We found 596772 price guide item(s) matching your search
There are 596772 lots that match your search criteria. Subscribe now to get instant access to the full price guide service.
Click here to subscribe- List
- Grid
-
596772 item(s)/page
Lot 274
SACHSENHAUSEN: A mimeographed copy of the written testimony of 'Blockältester' Karl Schwerbel, former SS member, sent to Sachsenhausen for the crime of homosexuality under §175 StGB of the German Criminal Code, nine pages, folio, Sandbostel, 18th December 1945. The testimony being a first-hand report on the evacuation of the Sachenhausen concentration camp in April 1945, describing the conditions of fellow prisoners, their food rations, guards, encounters and the environment they experienced during the forced march, in part, 'All prisoners who were fit to march were to leave the camp on foot, in marching units of 500… The Children, the sick and those not fit to march, were to stay behind in the camp… When the order to evacuate became known, disturbances, surprise raids, and plundering started… It was impossible, however, to prevent the theft from the camp post office of what were said to be some 2000 Red Cross parcels… Some Russian and Ukrainian prisoners had apparently attacked a truck loaded with provisions, and they had been driven off by shots from an SS NCO…every prisoner had issued to him as a 3 day march ration, 1 army loaf, together with 350 or 500 grams of tinned meat, (¼ of a tin)… To each marching group were allotted, in addition, armed prisoners, who had been picked for the Dirlewanger unit… The group commander, from the side of the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, was the former SS Sturmscharfuhrer Breitling… After a march of about 15kms., we rested… During this time I witnessed the following incident… a prisoner who lingered behind a column which was passing by us was shot by a member of the SS on the open road… the incident was, however, also observed from a car of the International Red Cross… In the evening, we found shelter in barns… Here again we all had cooked potatoes, and some of us buttermilk as well… On 22. and 23.4.1945… we saw also in the ditches on both sides of the road many bodies of male prisoners with shot wounds. There must have been over 20 of them… on 24.4.45… an SS officer - not known to me - who was passing our column on a motor-cycle, shouted out an order from Keindl, the commandant, not to shoot any prisoners, since the sick and the feeble would be taken on in lorries… In Below, there began for the prisoners the most dreadful suffering… no further food for 5 days… Every morning, for this reason, some 50-60 corpses lay close to the edge of the camp. Cases of cannibalism are also believed to have taken place… On account of the ever-worsening situation, Keindl, the commandant, decided to allow a proportion of the prisoners to return home… In addition, the escort was most strictly forbidden to use their firearms against the prisoners… The last three nights of the march were spent under the open sky by prisoners and escort… It frequently occurred that bands of famished prisoners fell upon turnip and potato stockpiles… SS Hauptsturmfuhrer Petri also tried, in one village, to stop a peasant woman from giving milk to prisoners and SS men. On the other hand, I also noticed that the escort personnel secretly gave the prisoners… potatoes, turnips, cigarettes and water… In the afternoon of 2.5.1945, the terrible march of my column came to an end… through its disintegration and flight to safety with the American troops.' With various pertinent words and paragraphs highlighted in red indelible pencil. With two files holes to the left edge and very light age wear, otherwise VGThe Blockältester (block or barracks leader) had to ensure that rules were followed in the individual barracks and also responsible for the prisoners in the barracks.
Lot 278
WILLIAM III: (1650-1702) King of England, Scotland and Ireland 1689-1702. Prince of Orange. D.S., William R, as King, at the head, one page, folio, Court at Kensington, 23rd April 1701. The manuscript document is a warrant addressed to the Commissioners of the Treasury and orders that a payment be made to Mary, Duchess of Buckinghamshire, of six hundred pounds 'as of Our free Guift and Royall Bounty to her without account…..'. Countersigned at the foot by Sidney Godolphin (1645-1712, 1st Earl of Godolphin, First Lord of the Treasury 1700-01 & Lord High Treasurer 1702-10), Stephen Fox (1627-1716, English Politician & founder of the Royal Hospital Chelsea) and Richard Hill (1655-1727, English Statesman, Lord of the Treasury 1699-1702). Some light age wear and creasing to the edges and a few neat, minor splits at the edges of a few folds, not affecting the text or signatures, about VG Mary Fairfax (1638-1704) Duchess of Buckinghamshire, daughter of Sir Thomas, Lord Fairfax (1612-1671) English Nobleman, Parliamentary Commander-in-Chief during the English Civil War and wife of George Villiers (1628-1687) 2nd Duke of Buckingham, English Statesman and Poet.
Lot 284
ALBERT PRINCE: (1819-1861) Prince Consort of the United Kingdom, husband of Queen Victoria. A.L.S., Albert, two pages (with a postscript slightly running across the head of the third page), 8vo, Osborne, 24th April 1861, to 'My dear Sir George' [Cornewall Lewis], on black bordered mourning stationery. The Prince states that he had received his correspondent's letter, and returns a memorandum (no longer present), commenting 'As in the only instance in which a public transaction between the British Crown & the Grand Duke of Hesse took place, he received his full title, I think the departure from the precedent wd. be noticed at Darmstadt, where I know they attach some importance to it' and further asking in a postscript if a Lord's opinion should be taken. Some slight staining to the verso of the final page, evidently caused by previous mounting, and with an ink annotation in an unidentified hand to the head of the first page, otherwise VG George Cornewall Lewis (1806-1863) British Statesman who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer 1855-58 and Home Secretary 1859-61. In 1862 he was instrumental in preserving the peace when the British cabinet debated intervention in the American Civil War.
