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FAMOUS MEN & WOMEN: An unusual, good selection of original pencil portraits, each drawn and signed by an unidentified Parisian artist (Lazar?) in 1927 on folio (28.5 x 41.5 cm) sheets of art paper, each of them signed in bold pencil by the subjects, being a variety of famous French men and women comprising Ferdinand Buisson (1841-1932) French academic and pacifist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, 1927, Joseph Caillaux (1863-1944) French Prime Minister 1911-12, Henri-Robert (1863-1936) French lawyer and historian, Henry de Jouvenal (1876-1935) French journalist and statesman, Hubert Lyautey (1854-1934) French General and colonial administrator, a Marshal of France, Henry Malherbe (1886-1958) French writer, Theophile Moreux (1867-1954) French astronomer and meteorologist, Vincent de Moro-Giafferi (1878-1956) French criminal attorney, and Maria Verone (1874-1938) French feminist and suffragist. Some light age wear, generally VG, 9 

BALMAIN PIERRE: (1914-1982) French fashion Designer and leader of the fashion house Balmain. A good and lengthy A.L.S., `Pierre´, two pages, folio, Cairo, 25th September, n.y., to Anna, in French. On the attractive Hotel Mena House Oberoi of Cairo printed stationery, Balmain refers to their letters reaching each other of them late `Il semble en effet que nos correspondances soient frappées de quelque interdit…´ (Translation: “Indeed, it seems that our correspondence is subject to some ban...”) Further Balmain makes a funny comment about women on camels close to the Grande Pyramid, and continues with artistic opinions about the hotel decoration, saying `Ici, je vous écris tout en face de la grande pyramide - Il y a peu, un grand cortège de dames touristes aux appats lourds, juchées sur autant de dromadaires, a commencé à faire la large avenue qui mène à sa base - dérisoire hommage aux souveraines de cette terre des anciens âges - L´Hôtel où nous sommes est un vestige de l´occupation britannique - Certes redécoré mais encore cependant plein des fastes de ce temps là - C´est un peu “L´Année Dernière à Marienbad” à la mode Arabe - couloirs de marbre gris ponctués d´ogives arabes, cloisons en moucharabich et meubles incrustés d´ivoire.. rien n´y manque, - sauf le public nonchalant et follement élégant du temps des Anglais..´ (Translation: `Here I am, writing to you right in front of the great pyramid - Only short ago, a large procession of ladies, tourists, perched on as many dromedaries, began to make the way of the large avenue which leads to the base of the pyramid - a derisory homage to the sovereigns women of this land of ancient ages - The Hotel where we are is a vestige of the British occupation - Admittedly redecorated but still full of the splendour of that time - It is a bit like “Last Year in Marienbad” in the Arabian fashion way - grey marble hallways punctuated with Arabian warheads, moucharabich partitions and ivory-encrusted furniture. Nothing is missing - except the nonchalant and wildly elegant public of the English era…”) VG 

NAUDIN BERNARD: (1876-1946) French painter, designer, caricaturist and engraver. A small group of three original pen and ink illustrations drawn and signed ('Bernard Naudin', and one with his initials) by Naudin, each one page, folio, n.p., n.d. (c.1930). The drawings feature a blacksmith's anvil and sledgehammer, with several other tools strapped to the tree trunk upon which the anvil is placed; a bright sunrise over country fields with several trees in the foreground and edges; and two haystacks in a field with a river running to one side. Each of the illustrations were published in the Pax Mundi book. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG, 3 The Pax Mundi book, an anthology of sentiments on peace, was 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.  

MATISSE HENRI: (1869-1954) French artist. Book signed and inscribed, being a large folio edition of Seize Peintures 1939-1943, First Edition published by Editions du Chene, Paris, 1943, with an introduction by Andre Lejard, with twelve of the sixteen colour plates present (lacking III, IV, VIII and XVI). Signed by Matisse in bold pencil to a clear area at the head of the first page of text, 'A Mademoiselle Simone Vincent, hommage respectueux, Henri Matisse', and dated Vence, 8th February 1944 in his hand. An interesting association piece. The binding loose and defective, some tears and chipping to the edges of the paper wrappers, and some light staining, the signed page unaffected. FR Simone 'Monette' Vincent, a friend and model of Matisse, was the subject of several portraits by the artist in 1942, including La femme en rose, and may also have been the subject of one of the works reproduced in the present edition.   

PICASSO PABLO: (1881-1973) Spanish painter, a co-founder of the Cubist movement. A good book signed and inscribed, incorporating an original drawing by Picasso, being a folio softcover edition of the catalogue issued to accompany an exhibition of Pablo Picasso's works of 1969-70 at the Palais des Papes from 1st May to 30th September 1970, held in conjunction with the 24th Festival d'Avignon and curated by Yvonne Zervos, published by Cahiers d'Art, Paris, 1970. The catalogue features an essay, in French, by Christian Zervos, and two colour plates, 165 monochrome plates of paintings and a further 45 of drawings. The presentation copy is inscribed by Picasso in pale blue crayon to the title page 'Pour Anita, Picasso' and also incorporates an original drawing of a bearded man forcefully staring ahead. Picasso has also drawn several playful wave-and-dot designs to the head and foot of the page, further adding the date, 10th July 1970, in his hand. Bound in the original paper wrappers with blue printed title and spine. Some light age wear and minor staining, predominantly to the covers and spine, and with a few ink annotations in an unidentified hand to the inside pages. About VG Yvonne Zervos (1905-1970) French gallery owner and wife of Christian Zervos with whom she was a co-director of Cahiers d'Art. An expert on Picasso, she organised the exhibition of over 200 works by the artist held in Avignon, the promotional poster for the event posthumously honouring Zervos by proclaiming that she conceived and developed the exhibition in tribute to Picasso. Christian Zervos (1889-1970) Greek-French art historian, critic, collector, writer & publisher who founded the magazine Cahiers d'Art and also published a catalogue raisonne on the work of Picasso.

GUS: (1911-1997) Gustave Erlich. French comic Cartoonist. Well remembered for his publications in French newspapers Le Figaro, Le Canard Enchainé, and many others. An excellent signed original watercolour, `Gus´, one page, oblong folio, drawing paper, n.p., dated 11th April 1984 in his hand, in French. Gus has drawn a funny sketch showing Russian General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1984, Konstantin Chernenko, wearing a crown with jewels coronated by the hammer and sickle symbol of communism, on the occasion of his appointment as leader of the Soviet Union. Chernenko was elected in April 1984 Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet. VG Konstantin Chernenko (1911-1985) Soviet Politician. After the death of Brezhnev and his successor Andropov, Chernenko was appointed the successor as the seventh General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from February 1984 until his death in March 1985, and was made Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet in April 1984. Chernenko died after leading the country only 13 months, and was succeeded by Mikhail Gorbachev. 

