WELLS H.G.: (1866-1946) English writer, remembered for his science fiction novels. A good A.L.S., H. G. Wells, one page, small 4to, Easton Glebe, Dunmow, n.d. (annotated 1916 in another hand at the head), to Huntly Carter. Wells writes in response to Carter's letter in which the journalist had posed some questions to Wells, asking what his opinion of the industrial situation regarding Labour, capital and the nation as a commercial entity was, as well as the best policies to be followed. Wells answers by stating, in part, '1a Labour will be after some fool's grievance about the C[onscience] O[bjectors] or suchlike, under the guidance of Fenner Brockway, Ramsay MacDonald & so forth......Labour will be unaware that there is an economic problem. Labour will be sheep in a narrow road. 1b. Capital will be scrambling back towards the old conditions in a stupid instinctive way under cover of an Irish row. 1c. Nonsense! Do you mean economic? 2a. 2b. 2c. Think hard. But this is Utopian'. Some very light, extremely minor age wear and a few very small pinholes to the upper left corner, otherwise VGHuntly Carter (1862-1942) British author, journalist and critic of the performing and visual arts.Fenner Brockway (1888-1988) British socialist politician, humanist campaigner and anti-war activist who served as Chairman of the Independent Labour Party (1931-33) and then as its General Secretary (1933-39).James Ramsay MacDonald (1866-1937) Scottish politician who first belonged to the Labour Party. British Prime Minister 1924, 1929-35.
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TERESHKOVA VALENTINA: (1937- ) Soviet cosmonaut, the first woman ever to fly in space during her solo mission on Vostok 6 (1963). A good vintage signed 4 x 6 photograph of Tereshkova in a smiling head and shoulders pose wearing her space helmet. Signed with her name alone in fountain pen ink to the lower white border. VG
AGA KHAN III: (1877-1957) Imam of the Nizari Ismaili Community and the first President of the All-India Muslim League. President of the League of Nations 1937-38. Signed 5.5 x 4 card, `Best wishes to you Aga Khan´, in bold fountain pen ink, [3rd December 1952]. Stain only affecting in part the word "wishes", and not affecting the signature. Accompanied by the original envelope used to send the autograph to Monsieur Weder Jul, in Switzerland, postmarked and stamped. G
APOLLO XI: A good set of three signed colour 8 x 10 photographs (all official NASA images with brief printed biographical details to the versos) by each of the crew members of Apollo XI (1969), comprising Neil Armstrong (1930-2012) American astronaut, Commander of Apollo XI, the first man to walk on the moon, signed and inscribed colour 8 x 10 photograph of Armstrong standing in a three-quarter length pose wearing his white spacesuit and with a large image of the moon in the immediate background, signed in blue ink to a light area of the image. Accompanied by a T.L.S. by Elaine Moore, Armstrong´s secretary, one page, 4to, n.p., 30th May 1978, to Adolf Ezsol, stating, in part, ´Professor Armstrong has asked that I return your first day cover unsigned. For some years he has maintained a policy of declining to autograph those items which are comercially negotiable. He has asked that you accept the enclosed autograped (sic) picture as an acceptable substitute´ , and also including the cover referred to, issued to commemorate Man´s First Landing on the Moon, and postmarked at Washington DC, 9th September 1969; Buzz Aldrin (1930- ) American astronaut, Lunar Module Pilot of Apollo XI, the second man to walk on the moon, signed and inscribed colour 8 x 10 photograph of Aldrin standing in a three-quarter length pose wearing his white spacesuit and with a large image of the moon in the immediate background. Signed in bold black ink to a light area of the image; and Michael Collins (1930-2021) American astronaut, Command Module Pilot of Apollo XI, signed colour 8 x 10 photograph of Collins standing in a three-quarter length pose wearing his white spacesuit and with a large image of the moon in the background. Signed in black ink with his name alone to a light area at the centre of the image. A few very light, minimal surface creases to each of the photographs and with slight paperclip indentations to the upper edges, and the letter by Armstrong´s secrtary slightly irregularly trimmed to the upper edge. Generally VG, 3 + 2
ASIMOV ISAAC: (1920-1992) American science fiction writer. Signed First Day of Issue cover issued by the United Nations to commemorate Marc Chagall´s stained glass window entitled Peace, created in 1964 in honour of Dag Hammarskjold, the second Secretary General of the United Nations who was killed in an airplane crash in 1961, featuring a small oval portrait of Chagall and a large colour postage stamp with an illustration of the artist´s window, post marked at New York, 17th November 1967. Signed by Asimov in blue ink with his name alone to a clear area at the base of the cover. VG
MONET CLAUDE: (1840-1926) French Impressionist painter. A very fine A.L.S., Claude Monet, three pages, 8vo, on his printed stationery of Giverny par Vernon, Eure, 1st June [1917], to Georges Clemenceau, in bold purple pencil, in French. In his characteristic writing Monet writes a letter to his lifelong friend Georges Clemenceau, referring to a travel they plan together to visit the bombed Reims cathedral, and explains that he wishes to make a quick visit to his son but as usual wishes to be back at work on Monday, and states in part `Cher ami, je n´ai pu vous répondre plus tôt hier. Les distributions postales, ici, n´étant pas très régulières. Ai bien reçu ce matin votre 2eme dépêche, c´est entendu pour 7h dimanche rue Franklin... Je serai bien aise de savoir vers quelle heure vous pensez que nous [serons] de retour à Paris ne tenant pas à passer deux nuits à Paris, et voulant me mettre au travail dès lundi matin. Serait-il possible que je puisse embrasser mon fils qui se trouve à peu de distance de Reims entre Fismes et Craonne, exactement à Ventelay... Quelle joie ce serait et pour lui et pour moi. Vous verrez si c´est possible...´ (Translation: "Dear friend, I was unable to reply to you earlier yesterday. The postal deliveries here are not very regular. I received your 2nd dispatch this morning, it is understood for 7am Sunday rue Franklin... I would be very happy to know around what time you think we [will be] back in Paris, not wanting to spend two nights in Paris, and wanting to get to work on Monday morning. Would it be possible for me to kiss my son who is a short distance from Reims between Fismes and Craonne, exactly at Ventelay... What a joy that would be for him and for me. You will see if it is possible...") Accompanied by the original envelope, addressed in Monet´s hand, postmarked and stamped. Also including the permanent Certificate of exportation issued by the French Ministry of culture. In very good condition. VG to EXGeorges Clemenceau (1841-1929) French Politician. Nicknamed "the Tiger". Clemenceau served as French Prime Minister from 1906 to 1909, and again from 1917 to 1920 and did much for the French victory during the First World War. Monet and Clemenceau met at the age of 20, but their friendship strengthened at the age of 50 when Clemenceau was finally introduced by the art critic Gustave Geoffroy in Monet’s house, in Giverny. Indeed, it was difficult to be greeted by Monet in his private paradise. Claude Monet was secretive and liked to work alone. But Clemenceau was an art lover, and the friendship between these two was unavoidable. They shared the same ideas on different things, like education and politics.Claude Monet offered to his friend Clemenceau the famous painting "Le Bloc" ("Block of Creuse rocks”), now in the Royal collection in England. The title given to the painting refers to a sentence pronounced by Clemenceau in a speech of 1891 “the French Revolution is a block”. They both loved nature, shared bulbs and seeds. These two tireless workers have admired each other, waiting for the next time they will meet by writing letters. Some are funny because they use nicknames like "my poor crustacean" or "my old biped"They almost had an argument when Monet, who was working on the Water Lilies, wanted to stop, discouraged. Clemenceau wrote to Monet that he was ready to give up to their friendship if Monet gave us his job. These paintings, now in the Orangerie Museum, are important because they were offered to the French State by Monet the day after the Armistice of November 11th, 1918, to pay homage to the young men who died in the trenches.In January 1923, Clemenceau urged Monet to undergo an operation on the eyes. It was a small success, Monet could see the colors again, for the last 3 years of his life…It has been reported that the 5th of December 1926, Monet died of lung cancer. When Clemenceau received the phone call telling him that Monet was dying, he jumped into his car, and shouted every minute on his driver "faster!!!". He arrived in Giverny, ran to Monet’s room, located on the second floor of the house, and took his friend in his arms. Monet died few minutes after. On the day of the funeral, a black drapery was placed over the coffin. Clemenceau, full of rage and energy, withdrew it, ran to the kitchen and took one of the yellow curtain, and said "No black for Monet! Black is not a color!"
FLAUBERT GUSTAVE: (1821-1880) French Novelist. Widely considered the leading exponent of the literary realism. Best-known for his debut novel Madame Bovary (1857). A good A.L.S., `Gus.Flaubert´, one page, 8vo, Vichy, Hotel Britanniqye, Thursday 2nd, [August 1862], to the Printer Jules Clayes, in French. Flaubert states `J´ai reçu la lettre de Mr. Lacroix de Bruxelles car il m´en avait addressé deux, une à Croisset et une à Paris. C´est la première qui m´est parvenue. Quant à la seconde vous pouvez la détruire ou me l´envoyer, peu importe. Je vous remercie Monsieur de votre extreme obligeance…´ ("I received the letter from Mr. Lacroix from Brussels because he had sent two to me, one to Croisset and one to Paris. It is the first one that came to me. Regarding the second, you can get rid of it or send it to me, it doesn't matter. Thank you Monsieur for your extreme kindness...") With blank integral leaf. G to VG
BURNETT CAROL (1933- ) American Comedian, Actress, and Singer. Her comedy-variety show The Carol Burnett Show, which originally aired on CBS, was one of the first to be hosted by a woman. Signed 8 x 10 colour photograph, the image showing Burnett standing in a full length pose with a large sign with her name to the background. Signed in bold black ink with her name alone to a clear area of the image. VG
RILKE RAINER MARIA: (1875-1926) Austrian poet and novelist. A.L.S., R M Rilke, one page, 8vo, Venice, 10th August 1912, to [Axel] Juncker, in German. Rilke acknowledges receipt of his correspondent's letter and their cheque for DM 179.20 'for the annual accounts of Das B[uch] d[er] B[ilder]' and concludes by expressing his gratitude and sending his best regards. With blank integral leaf. About EXAxel Juncker (1870-1952) Danish bookseller and publisher who worked in both Germany and Denmark. Das Buch der Bilder ('The Book of Images') is a collection of Rilke's poetry from 1899 onwards and was first published by Juncker in 1902. It would be the last of Rilke's works that Juncker published, despite the two men enjoying a good relationship based on intellectual exchanges and meticulous typographic recommendations, before the poet moved to the Insel publishing house.