![[WALLIS WINDSOR]: (1895-1986) American Socialite, wife of King Edward VIII. Duchess of Windsor. SPENCER JR. EARL WINFIELD (18](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/d954ca6f-9d72-4c90-881f-a88c00a2e129/6f85ff3c-640c-4490-d7ec-088082c18e8e/468x382.jpg)
Lot 288
[WALLIS WINDSOR]: (1895-1986) American Socialite, wife of King Edward VIII. Duchess of Windsor. SPENCER JR. EARL WINFIELD (1888-1950) American Naval Pilot, the first husband of Wallis, Duchess of Windsor from 1916-27. An extremely rare, dark fountain pen ink signature ('Earl W. Spencer, Comdr. U.S. Navy') with rank beneath, on a plain postcard. Spencer has also added the Latin phrase Semper Fidelis in his hand beneath his signature, this being the motto of the United States Marine Corps (meaning 'Always faithful'). Above the signature appears a neatly affixed magazine portrait of Spencer wearing his uniform and cap. Some very light, extremely minor age wear at the edges of the card, otherwise VG
Lot 290
ELIZABETH II: (1926- ) Queen of the United Kingdom 1952- . An unusual, large vintage signed 23 x 17½ photograph, the image depicting the Queen standing in a half-length pose, accompanied by various dignitaries and guests at the official launch of the British Oil Tanker S.S. British Admiral. Signed ('Elizabeth R') in fountain pen ink with her name alone to the lower photographer's mount, beneath a printed caption, S.S. "British Admiral" built by Vickers Ltd (Shipbuilding Group) Launched from Barrow Shipyard by H.M. The Queen 17th March 1965. The photograph has been professionally mounted at the centre of two further images of the S.S. British Admiral, the first depicting the ship as it was launched, and the second depicting the ship manoeuvring at sea, each image framed and glazed within a larger beech coloured wooden frame to form a triptych with an overall size of 74 x 19½. The signature is slightly faded although legible. With water staining to the lower border beneath one of the images, and with light age toning, otherwise G
Lot 298
GRENVILLE WILLIAM: (1759-1834) 1st Baron Grenville. British Prime Minister 1806-07. A good A.L.S., Grenville, four pages, 8vo, Hamilton Place, 6th February 1817, to 'My dear Lord'. Grenville states 'I see this morning by the Papers that your name, Lord Fitzwilliam's & mine are included in the list of the Secret Committee' and remarks 'It is not a pleasant duty to undertake, especially at a time when I have reason to fear that the view which I have already taken of the present internal situation of this country, & of the dangers by which the public peace is threatened, is one of much more alarm than is felt by many of my friends. But under these impressions such a duty cannot be declined, & I can only endeavour to discharge it with diligence & impartiality. But it would be (a) matter of infinite satisfaction to me, to have the benefit of your assistance & Lord Fitzwilliam's to correct any error with which I may fall either from….remaining impressions of transactions long since past, or from that anxious solitude which I have ever felt for protecting the public peace against every danger of disturbance & for eradicating the independence of parliament against, even the slightest, appearance of force or intimidation'. Grenville further adds that he has written an urgent letter to Lord Fitzwilliam requesting his attendance at the first meeting, which will take place the following day, '& which consequently cannot have made before Saturday any considerable progress in its enquiries' and also comments 'I am sure you will allow the motive of the request to plead any excuse for urging it upon yourself if it be possible for you to come without too great inconvenience' A letter of interesting political content. VG At the time of the present letter Grenville was in the last year of his position as nominal leader of the Opposition which he had held since leaving the office of First Lord of the Treasury in March 1807. In the same month of the present letter Grenville's position as Opposition leader was becoming untenable as a result of his endorsement of the Government's decision to suspend Habeas Corpus, declining to support Earl Grey in his view that the civil disorder then prevalent (which Grenville alludes to) can only be alleviated by retrenchment and parliamentary reform. Grenville was to announce later in the parliamentary session that his political career was at a close.
Lot 3
AUTOGRAPH ALBUM: An autograph album containing over 120 signatures, on multiple signed pages, by various county cricket teams of the 1930's, including Sussex C.C.C. (including C.B. Fry, Arthur & Alfred Gilligan, Francis Browne, John Langridge, Robert Scott, Lance Knowles, Jim Hammond (also played professional football at Fulham F.C.), Joe Vine, Albert Relf, Bill Greenwood, Harry Parks, Ernest Killick, Fanny Walden, Billy Newham etc.), Kent C.C.C. (including Gerry Chalk (scarce, tragically killed at the age of 33 whilst serving with the R.A.F. during WWII), Aidan Crawley, Frank Woolley, Charlie Peach, Tich Freeman, Charles Marriott, Bryan Valentine, Charles Knott, Charlie Wright, Percy Chapman etc.), Hampshire C.C.C. (including Giles Baring, Phil Mead, James Bailey, George Boyes, Alec Kennedy, William Creese, Thomas Oates (also serving as a Test Match umpire), Oswald Herman etc.), Northamptonshire C.C.C. (including John Edwards, William Brown, Alexander Snowden, Reg Partridge, Mark Cox, Benjamin Bellamy, Bill Coverdale etc.), Surrey C.C.C. (including Jack Hobbs, Maurice Allom, Percy Fender, Edward Brooks, Tom Barling, Roger Winlaw (scarce, tragically killed at the age of 30 whilst serving with the R.A.F. during WWII), Andrew Sandham, Stan Squires, Bob Gregory, Spencer Block etc.), Hampshire C.C.C. (including Richard Moore, Walter Lancashire, John Arnold, Gerald Hill, Arthur Holt (also played professional football at Southampton F.C.), Neil McCorkell, William Budd (also serving as a Test Match umpire), Arthur Pothecary etc.), Sussex C.C.C. (including Jack Holmes, Walter Cornford, James Parks, Kenneth Scott (scarce, tragically killed at the age of 28 whilst serving with the Army during WWII), Maurice Tate (first Sussex cricketer to take a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket), Thomas Cook, Vivian Eaton etc.) etc. With minor age wear. G
Lot 306
CHURCHILL WINSTON S.: (1874-1965) British Prime Minister 1940-45, 1951-55. Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1953. A good A.L.S., Winston S. Churchill, one page, 8vo, Whitehall, 23rd January 1911, to Viscount Northcliffe (‘My dear Northcliffe’), on the black bordered printed mourning stationery of the Home Office, marked ‘Private’ at the head. Churchill states ‘The Times article on Daylight Saving to-day is an example of the really unfair spirit in which its leader writers treat me’ and continues ‘It is of course quite untrue that I ever contemplated taking charge of the Bill myself. The question is not a party question. You are yourself a strong supporter of the principle. Yet a sentence in Willett’s communique (for wh. I am not responsible in anyway) is made the basis for a whole paragraph of gratuitously offensive remarks.’ The Home Secretary concludes ‘I do not believe there is another newspaper in the country wh. would have behaved in such a way’ With blank integral leaf. About EX Alfred Harmsworth (1865-1922) 1st Viscount Northcliffe. British Newspaper and Publishing Magnate who, as proprietor of TheDaily Mail and The Daily Mirror, was a pioneer of popular journalism. In 1908 Northcliffe had acquired The Times and The Sunday Times. Churchill served as Home Secretary from 1910-11 in what proved to be a somewhat controversial period of office as part of H. H. Asquith’s Liberal government. The first Daylight Saving Bill had been introduced by the Liberals to the House of Commons in February 1908 and a select committee was appointed to examine the issue. However, the bill did not become law, and several other bills were to fail in the following years before Daylight saving time (which Churchill supported) was adopted in England during World War I in order to conserve fuel by reducing the need for artificial light.
