A very interesting A.L.S., Bartok Bela, to the front of a postcard, one page, dated in his hand, Manchester, 23rd February 1904, to Gardony, in Czech. Bartok, in his small writing, and upside down, refers to his first musical performances of Kossuth, and states in part `…It looks like my sonate has been more appreciated by the public in Vienna than in Pest. There is a big silence from critics..´ further saying `As a pianist, I have had a great success here, and I only got positive critics. But on the other hand they find plenty of defaults with Kossuth, although they admit that it is a special composition.. I will leave and go to London where I will stay few days, and further to Berlin for two months..´ Postmarked and post-stamped to verso, with addressee in Bartok´s hand. To the front the postcard shows an image of the Manchester Town Hall. Very small overall minor age wear, otherwise G £2500-3500 Kossuth (1904) is a symphonic poem by Bartok, composed as a tribute to Hungarian politician and hero of the revolution Lajos Kossuth (1802-1894). Premiered in Budapest on 13th January 1904. It was performed a month later in Manchester, the 18th February 1904, under the direction of conductor Hans Richter (1843-1916). Kossuth was Bartok´s first important orchestral work.
SHOSTAKOVICH DMITRI: (1906-1975) Russian Composer. An excellent and very rare signed musical score, with multiple annotations in Shostakovich´s hand, being an original copy of the score for his 14th Symphony, offered by the Russian composer to his biographer, the day before its premiere. Printed musical score signed `D. Shostakovich´, in Cyrillic, one hundred and sixty pages, folio, Leningrad, September 1969, in Cyrillic. Signed by the author to the first page, also adding multiple annotations, corrections, tempos, words and musical notes in his hand, in red ink, to over twenty five pages. The present score wa offered by Shostakovich to his biographer and musicologist Marina Sabinina. To the last inside blank page, Sabinina annotates and signs in Cyrillic, `I received this musical score from Dmitri Shostakovich, the day before the performance of the premiere of the symphony, with his annotations. M. Sabibina. 4th July 1999. I offer it to Volodia Hofmann, son of my old friend and colleague Rotislav Modestovich. M.C´. Bounded in a semi-rigid grey leather cover. Small overall age wear, mostly to cover, otherwise G to VG £2500-3500 The Symphony No. 14, Op. 135, by Dmitri Shostakovich (1969), is a work for soprano, bass and a small string orchestra with percussion, consisting of eleven linked settings of poems by four authors. Most of the poems deal with the theme of death, particularly that of unjust or early death. The symphony is dedicated to English Composer Benjamin Britten (1913-1976).The Symphony was a creative response to Modest Mussorgsky´s Songs and Dances of Death, which Shostakovich had orchestrated in 1962. Like Mussorgsky, Shostakovich brings back the subject of death in various images and situations. The Mussorgsky cycle contains four songs. Shostakovich added eleven poems by Federico Garcia Lorca, Guillaume Apollinaire, Wilhelm Kuchelbecker and Rainer Maria Rilke.Shostakovich attached great importance to this work, commenting in a letter: "Everything that I have written until now over these long years has been a preparation for this work."