![[DIANA]: (1961-1997) Princess of Wales, the first wife of King Charles III (when Prince of Wales). SPENCER CHARLES (1964- ) 9](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/53248784-640f-4c02-a73f-b1df01294acb/4ccf0e78-a2e7-40c3-96cf-b1df012e9225/468x382.jpg)
[DIANA]: (1961-1997) Princess of Wales, the first wife of King Charles III (when Prince of Wales). SPENCER CHARLES (1964- ) 9th Earl Spencer, Viscount Althorp. British peer and author, the younger brother of Diana, Princess of Wales. Book signed, being a hardback edition of Earl Spencer´s Tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, privately published, Althorp, 1997. The handsome edition features the full text of the eulogy the Earl gave at the funeral of his sister, Princess Diana, at Westminster Abbey on 8th September 1997. Signed (´Charles Spencer´) by the Earl in blue ink to the first page. Attractively bound in silk boards with gilt stamped title to the spine and a printed label to the front cover within gilt panelling and with marbled endpapers. Contained within the original blue card presentation box with the Althorp device printed in silver to the lid. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG
HOFMANN ALBERT: (1906-2008) Swiss Chemist known for being the first to synthesize and learn of the psychedelic effects of LSD (LSD). Hofmann authored more than 100 scientific articles and numerous books, including LSD: Mein Sorgenkind ("LSD: My Problem Child"). In 2007, he shared first place on a list of the 100 greatest living geniuses published by The Daily Telegraph newspaper. A very fine signed 4 x 6 printed bifolium, n.p., n.d., showing to the front page a small colour image of Hofmann in his late years receiving a present from a child. Signed in bold blue ink to the inside left page `With best wishes! Albert Hofmann´. To the inside right page bearing the printed text `Dass ich zu meinem grossen Geburtstag so viele Gratulationen, Geschenke und auch Anerkennung fur mein Lebenswerk entgegen nehman durfte, hat mich ausserordentlich gefreut und geehrt....Ich danke allen, die mir mit ihrer Anteilnahme so viel Freude bereitet haben, vonganzem Herzen.´ (Translation: "I was extremely happy and honored to receive so many congratulations, gifts and recognition for my life's work on my big birthday...I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart who gave me so much joy with their sympathy.") EXHofmann called LSD "medicine for the soul" and was frustrated by its worldwide prohibition. "It was used very successfully for ten years in psychoanalysis," he said, adding that the drug was misused by the counterculture of the 1960´s, criticized unfairly by the political establishment of the day. Hofmann continued to take small doses of LSD throughout his life, and always hoped to find a use for it.
YOURCENAR MARGUERITE: (1903-1987) French-American Novelist. First woman ever elected to the French Academy. A good A.L.S., `Marguerite Yourcenar´, one page, to a French postcard colour photograph, Aix en Provence, 5th January 1969, to Madame Dominique Aury, at the Gallimard editions, in French. Yourcenar states in part `Chère Amie, Tous mes voeux, d´abord, pour cette année qui s´ouvre pour vous, je le sais, sur le sentiment du vide et de l´absence, mais que le travail et la fidélité vont sûrement remplir. Je joins cette carte à une lettre écrite au départ de Paris, et que j´avais par mégarde enfermée dans une valise avec le texte de Palladas dont je vous avais parlé, et que voici. La fatigue que je mentionnais a beaucoup diminué, et j´espère qu´il en va de même de la votre; les sentiments de reconnaissance et d´amitié grandissent plus je pense à nos rencontres...´ (Translation: "Dear Friend, All my best wishes, first of all, for this year which opens for you, I know, with the feeling of emptiness and absence, but which work and fidelity will surely fill. I am attaching this card to a letter written on departure from Paris, which I had accidentally locked in a suitcase with the text of Palladas that I had spoken to you about, and here it is. The fatigue that I mentioned has greatly diminished, and I hope that the same happens with yours; the feelings of recognition and friendship grow the more I think about our meetings...") The postcard shows to the front a colour image of the cloister of the Saint Sauveur Cathedral. VG to EXYourcenar translated Greek texts and poems, including Palladas, published in July 1969 by La Nouvelle Revue Française. Palladas was a Greek author and Poet, who lived in Alexandria in the 4th & 5th century, best known for his épigrams.
![[SINKING OF THE BISMARCK]: SMITH LEONARD B.: (1915-2006) American pilot who spotted the German battleship Bismarck prior to i](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/53248784-640f-4c02-a73f-b1df01294acb/0cec990d-4fb1-4153-a7d1-b1df012f6169/468x382.jpg)
[SINKING OF THE BISMARCK]: SMITH LEONARD B.: (1915-2006) American pilot who spotted the German battleship Bismarck prior to its being sunk by British naval and air forces. Smith was the first American to participate in a World War II naval victory and is sometimes considered the first American to be directly involved in World War II for his actions. Signed commemorative cover issued for the 35th Anniversary of the ´Sighting of the Bismarck, 26th May 1941, featuring a colour design and image and postmarked at Jersey, 26th May 1976. Signed by Smith with his name alone in fountain pen ink to a clear area. One very small, light stain, VG
DELACROIX EUGENE: (1798-1863) French artist of the Romantic school. A.L.S., Eug. Delacroix, one page, 8vo, n.p., Mercredi 31, n.y., to Monsieurd Vieillard, in French. Delacroix refers to his paintings and states in part 'Mon cher ami, J´implore deux choses de votre complaisance: m´écrire le plutôt possible un mot dans lequel vous me direz si le Mr. Delasterye avec lequel vous avez vu mes peintures àla chambre est Mr. Ferdinand de Lasterye et sinon quel est son prénom. 2º avoir la complaisance de me savoir son adresse et de me l´écrire..´ (Translation: "My dear friend, I implore two things from your kindness: write me as soon as possible a word in which you will tell me if the Mr. Delasterye with whom you saw my paintings in the room is Mr. Ferdinand de Lasterye and if not what his first name is. 2nd - have the kindness to let me know me his address and write it to me..") Delacroix further refers to his health which is improving and makes an amusing comment, saying `...travailler est le plus grand bonheur de la vie quand on le peut sans avoir la colique en même temps...' (Translation: "...working is the greatest happiness in life when you can do it without having colic at the same time...") With address leaf in his hand. Also bearing to the verso few ink postmail stamps. G to VG
CHARLES III (1948- ) King of the United Kingdom since 2022. An extraordinary and exceptionally early A.L.S., Charles, as Duke of Cornwall, two pages, 4to, n.p. (London), 25th March 1954, to his father, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (´Dear Papa´), on the printed stationery of Buckingham Palace. The five-year-old future King writes in bold pencil in block letters between light pencil guidelines (the latter possibly prepared by his nanny, Mabel Anderson) and states, in full, ´Dear Papa, I am longing to see you in the ship. Love from Charles´. To the lower half of the second page appear a series of circles and crosses drawn by the Prince, representing affectionate hugs and kisses. Autograph letters signed by King Charles III at such an early age are of the utmost rarity. Some very light, extremely minimal age wear, VGAt the time of the present letter Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was accompanying Queen Elizabeth II on the Royal Tour of 1954 which marked the first time a reigning monarch had visited Australia. The royal couple arrived in Sydney Harbour on board the SS Gothic on 3rd February 1954 and spent the next fifty-eight days travelling around Australia by train, ship, car and plane. Their children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, did not accompany them on the exhausting trip and the present letter demonstrates how much the young Prince was missing his father.
PATTERSON FLOYD: (1935-2006) American boxer, World Heavyweight Champion 1956-59, 1960-62 & JOHANSSON INGEMAR: (1932-2009) Swedish boxer, World Heavyweight Champion 1959-60. A good 18 x 24 print issued to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Patterson and Johansson´s World Heavyweight contest, featuring an artist´s portraits of both boxers, alongside full-length action poses, within an oval flanked by the American and Swedish flags. Signed by both Patterson and Johansson with their names alone in black ink to clear areas of the upper border. With a small oval authentication sticker neatly affixed to the lower right corner. Rolled. VGPatterson and Johansson fought each other in three bouts, the first taking place on 26th June 1959 when Johansson triumphed over Patterson to become the first Swedish World Heavyweight Champion, and the first European to defeat an American for the title since 1933. Patterson knocked out Johansson in the rematch, on 20th June 1960, becoming the first man in history to regain the Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship. A third fight was held on 13th March 1961, Patterson retaining his title by winning the contest by knockout in the sixth round.
WHITE ANTONIA: (1899-1980) British writer, remembered for her semi-autobiographical novel Frost in May (1933) which was set in a conveny school. Correspondence collection of eight A.Ls.S., Antonia (and one signed as Ant), twelve pages (total), mainly 8vo (and a couple written on correspondance cards), London, November 1956 - December 1965, all to Neville Braybrooke (and one to June Braybrooke). White writes on a variety of literary matters, in part, ´Every Eye delightfully upset my working schedule. I meant to ration it to meal times but greedily devoured it (in) one read because I couldn´t stop! I liked it very much indeed & think it even better than the first one. It is really original..you have a wonderfully individual eye and the whole flavour of the book isn´t like anyone else´s.....You´d built it all up so perfectly that the end gave me the authentic shock....I do hope the reviewers see the point..they´re so dumb sometimes even when they´re "nice"´ (to June Braybrooke, 2nd November 1956), ´Thank you for sending me theTeilhard de Chardin book!.....I did not know you were such an authority on him! Naturally I read your excellent introduction & broadcast script (wish I´d heard this!) first & I´ve now read nearly all the other essays - most of them very interesting. I now feel almost ready to tackle The Phenomenon again. Anyway your book has made me really kove that man´ (13th September 1965), ´I´m almost beginning to feel that "The Hound & the Falcon" is a real book after all. There´s been something so dream like about the whole thing that I can´t quite believe it yet.....I´m delighted that you´re reviewing it for the Spectator......I hope so much that what you say is true, that it will comfort some other people in the same predicament. I think there are a good many´ (16th November 1965), ´It is still all very dream like to me & I don´t feel as if I´d written The H & the F. I owe its appearance almost entirely to you for if you hadn´t made that nice remark about Smoking Flax, none of this would have happened´ (21st November 1965), ´I was waiting for something unexpected & nice to be confirmed before I told you about it.....The nice, and wildly unexpected thing is this. You may remember that at that delightful dinner party of yours in the summer, you mentioned that piece of mine published years ago in The Month (about my coming back to the church) to John Guest & got him so interested in it that he asked to see it. Well, I looked it up & sent it to him. It wasn´t actually extracts from my notebooks but from a vast correspondence I´d had with someone (now dead) at the time just before & after my "re-conversion". He had kept all my letters & I had asked for them back so that I could see what I was actually thinking & writing at the actual time when I did that piece - orginally for Cyril Connolly, but it shocked him too much & was was eventually printed in The Month instead of in Horizon. Well, John Guest was so interested in it that he asked if I had the rest of the correspondence &, if so, he´d like to see it. By luck, I hadn´t destroyed those letters along with the mass of papers, MSS etc. I got rid of when I moved here - though the man´s letters have disappeared. Anyway, the nett result is that John Guest wants to publish - in fact is going to definetly going to publish - my side (I was amazed that, typed out, it comes to something like 80,000 words but of course a lot will have to be cut) & likes it v. much & thinks it´s relevant to people´s problems at the moment. I´m still slightly stunned - it´s so extraordinary, having struggled so impotently to try & write a book for the past ten years, to find I´ve writtem one, entirely by accident, over twenty years ago! And this extraordinary thing is entirely due to you, as I shall say in a little foreword....´(29th November n.y.) etc. Also including a small signed Christmas and New Year greetings card. One of the letters is accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by White. Some very light, minimal age wear and a couple of minor water stains, generally VG, 9Neville Braybrooke (1923-2001) English poet, writer, editor, literary critic and publisher.