SCOTT WALTER: (1771-1832) Scottish historical novelist, poet, playwright and historian. Manuscript docket signed, Walter Scott, to the final page of a manuscript document, Selkirk, 31st July 1805. The manuscript document is a Summons between Christian Pasley and William Tait, four pages, folio, Selkirk, 29th May 1805, and states, in part, 'Whereas it is humbly meant and shown to us by Christian Pasley….that where the Complainer about Martinmas last brought forth a female natural child to William Tait…..presently working at a road which is making over the hills……and although the said William Tait is the father of her child, yet he refuses to acknowledge himself as such and to pay her a suitable maintenance for its support although frequently desired unless compelled. Therefore the said William Tait….ought & should….make payment to the said Pursuer of the sum of one pound Sterling…..per Quarter for the first three Quarters for nursing said child during that period, and the sum of three pounds Sterling per annum thereafter untill the said child shall attain the age of twelve years complete for cloathing & maintaining it during that period', followed by a statement signed by William Tait denying being the father, in part, 'the Defender who denies being the Father of the pursuers child, he admits being acquainted with her and that he was her fellow servant at Mrs. Horsburgh's…..' Scott's docket, signed in his capacity as Advocate Sheriff-Depute of Selkirkshire states, in part, '….the Sheriff allows the pursuer a proof of the circumstances condescended on with certification that if they be proved he will allow the Pursuers oath in supplement & that the Defendr. will be found liable in all the expense….' Some age wear and light dust staining and a few small holes to some of the folds, G  

DUMAS ALEXANDRE: Fils (1824-1895) French author and playwright. The complete bound manuscript of Lettre a Paul Alexis, sixty-eight pages (written to the rectos only), folio, n.p., n.d. (c.1883), in French. The manuscript is written in an unidentified hand and was presumably dictated by Dumas fils, although has numerous corrections and deletions in his hand across many of the pages, and represents the author's response to an article that Paul Alexis, a member of the Groupe des Medan (along with Zola, Huysmans, Maupassant, Cerard and Hennique), had published in Reveil, defending himself from the attacks of the Ecole Naturaliste. Dumas fils states, in part, 'My dear child (I continue to call you my child, because the article that you devote to me proves to me that you are still young at the same time as it announces to me that I am already old, which I was beginning to suspect…..The newspaper, of which you are one of the editors, is willing to reprint my novel La Dame aux Camelias in serials, and you have devoted an article to me on this subject. It seems that my novel is decidedly not worth much; that's where you start, and it's far inferior to the masterpieces of Balzac, Stendhal, Flaubert, the Goncourts, Zola, and Daudet. Don't count on me to contradict you……Have we compared Corneille and Racine enough! Rossini and Meyerbeer! For Gluck and Puccini we went further, we fought. What remains of all these comparisons? Nothing. Corneille and Racine, Rossini and Meyerbeer are great minds in different guises. Gluck remained and Puccini disappeared. I am one of the Puccinis of the future…..' Bound in half Morocco midnight blue calfskin over marbled boards and with gilt title and decoration to the spine (some age wear and minor areas of loss, and the front board slightly detached from the spine) and with marbled endpapers. With the small circular stamp of the Victor Sanson collection to the front free endpaper, alongside several annotations, and formerly in the collection of Jules Claretie. Some light overall age wear, about VG Paul Alexis (1847-1901) French novelist, dramatist and journalist, best remembered today as the friend and biographer of Emile Zola. 

CHALONER THOMAS: (1521-1565) English poet and statesman, famed for his Latin poetry and military and diplomatic service to four Tudor monarchs, and remembered as the first translator into English of Erasmus's Praise of Folly (1549). A rare ink ownership signature and inscription ('Sum Thomae Chaloneri') and date, 1557, in his hand to the head of the folio title page removed from Wolfgang Lazius's Commentariorum Reipub. Romanae illius, in exteris provincijs, bello acquisitis, constitutae, libri duodecim (1551). Very slightly irregularly trimmed to the margins and with some wormholes, only very slightly affecting the signature, G 

LAUREL STAN: (1890-1965) English film comedian. A printed folio one-sheet official programme of horse races organised by the Steeplechase and Sports societies of Belgium at the Hippodrome de Stockel, Sunday, 14th December 1947, providing details of six races, including the prize money, jockeys and horses, signed by Laurel in bold pencil with his name alone to the clear lower border. Some creasing, light staining and minor age wear, G Stan Laurel, accompanied by his comedy partner Oliver Hardy, appeared at the Alhambra Theatre in Brussels from 19th December for two weeks, performing twice daily, in their show which was billed as Hollywood Parade (even though they were the only Hollywood act to feature). The final performance in Brussels took place on 1st January 1948. 

CELINE LOUIS FERDINAND: (1894-1961) French Novelist. Known as Celine, his real name being Destouches, a controversial writer because of his anti-Semitism. A very good and lengthy A.L.S., with his initials `L.F.D´, four pages, folio, n.p, the 27th, n.d., to his brother Marcel, in French. Celine states in part `Oui sans doute Joulon is an admirable poet, mais lui globe-trotter acharné, s'il était venu nous voir depuis 5 ans, je l'aurais affranchi de bien des salades qui m'ont fait un tort énorme. Les malentendus, bevues, ignorances, naïvetés, mirages, miraculages, blablas, soigneusement entretenus, tu le sais, c'est pire que tout. Ça bat la campagne. A la fin on se retrouve couvert d'une légende de merde si bien épaisse qu'il y a plus qu'à te foutre à la fosse ! Et sans Te Deum!...´ ("Yes, no doubt Joulon is an admirable poet, but he is a relentless globetrotter, if he had come to see us 5 years ago, I would have freed him from many salads which have done me enormous harm. Misunderstandings, blunders, ignorance, naivety, mirages, miracles, blablas, carefully maintained, you know, it's worse than anything… At the end we find ourselves covered with a caption of shit so thick that there is more than to through you in the pit! And without Te Deum!...") a lengthy letter referring to a woman `an adorable fairy`, also to the Liberation, and saying before concluding `… j'ai pas de recours, je suis hors la loi !... Vive la mobilisation générale, l'amnistie générale, la bombe générale ! ça fera sortir les taupes des trous…´ ("…I have no recourse, I am outside the law!... Long live to the general mobilization, to the general amnesty, to the general bomb! it will get the moles out of the holes…") A letter of very interesting content. Small overall age wear and creasing, with few small tears to edges and a small repair to the second page edge. G 

CELINE LOUIS FERDINAND: (1894-1961) French Novelist. Known as Celine, being his real name Destouches, a controversial writer because of his anti-Semitism. A very interesting A.L.S., with his initials `L.F.C´, two pages, folio, n.p. [Klarskovgaard], 4th August, n.y. [1948], to Charles Deshayes, in French.  Celine warns his correspondent about the content of his articles and explains why he doesn´t want to provoke the Ambassador, stating in part and underlining many comments `Je trouve votre opuscule joliment bien troussé et justicier à souhait - Mais attention - biaisez enc e qui concerne Charbonnière, sale petit charogne antillaise qui cité nommément, trop heureux de l´occasiom, sauterait aux Affaires Etrangères Danoises se declarer insulté et provoqué en qualité diplomatique et me derait transférer illico à Fresnes - surtout que ce document de sa main, réquisitoire effronté et criminel, je n´aurais jamais du le connaitre - Je ne l´ai eu en main que par indiscrétion´ ("I find your pamphlet nicely equipped in content and as vigilant as one could wish - But be careful - skew with regard to Charbonnière, dirty little West Indian carrion who, quoted by his name, too happy for the occasion, would jump to Danish Foreign Affairs department to declare himself insulted and provoked in his diplomatic capacity and I would be transferred immediately to Fresnes - especially since this document in his hand, a cheeky and criminal indictment, I should never have known it - I only had it in my hand by indiscretion") Céline further explains in more detail the delicate situation, saying `En principe c´est la police denoise qui m´a donné la liste de mes prétendus crimes - vous saisissez - et cette liste est suppose provenir du Parquet de Paris. Charbonnière.. a corsé le dossier, qui de son propre aveu ne contenait rien - dans la furie de Zèle épurateur… mais si je le cite, il s´estime insulté en tant qu´ambassadeur! C´est une affaire d´homme à homme à traiter entre lui et moi, plus tard s´il y a un plus tard, mais point sur le plan où nous sommes… Prisonnier sur parole - Pensez! Qui crée des difficultés au ministère des affaires étrangères du Pays qui l´héberge…´ ("In theory, it was the Danish police that gave me the list of my alleged crimes - you understand - and this list is supposed to come from the Paris government. Charbonnière.. has laced the file, which by his own admission contained nothing - in the fury of his purifier zeal… but if I quote him, he considers himself insulted as an ambassador! It's a man-to-man affair to be dealt with between him and me, later, if there's one later, but not where we are now… Prisoner on parole - Think! The one who creates difficulties to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country that hosts him…") Accompanied by the original oblong 4to envelope, addressed in Céline´s hand, postmarked and stamped. Small overall creasing, otherwise G to VG Charles Deshayes, French Journalist. Deshayes admired Céline and with a lot of abnegation but also clumsiness, tried to help the exiled writer by providing him with documentation and rendering him many services. He wanted to help Céline with his pen by addressing his opponents belligerent and provocative wording of very poor quality which sometimes exasperated John. Céline often instructed him on how to write and proceed with articles.  

