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Click here to subscribeLACRETELLE JACQUES DE: (1888-1985) French novelist. The personal printed oblong 12mo black bordered Visiting Card of Lacretelle, unsigned, featuring his printed name to the centre, as a member de l’Academie Francaise, and address at 29 Rue Vineuse at the base, bearing three lines of bold pencil text in his hand, in French, asking that the recipient provide a place for a gentleman. Some very light, extremely minimal age wear, VG
EVERLY BROTHERS THE: A printed 4to souvenir brochure entitled The Everly Brothers, featuring numerous illustrations and some printed text, published in England, c.1967, signed by the American rock duo Phil and Don Everly individually to the front cover, the latter adding an inscription in his hand. Some light creasing and age wear, only very slightly affecting the signatures. About VG
PICABIA FRANCIS: (1879-1953) French avant-garde painter associated with Cubism. A.L.S., Francis, one page, 4to, Rue Danielle Casanova (Paris), n.d. ('Mardi'), to 'Mon petite Meraud', in French. Picabia states that his correspondent's letter had given him great pleasure and continues to add 'moi aussi je pense que c'est absurde de ne plus nous voir - je vais faire tout mon possible pour aller a Aix et rester pres de toi plusieurs jours' (Translation: 'I too think it's absurd not to see each other anymore - I'm going to do my best to go to Aix and stay near you for several days'), further suggesting the beginning of November and concluding by sending his and his wife, Olga's, wholehearted embraces. Some light overall creasing, about VG
PASTEUR LOUIS: (1822-1895) French chemist and microbiologist, renowned for his discoveries of the principles of vaccination and pasteurisation. A.L.S., L. Pasteur, one page, 8vo, Paris, 8th October n.y., to Monsieur Petit, in French. Pasteur sends his correspondent two cheques (no longer present) for the sums of 10,000 and 21,000 francs ‘demandes par votre lettre de ce jour comme acomptes pour les travaux de M. M. Sabarly et Taillamdin (?)’ (Translation: ‘requested by your letter of today as deposits for the work of Mr. M. Sabarly and Taillamdin (?)’) and adds that he will come and see Petit as soon as possible. With blank integral leaf. A few light, minor creases, VG
PELÉ: (1940-2022) Brazilian footballer. A good vintage signed 4 x 6 photograph of the young player seated in a half-length pose. Photograph by Foto Riccione and bearing their credit stamp to the verso. Signed (‘Edson Pele’) by Pele in bold black ink to a clear area of the image. A few very light, extremely minor surface creases, VG
CESAR: (1921-1998) Cesar Baldaccini. French sculptor associated with the Nouveau Realisme movement. A.L.S., Cesare, one page, 4to, Paris, 11th March 1969, to Jean [Leymarie], in French. Cesar sends his correspondent an invitation card (no longer present) for his exhibition and hopes that they will be able to attend, in a postscript remarking ‘Il y aura un petit diner intime apres avec les Picou, George Limbour, les Naudeau, les Auric et tu es invite’ (Translation: ‘There will be a little intimate dinner afterwards with Picou, George Limbour, Naudeau, Auric and you are invited’). A few very light, minimal creases, VGJean Leymarie (1919-2006) French art historian, director of the Musee national d’Art moderne 1968-73.
BATTLE OF BRITAIN: Small selection of signed printed images of various sizes (largest 6 x 7; each neatly removed from books or magazines and a few multiple signed) and one signed 4 x 6 photograph by various fighter pilots of 501 Squadron who participated in the Battle of Britain, including James Lacey, Tony Pickering, Kenneth Lee (2), John Gibson, Peter Hairs, Eustace Holden (2), Ken Mackenzie (2), Peter O’Byrne etc., together with a colour 12.5 x 10 paperstock reproduction of an artist’s impression of a Hurricane and Messerschmitt aircraft in combat, signed in bold pencil by Ken Mackenzie to the lower white border. Some light creasing, G to VG, 8
ACTRESSES: A good selection of signed 8 x 10 photographs by various film actresses comprising Marlene Dietrich, Barbara Stanwyck, Mae Clarke (in a scene alongside Boris Karloff from Frankenstein), Janet Leigh, Margaret Lockwood (two signed photographs, a further two annotated by Lockwood although not signed, and an unsigned note in her hand), Angela Lansbury (in a scene from The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders), Ann Blyth, Tippi Hedren, Maureen O’Hara and Glenn Close. Most are boldly signed, largely to light areas of the images, and only four are inscribed. Colour (1). G to generally VG, 14
PUCCINI GIACOMO: (1858-1924) Italian composer. A good, large vintage signed and inscribed 13 x 15 photograph, incorporating a musical quotation, the fine image depicting the composer seated behind his desk within the omnibus room on the ground floor of his villa at Torre del Lago, with the Forster piano upon which he created many of his immortal melodies visible in the background. Photograph by Alfred Ornano and with his small, attractive circular stamp to the mount beneath the image. Signed by Puccini in dark fountain pen ink to the lower photographer’s mount, with an inscription in Italian, ‘Alla gentile Signorina Giulietta Berti, ricordo di Giacomo Puccini’, and dated at Torre del Lago, 3rd October 1903, in his hand. To the left of his signature Puccini has added a musical quotation of three bars which he identifies as being from his opera La Boheme, and represents the opening of the aria Si, Mi chiamano Mimi (‘Yes, they call me Mimi’) from the first act of the opera. Some light overall foxing to the photographer’s mount, otherwise VG