LANG LANG: (1982- ) Chinese Pianist. Lang Lang was the first Chinese Pianist to be engaged by the Berlin and the Vienna Philarmonics. A very fine 10 x 8 colour photograph by Lang Lang, the promotional Deutsche Grammophon image depicting a youth image of the Chinese acclaimed virtuoso in a head and shoulders pose. Attractively signed in bold blue ink to a clear area of the image. EX
LINDBERG CHARLES W.: (1920-2007) American Marine of World War II, one of the flag raisers during the Battle of Iwo Jima, 1945. Signed 8 x 10 photograph, the image depicting Lindberg and his fellow United States Marines preparing the United States flag for the first raising following the capture of the top of Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima on 23rd February 1945. Signed ('Charles W. Lindberg') in black ink by Lindberg to a clear area of the background, further adding the words '1st Flag Raiser, Iwo Jima, Feb. 23, 1945, 10:30 A.M.' in his hand beneath his signature. About EX
BECKETT SAMUEL: (1906-1989) Irish novelist and playwright, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1969. A good T.L.S., Sam, one page, 4to, Paris, 13th December 1956, to Deryk [Mendel]. Beckett informs his collaborator of a convocation that had taken place the previous evening at which authorisation was granted for the intercalation of a play (´in other words to postpone our opening to February 20th´), adding that he is relieved at the decision, and remarking ´The work on Endgame is very behind hand and I was increasingly paralysed at the thought of our having to set up the mime in three weeks, the more so as I have been unable to get hold of Noel in spite of repeated pneus and foresaw there would be no objects ready for you on your return. As the play to intervene has little if any set we shall have free use of the stage from January 10th onward. I have written to John [Beckett, the playwright´s cousin] at present in Ireland and girding up his loins to arrive December 21st, to ask him to arrive instead about January 15th. This new setup is a practcal (sic) cert, but will not be quite official until this evening. If I do not write again you may take it that these presents call for no correction´ before concluding by adding ´I have had to make a small alteration in mime scenario, in function of cube dynamics, but nothing to signify´. A letter of good content relating to Beckett´s absurdist, tragicomic one-act play Endgame. Some overall creasing, GDeryk Mendel (1920-2013) British ballet dancer, choreographer, actor and director, a friend of Beckett. The playwright wrote the short play Act Without Words I in 1956 for Mendel and the dancer first performed the mime at the Royal Court Theatre in London on 3rd April 1957.Endgame, one of Beckett´s most celebrated plays, also received its premiere at the Royal Court Theatre on 3rd April 1957, and was performed in French under the direction of Roger Blinn, who also played Hamm.
WALESA LECH (1943- ) Polish Statesman. Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 1983. President of Poland 1990-95. After winning the 1990 election, Wałęsa became the first democratically elected President of Poland since 1926 and the first-ever Polish president elected by popular vote. Wałęsa became the leader of the Solidarity movement and led a successful pro-democratic change, A good signed 8 x 10 photograph by Walesa, the image depicting the political leader in a head and shoulders pose, with the Solidarity movement logo to the background. Signed in bold black ink to a clear area of the image. VG
MORALES EVO: (1959- ) Bolivian politician, and former Activist, who served as President of Bolivia from 2006 to 2019. Widely regarded as the country's first president to come from indigenous population. Signed 5 x 7 colour photograph by Morales, the image showing the Bolivian Pesident in a head and shoulders pose. Signed `Evo Morales´ in bold black ink to a largely clear area of the image. VG
STALIN VASILY: (1921-1962) Russian fighter pilot, a Lieutenant General with the Soviet Air Forces who participated in Operation Barbarossa and the Battle of Berlin during World War II. The youngest son of Joseph Stalin, upon his father´s death in 1953 Vasily Stalin was deemed dangerous by the Khrushchev administration and was arrested, imprisoned and excluded from social life. Vintage signed and inscribed 3 x 4.5 photograph of Stalin in a head and shoulders pose whilst imprisoned in the special penitentiary in Vladimir (1953-60). Signed by Stalin in Cyrillic in blue fountain pen ink to the verso and inscribed ´To my dear Linochka´ (being Lina Vasilievna Vasilyeva, the daughter of Stalin´s third wife, the Soviet Olympic athlete Kapitolina Georgievna Vasilyevna, from her first marriage). With a few additional ink and pencil annotations in unidentified hands to the verso. Together with an unsigned vintage 3.5 x 4.5 photograph of Stalin in a head and shoulders pose wearing his air force uniform and an unsigned vintage postcard photograph of Stalin in a head and shoulders pose, accompanied by two comrades, all in uniform. The two photographs date from the time when Stalin was studying at the Kachinsk Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots, November 1938 to March 1940. Some age wear and minor creasing and the first of the unsigned photographs with a neat tear to the upper edge. G, 3
PITT WILLIAM: (1759-1806) The Younger. British Prime Minister 1783-1801, 1804-06. Ink signature (´W Pitt´) at the head of a slightly irregularly torn small, slim 8vo piece, evidently removed from a treasury document, February 1788. Signed by Pitt in his capacity as First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer and countersigned by two Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, Edward James Eliot (1758-1797) English politician, a friend (and brother-in-law) to Pitt the Younger, and Richard Wellesley (1760-1842) 1st Marquess Wellesley and 2nd Earl of Mornington, Anglo-Irish politician and colonial administrator, the elder brother of the Duke of Wellington. GPitt the Younger, Eliot and Wellesley worked together in contributing various modifications and amendments to the 1792 Slave Trade Bill, which was passed in the House of Commons, but would lay for years in the House of Lords before coming into effect as An Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade in May 1807.
MOUNTBATTEN LOUIS: (1900-1979) British Admiral of World War II, later serving as the last Viceroy of India of British India (1947) and as the first Governor-General of the Dominion of India (1947-48) & MOUNTBATTEN EDWINA (1901-1960) English heiress & socialite, the last Vicereine of India as wife of Viscount Mountbatten of Burma. An official vintage Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, signed Christmas greetings card by both Louis and Edwina Mountbatten individually, the oblong 12mo stiff cream folding card featuring an image to the inside of various Mediterranean Fleet Destroyers and Frigates at sea. Signed ('Mountbatten of Burma') by the Earl and signed ('Edwina Mountbatten of Burma') by the Countess, both with their names alone beneath a printed Christmas and New Year greeting. With a small red and white flag to the cover and tied with the original small dark ribbon. VG
![[RMS TITANIC]: A pair of modern 5.5 x 3.5 postcards depicting different views of part of the deck etc. of the RMS Titanic, th](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/53248784-640f-4c02-a73f-b1df01294acb/f2149628-ecca-4509-b289-b1df012eddb6/468x382.jpg)
[RMS TITANIC]: A pair of modern 5.5 x 3.5 postcards depicting different views of part of the deck etc. of the RMS Titanic, the first signed by Eva Hart (1905-1996) British survivor of the sinking of the RMS Titanic in April 1912, who was seven years of age at the time; and the second signed by Beatrice Sandstrom (1910-1995) Swedish-American survivor of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, who was less than two years of age at the time. Both have signed in blue inks to light areas of the images, Hart adding the words Titanic Survivor in her hand beneath her signature. The two postcards are laid down together beneath a larger colour image of the RMS Titanic and contained within a cream matt to an overall size of 10 x 15. VG
BECQUEREL HENRI: (1852-1908) French physicist, the first person to discover evidence of radioactivity. Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1903. A good set of manuscript notes, scientific calculations and diagrams prepared by Becquerel, unsigned, two pages, oblong 4to, n.p., n.d., in French. The notes, presumably prepared by the physicist for a lecture, are headed Radioactivity, and form an extensive list of prompts, in part, 'Historical. 1st Observation 1896. 1st proof. Medal. Discharge of electrified bodies. Experiment on phosphorescent sulphides. General for uranium salts. Atomic property. Role of the air. Laws of loss. Exp. by Kelvin, Beattie and de Smolan, 1897. Rutherford 1899. Ionization. Saturation current, 1898. Thorium. M. Schmidt and M. Curie. Work of M. and Mme. Curie. Polonium. Radium. Debierne. Actinium. Radium spectrum. Magnetic deviation experiences. Giesel, Meyer and Schveider. H. B. Cliches. Concentration. Deviable and non-deviable rays'. To the foot of the first page appear various scientific calculations and in the left column of each page Becquerel has added eleven small pen sketches illustrating the deviations of Polonium. An interesting and rare scientific manuscript on the subject for which Becquerel is most famous, and in which he acknowledges the contributions made by his colleagues including Pierre and Marie Curie, Ernest Rutherford etc. VG
EUROPEAN POLITICAL LEADERS: A very fine selection of six signed colour 8 x 10 photographs, containing Jacques Chirac (1932-2019) French Politician who served as Prime Minister of France 1974-76, 1986-88 and as President of France 1995-2007, John Major (1943- ) British Politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1990-97, Angela Merkel (1954- ) Chancellor of Germany 2005-21 and the first woman to hold that post. Merkel has often been described as the most powerful woman and leader of the free world, Lord Carrington (1919-2018) 6th Baron Carrington. British Politician who served as Defence Secretary 1970-74 under Prime Minister Edward Heath, Foreign Secretary 1979-82 under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, and Secretary General of NATO 1984-88. In Thatcher´s first government, he played a major role in negotiating the Lancaster House agreement that ended the conflict in Rhodesia and enabled the creation of Zimbabwe. Carington was Foreign Secretary in 1982 when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. He took full responsibility for the failure to foresee it and resigned, Heinz Fischer (1938- ) Austrian Politician who served as President of Austria from 2004 to 2016, and Ion Iliescu (1930- ) Romanian Politician and Engineer who served as President of Romania from 1989 until 1996 and from 2000 until 2004. All are boldly signed to clear areas of the images, one inscribed. VG, 6
BUFFET BERNARD: (1928-1999) French painter. An excellent book signed and inscribed, being a hardback edition of Vingt-Mille dieues sous les Mers de Jules Verne, First edition with French text published by Garnier, Paris, 1990, as the catalogue to accompany Buffet´s exhibition Vingt-Mille dieues sous les Mers at the Galerie Maurice Garnier in Paris from February to March 1990. Illustrated with various colour and black & white reproductions of Buffet´s paintings inspired by Jules Verne´s novel, and some photographs of the artist working in his studio by Danielle Buffet. Bound in the publisher´s blue cloth with black printed title and pastedown and endpapers featuring Buffet´s facsimile signature. Signed twice by Buffet to the front free endpaper, once in black ink with his name alone at the head of the page, and a second time with an inscription in French and alongside a large original black ink drawing of three sunflowers, signed and dated 1992. With an unsigned 6.5 x 9.5 photograph of Buffet in a half-length pose neatly cornermounted to the page opposite. Accompanied by the loosely inserted printed correspondence card of French politician Jack Lang, who served as Minister of Culture 1981-86 & 1988-93, contained in an envleope addressed to Michael Braukmann (to whom Buffet inscribed the book). A handsome signed book enhanced with an original illustration. Some light age wear to the covers and a couple of minor, small bumps to the corbers. About VG