Lot 307
THATCHER MARGARET (1925-2013) British Prime Minister 1979-90. Signed 4½ x 6 photograph, the image depicting Thatcher seated in a formal half-length pose. Signed ('Margaret Thatcher') in bold black ink with her name alone to the lower white border. With the original letter, on Downing Street stationery, which accompanied the photograph. Together with a signed First Day Cover commemorating Women of Achievement, featuring a colour photograph of Thatcher dressed in her Baronial robes. Post marked 6th August 1996. Signed ('Margaret Thatcher') in bold blue ink with her name alone to a clear area of the cover. The cover published by Autographed Editions. Also including a second unsigned memorial cover celebrating Margaret Thatcher's life. Post marked 17th April 2013, her funeral date. Both covers are presented in a hardback folder and are loosely held within clear wallets, as produced by The Westminster Collection. About EX, 3
Lot 308
BRITISH PRIME MINISTERS: Book signed, a hardback edition of No.10 Downing Street, The Story of a House by Christopher Jones, First Edition, published by the British Broadcasting Corporation, London, 1985. Signed by four Prime Ministers comprising Alec Douglas-Home, Edward Heath, Margaret Thatcher and John Major individually, each in bold blue or black inks, with their names alone, to the front free endpaper. Accompanied by the dust jacket. VG
Lot 313
FREDERICK II: (1712-1786) King of Prussia 1740-86. Known as Frederick the Great and remembered for his military victories. L.S., with his initial F (a fine, bold example, with flourish), one page, folio, Berlin, 20th January 1752, to the Government of Halberstadt, in German. The manuscript letter states that two small properties (‘Genanderchen’) belonging to Aschersleben, which are at their disposition, and according to their last conveyed message, ‘have been most graciously conferred to the Sergeant Major of our First Bastille Guards, Lieutenant Leining’ as loaned farmland. The King further orders that Leining is issued with all that is necessary in the matter and that he is granted ownership. With a few annotations and countersignatures at the foot, one dated 21st February 1752. Some light, uniform overall age toning and very minor age wear, and a few small traces of former mounting to the verso, otherwise VG
Lot 316
WILHELM I: (1797-1888) King of Prussia 1861-88 and the first German Emperor 1871-88. L.S., Wilhelm, (a fine example, as King), one page, 4to, Schonbrunn Palace, 23rd August 1864, to the Finance Minister, in German. The King states, in part, ‘After reading your report from the 18th of this month, I authorise you to pay out the gracefully granted retirement pension of 50 Taler to Eugenie Ludwig, the daughter of the late District Court Councillor Ludwig who has died in Torgau, for another three years without deduction……’ Countersigned at the foot by Botho Graf zu Eulenburg (1831-1912) Prussian Statesman, Prime Minister of Prussia 1892-94. With three file holes to the left edge, one only very slightly affecting one word of text but not the signatures, and with a minor, neat tear to the centre of the upper edge, only very slightly affecting one word of text, otherwise VG
Lot 318
HEDWIG ELEONORA OF HOLSTEIN-GOTTORP: (1636-1715) Queen of Sweden 1654-60, regarded as the de facto first lady of the Royal Court for over sixty years from 1654 until her death. D.S., Hedewig Eleonora, two pages, folio, Stockholm, 1st March 1712, in Swedish. The untranslated manuscript document is penned in an attractive hand and signed by the Queen at the conclusion. With integral address leaf bearing a good black wax seal featuring the Royal coat of arms. Some light overall age wear, a few very minor, small areas of paper loss to the edges, slight traces of former mounting to some edges, and a few very neat splits to the folds, one only very slightly touching the Queen’s signature, G
Lot 325
KHRUSHCHEV NIKITA: (1894-1971) Premier of the Soviet Union 1958-64 & First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union 1953-64. An excellent vintage signed 8.5 x 11 photograph, the image depicting Khrushchev in a formal head and shoulders pose. Signed in bold black fountain pen ink to the lower white border and dated 1964 in his hand. Signed portraits of the Soviet Premier are extremely rare. Very slightly neatly trimmed to the right edge and with a few minor surface and corner creases, otherwise VG
Lot 327
MANDELA NELSON: (1918-2013) President of South Africa 1994-99. Nobel Peace Prize winner, 1993. Signed Commemorative Cover featuring a design celebrating the address made by Nelson Mandela to the European Parliament, Strasbourg, 13th June 1990 and featuring a colour postage stamp postmarked Strasbourg 13th June 1990. Signed by Mandela in black ink, adding With compliments and best wishes, and dated 13th June 1990 in his hand. Further signed by Winnie Mandela (1936- ) South African Activist and Politician, former wife of Nelson Mandela, in black ink with her name alone above her husband's signature. Together with George Bizos (1927- ) Greek Human Rights Lawyer and campaigner against apartheid in South Africa, most notably during the Rivonia Trial. Signed First Day Cover, featuring a design celebrating the South African Presidential Inauguration, 10th May 1994, and containing a 5 Rand coin sealed to the cover, and a colour postage stamp postmarked Pretoria 10th May 1994. Signed by Bizos in black ink with his name alone to a clear area. VG, 2
Lot 333
KARNO FRED: (1866-1941) English Theatre Impresario of the British Music Hall. Rare D.S., Fred Karno, two pages, folio, London, 16th August 1907, being a Fred Karno's Companies contract. The partially printed document, being an agreement between Karno and George Kirby, engaging Kirby's Aerial Ballet for Pantomime at Sunderland, with a salary of £37.10.0, and further detailing the terms of the contract. With various black fountain pen ink annotations. Signed by Karno at the foot of the first page. With professional repairs to the horizontal folds and minor age wear. G
Lot 335
HALEY BILL: (1925-1981) American Rock 'n' Roll Musician. A good vintage signed postcard photograph by Bill Haley and all six members of his band members The Comets individually, comprising Rudy Pompilli (1924-1976, American Tenor Saxophonist), Billy Williamson (1925-1996, American Steel Guitarist), Al Rex (1928- , American Bassist), Johnny Grande (1930-2006, American Musician & Pianist), Franny Beecher (1921-2014, American Guitarist) and Ralph Jones (1921-2000, American Drummer). The promotional image depicts Haley and his band in a head and shoulders group pose together at the height of their career in the mid-1950s. Signed by each in bold blue or black inks with their names alone to clear areas of the image, only Pompilli signing with his first name and adding Sax alongside his signature. A printed discography, describing the band as The Kings of Rock 'n' Roll appears to the verso and includes the legendary number one hit Rock Around the Clock, generally considered to be one of the most important songs in the history of Rock 'n' Roll and a record upon which four of the present signatories performed. Signed photographs of Haley and each of his band are scarce and desirable. VG
Lot 357
HARDY THOMAS MASTERMAN: (1769-1839) British Naval officer, Flag Captain to Admiral Lord Nelson. Hardy commanded HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar. Signed Free Front envelope panel, addressed to Christopher Claxton at Abbots Leigh, Bristol, and dated London, 1st October 1833. Signed ('T. M. Hardy') in the lower left corner and countersigned by Maurice Berkeley (1788-1867) 1st Baron FitzHardinge. British Admiral, First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria. Very slightly irregularly trimmed and neatly laid down, G Captain Christopher Claxton - Royal Navy officer and a Bristol Dockyard official who became a lifelong friend and adviser to engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
Lot 358
BLUCHER GEBHARD LEBERECHT VON: (1742-1819) Prussian Field Marshal who led his army against Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of the Nations at Leipzig (1813) and the Battle of Waterloo (1815). L.S., Blucher, one page, 8vo (originally a slightly larger page, irregularly trimmed at the edges, only very slightly affecting the first letter of text in the upper left corner), Stargard, 26th December 1810, to an unidentified correspondent, in German. The manuscript letter is written in a small and somewhat challenging hand, and Blucher responds to his correspondent’s letter, seemingly announcing that an individual has been appointed to the general war department although also reporting that no new garrison preacher has been employed, although should such an occasion arise he will send notification of the appointment to the department. Some very light, extremely minor creasing, about VG
Lot 363
GORDON CHARLES GEORGE: (1833-1885) British Army officer, known as Chinese Gordon. A.L.S., C.G. Gordon, two pages, 8vo, Mauritius, 17th October 1881, to John Robson. Gordon sends congratulations on Robson's brothers' marriage, and continues, 'I am sorry you left Airds, it is good to be under subjection for a time, and you had plenty to do which was a great gain. However, I hope you will succeed in your new business. I have no idea who I could introduce you to in the W[ar].O[ffice] I do not even know the surveyor... I expect anyone can tender.' A rare letter from Gordon's short tenure in Mauritius. With light overall foxing, otherwise G John Robson came into Gordon's circle in the 1860's while still a schoolboy, and later became his pupil as the first step in an engineering career. In April 1881 Gordon left for Mauritius as Commander, Royal Engineers. He remained there until March 1882.
