We found 86094 price guide item(s) matching your search

LOUIS XVI: (1754-1793) King of France 1774-92, the last King of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution. Executed by guillotine on the Place de la Revolution at the age of 38. A good D.S., Louis (a fine, large example), as King, one page, large folio (25.5 x 34 cm), Versailles, 13th November 1787, in French. The boldly penned manuscript document confirms the financial state of la Généralité de Soissons as being 'Cent quatre vingt seize mil trois cent quatre vingt cinq livres un sol six deniers' (Translation: 'One hundred and ninety-six thousand, three hundred and eighty five livres, one sol, six deniers'). The document is decreed by the Royal Council of Finances and bears five countersignatures including those of Henri Lefevre d'Ormesson (1751-1808) French politician who briefly served as Finance Minister, and later as Mayor of Paris; Claude Guillaume Lambert (1726-1794) French jurist who served as Comptroller General of Finance, executed by guillotine; Pierre-Charles Laurent de Villedeuil (1742-1828) Controller-General of Finances under King Louis XVI; and two others. Lightly tipped at the left edge to a folio page removed from an album. Some very light, minimal age wear, VGLa Généralité de Soissons was an administrative district composed mainly of countries from the province of Picardy united to the government of Ile-de-France at that time and created in 1595.

MARIE ANTOINETTE: (1755-1793) Queen consort of France 1774-92 as the wife of King Louis XVI. Marie Antoinette was the last Queen of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution. Executed by guillotine on the Place de la Revolution at the age of 37. A rare D.S., Payez, Marie Antoinette, one page, large folio (24.5 x 35 cm), Versailles, 31st December 1783, in French. The manuscript document is addressed to the Treasurer General of Finances, Marc Antoine Francois Marie Randon de la Tour, and is a warrant for him to pay, from the funds set aside by the State for the maintenance and sustenance of officers, unto the Cavalcade Squire de Salveri, the sum of four hundred and fifty livres which has been granted to him, further instructing that the expense be entered into the accounts of the King at Paris. Signed by Marie Antoinette at the foot (to the left) with her indication that the amount has been paid and with a secretarial signature of the Queen to the right, originally applied to confirm the contents of the warrant. Countersigned at the foot by Jacques-Mathieu Augeard (1732-1805) French courtier and memoirist. Lightly tipped at the left edge to a folio page removed from an album. Some very light, minimal age wear, and one small tear to the lower left corner, otherwise VG

[MARIE ANTOINETTE]: (1755-1793) Queen consort of France 1774-92 as the wife of King Louis XVI. Marie Antoinette was the last Queen of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution. Executed by guillotine on the Place de la Revolution at the age of 37. D.S., Marie Antoinette (secretarial signature), one page (vellum), oblong folio, Versailles, 31st December 1783, in French. The manuscript document (untranslated) relates to Pierre Mathagon, acknowledging the good services he has rendered to the crown and granting him a position and funds as an Ordinary Quartermaster of the Queen's Lodges. With various dockets to the margins and verso, in one confirming that Mathagon has taken his oath before Charles Francois Casimir de Saulx (1739-1792) Duke of Tavannes and a Knight of Honour to Queen Marie Antoinette. With two neat slits where the seal would originally have been affixed (no longer present) and some light overall age wear and minor staining, about VG

MARIE LOUISE I: (1791-1847) Austrian archduchess who reigned as Duchess of Parma 1814-47. The second wife of Napoleon I and as such Empress of the French and Queen of Italy 1810-14. D.S., Maria Luigia, two pages, small folio, Parma, 8th January 1842, in Italian. The partially printed document, completed in manuscript, grants the citizenship of Parma to Ercole Malagoli of Modena, a Doctor of Medicine, and states, in part, 'Having seen the petition brought to Us by Doctor of Physics Ercole, son of the late Captain Giovanni Andrea Malagoli of Modena…..to obtain the Citizenship of these States, on the report and proposal of Our President of the Interior, We have decreed and do decree….The Citizenship of Our Duchies is granted to Doctor of Medicine Ercole Antonio Felice Malagoli, born in Modena in the Parish of San Vincenzio on the 28th October 1817 to Captain Giovanni Andrea….' Signed by the Duchess at the conclusion and countersigned by Pazzoni, President of the Interior. Some light age wear and minor creasing to the left edge, otherwise about VG

NAPOLEON III: (1808-1873) Emperor of the French 1852-70 who also served as the first President of France 1848-52. L.S., Napoleon, one page, folio, Paris, 25th January 1855, to Cardinal Patrizi ('Mon Cousin'), in French. The Emperor states that he had received his correspondent's letter 'au renouvellement des bonnes fetes de la Nativite de notre Seigneur' (Translation: 'at the renewal of the good feasts of the Nativity of Our Lord') and continues 'j'yai reconnu avec plaisir la sincerite de vos sentiments. Les voeux que vous adressez au ciel pour la gloire et la prosperite de la France m´ont vivement touché. Soyez persuadé que je saisirai, en retour, toutes les occasions de vous donner des marques de mon estime et de ma parfaite affection' (Translation: 'I recognised with pleasure the sincerity of your sentiments. Your wishes to heaven for the glory and prosperity of France deeply touch me. Be persuaded that I will seize, in return, every opportunity to give you marks of my esteem and my perfect affection'). Countersigned at the foot by Edouard Drouyn de Lhuys (1805-1881) French diplomat who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs 1848-49, 1851, 1852-55 and 1862-66. With blank integral leaf. Accompanied by the original envelope (large area of paper loss to the verso as a result of the seal having been excised). Some very light, extremely minor age wear, and a thin band of staining to the upper edge, about VGConstantino Patrizi Naro (1798-1876) Italian Cardinal who served as Dean of the Sacred College of Cardinals 1870-76. 

ALBERT VII: (1559-1621) Archduke of Austria who served as Sovereign of the Habsburg Netherlands with his wife Isabella Clara Eugenia from 1598-1621, and as Viceroy of Portugal 1583-93 and, briefly, as Archduke of Lower and Upper Austria from March-October 1619. An interesting L.S., Alberto, one page, large folio, Brussels, 22nd December 1605, in French. The manuscript letter is addressed to all of the lieutenants, governors, colonels, captains and men of war, provosts, mayors, aldermen and other justices, officers and subjects who may have cause to read it, and is a commission for Pierre Launay, an archer of the guard, to lead the tercio of Don Pedro Carmiento (?), lately arrived from England, asking that they be allowed free passage 'et le chemin accomodes de vivres et aultres choses necessaires pour leur meilleur passaige, Et enchargeons aud. Archier de tenir la main vers le Me de camp, Capnes et officiers dud. Tercio de faire vivre leurs gens en bon ordre et discipline militaire, et faire de sorte quilz se contentent raisonnablem. des viandes ordinaires que les subiectz auront en leur maison, sans leur demander ou les contraindre d'aller cercher du pain blancq, vin, poisson, chair de mouton, de veau et semblables boissons et viandes extraordinaires' (Translation: 'and the route accommodated with provisions and other things necessary for their better passage, and charge the said archer to join with the master of camp, captains and officers of the said tercio to make their people live in good order and military discipline, and to do so that they are reasonably content with the ordinary meats that the subjects will have in their house, without asking them or forcing them to go and get white bread, wine, fish, meat of mutton, veal and similar drinks and extraordinary meats') and also advising that the archer will notify the governor or principal officer of the province in advance of their arrival. With the small remnants of the affixed seal. Some extensive, small holes to the text and some splitting at the folds, slightly affecting the text and signature. FR The tercio military units of the Spanish Army, active during the reign of the Spanish Habsburgs in the early modern period, were renowned for the effectiveness of their battlefield formations and provided a crucial step in the formation of modern European armies..

UMBERTO I: (1844-1900) King of Italy 1878-1900. Assassinated. D.S., Umberto, one page, folio, Roma, 28th June 1894, in Italian. The partially printed document, bearing the printed heading “UMBERTO I, Per Grazia di Dio e per la Volonta della Nazione, RE D´ITALIA”, is a decree approving a proposal by the Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, relating to the extension of the pensions to be paid to the teachers of the Royal School. Bearing at the base a large blind embossed seal. To the upper left corner, an ink stamp states “Annullato” (“Cancelled”) With blank integral leaf. VG

LOUIS II: (1870-1949) Prince of Monaco 1922-49. L.S., Louis, three pages, folio, Palace of Monaco, 11th December 1936, to Miguel Mariano Gomez Arias, President of the Republic of Cuba, in French. The letter bears the printed heading “Louis II, par la Grace de Dieu, Prince Souverain de Monaco”. Louis II responds to his correspondent´s letter, dated May 20th, by which Miguel Gomez Arias was announcing to the Prince of Monaco his appointment as President of Cuba for the constitutional period of 1936 to 1940. Louis states in part `En remerciant Votre Excellence de cette communication, je la félicite de la haute marque de confiance dont le Peuple Cubain lui a donné un éclatant témoignage et je l´assure que tous mes efforts tendront à consolider et à developer les bonnes relations entre la Principauté de Monaco et la République de Cuba. Je forme des voeux sincères pour Votre bonheur personnel et pour la prospérité de la République...´ (Translation: `In thanking Your Excellency for this communication, I congratulate you on the high mark of confidence of which the Cuban people have given you a brilliant testimony and I assure you that all my efforts will tend to consolidate and develop the good relationships between the Principality of Monaco and the Republic of Cuba. My sincere wishes for your personal happiness and for the prosperity of the Republic...´ Although Gomez y Arias was appointed President of Cuba for the period 1936 to 1940, he was impeached six months after by the Congress and had to resign. Signed by Prince Louis at the conclusion. With three binder holes to the left border. Professionally repaired to some edges, with some small stains, otherwise G Miguel Mariano Gómez y Arias (1889-1950) Cuban seventh President of Cuba for just over eight months in 1936. Gomez y Arias was a talented orator and writer, and the opposite of the typical previous Cuban Presidents with military backgrounds.  