MASSENET JULES: (1842-1912) French composer of the Romantic era. A very good content A.L.S., `J. Massenet´, three pages, 8vo, Paris, 11th January 1901, in French. Massenet addresses the letter to `Mes chers et grands amis´ ("My dear and great friends") and emotionally refers to two of his operas and to the successful number of performances achieved, stating in part `Je suis tout ému en lisant ces mots... cette pensée! Vous savez combien mon admiration pour vous est sans bornes... Ma reconnaissance aussi! "Le Cid" à Paris a dépassé la centaine!... "Hérodiade" aussi, à Bruxelles, a plus de 100 représentations... et je pense toujours aux représentations uniques données à Paris!...´ (Translation: "I am deeply moved reading these words.. this thought! You know how much my admiration for you is boundless... My gratitude too! ` Le Cid´ in Paris has exceeded one hundred!.. `Hérodiade´ also, in Brussels, has more than 100 performances... and I always think in the unique performances given in Paris!...") Further, Massenet asks his correpondents to send his fervent thoughts to Miss Lucienne Breval. VGLe Cid is an opera in four acts by Jules Massenet based on the play of the same name by Pierre Corneille. It was first performed by a star-studded cast at the Paris Opera in November 1885 and was premiered in the presence of French President Grevy.Hérodiade is an opera in four acts by Jules Massenet, based on the novella Hérodias (1877) by Gustave Flaubert. It was first performed at the Theatre de la Monnaie in Brussels in December 1881. Lucienne Breval (1869-1935) Swiss Soprano. A favourite of Massenet. She performed most of her career at the Parisian Opera Nationale. Best remembered for her role as Chimene in Massenet´s Le Cid. Breval premiered Massenet´s opera Griselidis (1901) at the Opera Comique in Paris.
COOPER GARY: (1901-1961) American actor, Academy Award winner. An excellent vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph of Cooper in a head and shoulders pose wearing a United States Navy cap in costume as Lieutenant John Harkness from the American war-comedy film You´re in the Navy Now (1951) set in the first months of World War II. Signed by Cooper in blue fountain pen ink across a largely clear area of the background. A couple of extremely minor, small creases to the corners of the white borders, otherwise EX
HONORÉ III PRINCE OF MONACO: (1720-1795) Honoré Grimaldi ruled as Prince of Monaco 1733-93. Last ruler of Monaco before the French occupation 1793-1814. L.S., `Cavaliere de Grimaldi´, three pages, folio, Monaco, 7th May 1782, in Italian. Honoré III signs and approves to the third page the request addressed to him to the first and second page. To the heading of the third page it states `Il Principe di Monaco´, stating beneath `Autorizziamo il Podesta nostro di Mentone a poter conoscere e decidere sommariamente su due piedi senza forma e strutture...., conferendogli a tal effetto tutta la facoltà...´ (Translation: "We authorize our Mayor of Menton to be able to know and decide summarily on the spot without any form or process ...., granting him all the power to do so...") To the first and second page the request addressed to `Serenissimo Principe´, sent by a woman, citizen of Menton, dated on 23rd April 1782, relates to an unable person, stating in part `... poi molto tempo a questa parte supponendola inabile ad agire per trovarsi stropia, figlia orfana, e non in grado di poter suplire alle spese di un formale processo... provvedere alla propia indemnita con quel risparmio di spese il piu posibile ha stimato bene gettarsi di Vostra Illustrissima...´ (Translation: "...for a long time now, supposing her unable to act because she is a woman, an orphaned daughter, and unable to cover the costs of a formal trial... to provide for her own indemnity with the greatest possible saving in costs, she has deemed it best to throw herself into the hands of Your Most Illustrious Lordship...") Countersigned by Mottoni, and bearing to the third page beneath the Prince´s signature, a red wax seal. Small overall minor creasing and few very small holes due to the bold ink underlined signature and to the first letter of "Cavaliere", otherwise G to VG
BRILLAT-SAVARIN JEAN ANTHELME: (1755-1826) French lawyer and politician, who, as the author of Physiologie du goût (The Physiology of Taste), became celebrated for his culinary reminiscences and reflections on the craft and science of cookery and the art of eating. A.L.S., with his initials BS, three pages. 8vo, Paris, n.d. (´Le 3´; circa 1815), to Elisa Brillat des Terreaux, in French. Brillat-Savarin writes an affectionate social letter, stating that he was delighted to hear from her in Lyon, although remarking ´ Scipion est tres mecontent d´etre encore a attendre la lettre que tu annoncais, et je ne te dissimulerai pas que je croiais en recevoir une de toi au moins aujourd´hui car je croyais que tu aurais ecrit dans le premiere semaine´ (Translation: ´Scipion is very unhappy to be still waiting for the letter you announced, and I will not hide from you that I thought I would receive one from you at least today, as I thought you would have written in the first week´), continuing to recount an anecdote that had happened to him the other day whilst passing the street of Miss. Templier, ´j'attrapai un conducteur de cabriolet qui avait empoigné Ida et qui la portait dans sa voiture. Je pris son numéro et j' écrivis au préfet de police, qui le fit empoigner à son tour et mettre en prison où il est encore aujourd' hui. Sa femme est venue se mettre à mes genoux et après l'avoir bien grondée, j'ai consenti qu'on ne donne pas de suite à cette affaire´ (Translation: ´ I caught a cabriolet driver who had grabbed Ida and was carrying her in his car. I took his number and wrote to the police prefect, who had him grabbed in turn and put in prison where he still is today. His wife came to kneel at my knees and after scolding her thoroughly, I agreed that this matter should not be pursued further´) further writing of a Grand Ball which Madame de Villeplaine is going to host ´ou Scipion est invite, il s´apprete a jouer vigouruesement du jarret, et profite apres des lecons de M. Petit, et je commence a craindre d´etre oblige de faire elever mon plafond pour qu´il ne s´y casse pas la tete´ (Translation: ´to which Scipio is invited; he is preparing to play vigorously with his hock, and afterwards takes advantage of M. Petit's lessons, and I am beginning to fear that I shall be obliged to have my ceiling raised so that he does not break his head´), also referring to Agathe, ´Quand tu verras Agathe dis-lui de ma part quelque chose de bien tendre, et surtout empeche-la de se marier au loin; Scipion m´a dit de sa part quelque chose de tres aimable, si, que je n´en ai pas dormi pendant trois nuits´ (Translation: ´When you see Agathe say something very tender to her on my behalf, and above all prevent her from getting married far away; Scipio said something very kind to me on her behalf, so kind that I didn't sleep for three nights´), briefly referring to several dinners he has had at the homes of friends, and discussing his health and the weather, ´Je suis excessivement eurhume. J´ai passe une nuit entiere a tousser, encore une pareille et je vendais l´ame, maintenant cela va mieux. L´hiver a commence, il neige un peu, il fait froid mais tout cela sans exces, sont juste ce qu´il en faut pour que nos dames montrent leurs pelisses le pas apres pour leur geler le teint´ (Translation: ´ I'm excessively cold. I spent a whole night coughing, another one like that and I was selling my soul, but now I'm feeling better. Winter has started, it's snowing a bit, it's cold, but it's not too cold, just enough for our ladies to show off their fur coats and then freeze their complexions´) and concluding by stating ´Lord Wellington a dit au ministre des finances qu´il regardait comme certain que l´annee qui nait serait beaucoup plus avantageuse a la France que celle qui vient de passer, et on voit que les etrangers s´en iront´ (Translation: ´Lord Wellington told the Minister of Finance that he considered it certain that the coming year would be much more advantageous to France than the one that has just passed, and we can see that the foreigners will leave´). With address panel to the final page in Brillat-Savarin´s hand (small area of paper loss where the seal was originally broken, only very slightly affecting a few words of text). Some slight traces of former mounting to the corners of the final page and a couple of small tears, otherwise about VG
TIBBETS PAUL: (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. Black ink signature (´Paul W. Tibbets´) to a clear area of a printed United States Postal Service card featuring a 10 cent postage frank and circular image of John Hancock, and a blank verso. EX
LAFFAN PATRICIA: (1919-2014) English actress. A rare vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph of Laffan standing in a full-length pose in costume from one of her most famous roles as Nyah, the female alien, from the British science fiction B-film Devil Girl from Mars (1954). Signed by Laffan in blue fountain pen ink to a light area of the background. The original British Lion Film Corporation printed caption is neatly affixed to the verso and describes the second feature as ´the first major outer-space film to be made in the United Kingdom´. Some light surface creasing and one small tear to the left white border, and with some minor traces of former mounting to the verso, G
BERGSON HENRI: (1859-1941) French Philosopher. A major influential Thinker. Awarded Nobel Prize in Literature, 1927. A very good with interesting content A.L.S. H. Bergson, two pages, 8vo, Paris, 15th May 1938, on his personal printed stationery, 47 Boulevard Beauséjour, to Abel Hermant, in French. Bergson thanks his correspondent and friend for his kind article published referring to his essay Le Rire ("Laughter"), stating in part `Cher ami, ous avez fait un grand honneur à mon petit livre en le citant dans votre joli article. Il aura d´ailleurs servi la cause des bonnes lettres en vous fournissant l´occasion d´expliquer comment vous ne faites que votre devoir en donnant le signal du rire quand votre adversaire est risible. Il me semble surtout que c´est surtout par son obstination que l´erreur devient sottise´ (Translation: "Dear friend, you have done great honour to my little book by citing it in your lovely article. It will also have served the cause of the good letters by providing you with the opportunity to explain how you are only doing your duty by giving the signal to laugh when your opponent is laughable. Above all, it seems to me that it is mainly through obstinacy that error becomes stupidity") Bergson concludes his first paragraph with a Latin quote, saying `Perseverare diabolicum!´ ("Persevere diabolically") Bergson further again refers to the second part of his correspondent´s article, stating `La seconde partie de l´article traite d´un sujet important, sur lequel je souhaite que vous ayez éveillé l´attention des éducateurs. Il s´agit des professeurs qui font de l´esprit aux dépens de leurs élèves. Ce sont souvent des professeurs "chahutés", soit que les élèves se vengent ainsi de ce qui leur fait l´effet (comme vous le montrez si bien) d´une petite lâcheté, soit que leur professeur leur apparaisse comme un homme qui cherche à se tailler un succès personnel, à briller. Or rien ne déplaît d´avantage à des élèves assemblés. Ils estiment, non sans raison, qu´il doit penser à eux, et non pas à lui´ (Translation: "The second part of the article deals with an important subject, to which I hope you have alerted educators. These are teachers who are witty at the expense of their students. They are often "heckled" teachers, either because the students take revenge on what appears to them (as you show so well) as a little cowardice, or because their teacher appears to them as a man who seeks to carve out personal success, to shine. But nothing displeases assembled students more than this. They believe, not without reason, that he must think of them, and not of himself") Small tape repair to the folded edge small tear. With blank integral leaf. About VG Le Rire: Essai sur la signification du comique ("Laughter: An Essay on the Meaning of the Comic") is a collection of three essays by French philosopher Henri Bergson first published in 1900.
