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COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC SAFETY: A good D.S., by seven members of the Committee of Public Safety, one page, folio, 18th August 1794, in French. The document, bearing an attractive vignette of the "French Republic - Commité de Salut Public" to the heading, is an order issued to release citizen Thecle-Pieters, a woman who had been arrested, stating in part `The Committee of Public Safety, orders that Citizen Thecle-Pieters, spouse of Citizen Douche, arrested at the Pélagie  house-arrest, will be here and now released, and the handcuffs, if they were used, will be taken off on the receipt of this order..´ Boldly signed at the base by seven members of the Committee of Public Safety, comprising Lazare Carnot (1753-1823) French Physicist and politician. Known as the Organizer of Victory in the French Revolutionary Wars; Jean-Baptiste Robert Lindet (1746-1825) Lindet is best remembered for his response to Saint-Just, only few months before signing the present letter, when he refused to sign the arrest decree against Danton, stating `Je suis ici pour secourir les citoyens, non pour tuer les patriotes´ ("I am here to rescue the citizens, not to kill patriots"); Jean-Jacques Bréard (1751-1840) President of the National Convention in 1793; Joseph Eschasseriaux (1753-1824); Pierre-Antoine Lalloy (1749-1846); Jean-Baptiste Treilhard (1742-1810) Minister and President of the National Convention 1792-93, and Jacques Alexis Thuriot (1753-1829) President of the National Convention in 1793. Small overall age wear, mostly to edges, and creasing to the upper right corner, otherwise G

COUTHON, CARNOT & BILLAUD VARENNE: Georges Couthon (1755-1794) French Politician and Lawyer. President of the National Convention 1793-94. A proficient speaker who often exploited his condition as a paraplegic in order to gain the Assembly`s approval of his proposals. A close associate to Robespierre and Saint-Just in the Committee of Public Safety. Couthon, responsible of the huge increase of executions, was himself guillotined alongside Robespierre; Lazare Carnot (1753-1823) French Physicist and politician. Known as the Organizer of Victory in the French Revolutionary; Jacques-Nicolas Billaud Varenne (1756-1819) French Revolutionary, often considered a key architect of the period known as The Reign of Terror. Nicknamed ''Le Tigre'' (''The Tiger''). Billaud-Varenne was member of the Committee of Public Safety. He was later sentenced to deportation to French Guiana after is involvement in the 12th Germinal insurrection (1st April 1795).  A good multiple D.S. by Couthon, Carnot and Billaud Varenne as members of the Committee of Public safety, of the National Convention, two pages, folio, Paris, 8th January 1794, in French. The partially printed document bears the to the heading a vignette of the Committee of Public Safety, and states that having informed `..that among the citizens arrested as a result of the disturbances at Coulommiers, there is a large number of workers, craftsmen, of citizens who are strayed or were cheated by several conspirators and contra-revolutionaries..´ The Committee of Public safety orders that Mr. Maure, representative of the people, will travel to Coulommiers with full capacity to deal with this matter. Small overall minor age wear, with small creasing to edges. G  Nicolas Maure (1743-1795) Member of the Convention. He was guillotined as a former supporter of Robespierre.The peasants uprising of November-December 1793, known as the "Petite Vendée Briarde" took place in Brie and nearby, including Colummiers, and was mainly caused because of the anti-religious measures adopted by the Convention, closing churches and forbidding priests to teach. The uprising was repressed with hundreds of arrests and some guillotined.

KLEBER JEAN-BAPTISTE: (1753-1800) French General during the French Revolutionary wars. Kleber was also a trained architect. Best remembered for suppressing the Vendée Revolt. He accompanied Napoleon in the Egyptian Campaign. When Napoleon appointed Kleber as Commander of the French forces he was assassinated in Cairo. A very attractive multiple signed D.S., with holograph line `Vu par le General de division Kleber, one page, large folio, 10 x 16, Toulon, 9th May 1798, to Jean Antoine Bart, in French.´ The document, being a permanent retirement leave granted to Sargent Bart, bears the 2nd Company of engineering miners heading. Countersigned by the members of the administration council, Captain Commandant, Commissairs, etc..  Bearing to the upper left corner a red wax seal in fine condition. Uneven bottom edge. Small overall minor age wear, otherwise G    

BERNADOTTE JEAN BAPTISTE: (1763-1844) Marshal of France, Prince de Pontecorvo and King Charles XIV John of Sweden and Norway 1818-44. A good L.S., `avec amitiéJ.B. Bernadotte´, with flourish, one page, folio, Head-Quarters of Hannover, 11th November 1792, to Mr. Real, Councillor of State, in French. Bernadotte states in part `I am sending you the answer of 1st General Inspector of the artillery to the letter I wrote to him in favour of Captain Charue. You can read that he informs me that nobody will be promoted to the rank of battalion chief this year. I deeply regret that the circumstances prevent my recommendation letter from being as successful as hoped´ With blank integral leaf. Overall age wear, mostly to edges, and several tears to the edges. F to G   

BERTHIER LOUIS-ALEXANDRE: (1753-1815) Marshal of France, Prince of Neuchatel. Chief of Staff under Napoleon. An exceptional vignette D.S., `Alex Berthier´, one page, large folio, Milan headquarters, 31st July 1797, to the administrators of the French departments, in French. The partially printed document bears an exceptional and large vignette to the heading. The vignette was created by Andrea Appiani for Alexandre Berthier as General of Division and Chief of the Headquarters of the Army of Italy, one of the most spectacular and appreciated vignettes of the Napoleon era. Bearing to the heading the printed text "Armée D´Italie - Republique Française - Liberté - Egalité". The document states in part `I send you attached the detailed report of the events occurred in all Military divisions of the Army of Italy on the 26th Messidor anniversary of the 14th July 1789. Let all Citizens know that at same time and in all parts of the Army, the same wish, the same shout has been listened to, and this cry has been "Relentless war against the Royalists, and inviolable loyalty to the Republican Government and to the Constitution of the year Three". The department the present document was sent to seems to have been erased. Lightly affixed to a larger sheet of paper. Overall age wear mostly to edges, with creasing and very small tears to edges. Few small repairs to the verso. About G   Andrea Appiani (1754-1817) Italian neoclassical Painter. Appiani was full of joy when Napoleon freed Lombardy from Austrian occupancy and returned freedom to Italy and again when his vignettes were chosen and appreciated for the use of French different military documents headings and he was appointed court painter. Although created a pensioned artist to the Kingdom of Italy by Napoleon, Appiani lost his allowance after the fall of the Kingdom in 1814 and fell into poverty. During his period as court painter he rendered portraits of Napoleon and the chief personages of his regime, among the most graceful of which are his oil paintings Venus and Love, and Rinaldo in the garden of Armida.

LEFEBVRE FRANÇOIS: (1755-1820) Marshal of France, Duc de Dantzig and Prince d´Essling. A.N. to a L.S., `Lefebvre´, with six lines in Lefebvre´s hand at the base of the letter, one page, folio, Head Quarters of the avant-garde of the Danube Army at Pfullendorf, Germany, 18th March 1799, to Brigade General Soult, in French. Lefebvre, in his capacity as Division General, states in part `I send to you, my dear General, the 4th regiment of Hussars.-.´ further referring to the lack of fodder in his area due to the artillery, and asking for a report back regarding the location of the regiment. At the base of the letter, a six lines holograph, Lefebvre adding an important warning and advice `In case of attack, you will only keep with you the number of cavalry troops which you will need to retreat… and you will send to the camp the remaining…´ Overall age wear, mostly to the uneven left edge, with very small area of paper loss to the bottom edge only affecting one word, and not affecting the signature. Stain to the upper left edge. F to G    Nicolas Jean de Dieu Soult (1769-1851) Marshal of France, Duc de Dalmatie. Prime Minister of France 1832-34, 39-40 & 40-47.

DEBELLE JEAN-FRANÇOIS: (1767-1802) French General. Debelle fought at the Battle of Fleurus and headed the Army of Italy in its retreat to France after the Battle of Novi. Debelle died at the very early age of 34 during the Saint-Domingue expedition. L.S., `Debelle´, one page, folio, Bologna, 1st of May 1801, to French Minister, in French. The document bears the printed heading of the “French republic - Army of Italy - Lieutenant General Debelle”, and states in part `The Cisalpine government, not fulfilling the administrative processes of the Departments, will convene that first of a.ll the new basis on which the Public safety must be settled have to be established. This foresight will avoid the disadvantages which would come out of the disgust and the discouragement of the administrators.´ Very lightly affixed to the left edge to the verso, to a folio card. Small overall minor staining, otherwise G to VG    Provenance from the Brenda Young McPeake (1857-1937)

DAVOUT LOUIS NICOLAS: (1770-1823) Marshal of France, Duc d´Auerstaedt and Prince of Eckmuhl. Known as the Iron Marshal, Davout was the only Napoleonic Marshal not to have been defeated in battle by 1815. L.S., `Le Mal. Duc D´Auerstaedt´, with four lines holograph, two pages, folio, n.p., 26th February 1809, to General Intendant Villemanzy, in French. Davout annotates his response to the left border of a letter received from General Intendant Villemanzy, dated at Erfurt on 12th February 1809, who requests Davout´s decision, forwarding also a letter from the Prince Frederick, Duke of Nassau, referring to the location chosen for a hospital which would oblige many families to abandon their houses and remain homeless. Villemanzy refers to the promise of the Minister of war to visit the location but informs that this never happened, and expects an order related to the hospital from Marshal Davout. Davout states `To return to the General Intendant who will proceed according with what he will consider fair.´ Small overall creasing, mostly to edges and corners, otherwise G    Jacques-Pierre Orillard de Villemanzy (1751-1830) French General. Friedrich August (1738-1816) Duke of Nassau, Prince of Nassau-Usingen.

NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. A fine D.S., `Napol´, one page, folio, Imperial Palace of the Tuileries, 15th February 1809, in Italian. The partially printed document, bearing the printed heading "Napoleon, by the grace of God, and by the Constitution, Emperor of the French, King of Italy, Protector of the Rhin Confederation”, is a decree containing two articles. The first article stating `We grant to Virginia Mustapich, born in Cesarotti, an annual lifetime pension of 500 Lire.´ The second article reports on the Ministers of the Reign of Italy who will be in charge of executing the present decree. Signed at the base in bold black ink by the Emperor. VG to EX    

PONIATOWSKI JOZEF: (1763-1813) Polish General, Minister of War and Army Chief. Marshal of the Empire. An excellent L.S., `Joseph Prince Poniatowski´, in Cyrillic, one page, folio, Warsaw, 30th July 1810, on the Minister of war printed stationery, in Polish. Poniatowski, in his capacity as General of division and Chief Commander of the Polish army refers to the report received from Colonel Hornowski, Commandant of the 17th Regiment of infantry, regarding the prefect of Plock, that it has been forbidden to take the content of the warehouses and `…the intention to transport of all them to Warsaw…´ further detailing the content of them and saying `… such are the reserve stocks.. ´ Small overall minor age toning, mostly to right edge, and small staining, otherwise G to about VG

MASSENA ANDRE: (1758-1817) Marshal of France, 1st Duke of Rivoli and 1st Prince of Essling. An interesting content L.S., Massena, two pages, folio, Fort de la Conception, Salamanca, 14th September 1810, to Ordonnateur Clapiers, in French. Massena, in his capacity as `Marshal, Prince of Essling, Chief Commandant of the Portugal army´, reports on the lack of supplies and urgent needs of the troops in Spain, stating in part `... I am obliged to depart and go to Portugal, I leave the two positions of Almeida and Rodrigo very far from having the supplying which they require and which I expected to be able to leave sorted out. I have given the order to General Rouyer to make the biggest efforts to put together biscuits, flour and wheat to be distributed in these two locations… before the enemy will encircle them, and before the raining season. We will prevent this way the misfortune to see them falling again in the enemy´s hands. The task is huge but honourable; it is a matter of keeping safe the result of a great military campaign of the Portuguese army and to preserve the north of Spain from the danger of becoming the prey of the enemy…´ With blank integral leaf bearing small remnants of former affixing to corners. Small overall creasing, mostly to left edge, otherwise about G    

DUROC GÉRAUD: (1772-1813) French Diplomat and General of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. First Duke of Frioul. A close friend of Napoleon Bonaparte who appointed Duroc as first Grand Marshal of the Palace and Head of the Emperor´s Military Household. A very important content L.S., `Le Duc de Frioul´, one page, folio, Compiegne, 24th March 1810, to H.E. the Count of Montesquiou, in French. Duroc states in full `Monsieur le Comte, His Majesty wishes that Your Excellence come to Compiegne and that you bring with you… with all the Diamonds prepared and with the Crown of the Empress, in case there are changes to be made. His Majesty wishes that Your Excellence arrive here during the day of tomorrow, and that you also bring with you the seal which has been done for the Empress.´ Paper with an attractive Pro Patria watermark.Very small overallminor age wear, otherwise G to VG    Pierre de Montesquiou-Fezensac (1764-1834) French Politician and Soldier. Montesquiou was appointed Grand Chamberlain of the Empire in 1809, replacing Talleyrand. 

[SOULT NICOLAS JEAN DE DIEU]: (1769-1851) Marshal of France, Duc de Dalmatie. Prime Minister of France 1832-34, 39-40 & 40-47. A good set of five documents, comprising a “Bulletin Analytique” with the printed heading of the Marshal Duc de Dalmatie, one page, small 4to, Seville, 16th October 1811, the document states that the file includes General Lery´s report regarding the works done at Alhama to complete the barracks and accommodation for the sick soldiers who will receive water treatments; also including a four pages letter, folio, signed by Lery, same place and date, reporting lengthly on the Alhama engineering works; also including an eleven pages report, folio, Granada 3rd October 1811, addressed to General Dufour, Governor of the city of Granada, being a detailed report of works, distance, requirements and needs, elaborated by the engineers of the French army in Soult´s corps; also including two attractive colour croquis of the location and works to be done in Alhama, distances, geographical references, and explanations of the works to achieve. F to G, 5 

WELLINGTON DUKE OF: (1769-1852) Anglo-Irish Field Marshal, the Victor of Waterloo, 1815. British Prime Minister 1828-30, 1834. A good A.L.S., Wellington, four pages, folio, Villatoro, 2nd October 1812, to Sir Home Popham. Wellington states that he has received his correspondent's letter and conversed with the messenger regarding his plans and their execution, remarking 'The great object for me is that you should draw the attention of the enemy by your operations from those which we are carrying on this side; & that you should prevent Caffarelli from detaching Troops to aid Marmont's Army. It would be desirable, for many reasons, that you should get possession of Santona & also of Guataria; but I confess that I entertain so bad an opinion of the Spanish Troops that I don't think you can rely upon them; & the body of Marines which you have with you is not sufficiently large to do much by themselves, or to be a very efficient example to the Spanish troops'. Wellington also writes of his own military activities, 'I am very much afraid that I shall not take this Castle. It is very strong, well garrisoned and well provided with artillery. I had only three pieces of cannon of which one was destroyed last night; & not much ammunition, and I have not been able to get on as I ought. I have however got a mine under one of the works, which I hope will enable me to carry the exterior line; and when that is carried, I hope I shall get on better. But time is wearing apace, and Soult is moving from the South; and I should not be surprised if I were obliged to discontinue this operation to collect the Army' and further reflects 'It is unfortunate that you should have plenty of cannon & ammunition, but that you want good soldiers, & I no want of the latter, but very little of the former. The means of transport, however, required to move a train from the coast or from Madrid where we have plenty, are so extensive, that the attempt would be impracticable'. A letter of good military content. Some very light age wear and extremely minor damp staining to the margins, only very slightly affecting a few words of text and not the signature. G    Home Riggs Popham (1762-1820) British Rear Admiral who saw service in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. Marie-Francois Auguste de Caffarelli du Falga (1766-1849) French General who served as aide-de-camp to Napoleon Bonaparte. Auguste de Marmont (1774-1852) French General, Marshal of the Empire. Jean-de-Dieu Soult (1769-1851) French General, Marshal of the Empire.

SERURIER JEAN MATHIEU PHILIBERT: (1742-1819), Marshal of France. L.S., `Serurier´, one page, folio, Paris, 24th May 1813, to the Duke of Feltre, Minister of war, in French. On the letter heading of the “Hotel Imperial des Militaires Invalides - Le Maréchal de l´Empire, Gouverneur de l´Hotel Imperial des Militaires invalides”. Serurier asks Feltre to grant a leave of two months to Monsieur Folliart, the Chief Pharmacist of the Imperial Hotel of the disabled soldiers saying `This Chief is in extremely poor health and needs the grace he asks for to get to Paris. He consulted with the health officers of the Hotel des Invalides and took every precaution so that the service for which he was responsible will not suffer at all during his absence´ With blank integral leaf. Age toning, mostly to edges and foxing stains not affecting the signature. F to G   

KELLERMANN FRANÇOIS CHRISTOPHE: (1735-1820) Marshal of France, Duc de Valmy. L.S., Duc de Valmy, one page, folio, Mayence, 10th September 1813, in French. Kellerman reports that `Monsieur le Comte Migeot Doury, Health Officer in the Ardennes, has been appointed by the Prefect of his department to join the Grande Armée as surgeon... but he is apparently suffering an illness, about to enter hospital, and which prevents him to march...´ Overall age wear and foxing stains, with creasing to edges and right edge trimmed. F  

GOUVION SAINT-CYR LAURENT DE: (1764-1830) Marshal of France, Marquis de Gouvion Saint-Cyr. L.S., `Le M.al Gouvion St Cyr´, two pages, folio, Paris, 12th February 1819, on the Ministry of War printed stationery, to Baron Dubreton, Lieutenant General and Commandant of the 5th military division, in French. Gouvion refers to his predecessor´s order to all Lieutenant Generals of the military divisions, indicating that it was forbidden to add anything to the published proclamations unless it was authorized by the war ministry, and further states in part `The King has been informed that several officers or chiefs of corps have allowed themselves to publish daily orders which were not related to the service…´ Gouvion Saint-Cyr further reports on the King´s orders related to these proclamations. The letter bears a very small ink collection stamp at the base. VG  

NEIPPERG ADAM COUNT OF: (1775-1829) Austrian General and Statesman, the second husband of Marie Louise, Empress of the French. L.S., `Count of Neipperg´, one page, folio, Parma, 22nd July 1822, to an unidentified correspondent `Vostra Excellenxa´, in Italian. Neipperg states in part `Il Controllore Generale della Casa Ducale non avendo a tutt´oggi ricevuto il Suo Diploma di Consigliere privato, mi fa a pregare la bontá di Vostra Excellenza a voler disporre perché il medescino venga compilato, e sottoposto quindi alla sottoscrizione di Sua Maestá...´(“The General Controller of the Ducal House, having not yet received his diploma as a private Councilor, makes me ask the kindness of your excellence to arrange for the documents to be filled in, and then submitted to the signature of His Majesty.”) With blank integral leaf. Few very small minor stains not affecting the text or signature. G to VG                                                                                                                                            In 1821, four months after the death of Napoleon, Neipperg married Marie-Louise, who had become Duchess of Parma, in a morganatic marriage. From this union, three children were born, the first two before the marriage, whilst Marie-Louise was still legally married to Napoleon.