WLADYSLAW IV VASA: (1595-1648) King of Poland, Grand Duke of Lithuania 1632-48 and the disputed Tsar of Russia 1610-13. L.S., Vladislaus Rex, one page, folio, Warsaw, 27th December 1642, to Onorato Visconti, in Latin. The King sends his compliments and good wishes on the elevation of his correspondent to an honorary title, in part, 'Rev[erendissi]mo signor, Quando finance Vs. non ci havesse certificate il suo affetto sicome abbondanta[men]te ha fatto nell'uff[icio] che con Noi ha passato per le Feste del santo Natale, l'haveressimo nulladimento molto ben compreso dalla sua amorevolezza……L'accertiamo di haverlo aggradito pienam[en]te e di corrisponderle con ogni volonta in desiderar all'incontro a Lei ogni maggior bene' (Partial translation: 'We assure you that we have fully accepted it and that we correspond to it with every will in desiring every greater good for you'). With integral address leaf and affixed seal (causing a small oval area of light discolouration to the body of text). Loosely contained in the original paper wrappers bearing a contemporary annotation. About VG Onorato Visconti (1585-1645) Italian Roman Catholic cleric and papal diplomat who was appointed inquisitor for Malta by Pope Urban VIII in 1624 and as apostolic nuncio in Warsaw in 1630. Visconti was recalled to Rome in 1636 and although Urban VIII did not consider Visconti's performance satisfactory, Wladyslaw IV took the opposite view and proposed him for elevation to the cardinal's dignity because of his imperial privilege. However, the Pope found Poland's demand unacceptable, referring to a decree of the Council of Trent which said that only those candidates who belonged to the respective nation would be admitted, and to a bull of Pius IV that only Princes could make a recommendation in whose jurisdiction the candidate lived. The dispute over this continued for four years without reaching a conclusion. Despite repeated requests from Wladyslaw IV, the Barberini Pope never considered Visconti for the cardinalate and even ignored him at his last cardinal elevation on 13th July 1643.   

VOLKONSKY PYOTR: (1776-1852) Russian Prince and General Field Marshal who commanded the Russian troops at the Battle of Austerlitz (1805) and was one of the closest advisers to Emperor Alexander I. L.S., Le P. Pierre Volkonsky, one page, folio, Saint Petersburg, 20th March/1st April 1839, to Baron de Barante, on the printed stationery of the Chancellery of the Ministere de la Maison de l'Empereur, in French. Volkonsky informs his correspondent of the delivery of 'le masque en bronze de Charles XII de Suede' (Translation: 'the bronze mask of Charles XII of Sweden') which he had referred to in previous correspondence, further taking the opportunity to renew the assurances of the high consideration in which he holds his correspondent. Some light staining to the edges and one small tear to the right edge of the central fold, GAmable Guillaume Prosper Brugiere (1782-1866) Baron de Barante. French statesman and historian who served as ambassador to Turin and Saint Petersburg.

NICHOLAS I: (1796-1855) Emperor of Russia 1825-55. L.S., Nicolas, a good and bold signature example, three pages, folio, Saint Petersburg, 23rd March 1837, to His Majesty the King of Naples, in Cyrillic. The manuscript letter informs the King, 'Our Dear Brother and Friend.. after having accepted the petition received from our Privy Councillor, Chamberlain and Cavalier Count Adam Matushevits, who is residing now at the Court of Your Majesty as our Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Minister, we relieve him from his duty and Envoy..´. Countersigned at the foot by Karl Nesselrode. Accompanied by the original envelope wrapper bearing a large Imperial paper seal. Some extremely light, minor age wear, otherwise VG Ferdinand II (1810-1859) King of the Two Sicilies 1830-59. Karl Nesselrode (1780-1862) Russian Count and Diplomat. Foreign Affairs Minister 1816-56. Nesselrode served under Tsars Alexander I, Nicholas I and Alexander II.

ALEXANDER II: (1818-1881) Emperor of Russia, King of Poland and Duke of Finland 1855-81. Assassinated. D.S., Alexander, two pages, folio, Livadia Palace, 30th September 1872, in Cyrillic. The manuscript document, with a printed heading, is addressed to Viscount Lage, head of the Imperial Court of the Princess of Brazil, and grants him the Imperial Order of Saint Stanislaus, First Class. Signed by the Emperor at the conclusion and countersigned by the Chancellor of Orders alongside a blind embossed paper seal. With blank integral leaf. Some overall age toning and wear and with some small, neat splits at the edges of folds, G 

ALEXANDER III: (1845-1894) Emperor of Russia 1881-94. Attractive signed printed large folio copy of L´Illustration Journal Universel, French weekly edition, sixteen pages, 14th February 1885, signed by Alexander III, as Emperor, with his initial `A´ in red indelible pencil to the upper right corner of the front page. The Parisian journal includes multiple and very attractive large engravings, showing to the front page four engravings of Elme Marie Caro (1826-1887) French Philosopher; Olivier Pain (1845-1884) French Journalist known for his travelling to Sudan and dying there at the age of 39; Henri Dupuy de Lôme (1816-1885) French naval Architect and Edmond du Sommerard (1817-1885) French museum Conservator. To the inside pages bearing several attractive engravings relating to the Sudan English expedition and to the Exhibition of new machinery at the Palais de l´Industrie. The present copy was originally bound in a red leather folio volume for the Emperor, alongside other additions of the journal. Left edge very slightly trimmed, otherwise VG 

ALEXANDER III: (1845-1894) Emperor of Russia 1881-94. Attractive signed printed large folio copy of L´Illustration Journal Universel, French weekly edition, sixteen pages, 28th February 1885, signed by Alexander III, as Emperor, with his initial `A´ in red indelible pencil to the upper right corner of the front page. The Parisian journal includes multiple and very attractive large engravings, showing to the front page an engraving of a bust of Victor Hugo with angels holding a book and a laurel wreath, and to the inside pages bearing several attractive engravings relating to Sultan Achmet, to Victor Hugo giving a speech at a banquet at the Continental Hotel the 25th February 1885, also including articles related to Hugo, Balzac, Parisian theatres, etc…. The present copy was originally bound in a red leather folio volume for the Emperor, alongside other additions of the journal. Left edge very slightly trimmed, with some pages unbounded, otherwise G to VG

NICHOLAS II: (1868-1918) Emperor of Russia 1894-1917. Assassinated. An excellent and very unusually extensive D.S., `Nicolas´, in Cyrillic, a clean and bold example of the Tsar´s signature, eighty-seven pages, folio, Tsarskoye Selo, 1st of January 1914, in Cyrillic. The clean document, being a decree to the Chapter of Russian Imperial and Royal Orders, which according to the submitted certification done by the Minister of National Enlightenment regarding successful an faultless services, states in part `We bestow the Imperial and Royal Order of the White Eagle on Privy Councillors… Order of the Holy Great Prince Vladimir, Equal-of the-Apostles… 2nd class on the member of the Council of the Minister of National Enlightenment… 3rd class on the Active State Councillors, rectors and full professors of the Imperial Universities… 4th class on the Active State Councillors, rectors and professors..´ The Tsar orders `We command the Chapter to issue insignias and credentials to the Knights of the Orders. Insignias for non-Christians should be issued for..´ Bearing to the front page an ink stamp dated 8th February 1914. A long number of persons are bestowed, reporting their full names, ranks and merits, including. G to VG

JOHN VI OF PORTUGAL: (1767-1826) King of Portugal and Brazil 1816-25. Nicknamed "The Clement". After the Brazilian independence John VI became Emperor of Brazil for life. His death may have been caused by poisoning. A good L.S., `O Principe´, with large and artistic letters, and paraph, two pages, folio, Rio de Janeiro, 5th October 1810, to King Ferdinand I King of the Two Sicilies, in Potuguese. John VI, in his capacity as Regent, respond to the letter received from his correspondent King Ferdinand I announcing the birth of his son the heir and future King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies, and sends him and to the new born Prince his best wishes. Countersigned `Conde  de Linhares´ by Rodrigo de Sousa Coutinho. With blank address leaf, bearing a large paper seal affixed. Folded, with area of paper loss to the blank leaf. G  Ferdinand IV (1751-1825) King of Naples 1759-1806 & 1815-16. King of the Two Sicilies (as Ferdinand I) 1816-25. Ferdinand II (1810-1859) King of the Two Sicilies 1830-59. He succeeded his father Francis I at the early age of twenty.     Rodrigo de Sousa Coutinho (1755-1812) 1st Count of Linhares, Minister of war and Foreign Affairs in the government in exile. 

AHMAD II: (1862-1942) Bey of Tunis 1929-42. D.S., as Ahmad Bey, in Arabic, one page, folio, Royal Palace, Tunis, 2nd May 1930, in Arabic. The attractive partially printed document features the coat of arms of Tunis at the head within a decorative archway and borders, and awards Leonard Louvel, Director of the Civil Cabinet of the of the Minister of War in Paris with the Order of Nichan-Iftikhar (Grand Officer, First Class). Accompanied by an official partially printed French translation of the document authorised and signed by two officials (one the Minister Plenipotentiary) of the Residence Generale de France in Tunis. Some light staining and creasing to the borders of Ahmad Bey's document and with a lengthy split to the left half of the central horizontal fold, the translation with some age wear and a large tear to the right edge (repaired with sellotape to the verso), just affecting the text. FR to G, 2

AHMAD II: (1862-1942) Bey of Tunis 1929-42. D.S., as Ahmad Bey, in Arabic, one page, folio, Royal Palace, Tunis, 19th January 1935, in Arabic. The attractive partially printed document features the coat of arms of Tunis at the head within a decorative archway and borders, and awards the President of the French-Tunis Friendship Club with the Order of Iftikhar, 4th Class. Some light overall creasing and minor age wear, G

MUSSOLINI BENITO: (1883-1945) Italian Fascist Dictator of World War II & VITTORIO EMANUELE III (1869-1947) King of Italy 1900-46. D.S., `Mussolini´, and `Vittorio Emanuele´, two pages, folio, Rome, 12th July 1923, in Italian. The partially printed document is a decree, bearing the printed heading ''Vittorio Emanuele III, by the grace of god and by the will of the Nation - King of Italy'', according to which the King of Italy accepts the resignation of the Grand officer and engineer Alberto Torri as President of the 2nd bureau of the Superior Council. Signed in bold black inks by the King and immediately beneath by Mussolini in his capacity as Minister of war, to the second page. With few official contemporary ink stamps and one countersignature. With blank integral leaf. With extremely small pinholes to the left border as a result of its detachment. Overall age wear, mostly to edges, otherwise G

MUSSOLINI BENITO: (1883-1945) Italian Fascist Dictator of World War II & VITTORIO EMANUELE III (1869-1947) King of Italy 1900-46. D.S., `Mussolini´, and `Vittorio Emanuele´, one page, folio, San Rossore, 3rd September 1936, in Italian. The partially printed document is a decree, bearing the printed heading ''Vittorio Emanuele III, by the grace of god and by the will of the Nation King of Italy - Emperor of Ethiopia'', according to which the King of Italy grants an appointment to a member of the 1st Class military electrician Corps. Signed at the base in bold black ink by the King and beneath by Mussolini in his capacity as Minister of war. With few official contemporary ink stamps and two countersignatures. With extremely small pinholes to the left border as a result of its detachment, otherwise G to VG 