MENUHIN YEHUDI: (1916-1999) American-born British Violinist. Two good signed photographs by Menuhin. The first being an unusual signed and inscribed 10 x 7.5 photograph `To James, recalling our many pleasant days at Shepherd's Bush, Menuhin´, the fine image by Gainsborough, depicting Menuhin holding his violin in a half-length pose, and smiling over a score on the piano, with Gerald Moore (1899-1987), English Pianist. Signed in purple ink to a largely dark area at the base of the image, with inscription difficult to read, also dated July [1945] in his hand. Together with a signed colour 4 x 6 photograph, `Yehudi Menuhin´, showing Menuhin in a close-up head and shoulders pose. Signed in bold black ink to the lower white border. G to VG, 2 £120-150
MAUREL VICTOR: (1848-1923) French Baritone. Rare A.L.S., `V.or Maurel´, four pages, 8vo, Paris, 15th August 1897, to Monsieur Litta, in French. Maurel first mentions the travelling that his correspondent´s letter did, stating `Your 2nd of August letter wandered from city to city before reaching me, first Paris, then Bayreuth, Munich, Nuremberg, Stuttgart and finally Paris again, where I got it last night. It was stupid clerk the one who caused..´, further referring to a performance issue with impresarios and future plans, stating in part `I believe that you will not regret the decision you have made, since the Don Juan affair seems to have taken a good turn…. Right on the spot and within a few days we could work out a good libretto, and as you correctly state, we could return in Spring with a theatrical work which we could stage immediately.´ Maurel adds two post-scriptums, and states to the second `I have written an article about Wagner and Bayreuth. It will be published on Wednesday on the Le Gaulois. Read it. I think that you will find it interesting.´ VG £200-300
PACQUIAO MANNY: (1978- ) Filipino professional Boxer and Politician. Widely considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. He is the only eight-division world champion in the history of boxing having won twelve major world titles. Pacquiao is also the first boxer in history to win major world titles in four of the eight "glamour divisions" of boxing. A good signed white MP Team Pacquiao boxing glove, `Manny Pacquiao´, in bold black ink. Attractively mounted alongside two colour 6 x 8 and 8 x 6 photographs, the images showing Pacquiao boxing and holding his championship gold belt. Black frame covered with a relief hard plastic to an overall of 22 x 19 (55 cm x 48 cm). VG £100-150
FORMULA ONE:An excellent selection of signed photographs by Formula one racing Drivers, comprising MICHAEL SCHUMACHER (1969- ) German Motor Racing Driver. Formula One World Champion 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 & 2004. Signed colour postcard photograph of Schumacher, the image depicting the German driver in a head and shoulders pose wearing his Ferrari racing overall; MIKA HAKKINEN (1968- ) Finnish racing Driver. Formula One World Champion 1998 & 1999. Signed colour postcard photograph of Hakkinen, the promotional Mercedes Benz image depicting the Finnish driver in a head and shoulders pose wearing his Mercedes racing overall; Niki Lauda (1949-2019) Austrian racing Driver. Formula One World Champion 1975, 1977 & 1984. He is the only driver in F1 history to have been champion for both Ferrari and McLaren. Signed colour postcard photograph, the image depicting Lauda in a head and shoulders pose in his F1 racing car; and a multiple signed 8 x 4 promotional card of SMP Racing, the image showing the team pilots Jenson Button (1980- ) British racing Driver, Formula One World Champion in 2009, Mikhail Aleshin (1987- ) Russian racing Driver, and Vitaly Petrov (1984- ) Russian racing Driver. First Russian to compete in Formula One. All are boldly signed to clear areas of the images. EX, 4 £100-150
GUITRY SACHA: (1885-1957) French Actor & Director. An excellent and very interesting lengthy Manuscript in Guitry´s hand, n,p., n.d., eighty pages (80), 4to, in French. Written to front pages, either in pencil, or ink, or even some typed, the draft contains multiple side annotations, amendments, crossed paragraphs, etc.. The manuscript is a vibrant advocacy in favour of Theatre and actors, denigrating the cinema which he considers a threat. To the first page and sentence Guitry states `Ladies and Gentlemen, the Theatre according to me is neither a job nor a profession, not even an art… It is a passion!´ further saying in part `..imagine the anxiety of a man of theater who watches the spectators deserting the theatre halls.. they settle for cinematography, for this dying image, without relief, without colour, plane and which is in fact the reproduction of a travesty… The theatre at this time is only risking one thing, to become again an Art, as it was time ago… Why don´t you applaud a singer who has just sang on your television screen? Because he has not taken the risk to fail his natural G, and he can´t fail… Therefore no interest…And once the film is produced, you cannot change anything anymore… The cinema cannot replace the theatre in the same way the photography could not replace the painting…´ Guitry reproduces a dialogue of a playwright and states `Do you realize the difficulty of playing such an irresistible dialogue scene of Courteline in a film? An actor cannot know at which exact moment and for how long the spectators will be laughing…actors on scene can stop when they want..