CURIE MARIE: (1867-1934) French Physicist and Chemist, Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1903, with her husband Pierre Curie, and Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, 1911. The first person to be honoured with two Nobel prizes. A very interesting and rare D.S., M. Curie, as director of the laboratory, one page, folio, Paris, 20th July 1931, on the printed stationery of the ''Institut Du Radium - Laboratoire Curie - 1, Rue Pierre-Curie, Paris'' in French. The partially printed document being a Certificate of ''Dosage de Radium par le Rayonnement'' (''Radium Dosage by Radiation''), and refers to all the tests done to the samples received from the Belgium Radium on 1st of July and returned on 21st of July, with hand-written annotations referring to thickness, gamma radiations, weight, etc… This radium came from the Belgium mines in Katanga, Belgium Congo, and at today´s date the Democratic Republic of Congo. An excellent document of good association. Extremely small creases to some corners, otherwise about EX   

FABRE JEAN HENRI: (1823-1915) French Naturalist and Entomologist. A pioneer in Ethologie. Fabre was best known for his popular books on the lives of insects. A lengthy autograph manuscript signed, `J.H. Fabre´, two pages, folio, n.p., n.d., in French. The manuscript text is entitled Rotation Diurne de la Terre (“Earth´s Diurnal Rotation”), and was published in 1867, included in the series of works entitled La Science Elémentaire (“The Elementary Science”), this specific work was included in the work entitled Le Ciel (“The Sky”). The scientific work was published and re-edited more than ten times until 1920. Fold to the centre, and very small age tone, mostly to edges. VG 

MALUS ETIENNE-LOUIS: (1775-1812) French Officer, Engineer, Physicist and Mathematician. Malus participated in Napoleon´s expedition to Egypt. He is best-remembered for Malus´s law. Member of the Academy of Sciences, awarded by the Royal Society of London, Malus important mathematical work mostly related to the study of light. He is credited with the discoveries of the polarization of light by reflection and for his theory of double refraction. Malus died at the early age of 36. Very rare D.S., `Malus´, and adds beneath `Chef de B.[ataill]on du génie´, ("Engineer´s Battalion Chief"), one page, oblong folio, Cairo, Egypt, 19th June 1800, in French. The partially printed document, being a receipt of payment from the National Treasury, with the heading of the Army of Egypt. Malus acknowledges receipt of three hundred and seventy five Pounds. Overall age wear and staining, mostly to borders, with edges slightly trimmed. About G

FREDERICK PRINCE: (1763-1827) Duke of York and Albany, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces 1795-1809. Small series of three Ds.S., Frederick F.M., four pages (total), folio, n.p., 1794-99. In each of the manuscript documents the Prince approves leave of absence of between two and three months for various officers including Captain Thomas Burrowes of the 38th Regiment ('for the recovery of his health'), Ensign Craig of the 4th West India Regiment, Captain Pierson of the 6th West India Regiment (also for the recovery of their health), Lieutenant Donahoe of the 87th Regiment ('on his private affairs') etc. Each with blank integral leaves. Some dust staining and various small tears to the edges of folds etc. G, 3

[ANGLO-ZULU WAR]: RORKE JAMES: (1827-1875) Irish-born settler in southern Africa, from 1849 the owner of a farmstead and trading post on the border with Zululand in the Colony of Natal that became known as Rorke's Drift and was the site of the Battle of Rorke's Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. An extremely rare A.L.S., James Rorke, two pages, folio, Buffalo River (Rorke's Drift), 23rd October 1858, to F. T. Pelley (?). Rorke transmits a report to his correspondent concerning several individuals who had crossed the Buffalo River to join a party against the inhabitants of Utrecht, a town in KwaZulu-Natal, explaining 'Several persons have been over the river but I believe they went to try and conciliate the two partys, they took no arms with them, several that went through from the upper part of the district to join spies took arms with them and sided with the inhabitants of Utrecht' and further adding 'I shall therefore warn them for the future to abstain from such proceedings. If they act otherwise I shall take notice of the same'. With a contemporary docket to the verso. Autographs of Rorke are extremely rare in any form as a result of his untimely death by suicide. Some light age wear and a few tears to the upper edge, only very slightly affecting the text, G  

BRISSOT JACQUES PIERRE: (1754-1793) Also known as ''De Warville'', French leading figure of the Girondins. Founder of the abolitionist Society of the Friends of the Blacks. An excellent D.S., `J.P. Brissot´, two pages, folio, Paris, 24th September 1792, in French. The document bears the printed heading ''Decree of the National Convention - First year of the French Republic'', and states in part `.. the commissars appointed to the Pyrenean departments, in order to grant the defence and order are authorized to suspend General Staff Officers, or any other officer whether civil or military if they judge the replacement necessary… and to order the arrest of the persons they will consider suspicious..´ Also signed at the base by Gaston Camus alongside Brissot´s signature, and bearing a National Convention paper seal affixed. With blank integral leaf. Very small overall minor age wear, otherwise about VG    De Warville has its origin in the English version ''d´Ouarville''. The Hamlet of Leves.  The present decree was issued only few weeks after the September Massacres, from 2nd to 6th September, where a number of killings occurred in Paris and other cities. More than one thousand prisoners were killed within 20 hours.   Armand-Gaston Camus (1740-1804) French Revolutionist. Camus obtained the abolition of titles of nobility in 1791. Member of the National Convention, he wrote in January 1793 that he voted ''Death without appeal''. Camus was captured and kept in captivity by the Austrians for 39 months, and was later exchanged for Marie Therese of France in November 1795. Camus remained republican and refused to take part in the Napoleonic regime. Jérôme Pétion de Villeneuve (1756- 18?) French Writer and Politician. Mayor of Paris 1791-92. On 4th August 1792, only a month before the present letter was signed, Petion demanded the deposition of the King. 

CONVENTION NATIONALE: A good multiple signed National Convention decree, by FRANÇOIS RENÉ MALLARMÉ (1755-1835) French Statesman of the French Revolution. A strong supporter of Napoleon and the French Empire; ARMAND GENSONNÉ (1758-1793) French Politician. A brilliant Girondin orator. He was tried by the revolutionary tribunal and sentenced to death and guillotined at the age of 35. Gensonné proposed two of the most revolutionary measures passed by the Assembly, the decree of accusation against the King Louis XVI´s brothers, and the declaration of war against the Habsburg ruler Francis II. He voted for the King´s death sentence, and JEAN-ANTOINE LAFARGUE DE GRANGENEUVE (1751-1793) French Politician, a leading member of the Girondins. Grangeneuve could escape before his arrest but was found few months later, sentenced and guillotined. A good multiple signed National Convention decree, D.S., `Mallarmé´, `Gensonné Président´and `Grangeneuve´, two pages, folio, Paris, 20th March 1793, in French. The document bears to the heading a laureate monogram of the National Convention, 1792, and the printed heading "Excerpt from the Minutes", being a decree with four clauses related to citizens who were claiming a nobility title, and stating in part `Sur la mention d´un member, la Convention Nationale décrète: 1) Que tous les procès existants entre des Communes et des Citoyens  prétendants à se faire declarer nobles, sont annulés. 2) Que les Citoyens pretendant à la noblesse et à se faire déclarer nobles seront tenus de rembourser aux Communes tous les frais qu´ils leur ont occasionné…. 3) Que toutes saisies ou arrêts faits au prejudice des Communes, sur leurs revenus ou patrimoines, par les Citoyens se prétendant ou voulant se faire déclarernobles, demeurent annulés….´ ("On the request of a member, the National Convention decrees: 1) That all existing lawsuits between Communes and Citizens claiming to be declared nobles, are annulled. 2) That Citizens pretending to nobility and to be declared noble will be required to reimburse the Communes for all the costs they have incurred…. 3) That all seizures or judgments made to the detriment of the Communes, on their income or heritage, by Citizens claiming or wishing to be declared noble, remain cancelled...") Bearing a Revolutionary paper seal affixed to the second page. With blank integral leaf. With two collection ink stamps to the front. Overall age wear and staining, with repair to the verso. About G