LENIN VLADIMIR: (1870-1924) Russian revolutionary and politician who served as the first and founding head of government of Soviet Russia 1917-24 and of the Soviet Union 1922-24 & TSIURUPA ALEXANDER (1870-1928) Bolshevik leader and Soviet politician who served as People's Commissar for Food of the RSFSR 1918-21. A rare D.S. by both Lenin ('V Ulyanov (Lenin)') and Tsiurupa ('A Tsyurupa') individually, one page, folio, Kremlin, Moscow, 20th June 1919, with the stamped heading of the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic Workers and Peasants Defence Council, in Cyrillic. The typed document is addressed to Narkomprod (People's Commissariat for Food Supplies) of Crimea and states, in part, 'Considering the severity of the food situation in Russia, and the enormous shortages of food for children, especially for sick children, I suggest that all canned fruits available in Crimea, as well as cheese, should be earmarked solely for feeding sick children in Northern Russia. Products should be sent to Komprod's address'. Signed at the conclusion by Lenin in his capacity as Chairman of the Defence Council and by Tsiurupa in his capacity as People's Commissar for Food Supplies, alongside an official circular purple ink stamp. Some very light, extremely minimal age wear, VGThe People's Commissariat for Food Supplies (also known by it's abbreviation Narkomprod) was originally founded in 1917 and was the ministry of the Russian SFSR in charge of food supplies and industrial goods.Lenin and Tsiurupa signed the present document at a significant time during the Russian Civil War (1917-23) throughout which Crimea changed hands numerous times. Whilst it was governed by the Bolsheviks in June 1919, it would not be long before it became the stronghold of the anti-Bolshevik White Army under the command of General Anton Denikin. It is therefore possible that Lenin and Tsiurupa, aware of the situation facing Crimea, were attempting to get as much food as they could out of the area before it was too late.

TROTSKY LEON: (1879-1940) Russian revolutionary and politician, a central figure in the establishment of Soviet Russia and the Soviet Union. Autograph Minute, How come? Trotsky, in bold red pencil, in Cyrillic, at the base of a typed document, one page, folio (thin paper), 27th March n.y., addressed to Vyacheslav Molotov, this being a copy provided to Trotsky and marked Secret, in Cyrillic. The document concerns American military courts and was issued by an assistant of the Council of People's Commissars and states, in part, 'In accordance with the Political Bureau Resolution…..on the 24th I convened a conference of a certain composition of the Political Bureau. Comrades Krasin and Eyduk declared against all limitations, while representatives of the Military and the Navy Department failed to suggest any concrete measures and promised to develop…..a set of rules, limiting movement of navy ships in our waters. However, after failing to receive the promised rules, I am stripped of an opportunity to personally fulfil the mission from the Political Bureau….' With several other ink and pencil annotations, some light creasing and a strip of a paper mount to the left margin, causing some staining (not affecting the text or signature). G 

ROCKINGHAM MARQUESS OF: (1730-1782) British Prime Minister 1765-66, 1782. A good, rare D.S., Rockingham, one page (vellum), large oblong folio, n.p., 8th September 1762. The partially printed document, completed in manuscript, is addressed to John Burton and appoints him 'to be Ensign in that Company of the Militia Battalion of Foot, raised and to be raised within the Wapentake or Hundred of Agbridge [i.e. Agbrigg] and Morley, Part of the West Riding of the County of York, Commanded by Sir George Savile Baronet' and orders that he carefully and diligently discharge his duties 'by training and disciplining the Persons to be arm'd and array'd in the said Company according to the Rules, Orders and Directions of the….Acts of Parliament'. Signed by Rockingham at the foot alongside a good red wax seal. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VGA fine example of one of the rarest of all signatures of British Prime Ministers.

[PILGRIM FATHERS THE]: WINSLOW EDWARD (1595-1655) English Separatist and New England political leader, one of the Pilgrim Fathers who travelled on the Mayflower in 1620. One of several senior leaders on the Mayflower, Winslow was a signatory of the Mayflower Compact, one of the most historic documents in American history. An extremely rare D.S., Edw: Winslow, one page, folio, Haberdashers' Hall, London, 17th March 1651. The manuscript document is issued by the Committee for Sequestration and Advancement of Money and relates to Oliver Saul of Penrice, Cornwall, and discharges him of an earlier assessment by which he was ordered to pay £200. Signed by Winslow at the foot and countersigned by several other commissioners including Richard Moore. With the original manuscript certificate signed and issued by Martyn Dallison, also dated 17th March 1651, neatly attached as a second page in the upper left corner with a small red wax seal. Autographs of any of the Pilgrim Fathers are of the utmost rarity and highly desirable. Some light staining and minor age wear to the edges, and with a small area of paper loss to the lower left edge and corner of the primary document. About VGProvenance: Previously with Roger Collicott Books and acquired by the English history collector David Stather (1940-2022) for his library.

MARTI JOSE & ESTRADA PALMA TOMAS: José Martí (1853-1895) Cuban Poet, Writer and Revolutionary Philosopher. Martí is considered a national hero as well as a leading figure in Latin American literature. He became a symbol for Cuba's fight for independence in the 19th century, and is referred to as the ''Apostle of Cuban Independence''; & Tomas Estrada Palma (1835-1908) First President of Cuba 1902-1906, and previously during the Ten Year´s War. Remembered for allowing the Platt Amendment which ensured American dominance over Cuba. An exceptional and very attractive multiple D.S., `José Martí´, and `T. Estrada Palma´, two pages, large folio, New York, 20th January 1895, to Frederick W. Ramsden, in Spanish. The partially printed document bears the printed heading of the New York delegation of the Cuban Revolutionary party, being a title given to contributors in favour of the cause, a patriotic assistance fundraising to finance the war in favour of the Independence and for the Freedom of Cuba. The attractive document, printed in red ink, bears palms and a coat of arms to the front page. The document is signed by Marti and Estrada Palma in their capacity as delegates and is also signed by Gonzalo de Quesada as Secretary of the delegation. The lengthy handwritten text, is a manifesto in favour of Cuban Independence and freedom, against the Spanish occupancy and slavery, concluding with the motto ''Homeland and Freedom''. The document bears beneath the signatures a large black paper seal affixed of the Delegation of the Cuban Revolutionary Party. Small overall minor age wear, with small remnants of a former red wax seal to the lower edge. G to VG  The present document is signed by Jose Marti on 20th 1895, only one week before drawing up the Uprising order. A month later, on 24th February, the uprising took place, and three months later Marti was killed at the battle of Dos Rios only a month after having returned to Cuba.   Gonzalo de Quesada y Arostegui (1868-1915) was the key architect of Cuba´s Independence Movement with Jose Marti. Appointed Special Commissioner of Cuba to the United States in 1900. He later entered the diplomatic service, becoming minister to the United States. De Quesada authored ''A History of Free Cuba'' (1898) and ''Cuba'' (1905). He also edited Marti's literary works 1900-11.

SOMOZA ANASTASIO: (1896-1956) Nicaraguan dictator who served as President of Nicaragua 1937-47, 1950-56. Assassinated. An official diplomatic L.S., A Somoza, one page, folio, Managua, 26th June 1951, to Manuel A. Odria, President of the Republic of Peru, in Spanish. Somoza informs Odria that he has decided to conclude the mission of Dr. Jesus Aguilar Cortes as the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Nicaragua to Peru, and further takes the opportunity to express his thanks for the courtesies extended to the diplomat, and sends his fervent good wishes for the well-being of Peru and Odria himself. Countersigned by Oscar Sevilla Sacasa, Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1949-56. With two blind embossed seals. With blank integral leaf. VGManuel A. Odria (1896-1974) President of Peru 1947-48, 1948-50, 1950-56.

AEROSMITH: A printed folio concert programme from Aerosmith's Nine Lives Tour (1997-99) individually signed by all five members of the American rock band comprising Steven Tyler, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, four of the band members signing to clear areas above and below a colour image depicting them standing together in three-quarter length poses and Hamilton signing to the inside back cover opposite. All have signed in bold black inks, Tyler adding an inscription in his hand, 'Dave u Drive me crazy' (apparently signed for the driver of their tour bus). Some very light, minor age wear, VG

GOUNOD CHARLES: (1818-1893) French composer. Autograph Musical Manuscript Signed, Ch. Gounod, three pages (including title page), folio (manuscript paper), n.p., November 1870. Gounod has neatly penned over sixty bars of music, for piano, with lyrics, to the Christian hymn There is a green hill far away. Signed and inscribed by Gounod to the title page, 'A Madame Louisa Brown, There is a green hill far away…Ch. Gounod, 9bre/70'. Loosely contained in a custom cloth bound folder with gilt stamped title (front cover detached). Some age toning and wear and with some small tears and areas of paper loss to the slightly brittle edges, not affecting the music or text, G Gounod's musical setting to Cecil Frances Alexander's text of the hymn There is a green hill far away was published in 1871. The composer considered it 'the most perfect hymn in the English language'.  Louisa Brown, and her husband Henry, resided at Higham House in Blackheath, London, and were lifelong friends of Charles Gounod and his family. Their daughter Agnes studied music with Gounod and on her marriage in 1882, the composer created Marche Nupitale for organ solo as a wedding gift to the bride.