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE LAUREATES: A good selection of three signed colour 8 x 10 photographs by various Nobel Peace Prize laureates, containing Lech Walesa (1943- ) Polish Statesman, Dissident, and Leader of the Solidarity movement. Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 1983. Walesa served as President of Poland between 1990 and 1995. He became the first democratically elected president of Poland since 1926 and the first-ever Polish president elected by popular vote; Martti Ahtisaari (1937-2023) Finnish Politician, the tenth President of Finland, from 1994 to 2000. Ahtisaari was awarded with the Nobel Peacxe Prize laureate for his prominent role in resolving serious and long-lasting conflicts, including ones in Namibia, Kosovo, Serbia and Iraq, and Frederik Willem de Klerk (1936-2021) South African Politician who served as State President of South Africa from 1989 to 1994 and as Deputy President from 1994 to 1996. As South Africa´s last head of state from the era of white-minority rule, he and his government dismantled the apartheid system and introduced universal suffrage. All are boldly signed to clear areas of the images. VG, 3
WISEMAN JOSEPH: (1918-2009) Canadian-born American actor, remembered for his role as the villain Dr. Julius No in the first James Bond film Dr. No (1962). A scarce signed colour 10 x 8 photograph of Wiseman in a head and shoulders pose in costume as Dr. Julius No from Dr. No. Signed in blue ink to a light area at the base of the image, also adding the words ´As "Dr. No"´ in his hand above his signature. About EX
BOUDIN EUGENE: (1824-1898) French marine and landscape painter, one of the first French artists to paint outdoors. Autograph D.S., E. Boudin, one page, 8vo, Place Vintimille, Paris, May 1895, in French. The document is a receipt made out to a Monsieur Detrimont in which Boudin lists nine of his works and their individual prices, the titles including Le bassin de l´Eure au Havre, Bassin de la Barre au Havre, Le Port de Trouville, La Riviere morte a Deauville, Bords de la Tanques etc., and the prices ranging from 200 to 600 francs each, totalling 3,400 francs. Signed by Boudin at the foot beneath a brief statement, ´Recu cheque sur la Banque de France´ (Translation: ´Received cheque on the Bank of France´). Signed a second time, a little indistinctly, to a revenue stamp neatly affixed to the lower left corner. With blank integral leaf. Some age wear and light damp staining to the lower half, only very slightly affecting the text and signature, G
BOOTH WILLIAM: (1829-1912) British Methodist Preacher, founder and General of The Salvation Army. A good autograph statement signed `William Booth´, one page, 8vo, green paper, n.p., 22nd September 1902, on the Salvation army printed stationery, bearing the "Blood and Fire" red crest of the Salvation Army to the heading. In bold purple fountain pen ink Booth states `Yours for the service of God and my generation up to the highest level of my capacity and opportunity. William Booth - General of the Salvation Army´. Laid down to a very slightly larger page. Small overall minor creasing, otherwise GBooth´s organisation was at first ridiculed, but his success in establishing homes and training centres, particularly for unmarried mothers and ex-prisoners, made him a national figure. In 1902 Edward VII insisted that he receive an invitation to his coronation.
Aethelred II (978-1016), silver Penny, Benediction hand type (c.991), Winchester Mint, moneyer Brihtnoth, diademed bust right with sceptre, Latin legend and linear circles surrounding, +ÆÐELRÆD REX ANGLO, rev. hand of Benediction with swirling cuff, cross on sleeve, Latin legend and linear circles surrounding, + BRVHTNOÐ M-O PI, 1.68g (BMC IIf, p.199; BEH 2113; SCBI 36:217 Berlin; N.769; S.1147). A couple of peck marks on reverse, toned, with a nice portrait, a bold very fine and extremely rare.Only four of five pieces known to exist of this moneyer and mint for the type. Two of the known examples of these dies in Museum collections, one being the R C Lockett example lot 678 now in the National Museum of Wales and the other in Berlin; at least one other in private hands, possibly two. North lists 73 named mints in operation during the reign of Aethelred II with a further 14 unallocated. According to North Winchester operates with 44 moneyers across all types.Though Aethelred enjoyed such a long reign he was known as "The Unready" literally meaning ill-counselled from a history of bad advice and decision making. Born circa 967 Aethelred was supported by his mother and partisans that were led by Earl Aelfhere of Mercia; ascending the throne at no more than 12 years of age after the murder of his Half-Brother Edward at Corfe. The influential Aelfhere having died in 983 meant Aethelred became more vulnerable, and the Vikings began to start their raids once again. Aethelred chose to pay off the raiders rather than resist, becoming known for giving such ransoms payments willingly. This meant many hundreds of thousands of coins ended up being taken to Scandanavia where they were hoarded and why much of the coinage that survives today often exhibits "peck marks" where the Viking bankers have inserted a knife point to make sure the metal quality was good. The harrying continued until Swein Forkebeard held a great swathe of England by 1013, and Aethelred was under threat in London retreating to the Isle of Wight. England submitted to Swein but he died suddenly on the 2nd February 1014 at Gainsborough giving Aethelred the advantage and driving the Vikings out. Canute the second son of Swein, returned to attack in 1015 and by early 1016 was marching on Mercia, Aethelred however passed away on 23rd April 1016 in London at around the age of 52 just as his second son Edmund was moving south to link up with the army. Edmund was elected King, but the army was his priority, and after winning a few battles suffered a defeat at Ashingdon on 18th October 1016. He retreated possibly wounded to West Mercia and negotiated a treaty giving him rule of Wessex. However, Edmund died in Oxford on the 30th November 1016 giving control to Canute.The City of Winchester on the River Itchen in Hampshire was the Capital of the West Saxon Kingdom and seat of their bishop and mentioned in the Burghal Hidage. The Royal Treasury was here with coinage perhaps struck here as early as the reign of Beorhtric, the first time the mint name appears is on a Penny of Alfred the Great. The town was stormed by Danes in 860 and submitted without resisting to Swein in 1013. Henry of Blois was Bishop of Winchester in the reign of Stephen and the town visited by Matilda proclaimed as "Lady and Queen of England" in 1141, though she later had to flee as it was burnt. Later King John was driven from Winchester in 1216.The legends translate as "Aethelred King of the English" on obverse and "Brihtnoth of Winchester" on the reverse.Provenance Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Electronic Auction 432, 14th November 2018, lot 532.
g Elizabeth II (1952-2022), Sovereign, 2014, Struck on the Day, First Birthday of Prince George, crowned head right, IRB below truncation, ELIZABETH.II.DEI.GRA.REGINA.FID.DEF, rev. St. George and the Dragon right, date in exergue (S.SC7). Nearly as struck with proof like reverse accompanied by original Royal Mint box of issue, with numbered Certificate of Authenticity. Limited Edition Presentation of 400 Struck with a proof like finish on the reverse, the only of its kind in the series, it is tied for the lowest mintage of Struck on the Day Sovereigns with the 2015 Sovereign struck to commemorate the Second Birthday of Prince George.