NATIONAL CONVENTION  - ROMME: Gilbert Romme (1750-1795) President of the Convention 1793. French Politician and Mathematician who developed the French Republican Calendar. He voted in favour of the death sentence for King Louis XVI. On 17th June 1795 Romme and five others were sentenced to the guillotine. With a knife hidden, he stabbed himself repeatedly and died on the staircase to the courtroom. His last words are reported to have been ''I die for the Republic''. A very fine dated during the Reign of Terror. L.S., `G. Romme´, one page, folio, Paris, 6th April 1793, in French. The partially printed document bears at the heading a 1792 National Convention vignette and reports on the minutes and decrees issued by the committee, referring to some errors on the 28th March decrees. Signed by Joseph Becker (1743-1812) a Moselle convention member, and countersigned together with Romme by Jean-Baptiste Boyer-Fonfrede (1765-1793) Deputy to the National Convention. He voted for the death sentence of Louis XVI. Guillotined at the very early age of 33, only six months after signing the present letter. The document bears an attractive paper seal affixed to the bottom left corner. With blank integral leaf. Bearing to the bottom right corner the seal of prestigious former collection. Very small professional repair to the fold, otherwise VG

HANRIOT FRANÇOIS: (1759-1794) General during the French Revolution. A leading figure in the insurrection and in the September massacres. Hanriot was taken to the guillotine in the same cart as Robespierre and was executed shortly after at the early age of 34. D.S., Hanriot, one page, large folio, Paris, n.d., in French. The cleanly written manuscript document bears the heading of the 29th Division of the National Gendarmerie, and is a report listing the names and grades of the infantry members of the four different companies composing the 29th Division. Signed by Hanriot at the base in his capacity as Chief General of Paris and of the 17th Division. Small overall age wear with trimmed edges, otherwise G 

[REIGN OF TERROR]: COMMITTEE OF GENERAL SECURITY: A good D.S. by nine members of the final Committee of General Security individually, comprising Joseph Pemartin (1754-1842), Francois Bergoeing (1750-1829), Edme-Louis-Barthelemy Bailly (1760-1819), Augustin Bernard Francois Legoazre de Kervelegan (1748-1825), Jacques-Charles Bailleul (1762-1843), Pierre-Marie Delaunay (1755-1814), Claude-Alexandre Ysabeau (1754-1831), Joseph-Nicholas Pierret (1758-1825) and Jean-Marie Cales (1757-1834), one page, folio, Paris, 23rd August 1795, in French. The partially printed document states that the Committee have examined the documents relating to citizen Champion from which it results that he is denounced for several serious facts, but the opinion of the Civil Committee is that he was not able to obtain all of the information he would have desired, and that he learned by some indirect means that he had served la Tyrannie (Robespierre), further adding that they have also considered his sad situation and that the Committee have decided to release him to allow his freedom ('Vu les pieces relatives au Cen. Champion, section du Bonnet de la Liberte, desquelles il resulte qu'il se trouve denonce pour plusieurs faits graves; vu l'avis du Comite civil qui declare qu'il n'a pu se procurer tous les renseignemens qu'il aurait desires, mais qu'il a appris par quelques voies indirectes qu'il avait servi la Tyrannie, sans cependant, rien de positif a cet egard, ayant aussi egard a sa triste situation, et aux attestations de civisme qu'il a produites. Le Comite arrete que le dit Champion jouira proviscirement de sa liberte….') With a blind embossed paper seal affixed to the lower left corner. Some light age wear, minor traces of former mounting to the right edge of the verso and a couple of neat splits to the folds. About VGProvenance: from the collection of the British bibliophile James Lindsay (1847-1913) 26th Earl of Crawford and bearing his small oval stamp to the lower right corner.  

MASSENA ANDRE: (1758-1817) Marshal of France, Duc de Rivoli. A good L.S. `Massena´, two pages, folio, Head Quarters of Loano, Italy, 22nd September 1794, in French. Massena, in his capacity as General of Division, signs a report related to the military services of Captain Jean-Aimé l´Autour, his behaviour and zeal, stating `J´atteste que la conduite morale et politique du citoyen Lautour mon aide-de-camp a toujours été, depuis que je l'ai connu, celle d'un vrai Républicain…sa capacité, son intelligence et son zèle pour le bien du service ne cesse de lui mériter chaque jour ma confiance, et le rendent digne d'un emploi supérieur…´ (“I certify that the moral and political behaviour of citizen Lautour, my aide-de-camp, has always been, since I knew the service does not cease to earn him my confidence every day, and make him worthy of a higher employment...”) Small overall minor creasing, otherwise G 

LECLERC CHARLES: (1772-1802) French General who served under Napoleon Bonaparte during the French Revolution. Husband of Pauline Bonaparte, sister of Napoleon. A rare D.S., Leclerc, in the form of an endorsement at the foot of a manuscript document, one page, folio, n.p. ('Fait en conseil'), 25th December 1798, in French. The document, issued by the 56th Semi-Brigade of the Army of Italy, provides details of the military service of Jean-Claude Desmarais, giving his date of birth (20th May 1752) and listing his ranks from being a soldier in the Regiment of Dauphine in 1771 to attaining the rank of Captain in 1792, and also adding that he was active in the campaigns on Corsica in 1771 & 1772 and of those of the Revolution from 1792-98. Desmaris has also provided a signed statement in which he declares that he is not in a condition to continue active service and has been forced to remain in the auxiliary company 'due to being afflicted with chronic rheumatic pains stemming from the fatigues of war', which has been confirmed by the chief medical officer, and adding that he hopes that his request will be considered with kindness as he has served for twenty-eight years without interruption and that he will be able to be placed in a company of National Guard veterans. Signed at the foot by ten individuals of the administrative council of the 56th Semi-Brigade, including Jean-Mathieu-Philibert Serurier (1742-1819) 1st Count Serurier, Marshal of the Empire under Napoleon Bonaparte, certifying the service of Desmarais, alongside a red wax seal and the official oval stamp of the 56th Semi-Brigade of the Infantry. Endorsed by Leclerc at the foot ('Seen by me, war commissioner') and signed with a bold example of his signature. Autographs of Leclerc are rare in any form as a result of his untimely death at the age of 30 from yellow fever. Some light fraying and age wear to the edges, otherwise VG