Important archive of letters regarding Napoleon’s last wishes [NAPOLEON] BERTRAND HENRI GATIEN & MONTHOLON CHARLES TRISTAN: An exceptional archive of seven letters of historical content, being original manuscript copies of the letters written to Empress Marie Louise of Austria and to Prince Metternich, in Vienna, by Generals Bertrand and Montholon in their capacity as executors of Napoleon´s will. All the letters are written in the months following Napoleon´s death at Saint Helena and report on the Emperor´s last will and his last instructions to his loyal Generals. The archive comprises one A.L., by Montholon, two pages, folio, London, 7th July 1821, to Empress Marie Louise; one A.L.S. by Bertrand `Le C.te Bertrand´, also signed by Montholon `Le Cte de Montholon´, one page, 4to, Paris, 10th February 1822, to Empress Marie Louise; one L.S. by Bertrand, two pages, folio, 12th May 1822, to Empress Marie Louise; one A.L., by General Bertrand, two pages, folio, to Prince Metternich; one A.L., by General Bertrand, one page, folio, Paris, 16th May 1822, to Empress Marie Louise; one A.L., by General Bertrand, two pages, folio, Paris, 18th May 1822, to Empress Marie Louise; and one A.L., by General Bertrand, three pages, Paris 18th May 1822, to Prince Metternich, also adding at the base of the letter an eight lines autograph note, dated Paris, 24th May 1822, addressed to an Ambassador. Henri Gatien Bertrand (1773-1844) French General. Count Bertrand and Grand Marshal of the Palace. Bertrand was aide-de-camp to Napoleon I and the closest officer to the Emperor who had full confidence in him. He served during the expedition to Egypt and the Battles of Austerlitz, Wagram, Leipzig and Waterloo and accompanied Napoleon I to Elba in 1814 and to Saint Helena in 1815. Bertrand was condemned to death in 1816 but did not return to France until Napoleon´s death when King Louis XVIII granted his amnesty. In 1840 Bertrand went to Saint Helena to bring Napoleon´s remains to France; & Charles Tristan, Marquis de Montholon (1783-1853) French General during the Napoleonic Wars. He chose to go into exile on Saint Helena with Napoleon I after the Emperor´s second abdication. Napoleon dictated to Montholon the notes on his career, a trustworthy commentary on the events of the first part of his life. 1-To the first letter in the hand of Montholon, he states in part `Doctor Antommarchi qui aura l´honneur de remettre cette letter à V.M. a soigné l´Empereur V. auguste époux dans la maladie à laquelle il a succombé. Dans les derniers moments l´Empereur nous a chargé de faire connaitre a V.M. qu´il la priait de faire payer Mr. Antommarchi une pension de 6000 fr comme recompense de ses services a St. Hélene´ (“Doctor Antommarchi who will have the honour to deliver this letter to Y.M. has looked after the Emperor Y. August husband in the disease to which he succumbed. In his last moments the Emperor asked us to inform Y.M., asking you to make pay to Mr. Antommarchi a pension of 6000 fr as a reward for his services to St. Helene.”) further referring to another pension in favour of Abbot Vignali. 2-To the autograph letter signed by Bertrand and also signed by Montholon, they state in part `Madame, Chargés par l´Empereur Napoleon de l´Execution de ses dernieres volontés. Nous avons l´honneur de vous transmettre un extrait de ses dernieres dispositions. Jusqu´à present nous n´avons pas pu en donner commission a Votre Majesté, parce que nous n´avions pas de moyen certain de lui faire parvenir une lettre. Nous sommes chargés de remettre au Prince votre fils à Sa majorité divers objets qui ont été à l´Empereur.´ (“Madam, Charged by the Emperor Napoleon with the task of Execution of his last will, we have the honour to send you an extract of his last provisions. So far we have not been able to give these letters to Your Majesty, because we did not have a secure way to do so. We are responsible for handing over to the Prince your son when he will become adult various objects of the Emperor.”) 3-To the third letter, Bertrand explains few important matters to the Empress, stating in part `D´apres le Code Civil des Lois Françaises, un pere ne peut disposer que de la moitié de ses biens lorsqu´en mourant il laisse un fils; mais ces lois qui régissent les particuliers, ne furent point applicables au Souverain don't les domaines étaient gouvernés par des lois spéciales. Ce n´est pas a la Veuve et au fils de l´Empereur Napoleon qu´il est nécessaire de dire que pour avoir perdu son trone il n´était pas cependant devenu un simple particulier; il y a dans la pourpre et dans l´onction sainte et sacrée, des caractères qui ne s´éffacent jamais´ (“According to the Civil Code of French Laws, a father can only dispose of half of his property when he dies and leaves a son; but these laws which govern individuals, were not applicable to the Sovereign since the domains were governed by special laws. It is not to the Widow and to the son of the Emperor Napoleon that it is necessary to say that for having lost his throne he had not, however, become a private individual; there are in the purple and in the holy and sacred unction, characters that never fade”) further pointing out the real situation and value of the legacy, stating in part `V.M. pensera sans doute comme feu l´Empereur son époux qu´après avoir commandé à l´univers et dispose de tant de trésors, ce n´était pas un heritage de quelques millions, qui fut bien précieux pour son fils… Supplier V.M. d´observer que la somme que feu l´Empereur a légué excedent beaucoup celles qui se trouvent disponibles..´ (“Y.M. will undoubtedly think like the late Emperor Your husband that after having commanded the universe and having obtained so many treasures, it was not an inheritance of a few million, which was very precious for his son… We beg you to observe that the sum that the late Emperor bequeathed greatly exceeds what is available…”) 4-To the fourth letter, Bertrand kindly requests Prince Metternich´s help to deliver a letter to the Empress and expects his support to facilitate the execution of Napoleon´s will. 5-To the fifth letter, Bertrand states `Le plus illustre des captifs don't l´histoire puisse jamais faire mention, le genie immortel qui joignit a la gloire d´imposer silence a l´Europe pendant un quart de siècle….. exprima dans les derniers jours de sa vie le désir que sa dépouille mortelle fut transportée dans un coin de la France; Ses exécuteurs testamentaires avant de quitter Londres addresserent au Roi Georges IV une requête a l´effet d´obtenir l´accomplissement de ces voeux de feu L´empereur Napoleon…´ (“The most illustrious of the captives that history can ever mention, the immortal genius who joined the glory of imposing silence on Europe for a quarter of a century… expressed in the last days of his life the desire that his remains were taken to France; His will executors before leaving London addressed to King George IV a request for the fulfilment of these wishes of the late Emperor Napoleon...”)   An exceptional archive of extremely interesting documents with historical content. Attractively folio quarter bound in decorative green and black boards, with gilt title ('Succession de Napoleon I') to the spine and preliminary blanks. VG  OWING TO RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE SALEROOM WE ARE UNABLE TO PUBLISH THE COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THIS LOT. PLEASE REFER TO IAA EUROPE S.L. FOR MORE INFORMATION

 Napoleon reflects on his main steps to power whilst planning his memoirs NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. A remarkable Autograph Manuscript, unsigned, one page, folio, n.p. (Saint Helena; the paper featuring a watermark incorporating an image of Boadicea in her war chariot), n.d. (1815-21), in pencil. The manuscript represents Napoleon’s initial working draft for his proposed memoirs, listing a table of contents of thirteen chapters (the last of which is left blank) and seemingly drawn up in haste, the handwriting difficult to decipher in places and with several deletions and corrections, in part, ‘chap. 1 18 brumaire ch 2 General sense….action of the government .....1800….ch 3 tasks of the legislative body 1800 1801 ch 4 finances 1800 1801 ch 5 war of Vendée1800 and 1801 ch 6 defence ch 7 armies…..ch 8 preli[minaries] of St Julien ch 9 Holland ch…..Italy ch 10….ch 11 negoc[iations] of 1800-1801 Lunéville, Amiens…..Return of peace ch 12 Revolt of the populations. Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Genoa ch 13….’. Autograph material of Napoleon is extremely rare in any form, particularly so from Saint Helena, and the present document (most likely prepared at Longwood House as he dictated his memoirs to Emmanuel, Comte de Las Cases) is of particular historical interest as Napoleon seemingly dismisses the early years of his life for his memoirs and instead concentrates on a decisive period of three years in which he rose from being First Consul to Emperor. Some light overall age wear and a few small, minor tears to the edges, otherwise VG

[WAR DEPARTMENT GENERAL STAFF]: A vintage printed oblong folio flowchart of the United States War Department Staff Directory, published by the Strength Accounting and Statistics office of the Office of the Chief of Staff, 1st April 1946, providing the names, ranks, room numbers and telephone extensions of the Chief of Staff, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and his two aides, the Deputy Chief of Staff, General Thomas Handy, and his two deputies, the Director of Research and Development, the Personnel and Administration Branch, the Director of Information, Lieutenant General J. Lawton Collins, the General Staff, including the Military Intelligence Service, and the Special Staff, including the Inspector General, National Guard Bureau, Special Planning Division, Bureau of Public Relations etc. Folded as issued, VG     

[COUNTERINTELLIGENCE CORPS]: An original contemporary printed Suspects Wanted poster issued by the CIC, one page, folio (8 x 13), n.p., n.d. (c.1945-46). The poster is marked Secret at the head, with the instruction that it is for the use of CIC personnel only, stating that 'The following individuals are known or suspected German agents. If persons of the following descriptions come to notice they should be arrested and sent by CIC WITHOUT DELAY to the Master Interrogation Center where adequate resources for detailed interrogation are available'. Beneath this appear images of twelve individuals, many of them Belgian nationals, each identified by name and with brief reasons for their desired capture, including Luigi Aiassa ('Member of Gestapo. Associate of Josef Schroell'), Emile Kirchen ('Denouncer and Informer for Germans. Worked at Radio Luxembourg'), Jean Kuffer ('Possesses false French passport and also German identity papers'), Josef Schroell ('SD agent and recruiter of low-grade line-crossers in the Trier area'), Marie Schroell ('Mother of Josef Schroell….Probable agent'), Ernst Osterspey ('German national and enemy agent. Was pastor and Franciscan monk in Moresnet, Belgium'), Edmund Georges ('SD or Gestapo agent. Was active in Holland'), Nellie Lavergne ('Belgian national. German agent penetrating Belgian resistance organisations') etc. Some overall creasing and age wear, G   

Signed on the day that Hitler declared the Nazi Party to be the only legal political party in Germany HITLER ADOLF: (1889-1945) Fuhrer of the Third Reich 1933-45 & HINDENBURG PAUL VON: (1847-1934) German General and Statesman, President of Germany 1925-34. D.S. by both Hitler ('Af. Hitler') and Hindenburg ('von Hindenburg') individually, one page, folio, Neudeck, 14th July 1933, in German. The partially printed document, completed in typescript, confirms that ministerial councillor Edwin Pukass, on the basis of the law for the restoration of civil service, had been placed into permanent retirement from 7th April 1933, and thanks him for his loyal service to the Reich.  Boldly signed at the conclusion in dark fountain pen inks by both Hindenburg, in his capacity as President, and Hitler, in his capacity as Chancellor. With a blind embossed seal and blank integral leaf. Documents signed by both Hindenburg and Hitler are scarce and desirable. Two file holes to the left edge, not affecting the text or signatures, VG    Edwin Pukass (1877-1951) German civil servant, a senior official in the Reich Chancellery who served in the Cabinets of several Chancellors of Germany prior to being retired by the National Socialists in 1933. The present document was signed on a historically significant day; on 14th July 1933, just a few months after his rise to power, Adolf Hitler declared the Nazi Party to be the only legal political party in Germany. Furthermore, the 14th July 1933 was also the day when the Law for the Prevention of Offspring with Hereditary Diseases was put into effect, allowing for the forced sterilisation of Germans with physical or mental health conditions assumed to be hereditary, such 'diseases' including deafness, schizophrenia, epilepsy, 'feeblemindedness', blindness, severe hereditary physical deformity and severe alcoholism. This was one of the Nazis' first steps in attempting to 'protect the racial integrity' of the German nation.