Harold I (1035-40), silver Penny, fleur de lis type (c.1038-40), Lincoln Mint, moneyer Godric, diademed bust left with sceptre, legend and toothed border surrounding, commencing at top, +NADI: O LD REX, rev. pellet at centre of voided long cross, pellet topped fleur de lis between pellets in each angle, legend and toothed border surrounding, +GO DRR C ON LINC, the NC ligatured, 0.90g (SCBI Copenhagen 18:218-219; BMC type Vc 51; cf.Parsons 374; N.803; S.1165). Dark tone, good very fine and with an interesting mis-spelling out of the Regal name.The abbreviated legends translate as on the obverse "King Harold (?)" and on reverse the moneyer "Godric of Lincoln." The apparent misspelling of the Regal name may have been a confusion on where the moneyer allegiance lay, as if he almost intended to write Harthacanute's name at first with "NADI:" for HARÐI perhaps then ended it after a colon with OLD of Harold. An intriguing legend. The Parsons reference his "Coins of Harold I" by H. Alexander Parsons, British Numismatic Journal volume 15, 1919. He lists a coin reading NADOLD rather than exactly what we have offered here. According to North the Lincoln Mint operated with up to 31 moneyers in this reign through all three types. Harold Harefoot was apparently the younger of two sons Canute had with Aelfgifu, before marrying the Emma the widow of Aethlered II and having Harthacanute by her. His older brother Swein was sent to rule Norway until being expelled in 1034 and pre-deceased his Father in Denmark at the end of the year. On Canute's death the men of Mercia and Northumbria therefore chose Harold as the next ruler. Meanwhile Queen Emma in Winchester with the King's bodyguard and treasure supported her son Harthacanute who was still in Denmark, as did Godwin of Wessex, and claims of illegitimacy towards Harold became rife. War was avoided by Harthacanute's absence, but did not bode well for his cause, his half-brother Alfred later attempting to visit his mother at Winchester, being treacherously captured at Guildford by Godwin and handed over to Harold, who had him fatally blinded and sent to perish in Ely. Wessex accepted Harold as King by 1037 and Emma fled to Normandy, and though watchful of invasion by Harthacanute nothing ever came, remaining peaceful until his death in his early twenties on 17th March 1040. He was nicknamed "Harefoot" on account of his sporting ability and was buried in Westminster. On arrival Harthacanute had him dug up and thrown in a marsh, but secretive supporters recovered his body and had him interred elsewhere in London.The City of Lincoln situated on the north bank of the River Witham some 33 miles north east of Nottingham was occupied by the Danes in 918 but the army there submitted to Edward the Elder and in 942 was one of the Five Boroughs. William I built a castle here in 1067 and the minster of St Mary was taken by Remigius of Dorchester as his cathedral in 1072. Later Rannulf the Earl of Chester and William de Roumare Earl of Loncoln, seized the castle to hold against King Stephen in 1140. The King besieged the castle and was captured in defeat at the Battle of Lincoln with the town sacked and burnt. The castle was later surrendered to Stephen by Rannulf who three years later granted it back to him. Minting activity is thought to commence here with the "St Martin" coinage and then from Eadred to Henry III. In the middle of the reign of Henry I the signature of the Lincoln Mint changes to NICOLE until the end of Stephen's first type and in some later short cross coinage, this being a French name for the city seen in some mediaeval documents, with Lincolnia being the name in Latin. Provenance Ex Davissons, Cold Spring Minnesota, USA, mail bid sale 37, 21st February 2018, lot 115.Ex Dr John Tooze Collection, Dix Noonan and Webb, Auction 163, 18th September 2019, lot 1055.
![Edward IV (First reign, 1461-1470), Silver Halfgroat, Canterbury [Episcopal], facing crowned bust within double arcs of tress](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/c9d09865-42a5-4a36-832b-b1e200d02b53/fd42164a-21af-4244-bcf6-b1e200d22a24/468x382.jpg)
Edward IV (First reign, 1461-1470), Silver Halfgroat, Canterbury [Episcopal], facing crowned bust within double arcs of tressure, Archbishop Bourchier issue, mintmark pall on obverse, legend surrounds EDWARD DI GRA REX ANGL Z FRANC, no quatrefoil marks by neck, knot on breast, trefoils on tressure, rev. mintmark sun, long cross dividing legends, three pellets in each angle, outer legend reads POSVI DEVM A DIVTOR E MEVM, inner legend CIVITAS CANTOR, weight 1.47g (B & W VIb; DIG 21/5; N 1590; S.2025). Toned, little small of flan, otherwise good very fine, scarce. Provenance Ex Baldwin’s Retail sale, with a ticket in the hand of Steve Hill. Sold 2022 – with ticketEx DNW, Auction 102, 18.9.2012, lot 2131
Spain, Alfonso XIII, Five Pesetas, 1888 MP M, toddler head left, rev. crowned arms, pillars, value below (KM.689); Spain, Alfonso XIII, Five Pesetas, 1898 SG V (2), child head left, rev. crowned arms, pillars, value below (KM.707). The first good fine, the latter two – one toned, about very fine. (3)
Elizabeth II (1952-2022), silver proof Two-Ounces of Five Pounds, 2021, struck in 999.9 Fine Silver from the Great Engravers series commemorating the reverse of the Gothic Crown coin by William Wyon, crowned head right, JC below, ELIZABETH II. D. G. REG. F. D. 5 POUNDS. 2021, rev. Based on the reverse of the original coin - an ornate quartered shield design, crowned cruciform shields, emblems in angles, garter star at centre, w incuse on inner border either side of top crown, date in roman numerals in lower right of legend which commences in upper left quarter, 'teatur unita deus anno dom mmxxi' all in gothic script, milled edge, 62.42g. Brilliant and as struck, graded by NGC as PF70 Ultra Cameo - First Releases, accompanied by original Royal Mint box, outer packaging and certificate of authenticity.
William I (1066-87), silver profile Penny, type I (c.1066-68?), Bath Mint, moneyer Brungar, crowned bust left with sceptre, extending to bottom of coin, legend commences at lower left with outer beaded circle surrounding both sides, +PILLELM REX, rev. annulet at centre of cross fleury, +BRVGAR ON BAÐ, 1.31g (BMC type I; N.839; S.1250). Toned, a very pleasing coins, practically extremely fine and of the highest rarity, we can only trace one other inferior example sold in the last ten years which appears to be the only other coin currently in existence.The legends translate as "William King" on obverse and "Brungar of Bath" on the reverse. Brungar first appears as a moneyer at Bath with this first profile issue of William I and is one of four moneyers at this mint in this reign. Dr Martin Allen records only two examples in existence of which this is the best in his article "Mints and Moneyers of England and Wales 1066-1158 Addenda and Corrigenda" in the British Numismatic Journal 2016, volume 86, pages 164-190 where this coin and one other are recorded for the first time and illustrated, this coin as figure 1b. North records up to four moneyers working at Bath in this reign in types I, 3, 5 and 8.The first Norman King of England, William the Conqueror born around 1028 was the son of Robert I of Normandy and Herleya. A descendant of Rollo, William became Duke of Normandy in 1035, he subsequently married Matilda of Flanders in the 1050s ensuring a powerful ally in that neighbouring region. After a protracted struggle and quashing rebellions, his hold over Normandy was eventually secure by 1060 and with appointment of supporting abbots and bishops in the Norman church, and he subsequently secured the region of Maine in 1062. William's first cousin once removed was the childless Edward the Confessor of England and from this family connection and that Edward had previously told him he would succeed, he assumed a claim to the throne of England over Harold Godwinson, who Edward had named as his successor on his deathbed in January 1066. William also claimed that Harold previously had promised the throne to him in the event of succession, Harold having sworn over holy relics in William's presence as depicted in the Bayeux tapestry. William therefore built up a powerful invasion force to cross the channel and fight for the right to rule England as of September 1066. He landed at Pevensey Bay and after setting up camp with a basic fort at Hastings he marched north to meet Harold at Senlac Hill at Battle, East Sussex on the 14th October. A battle raged for most of the day, with at one point a rumour spread that William was slain resulting in him having to remove his helmet and reveal he was alive and fighting, boosting the morale of the Normans for the final onslaught in which Harold perished, either from an arrow in the eye or cut down by a horseman. William then went on a military tour to put down local uprisings leading to his crowning in Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day. He made arrangements in London for governance for whenever he would be in Normandy, and by 1075 his hold on England was almost complete with many forts and castles constructed. His later years involved quelling other uprisings in Europe and difficulty with his eldest son Robert Curthose, but his most famous achievement in England was the preparation of the Domesday Book in 1086; a survey of the land and the land-owners and nobles within it, listing pre-conquest and current holders at that time. William died in September 1087 leading a campaign in northern France and was buried at Caen. Normandy was given to eldest son Robert, with England given to his next surviving son William Rufus.The old Roman City of Bath some 12 miles from Bristol was rebuilt by Alfred the Great after expulsion of the Danes and was part of the Burghal Hidage. King Eadgar was coronated there in 973 and in 1013 the Danish Swein went to Bath to receive submission from the western thegns. Bath was destroyed in 1088 in a rising orchestrated by Robert de Mowbray. It later became an episcopal seat in place of Wells in 1090 and William II granted the mint to the Bishop. Minting activity occurs in the English series from the time of Edward the Elder until King Stephen.Provenance Ex Furstenburg collection, Otto Helbing Nachf auction, Munich, 14th December 1933, lot 154.Ex Commander Robert Gerhardt, Spink 215, 4 December 2012, lot 68.Ex Spink Coin Auction, 28th January 2019, lot 1609.