Lot 367
BATTLE OF BRITAIN: A multiple signed First Day Cover commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain 1940-1980, individually signed by five Battle of Britain pilots comprising Douglas Bader, Johnnie Johnson, Robert Stanford Tuck, John Cunningham and James Lacey. All have signed in bold blue inks with their names alone to clear areas of the cover. Post marked at Biggin Hill, Kent, 5th October 1980. VG
Lot 368
BATTLE OF BRITAIN:Douglas Bader (1910-1982) British World War II Ace (22.5 victories), recognized for his important role during the Battle of Britain. Signed First Day Cover commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Royal Air Force, the cover featuring a colour image of a bi-plane and Harrier Jet. Postmarked 29th May 1968. Signed by Bader in bold blue ink with his name alone to a clear area of the cover. Together with Adolf Galland (1912-1996) German Fighter Pilot of World War II, Knight's Cross winner with Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds, and Erich Hartmann (1922-1993) German fighter pilot during World War II and the most successful fighter ace in the history of aerial warfare. Signed Commemorative Cover by both Galland and Hartmann individually, the cover celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the first direct transatlantic flight and featuring a colour image of the Vickers Vimy, postmarked 14th June 1969. Signed by both pilots in bold inks with their names alone to clear areas of the cover. From the collection of Aerophilatelic Historian Hans Rossbach. VG, 2
![[CHURCHILL WINSTON S.]: (1874-1965) British Prime Minister 1940-45, 1951-55. Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1953. Two T.L](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/d954ca6f-9d72-4c90-881f-a88c00a2e129/739f4633-4b8b-4388-a97f-4ff8b525a003/468x382.jpg)
Lot 370
[CHURCHILL WINSTON S.]: (1874-1965) British Prime Minister 1940-45, 1951-55. Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1953. Two T.Ls.S. by Grace Hamblin (1908-2002, Private Secretary to Winston and Clementine Churchill), each one page, 8vo and 4to, Chartwell, Westerham, Kent, 24th June 1961 and Hyde Park Gate, London, 2nd December 1961, both to a young autograph collector (‘Dear Peter’) and written on behalf of Clementine Churchill, in the first sending Lady Churchill’s apologies and stating, in part, ‘As has already been explained to you Sir Winston receives a very large number of similar requests with which he cannot comply. If Lady Churchill were to ask him to make a special concession in your case, this would be unfair to many who have been disappointed. Lady Churchill regrets she has nothing signed by Sir Winston which she can send you….’ and in the second returning a book (no longer present) which Lady Churchill was pleased to sign and continuing ‘She is so very sorry that she cannot ask Sir Winston for his autograph. But has already been explained to you, he receives a very large number of similar requests with which he cannot comply, and it would be unfair to do so in any one particular instance. As Sir Winston has been obliged to make a very strict ruling on this, may I suggest that you do not write to anyone else….’, together with a T.L.S. by the secretary to Lord Moran (1882-1977, Personal Physician to Churchill 1940-65), one page, 8vo, Bryanston Square, London, 26th July 1962, to the same collector, sending Moran’s thanks for the collector’s letter accompanied by an autograph album and the request that Churchill sign it, although remarking ‘Unfortunately, under present circumstances, he regrets it is not possible to trouble Sir Winston with this. Lord Moran realizes that you will be disappointed but hopes you will understand’, and also including two identical 12mo printed cards issued by the Private Secretary to Churchill at the House of Commons, sending Churchill’s thanks for a letter and expressing his regret that ‘owing to the large number of similar requests he receives, it is not possible to do as you ask’. Some very light, extremely minor creasing, generally VG, 5
Lot 373
ENOLA GAY: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. Signed Commemorative Cover celebrating the surrender of the Japanese forces on 2nd September 1945 and featuring the image of a B29 aircraft fly-past over U.S.S. Missouri. Postmarked 6th August 2005. Signed by Tibbets in blue ink, and adding 'Pilot B29 Enola Gay 6 Aug 1945' in his hand. Together with Leonard Cheshire (1917-1992) British RAF Pilot of World War II, Victoria Cross winner. Cheshire was one official British observers of the nuclear bombing of Nagasaki. Signed First Day Cover commemorating the International Year of Disabled People and The Leonard Cheshire Foundation, and featuring an image of the Group Captain. Postmarked 25th March 1981. Signed by Cheshire in blue ink with his name alone to a clear area of the cover. VG to EX, 2
Lot 376
RIEFENSTAHL LENI: (1902-2003) German Film Director, best known for Triumph of the Will (1935), the Nazi propaganda film. Signed sepia postcard photograph and slightly larger (1), the first depicting Riefenstahl in a full-length pose, dressed as a mountaineer, the second showing a young Riefenstahl in a head and shoulders pose. Each signed ('Leni Riefenstahl') in bold black inks to the lower clear borders. About EX, 2
Lot 388
GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY THE: Multiple signed First Day Cover celebrating the Police Force, individually signed by four members of the gang responsible for The Great Train Robbery in which £2.6 million was stolen from a Royal Mail train on 8th August 1963, comprising Bruce Reynolds (adding 'Train Spotting' above his signature), Ronnie Biggs (adding a drawing of a train pulling a carriage labelled 'Ca$h', and further adding 'Great Train Robber!'), Buster Edwards (adding 'Why me!' above his signature) and Chas Wilson. All have signed in blue or black inks to the cover. Postmarked 26th September 1979. VG
Lot 391