BERNADOTTE JEAN BAPTISTE: (1763-1844) Marshal of France, Prince de Pontecorvo and King Charles XIV John of Sweden and Norway 1818-44. A rare and early L.S., `J. Bernadotte´, one page, folio, at the head Quarters of Giesen, in Saxony, Germany, 10th December 1798, to citizen Michelon, medical Chief of the Army of Mayence, in French. Bernadotte, in his capacity as General of Division, sends a personal enquiry to Michelon regarding an Austrian doctor, persecuted by the Austrian government, who Bernadotte wishes to appoint to a front line hospital, stating in part `Je réclame donc de vous, Citoyen, que vous me fassiez le plaisir de m´indiquer quell serait le genre d´emploi que vous croiriez propre au Citoyen Franzenberg, et si vous regardez comme possible qu´il puisse obtenir un hôpital de première ligne; celui d´Anvers par exemple…´ (“I therefore request of you, Citizen, that you do me the pleasure of indicating to me what kind of employment would be the one you would believe appropriate to Citizen Franzenberg, and if you consider it possible that he could obtain a front-line hospital; that of Antwerp for example…”) With address leaf bearing remnants of a former red wax seal. Overall age wear and toning, with repairs to the verso. G 

[NAPOLEONIC VIGNETTE]: An attractive D.S. by three members of the National Board of Military Hospitals individually, two pages, folio, Paris, 26th September 1799, featuring a fine engraved vignette by Francois Godefroy at the head, in French. The partially printed document, completed in manuscript, is a commission appointing Michel Jousselin to be a bursar 3rd class of the hospitals of the Army of the Danube. Bearing the signatures of La Fleury, Demar and Monestile at the foot of the first page and with a later manuscript statement signed by Meric to the second page, dated at Paris, 31st March 1811, attesting to the length of service provided by Jousselin. The engraved vignette at the head depicts Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, healing, rejuvenation, and physicians, with his serpent-entwined rod in one hand, taking the hand of a wounded soldier, who is aided by one of his military comrades, as an angel prepares to rest a laurel wreath upon his head. With blank integral leaf. Some light overall age wear and some creasing and a few tears to the edges, about VGFrancois Godefroy (1743-1819) French engraver.

JOURDAN JEAN-BAPTISTE: (1762-1833) French military commander during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, one of the original eighteen Marshals of the Empire created by Napoleon. A.L.S., Jourdan, one page, folio, n.p., 18th September 1799, to General Dejean of the Engineering Corps, in French. Jourdan states, in part, 'The bridge established at Urdingen will remain. The same for the bridge at Cologne. I ask you to speed up as much as you can the establishment of a bridge at Bonn. There is a 4th bridge established at Neu-Wied; I've just given the order to establish a 5th one too with the boats and material we found behind the island of Falendar. Once the Bonn bridge is established I see no impediment to sending over the River Horses'. With address panel to the verso and an annotation in an unidentified hand listing the Rhine bridges at Andernach, Remagen, Bonn and Cologne. Some light age wear and a small circular area of paper loss, caused by the original breaking of the seal, not affecting the text or signature. About VG  

LEFEBVRE FRANCOIS JOSEPH: (1755-1820) Duc de Dantzig. French military commander during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, one of the original eighteen Marshals of the Empire created by Napoleon. D.S., Lefebvre, two pages, folio, Paris, 13th January 1800, to the Administrators of the Department of the Seine, in French. The partially printed document, completed in manuscript states, in part, 'Several times, Citizen Administrators, seditious gangs have dared to seize draftees….from the armed forces….such public violation of the laws is…..most punishable treason and deserves the severest repression on your part. I therefore ask you to proclaim immediately a firm resolution which will repulse force with force'. Some light age wear and minor staining to the edges and with a small area of paper loss to the lower left corner, otherwise VG 

FOUCHÉ JOSEPH: (1759-1820) Convention Deputy and Minister of Police. A good D.S., Fouché, one page, folio, Paris, 2nd November 1804, to Hubert Rohault, on the Ministry of the general Police printed stationery, in French. The partially printed document, being a pass or passport, bears a large and attractive French Revolution vignette to the heading with the printed heading `Au Nom de l´Empereur des Français´ (`In the Name of the Emperor of the French´). The document orders anyone to let Hubert Rohault, student of the architecture academy, pass and return freely to France. The document further lists a full detail and description of Rohault, including his age, height, beard, eyes colour, description of nose, mouth and chin, etc… Countersigned by a general secretary of the Ministry. The pass bears to the front a red ink stamp of the General Police of the French Empire. Bearing also to the verso an annotation signed by a commissair of Turin, the city from where Rohault departed on his way back to Paris, with a second red ink stamp of the General Police of the French Empire. Overall age wear with few small tears to edges and few large water stains, mostly to borders, not affecting the text or signature. G 

HARDENBERG KARL AUGUST VON: (1750-1822) Prussian Statesman. Prime Minister of Prussia 1804-06, 1807 & 1810-22. Hardenberg is recognized as one of the most important statesman of his time, being credited with the improvement of the army system, the abolition of serfdom, and most of all the complete reform of the educational system. A very good L.S., `A. Hardenberg´, one page, folio, Berlin, 7th April 1805, to Marshal Berthier, in French. Hardenberg, on behalf of the King of Prussia, and in his capacity as Prussian prime minister, reports to Marshal Berthier about the decoration granted to him by his sovereign, stating in part `C´est avec une satisfaction bien vive que je remplis les volontés du Roi mon Maitre, en transmettant de Sa part à Votre Excellence les marques des grands Ordres de Prusse´ (“It is with great satisfaction that I fulfil the wishes of the King my Master, by transmitting on His behalf to Your Excellency the marks of the great Orders of Prussia”) Hardenberg further refers to Napoléon, saying `Sa Majesté S´est determine à Vous les conférer Monsieur le Maréchal par une suite et des sentiments distingués qu´elle vous porte et du plaisir qu´elle éprouve à répondre aux vues de Sa Majesté Impériale, Votre Auguste Souverain´ (“His Majesty has determined to confer them on you, Monsieur the Marshal, by following and the distinguished feelings that he has for you and the pleasure that he feels in responding to the views of His Imperial Majesty, Your August Sovereign”) A letter of good association. With blank integral leaf. Small overall age toning, mostly to edges, small staining and remnants of former affixing to the verso of the blank leaf, otherwise G Frederick William III (1770-1840) King of Prussia 1797-1840.

TALLEYRAND-PERIGORD & FOUCHE: TALLEYRAND-PERIGORD CHARLES MAURICE DE (1754-1838) Prince of Talleyrand, French clergyman, politician and diplomat, Prime Minister of France, 1815 & FOUCHE JOSEPH (1759-1820) 1st Duc d'Otrante, 1st Comte Fouche. French statesman and revolutionary who served as Minister of Police (1799-1810, 1815) under Napoleon Bonaparte. D.S. by both Talleyrand ('Charles Maurice') and Fouche ('Comte de l'Empire Fouche') individually, one page, folio, Schoenbrunn, 24th August 1809, in French. The partially printed document, with manuscript insertions in the hand of Fouche, is addressed to Monsieur Laffontan, President of the Canton of Valence and is an Extrait des Minutes de la Secretairerie d'Etat ('Extract from the Minutes of the Secretary of State') originally issued by Hugues-Bernard Maret, Duke of Bassano, on behalf of Napoleon I, and states that they have deemed it appropriate to convene the assembly of the canton on 17th October 1809, and consequently order Laffontan to execute, and cause to be executed, the provisions of the acts of the Constitutions of the Empire, further stating 'Nous avons fait connaitre a notre premier Inspecteur de la Gendarmerie, et au General commandant la 10 eme Division militaire, que vous avez seul la police de l'assemblee; que nulle force armee ne doit etre placee pres du lieu de ses seances ni y penetrer sans votre requistion; qu'ils doivent ordonner de deferer a celles que vous adresserez aux Commandans de la Gendarmerie, et de vous preter assistance, si le cas l'exige et que vous le demandiez' (Translation: 'We have made it known to our first Inspector of the Gendarmerie, and to the General commanding the 10th Military Division, that you alone have the police of the assembly; that no armed force should be placed near the place of its meetings or enter there without your request; that they must order to defer to those which you will address to the Commanders of the Gendarmerie, and to lend you assistance, if the case requires it and that you ask for it'). Signed at the foot by Talleyrand in his capacity as Vice-Grand-Elector and by Fouche in his capacity as Minister of the Interior (rare as such; Fouche only served in the post from 29th June to 1st October 1809) and with a circular blind embossed seal beneath. With blank integral leaf. Some light, minor staining to the lower left corner and a very small hole to the centre of the text, otherwise VG 