KEYSER AGNES: (1852-1941) English humanitarian and courtesan, the longtime mistress of King Edward VII. Keyser was also the matron of King Edward VII’s Hospital for Officers. A.L.S., Sister Agnes, two pages, 8vo, Grosvenor Crescent, London, n.d., to Mrs. Batten, on the printed stationery of King Edward VII’s Hospital for Officers. Keyser writes in bold pencil and states, in full, ‘The important thing is what is [in] the throat? He would be in a ward with others (serious caeses) & we cannot take anything infectious. Of course I shall hear from the doctor’. Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed in ink by Keyser. Some very light, extremely minimal age wear, VG
RENOIR JEAN: (1894-1979) French film director and actor. Vintage signed 8 x 10 photograph of Renoir standing in a half-length profile pose, in costume as Octave, alongside actor Julien Carette, in costume as the poacher Marceau, in a scene from the French satirical comedy drama film La regle du jeu (1959; The Rules of the Game) which Renoir also directed. Signed by Renoir in blue fountain pen ink with his name alone at the base of the image. A couple of very light, extremely minor corner creases, VG Provenance: The present photograph originates from the collection of Pierre Goulliard, a French gentleman who, for over 50 years, dedicated himself to obtaining in person autographs of British, American and European movie stars, always obtaining the signatures in fountain pen ink.
FRANCE ANATOLE: (1844-1924) French poet and novelist, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1921. A vintage colour picture postcard featuring an image of Anthony Vandyck’s painting La Figlia di Carlo I D’Enghilterra, depicting King James II of England as a small child, signed by France to the lower white border, adding a few additional words and the place and date, Rome, 15th May, in his hand in French. Together with a second vintage picture postcard depicting the Pavillon de Bellescize at Saint-Brieuc, signed by France in dark ink to the lower border and with one additional word in French in his hand. Both postcards are hand addressed to Victor Proute in Paris by France to the versos and dated 16th September 1903 and 15th May 1904. Both have two small authentication stickers neatly affixed to the lower corners of the images. Some light age wear, about VG, 2
WILLIAM IV: (1765-1837) King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland 1830-37. D.S., William R, as King, at the head, three pages, folio, Court at St. James’s, 9th March 1837. The manuscript document is addressed to the Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal, and is a licence issued to James Gedny the younger allowing him and his issue to take the surname of Chaston and states, in part, ‘…James Gedny the younger, of Mettingham in the County of Suffolk, Esquire, hath by his Petition humbly represented unto us, That Benjamin Chaston, late of Bungay Holy Trinity in the said County, Esquire, deceased, the maternal Grandfather of the Petitioner, in and by his last Will and Testament bearing date the 20th day of February 1835, gave and devised all that the Manor of Routons, with the Royalties, Rights, Members & appurtenances there unto belonging, in Dennington in the said County, and also all those lands and tenements…..within the several parishes of Brundish, Dennington, Laxfield, Fressingfield & Tannington…..containing in the whole 250 acres or thereabouts and which the Testator lately purchased of his son in law Mr. James Gedny…..to hold the same & every part thereof unto and to the use of the Petitioner by the name and description of his (the Testator’s) Grandson James Gedny the younger (in the Will written Gedney) his heirs & assigns for ever. That in the said Will, there is contained a clause, providing and declaring it to be the mind & will of the Testator that the Petitioner shall within the space of 12 calendar months…..take upon himself & use in all Deeds and writings whereto or wherein he shall be a Party and upon all occasions the surname of Chaston only; and shall & do within the aforesaid space apply & endeavour to obtain a proper Licence from the crown to enable and authorize him so to do, and in default thereof, the Gift and devises so made to the Petitioner to cease determine and be utterly void….’, further requiring the Earl Marshal to record the concession and declaration in the Heraldry office and in the College of Arms. Countersigned at the conclusion by Lord John Russell (1792-1878) British Prime Minister 1846-52, 1865-66 and at the time of this document Secretary of State for the Home Department (1835-39). With blind embossed paper seal affixed. A few light stains and minor age wear, otherwise VG