WESLEY JOHN : (1703-1791) Anglican Clergyman, leader of the Methodist Movement. A fine, affectionate A.L.S., J Wesley, one page, 4to, near Chester, 5th April 1781, to Miss [Mary] Clarkson ('My Dear Miss Clarkson'). Wesley states 'Mr Floyde informs me, That you had sent me a Letter, & wonderd that I did not answer' and adds 'You might well wonder; for it is a Rule with me, to answer every Letter I receive. It would be particularly strange, if I had not answered you; because I have so peculiar a Regard for you', continuing to remark 'I love you, because I believe you are upright of heart, & because you are a Child of Affliction. I felt a near Union of [heart] with you when I saw you last. I love to hear of you, and to hear from you'. Wesley further writes that Mr. Floyde has informed him that Clarkson has finished the Six Letters ('if you have, I shou'd be glad to see them') and that he has also told him 'That you are attempting to turn the Death of Abel into verse. This will be a heavy work such as will require a deal of time & patience. Yet if you begin, I trust our Lord will give you resolution, to bring it to a conclusion'. He concludes his letter stating 'If I have to return to England, I shall hope for the pleasure of a further acquaintance with you. Wishing you an heart wholly to God…..' With integral address leaf (a portion neatly removed from the edge, and with minor traces of former mounting) in Wesley's hand, to Miss Clarkson 'at Mr. Francis Scot's In Wakefield, Yorkshire'. Together with an oval portrait of Clarkson, the oil on copper miniature portrait by an unknown artist depicting Clarkson wearing a white bonnet with a blue ribbon upon her head, annotated to the verso with Clarkson's name and age (26 years and five months) and the date of her death, 6th October 1781, in the same year as Wesley's letter. Also included is a printed 8vo pamphlet entitled Proceedings of The Wesley Historical Society, Volume IV, Part I, privately published and printed for the Society, 1903, in which Wesley's letter was first published. An editorial note to the letter states 'In possession (20 Aug., 1901) of Mrs. Noall, of St. Ives, Cornwall, who has also a portrait of Miss Clarkson (evidently the one included here) her great aunt. Mrs. Noall says that Miss. Clarkson married a Mr. Tapp, an Independent minister, but after a few months of married life died 6 Oct., 1781, aged only 26, “She was always delicate”…' Some light age wear to the letter and one small area of paper loss, caused by the breaking of the original seal, only slightly affecting a few words of text. About VG, 3 John Floyde (d. 1798/99) was admitted as a Preacher among the Methodists in 1770 and has been described as 'a sensible, pious man…possessed of considerable abilities for the work of the ministry…(and)….a very acceptable and useful Preacher' Floyde was active in Halifax, and later Leeds, and is recorded as having met Wesley in May 1782, whilst 'labouring under a serious illness', although the present letter shows that they were acquainted before this. (See A History of Wesleyan Methodism in Halifax and its Vicinity by J. U. Walker, 1836). Francis Scot is mentioned in Wesley's Journal (Volume II, 1735-90) in his entry for 20th August 1748, 'At the earnest desire of the little society, I went to Wakefield. I knew the madness of the people there: But I knew also, they were in God's hand. At eight I would have preached in Francis Scot's yard; but the landlord would not suffer it, saying, the mob would do more hurt to his houses than ever we should do him good….' The Death of Abel ('Der Tod Abels') was a work by the Swiss Painter and Poet Salomon Gessner (1730-1788) which the writer himself described as 'a sort of idyllic prose pastoral'
Lot 400
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT THE: Rosa Parks (1913-2005) American Activist, 'the First Lady of civil rights' and Coretta Scott King (1927-2006) American Activist and Civil Rights Leader, the wife of Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1953 until his death in 1968. A United Nations First Day Cover for Combat Racism all over the World, individually signed by Parks and King. Both have signed in blue or black inks with their names alone to a clear area of the cover. Postmarked 19th September 1977. VG
Lot 49
NEGRI POLA: (1897-1987) Polish Actress, the first European actress to be invited to Hollywood where she achieved fame in femme fatale roles in various silent films. A good vintage signed sepia 8 x 10 photograph of Negri in a head and shoulders pose holding a lit cigarette in her hand. Signed in bold, dark fountain pen ink across a clear area of the image. A couple of very light, minor corner creases, otherwise VG
Lot 62
LAUREL STAN: (1890-1965) British Film Comedian. An extremely rare, early, vintage signed postcard photograph, the image depicting Laurel standing in a full length pose in costume with a somewhat disheveled appearance, holding an umbrella in one hand and a bowler hat in the other. Signed ('Mirthfully yours, Stan Jefferson') with his real name in fountain pen ink to the image, adding The Matinee Idol and date, 29th April 1913, in his hand beneath his signature. To the borders of the image Laurel has further added a series of quotations in his hand, 'The Last of the Dandies', 'I think that'll do just now', 'Rag time Coon, Patter & Dance till off!!' and 'The Human Fun Factor'. With an A.L.S., Stan, to the verso, 321 West 44th Street, New York, to Ted Desmond ('Hello Ted!). Laurel writes, in full, 'How are you going on? Trust alls well with you. Drop me a line old boy. Its ages since I heard from you. Good luck, all good wishes, yours as ever'. Hand addressed by Laurel to Leo Desmond at Camberwell, London. A desirable signed photograph of Laurel from the very early stages of his career, and featuring an exceptionally rare form of his signature with his real name. Some overall age wear and light dust staining to the verso, some surface and corner creasing, about G The present photograph wassent by Laurel to Teddy Desmond (1888-1962) who had been Laurel's first comedy partner when the duo appeared in Music Halls as the Barto Bros.
Lot 63
LAUREL STAN: (1890-1965) British Film Comedian. An extremely rare, early, vintage signed postcard photograph, the image depicting Laurel standing in a dapper full length pose and holding a cigarette in one hand. Signed ('Faithfully yours, Stan Jefferson') with his real name in bold, dark fountain pen ink to a light area at the base of the image and dated U.S.A. 1913 in his hand. Laurel has also added a brief quotation at the head of the image, 'I want a girl - Just like the girl…..', and further signed and inscribed the verso, 'To Ted & Gert with all good wishes, yours as ever, Stan'. A desirable signed photograph of Laurel from the very early stages of his career, and featuring an exceptionally rare form of his signature with his real name. Some light overall age wear and corner creasing, G The present photograph was inscribed by Laurel to Teddy Desmond (1888-1962) and his wife, Gertrude. Desmond had been Laurel's first comedy partner when the duo appeared in Music Halls as the Barto Bros. Laurel's quotation would appear to be from the song I Want A Girl (Just Like The Girl That Married Dear Old Dad) which was a popular song of the time and has become a barbershop quartet standard.
Lot 64
LAUREL STAN: (1890-1965) British Film Comedian. A good vintage signed and inscribed sepia 6.5 x 8 photograph of Laurel in a head and shoulders pose with a typical expression on his face. Photograph by Stax and bearing his credit stamp to the verso. Signed in bold black fountain pen ink to a clear area of the image, 'To Ted & Gertie, As Ever, Stan' and dated 1930 in his hand. A photograph of good association. VG The present photograph was inscribed by Laurel to Teddy Desmond (1888-1962) and his wife, Gertrude. Desmond had been Laurel's first comedy partner when the duo appeared in Music Halls as the Barto Bros.