BANCROFT GEORGE: (1882-1956) American Actor, nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his role in the film Thunderbolt (1920). Vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph of Bancroft in a head and shoulders pose. Signed in dark fountain pen ink to a largely clear area of the image. Neatly and lightly mounted to a folio page removed from an album, VG   The present photograph was originally included (along with thirty-six others) in a folio calf leather bound presentation album which was one of just fourteen (as far as our research indicates) that were presented to the individual members of a delegation of British journalists who visited America for a two-month tour in 1928. Funded by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the objective of the tour was to improve Anglo-American relations and the presentation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the Roosevelt Hotel on 7th November 1928 (just over six months before the first Oscar was presented at the very same venue) was a major highlight of the tour. The album from which the present photograph was extracted had been presented to F. Lawrence Johnson, a journalist associated with the Northeastern Daily Gazette, and the photograph bears an inscription to him.

FUNK WALTHER: (1890-1960) German economist and Nazi official who served as Reich Minister for Economic Affairs 1938-45. Funk was tried and convicted as a major war criminal at Nuremberg and sentenced to life in prison. D.S., Walther Funk, one page, folio, Berlin, 25th August 1938, in German. The partially printed document, completed in manuscript, appoints Karl Massar to a position within the civil service administration. Also bearing a facsimile signature of Adolf Hitler alongside a blind embossed seal featuring the Nazi eagle and swastika. With blank integral leaf. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG    

KNIGHT'S CROSS: Three original unsigned contemporary documents, each essentially identical, each three pages, folio, Headquarters, n.d. (September/October 1941), in German. The partially printed documents, completed in typescript, are issued by the Reich Minister for Air and Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, and are recommendations for the award of the Knight's Cross to Captain Robert Menzel, Squadron Commander of 3rd Sqn. (A.S.)/41st Gp. (Armd.), the summary of reasons for the recommendation stating, in part, 'In the course of numerous bold reconnaissance flights and in the successful directing of artillery fire, Captain Menzel has, with his squadron, as his army superiors unanimously report, taken an outstanding - at times, decisive - part in the victorious battles of this division in Poland, France, Yugoslavia and in particular Soviet Russia. It is characteristic of the exemplary attitude of this officer that he flew the most difficult assignments himself, and so provided his air-crews with an inspiring model of soldierly courage and constant readiness for action. The reconnaissance results from sorties which he has flown personally have been of prime importance for the armoured division's operations. I consider this officer who, in his role of carrying out tactical reconnaissance for an army formation…..to be worthy of being decorated with the Knight's Cross'. Each with two file holes to the left edges and some slight staining to the head of each page, otherwise VG, 3    Robert Menzel (1914-1944) German Luftwaffe pilot of World War II, killed in action. Ultimately Menzel's recommendation for a Knight's Cross was downgraded and on 13th November he was awarded the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold (DKG).

[NUREMBERG TRIALS]: HALIFAX EARL OF (1881-1959) British politician who held several senior ministerial posts including Secretary of State for War 1935 and Foreign Secretary 1938-40. Halifax was the British Ambassador to the United States 1940-46. Halifax was one of the architects of the policy of appeasement of Adolf Hitler in 1936-38, working closely with Neville Chamberlain. However, after Kristallnacht and the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 he was one who pushed for a new policy of attempting to deter further German aggression by promising to go to war to defend Poland. An historically important D.S., Halifax, two pages, folio, n.p. (Washington DC), n.d. (22nd March 1946). The typed document is headed Reply to Interrogatory submitted by the Counsel for the Defence of Freiherr von Neurath in the present trial before the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg by the Right Honourable the Earl of Halifax, His Britannic Majesty's Ambassador at Washington, D.C. and commences with three questions submitted to Halifax, 'Question 1. On the occasion of your visit to Berlin in November 1937 did you in effect declare to Freiherr von Neurath, then Reich Foreign Minister, when discussing the Austrian question “that the English people would not understand why they should be embroiled in a war against Germany, because two German states wished to amalgamate?”. Question 2. Did you wish to give Freiherr von Neurath, Reich Foreign Minister, to understand that the British Government had no objection to the Anschluss between Germany and Austria and would not oppose it? Question 3. Did you also make a similar declaration to the same effect when subsequently visiting Hitler at Berchtesgaden?'. Halifax's answer follows, in full, 'All that I remember saying, either to Hitler or von Neurath, on the matter referred to in the above three questions is as follows:- I made it clear that it was not necessarily the policy of His Majesty's Government to stand for the status quo in Europe as it existed in November 1937. We were, however, directly concerned to see that the various questions which we had discussed - Anschluss Danzig, Sudeten Deutsch - should be handled by negotiation and not by force, and with the free assent and goodwill of those primarily concerned'. Signed by Halifax at the conclusion and countersigned by Hubert Norman Pullar (1914-1988) in his capacity as His Majesty's Consul at Washington DC, as a witness to Halifax's signature. With several official British Embassy and Foreign Office stamps. Neatly mounted and with several file holes to the upper edges of each page, otherwise VG    Konstantin von Neurath (1873-1956) German diplomat who served as Foreign Minister of Germany 1932-38. Neurath was tried as a war criminal in Nuremberg and sentenced to fifteen years' imprisonment for his compliance and actions in the Nazi regime, receiving an early release in 1954. Provenance: The present document originated from the archives of Dr. Hans Werner who was responsible for directing the printing of the Record of the Trial of Major War Criminals in 42 volumes and in three different languages (English, French & German) immediately following the Nuremberg Trials

[NUREMBERG TRIALS]: STREICHER JULIUS (1885-1946) Nazi Gauleiter of Franconia 1929-40 and founder and publisher of Der Sturmer newspaper, a central element of the Nazi propaganda machine during World War II. D.S., Julius Streicher, four pages, folio, Nuremberg, 9th June 1945. The partially printed document, with text in English and German, has been completed and signed by Streicher in bold pencil, in German. The document was issued by the Military Government of Germany and is a personnel questionnaire (Fragebogen) in which Streicher provides details of his place and date of birth, his occupation ('Schriftsteller'), present position ('Gauleiter'), further confirming that he was a member of the NSDAP and was an SA-Obergruppenfuhrer, was previously awarded the Golden Hitler Youth badge, also providing brief details of his employment and sources of income (from the weekly paper Der Sturmer), confirming that he travelled to Italy in 1935 and 1937 for the purposes of study and that he visited the fascist organisation and met Mussolini. Signed by Streicher at the conclusion. Some light overall age wear and with some heavy staining to the central vertical fold where previously repaired with tape. G     Streicher was convicted or crimes against humanity at the Nuremberg Trials and was executed. Streicher was the first member of the Nazi regime held accountable for inciting genocide by the Nuremberg Tribunal.

[NUREMBERG TRIALS]: SAUCKEL FRITZ (1894-1946) German Nazi politician, Gauleiter of Gau Thuringia from 1927 and the General Plenipotentiary for Labour Department from March 1942 until the end of World War II. A.L.S., Sauckel, two pages, folio, n.p. (Nuremberg), n.d. (1945-46), to Alfred Rosenberg, in German. Sauckel writes in bold pencil and states, in part, 'My main witness for the work assignment of the workers from the East has arrived. Therefore, I am drawing your attention to the following in order to avoid unnecessary objections…..This witness will express: Based on your personal request an agreement existed between your ministry and the office of BA [i.e. Sauckel's Generalbevollmächtigter für den Arbeitseinsatz, responsible for the deployment of foreign and eastern labourers] in which all correspondence with the 'Reich commissioners' must go through your office, i.e. through you…..When you say that I did not answer your letter it is important to note that I came to you in person immediately. There were 4 meetings, 3 at your office…..and 1 in your apartment……My witness will also express clearly that I have given the strictest instructions to not use any kind of violence while recruiting or when carrying out orders and that such violence was not used by any office or any department….The commissioned officer of the G.B.A. was attached to the Reich commissioner. He was able to give instructions, but the execution was under the control of the Reich commissioner'. A letter of interesting content in which Sauckel clearly attempts to deflect blame for his own horrendous human rights abuses by making Rosenberg a scapegoat. Some light age wear, VG    Alfred Rosenberg (1893-1946) Baltic German Nazi theorist and ideologue who served as head of the NSDAP Office of Foreign Affairs 1933-45 and as head of the Reich Ministry for the Occupied Eastern Territories 1941-45. Both Sauckel and Rosenberg were among the 24 persons accused in the Nuremberg Trial of the Major War Criminals before the International Military Tribunal. Both were found guilty, sentenced to death, and executed by hanging on 16th October 1946. Provenance: The present letter originated from the archives of Dr. Alfred Thoma, defence counsel at Nuremberg for Rosenber,g and bears his name, in Sauckel's hand, to the upper edge of the first page.