MURAT JOACHIM: (1767-1815) Marshal of France, brother-in-law of Napoleon Bonaparte. King of Naples 1808-15. L.S., `J Napoleon´, one page, folio, Naples, 4th January 1811, in Italian. The partially printed document bearing the heading of "Gioacchino Napoleone, King of the Two Sicilies", is a decree containing three articles approved and based on the report given by the Minister of Interior. The decree refers to the Comune di Castelvetere and to the administration of the budget funds, to the deficit, and to the third article orders the Minister of Interior to execute what is established in the present decree. Paper with a Pieter de Vries watermark. With blank integral leaf. Small area of paper loss to the lower right corner, otherwise G to VG

KELLERMANN FRANÇOIS CHRISTOPHE: (1735-1820) Marshal of France, Duc de Valmy. L.S., `Kellermann Duc de Valmy´, one page, folio, Paris, 19th October 1814, in French. The letter issued from the Minister of war, is an approved copy of a document related to the behaviour of the Colonel of the 3rd Swiss Regiment during the siege of Landau `…des discussions se sont élevées entre Mr. le Colonel Demay du troisieme Régiment Suissse et des officiers de son corps, et qu´on inculpe le premier dans la conduite qu´il a tenue pendant le blocus de Landau...´ (“..discussions have arisen between Mr. Colonel Demay of the Third Swiss Regiment and officers of his corps, and that the former is inculpated because of the conduct he held during the blockade of Landau..”) Small overall minor age wear, with very slightly irregular left edge, otherwise G

DECRES DENIS: (1761-1820) Duke of Decrès. French Navy Officer. A very interesting content letter relating to the abolition of the slave trade. L.S. `Den de Crès´, three pages, folio, Paris, 16th April 1815, to “Messieurs les Commandants des bâtiments de guerre français” (“To the Commandants of the French warships”), addressed to the Governor and Intendent of the Guadeloupe, in French. Decrès, in his capacity as Minister of the Marine and Colonies, referring to the return of Napoleon after eleven months in exile on the island of Elba, states `Messieurs, avant que vous puissiez recevoir cette lettre, la renommée aura porté jusqu'à vous la nouvelle de l'heureux retour en France de l'Empereur Napoléon. Dans sa route triomphale, du Golfe Juan jusqu'aux Tuileries, pas une seule goutte de sang n'a été répandue, pas un seul acte de rigueur exercé : l'amour du peuple et l'enthousiasme de l'armée ont tout fait. Le vingtième jour de sa descente à Fréjus était marquée par l'entrée de l'Empereur dans sa capitale ; le quarantième l'a été par l'expulsion de tous ceux qui voulaient s'y opposer, et il n'est pas aujourd'hui un seul point sur la France où le pavillon tricolore ne flotte et où l'amour de la nation ne soit unanime pour le souverain qui lui est rendu avec tant d'éclat´ (Translation: `Gentlemen, before you receive this letter, your renown will have brought you the news of the happy return to France of the Emperor Napoleon. In his triumphal route, from the Golfe Juan to the Tuileries, not a single drop of blood was shed, not a single act of rigor exercised: the love of the people and the enthusiasm of the army did everything. The twentieth day of his descent to Fréjus was marked by the entry of the Emperor into his capital; the fortieth was by the expulsion of all those who wanted to oppose it, and there is not a single point today in France where the tricolor flag does not stand and where the love for the nation is not unanimous for the sovereign… ´) Decrès further refers to the decree of the abolition of the slave trade aproved few weeks earlier and with conviction explains the supposed peaceful intentions of Napoleon, stating `Je vous adresse des collections de journaux, où vous suivrez avec admiration la marche des événements. Vous vous instruirez des principaux actes du Gouvernement Impérial ; vous apprendrez quelles sont les intentions pacifiques et modérées de Sa Majesté; enfin vous remarquerez le Décret du 29 mars dernier qui abolit la traite des noirs. Je ne dissimule point l'impression que pourrait faire cette dernière mesure dans une Colonie où les habitants seraient servilement sous le joug de l'empire des habitudes: mais les colons français ne sont pas en arrière des lumières des temps où nous vivons. La très grande majorité d'entre eux est composée d'esprits sages et réfléchis qui reconnaîtront que l'Empereur n'a fait que proclamer ce que le génie du siècle inspirait et ce que la voix de l'humanité réclamait avec tant d'énergie….On ignore encore si les cabinets de l'Europe partageront les intentions pacifiques de l'Empereur; mais si, par une fatalité déplorable, la guerre avait lieu, je suis assuré qu'aux Iles du vent, comme en France, rien ne sera négligé pour soutenir l'honneur du nom français´ (Translation: `I am sending you a collection of newspapers, on which you will follow the course of events with admiration. You will learn yourself of the principal acts of the Imperial Government; you will learn what are the pacific and moderate intentions of His Majesty; finally you will read the Decree of last March 29th which abolishes the slave trade. I do not hide the impression that this last measure could make in a Colony where the inhabitants would be slavishly under the yoke of the empire of habits: but the French colonists are not behind the lights of the times in which we live. The vast majority of them are composed of wise and thoughtful minds who will recognize that the Emperor has only proclaimed what the genius of the century inspired and what the voice of humanity so forcefully called for. …. It is not yet known whether the governments of Europe will share the pacific intentions of the Emperor; but if, by some deplorable fatality, war should take place, I am sure that in the Windward Islands, as in France, nothing will be neglected to uphold the honour of the French name´) VG At the time of the present letter the Governor of the Guadeloupe appointed by King Louis XVIII was the Count de Linois, and the Intendent was Baron Guilhermy. The Governor refused to recognized the Imperial government and was kidnapped for this reason by General Boyer, supporter of Napoleon, until he accepted to recognize the new government. Only three days after the present letter was received in the Guadeloupe, the Battle of Waterloo took place.   

DAVOUT LOUIS-NICOLAS: (1770-1823) French military commander during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, one of the original eighteen Marshals of the Empire created by Napoleon. L.S., Prince d'Eckmuhl, one page, folio, Fontainebleau, 6th October 1816, to the Duc de Feltre, in French. Davout writes concerning additional compensation for the travel expenses incurred by his aide-de-camp Jacques de Trobriand who, on the Emperor's orders, went to Hamburg and then to Hanover. With a brief endorsement in the hand of the Duc de Feltre at the foot, 'Trobriand left in the middle of the night. I gave the order to M. Pichon, my secretary, to advance him two thousand francs…I ask your Excellency….to reimburse M. Pichon'. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG Henri-Jacques-Guillaume Clarke (1765-1818) Franco-Irish General and Marshal of France who served as Minister of War 1807-14, 1815, 1815-17.  