´ An extremely interesting and lengthy manuscript, full of curious and unexpected comments and comparisons, `..the best two actors who ever existed are Shakespeare and Moliere, both comedians. Because they were not actors playing their playwrights, no, they were comedians who realizing that the existing playwrights were bad, they decided, thanks god, to write them themselves!´, Guitry also refers on several occasions to his father´s comments and thoughts, mentioning playwrights, one of his own that he is about to play `Un homme d´hier et une femme d´aujourd´hui´ (`A man of yesterday time and a woman of today´), also referring to religion and actors `When Adrienne Lecouvreur died, this admirable tragedian passed away on the same week that a famous English actress died, Anna Oldfield. And while the English actress was buried at Westminster, the French tragedian was refused the ecclesiastical burial, and was buried during the night in a wasteland.´ Small overall age wear, otherwise G £2500-3500
MONET CLAUDE: (1840-1926) French Impressionist Painter. A good A.L.S., `Claude Monet´, two pages, 8vo, Paris, 8th January 1908, written in pencil to the first and third page of the double 8vo printed stationery of the Hotel Terminus in Paris, to Gustave Geffroy, in French. Monet states in part `I would have wanted to tell you about my emotions for the admirable painting, my wife also would have been happy to congratulate you, but we are old, my wife was tired…´ further saying `We will be shortly going back home, and I have again intended to go and tell you how many beautiful things I found in these ten paintings, and to thank you for the joy we have experienced.´ Accompanied by the original printed stationery envelope, post-stamped. Folded, with overall creasing and tear to the fold. G £2500-3500
A calligraphic drawing by Matisse MATISSE HENRI: (1869-1954) French Artist. Unusual and very attractive autograph short poem-canticle, with drawing, one page, oblong folio, n.p., n.d., in French. Matisse has drawn a first and large capital letter, coloured to the inside, stating `Loué, sois-tu, Monseigneur, Pour Soeur Onde, Laquelle est bien utile et humble et précieuse et chaste.´ Beneath the large letters written text, Matisse has drawn six waving lines. Two small stains to the left border. The page bears an “Imperial Japan paper” watermark. VG £2000-3000 The written text corresponds, with few small changes, to a canticle, the “Letter to the faithful” by Saint Francis of Assis.
CHAGALL MARC: (1887-1985) Russian-born French Artist. A fine T.L.S., `Marc Chagall´, a good and bold signature example, one page, 4to, Vence, 20th February 1951, on his personal printed stationery from “Les Collines”, Vence, to a magazine editor, in French. Chagall thanks very much his correspondent for `… the last publication of your magazine “Neuf”, including an article about me written by Michel Ragon… I like very much your magazine, and I was happy to have the opportunity of reading it for the first time…´ Paper with a Montgolfier watermark. Folded. VG £400-600
DISNEY WALT: (1901-1966) American Animator, Academy Award winner. An excellent vintage signed and inscribed 14 x 11 photograph, the image depicting Disney seated in a three quarter length pose at the steering wheel of a buggy, presumably within the grounds of Disneyland. At his side the American actress Carol Channing and French actor and entertainer Maurice Chevalier can be seen seated in three quarter length poses. Signed by Disney in bold black ink to the image, and inscribed to Chevalier, 'To Maurice, Avec Mon Appreciation, Walt Disney' and also signed and inscribed by Channing to Chevalier, 'Maurice dearest, How lucky can a girl get?...being between the first Gentlemen of France and America! With devotion and xxx's, Carol Channing'. A rare signed photograph with excellent associations. Some light surface and corner creasing, otherwise VG £1200-1800
PICASSO PABLO: (1881-1973) Spanish Painter, a co-founder of the Cubist movement.. A very good T.L.S., signed twice `Picasso´, one page, 4to, Paris, 20th May 1930, to Monsieur Labert Skira, Editor in Lausanne, in French. The typed document being a contract according to which Picasso agrees to `..supply 15 original etchings, in addition to the ones previously requested last April 13th. These etchings will illustrate….´ The contract gives specific information regarding sizes, chapters, etc.. further stating `The title of the Ovid work “Metamorphoses”. The total price for the fifteen boards one hundred and fifty thousand francs..´ The document further refers to the artist copies that will be given to Picasso and to the additional material that Picasso will forward to the editors. At the base and beneath Picasso´signature, the document bears a hand written additional clause stating that included in the price are five additional original drawings to be shown on the de luxe five copies to edit. Picasso signs a second time beneath this additional clause, approving it. EX £2500-3500 Les Métamorphoses d´Ovide, was the first art work edited by Albert Skira, which contained thirty etchings by Picasso. Printed on the occasion of Picasso´s fiftieth birthday, 25th October 1931, only 145 copies were printed.