Royal Astronomical Society, gold prize medal by William Wyon, awarded to Albert T. Price, geophysicist and mathematician who played a key part in the preparations for the Normandy landings, 1969, Sir Isaac Newton facing left, W. WYON: ARA. MINT. on truncation, NEWTON vertically in right field, all with legend surrounding ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY INST: MDCCCXX above, [NUB]EM PELLENTE MATHESI below, rev. William Herschel’s astronomical telescope and frame, trees to the background, legend surrounding QUICQUID NITET NOTANDUM, edge engraved ALBERT T. PRICE 1969, 43mm, 56.31g, hallmarked, in John Pinches fitted leather case (BHM 1059; MI ii 472/89; cf. Eimer 1137 note). As struck with deep reflective fields, russet tone, extremely rare.Albert “Bert” Thomas Price (30 January 1903 – 13 December 1978) was a British geophysicist. Born in Nantwich, Cheshire, he was head boy at Monmouth School and subsequently studied at Manchester University, attaining an BSc in Mathematics in 1924. One year later he took on a post at Queen’s University, Belfast, as Assistant Lecturer, before moving to London in 1926 to work at Imperial College, gaining a promotion to Assistant Professor in 1946, remaining there until 1951. He married his partner, Ann, who outlived him, in 1947. His next post came as Professor of Mathematics at the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, becoming Visiting Investigator at the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism in Washington for the Carnegie Institution for Science the next year, as well as at the University of California’s Institute of Geophysics. His final academic posts came as Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Exeter from 1952 to 1968, after which he became Professor Emeritus. Mr. Price spent much of his time in the 1930s focused on the subject of geomagnetism, proving global electromagnetic induction’s validity with mathematical models. He played an important role in the Second World War, acting as a scientific consultant to the Admiralty as well as other governmental departments, underwater explosions and rocket-assisted parachute deceleration his particular areas of expertise. He also worked on floating breakwaters, key to the Normandy landings towards the end of the war. Post-war, Mr. Price returned to geomagnetism, developing the theory of induction in thin sheets.In 1969, he was recognised by The Royal Astronomical Society with this gold Medal, struck in 1831 after the society’s receipt of its Royal Charter, and first issued in 1834, for his work on geomagnetism, his work having provided fundamental knowledge of the electrical properties of the Earth’s interior and ionosphere. A quiet man not given to grand displays of emotion, the pleasure this honour gave him was clearly evident. The obverse legend NUBEM PELLENTE MATHESI translates as “Learning driving away obscurity”, and on the reverse QUICQUID NITET NOTANDUM as “Whatever shines must be recorded”.The Price Medal, named in his honour and awarded annually by the RAS, is given for outstanding work in geophysics. In later life he devoted himself to his love of gardening, moving home from Exeter to Christchurch, Beaconsfield, Torquay and finally Cirencester. His death came in 1978, at the age of 75. For further reading, see The Royal Astronomical Society’s obituary for Albert Price in their Quarterly Journal here: https://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/full/seri/QJRAS/0020//0000331.000.html
g Victoria (1837-1901), Sovereign, 1888-S, Sydney Mint, Australia, Jubilee bust facing left, small crown and veil on head, pearl earring and 13 pearl necklace, J.E.B. raised on truncation with right angled J, first abbreviated Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, VICTORIA D:G: BRITT: REG: F:D:, rev. struck en medaille, St. George and the Dragon right, horse with short tail, broken lance to left on ground-line, tiny WWP under lance, S mint mark at centre of ground-line, date in exergue, B.P to upper right (DISH S9 R2; Marsh 139; S.3868). Toned with surface marks, graded by NGC as MS63 and rare this well preserved, top pop. NGC Certification 6318077-003We note as of June 2024 that NGC have slabbed and graded 99 pieces, none of which are finer, top pop. PCGS have slabbed and graded 65 pieces of which only 1 is finer. Unlike the mere five obverse dies used for the date 1887 at the Sydney branch mint, the date 1888 used many more Jubilee head sovereign dies; the vast proportion being the later second legend obverse dies. By now, all obverse dies, first and second legend, being produced by the Royal Mint in London and sent to Sydney had the angled J in the J.E.B. initials that was present on the master die. It is estimated that only around three to five percent of 1888 Sydney sovereigns were the first legend type of a calendar year mintage of 2,187,000.
![France / Russia, Franco-Russian Friendship, small silver medal [1896], by Adolphe Rivet (1855-1925), female head, Mother Russ](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/c9d09865-42a5-4a36-832b-b1e200d02b53/9ff22976-a754-44ca-8998-b1e200d39224/468x382.jpg)
France / Russia, Franco-Russian Friendship, small silver medal [1896], by Adolphe Rivet (1855-1925), female head, Mother Russia, left, wearing tiara and pearls, ????I?, rev. Mother Russia receives La Marianne against the backdrop of a safe harbour with tall ships and lighthouse, 26.5mm, 9.73g. (Diakov 1211, 1-5 for obverse, this reverse not listed). Extremley fine with matte surface and old-collection tone, very rare.Provenance From a collection thought to have been acquired or built during the second world war by A H Baldwin & Sons Ltd (the original company), and held there for some seven decades before coming to market for the first time in 2020.
Canute (1016-35), silver short cross Penny (1029-35), Guildford Mint, moneyer Blacaman, diademed bust left with sceptre, pellet on sceptre handle, legend surrounding commences at top, CNV T REC.X., rev. pellet in annulet at centre of voided short cross, linear circles and legend surrounding, +BLACAMAN ON GVLD, large pellet on inner circle under V, 1.12g (SCBI Copenhagen 13:1126-1128; BMC type XVI; N.790; S.1159). Toned, well centred strike, almost extremely fine and extremely rare.The legends translate as "Canute King " on obverse and on the reverse "Blacaman of Guildford." This is the only example we have seen with the large pellet on the inner circle of the reverse. Despite Canute being essentially a Viking King from overseas, the coinages of England continued in a similar vein to those of Aethelred II, in that the types changed every six years, meaning there are three main types for this reign, of which the quatrefoil type was the first. According to North there were up to 74 mints in operation with perhaps four other enigmatic places that remain uncertain. North records four different moneyers working at Guildford in his reign for only two types. Canute could have been as young as 21 when he ascended the English throne after the 28th November 1016 upon the death of Edmund "Ironside" at Oxford. Though Edmund son of Aethelred II had a younger brother and two infant sons his advisers recognized Canute as successor. Though his birth date is not known, Canute was a commander in his Father's army from 1012, and at first had to settle a number of uprisings amongst the nobility and others, which he quelled by maintaining a large army and navy from heavy taxation. He kept Wessex at first for himself whilst dividing up other areas for regional government under trusted Danish allies. Canute had married Aelfgifu daughter of Ealdorman Aelfhelm of Northumbria, but set her aside to marry Aethelred's widow Emma in 1017 who had fled to Normandy, and this latter union helped maintain the political continuity and tradition of English Kingship. Harald of Denmark died childless in 1018 and Canute used his English troops and finance to extend power to Scandanvia making his infant son Harthacanute titular Governor and heir of Denmark. Canute attempted to invade Sweden, and actually took Norway in 1028 having had a pilgrimage to Rome the year before. Canute left his eldest son by Aelfgifu, Swein to rule Norway and was now the most powerful King of England ever at this time and is likely when the apocryphal story of him trying to vainly order the coastal tide to turn and retreat in front of his courtiers emerged. However, Norway was lost by 1034, Canute did not respond, and he passed away suddenly at Shaftesbury in his mid-forties on the 12th November 1035. Thirty miles south-west of London in Surrey on the River Wey is Guildford with its Norman castle which replaced the earlier fort at Eashing mentioned in the Burghal Hidage. Minting activity occurs from the time of Edward the Martyr until William II.Provenance Ex Classical Numismatic Group webshop, June 2020.
George V (1910-1936), Crowns (2): proof 1927; 1929, both wreath type, bare head left, BM on truncation, GEORGIVS V DEI GRA: BRITT: OMN: REX, rev. Imperial crown, date above, emblematic wreath surrounding of roses, shamrocks and thistles, K.G. to right of lowest rose denomination below round, .FID. .DEF. .IND. .IMP., edge milled (Bull 3631, 3636; S.4036). Both graded by NGC, the first as PF58, the second as AUNC58 respectively. (2)NGC Certifications 6945211-002 & 6945221-005 respectively.
g Victoria (1837-1901), Sovereign, 1879-S, Sydney Mint, first young filleted head left of the third style, S mint mark below, W.W. buried in truncation, date below, VICTORIA DEI GRATIA, rev. St. George and the Dragon right, long tail to horse, date in exergue, small B.P. to upper right (Bentley 680; McD 156; Marsh 116; S.3858A). Lightly toned with some surface marks, graded by NGC as AU55. NGC Certification 3928148-002. We note as of June 2024 that NGC have slabbed and graded 75 pieces, of which 31 are finer. PCGS have slabbed and graded 82 pieces, of which 37 are finer. Calendar year mintage 1,366,000.Provenance Ex Baldwin's of St. James's, Auction 42, 1 February 2020, lot 283.
Mary Tudor (1553-54), silver portrait Penny, Tower Mint London, first type, crowned bust left with pearl earring and necklace, linear and beaded circles with abbreviated Latin legend with Roman style lettering surrounding, no initial mark, pellet stops, M'. D'. G'. ROSA. SINE. SPINA., rev. long cross fourchee over quartered shield, legend VERI TAS& TEMP FILIA, mint mark pomegranate after TAS, 0.58g (N.1962; S.2494). A little uneven in shape with a light crease, some light porosity and scratch behind bust, one light surface crack to reverse, otherwise fine, reverse very fine and extremely rare.Queen Mary I was born on 18th February 1516 to Catherine of Aragon and King Henry VIII and baptised a catholic. Her younger half-brother inherited the kingdom from their Father Henry VIII in 1547 at a young age but died from a lung condition aged 15 on 6th July 1553 leaving a succession crisis as Edward feared the Protestantism he had had instilled in England would be reversed by Mary. Leading politicians claimed Lady Jane Grey to be the next Queen as the boy King's choice and Mary hastily assembled a force at Framlingham Castle in East Anglia by the 12th July having already written to the Privy Council on the 9th with order for her proclamation as successor. Support for Jane championed by the Earl of Northumberland collapsed at nine days duration leading ultimately to Jane's demise by execution. Mary triumphantly entered London on 3rd of August with her half-sister Elizabeth and over 800 nobles and gentlemen. She was coronated on the 1st October 1553. Mary attempted to restore to the church much of the land and buildings that had been confiscated by her Father but was thwarted by Parliament and in the process had over 280 religious dissenters to Catholicism burned at the stake, known as the Marian persecutions. Mary was recommended by her cousin Charles V of Spain to marry his son Philip who was once married already with one son, and heir to vast lands in Europe and the New World. This was not popular with the English people fearing England would become dependent on the Hapsburgs and further reverse Protestantism. A rebellion broke out led by Thomas Wyatt but on reaching London he was defeated, captured and executed along with the Duke of Suffolk, Lady Jane Grey and her husband Guildford Dudley. Even Elizabeth was implicated and spent two months in prison at the Tower. A Marriage Act targeted at this specific union with Philip was drawn up where he could be styled as King of England but all official documents were to have both the Queen and King's names and dated under their joint authority for Mary's life only. England would not be obliged to support Charles V in any overseas wars and Philip could not act in England without his wife's consent or appoint foreign officers to positions in England. Philip was not happy with the terms but continued for the sake of the marriage. To give Philip higher rank to be on par with Mary his Father Charles V ceded the crown of Naples and the claim to the Kingdom of Jerusalem to Philip which appears within his titles on some of their joint coin issues. The wedding went ahead on 25th July 1554 at Winchester Cathedral only two days after they had actually met, and Philip could not speak English so they conversed in a mixture of Spanish, French and Latin. By September Mary seemed to be pregnant and a birth seemed imminent by the following April. Elizabeth was released from arrest to be present to witness the birth and a false rumour even spread that a son had been born. However, it was a ghost pregnancy perhaps generated by Mary's overwhelming desire to be a mother, Philip meanwhile left England to command armies in France and Mary fell into a depression. In January 1556 Charles V died and Philip was declared King of Spain in Brussels. Philip returned to England from March to July 1557 to persuade Mary to support Spain in a renewed war with France and though she was in favour, her councillors rightfully opposed it citing the marriage treaty. However, war with France went ahead in June of 1557 as Thomas Stafford nephew of Reginal Pole invaded England with French help seizing Scarborough Castle in a failed attempt to depose the Queen. A victory for the English followed in France at the Battle of St Quentin in August but ultimately the war failed as by January of 1558 Calais was lost as the last English possession in Mainland France. Meanwhile Mary again assumed she was pregnant after Philip's English visit to no avail and she accepted by May 1558 in her weakened state that Elizabeth would be her successor. Mary died aged 42 on 17th November 1558 possibly from uterine cancer or cysts.