MASSENET JULES: (1842-1912) French composer of the Romantic era. A.M.Q.S., J. Massenet, one page (manuscript paper), folio, Paris, 1892. Massenet has penned an extensive quotation, of five ensemble staves over thirteen measures, with musical directions for piano, which he identifies as being from Scene III of his ballet Le carillon, signed by Massenet at the foot and inscribed in his hand 'Page extraite du ballet "Le carillon" de M. M. de Borday & Van Dyck'. With a few heavy stains, affecting the quotation (which remains perfectly legible), but not the signature, and with some light overall creasing, small tears and areas of paper loss to the right edge and the central vertical fold professionally reinforced to the verso. About G

MILHAUD DARIUS: (1892-1974) French composer, a member of Les Six. Unusual signed and inscribed A.M.Q.S., Darius Milhaud, one page, oblong folio score, 14.5 x 11 (38 cm x 27.5 cm), n.p., October 1925, to his editor, in French. Milhaud has carefully penned over twenty-five bars of music, which he divides over seven lines, each of them entitled alongside by Milhaud as `1 Quatuor 1912 - 2 Quatuor 1914-15 - 3 Quatuor 1916… - 6 Quatuor 1922 - 7 Quatuor 1925´, adding in between the musical notes `Oeuvre posthume´ (Translation: `Posthumous work´)Signed and inscribed at the base in bold black ink. Small overall creasing and age wear with some edges very slightly trimmed, otherwise G  

FRENCH COMPOSERS: Small selection of Autograph Musical Manuscripts signed by various composers comprising Georges Falkenberg (1854-1940) French music teacher, pianist and composer, autograph musical manuscript signed (twice), eight pages (including title page), folio (manuscript paper), n.p., n.d., being a working manuscript, in ink and pencil, of Hymne funebre pour piano (Op.14), signed to the title page and again to the head of the first page of music; Adhemar Decq (1850-1925) French composer and organist of the Romantic period, autograph musical manuscript, unsigned, six pages (including calligraphic title page), folio (manuscript paper), n.p., n.d., being his Fantaisie Caprice pour piano (Op.80), inscribed to the head of the title page, 'A mona mi et collegue M. Letang'; Charles Neustedt (1838-1908) French composer, autograph musical manuscript signed, four pages, oblong folio (manuscript paper), n.p., n.d., being a copy of Maitre Ambros for piano (Op.184) by Charles-Marie Widor, signed ('Ch. Neustedt') by Neustedt at the head of the first page; and Adolphe David (1842-1897) French composer, autograph musical manuscript signed, A. David, three pages (including the title page), oblong folio (manuscript paper), n.p., n.d., identified as being the second interlude of La Statue du Commandeur, with two other similar manuscripts signed by David, one identified as Valse Naïve for piano, and the other Impromptu Caprice (Op.44). Some overall age wear, light staining and other faults, generally about G, 6

MENOTTI GIAN CARLO: (1911-2007) Italian composer and librettist. Autograph Musical Manuscript, unsigned, five pages, folio (manuscript paper), n.p., n.d. The manuscript score, with words, is entitled Il fringuello cieco ('The Blind Chaffinch') and is a composition based on Giovanni Pascoli's allegorical poem about the existence of God, neatly penned in dark fountain pen ink, with musical directions, on 12 stave manuscript paper. Some light age toning and minor age wear to the edges, otherwise VG

CALLAS MARIA: (1923-1977) American-born Greek Soprano. Attractive signed musical score `Maria Callas´, eight pages, large folio, 9.5 x 12.5, n.p., n.d., signed to the front cover of Enrique Granados´ Danzas Españolas - V - Andaluza, piano solo version, edited by Salabert in Paris. Signed in bold black ink to the upper part of the score front cover. Crease to the upper right corner.VG Enrique Granados (1867-1916) composed his doce Danzas españolas “Twelve Spanish Dances” between 1892 and 1900.

‘the care and diligence in averting and rejecting the plans of the malicious should always be praised’  PIUS III: (1439-1503) Pope of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 22nd September to 18th October 1503. At just twenty-six days, Pius III had one of the shortest pontificates in papal history. An exceptionally rare D.S., F[ranciscus]. C[ardinalis] de Piccolomineis, as Papal Legate to Rome and the Papal States, one page (vellum), slim oblong folio (32 x 12 cm), St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, 5th June 1464, in Latin. The manuscript document, issued in the name of Pope Pius II, and penned in an elegant script, states that the recipient's letters 'in which you have indicated to us certain suspicions cast by you….and also an account of what has been reported of Jacopo Piccinino' have been read, commenting 'We, beloved child, think that suspicions of this kind are vain, but we praise you for being cautious' and further continuing 'the care and diligence in averting and rejecting the plans of the malicious should always be praised, and We who are the ones who protect and defend you as we desire….Therefore, concerning the Corsicans who are trying to enter into your state, we ordered the governor of our Patrimony to seize them and punish them according to their demerits'. The document also states, 'As regards Piccinino, although he has received the….stipend from the King [Ferdinand I of Naples] and his Serenity needs his services for the establishment of his kingdom and his state, and as we have been informed he does not wish to let him go, nevertheless we shall not fail to protect you where necessary…..Our beloved son Antonio [Piccolomini], Duke of Amalfi……will soon arrive, who will station a part of our army in the territory of your country….' Adding that the Duke has been commanded to defend and protect their land and subjects if necessary. Autographs of Pope Pius III, the nephew of Pius II, are of the utmost rarity and the present document is also of historical significance for its references to Jacopo Piccinino and Antonio Piccolomini. Some light overall damp staining and two very small holes to the body of the document, the text remaining clear and entirely legible. Some traces of former mounting to the verso and with the (slightly indistinct) circular red stamp of the College heraldique de France to the verso. About VGThe recipient of the present document is unclear, however one valid candidate would be Marino Marzano (1420-1494) Italian nobleman, Grand Admiral of the Kingdom of Naples, and an ally of Pope Pius II. Pius II (1405-1464) Pope of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States 1458-64. A Renaissance humanist, and member of the House of Piccolomini, Pius II had achieved fame as an author in Latin before becoming Pope. Jacopo Piccinino (1423-1465) Italian condottiero, nobleman and feudal lord. In 1450 Piccinino became a General in the Venetian Army and in 1463 participated in the dynastic wars which tore apart the Kingdom of Naples. In 1465 he was called to Naples to receive the position as viceroy of Abruzzi and serve as leader of King Ferdinand I of Naple's troops, however he was treacherously arrested on the King's orders and condemned to death.Antonio Piccolomini (1435-1492) Duke of Amalfi. Italian soldier and politician. Brother of Francesco Piccolomini, the future Pope, and a nephew of Pius II from whom the Duke received numerous favours and investitures. Appointed Lieutenant General of Men-at-Arms of the Kingdom of Naples, at the time of the present document the Duke was engaged in eliminating the last resistances of Jacopo Piccinino and participated in various military campaigns involving the Kingdom of Naples.Ferdinand I (1424-1494) King of Naples 1458-94, one of the most influential and feared monarchs in Europe at the time and an important figure in the Italian Renaissance. Pius II had convened the Congress of Mantua in 1459 in order to plan a war against the Ottoman Turks, Christendom's common enemy, and in January 1460 the Pope proclaimed the official crusade. However, by November 1463, little progress had been made and the Pope, in an effort to organise the crusade himself, invited all of the Christian nobility to join. The Venetians immediately agreed, as did George Kastriot Skanderberg, leader of the Albanian resistance, who declared war on the Ottomans on 27th November 1463. The Pope did not succeed in securing the support of estranged France; the Duke of Burgundy breaking his promises; Milan was engrossed in an attempt to seize Genoa; and Florence cynically advised the Pope to let the Turks and the Venetians to wear each other out. Pius II was aware that he was nearing his end, and his malady most likely prompted the feverish impatience with which on 18th June 1464, less than two weeks after the present document was issued, he assumed the cross and departed for Ancona to conduct the crusade in person. Provenance: Previously contained in the archives of the College heraldique de France, a leading organisation in the studies of noble genealogy that was created in 1841 by Claude Drigon, Marquis of Magny (1796-1879). Its large collections, estimated to be 350,000 documents (including 60,000 charters from the 11th - 14th centuries) were dispersed at auction at the Hotel Drouot in 1935-37.

PARDO DE TAVERA JUAN: (1472-1545) Grand inquisitor of Spain 1539-45, Archbishop of Santiago de Compostela ("Saint Jacques of Compostela") since 1524, later appointed Archbishop of Toledo and Primate of Spain in 1534. Pardo de Tavera was also appointed by Charles V in 1539 Regent of Castile in his absence until 1541. Rare L.S., as Cardinal Archbishop of Toledo, one page, folio, Astorga, 12th September [1541-1544], to Cardinal Farnesio in Rome, in old Spanish. The present letter is written during the last years of Pardo´s life, when he was Grand Inquisitor, stating in part `Alonso de Villacorta y el licenciado Miguel Hortiz informaran a Vuestra Excelencia de algunas cosas que les escrivo; le den quenta como principal Protector de todas las que a mi me toca y tan inclinado a favorecer las que son justas y honestas… y quiera interponer en ello su oficio y autoridad según lo espero de Vuestra Reverencia. Y del gran zelo y rectitud de su ilustrisima persona la cual guarde Nuestro Señor muchos años…´ (Translation: "Alonso de Villacorta and Miguel Hortiz will inform Your Excellency of some things that I am writing to you; will give you an account as the main Protector you are of all those matters related to me and so inclined to favour those that are fair and honest... and want to intervene with his knowledge and authority in it as I expect from Your Reverend. And of the great zeal and rectitude of Your most Illustrious person, whom Our Lord will protect for many years...") Signed at the base `Humilis Servitor´ ("Humble Server") With address leaf. Overall age wear and toning with some water staining. Left edge with few binding holes and creasing to the left border. F to G 

[SLAVERY]: A very interesting document, one page, large 17 x 12 folio, given at Matanzas, Cuba, n.d., in Spanish. The partially printed document, bearing the printed heading "Registro General de Patronato de la Provincia de Matanzas” (“General Registry of the Council of the Province of Matanzas”), is a detailed list of twenty-two slaves, fourteen men and eight women, five being children, including the full names of their “Patrono” (“Patron”), the names given to the slaves `Tomasa - Atanasio - Polonia - Estanislao…´, an identification number given to each of them, their sex,their origin `Creole - Africa…´, and their age, being 5 years old the younger and 33 the older. Five slave names are crossed, showing the reason to the right border of the official document, to the last column, stating that these five slaves were freed, indicating `Libre´ (“Free”) and the dates they were freed, between 1882 and 1886.Overall age wear and toning, with edges trimmed. Repaired to the verso to the fold. About G 

Geronimo signs for the President of the Wells Fargo Express Company GERONIMO: (1829-1909) Bedonkohe Apache leader and medicine man, noted for his raids and related combat actions during the Apache Wars (1849-86). An excellent, bold pencil signature ('GERONIMO') to the verso of the personal printed oblong 12mo Visiting Card of Burns Durbin Caldwell and featuring his printed name to the centre of the recto. Accompanied by the original folio page to which the visiting card was originally loosely affixed. The page, removed from a contemporary album, features a vintage illustrated newspaper clipping laid down to the centre, the text stating, in part, 'From Warpath to Poker Table - Old Geronimo, the famous fighting chief of the Apaches, is now a prisoner of the government at Port Sill…..it is said that the wily old chief has developed such skill at bluffing and “playing a hand” that he is rapidly getting rich…..Recently Geronimo deposited $1425 in a bank at El Reno as the result of a single week's play'. Autographs of Geronimo are extremely rare and highly desirable. Some light age wear and two small traces of former mounting to the upper corners, not affecting the signature. About VG Burns D. Caldwell (1858-1922) American businessman, president of the Wells Fargo Express Company and chairman of the board of the American Railway Express Company. Geronimo attained celebrity status during his lifetime and he became a regular attraction at events and fairs including the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, New York in 1901, the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904 and Pawnee Bill's Wild West Shows, where he appeared under Army guard. Geronimo dressed in traditional clothing on such occasions, posed for photographs, provided autographs and souvenirs, and sold his crafts.  The present signature links two of the major household names of America's Wild West - Geronimo and Wells Fargo, the latter being the company that handled express service to western states, and were often robbed.  Provenance: From the autograph collection of Frank Dyche (d.1944) and his wife Grace Scripps Dyche (1863-1924). Frank Dyche, a prominent Chicago attorney, married Grace Scripps in 1896. Grace was the daughter of John Locke Scripps (1818-1866), editor of the Chicago Tribune, and his wife Mary E. Scripps (1825-1866). The Scripps have been described as 'one of the oldest and most influential families of American journalism' who 'occupied a unique place in nineteenth-century America'.