PICASSO PABLO: (1881-1973) Spanish Painter, a co-founder of the Cubist movement. An excellent and unusual signed collage with sketch by Picasso, to an oblong 8 x 5 page. The original ballpoint sketch, signed `Picasso´, showing two hearts with an arrow passing through them to the left border, also featuring to the centre a very lightly affixed to the upper edge colour 3 x 2 paper magazine photograph depicting Picasso kissing his wife Jacqueline. Also signed by his wife `Jacqueline´ to the bottom right corner. Picasso was the first to use the collage technique as an element in oil paintings. Mounted and matted to an overall size of 12 x 9. Very small overall minor age wear, and few very small stains. G £6000-9000
An original Picasso drawing of a Christmas Dinner offered to his friends PICASSO PABLO: (1881-1973) Spanish Painter. An exceptional illustrated A.L.S., Olga et Picasso (also signing on behalf of his first wife), to one side of a picture postcard depicting a Christmas winter scene to the recto, Paris, 2nd January 1919, to Mr & Mrs [Henri] Defossé, at the Coliseum Theatre in London, in French. At the head of the letter Picasso has executed a wonderful, charming original pen and ink drawing of a Christmas dinner, apparently for four people with a turkey, two bottles of wine accompanied by four glasses and several bunches of grapes and other fruits laid out on a table. A decorative, dark flowing line adorns the upper part of the exquisite drawing with the year 1919 at the head. Beneath his drawing Picasso writes a brief message to his friends, presenting them with the Christmas dinner, ‘Dear friends, here you have, with this well-served table, our best wishes’, also adding the address of his Parisian home and workshop at Rue la Boetie in his hand beneath his signature. Such detailed original ink drawings by Picasso, particularly from this earlier stage of his career, rarely appear at auction and the present example is enhanced by an interesting association. Some very minor, light age wear, otherwise VG Henri Defossé (1883-1956) French Conductor, Pianist & Composer. Sergei Diaghilev’s favourite conductor, Defossé was chosen to lead the Ballets Russe at London’s Coliseum Theatre in 1918 & 1919. Olga Khokhlova (1891-1955) Russian Ballet Dancer, the first wife of Pablo Picasso and one of his early artistic muses. Khokhlova first met Picasso whilst dancing in Diaghilev’s Parade in 1917 for which the artist had designed the set and costumes. They married in July 1918 and in July the following year they travelled to London together for the performance of Diaghilev’s Le Tricorne for which Picasso had again designed the costumes and stage.