Eichmann prepares his defence of the Lidice Massacre EICHMANN ADOLF: (1906-1962) Nazi SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer, known as the 'architect of the Holocaust.' An extremely rare, lengthy and significant Autograph Manuscript Signed, with his initial E, four pages, folio, n.p. (Jerusalem), n.d. (c. June 1961), in German. The manuscript represents Eichmann's instructions, in seven numbered sections, to his Defence Attorney, Robert Servatius, ahead of the day's proceedings at the Jerusalem District Court during Eichmann's trial and state, in part, '1.) ….concerning the documents of the 24.6.61, pages 12 to 25, a) Factual inaccuracies b) Important things aren't mentioned at all, [in fact] important documents are ignored c) Namely the Lidice-issue is inside, but my compilation "special treatment" was not given to me by Dr. Wechtenbruch, because he believed "Lidice" didn't come in today yet. 2.) To save what can still be saved a) Please don't ask me about what I said about document 912 (testimony Sievers)…..it complicates the whole matter and resolves nothing…..Therefore today I am compelled to answer mostly by my own way. 3.) Please do not discuss the document 396….because it is hung in limbo without coherence; while the documents 1254 + 1255 ("According to the order RFSS the Jews are hanged") are recorded as dropped. Why that???? It should be brought!!! 4.) Namely the "Lidice" instance is on turn, but instead and for nothing else I would need my special elaboration about the special treatment; Poles….Jews. Today I gave the file to Dr. Wechtenbruch, so he can incorporate it, but unfortunately it wasn't done; I shall get it back tomorrow. I couldn't have guessed, that "Lidice" wasn't [scheduled] for today because Dr. W. [withheld] my special treatment note, nevertheless for today no "program" remains and "Lidice" is scheduled for tomorrow…….6.) After these "preparations" I have the biggest concerns, because we didn't discuss this matter yet. Therefore I beg you, to ask me as few as possible…..I wish to skip "Lidice" (doc. 557 to 914) to skip "Ganzenmuller" (doc. 1253 + 1537) to skip "Execution" (doc. 1254 to 396) the only solution would be to schedule it for tomorrow. Because then the matter would be cohesive and [could be] discussed and submitted in more detail…..therefore to avoid giving the impression as if I want to hide something, when nothing is to hide. 7.) Doc. 1531….does not respond to that, what the indictment accused me in this regard. Namely if SS Leaders Burger and Linka (?) are my subordinates, as the indictment claims…..' Signed by Eichmann at the conclusion of the third page. The fourth page bears a further brief note (later crossed through) concerning documents numbered 1129 to 1140 which are in brown folder number 2. An exceptional document relating to one of history's most important war crimes trials which resulted in Israel's only judicial execution to date. Accompanied by a complete English translation. VG   Robert Servatius (1894-1983) German Lawyer known for his defence of Nazi war criminals including Adolf Eichmann. Servatius was assisted at Eichmann's trial by the legal assistant Dieter Wechtenbruch. The Lidice Massacre took place in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia (now the Czech Republic) in June 1942 and saw the whole village destroyed on the orders of Adolf Hitler and Heinrich Himmler. The massacre was an act of reprisal for the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich and the genocide totalled 340 deaths including 82 children who were later exterminated after having been transferred to the Chelmno concentration camp on the orders of Adolf Eichmann. During his trial Eichmann faced four counts of crimes against humanity against non-Jews, including his participation in the Lidice Massacre. He was found guilty for deportation of part of the population of Lidice, but not for the massacre itself.

MARIA THERESA: (1717-1780) Empress Consort of the Holy Roman Empire 1745-65. Mother of Marie Antoinette. D.S., `Benevola Maria Theresa´, three pages, large folio, Vienna, 18th December 1752, to Cardinal Millini of Milan, in Latin. Empress Maria Theresa, in her capacity as Holy Roman Empress and Archduchess of Austria, refers to the humble petition received from Joannes Georgius Liber, Baron of Steinbach, who expects that his son would be appointed at the cathedral and which position they expect will be unoccupied shortly. The Empress further refers to the capacity and knowledge of the candidate, doctorate with honours in Germany-Hungary, and to his family close support to them, and states in part `We will accept and do what His Holiness will decide about all of us, and we will agree on all… For all these reasons we do hope and are confident that the mentioned and suggested candidate Joannes, Baron of Steinbach, will get your favour to be given the post in one of the cathedrals mentioned, after the sad death of Pater Particella… ´ With two countersignatures. Accompanied by the original envelope, opened as a folio, with blank integral leaf, and bearing an attractive and large paper seal affixed. Also including a 4to engravement of Maria Theresa. Very small minor age wear, otherwise G to VG   

FRANCIS II: (1768-1835) Holy Roman Emperor 1792-1806 and, as Francis I, the first Emperor of Austria 1804-35. L.S., Franz, one page, folio, Vienna, 9th April 1801, in German. The letter announces the birth of the Emperor's daughter and confirms that she has been named 'Carolina, Ferdinanda, Theresia, Josepha, Demetria'. With integral address leaf (the address panel neatly excised) and with a red wax seal affixed. With the small black ink stamp of a collector at the base. VG    Archduchess Marie Caroline of Austria (1801-1832) had been born in Vienna on 7th April 1801 and became Crown Princess of Saxony upon her marriage to Frederick Augustus, Crown Prince of Saxony, in October 1819. The Crown Princess died at the young age of 31 after suffering an epileptic attack on 22nd May 1832 at Pillnitz Castle near Dresden.

FRANCIS II: (1768-1835) Last Holy Roman Emperor 1792-1806. Later Francis I, first Emperor of Austria 1804-35. A good L.S., Franz II, two pages, large folio, Vienna, 2nd August 1800, to Count of Ulesperg Raiteneau, in German. The document is an appointment, bearing to the heading the Emperor´s titles “Franz the Second by the grace of God, Roman Emperor, King in Germania, Hungary and Bohemia, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy and Lorraine; Grand duke of Toscana etc..”, and states in part `We have decided most graciously to undertake the State Parliament's propositions for the coming military year 1801 in Our hereditary Duchy of Steiermark, and for its opening we have named your Mittelsprasident Philipp Count of Ulesperg-Raitenau, Our privy Council, Treasurer…´ With two countersignatures at the base. With address leaf bearing a large and attractive paper seal affixed. Small overall age wear, mostly to edges with few creases and tears. G  

PHILIP II: (1527-1598) King of Spain 1556-98. During his marriage to Queen Mary I of England, he was King of England and Ireland 1554-58. Rare L.S., `Yo El Rey´, one page, folio, Madrid, 15th November 1576, to `..the Duke, Governor and captain General´, in old Spanish. The document states in part `..Crisafa de Lodopoli, widow, reports that while Captain Francisco Enriquez Castellano was imprisoned by the Turks, her husband Juan Ladico gave him a loan of fifty Venetian gold cequines, equivalent to fifteen reales each, to help with his ransom. And having agreed that the mentioned amount plus interests would be returned in Naples either to him or to his procurator, and having tried to sort this out friendly, she reports that nothing has been returned and that six years have past…´ The King states that the widow must be attended and the amount due returned, and orders his correspondent to attend all her claims and amounts requested promptly. Countersigned by Vargas. With a paper seal affixed to the verso address leaf in fine condition. Two small holes to the left border as a result of a former binding and right edge slightly trimmed, otherwise G    The “Zecchino” (`cequines´ in the present letter), was a gold coin of 3,5 grams, 986 pure, used by the Republic of Venetia in 1284. First called “Ducat”, and from 1543 called Zecchino after Jacobo D´Antonio Sansovino, called “Zecca”. Venetia called from then on “Ducat” the silver coin.Luis de Zuñiga y Requesens. Ambassador to Rome, Captain General of Milan and Governor of the Netherlands succeeding the Duke of Alba, under King Philip II with who he was educated since childhood. Luis de Zuñiga was the tutor of John of Austria (1547-1578 Illegitimate son of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Military leader at the service of his half-brother Philip II. John of Austria fought at the Battle of Lepanto as Admiral of the Holy Alliance fleet.

JOANNA OF AUSTRIA: (1535-1573) Princess of Portugal. Daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and mother of King Sebastian of Portugal. She served as Regent of Spain to her brother King Philip II, during his trip to England to marry Mary I of England. Rare L.S., `Yo la Princessa´, one page, folio, Valladolid, 7th February 1559, in old Spanish. On behalf of her brother the King of Spain, Princess Joanne authorizes Don Rodrigo de Narvaez y Rojas, Mayor of Antequera, to bind his belongings for the purchase of a land property. A lengthy and carefully written text. Countersigned. Bearing to the verso a large royal paper seal affixed. A large water stain to the upper and lower borders, although not affecting the signature. Overall creasing and age wear, with few tears to the centre fold. F to G    At the age of sixteen Joanna married the fourteen years old Prince John Manuel of Portugal, her double first cousin. Less than two years later, aged sixteen, Prince John Manuel died of tuberculosis, however Joanna was pregnant. Four months after giving birth to future King Sebastian, Princess Joanna aged nineteen, returned to Spain, leaving her new-born son with her mother-in-law and aunt Catherine of Austria, Queen of Portugal and younger sister of Charles V. Joanne died at the early age of 38, and few years later her son Sebastian, King of Portugal, aged 24, died at the Battle of the Three Kings in Morocco. As a result of his death, Philip II of Spain became King of Portugal.

ISABELLA CLARA EUGENIA: (1566-1633) Sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands in the Low Countries with her husband, Archduke Albert VII of Austria. Their reign is considered the Golden Age of the Spanish Netherlands. Isabella, the eldest daughter of King Philip II of Spain, was one of the most powerful women in 16th and 17th century Europe. A fine A.L.S., Isabel, two pages, folio, Marymont, All Saints Day, 1609, to her cousin, the Duchess, in Spanish. Isabella sends thanks for a present received from her cousin and wonders why she has not enclosed a letter, also referring cryptically to the need for guarding against people who would take them by surprise, as they did the Archduke Leopold. Some extremely light, very minor age wear, VG    

CATHERINE OF AUSTRIA: (1567-1597) Catalina Micaela of Spain. Daughter of King Philip II of Spain and Elisabeth of Valois. Duchess consort of Savoy 1585-97 as wife of Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy. A fine L.S., La Infanta don[n]a Catalina, one page, folio, Turin, 4th April 1589, to the Marchese di Bagnasco, in Italian. The Duchess requests the presence of her correspondent and states, in part, 'Having already warned me of the desire he has to be accompanied by your person from la da monti….we wanted to tell you…..to find you in this city in the crew that S.A. he has written to you, between the fifteen of the present, to inspire you with him'. Also bearing an unidentified countersignature. With integral address leaf (paper armorial seal detached, although still present). Autographs of Catherine of Austria are rare in any form as a result of her untimely death at the age of 30. Some light age wear and two minor circular stains caused by the seal, VG   

MARIANA OF AUSTRIA: (1634-1696) Queen Consort of Spain 1649-65, second wife of King Philip IV. A fine L.S., Yo la Reyna, as Queen, one page, folio, Seville, 18th June 1673, to the Marquis Guido Bentivollo, in Spanish. Mariana of Austria thanks her correspondent for his kind greetings. Signed in bold ink, and countersigned at the base by Juan Baptista de Orendaya. Very small overall minor age wear, with small creasing to the left and upper edge. G to VG    

ALFONSO XIII OF SPAIN: (1886-1941) King of Spain 1886-1931. An excellent L.S., `Alfonso RH´, one page, folio, Palace of Madrid, 14th October 1912, to the President of the Peru Republic, in Spanish. Alfonso XIII, as King, announces to his correspondent at the same time the sad news of the death of his sister, and the happy birth of his niece Infanta Pilar of Borbon, stating in part `I comply my duty of informing you that my ill-starred sister, Her Royal Highness Infanta of Spain Maria Teresa… gave birth on 15th September..´ A very clean document with a good signature example. EX     Infanta Maria Teresa of Spain (1882-1912) second child of Alfonso XII and Maria Christina of Austria, and sister of Alfonso XIII. Maria Teresa died at the very early age of 29, a week after having given birth to her fourth child, Infanta Pilar, as mentioned on the present letter.