HILL ROWLAND: (1795-1879) English teacher, inventor and social reformer who campaigned for a comprehensive reform of the postal system and is credited with originating the basic concepts of the modern postal service, including the invention of the postage stamp. L.S., Rowland Hill, one page, folio, General Post Office, London, 2nd June 1855, to Monsieur Stourn in Paris. Hill refers to his previous letter and requests that his correspondent 'will be good enough to let me know whether the Books in question were refused by Mr. Johnston at Bordeaux'. With various official stamps and ink and pencil annotations to the upper portion of the letter. A couple of small, minor tears to the edges, otherwise VGHill served as Secretary to the Post Office from 1854-64.

DENON DOMINIQUE VIVANT: (1747-1825) French artist, writer, diplomat and archaeologist who was appointed as the first director of the Louvre museum by Napoleon following the Egyptian campaign of 1798-1801. L.S., Denon, two pages, folio, Paris, 14th March 1812, to Carlo Lasinio, on the printed stationery of the Musee Napoleon featuring an engraved vignette of a medallion at the head, in French. Denon acknowledges receipt of his correspondent's letter and continues 'J'en ai remis de suite une copie a S. Ex. le Ministre de l'Interieur qui m'a promis qu'il allait vous ecrire pour vous temoigner sa satisfaction sur l'ouvrage que vous venez de publier & sur le zele que vous avez mis a reunir tant d'objets precieux dans le campo santo. Vous pouvez etre persuade, Monsieur, que j'ai fait connaitre comme ils meritent de l'etre les services que vous avez rendus & que je ne perdrai jamais de vue les occasion de les faire valoir aupres de l'autorite' (Translation: 'I immediately gave a copy to His Ex. the Minister of the Interior who promised me that he would write to you to show you his satisfaction with the work you have just published and the zeal with which you have put together so many precious objects in the Campo Santo. You can be persuaded, Sir, that I have made the services you have rendered known as they deserve to be known, and that I will never lose sight of the opportunities to assert them before the authorities'), further stating 'Son Exc. le Ministre de l'Interieur, sur ma proposition, vient d'ordonner qu'il serait envoye a Pise plusieurs beaux platres moules sur l'antique pour son Lycee, a fin de l'indemniser des tableaux que j'ai demande pour Paris. Ce present equivaudra a la cession que cette ville fait, se sera pour elle d'un plus grand interet que ces tableaux auxquels elle attachait si peu de prix' (Translation: 'His Exc. the Minister of the Interior, on my proposal, has just ordered that there should be sent to Pisa several beautiful antique plaster casts for the Lyceum, in order to compensate them for the paintings I requested for Paris. This gift will be equivalent to the cession that this city makes, and will be of greater interest to it than the paintings to which is attached so little value'). Several passages at the conclusion of the letter have been lightly underlined in pencil in the hand of Lasinio, the engraver noting in the margin 'Bel compenso per Dio!' (Translation: 'Beautiful compensation, by God!). With integral address leaf. A letter of interesting association. Some light creasing and minor staining to the edges, only very slightly affecting a few words of text and not the signature, GCarlo Lasinio (1759-1838) Italian engraver who was appointed conservatore of the Camposanto in Pisa in 1807. Lasinio made considerable efforts to protect the Camposanto and its frescoes from ruin during the destructive period of the Napoleonic Wars and in 1812 commenced his influential book of etchings, Pitture a fresco del Campo Santo di Pisa, which recorded the frescoes in the Camposanto.  

CARTER HOWARD: (1874-1939) English archaeologist and Egyptologist, discovered the Tomb of Tutankhamun in 1923. Manuscript D.S., with his initials H C, (and also signed Howard Carter at the head of the first page), two pages, folio, Cairo, 4th October 1930, in pencil. The document, marked Draft, is addressed to Mr. J. T. West of the solicitors Messrs Frere, Cholmley & Co. in London, and provides a statement of Carter's income received in Egypt from 1st April 1928 to 31st March 1929, detailing the individual sums received in various months from British and American newspapers, annuities, interest from the National Bank of Egypt etc. Rare. VG 

[EGYPTOLOGY]: MASPERO GASTON (1846-1916) French Egyptologist. A good collection of Ls.S., T.Ls.S., some signed documents etc. by Maspero, forty-nine pages (total), 8vo and folio, Cairo etc., c.1910-14. The majority of the letters (38) are in Arabic and untranslated, although with seven others in French, the latter enquiring as to whether or not Said Bey Khachaba and his consort have finished their excavations in the area granted to them from El-Ganaiem to Beni Adi; asking as to whom some keys to the doors of the Temple of the Sphinx should be deposited and explaining that they are currently in a museum; asking if two placards can be given to the inspector at Giza so that they can be placed at the Temple of the Sphinx; referring to the Temple of Seti I etc. Two of the letters bear ink annotations signed (initials) by Campbell Cowan Edgar (1870-1938) Scottish Egyptologist, in one stating ‘I have examined the ground and have no objection’ and providing his estimate for the cost of ‘a proper exploration’. Also including two pages featuring various hieroglyphic drawings in an unidentified hand, with annotations in Arabic and French. All with file holes and most with some age wear, small tears to the edges etc. G to about VG, 47The Great Sphinx of Giza, the limestone statue of a reclining sphinx, a mythical creature with the head of a human and the body of a lion, is situated on the west bank of the Nile in Giza, Egypt. Maspero had conducted a survey of the Sphinx in 1886 and believed it to be ‘the most ancient monument in Egypt’.

[EGYPTOLOGY]: Collection of A.Ls.S. and T.Ls.S., memoranda etc. by various Egyptologists and other individuals, most addressed to the Director General Service des Antiquités in Cairo, eighteen pages (total), various sizes (8vo, folio etc.), various places (mainly Pyramides), 1919-30, most in French, and many with signed annotations and minutes to the margins, referring to antiquities and other objects, a visit by Belgian monarchs, and most relating to the provision of electric lights to illuminate the interior of the grand pyramid, the costs involved etc., the notes in the margins variously signed by Pierre Lacau (1873-1963) French Egyptologist and philologist who served as Egypt’s director of antiquities 1914-36 and oversaw the 1922 discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun, Henri Gauthier (1877-1950) French Egyptologist and geographer, and Cecil Mallaby Firth (1878-1931) British Egyptologist, etc. All with file holes and most with some age wear, small tears to the edges etc. G to about VG, 18

[PAX MUNDI]: [GREAT BRITAIN] Selection of Autograph Statements Signed by a variety of famous individuals from Great Britain, each one page, large folio, various places and dates, including Oliver Lodge (1851-1940) British physicist, stating, in part, 'If humanity would agree to dispense with continually improving instruments of destruction, what energies & material means would be liberated for beneficial activity! We are so used to the present extravagant precautions against the fear of attack, that we fail to realise the wealth of our opportunity. Every nation's insurance policy is too great a burden. Posterity will look with pitying eye on our & Europe's distressed & poverty-stricken condition…..we have to labour hard without enjoyment in the work - and all in order (to) pay for madness in the past & to provide against madness in the future….'; Beverley Nichols (1898-1983) English writer & playwright, stating, in part, 'I believe that permanent peace is possible - but only by an educational revolution - a revolution in which the word “patriotism” will be degraded from its false and high estate, and in which the word “pacifism” will be exalted to an equality with “Christianity”….'; Gilbert Murray (1866-1957) Australian-born British classical scholar and public intellectual; Austen Chamberlain (1863-1937) British politician, Nobel Peace Prize winner, 1925; Oliver Baldwin (1899-1958) British politician, son of Stanley Baldwin, stating 'Peace can only be assured by inculcating into the minds of Youth that war is murder: & the more dastardly a murder if camouflaged by the waving of flags & beating of drums'; Eric Drummond (1876-1951) British diplomat, the first Secretary-General of the League of Nations 1920-33; Arthur Pugh (1870-1955) British trade unionist; Michael MacWhite (1883-1958) Irish diplomat, the first Irish permanent delegate to the League of Nations; Herbert Dunnico (1875-1953) British Baptist minister and politician; Cecil Hurst (1870-1963) British international lawyer, President of the Permanent Court of International Justice in The Hague 1934-36; Godfrey Locker-Lampson (1875-1946) British politician & poet; Viscount D'Abernon (1857-1941) British politician & diplomat; Marquess of Crewe (1858-1945) British politician and writer; Margaret Kennedy (1896-1967) English novelist & playwright; stating 'To any mother the cause of World Peace must be supreme: she has risked her life in vain if the children that she bears are doomed to the horrors of modern warfare', etc. Some light age wear, generally about VG, 17 The present statements were prepared for publication in the Pax Mundi book; an anthology of sentiments on peace published in Switzerland by the World League for Peace. Between 1925 and 1932 many notable persons from around the world were asked to comment on the prospects of world peace and the volume included contributions from Marie Curie, Guglielmo Marconi, Albert Einstein, Rabindranath Tagore and many others. 