‘British armour has come through the campaign in western Europe with flying colours, and has proved itself superior in battle to German armour’ MONTGOMERY B. L.: (1887-1976) British Field Marshal of World War II. An important Top Secret World War II date D.S., B. L. Montgomery, thirteen pages, folio, Holland, 21st February 1945. The mimeographed typed document is copy number 27 (M558) of Montgomery's 21 Army Group Memorandum on British Armour: No. 2, the introduction stating, in part, 'Since the issue of the first memorandum on 6 July 1944 (M506) we have gained much practical experience in the employment of armour in battle and in tank operations generally, both in the mobile battle and in close fighting with infantry. The battle of the FALAISE pocket, and the operations….up to the SEINE and on to Belgium and Holland, involved the employment of tanks in almost every variety of operation with infantry; the pursuit saw armoured formations advance 450 miles in nine days. When armoured formations and units arrived on the Dutch frontier, dykes, canals and artificial flooding tested the mechanical efficiency of the various types of tanks to the utmost…..Reviewing this experience as a whole it is true to say that the memorandum of July 1944 needs little amendment. A few modifications are necessary; some points need further emphasis; certain new points should be considered……British armour has come through the campaign in western Europe with flying colours, and has proved itself superior in battle to German armour. If Rundstedt had been equipped with British armour when he attacked in the Ardennes on 16 December, 1944, he would have reached the MEUSE in 36 hours: which would have placed the Allies in a very awkward situation. If 21 Army Group had been equipped with German armour it could not have crossed the Seine on 28 August 1944 and reached Brussels on 3 September and Antwerp on 4 September, thus cutting off the whole Pas de Calais area in eight days: a very remarkable achievement which had far reaching results. The credit for all this must go to the War Office; the British armies were in June 1944 splendidly equipped for the job that had to be done', the document continues to provide Montgomery's views on the general points regarding the use of tanks ('Tanks designed for special purposes should be avoided'), as well as specific comments regarding the Capital Tank ('Great speed is not required in the capital tank; reliability, and sustained moderate speed, are the essentials: say 100 miles in 6 or 7 hours'), the Gun ('….I consider that the 17 pr is not an entirely suitable gun for the primary weapon of the capital tank. When an enemy tank is engaged it must be hit hard at long ranges; the 17 pr is insufficiently accurate at the longer distances'), other Armament, the Armour ('There are two ways of avoiding destruction by gun fire; one, direct protection, i.e. armour; the other, concealment or evasion. The gun can always be made which will defeat any armour, but the gun has to be shot by man and human error comes in; not every cartridge hits a partridge'), Camouflage ('Some form of plaster like the German “ZIMMERIT” should be produced and incorporated in the manufacture of all future tanks'), Optical Instruments, Co-operation with other Arms ('While good British armour is essential for success, I cannot emphasise too strongly that victory in battle depends not on armoured action alone: but on the intimate co-operation of all arms, and on effective co-operation between armoured and air forces. The tank by itself can achieve little') and Specialised Forms of Armour. The document continues with two Appendices, the first regarding various different types of tanks including Mine Sweeping tanks ('Crabs….have proved the most adaptable and generally efficient form of mine sweeper: and their fire power has frequently proved invaluable'), Flame Throwing tanks ('Crocodiles have a demoralising as well as lethal effect on the enemy, and are being used with great success against enemy concealed in houses, edges of woods and slit trenches'), Amphibious tanks, Armoured Cross-country Infantry Carriers ('Kangaroo. This is a tank with turret removed, which accommodates a section of infantry. It has enabled infantry to reach the objective quickly, practically unscathed, close behind the tanks'), Amphibian Tracked Troop Carriers and Specialised Armoured Recovery Vehicles etc., and the second contains Some Notes on Centralization of Control of Special Equipments, stating, in part, 'Specialized troops must be trained uniformly; their technique evolved and improved in light of experience; their equipment properly maintained, supervised, modified and improved; their overhaul, supply of special spares and stores, servicing and kitting planned methodically. New ideas must be tested: and alterations in design, production, and supply and programme priorities have to be considered. Commanders must be certain of getting specialist advice in planning: and be sure that the special selection of equipments they need will be available and ready, where and when required, for any particular operation. These results can be achieved only by centralisation of control under one command'. Accompanied by the original mimeograph typed letter of transmittal, one page, small 4to, n.p., 23rd February 1945, stating, in part, 'Herewith copy No. 27 of C-inC's Memorandum on British Armour: No. 2. It is regretted that owing to the very limited number of spares available, only one copy can be provided' and further listing the twelve Brigadiers and Major-Generals to whom copies have been distributed. A document of fascinating content, and of particular relevance to the importance of tank warfare at the end of World War II. File holes to the left edge and upper corner of each page, and with some light age wear and minor toning to some pages, otherwise generally VG In February 1945, Montgomery's 21st Army Group advanced to the Rhine in Operation Veritable and Operation Grenade, crossing the Rhine on 24th March 1945 in Operation Plunder, two weeks after the U.S. First Army had crossed the Rhine after capturing the Ludendorff Bridge during the Battle of Remagen. By the war's end the remaining formations of 21st Army Group, First Canadian Army and British Second Army, had liberated the northern part of the Netherlands and captured much of north-west Germany, occupied Hamburg and Rostock and sealed off the Danish peninsula. On 4th May 1945, on Luneburg Heath, Montgomery accepted the surrender of German forces in north-west Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands. 

MONTGOMERY B. L.: (1887-1976) British Field Marshal of World War II. Autograph Manuscript, unsigned (although with the 'signature' Field Marshal Montgomery incorporated into the title), four pages (separate leaves), folio, n.p. (Gstaad?), n.d. (February 1947). The manuscript is entitled 'Address by Field-Marshal Montgomery to the Gstaad Ski Club 16 Feb 1947', and states, in part, 'It is a great pleasure for me to be here tonight to present the "Montgomery Cup" for ski-jumping, and also to give the prizes for the various ski contests that have been held in Gstaad this week-end. I first came to Switzerland in 1903…..the object of that first visit was to learn French, but I also had my first lessons in winter sports……Since that time I have paid many visits to Switzerland and have become very fond of it; yours is a magnificent country, and one which produces a virile people of great character. Swiss history tells us of your long struggle for freedom; your early history especially is a long story of wars against aggression from outside. I have been reading how the Swiss Army defeated the Austrians at Morgarten in 1315 and at Sempach in 1386; I have also read how in the war against Germany in 1499 your Army defeated the German Army under Maximilian I at Dornach, which victory gained you your definite independence of the German Reich. In these and other wars your Swiss soldiers gained a high reputation for military skill and valour. So great were the military qualities of your young men that, even when the independence of the country had been won, they used to enlist in the armies of foreign powers and brought your country great glory on many battlefields. However, the Swiss Government finally decided that the hiring of Swiss fighting men by foreign powers was likely to endanger the home country and must cease. Since then Switzerland has enjoyed peace, and has observed a strict neutrality in the case of wars between two or more of her neighbours…..In your early days you suffered greatly from foreign aggression, and there are probably few nations who understand better than you do the distress that has been brought about in many European countries as a result of the late war……As a British soldier, I thank you for the splendid way in which you looked after our officers and men who escaped to your country from prisoner-of-war camps in enemy countries…..Many nations that have been drawn into war have gained much benefit from the neutrality of Switzerland…..Our two nations would seem to have much in common. We British are an independent and an individual people; our long freedom from oppression has made us self-reliant and our one passionate belief is in the liberty of the individual to go his own way……All nations today are grappling with the problem of how to reconcile this liberty of the individual with the demands of collective good. In Switzerland you seem to have reached a satisfactory solution to that problem and one which suits the nation…..To Switzerland and its people, I wish prosperity and happiness in the years that lie ahead'. Two small file holes to the upper left corner of each page and with some light overall age wear, about VG

Large folio scrapbook of Punch and Judy related posters, postcards, newspaper clippings, etc, 1934 Punch Almanack magazine and other ephemera  

Philips' Mercantile Marine Atlas of the World, folio, half morocco, illus., sixth edition.

Johnston (Alexander Keith) The Physical Atlas Illustrating the Geographical Distribution of Natural Phenomena, based on the Atlas of Professor H. Berghaus, etc., folio, half morocco, illus., Edinburgh 1848.