CHARLES IX: (1550-1574) King of France 1560-74. He ascended the throne at the very early age of ten years upon the death of his brother Francis II who died at the early age of sixteen. From 1560 to 1563 his mother Catherine de´ Medici held the regency of France. Charles IX died at the age of 23. Very rare and fine D.S., `Charles´, one page, folio, Moulins, France, 23rd January 1566, to the Parliament of Bordeaux and for the Count of Daubijoux, in old French. The document refers to the process request that `… you have listened to and followed since long this matter, and knowing the process the Count of Aubijoux is facing, and the long pursuit that his passed father and mother have made to you, and knowing how important this matter is to them…´ The King further requests and expects a prompt and fair decision, according to justice, which the Count deserves. Countersigned at the base by Robertet. With address leaf. Water stain to the right border, not affecting the signature. About G   

ELIZABETH OF AUSTRIA: (1554-1592) Queen of France 1570-74 as the wife of King Charles IX. A member of the House of Habsburg, Elizabeth was the daughter of Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor, and Maria of Spain. A good L.S., Ysabel, two pages, folio, Vienna, 11th August 1590, in German. Elizabeth makes a gift of money to a poor woman, named as Cordula Garinin, who has submitted a petition to her and whose parents had been for many years in the service of the royal house of Austria. Also bearing an unidentified countersignature ('Grossonack'?) and with a good blind embossed papered seal affixed. Autographs of Elizabeth of Austria are rare in any form as a result of her death at the age of 37 from pleurisy. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, otherwise VG     In early 1580, Elisabeth bought some lands near Stallburg and founded the Convent of Poor Clares Mary, Queen of Angels, also known as the Queen's Monastery. Elisabeth henceforth devoted her life to following the example of her convent's holy patron in the exercise of piety, relief of the poor, and health care. Even impoverished daughters of the nobility found her support.

[LOUIS XIII OF FRANCE]: (1601-1643) King of France 1610-43 and King of Navarre 1610-20. Son of Henry IV. Louis XIII ascended the throne at the early age of nine when his father was assassinated. His mother the Queen Marie de´ Medici acting as Regent. Louis XIII took power in 1617 by exiling his mother and executing her Italian followers. An interesting D.S., Louis, by his secretary, one page, folio, Camp de la Rochelle, 27th September 1628, to the Finance department in Bordeaux, in old French. The cleanly written document refers to the cities of Bordeaux and Montpelier, and further states in part `… of the necessity of our affairs, and on the occasion of the siege of my city of La Rochelle for the payment of salaries… For this reason we have issued a decree containing our intentions´ A letter of interesting content, written during the last days of the long siege of La Rochelle. Countersigned by Raimond Phelypeaux, Treasurer and Secretary of State under King Louis XIII. Addressee to the verso. Small overall age wear, with heavy creasing and one small tear only to the lower edge, but only affecting in part the countersignature, otherwise G  The Siege of La Rochelle, also known as the "Grand Siege of La Rochelle" was a result of a war between the French Royal forces of Louis XIII and the Huguenots of La Rochelle in 1627-28. The siege marked the height of the struggle between the Catholics and the Protestants in France, and ended with a complete victory for King Louis XIII and the Catholics.In August 1628, only a month before the present letter was written, a third English fleet was dispatched under the Admiral Earl of Lindsey, consisting of 29 warships and 31 merchantmen. In September 1628, the English fleet tried to relieve the city. But after bombarding French positions and failing to force the sea wall, the English fleet had to withdraw. Following this last disappointment, the city surrendered on 28 October 1628. 

MAZARIN JULES: (1602-1661) Italian Cardinal, Diplomat and Politician, served as Chief Minister of the French Monarch 1642-61. L.S., J Card. Mazarin, two pages, folio, St. Quentin, 3rd July 1649, to de Chaunes, a Councillor of King Louis XIV, in French. Mazarin writes an informative letter to his correspondent, discussing the need to increase the number of horses in order to transport the munitions of war, and remarking that forty have been approved, explaining that he has given instructions to make a payment of one hundred francs to a spy, and that he has also given orders to provide flour for forty thousand rations of bread for the cavalry of the German army, further declaring 'I believe appropriate and even very necessary that M. le Compte d'Harcourt, being in the Limemy (?) country, should have published in quantity handbills signed by him stating that in whatever place he passes where he finds mills ruined by inhabitants, he will have those same places burned down and will not pardon any peasant. By this means we would generate fear and we would make it easy to have the wheat ground for the subsistence of the army....pursue your efforts with the same diligence, so that with each acting on your own initiative we may have some good success in this campaign which will oblige the Limemis to make peace....' With integral address leaf bearing two small red wax seals, one with the small original red ribbon affixed. Some light age wear to the edges and a small wormhole just affecting a few letters of text, but not the signature. About VG   

ANNE MARIE LOUISE D'ORLEANS: (1627-1693) Duchess of Montpensier, known as La Grande Mademoiselle. One of the greatest heiresses in history, the Duchess died unmarried and childless. D.S., Anne Marie Louise Orleans, one page (vellum), large oblong folio, Chateau de Saint-Fargeau, 28th April 1657, in French. The elegantly penned document is addressed to the Treasurer of the Household and is a warrant relating to the appointment of Paul Piercot as a valet de chambre to the Duchess following the departure of Joseph Neron. With a red wax seal affixed and encased in a paper wrapper. A few minor holes, repaired to the verso, only very slightly affecting two words of text and a small part of the signature. About VG   

PHILIPPE II DUKE OF ORLEANS & [LOUIS XV]: Philippe II Duke of Orleans (1674-1723) Duke of Chartres. Philippe II served as Regent of the French Kingdom 1715-23 during Louis XV´s age minority. The Duke married his first cousin, Francoise de Bourbon, legitimised daughter of his uncle Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan. He died at the age of 49 at Versailles, being the de facto ruler of France, & [Louis XV] (1710-1774) King of France 1715-74. A good and unusual L.S., `bon Philippe d´Orleans´, as Regent of the Kingdom of France, one page, folio, Paris, 6th January 1716, in French. The Regent´s signature is crossed with one line, alongside the signature of the King `Louis´, secretarial, the King being at the time of the present letter only five. The document being a payment order, instructing the royal General Treasurer to `..pay Mr. Pierre Richard Brocher, treasurer of the Bridges and Roads department the amount of five hundred and thirty three thousand five hundred and eighty seven pounds to be applied to the payment of the spending of the State Bridges and Roads of the year 1714.´ Countersigned by Phelypeaux, a large signature to the bottom right corner. Small overall age wear, mostly to edges. G   Louis Phelypeaux (1672-1725) Marquis de La Vrilliere. French Statesman and King´s House Secretary of State 1715-18.

A King’s banquet [LOUIS XIV] - CHAMBORD DINNER: (1638-1715) Also known as Louis the Great or The Sun King. King of France 1643-1715. Son of Louis XIII. His reign of more than 72 years is the longest recorded of any monarch in European history. A curious and interesting manuscript document, being the list of dinners prepared for the King and his Royal entourage, including the King´s mistress Madame de Montespan, during their voyage to Chambord, two pages, folio, September 1684, in French. The document, entitled `Pour les disners que doit donner Sa Majesté au voyage de Chambor en Septembre 1684´ ("For the dinners that His Majesty will offer during the trip to Chambord in September 1684"), lists eleven different coaches, mentioning the persons occupying each coach and the dishes that will be served, and lists also six tables separately, also detailing who will eat at that table and the menu, stating in part `Le Carosse du Roy de Monseigneur & Madame la Dauphine - Jeux de 4 petits potages, une grande entrée et 4 petites, un plat de rost, 4 petits plats d´entremets, 2 salades, 2 plats de fruits et 4 compotes - Une table pour le Capitaine des gardes et personnes de qualité de 12 couverts….. - Deux Carosses de Madame la Dauphine pleins de Dames, un carosse de Madame de Montespan, un carosse du corps de madame… Un Carosse de Madame La Princesse de Conty… - Un carosse des filles de Madame La Dauphine, Un carosse des femmes de Madame La Dauphine… Un carosse des Ecuyers de madame La Dauphine…´ ("The King´s coach, and of Monseigneur & Madame la Dauphine - Set of 4 small soups, a large starter and 4 small ones, a roast dish, 4 small dessert dishes, 2 salads, 2 fruit dishes and 4 compotes - A table for the Captain of the guards and quality people with 12 seats… .. - Two Coaches for Madame la Dauphine full of Ladies, a coach for Madame de Montespan, a coach with the service corps of Madame… A Coach for Madame La Princesse de Conty… - A coach for the daughters of Madame La Dauphine, A coach for Madame La Dauphine Ladies of company… A table for Miss de Bessola, A coach for the Ecuyers of Madame La Dauphine…´ Most of the coaches with members of the Royal family are served similar menus than the King´s one, although often with a smaller number of dishes. The other coaches and tables are served with a single dish `Un plat de Rost, du pain et du vin´ ("A roast dish, bread and wine") The King´s mistress travels alone. At the base of the coaches, tables and dishes list, the document states `We will have one officer and two young men attending the service of each coach. They will take care of the aunts. For the extraordinary daily persons accompanying the march, 8 dozens of… table wine.... pieces of meat and money 25tt per day´ Overall age wear, mostly to edges, with trimmed edges and very small tears. About G   The present voyage to Chambord took place from 21st September 1684 when the Royal courtship departed from Versailles, reaching Chambord three days after on 24th September, for a distance of 180 km approximately. Madame de Montespan (1640-1707) Françoise de Rochechouart de Mortemart, Marquise of Montespan was the "Maitresse-en-titre" ("Entitled mistress") of King Louis XIV. They had seven children together. Consdered by many and called the "true Queen of France". Madame de Montespan is an ancestress of many Royal Houses in Europe, including Spain, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, etc…