William III (1694-1702), silver Crown, 1695, first laureate and draped bust right with curved breastplate, legend and toothed border surrounding, GVLIELMVS. III. DEI. GRA., rev. crowned cruciform shields, Lion of Nassau at centre in cartouche with nine lozenges, early harp with seven strings, date either side of top crown, .MAG. BR.FRA. ET.HIB. REX., edge inscription with cinquefoil stops, +..+.DECVS. ET. TVTAMEN. .ANNO. REGNI. SEPTIMO.,(Bull 990; ESC 86; S.3470). Old cabinet tone, some flecking both sides, slight wear on the high points, fields noticeably free from any contact marks. A well-balanced example, graded by NGC as AU58.NGC Certification: 6601419-002
Edward the Confessor (1042-66), silver Penny, small flan type (1048-50), Tamworth Mint, Moneyer Bruninc, diademed bust left, bust to bottom of coin, legend commences at top with toothed border surrounding, +EDPE RD RE, rev. pellet at centre of voided cross, legend and toothed border surrounding, +BRVNINC ON TMI., the INC ligatured, weight 1.05g (SCBI -; BMC type II; N.818; S.1175). Toned, good very fine and of the highest rarity being one of only two known the other being in the Birmingham Museum which was the first ever found in 1993 from a neighbouring field to this piece.The legends translate as "Edward King" on obverse and "Bruninc of Tamworth" on the reverse. According to North the Tamworth Mint operated with only three moneyers in this reign through seven types. Edward son of Aethelred II and Emma (married 1002) was born at Islip, Oxford probably around 1003-4 as he is already witnessing charters as of 1005, spending early life at Ely Abbey until taken to Normandy by his mother in the autumn of 1013. Recalled to England in 1016 Edward went into exile at the court of his uncle Richard II of Normandy after the death of Edmund Ironside in November of that year, his mother leaving him to marry Canute in 1017. Edward remained there through the death of his uncle in 1027, then with his cousins Richard III and Robert until 1035 when he and his brother Alfred set off separately to see their mother at Winchester. Edward sailed to but was refused passage into Southampton, however Alfred who landed successfully in Kent was betrayed by Godwin at Guildford who turned him over to Harold and died at Ely after being fatally blinded. Edward later met his mother at Bruges in 1039 where he met with Harthacanute and was later called to England once the latter was King to be named as heir apparent. Harthacanute died suddenly after imbibing too much at a wedding on 8th June 1042 and Edward was chosen King by council backed by Earl Godwin who perhaps was trying to make amends for the death of Harold as he also gave the gift of a galley ship. Edward was at first inexperienced and relied on a series of Earls and administrators for advice. Edward married Godwin's daughter Edith in January 1045 but their union remained childless as relations with Godwin became more fraught perhaps as Edward had placed more Normans in pivotal roles in what was becoming a well-organized system of governance reaching a zenith in autumn 1051. That year Edward's sister Goda visited with her husband Eustace of Boulogne, and upon their return journey encountered hostility in Dover. Edward asked Godwin to punish the people of Dover on his behalf, but he refused (perhaps resenting the number of Normans in important positions), resulting in Edward banishing Godwin and all his family, including his own wife Edith and splitting his lands. It was at this time that according to the French sources, that Edward visited William of Normandy for naval support and to keep an eye on Godwin, as William was married to a daughter of Count Baldwin and was therefore brother-in-law to Tostig, Godwin's son, married to another daughter of Baldwin, and during this visit perhaps the heirship to England was discussed. By June 1052 Harold "Godwinson" was off the Isle of Wight and sailed up the Thames together with his Father, where they induced Edward to pardon the family and take back Edith. With the death of Godwin in April 1053 Harold now stepped into the fore as the Chief Minister and Commander in Chief to Edward and struck up a harmonious relationship of government which lasted until 1066; Harold restoring much of Wales to English over-lordship, securing southern Britain, whilst becoming the richest person in England after the King. In 1054 Edward sent Bishop Ealdred of Worcester into Europe to seek the sons of Edmund Ironside, locating the only survivor Edward "The Exile" in Hungary. He was invited with his family to London in early 1057 but he died aged around 40, just after arrival leaving wife Agatha, a baby son Edgar, and two daughters Margaret and Cristina. Other court favourites of Edward, Ralph of Hereford and Siward passed away around this time too. In 1065 a revolt in Northumbria under Earl Tostig, brother of Harold culminated at Oxford where Harold came to terms and exiled Tostig; and it was at this time that Harold perhaps visited Normandy, despite warnings from Edward to negotiate hostage kinsmen's release, and as shown in the Bayeux Tapestry, then making an oath to William as heir, swearing allegiance, unbeknownst till after that he swore over holy relics. Only the French sources depict this, and it seems Edward in London was already suffering from his final illness, as he was too sick to attend the dedication of the brand new Westminster Abbey on the 28th December 1065, though only residing a few hundred yards away. He died aged around 62 on 4th January 1066 and Harold made sure he was crowned Harold II the next day to avoid any discussion of Edgar Aethling son of Edward the Exile and grandson of Edmund Ironside succeeding. Edward was known as "The Confessor" post-mortem for the nostalgia of his reign, as one of great foresight in his wise words, his secular enthusiasm, and perhaps holy chastity being childless. Reports of miraculous healings after 1066 soon emerged and his body buried in Westminster Abbey was found to be incorrupt as of 1102. He was therefore eventually canonized in 1161. Tamworth on the River Tame in Staffordshire was the capital of Mercia and fortified by Queen Aethelflaed in 913 to repel the Danes and upon her death in 918 the town was seized by Edward the Elder. In 926 Aethelstan gave his sister in marriage to Sihtric here and the town was later stormed by the King of Dublin Anlaf Guthfrithson in 940. Minting activity occurs from the reign of Aethelstan until King Stephen.Provenance Found at Armington, Tamworth, Winter 1995, EMC 1995.0175.Ex Classical Numismatic Group, Webshop, January 2020.Ex Dix Noonan and Webb, 30th September 2009, lot 3832.Ex Collection of an English Doctor part II, Sovereign Rarities fixed price list online May 2022.
William III (1694-1702), silver Halfcrown, 1698, edge UNDECIMO, first laureate and draped bust right, legend surrounding, GVLIELMVS. III. DEI. GRA., toothed border around rim both sides, rev. modified crowned cruciform shields, later Irish harp with six strings, plain angles, Lion of Nassau at centre, date surrounding, .MAG BR. FRA ET. HIB REX. edge inscribed in raised letters and dated, .+.+.DECVS. ET. TVTAMEN. ANNO. REGNI. UNDECIMO.+ 15.11g (Bull 1036; R5 ESC 555; S.3494). Some flecking and mottled surfaces in line with this coin having a shipwreck provenance. Some original mint bloom in the periphery, bold fine or better, reverse very fine. Excessively rare and recorded as R5. Complete with signed Certificate of Origin and box – from the English Flagship association sunk October 1707. [see Isles of Scilly Navel disaster].
g Victoria (1837-1901), Sovereign, 1874-S, Sydney Mint, Australia, first young filleted head left of the third style, W.W. buried in truncation, S below, VICTORIA DEI GRATIA, rev. St. George and the Dragon right, long tail to horse, date in exergue, small B.P. to upper right (Bentley 677; McD 148; Marsh 113; S.3858A). Toned, with nicks and surface marks, graded by NGC as AU53. NGC Certification 4862422-001. We note as of June 2024 that NGC have slabbed and graded 83 pieces, of which 56 are finer. PCGS have slabbed and graded 65 pieces, of which 50 are finer. Calendar year mintage 1,899,000.Provenance Ex Baldwin's of St. James's, Auction 42, 1 February 2020, lot 282.
William III (1694-1702), Shilling, 1696 Bristol mint, Mint Error - double struck to obverse and reverse, first laureate and draped bust right, B below, legend and toothed border surrounding, GVLIELMVS. III.DEI.GRA, rev. crowned cruciform shields, Lion of Nassau at centre, date either side of top crown, .MAG. BR. FRA. ET.HIB. REX. (Bull 1158; ESC 1081; S.3498). The mint error affecting both sides of the coin, with the obverse clearly most affected from 12 o’clock to 5 o’clock where the legend can be seen twice, the reverse most affected from 7 ‘clock to 12 o’clock, again with the legends being clearly legible. Graded by NGC as Mint Error Very Fine Details, Obverse Scratched, Double Struck.This error being a clear result of the intense pace of the "Great Recoinage" that began in 1696.NGC Certificate 6945221-011
g George IV (1820-30), Sovereign, 1823, first laureate head left, B.P. for Benedetto Pistrucci below neck, GEORGIUS IIII D: G: BRITANNIAR: REX F:D:, rev. St. George and the Dragon right, date in exergue, B.P. to upper right of exergue, raised WWP on ground line below, edge milled (Bentley 14; Marsh 7 R3; S.3800). Lightly toned, surface marks and nicks both sides, graded by NGC as XF40, a very rare date.NGC Certification 4861353-003. We note as of June 2024 that NGC have slabbed and graded only 17 pieces, of which 13 are finer. PCGS have slabbed and graded only 20 pieces, of which 16 are finer. Calendar year mintage 616,770.Provenance Ex Baldwin's of St. James's, Auction 38, 26 September 2019, lot 1339.
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