Hole (William) Quasi Cursores: Portraits of the High Officers and Professors of the University of Edinburgh at Its Tercentenary Festival, folio, quarter vellum and printed boards, illus. with etchings, limited edition of 100 numbered and initialled copies, Edinburgh 1884.

Clarke (James) A Survey of the Lake of Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire, folio, calf, illus. with fold-out map, 1787.

Huson (Thomas) Round About Snowdon, and Round About Helvellyn, 2 Vols, folio, gilt cloth, illus. with gravure plates, 1894 and 1895; and The Victoria Histories of the Counties of England: Vol. 1, Cumberland, folio, gilt cloth, illus. with maps and plates, 1901.

Hugo (Thomas) Bewick's Woodcuts, impressions of upwards of 2000 wood-blocks, folio, gilt cloth, illus., 1870.

Marx (Enid) Who Killed Cock Robin?, a chap-book style miniature, illus. with five wood engravings and taken from Marx's Nursery Rhyme Book of 1938, limited edition of 150 numbered copies, Incline Press 1996, together with three promotional leaflets for this book and another; Nesbit (E.) The Three Mothers, lge. 8vo, paper covs, illus. with wood engravings by Judith Jaidinger, limited edition of 500 copies, published by The Society of Wood Engravers, Christmas 2002, with dw; Graham (Robert) Playing Gershwin, sml. folio, paper covs, illus. with hand-coloured lino-cuts by Peter Allen, limited edition of 200 signed and numbered copies, Incline Press, Easter 1997; and three other artists' press publications. (6)

Documents relating to the Enclosure of Land in the Parish of Long Houghton, Northumberland, 1815 - in large 4to, half calf binding; Documents relating to the Enclosures of Land in the Parishes of Rothbury, Elsdon, Tosson and Hepple Commons, 1806 - in large 4to, half calf binding; and Particulars and Ephemera relating to the Auction Sale of Properties in the Langley Barony Estate, Northumberland, 1882 - in folio half calf bindings, all curated and bound by James Hedley, Hexham. (3)

A small collection of 18th Century Manuscript Documents relating to the Parish of Corsenside, Northumberland, 1706-1730, in contemporary soft vellum folio, protected by a modern book pattern ds; and a ledger detailing the apportionment of the rent charge in lieu of tithes in the Township of Alnwick, Northumberland, 1842, compiled by The Tithe Commissioners' Agent John Strangeways Donaldson Selby, in large 4to. quarter calf binding. (2)

Anderton (Basil) A Typescript Bibliography of the Writings from 1863-1918 of Richard Welford J.P. and Antiquary (1836-1919), together with associated ephemera tipped-in, folio, half calf.

Sundry Parliamentary Acts for Civic Improvements at Newcastle upon Tyne, 1763-1846, gathered together in modern folio quarter calf and marbled boards binding; Abstracts of Parliamentary Acts for the Improvement of Newcastle in the 18th Century, 8vo, half calf binding; and three additions of the Corporation Annual or Recollections of the First Reformed Town Council, Newcastle upon Tyne, 1836; together with two signed manuscript letters from Richard Welford.

Wilson (James and John) (Editors) A Journal of the Life of Thomas Story, Quaker, folio, embossed calf, Isaac Thompson, Newcastle 1747; and The Manuscript Journal/Diary of A Committed Christian Detailing Aspects of His Daily Life and Devotion, including visits to Churches in Newcastle and Northumberland, 1864-1865, in 8vo. calf binding.

Richardson (Thomas Miles senior) Memorials of Old Newcastle, folio unbound, illus. with etchings, Newcastle; and Etchings of Antiquities Etc., first and second series, 4to, paper covers unbound, Newcastle 1827.

Hodges (Charles Clement) The Abbey of St. Andrew, Hexham: A Monograph, atlas folio, half morocco and printed boards, deluxe edition limited to 400 numbered copies, privately printed for the Author 1888.

An Auction Catalogue for the sale of Portions of the Chesters Estate, Humshaugh, Northumberland, by direction of J.M. Clayton, Auctioneers Turner Lord & Dowler, on Wednesday and Thursday 19th and 20th June 1929, together with estate plans and copies of the Newcastle Daily Journal for June 20th and June 21st 1929, in folio size book pattern ds; and manuscripts letters, invoices, press cuttings and other paper ephemera, relating to the Errington and Beaufront Estates, Hexham, in folio size book pattern box file. (2)

The Particulars and Conditions of Sale for an Auction of Haughton Castle and Estate, Paper Mill, etc., Northumberland, Auctioneers Samuel Donkin, Newcastle, 13th November 1860, in book pattern case; The Particulars and Conditions of a Sale by Auction of the Stagshaw Close House Estate, Nr. Corbridge, Auctioneers Samuel Donkin, Newcastle, 28th September 1867, in book pattern case; and details of wills made by members of the Walton Family of Alston, taken from the Probate Registry of Durham 1908, in folio cloth binding. (3)

Letters Book No. 4 for the Clerk of the Peace, Northumberland, 10th September 1827-2nd November 1829, 4to, cloth; and A List of Persons liable to serve as Jurors in the County of Northumberland, Michaelmas Sessions, October 1823, original manuscript from the Office of R. Thorp, in lge. folio book pattern box file. (2)

An Act of Parliament for Laying Out, Making and Keeping in Repair, a road proper for the passage of troops and carriages from the City of Carlisle to the Town of Newcastle upon Tyne (now known as the Military Road), 17th January 1750, published by Thomas Baskett, 1751, in book pattern folio; The Case (against) The Power of the Turnpike Road Trustees to erect a tollgate on Corbridge Bridge in Manuscript, 1835, in a modern folio half calf binding; and A Manuscript Copy of a Jury Ruling to enquire what the particular customs belonging to the Manor of Tynemouth were, and what duties, rent and services, ought to be paid to the Lord of the Manor, etc., 1685, enclosed in book pattern folio. (3)

Chronicon Mirabile: Or, Extracts from Parish Registers, Principally in the North of England, 8vo, cloth, 1841, bearing the bookplate of Richard Welford, Records of the Manor of Ford, Northumberland; an Unpublished Typescript, Principally concerned with the Genealogy of Families and Persons living at or associated with Ford Village and Castle, especially the Bulmer and Heron Families, 2 Vols. in 1, folio, full calf, bearing the bookplate and signature of George Grey of Mitfield; A Handwritten Schedule of Freeholders in Coquetdale Ward, Northumberland, 1806, in soft calf folio bindings; and A printed schedule of Landowners in Northumberland and Durham, 1873, in folio cloth bindings. (4)

The Hexham Corn Marked & Public Buildings Co. Ltd. Committee Minute Book, March 3rd 1864-4th December 1922, in folio calf bindings; and Hexham Borough Book for 1727, folio unbound manuscript in modern book pattern box file.

Hexham Union Valuation of Mansions 1866 - a manuscript ledger in full calf folio binding; together with a facsimile of the report on the valuations of the mansion houses in the Hexham Poor Law Union 1866, by Thomas S. Hedley.

Colpoys (Sir John), Bellingham (Sir William) and Harrison (John) A Report of the Visitation of Greenwich Hospital Estates in the Counties of Cumberland, Northumberland and Durham in 1805 and Dyer (John) A Report of the Visitation of Greenwich Hospital Estates in the Counties of Cumberland, Northumberland and Durham in 1815, 2 Vols. in matching folio, gilt calf bindings; Holford (F.H.) The Rent Roll of the Estate of the Hospital of St. Mary Magdalen, Newcastle upon Tyne, February 2nd 1932, 8vo, gilt cloth, illus. with fold-out Hospital Estate plan, Newcastle 1932; and A Register of Admissions to the Duke of Northumberland's School, Alnwick 1811-1911, 8vo, cloth, Leicester 1911.