LOUIS PHILIPPE I: (1773-1850) King of the French 1830-48. A good hardback bound folio album containing over thirty A.Ls.S., Ls.S., and a few Ds.S. by Louis Philippe I and various members of his family, including his wife, children etc., comprising (in the order in which they appear in the album) -I) Louis Philippe I - L.S., Louis Philippe D'Orleans, one page, 4to, Neuilly, 11th July 1821, to the Mayor and Members of the Municipal Council in the town of de Blangy (i.e. Blangy-sur-Bresle), on black bordered mourning stationery, thanking them for their letter of condolences on the death of his mother, Louise Marie Adelaide de Bourbon, Duchess of Orleans.II) Louis Philippe I - D.S., Louis Philippe D'Orleans, one page, folio, Palais Royal, 23rd July 1822, in French. The partially printed document, completed in manuscript, is a Permission de Chasse (Hunting Permit) allowing Le Chevalier de Cartougiere to hunt once a week, accompanied by one other individual and dogs, in the forest at Boudy [de-Beauregard], further giving him the authority to shoot hare, rabbit, partridge and other birds. With blank integral leaf.III) Louis Philippe I - L.S., Louis Philippe D, one page, folio, Paris, 15th May 1839, to [Ignazio Giovanni] Cardinal Cadolini, in French, congratulating him on a promotion. Countersigned at the foot by Jean-de-Dieu Soult (1769-1851) French Marshal General, Prime Minister of France 1832-34, 1839-40 & 1840-47. Accompanied by the original envelope.IV) Louis Philippe I - A.L.S., Louis Philippe D, one page, 4to, Paris, 26th November 1832, in French, authorising Mr. James to pay the sum of 10,000 francs from his personal account to the Comte de Monterliver.V) Louis Philippe I - L.S., Louis Philippe D, one page, folio, Paris, 25th May 1837, to [Mario] Cardinal Mattei, in French, thanking him for his letter of good wishes received at Christmas. Countersigned at the foot by Louis-Mathieu Mole (1781-1855) Prime Minister of France 1836-39 and a close friend and associate of the King. With blank integral leaf. Accompanied by the original envelope.VI) Louis Philippe I - L.S., Louis Philippe D, one page, small 4to, Paris, 11th December 1839, to Comte Corbineau, in French, advising him that the opening of the Sessions of Chamber will take place on 23rd December and requiring him to be present.VII) Louis Philippe I - L.S., Louis Philippe D, one page, folio, Paris, 25th March 1845, to 'Mon Cousin', in French, thanking his correspondent for their letter of good wishes received at Christmas. Countersigned at the foot by Francois Guizot (1787-1874) French Minister of Foreign Affairs 1840-48 and Prime Minister 1847-48. With blank integral leaf.VIII) Chevalier de Foulaine - A.L.S., Le Che. F-N de Foulaine, one page, 4to, Nantes, 3rd July 1832, to Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily (1782-1866, Queen Consort of the French, wife of Louis Philippe I) 'Madame', in French, stating, in part, 'Witnesses of the disasters ravaging the West have justly said that the four principal causes were: the last pamphlet by the Viscount of Chateaubriand; the one by Mr. Graney; the newspaper entitled "The Friends of Order" published in Nantes; and endless manuscript copies of the "Little Almanack of Great Men". They have added, Madame, that the old men, devoted to the dynasty of Louis-Philippe should enlighten the masses, while the Garde Nationale, the League, and Generals Bonnet and Solignac would calm the ill-will. I have mixed the colours; another, Madame, will paint the picture; but no one will watch with more zeal for the prosperity of my august benefactress', with an A.N.S. by Maria Amalia, with her initial M, to the verso of the integral leaf, n.p., n.d. (1832), stating, in full, 'Here is another work by Chevalier de Foulaine, if it is good I am willing to take two or three copies and thank him for having sent them'.IX) Louis Philippe I - D.S., as Duke of Chartres, one page, folio, Vendome, 4th July 1791, in French. The manuscript document is issued in the name of the 14th Regiment of Dragoons and is a certificate relating to Claude Leonard de Bourcier and the tax of the company. Also bearing several countersignatures and a red wax seal to the upper left corner.X) Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily (1782-1866) Queen Consort of the French 1830-48, wife of Louis Philippe I. A.L.S., with her initial M, one page, 8vo, Neuilly, 15th July 1836, to an unidentified correspondent, in French, advising that the King would like to see a sketch of the small plan of the castle before taking a decision on a report.XI) Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily - A.L.S., Marie Amelie, three pages, 8vo, Claremont [House, Surrey], 30th June 1853, to Princess Bagralieu (?), in French. The Queen writes a largely social letter to her friend, making reference to the marriage of the Duke of Brabant (the future King Leopold II of Belgium) and Lord Howden (Minister Plenipotentiary in the British Embassy at Madrid 1850-58) whom she understands to be in Paris, and asking for her respects to be paid to him. Accompanied by the original envelope.XII) Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily - A.L.S., with her monogram MA, two pages, 8vo, Neuilly, 27th June 1839, to her son, Francois d'Orleans, Prince of Joinville (1818-1900, French Admiral, famous for bringing the remains of Napoleon from Saint Helena to France in 1840), in French. The Queen seeks news from her son, adding that the war is escalating in the Levant, informing him that the trial of the Chamber of Peers takes place today and that it had been delayed by the important capture of Martin Bernard, and further reporting of excellent news that she has received from Seville. With blank integral leaf.XIII) Maria Amalia of Naples and Sicily - A.L.S., with her monogram MA, three pages, 8vo, Paris, 8th September 1838, to her son, Francois d'Orleans, Prince of Joinville, in French, explaining that she had learned with sadness of a boat carrying her letters being held up at Brest, reporting on the perfect health of the Prince's father, although remarking that his sister, Princess Marie of Orleans, is in declining health (she was suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis at the time) and will be spending the winter at a villa in Italy accompanied by a very good doctor.XIV) Louis Philippe I - A.L.S., Le Duc d'Orleans, in the third person, one page, 4to, Neuilly, 16th August 1818, to Sir Charles Stuart, in French, asking his correspondent to forward a letter to His Highness, the Prince Regent (the future King George IV of the United Kingdom), informing him that the Duchess had given birth to a son, the Prince of Joinville, on 14th August.XV) Ferdinand Philippe, Duke of Orleans (1810-1842) French Prince Royal, eldest son of Louis Philippe I and Maria Amalia, who tragically died at the untimely age of 31. A scarce A.L.S., Ferdinand Philippe d'Orleans, one page, 4to, Marseille, 10th November 1839, to a General, in French, informing him of his proposed arrival in Lyon to inspect the soldiers and their military manoeuvres, and that he may also visit the works of the fortifications. With blank integral leaf.XVI) Duchess Helene of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1814-1858) French Crown Princess, wife of Ferdinand Philippe, Duke of Orleans. A.L.S., with her initial H, one page, 8vo, n.p., 12th April 1839, to an unidentified correspondent, in French, referring to a matter about which they had previously spoken and asking for an address to be sent to a Baroness.Owing to restrictions imposed by The Saleroom we are unable to display the full description for this lot. Please contact us directly for a complete description, or visit our website.      

[LOUIS XVI]: (1754-1793) King of France and Navarre 1774-1791, King of the French 1791-92. The only King of France to have been executed. Scarce D.S., Louis, signed by secretary, one page, vellum, large oblong 17 x 12 folio, Versailles, 22nd September 1788, in French. The attractive document being a Knight´s title given by the St. Louis military Order appointing Louis Charles, Viscount of Saint-Simon, Lieutenant-Colonel of the artillery regiment of La Fere. Countersigned by Louis-Marie Athanase de Loménie. Folded. In very fine condition. VG    Louis-Marie Athanase de Lomenie (1730-1794) Count of Brienne. Minister and Lieutenant General of the armies under Louis XVI. Louis de Loménie was guillotined in Paris at the Place de la Révolution, together with four members of his family and with Elisabeth of France, the youngest sister of King Louis XVI. 

[LOUIS XVIII] - DINNER: (1755-1824) King of France 1814-15 & 1815-24. A curious manuscript document, being the King´s lunch and dinner menu, two pages, folio, 2nd & 3rd March 1823, in French. The document entitled `The King´s Dinner, 2nd March 1823´, lists eighteen different dishes for the dinner and for the day after lunch, including `Le turbot sauce au beure(sic)…L´allote(sic) grillié(sic)…  a l´oseille, Les filets de soles… les filets de carlet frit, Le saumon grillié sauce poivrade…. La queue de saumon, La blanquette au trufes, … Les filets de carlet a la Parisienne.. Les betraves a la Lyonnaise, Les navais glassés au sucre, Les Petits pois d´asperches, Les Rotis au vin de Madere…´ (“Turbot with butter sauce… Grilled monkfish with sorrel, sole fillets… fried flounder fillets, Grilled salmon with pepper sauce…. Salmon tail, Blanquette with truffles… Flounder fillets Parisienne... Beets Lyonnaise, Turnips glazed with sugar, Asparagus peas, Rotis with Madeira wine..”) Very slightly trimmed left edge, and uneven lower edge. Small overall minor age toning, mostly to borders, otherwise G   

The King of France plans his escape upon Napoleon´s return from Elba and describes him as `The Tyrant who comes to bring to France all the plagues of Civil War and Foreign War´ LOUIS XVIII: (1755-1824) King of France 1795-1824, with a brief interruption during the Hundred Days in 1815. An extremely important L.S., `Louis´, with historical content, one page, folio, Paris, 11th March 1815, to the abbot of Montesquiou, in French. Also signed at the base by his correspondent `L´abbé De Montesquiou´. The King sends a desperate order to his correspondent, the Minister of the interior, in a state of great alarm, because he has been informed that Napoleon has returned from his exile on the island of Elba, and landed on the French coast on 1st of March 1815, only ten days before the present letter was written. The King refers to Napoleon as `The Tyrant who comes to bring to France all the plagues of Civil War and Foreign War´. On 10th March, a day before this letter was sent, Napoleon entered Lyon where the King´s brother was, the Count of Artois had to hastily leave the same day. On the 20th May, Napoleon entered Paris and King Louis XVIII went for the second time into exile, starting the period called "Les Cent Jours" ("The Hundred Days"). The letter states `Monsieur le Préfet, je vous fais cette letter pour vous announcer que l´urgence des circonstances exigeant que je rassemble à Melun une armée de reserve, je vous ordonne de faire dans votre département, un appel à tous les hommes de bonne volonté que vous ferez armer et que vous enverrez, par tous les moyens les plus prompts, au lieu du rendez-vous organisés en Colonne Mobile. Le salut de la Patrie depend de la prompte execution de cette mesure qui, si elle est bien conduite, pour opposer une résistance invincible au Tyran qui vient apporter à la France tous les fléaux de la guerre Civile et de la guerre Etrangère. C´est vous dire combien je compte sur votre zèle à me seconder dans une semblable conjoncture..´ ("Monsieur the Prefect, I am writing this letter to announce you that the urgency of the circumstances require me to assemble a reserve army in Melun, I order you to make in your department, an appeal to all the men of good will that you will make arm and that you will send, by all the quickest means, to the meeting place organized in Mobile Columns. The salvation of the Fatherland depends on the prompt execution of this measure which, if it is well conducted, is to oppose an invincible resistance to the Tyrant who comes to bring to France all the plagues of Civil War and Foreign War. This is to tell you how much I count on your zeal to assist me in such a situation") Louis XVIII makes an interesting comment, mentioning the Civil War that Napoleon is going to provoke because of the French split support to Bourbon Monarchy and to Napoleon. With blank integral leaf. Extremely small creasing to the upper edge, otherwise about EX    Abbot François-Xavier de Montesquiou-Fézensac (1757-1832) French Clergyman and Politician. President of the National Assembly 1790-91. As a Royalist, he had to flee to England after the Storm of the Tuileries, and lived in the United States during the Reign of Terror 1792-95. Close to Louis XVIII, he was appointed under the First Restoration Minister of the Interior from May 1814 to March 1815.