Lot 65
LAUREL STAN: (1890-1965) British Film Comedian. A fine vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph of Laurel in a head and shoulders pose. Signed in bold blue fountain pen ink to a light area of the background, 'Happy Memories Teddy & Gertie, Sincere kind thoughts as ever - Stan', also adding the initials B.C. and dates 1912-52 in his hand beneath his signature. A photograph of good association. A couple of very light, extremely minor corner and surface creases, otherwise about EX The present photograph was inscribed by Laurel to Teddy Desmond (1888-1962) and his wife, Gertrude. Desmond had been Laurel's first comedy partner when the duo appeared in Music Halls as the Barto Bros.
Lot 66
LAUREL STAN: (1890-1965) British Film Comedian. A large vintage signed and inscribed 10.5 x 13.5 photograph by Laurel, the image depicting him in a classic head and shoulders pose alongside his comedy partner Oliver Hardy, the comedians both wearing their bowler hats and smiling towards the camera. Photograph by Stax for Hal Roach MGM Comedies and bearing his credit stamp to the verso. Signed by Laurel in bold black fountain pen ink to a light area of the background, 'To Dear Old Ted & Gertie with fond thoughts & kind wishes, as ever - your sincere pal, Stan', dated 1930 in his hand and further adding '(Remember "The Old Vic"!?)' alongside his signature. With a few very heavy surface creases to the image and corners, several tears to the edges (the largest extending 2.5" through Hardy's hat) and a few areas of paper loss to the corners, the faults only slightly affecting Laurel's inscription but not the signature. Only FR The present photograph was inscribed by Laurel to Teddy Desmond (1888-1962) and his wife, Gertrude. Desmond had been Laurel's first comedy partner when the duo appeared in Music Halls as the Barto Bros.
Lot 67
LAUREL STAN: (1890-1965) British Film Comedian. An unusual vintage 4 x 8.5 photograph annotated by Laurel, the image depicting the comedian standing in a full length pose on the snowy set of one of his films, most likely the Laurel and Hardy short film Below Zero (1930). Laurel is seen wearing a bowler hat upon his head and holding his young daughter in his arms. Annotated in bold fountain pen ink to a light area of the image 'My Baby "Lois" visiting me at the studio' and dated 1930 in his hand. Unsigned. Very slightly irregularly trimmed to the edges, otherwise VG The present photograph was given by Laurel to Teddy Desmond (1888-1962) and his wife, Gertrude. Desmond had been Laurel's first comedy partner when the duo appeared in Music Halls as the Barto Bros. Laurel's daughter Lois was born in 1927 to the comedian and his first wife Lois Neilson (1895-1990) American Silent Movie Actress.
Lot 68
LAUREL STAN: (1890-1965) British Film Comedian. An unusual pair of vintage 7.5 x 9.5 photographs annotated by Laurel, the images depicting different views of the exterior of his Beverly Hills home, the first annotated in bold blue fountain pen ink to a light area at the base of the image, '718, No. Bedford Dr., Beverly Hills, Calif. U.S.A.' and the second annotated in bold blue fountain pen ink to a light area at the base of the image, 'Back Garden 718, No. Bedford Dr., Beverly Hills, Calif. U.S.A.' Both are unsigned. The second photograph with extensive mottling to the image. A few very light, extremely minor corner creases, G to VG, 2 The present photographs were given by Laurel to Teddy Desmond (1888-1962) and his wife, Gertrude. Desmond had been Laurel's first comedy partner when the duo appeared in Music Halls as the Barto Bros. Laurel and his first wife, Lois Neilson, acquired their large brick Colonial-style house on North Bedford Drive towards the end of the 1920s however the couple parted ways in 1930 and the comedian moved to another property in Beverly Hills.
Lot 69
LAUREL STAN: (1890-1965) British Film Comedian. A good T.L.S., Stan, two pages, 4to, Santa Monica, California, 25th April 1956, to Teddy [Desmond], on the attractive colour printed stationery of Laurel and Hardy Feature Productions featuring a vignette of the comedy duo at the head of the page. Laurel thanks his correspondent for their letter although was sorry to hear that he had not been in good health, further remarking 'I got a big kick out of the cartoon clipping of Bulge & Krush, very funny. I really don't know what to think about their good neighbour policy talk, disarmament plans etc. after their past performances its hard to believe if they are on the level & really sincere in their proposals. I think this government is taking it with a grain of salt so far, & waiting for some definite proof of their peaceful desires, such as freeing the satellite Countries - East Germany etc. & cutting out the Iron Curtain bus. & putting the atom stocks into useful purpose which would benefit the whole World - that's my big wish.' Laurel also sends belated birthday greetings to Desmond's wife and also sends news about Charles Chaplin, 'I have read re Chaplin preparing a new picture, understand he's not going to appear in it - just direct & produce. We won't get to see it in this country as all his films are banned here, due to this I haven't seen his last one “Limelight”' and continues his letter with other news, 'The Davy Crockett was a hell of a craze with the kids here too for a short while, but had a very short life when they found out that he wasn't a Hero of his time - he was a criminal or something, so they gave Davy the bums rush - cap'n all! Yes, the Grace Kelly marriage was a Roman Holiday for the papers here too, it really took the place of World Affairs for several weeks. I think everybodys glad its over with & are now saying “Where were we”?' Laurel also refers to another comedian, 'Don't know if I told you or not…..that Norman Wisdom was in Hollywood a few weeks ago & came to visit me. We had a lovely afternoon & evening together. He was over here on business, & I understand he is going to make a film for Columbia Studios, part to be made in London & the rest in Las Vegas. I think it is going to be titled “An Englishman in Las Vegas”….' Accompanied by the original envelope. A letter of interesting content, not least for its references to Charles Chaplin, Grace Kelly and Norman Wisdom, and of interesting association. VG Teddy Desmond (1888-1962) English Entertainer and the first comedy partner of Laurel in the Music Hall act of the Barto Bros. Chaplin's film which Laurel refers to in the present letter was likely to have been A King in New York, which was released in 1957. Chaplin produced and directed the comedy film, although did also have a starring role as King Shahdov, which was in fact his last leading role. Chaplin had been exiled from America in 1952 and the film was not screened there until 1973. A King in New York presents a satirical view of the McCarthy communist hunt era and other aspects of United States politics and society.