[PAX MUNDI]: [EUROPE] Selection of Autograph Statements Signed by a variety of famous European individuals, each one page, large folio, various places and dates, including Giulio Aristide Sartorio (1860-1932) Italian painter and film director, stating, in full, 'I have seen what peace truly is in the colonies of birds that live on the Pacific Islands; after prolonged moaning, instead of engaging in a conflict, the opponents would swarm to one side and the other. When men give wings to the spirit and become angels of God in the kingdom of Justice, the task of the League of Nations shall have been completed'; Dionisio Anzilotti (1867-1950) Italian jurist and judge of the Permanent Court of International Justice, stating, in part, 'As desirable as world peace is, there is something more desirable yet, without which peace has no value: that is justice…..it seems to me neither wise nor worthy to assess the means of guaranteeing peace without first having ensured the means of achieving justice'; David van Embden (1875-1962) Dutch politician; Frans Beelaerts van Blokland (1872-1956) Dutch politician and diplomat; Thanassis Aghnides (1889-1984) Greek barrister and diplomat; Nikolaos Politis (1872-1942) Greek politician and diplomat who served as Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs 1916-20, 1922; Giovanni Ciraolo (1873-1954) Italian lawyer, journalist and politician, nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1928, stating, in full, 'Peace shall crown the efforts of men of goodwill when they apply themselves not only to drafting formal treaties, but also to founding the family of nations based on international mutualism and distributive justice'; Giacomo Paulucci di Calboli (1887-1961) Italian ambassador, Under Secretary-General of the League of Nations 1927-32; Alberto de Marinis Stendardo (1868-1940) Italian General and politician; John Loudon (1866-1955) Dutch diplomat and politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs 1913-18; Willem van Eysinga (1878-1961) Dutch diplomat and jurist who served as a judge on the Permanent Court of International Justice 1931-45; Julius Curtius (1877-1948) German politician who served as Foreign Minister of the Weimar Republic 1929-31 etc. Some light age wear, generally about VG, 23 The present statements were prepared for publication in the Pax Mundi book; an anthology of sentiments on peace published in Switzerland by the World League for Peace. Between 1925 and 1932 many notable persons from around the world were asked to comment on the prospects of world peace and the volume included contributions from Marie Curie, Guglielmo Marconi, Albert Einstein, Rabindranath Tagore and many others. 

[PAX MUNDI]: [EASTERN EUROPE] Selection of Autograph Statements Signed by a variety of famous Eastern European individuals, each one page, large folio, various places and dates, including Petras Klimas (1891-1969) Lithuanian diplomat, author & historian, one of the twenty signatories of the Act of Independence of Lithuania, stating, in part, 'Increasingly beleaguered by the economic and financial disarray which is the result of uncoordinated, undirected international activities, and in the absence of a clearly defined spiritual ideal, enlightened circles in all countries are, quite rightly, advocating that the States adopt a policy of collaboration for peace. Unfortunately, this peace, so fervently desired, does not depend upon measures applicable to international relations alone….'; Athanase Bouroff (Bulgaria), Lazare Marcovitch (Yugoslavia), Prince Nicolas Cantacuzene (1868-1944; Romania), Waclaw Lypacewicz (1871-1951) Polish politician, stating, in full, 'If schools, the press, the film and broadcast industries worked for peace as fervently as they work to unleash hatred and mistrust among nations - war would become impossible'; Ignacy Daszynski (1866-1936) Polish politician and journalist who briefly served as the first Prime Minister of the Second Polish Republic in November 1918, stating, in part, 'I express my best wishes for the success of the pacifist movement. I hope it will have the greatest popularity: may every mother, leaning over her son's cradle, become a conscious and implacable enemy of war'; Jaroslav Kallab (1879-1942) Czech lawyer and writer, stating, in part, 'It is only when the idea of lasting world Peace has become, not a diplomatic and political programme, but a moral maxim, that humanity will have taken a decisive step in its evolution - that which guarantees peace'; Marceli Handelsman (1882-1945) Polish historian; Alfred de Chlapowski (1874-1940) Polish ambassador; Admiral Alfred Dietrich von Sachsenfels (Hungary), Pierre Jivkovitch (Yugoslavia), Vladimir Molloff (Finance Minister of Bulgaria), Constantin Bataloff (Bulgarian diplomat), Charles Duzmans (Latvia) etc. Some light age wear, generally about VG, 23 The present statements were prepared for publication in the Pax Mundi book; an anthology of sentiments on peace published in Switzerland by the World League for Peace. Between 1925 and 1932 many notable persons from around the world were asked to comment on the prospects of world peace and the volume included contributions from Marie Curie, Guglielmo Marconi, Albert Einstein, Rabindranath Tagore and many others.  

[PAX MUNDI]: [BELGIUM] Selection of Autograph Statements Signed by a variety of famous individuals from Belgium, each one page, large folio, various places and dates, including Paul Hymans (1865-1941) Belgian politician who served as the second President of the League of Nations 1920-21 and again in 1932-33, stating, in full, 'Peace is an economic necessity and a moral duty, a policy and an ideal'; Jules Destree (1863-1936) Walloon lawyer, cultural critic and socialist politician; Camille Mauclair (1872-1945) French poet, novelist & biographer, an Associate Member of the Royal Academy of Belgium, stating, in part, 'Nature teaches us neither peace nor love. It shows us only struggle and death, and the carnal instinct for renewing life. So peace, like love, is an invention of man's will and his spirit, and the victory of these over nature. Peace, like love, is an art - the highest, the purest to which those endowed with thought and feeling can aspire….'; Baron Ludovic Moncheur (1857-1940) Belgian diplomat, stating, in full, 'Peace is a Dove whose two wings are Security and Disarmament'; Henry Kistemaeckers (1872-1938) Belgian-born French author and playwright, stating, in part, 'One cannot but shiver when one thinks that, already in the XV century, a Hungarian king made plans for bringing about an era of eternal peace; that one hundred and fifty years earlier, Henri IV intended to substitute the reign of law for that of force by reorganising Europe; that already in 1625, Emeric Lacroix and Grotius proposed the League of Nations, the World League for Peace, the Court of the Hague, the spirit of Locarno, mandatory arbitration, the United States of Europe, and, in sum, all the most perfect things we have invented in the realm of amphictyony….'; Gustave Rolin-Jaequemyns (1835-1902) Belgian lawyer, diplomat and politician, stating, in full, 'The work of peace-making undertaken by the League of Nations has two sorts of adversaries: the sceptical and the impatient. The latter are perhaps the most to be feared'; Ernest Mahaim (1865-1938) Belgian politician; Henri Jaspar (1870-1939) Belgian Prime Minister 1926-31, stating, in part, 'There is no country in the world where love of peace is more sincere and more widespread than Belgium. Over the centuries, she has too often suffered the horrors of war and foreign occupation not to support fervently all plans towards world peace. But she also firmly believes that verbal protestations, eloquent as they may be, are not enough to assure that peace will reign. She values deeds more than words…..'; Edmond de Gaiffier d'Hestroy (1866-1935) Belgian ambassador; Ernest Ginsburger (1876-1943) French Rabbi and Jewish historian, Chief Rabbi of Belgium 1924-31, etc. Some light age wear, generally about VG, 11 The present statements were prepared for publication in the Pax Mundi book; an anthology of sentiments on peace published in Switzerland by the World League for Peace. Between 1925 and 1932 many notable persons from around the world were asked to comment on the prospects of world peace and the volume included contributions from Marie Curie, Guglielmo Marconi, Albert Einstein, Rabindranath Tagore and many others. s.

[PAX MUNDI]: [SCANDINAVIA] Selection of Autograph Statements Signed by a variety of famous individuals from Scandinavia, each one page, large folio, various places and dates, including Lauritz Melchior (1890-1973) Danish tenor, stating, in full, 'He who comes as I do from a small country (Denmark) and travels constantly throughout the world as an interpreter of the works of artists of the whole world, cannot understand at all that one can think of a war between civilised peoples after the collective experience of this terrible World War. I believe and hope, that human hearts and feelings find one another through music, so that here a basis for world understanding and world peace can be found. If it were granted to me, my greatest wish would be to lay a stone for this structure of peace with the gift of song that nature has given me'; Peter Rochegune Munch (1870-1948) Danish historian and politician who served as Foreign Minister of Denmark 1929-40; Laust Jevsen Moltesen (1865-1950) Danish church historian and politician who served as Foreign Minister of Denmark 1926-29; Albert Ehrensvard (1867-1940) Swedish diplomat and politician, Minister of Foreign Affairs 1911-14, stating, in full, 'Either war will destroy civilisation or civilisation will destroy war'; Betzy Kjelsberg (1866-1950) Norwegian politician and feminist, stating, in part, 'I am of the opinion that general disarmament is the ideal to be aimed at and that this disarmament ought to be reached by stages under the control of the governments and the League of Nations. If one could obtain through the League of Nations an agreement forbidding submarine and air war as well as chemical war, I am sure this would lead automatically to entire disarmament'; Erik Colban (1876-1956) Norwegian diplomat who served as Norwegian Ambassador to Great Britain 1942-46 etc. Some light age wear, generally about VG, 9 The present statements were prepared for publication in the Pax Mundi book; an anthology of sentiments on peace published in Switzerland by the World League for Peace. Between 1925 and 1932 many notable persons from around the world were asked to comment on the prospects of world peace and the volume included contributions from Marie Curie, Guglielmo Marconi, Albert Einstein, Rabindranath Tagore and many others. 

[PAX MUNDI]: [AMERICA] Selection of Autograph Statements Signed by a variety of famous American individuals, each one page, large folio, various places and dates, including John W. Davis (1873-1955) American politician, diplomat & lawyer, a Presidential nominee in 1924, stating, in full, 'Not only must we have the will to peace, but that will must be founded on a desire for justice to all men whether friend or foe'; Charles Curtis (1860-1936) American attorney and politician who served as Vice President of the United States 1929-33, stating, in full, 'Now that so many nations have signed a pact to abrogate war, our minds are naturally occupied on the problem of World Peace. That it may come is the passionate desire of the people of the civilised world'; Andrew O'Connor (1874-1941) American-Irish sculptor; Newton D. Baker (1871-1937) American politician who served as United States Secretary of War 1916-21, stating, in full, 'The conquest of Peace calls for militant champions. Mere good will is surrender. We must mobilise the construction agencies for the preservation of Peace as captains mobilise armies for war. Then we shall win'; Francis G. Benedict (1870-1957) American chemist, physiologist and nutritionist; John Barton Payne (1855-1935) American politician who served as United States Secretary of the Interior 1920-21, stating, in part, 'Peace is generally broken when an aggressor seeks an advantage from a neighbour. This may be attempted by a single nation or a combination. Against such an attack the answer is superior strength. Peace can be assured only by a world combination for peace, with guarantees to preserve it - the League of Nations….'; Mark Frederick Boyd (1889-1968) American physician and writer, stating, in full, 'Permanent world peace would be the most valuable contribution of civilisation to the happiness and well being of mankind'; John Merle Davis (1875-1960) American missionary, stating, in full, 'Peace cannot be attained through the appeal to the moral sense of the world alone, but through a growing recognition by the Peoples of their interdependence upon one another and the solidarity of their economic, cultural and spiritual destiny'; Myron T. Herrick (1854-1929) American banker, diplomat and politician, stating, in full, 'Happiness will obtain on Earth when man lives the biblical injunction - “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace, good will toward men”'; Frank O. Lowden (1861-1943) American politician; James Wilford Garner (1871-1938) American professor of political science, stating, in part, 'A secure and permanent peace with the incalculable blessings which it would bring to mankind is something for which every sane individual passionately yearns. It is an ideal which can only be realised by mutual cooperation among the peoples who constitute the family of nations…..'; Henry P. Fletcher (1873-1959) American diplomat; James T. Shotwell (1874-1965) Canadian-born American history professor who played an instrumental role in the creation of the International Labor Organisation (1919) and also promoted the inclusion of a declaration of human rights in the United Nations charter, stating, in full, 'The maintenance of enduring peace depends upon the acquisition and use of adequate instruments. In this great experiment American participation is ultimately guaranteed by both the history and the ideas of the United States'; Walter Evans Edge (1873-1956) American diplomat and politician who served as United States Ambassador to France 1929-33, stating, in part, 'The World War taught its lesson so clearly and at such a cost that even the most wilfully blind and recalcitrant among us cannot fail to appreciate its significance. We know that those tragic days must not, cannot, be repeated if any vestige of our Western Civilisation is to remain. We must not falter. Our inward searchings must be unsparing and if there are any cankers in the system we have created we must find and uproot them. We must mobilise the virtues of patriotism and loyalty in the cause of peace as effectively as they are drawn upon for belligerent purpose', etc. Some light age wear, generally about VG, 22 The present statements were prepared for publication in the Pax Mundi book; an anthology of sentiments on peace published in Switzerland by the World League for Peace. Between 1925 and 1932 many notable persons from around the world were asked to comment on the prospects of world peace and the volume included contributions from Marie Curie, Guglielmo Marconi, Albert Einstein, Rabindranath Tagore and many others. 