LEOPOLD I: (1790-1865) First King of the Belgians 1831-65. Former German Prince. A clean L.S., `Leopold´, one page, folio, Chateau de Laeken, 20th December 1862, to the President of Peru, in French. The King congratulates his correspondent stating in part `It is with true satisfaction that I have received the letter in which you inform me that you have been called to the Presidency of the Republic of Peru. ..I must express the desire that animates me to see strengthened and consolidated more and more the ties which so happily exist between the two countries..´ Tow tears to the upper left corner and left edge. Small age wear to edges, otherwise G    Miguel de San Roman (1802-1863) President of Peru from October 1862 to April 1863.

WILLIAM II: (1626-1650) Sovereign Prince of Orange and Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, Overijssel and Groningen in the United Provinces of the Netherlands 1647-50. His only child, William III, reigned as King of England, Ireland & Scotland 1689-1702. An extremely rare D.S., Pr. d'Orange, one page (vellum), large square folio, given at The Hague, 9th June 1649. The attractively penned manuscript document commences with six lines of text listing the Prince of Orange's titles ('William Prince of Orange, Count of Nassau, Katzenelnbogen, Vianden, Dietz, Lingen, Moers, Brieren and Leerdam, Marquis of Veere and Flushing, Lord and Baron of Breda, the city of Grave, the lands of Cuijk, Diest, Grimbergen, Herstal, Cranendonck, Warneston, Arlay, Nozeroy, Sankt Vith, Daesburg, Polanen, Willemstad, Niervaart,  Ijsselstein, Sint-Maartensdijk, Geertruidenberg, Chateau Regnard de Hooge en Lage, Zwaluwe and Naaldwijk……….') and is a commission addressed to Jan Herlet, appointing him as a mutter (i.e. toll, custom or tax-gatherer), of the counties of Moers, Heerlychheydes, Krefeld and Frijmorsheym, to succeed Daniel Knouth, at a remuneration of 500 guilders a year. The document further specifies records to be maintained and the rates of toll and duty. Docketed and witnessed to the verso by C [?] Buysen. With the faint impression of a large seal, most likely in a metal skippet, now wanting. Autographs of William II, Prince of Orange, are extremely rare in any form as a result of his death from smallpox at the age of 24. Some very light, extremely minor age wear and a few very small holes at the intersections of some folds. VG

ELEONORE MAGADALENE OF NEUBURG: (1655-1720) Holy Roman Empress & Archduchess consort of Austria 1676-1705, German Queen 1676-90, Queen consort of Hungary 1676-87, Queen consort of Bohemia 1676-1705 and Princess consort of Transylvania 1691-1705, the third and last wife of Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor. L.S., Eleonore, two pages, folio, Vienna, 25th October 1685, to Vincenzo Grimani, in Latin (untranslated). With integral address leaf bearing the remnants of a blind embossed paper seal. Some age wear, light staining, tears and small areas of paper loss to the edges, only slightly affecting the text and signature. Professionally silked. About G   Vincenzo Grimani (1652/65-1710) Italian cardinal, diplomat & opera librettist, best remembered for having supplied the libretto for George Frideric Handel's early operatic success Agrippina (1709).

FREDERICK WILLIAM I: (1688-1740) King in Prussia and Elector of Brandenburg 1713-40. Known as the 'Soldier King', he was succeeded by his son, Frederick the Great. L.S., Fr. Wilhelm, two pages, folio, Berlin, 8th February 1740, to Friedrich Karl von Schonborn, in German. The King acknowledges receipt of his correspondent's letters of the 8th and 10th January in which he informs the King of the restoration of the Captain of Dobeneck to the Duke of Anhalt's regiment, along with the voluntary acquisition of some non-naturalised subjects, remarking 'This special favour and friendship which your Excellency shows us in that, we recognise with all thanks and we will not let pass by any possibility at the occasion of other important matters to show our true counter-friendship. What Your Excellency likes to state about our Lieutenant Woldeck, we leave to your generosity, whether you want to give him the permission to engage only one or two men whom your Excellency will be able to spare', further referring to concerns over Major de Schultz and that nothing has been reported to him about what occurred, 'However we will see to justice and satisfaction about the mentioned Major, since apparently he has by his own will taken in custody the recruit stationed in Ansbach'. With a red wax seal affixed alongside the signature and the original address panel lightly laid down beneath the signature. Some light overall age wear and a few minor, neat tears to the edges and small areas of paper loss, G   Friedrich Karl von Schonborn (1674-1746) Prince-Bishop of Wurzburg and Prince-Bishop of Bamberg 1729-46 who also served as Reichsviekanzler (Vice-Chancellor) of the Holy Roman Empire 1705-34.

LUDWIG II OF BAVARIA: (1845-1886) King of Bavaria 1864-86. Called the Fairy Tale King for his extravagant artistic and architectural projects, he is also remembered as the devoted patron of the composer Richard Wagner. Attractive D.S., Ludwig, a bold and large signature, one page, folio, Schloss Berg, Berg Castle in Bavaria, 18th June 1879, in German. The partially printed document shows a very attractive heading ''Ludwig II by Grace of God, King of Bavaria'', being a decree appointing Secretary Minister Max von Gietl who is promoted to the post of Legation Council in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The document bears beneath the Emperor´s signature a large and very attractive Imperial paper seal affixed, with embossed coat of arms and entitled ''Ludovicus II - Dei Gratia Rex''. Countersigned by the Secretary General of His Majesty. With blank integral leaf. Very small overall minor creasing, otherwise VG    

WILHELM II: (1859-1941) German Emperor & King of Prussia 1888- 1918. D.S 'Wilhelm II', one page, folio, Huis Doorn, Holland, 27th January 1936, to Professor Dr. Johann Plesch, London, in German. The partially printed document is a Royal telegram bearing the printed heading "His Majesty the Kaiser and King" beneath a Royal Coat of Arms. Wilhelm II states in full "Thank you very much for the good wishes for my birthday". Signed at the base in purple pencil. With two binder holes to the left border, not affecting the signature. Small overall age wear, mosstly to edges and two minor tears to the right edge. G  Huis Doorn, was the final residence of Wilhelm II, the last German Kaiser. Exiled after the German defeat in the First World War, Wilhelm II fled to neutral Holland where he lived from 1920 until his death.

UMBERTO I: (1844-1900) King of Italy 1878-1900. Assassinated. D.S., Umberto, one page, folio, Monza, 21st October 1878, in Italian. The partially printed document is a decree approving a proposal by the Minister for war, relating to infantry second Lieutenant Carlo Bernacchino who has ceased serving the mobile militia as per his request. Signed by the King, on his first year of reign, at the foot. With countersignature. With blank integral leaf. Extremely small pinholes to the spine as a result of its detachment. G to VG    

MUSSOLINI BENITO: (1883-1945) Italian Fascist Dictator of World War II & VITTORIO EMANUELE III (1869-1947) King of Italy 1900-46. Multiple D.S., Mussolini, and Vittorio Emanuele, one page, folio, Rome, 15th April 1929, in Italian. The partially printed document being a decree according to which the King of Italy grants a new infantry post to Captain Andrea Secco d´Aragona. With two official contemporary ink stamps, one of the war minister, to the verso. Folded, with extremely small damage to the left edge as a result of its detachment. About VG    

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, San Rossore, 5th July 1928, in Italian. The attractive partially printed document being a decree according to which the King of Italy grants Claudio Bergis, and Mario Berti, both Colonels of artillery, their appointment to the Headquarters of the military Command of Sardinia and Commandant of the 29th regiment of artillery respectively. Signed in bold black ink by the King and by Mussolini in his capacity as Minister of war. With two official contemporary ink stamps of the war minister to the verso. The document bears a watermark. With extremely small pinholes to the left border as a result of its detachment, otherwise VG    

MOVILA IEREMIA: (1555-1606) Voivode of Moldavia 1595-1600 & 1600-06. Very rare L.S., `Hyeremia Boebo´ ("Ieremia Voivod"), two pages, folio, Zuchovica, 20th September 1596, to Reverend Bishop Alphonso, Apostolic Nuncio in Transylvania, in Latin. Movila, in his capacity as Voivode of Moldavia presented to the heading as `Ieremia Movila, By the Grace of God, Prince and life heir of Moldavia….´, refers to the letters received from his correspondent, to the Secretary Simon who has reported a number of messages, and states in part `..Finally, and regarding the Christian Princes, we hope that your Holiness will intercede on our behalf and with insistence, and for this and similar matters dealt we thank to your Illustrious Holiness…´, further saying `..Your Holiness has supported us, and we could value your blinding and abundant affection, which as we expect between Christian Princes will bring and maintain good friendship and peace, and that God with his grace will reward us and our Kingdom…´, and before concluding says `We received the letters from Joanis de Marini, from Prague, and we learned the news and also that our old friendship was well remembered. We deeply rejoice learning that the Christian army… and will become powerful. And we pray God so that he will always concede everything because of the Christian offerings..´ With address leaf, bearing remnants of a former wax seal. Small overall age wear and creasing, otherwise G