Lot 7
THOMAS RENE: (1886-1975) French Motor Racing Driver and Pioneer Aviator, winner of the Indianapolis 500 in 1914. Thomas was also involved in the world's first mid-air collision, October 1910. Vintage signed 6½ x 5 photograph of Thomas seated in his Sunbeam motor racing car, as it speeds past a crowd of onlookers. Signed ('R. Thomas') in bold blue fountain pen ink to a clear area at the base of the image, beneath a short annotation dated 10th October 1920 in his hand. With very minor age wear, otherwise VG
![[LAUREL & HARDY]: [LAUREL STAN] (1890-1965) & [HARDY OLIVER](1892-1957) English and American Film Comedians. A small selecti](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/d954ca6f-9d72-4c90-881f-a88c00a2e129/53494b79-1d0d-4fe6-ee68-883589010887/468x382.jpg)
Lot 70
[LAUREL & HARDY]: [LAUREL STAN] (1890-1965) & [HARDY OLIVER](1892-1957) English and American Film Comedians. A small selection of vintage unsigned photographs (10 x 8 and smaller) and newspaper clippings, all relating to the career of Laurel and Hardy, and some also relating to Teddy and Gertrude Desmond, the images depicting the comedy duo in various scenes from their films (one photo bearing the credit stamp of Stax to the verso), two showing Laurel and Desmond reunited in later years (one of the images also featuring Oliver Hardy), an early postcard photograph of Laurel and Desmond together in costume from one of their Music Hall acts (dated 1911 in an unidentified hand in pencil to the verso), one image of Laurel and Hardy together in a candid pose, presumably back stage following one of their English stage performances, some images of Desmond with his orchestra etc., the newspaper clippings mainly dating from 1952 and several featuring the image of Laurel and Desmond reunited, one with the caption stating 'A friend from the past: Stan Laurel meets Teddy Desmond, of Southend, whom he had not seen for 20 years. Laurel and Desmond were a music-hall act years ago and called themselves "The Barto Brothers". Teddy Desmond is now manager of an amusement arcade in Southend' (The Evening News, 11th August 1952), another recording the death of Laurel in 1965, etc. Some overall age wear, creasing and tears to the photographs and clippings, FR to G, 19 Most of the present photographs were given by Laurel to Teddy Desmond (1888-1962) and his wife, Gertrude. Desmond had been Laurel's first comedy partner when the duo appeared in Music Halls as the Barto Bros. The present photograph was given by Laurel to Teddy Desmond (1888-1962) and his wife, Gertrude. Desmond had been Laurel's first comedy partner when the duo appeared in Music Halls as the Barto Bros.
Lot 8
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.L.S., Harold M. Abrahams, two pages, 8vo, Temple, London, 11th March 1931, to 'Dear Madam'. Abrahams informs his correspondent, in part, 'Tisdall's record is of course better than mine - I was lucky enough to win three events in 1923. Fry's long jump was only ½” short of the world's record when he did it - but the record is now 26ft!! I was most interested to hear that your son was at Repton. Fry of course was a Reptonian too and in 1918 I made a desperate but unsuccessful attempt to beat his school long jump record.' VG Bob Tisdall (1907-2004) Irish Athlete, Gold Medallist in the 400 metre hurdles at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Tisdall, somewhat controversially, also achieved a World Record time in winning the medal, being the first man to complete the race in under 52 seconds. However, as he knocked over the last hurdle his achievement wasn't immediately recognised by the IAAF.C. B. Fry (1872-1956) English Sportsman who represented his country at both Cricket and Football and, in 1893, equalled the world long jump record of 23 feet 6.5 inches.
Lot 84
HEGGIE O. P.: (1877-1936) Australian Actor who starred in The Bride of Frankenstein (1935). An extremely rare A.L.S., O P Heggie, three pages, 8vo, Gramercy Park, 21st March 1932, to 'My dear Edith', evidently an actress, on the blind embossed stationery of The Players. Heggie states 'It was so sweet of you to think of me on the first night of the Milne play' and continues 'I always regretted that you did not play in it but now I feel relieved to think that you escaped'. The actor further writes 'Why they were so harsh with what we all felt was an excellent effort on Milne's part I shall never know. I still sometimes give myself a shake to see if I am awake'. In concluding Heggie expresses his hope that his friend is in good health and that he shall 'see your sweet self in the Theatre soon again'. Autographs of Heggie in any form are extremely rare and desirable. About EX A. A. Milne (1882-1956) English Author and Playwright. Heggie's letter relates to Milne's play The Truth About Blayds which had opened on Broadway in 1922 with the actor starring in the role of Oliver Blayds alongside a cast which also featured Leslie Howard. The play was revived at the Belasco Theatre in New York in 1932, from when the present letter dates, and Heggie was once again cast as Oliver Blayds.
Lot 93
HARTNELL WILLIAM: (1908-1975) English Actor, the first actor to portray the Doctor in the television series Doctor Who. Vintage signed postcard photograph of Hartnell standing in a half-length pose in costume as the Doctor. Signed in bold black ink to the lower white border by Hartnell, adding his character name, Dr. Who, in his hand beneath his signature. Accompanied by the original 8vo secretarial letter from BBC. Television Centre, n.d., which thanks their correspondent for the letter and 'smashing drawings, which we all think are very good indeed. I enclose a photo for you. Lots of love, and very happy New Year, from “Dr Who” '. A photograph scarce in this form. Together with William Russell (1924- ) English actor, known for having played the role of companion Ian Chesterton in Doctor Who, 1963-1965. Signed postcard photograph depicting Russell in a head and shoulders pose, in a BBC publicity photograph for Dr Who. Signed by Russell in bold blue fountain pen ink with his name alone to the lower border, and with a short inscription to the verso, signed ('W.R.') with his initials. Also including Jacqueline Hill (1929-1993) British Actress, known for her role as companion Barbara Wright in Doctor Who, 1963-1965. Barbara was the first Doctor Who companion, with Hill speaking the series' first words. Signed and inscribed postcard photograph of Hill in a head and shoulders pose, in a BBC publicity photograph. Signed by Hill in black ink to the lower border. Accompanied by the original A.L.S., Jacqueline Hill, one page, 8vo, BBC Television, Wood Lane, 26th July 1965, in which Hill thanks her correspondent for their letter, adding, '…the drawing of the Dalek was excellent.' With light age wear, otherwise VG, 5
Lot 54
Two Brass Microscopes by Beck, first, housed in French polished mahogany case, on horse shoe shaped base engraved 'R & J Beck London 8440', with 2 objectives and eyepiece, the second, an upright case signed to the back of the foot R & J Beck Ltd London, 26674, with 2 eyepieces and one objective
Lot 114
PRESLEY ELVIS: (1935-1977) American Rock 'n' Roll Singer. An excellent vintage signed 8 x 10 photograph of the young Presley in a head and shoulders pose with his gently clasped hands raised to the side of his face. The promotional image bears the printed address of 160 Union Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee to the lower white border. Signed ('Elvis Presley') with his name alone in red ink to a light area of the background. Presley has also signed the verso with his name alone in pencil and the verso also features six other signatures comprising Scotty Moore (1931-2016, American Guitarist who played with Presley in the early stages of his career from 1954), Floyd Cramer (1933-1997, American Pianist, one of the architects of the Nashville Sound who played piano on Presley's first RCA Victor single Heartbreak Hotel), Bill Black (1926-1965, American Musician, a pioneer of Rock 'n' Roll who was the bassist in Presley's early trio), Jimmy Day (1934-1999, American Pedal Steel Guitarist who performed with Presley in the early stages of his career), Rufus Thibodeaux (1934-2005, American Cajun music Fiddler, associated with Grand Ole Opry) and Jimmy Newman (1927-2014, American Country Music and Cajun Singer & Songwriter, associated with Grand Ole Opry). Most have signed in red or blue inks, Newman adding an inscription in his hand, and Black signing in bold pencil (a scarce signature as a result of his untimely death at the age of 39). An attractive and rare signed portrait from an early stage of Presley's career, enhanced by the associated group of signatures to the verso. Some light surface and corner creasing and one very small tear to the right border of the photograph, about VG The present photograph dates from 1955 and was captured by Memphis photographer William Speer for use by Sun records as a publicity portrait for their young talent. Not long after the image was taken RCA Victor acquired Presley's contract from Sun (for an unprecedented fee of $40,000 negotiated by Presley's manager and promoter Colonel Tom Parker) and the singer made his first recordings for the label in Nashville on 10th January 1956. Just over two weeks later, on 27th January, the now legendary single Heartbreak Hotel was released which featured backing by the musicians Scotty Moore, Bill Black and Floyd Cramer, and it is around this time that the present photograph was most likely signed.