‘Dali plunges and digs in his nails, his fingers, his hands, his fists, his arms and his shoulders…’ DALI SALVADOR: (1904-1989) Spanish Surrealist Painter. A fine original illustrated autograph manuscript signed ('Salvador Dali') in the third person in the body of the text, two pages, n.p. (Paris?), n.d. (1930s), in French, on the folding letter stationery of the Le Colisee bar and grill on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Penned in dark fountain pen ink, Dali commences his surrealist manuscript by announcing 'And it is precisely into the invisible anxiety of the void, into these vast horizons filled with nothing, and into these truculently desert-like, three-dimensional continuums that Salvador Dali plunges and digs in his nails, his fingers, his hands, his fists, his arms and his shoulders, to make himself remember until his ecstatic soul springs forth through his mouth' and continues 'And I repeat that if the man says that proto-erotic idea comes to overwhelm the void, this same man at the very moment where the artist's coefficients make him reach the highest hierarchy of conscience, of the materiality of his love, this same man, I repeat, at the very moment where he thinks he is expecting with his arms, his thighs, his saliva, and his very back the true anguish of the void of his love, this man, I am repeating for the third time, will feel how he is falling from his excess into the precipice, into the void of ejaculation (or) actually onto that which is nothing else but the very delicate material of which ecstasy is made', concluding 'M A Rebuc holds on to the sign of biology, of morphology, and of the aesthetic ecstasy in the ejaculatory sense of the word'. To the lower half of the second page of the manuscript appear two rows of original surrealist pen and ink drawings which illustrate, variously, an eyeball on the top of a column, various facial features including a nose and lips, a chess pawn, the profiles of two women wearing large hats and various twisted, tortured-looking objects, perhaps human organs. A rare illustrated manuscript. A couple of minor ink blots to the first page slightly obscure a few words of text, although do not affect the signature or illustrations. About VG £6000-8000
AUTOGRAPH ALBUM: An unusual autograph album in the form of a 12mo hardback edition of The Ghosts of My Friends, arranged by Cecil Henland, First Edition published by Dow and Lester, London, 1910. The book contains the directions to 'Sign your name along the fold of the paper with a full pen of ink, and then double the page over without using blotting paper', the resulting image, or 'ghosts', some of which are quite attractive, being reminiscent of Rorschach inkblots. The present book is almost complete with over forty entries in bold purple or black fountain pen inks and includes examples by a variety of French individuals including Jean Richepin, Marcel Boulenger, Jeanne Granier, George Barbier, Henri Barbusse, Cecile Sorel, Marie Laurencin and Colette (2). The majority of pages are also dated (between 1910 and 1929) and are also signed again by the individuals at the base. Bound in the original blue publisher's cloth with an inlaid picture to the cover and gilt stamped title to the cover and spine. Some light overall age wear and, as is to be expected, each of the pages with a light vertical fold to the centre. About VG £200-300
ENSOR JAMES: (1860-1949) Baron Ensor. Belgian Painter. An important figure on expressionism and surrealism, associated with the group “Les XX”. A good A.L.S., `J.Ensor´, a bold ink signature, one page, 8vo, Ostende, 3rd September 1911, to Robert Goldschmidt, Brussels, in French. Ensor sends a request to his correspondent regarding his paintings in possession of Goldschmidt, stating `Mr. Van Missiel… would like to see your paintings. Can I ask you to show them to him…´ With two binder holes to the left border, not affecting the text or signature. About VG £300-400 Robert Goldschmidt (1877-1935) Belgian scientist and polymath. First to propose the standardized microfilm. Goldschmidt was also co-founder of the first regular radio concert broadcasts in Europe..
LARSSON CARL: (1853-1919) Swedish Painter. Best known for his watercolors of idyllic family life. An excellent A.L.S., `Carl Larsson´, a bold and large good signature example, three pages, 8vo, Goteborg, 11th October 1892, to Coquelin, in French. Larsson thanks his correspondent for his generosity and states in part `.."The good God will return it to you" says a refrain of a French ditty that I remember… we must first measure your ceiling.. And the price? Do I know it? A thousand francs? Such money which you mention referring to a watercolor will not wait for long. Will be soon in my pockets, or in the ones of my suppliers unfortunately. I do not want to keep on mistreating your nice French language.´ Extremely small overall minor age wear, otherwise VG £250-350 The present letter is most probably addressed to Benoit-Constant Coquelin (1841-1909) known as Coquelin the Elder, a French Actor, a main contemporary theatrical figure.