[PAX MUNDI]: [CUBA] Small selection of Autograph Statements Signed by a variety of famous Cuban individuals, each one page, large folio, various places and dates, including Carlos Manuel de Cespedes y Quesada (1871-1939) Cuban writer, politician and diplomat who served as President of Cuba August - September 1933, stating, in full, 'Let us give the World an age of peace and the following age will conquer war'; Luis Baralt (1849-1933) Cuban diplomat; Jose Manuel Cortina (1880-1970) Cuban politician, lawyer and journalist, stating, in full, 'The League of Nations is a consequence of the needs of Civilisation and of the world's present-day culture. It is an indispensable agency for the fundamental interests of Mankind. For this reason there will always be a League of Nations: its idea is already immortal and, whatever its transformations, it will follow its course in History, slowly but surely'; and two others. Some light age wear, generally about VG, 5 The present statements were prepared for publication in the Pax Mundi book; an anthology of sentiments on peace published in Switzerland by the World League for Peace. Between 1925 and 1932 many notable persons from around the world were asked to comment on the prospects of world peace and the volume included contributions from Marie Curie, Guglielmo Marconi, Albert Einstein, Rabindranath Tagore and many others.  

[PAX MUNDI]: [REST OF THE WORLD] Selection of Autograph Statements Signed by a variety of famous individuals from various countries around the world, each one page, large folio, various places and dates, including Boris Shtein (1892-1961) Soviet diplomat to the United Nations, stating, in full, 'There can be no other real means of contributing to the safeguarding of peace other than by the general and total abolition of all armed forces'; Akaki Chkhenkeli (1874-1959) Georgian Marxist politician and publicist who acted as one of the leaders of the Menshevik movement in Russia and Georgia, stating, in part, 'As an ardent proponent of peace and solidarity among peoples, I must avow that I have some doubts as to its imminent realisation. Unfortunately one cannot dispute the fact that class and group interests frequently take precedence over the interests of the nation itself, and one observes the same supremacy of national goals over the vital interests of all humanity'; Federico Alvarez de Toledo (1875-1939) Argentine politician and ambassador; and other political figures and diplomats etc. including Alberto Costadellas (Bolivia), Caballero de Bedoya (Paraguay), Eugene Jacques Crepin (Bishop of Tralles 1926-42), Luc Dominique (Haiti), Baron Auguste-Rodolphe Lehman (Liberia) etc. Some light age wear, generally about VG, 10 The present statements were prepared for publication in the Pax Mundi book; an anthology of sentiments on peace published in Switzerland by the World League for Peace. Between 1925 and 1932 many notable persons from around the world were asked to comment on the prospects of world peace and the volume included contributions from Marie Curie, Guglielmo Marconi, Albert Einstein, Rabindranath Tagore and many others.

GUS: (1911-1997) Gustave Erlich. French comic Cartoonist. Well remembered for his publications in French newspapers Le Figaro, Le Canard Enchainé, and many others. Three excellent signed original watercolours, `Gus´, one page each, oblong folio, drawing paper, n.p., all dated in his hand, in French. Gus has drawn three amusing colourful sketches, the first dated 10th July 1974 shows a scale with an eagle with swastika on one of the plates and entitled to the lower white border “Beate Klarsfeld Condamnée a Cologne” (“Beate Klarsfeld Condemned in Cologne”); the second, dated 7th May 1985, shows a colourful “big bang” watercolour, entitled “Anniversaire” (“Anniversary”) on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the end of WWII; and the third and last is an attractive drawing showing a military tank painted half with the colours of the German flag and half with the French flag. The text states `Garde à vous, Achtung! - Brigade Franco-Allemande?´ (“Attention, Achtung! - Franco-German Brigade?”), dated 22nd June 1987. VG, 3 Beate Auguste Klarsfeld (1939- ) Franco-German Journalist, known as a Nazi hunter after her multiple investigations, together with her French husband, of Nazi war criminals, including Kurt Lischka or Klaus Barbie among others.

CHATEAUBRIAND FRANCOIS-RENE DE: (1768-1848) French writer, politician, diplomat and historian. D.S., Chateaubriand, one page, folio, London, 5th July 1822, in French. The partially printed document, completed in manuscript, features a steel engraving of the French coat of arms at the head and is issued in the name of the King [Louis XVIII], being an official diplomatic passport signed by Chateaubriand in his capacity as French Ambassador to the United Kingdom, requesting that the civil and military authorities of His Britannic Majesty, and all the friendly countries and allies of France, allow free passage for Monsieur Klaatoch, an employee in the Department of Finance in the service of the King of Prussia, on his journey from London to Berlin. Countersigned at the foot by Baron Elysee Decazes (1793-1846) Secretary to the Ambassador. Some light overall creasing, otherwise VG

HUGO VICTOR: (1802-1885) French novelist, poet and dramatist. An excellent, significant and attractive D.S., Vtr. Hugo, one page, large folio (33 x 41.5 cm), Paris, 27th August 1840, in French. The partially printed document (featuring an attractive printed border of decorative floral frieze work) is completed in manuscript and is the Passe-port a l'Etranger (Foreign Passport) issued to Hugo in the name of the King by the General Police of France (Department of the Seine) for the period of one year. The left margin is completed with various personal details and physical characteristics relating to the novelist, stating that he is aged 37, is one metre and seventy-two centimetres in height, has brown hair, a high forehead, chestnut eyes, a medium nose, a chestnut beard, and a round chin etc. The main body of the document states that Hugo, a native of Besancon and residing at 6 Place Royale in Paris, accompanied by his wife and their son, should be allowed free passage to visit Spain, the Sardinian States, Lombard-Venetia, Switzerland, the Duchy of Baden, Prussia and Belgium. Signed at the foot by the prefect of police and countersigned by two other officials. The verso of the document is filled with the various official stamps, visas and signatures of the officials of the legations, embassies and territorial authorities of the Duchy of Baden, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Sardinia, Prussia and Lombardy-Venetia, providing a valuable primary record of Hugo's travels during 1840 (the last entry at Forbach, Baden-Wurttemberg, bearing the date 29th October 1840). Some light overall age wear and with a few minor, neat tears to the edges, about VGHugo's passport for the year 1840 is of literary significance as it was from August to October of that year that the novelist, in the company of his mistress and travelling companion Juliette Drouet, made their summer trip to Belgium and then from Cologne to Mainz, on the banks of the Rhine, the landscape and history of which greatly fascinated the novelist. After an excursion to Frankfurt, the couple travelled to Heidelberg to visit the Rhine falls at Laufen, near Schaffhausen. During the trip Hugo kept a diary and made various drawings which would form the basis of his travel guide Le Rhin (1842), a work which marked the rebirth of romance in the novelist's works.

MAHFOUZ NAGUIB: (1911-2006) Egyptian writer, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1988. A rare A.L.S., one page, folio, n.p. (Egypt), 2nd May 1988, to Philippe Vigreux, in Egyptian Arabic. The untranslated letter, penned in bold red ink on feint ruled notepaper was written by Mahfouz to his French translator. Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Mahfouz to Vigreux in Paris. About EX