Lot 115
BEATLES THE: A rare and highly unusual set of individual signatures by each member of The Beatles, all with interesting holograph additions, comprising John Lennon ('John Lennon', also adding his address '251 Menlove Ave' and nationality as 'Catholic' in his hand alongside his signature), Paul McCartney ('Paul McCartney', also adding his address '20 Forthlin Rd, L'Pool' and nationality as 'British' in his hand alongside his signature), George Harrison ('George Harrison', also adding his address '174 Mackets Lane, Woolton, Liverpool 25' and nationality as 'British' in his hand alongside his signature) and Ringo Starr (in the rarer form using his real name 'Richard Starkey', also adding his address '10 Admiral Grove, L/Pool 8' and nationality as 'Jew' in his hand alongside his signature), the signatures appearing together on a partially printed large oblong folio page removed from a Visitor's book belonging to the Arden and Cobden Hotels Ltd. The page is dated Tuesday, 4th June 1963 in an unidentified hand at the head and also features the signatures and holograph entries of sixteen other individuals, some of them also famous pop singers of the 1960s or others associated with The Beatles including Neil Aspinall (1941-2008, English Music Industry Executive, a school friend of McCartney and Harrison whom The Beatles employed as their road manager and personal assistant and who went on to head the band's Apple Corp), Gerry Marsden (1942- , English Musician, lead singer of Gerry and the Pacemakers; signed 'Gerard Marsden'), his brother Fred Marsden (1940-2006, English Drummer with Gerry and the Pacemakers; signed 'Frederick John Marsden' in block letters, also providing his address and nationality as 'Chinese Hare'), Les Chadwick (1943- , English Bassist with Gerry and the Pacemakers; signed 'John Leslie Chadwick' in block letters, also providing his address and nationality as 'Outer Hebridean'), Les Maguire (1941- , English Pianist with Gerry and the Pacemakers; signed 'Leslie Charles Maguire' in block letters, also providing his address and nationality as 'Eskimo Rabbit'), Les Hurst (Roadie to Gerry and the Pacemakers who occasionally stood in for Aspinall when he was unwell). To the final column of the page appears the room number occupied by each of the guests and it is interesting to note that McCartney and Starr shared room 103 and Lennon and Harrison shared room 121, Aspinall however was given his own room (106) and his colleague Hurst shared a room with the two Marsden brothers. Some light overall age wear, most evident at the central vertical folds, and some light creasing and small areas of paper loss to the edges, none of which significantly affect any of the signatures, about G The present page was evidently removed from the Visitors book of one of the three Birmingham hotels which were owned by Arden and Cobden Hotels Ltd. Interestingly, all were temperance hotels because they were unlicensed and did not serve alcohol. The Beatles performed at Birmingham Town Hall on 4th June 1963 as part of their concert tour alongside Roy Orbison. It was Orbison's first and The Beatles third nationwide tour of the United Kingdom and although Orbison was originally intended to be the headline act, such had been the public's reaction to the Fab Four that they were promoted to co-headliners and also closed the set in the tradition of a headlining act. The present set of signatures are of particular interest for the association it illustrates with the bands famous roots in Liverpool. Lennon resided at 251 Menlove Avenue during his childhood having moved there in July 1946, aged five, in order to live with his Aunt Mimi and her husband. He was to move out in 1963 shortly after signing the present registration page. The property was bought by Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, in 2002 and donated to the National Trust and in 2012 the property was designated a Grade II listed building by English Heritage. McCartney and his family moved into 20 Forthlin Road in 1955 whilst the future Beatle was at secondary school and the property, also a Grade II listed building, is now in the ownership of the National Trust and has been labelled by them as 'the birthplace of The Beatles' since it was the place where the band composed and rehearsed their earliest songs. Harrison's home at Mackets Lane was the third property that he lived in, moving there in August 1962. He and his family remained there until 1965. Starr occupied 10 Admiral Grove from the age of six, and the house was situated in a working class area of Liverpool, just around the corner from his birthplace. As is evident from the entries made on the registry page, the musicians would appear to have been in a jovial mood following their concert, particularly some of the members of Gerry Marsden's band who have made frivolous remarks regarding their nationalities. However, it is noteworthy that Lennon has referred to himself as a Catholic - he was actually raised as an Anglican and attended St. Peter's Anglican church in Woolton Village, South Liverpool, where he occasionally sang in the choir. However, Lennon had abandoned his childhood religious beliefs by 1964, soon after the date of the present signature. In March 1966 Lennon famously proclaimed that The Beatles had become 'more popular than Jesus' and, following the break-up of the band, he continued to reject religion. His single Imagine is widely viewed as an 'atheist anthem'. Perhaps more interesting, however, is Starr's claim on the present page that he was a Jew. In fact he attended an Evangelical Anglican church during his childhood, although has constantly been referred to as having a Jewish heritage throughout his life. This myth became so pervasive in 1964 that the drummer received death threats from ant-Semites before playing a concert in Montreal. Genuinely fearing for his life, Starr was accompanied by a bodyguard throughout the performance and went on to make a reference to the incident in the Beatles Anthology, the authorised biography of the band which was published in 2000. Starr recounted 'Some people decided to make an example of me, as an English Jew', continuing, 'The one major fault is I'm not Jewish'.
Lot 123
ALL SAINTS: Signed colour 9.5 x 7.5 photograph by all four members of the British girl pop group individually, comprising Nicole Appleton, Melanie Blatt, Shaznay Lewis and Natalie Appleton, the image depicting the group standing together in a row in three quarter length poses. Signed by each with their first names only in bold black inks to clear areas of the image. Matted in brown and framed and glazed in a light coloured wooden frame to an overall size of 14.5 x 15. VG
Lot 129
FRANCK CESAR: (1822-1890) Belgian Composer and Pianist. A.L.S., Cesar Franck, two pages, 8vo, n.p., n.d., to 'Mon cher Lucil', in French. Franck informs his correspondent, 'Be kind enough to come today Monday before 11:00 a.m. to the conservatory. First, I'll give you the little souvenir that I've owed you for a long time and that I've been carrying in my wallet ever since. Otherwise, the next day, since I'd have to ask you for a little job…' With a water stain to the upper right quarter of the page, rendering the text feint to both sides and at some points illegible, but not affecting the signature, and minor age wear. FR
Loading...-
596772 item(s)/page