ANNENKOV YURI: (1889-1974) Also known as Georges Annenkov. Russian Artist, mostly known for his book illustrations and portraits. He also worked for theatre and cinema. Maxim Gorky´s book, Samovar (1917) was his first work as a book designer. An excellent autograph statement signed, one page, folio, n.p., 18th September 1958, in French. The autograph statement states `Le peintre doit être ou un richard ou un clochard; les conditions moyennes ne s´accordent pas avec la vie de l´Artiste.´ (`The painter must be either a nob or a tramp; standard average conditions do not match with the Artist´s life.´ The letter bears a portrait sketch, an Annenkov´s portrait most probably, showing him in an old age head and shoulders pose. With a collector´s annotation to the upper border. VG £600-900
MILLAIS JOHN EVERETT: (1829-1896) English Painter, one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. A.L.S., J Everett Millais, one page, 8vo, Cromwell Place, South Kensington, 12th April 1869, to John Sedgwick. Millais states that he is in the first year of his Honorary Secretary ship of the Artists General Benevolent Fund and remarks 'I am very anxious that the receipts shall not fall short of other years, and I take the liberty of asking your best energy in the acquisition of subscriptions'. With blank integral leaf. Some very light, extremely minor traces of former mounting, VG £150-200
‘The living merit of the work made it stand out as among the most genuine creations in the gallery’ HUNT WILLIAM HOLMAN: (1827-1910) English Painter, one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. An interesting portion of a working Autograph Manuscript, unsigned, with corrections, two pages, oblong 8vo, n.p., n.d. (c.1906) The manuscript concerns Dante Gabriel Rossetti's painting Ecce Ancilla Domini (or The Annunciation) and a work by Raphael and states, in part, 'We will not presume in consent to lay down the law about his merits but I think there is no reason why I should not state my own view about one of his painting[s] which I saw at the National Gallery a few weeks since. It was a copying day. I had gone in mainly to see the new Raffaelle and I had seen it and had enjoyed the contemplation of many more of our precious possessions……In turning about to see that I was in nobody's way the picture of The Annunciation by Rossetti seemed to speak to me long forgotten words. I approached, it was being copied by two ladies, and I felt at once that they had made a wise selection. The living merit of the work made it stand out as among the most genuine creations in the gallery, and I distinctly concluded that there was no painting there done by hands so young as Rossetti's were when he did that, which could be compared to it. He was twenty one at the time, Raffaelle was twenty four when he painted the Ansidei Madonna. Raffaelle's picture altho' of course more complex, and having special value as containing evidence of the steps by which he reached his final excellence, is not to be compared to it for the difficulty of the attempt, or for the artis[try]'. The fragments are numbered 19 and 20 in red indelible pencil to the upper left corners and both have some light age wear, a few tears and minor areas of paper loss, none of which significantly affect the text. G £150-200 Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882) English Poet, Illustrator & Painter, a co-founder of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood with William Holman Hunt and John Everett Millais. Rossetti painted Ecce Ancilla Domini (or The Annunciation) in 1849-50, deliberately using a limited colour range. The oil painting received mixed reviews and was heavily criticised in some quarters when it was first exhibited in 1850 and Rossetti vowed never to show it in public again, continuing to work on it until 1853. It was then sold to Francis McCracken, an early patron of the Pre-Raphaelites, for £50 and the National Gallery of British Art (now Tate Britain) acquired the work in 1886. Raphael (1483-1520) Italian Painter & Architect of the High Renaissance. The present fragments are part of William Holman Hunt's original working manuscript for his work Pre-Raphaelitism and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, which was published by Macmillan, London, in 1906