‘In particular the products having been used for my first experiments and which had been presented by Marie Curie in 1899, have almost completely lost the ability to emit alpha rays’ BECQUEREL HENRI: (1852-1908) French physicist, the first person to discover evidence of radioactivity. Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1903. An interesting Autograph Manuscript Signed ('Henri Becquerel'; in the title), two pages, folio, n.p., n.d. (c.1903), in French. The manuscript, featuring numerous corrections and deletions, is entitled 'Sur le rayonnement penetrant du Polonium, Note de M. Henri Becquerel' (Translation: 'On the penetrating radiation of Polonium, Note by Mr. Henri Becquerel') and makes references to his experiments of 1899 and 1901, focusing on Polonium, whose radiation (which he names 'beta radiation') differs from his first observations, stating, in part, 'J'ai reconnu recemment.....dans le rayonnement du Polonium, a cote de la radiation observable caracteristique de ce corps, l'existence d'un rayonnement penettrant produisant des effets secondaires sur les metaux qu'il rencontre et qu'il traverse. J'ai montre egalement que la radiation caracteristique observable est identique aux rayons alpha du radium, qu'elle est caracterisee par des radiations possedant la meme deviabilite....laquelle est inverse de celles des rayons cathodiques, et enfin - qu'elle s'affaibilt  avec le temps comme le rayonnement des corps actives.....En particulier les produits ayant servi a mes premieres experiences et qui avaient ete presentes par Marie Curie en 1899, ont perdu presque totalement la faculte d'emettre des rayons alpha. Ces produits etant deja.....affaiblis en 1901....servi a mettre en evidence l'existence d'effets secondaires, effets dus a la radiation persistante. En repetant les memes experiences avec les produits......plus actifs, quoique affaiblis certains.....Je me demandais alors si les particules persistantes....la radiation alpha.....elles ne subsisteraient pas independamment de celles-ci; j'ai alors recommence les experiences de 1901 avec les amas produits que je cumule car inertes de par la diffusion des rayons alpha, et j'ai obtenu des champs semblables a celles de 1901. J'ai alors recommence les experiences de 1901 avec les anciens produit que je.....cette observation.....faits important 1. l'independance entre le rayonnement penetrant et les rayons alpha, et 2. la permanence, de....penetrants, et ce fait permet de ranger definitivement le Polonium dans la classe des corps radioactifs, au lieu de le considerer comme corps acheve dont l'intensite disparait avec le temps. Ainsi dans le meme corps il peut exister deux types de conditions independantes….Il convient de supposer que.....du Polonium, les rayons beta.....il semble donc que les 3 types de radiations que.....et des rayons......a admettre une dependance entre les rayons alpha, beta et y du rayonnement actifs et l'independance qui vient d'etre etablie est de nature a considerer que produisent certains.....sur la cause de la radioactivite' (Translation: 'I have recently recognised…..in the radiation from the Polonium, alongside the observable radiation characteristic of this body, the existence of a penetrating radiation producing secondary effects on the metals which it encounters and which it crosses. I have also shown that the observable characteristic radiation is identical to the alpha rays of radium, that is characterised by radiations possessing the same variability….which is the opposite of those of the cathode rays, and finally - that it is weakened with time like the radiation of active bodies….In particular the products having been used for my first experiments and which had been presented by Marie Curie in 1899, have almost completely lost the ability to emit alpha rays. These products already being….weakened in 1901…..served to highlight the existence of secondary effects, effects due to the persistent radiation. By repeating the same experiments with the products…..more active, although some weakened…..I wondered then if the persistent particles…..the alpha radiation….would not remain independently of these; I then repeated the experiments of 1901 with the product clusters that I accumulated because they are inert due to the diffusion of alpha rays, and I obtained fields similar to those of 1901; I then started again the experiments of 1901 with the old products….important facts 1. The independence between the penetrating radiation and the alpha rays, and 2. The permanence of penetrants, and this fact makes it possible to classify polonium definitively in the class of radioactive bodies, instead of considering it as a finished body whose intensity disappears with time. Thus, in the same body there can exist two types of independent conditions….It should be assumed that….of Polonium, beta rays….so it seems that the 3 types of radiation that….and rays…..to admit a dependence between the alpha, beta and y rays of the radiation assets and the independence which has just been established is of a nature to consider that some produce…..on the cause of the radioactivity'). A working manuscript of excellent content for its discussion of polonium and radioactivity, which was presented to the Academy of Sciences. Some light age wear and three tears to the upper edge, only very slightly affecting one word of text, otherwise VG

MONGE GASPARD: (1746-1818) Comte de Péluse. French Mathematician, widely regarded as the inventor of descriptive geometry and the father of differential geometry. Monge served as Minister of the Marine 1792-93 during the French Revolution. Key figure in the foundation of the Ecole Polytechnique. Rare L.S., `Monge´, one page, folio, Rome, 10th April 1798, to the Chief Tax and Finance Officer of Italy, in French. Monge, in his capacity as Commissioner of the Executive Directory and Envoy to Rome, states in part `L´arrêté que le Citoyen Haller a pris le 4 de ce mois relativement à la Citoyenne Braschi a besoin, Citoyen, d´être soumis à l´approbation de la commission, avant de recevoir son execution ; nous  vous invitons en consequence à nous remettre toutes les pieces qui ont servi au Citoyen Haller pour l´instruction de cette affaire…´ ("The decree that Citizen Haller issued on the 4th of this month in relation to Citizen Braschi needs, Citizen, to be submitted to the approval of the commission, before receiving its execution; we therefore invite you to give us all the documents that were used by Citizen Haller for the investigation of this case…") With blank leaf, only showing the sender´s post `Les Commissaires du Directoire Exécutif´ ("The Commissioners of the Executive Directory") Some light overall age wear and small areas of paper loss (largely to the blank integral leaf), the bifolium neatly laid down to restoration paper of a good standard. About G From May 1796 to October 1797 Monge was in Italy with C.L. Berthollet and some artists to select the paintings and sculptures being levied from the Italians. While there he became friendly with Napoleon Bonaparte. Upon his return to France, he was appointed as the Director of the Ecole Polytechnique, but early in 1798 he was sent to Italy on a mission that ended in the establishment of the short-lived Roman republic. 

GAUSS CARL FRIEDRICH: (1777-1855) German mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to many fields in mathematics and science. A.N.S., Gauss, one page, folio, n.p., (Gottingen), n.d. (August 1829), in German. Gauss's four-line note appears at the foot of a manuscript letter signed by an unidentified individual, dated at Gottingen, 18th August 1829, submitting a patent prepared by the student Menze for review. Gauss observes 'I remark that to my knowledge there is no Schlusselburg in the Hannoverian [territories]. Schlusselburg at the [river] Weser is Prussian'. A further, shorter note signed by an unidentified individual appears beneath and states that Schlusselburg is located in Westphalia. With blank integral leaf. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG  

ARMSTRONG NEIL: (1930-2012) American astronaut, Commander of Apollo XI, the first man to walk on the moon (1969). A good signed colour 8 x 10 photograph, the original NASA image depicting 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 with his name alone to a light area of the image. Together with an original NASA colour 10 x 8 photograph of the Apollo XI crew members, comprising Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, the image depicting them standing and seated together in three-quarter length poses wearing their white spacesuits, bearing autopen signatures of each. Also including a two-page 4to printed biographical data sheet relating to Armstrong (December 1971) and a folio printed brochure entitled The First Lunar Landing - As Told by The Astronauts, being the text of a post-flight press conference, with many colour illustrations, produced by NASA and published by the United States Government Printing Office, 1970. Signed photographs of Armstrong without personal inscriptions are scarce and particularly desirable. Some very light, extremely minor uniform vertical marks to Armstrong's photograph, only visible in parts at a certain angle. VG, 4

LAWRENCE T. E.: (1888-1935) British army officer, archaeologist, diplomat and writer, renowned for his role in the Arab Revolt (1916-18) and the Sinai and Palestine Campaign (1915-18) against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. An excellent A.L.S., T E Shaw, one page, folio, Karachi, India, 5th January 1927, to an unidentified correspondent (although evidently a writer whom Lawrence held in some esteem). Lawrence announces, 'I have sworn a great oath never to use or countenance the use of the name "Lawrence", as referring to me, again, in public or private', continuing 'So that would settle the question of my introducing your book, I'm afraid' and explaining 'Of course I write, or rather I try to write, occasionally: unsigned articles, or articles signed by virgin names. They are worth two guineas a thousand words, which I am told is a better rate than usual. They cost me more than that, in trouble, even at my R.A.F. rate of 3/6 a day! And no publisher would be moved to publish your work, because it had an unknown man's introduction before it.' Shaw, however, offers his advice and a further clarification of his decision to his correspondent, 'But why should you think an introduction necessary?......Probably the right man will take what you have written on its merits, and that should be much more gratifying than to be helped. I did twice, in the old days, help people by introducing their books: but one, Richard Garnett, was dead, and that pardoned the offence. The other, Doughty, was a special case: I had been trying to persuade all London to reprint him, and at last one beginning-publisher said "I will, if you'll preface it" :- and what could I do? Doughty was very nice about it: but it felt like scratching one's name on Westminster Abbey. Introductions to publishers I will (and do) willingly give. Several people with good stuff have been helped by me into print. It's a matter of knowing the proper tradesmen. Have you tried Cape? He is enterprising, and the best producer of commercial books in London (for format). If you will send me a sample of your stuff I'll see that it reaches his reader (Edward Garnett, a critic of genius) with my opinion. I have no doubt that it's the right stuff: and it should be exactly right for the particular public. If Cape says "NO", I'd suggest Faber and Gwyer for second string: but Cape an easy first. Secker is too difficult: and the big men too staid'. A rare letter of fine content in which Lawrence affirms his desire for anonymity and proves himself to be a good guide in the intricacies behind the scenes of publishing. Some very light creasing and a few minor tape stains to the lower central area of the letter, only very minimally affecting a few words of text and part of the signature, otherwise about VGFollowing his legendary exploits in Arabia, Lawrence had become a household name by the early 1920s and enlisted in the Royal Air Force in August 1922 as an aircraftman under the name John Hume Ross. However, less than a year later, his identity was exposed, and he was forced out of the RAF in February 1923. Changing his name once again, to T. E. Shaw, he repeatedly petitioned to re-join the RAF and was finally readmitted in August 1925. Lawrence's Seven Pillars of Wisdom was published in December 1926 and the renewed publicity it brought resulted in his assignment to bases as Karachi, from where the present letter was written, and Miramshah in British India, where he remained until the end of 1928. Herbert Jonathan Cape (1879-1960) British publisher who founded the London publishing house of Jonathan Cape in 1921, remaining at the head of the firm until 1960. Cape established a reputation for high quality design and production and published a range of English-language authors including Robert Frost, Ian Fleming, James Joyce and T. E. Lawrence.Edward Garnett (1868-1937) English writer, critic and literary editor who was instrumental in the publication of D. H. Lawrence's Sons and Lovers. Edward Garnett was the son of Richard Garnett (1895-1906) English scholar, librarian, biographer and poet, who is also referenced in the present letter. 

BRISSOT JACQUES-PIERRE: (1754-1793) Also known as ''De Warville'', French leading figure of the Girondins. Guillotined. Founder of the abolitionist Society of the Friends of the Blacks. An excellent multiple signed L.S., `J.P. Brissot´, three pages, folio, n.p., n.d. [1791], in French. The multiple letter signed bears over twenty-five bold ink signatures of Deputies of the “Comité de La Salle”, all to the third page, supporting a request referring to keep a premise they were using to write and send letters, to meet, and which they consider necessary, and which funding has been cancelled suddenly and without further explanations. They also refer to the job that the spouse of one of the deputies and postman of La Salle was enjoying and deserving, stating in part `Le facteur de la Grande-Poste, faisant le service de l´Assemblée Nationale, auquel il est attaché depuis son établissement à Paris, a l´honneur de vous exposer qu´il avait obtenu la faveur d´un établissement, dans l´intérieur du local à côté de la Salle… très utile et peu dispendieux pour les Députés qui se trouvaient dans le besoin urgent d´écrire ou de cacheter des lettres. Par cet établissement soigné par sa femme, on trouvait papier, plumes, encre, cire et cachets…´ (Translation: “The postman of the Grande-Poste, at the service of the National Assembly, to which he has been attached since his establishment in Paris, has the honour to tell you that he had obtained the favour of having an establishment, in the interior of the room next to la Sallel… very useful and inexpensive for Deputies who were in urgent need of writing or sealing letters. Thanks to this establishment, looked after by his wife, one could find paper, pen, ink, wax and seals…”) Some of the signatories being Rabusson-Lamothe, Lacombe St-Michel, Jard-Panvillier, Audrien, Laurent de la Loire, etc.. Overall age wear and foxing stains, with very slightly trimmed edges. F to G