GERTLER MARK: (1891-1939) British Painter. A scarce A.L.S., Mark, to the verso of a colour picture postcard featuring a reproduction of a painting by Rubens, Paris, 1932, to his aunt, Annie Gertler. The artist writes, in full, 'I heard from Minnie that Harry is better. I am very glad. I hope all goes well still. I will phone when I return to London. Love to all'. Together with an original sepia 4 x 5.5 photograph of Gertler standing outdoors in a full length pose accompanied by the writers and academics Hewy Levy, Walter J. Turner, Edward Arthur Milne, Ralph Hodgson, J. W. N. Sullivan and Samuel S. Koteliansky, who are seated and standing in two rows alongside the artist. The photograph, apparently taken in London in 1928, appears to be signed by several of the individuals to the verso (although not by Gertler himself). Also including a few pieces of unsigned printed ephemera comprising two different invitation cards to exhibitions of Gertler's works at The Leicester Galleries and Whitechapel Art Gallery in London and a small 8vo catalogue of the New Year Exhibition of Pictures, Drawings and Sculpture by Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Artists at The Leicester Galleries in London, January 1954, featuring works by L. S. Lowry, Ford Madox Brown, Frank Brangwyn, Amedeo Modiglaini, Augustus John, Graham Sutherland, Henry Moore, Stanley Spencer, Wyndham Lewis, Paul Signac, Alfred Sisley, Duncan Grant, Walter Sickert, Terry Frost, John Piper, Ben Nicholson, Edgar Degas and Mark Gertler amongst others. Further including a series of unsigned incomplete autograph letters and notes by Valentine Dobree (1894-1974, Indian-born English Artist, associated with the Bloomsbury Group and the lover of Gertler), four pages, 8vo, Richmond, n.d., to Mark Gertler, in ink and pencil. Dobree commences the first page of one letter 'Terms like the “aura of my disfigured mentality” and the “rigidity of puritanical labels” occur to me as the memory of my first confused correspondence sweeps into my mind like a dark cloud which flashed thunder……' further writing 'I experienced the fever & madness of love, then the idyllic strain of fanciful pleasure, which shocked me out of myself with its sweetness & unrealism. I descended to earth filled with the fright of you', and also adding a note in the margin, 'I know I never ought to right (sic) like this to you because you do not love me but you can decide for yourself whether you want me or not'. The other pages state, in part, 'The unconscious growth of nature creates shapes of life with an unpremidated (sic) spontanity (sic)….The Artist in you is mostly unconscious if it exists at all….sex is definitely unconscious liquid in the mind poisoning the grey matter…..I don't think anybody else has felt love like I have. It is because I have suppressed myself to such an extent that it has burst upon me…..'Some age wear and creasing, particularly evident to Gertler's postcard (which also has the postage stamp neatly removed), and a few small tears and areas of paper loss, FR to generally G, 9 £200-300
Busch’s original illustrations for Eine Milde Geschichte BUSCH WILHELM: (1832-1908) German Illustrator, Humorist, Poet and Painter, a cultural icon and influential source of inspiration for future generations of comic artists. An extremely rare and exceptional original comic strip drawn by Busch, eight pages, 8vo, n.p., n.d. (c. 1878), seven of the pages featuring two attractive sketches each, with brief captions beneath. The work is titled by Busch to the first page, in red crayon and with a flourish, `Eine milde Geschichte´ (“A mild Story”), being a comic strip corresponding to his work “Haarbeutel” (“A bag with hair”). The original fourteen attractive sketches, each drawn by Busch, give shape to the full comic strip, being the ones published for the first time in 1878. Beneath each sketch Busch has added captions in his hand, in part `Happy Farmer Bunke… Obstacle… Success… The bread dough is blended… He lays comfortable… because the gift of god became useless… Sadly Mrs Bunke cleans with the broom until he is clean again…´ Each strip has been numbered in red. A complete and very desirable original comic strip by Busch. Each page has been lightly affixed to a folio card. A few pages have extremely small clipped corners. VG, 8£40000-60000
GRATON JEAN: (1923- ) French Cartoonist. Best known as author of the comic book Michel Vaillant and its famous character. An excellent signed and inscribed comic book `Jean Graton´, with a very attractive sketch of his character Michel Vaillant in his hand. The comic book being a 9 x 11.5 hardback edition of `Michel Vaillant - Dans l´Enfer du Safari´, 48 colour pages, edited by "Les Editions du Lombard", Brussels. Signed and inscribed to the blank first page verso, opposite to title page, beneath a profile portrait sketch of Michel Vaillant. Very small overall minor age wear, otherwise VG £200-300
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