DIETRICH JOSEF ‘SEPP’: (1892-1966) German politician and SS-Oberst-Gruppenfuhrer and Generaloberst of the Waffen-SS during World War II. Knight’s Cross winner with Diamonds. Dietrich was convicted of war crimes at the Malmedy massacre trial. A rare vintage signed 2.75 x 3.5 deckle edged photograph, the image depicting Dietrich seated in a full-length pose in his cell, reading a newspaper, whilst awaiting sentencing at the Malmedy massacre trial held in the former Dachau concentration camp from May to July 1946. Signed in blue fountain pen ink with his name alone to the base of the image, his surname running across a dark area. One small, light circular stain to the left edge, otherwise VG
KRISHNAN K. S.: (1898-1961) Indian physicist, a co-discoverer of Raman scattering. Manuscript D.S., K S Krishnan, one page, 4to, n.p., 22nd January 1954. Krishnan responds to a researcher’s questionnaire entitled Whole World Inquiry, with their manuscript questions at the head of the page, ‘1. What kind of a place do you assign to Einstein in modern science? 2. What sort of an influence has he exerted upon your work?.......3. What kind of a place does he occupy in the history of world science?’ Krishnan provides his answers to the first two questions beneath, writing ‘1. Modern science owes a great deal to Einstein, and many branches of classical physics too. 2. An early paper of his on light scattering has been a source of great inspiration to me; I have read the paper off and on during the last thirty years, and every time I read the paper there is a fresh appeal’. A few light creases, only very slightly affecting the text and signature, otherwise VG Albert Einstein (1879-1955) German-born theoretical physicist, Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1921.
PICASSO PABLO: (1881-1973) Spanish painter, a co-founder of the Cubist movement. A good signed and inscribed softcover printed small 8vo exhibition catalogue for Picasso – Peintures 1962-1963 at the Galerie Louise Leiris, Paris, from 15th January to 15th February 1964, being a first edition (Number 18, Series A) from the series of monographs published by the gallery, featuring a French text essay by Michel Leiris and over sixty images of works by Picasso, six of which are reproduced in colour. The covers feature an image of a lithograph by Picasso printed by the Mourlot Studio. Attractively signed and inscribed by Picasso to the frontispiece in six different colours of bold crayon (blue, dark green, red, orange, purple and light green), ‘Pour mon ami Frua, son ami Picasso’, also adding the place. Mougins A.M., in his hand beneath his signature. The artist has also added a further line of text in his hand, ‘Mas N. D. de Vie’, the meaning of which is not apparent although was presumably significant to the recipient. A visually appealing example of Picasso’s autograph. Some very light, extremely minimal age wear, VG
MOORE CLAYTON: (1914-1999) American actor who portrayed the fictional western character the Lone Ranger in the television series of the same name from 1949-52 and 1953-57. Signed sepia 11 x 14 cardstock photograph of Moore in a full-length pose, in costume as the Lone Ranger, seated on his great white stallion, Silver. Signed by Moore in bold black ink to a light area of the image, adding his character name beneath his signature. Together with two signed 8 x 10 photographs by Moore, the first a colour image depicting him in a costume action pose as the Lone Ranger with Silver and the second a black and white image of Moore in a three-quarter length pose in costume as the Lone Ranger and with a gun in one hand. Both are boldly signed to light areas of the image, with Moore adding his character name beneath his signatures. VG to EX, 3
HAMILTON MARGARET: (1902-1985) American actress, remembered for her portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz (1939). A good vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph of Hamilton in a head and shoulders pose. Signed in bold blue fountain pen ink to a light area of the background, ‘My very best wishes - & thanks – to my friend of the “adding machine” – George Crispano! From only lady Zero! Margaret Hamilton (Maggie – to you!)’. About EXIn 1956 Hamilton appeared on stage in the role of Mrs. Zero in an off-Broadway production of Elmer Rice’s play The Adding Machine (1923) at the Phoenix Theatre. The play ran for just six performances from 9th – 12th February 1956.
LEIGH & OLIVIER: LEIGH VIVIEN (1913-1967) English actress & OLIVIER LAURENCE (1907-1989) English actor, both Academy Award winners. Book signed by both Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier individually, being a hardback edition of The Oliviers – A Biography by Felix Barker, First Edition published by Hamish Hamilton, London, 1953. Signed by both Leigh and Olivier in bold blue inks to the lower white border of the frontispiece illustration, the image depicting the couple in three-quarter length poses together enjoying a telephone conversation. Accompanied by the dust jacket (price clipped and with extensive tears, light staining, creasing and some areas of paper loss. P). Some light age wear, G
CHARLES VIII: (1470-1498) King of France 1483-98. A rare D.S., Charles, one page (vellum), oblong folio, Lyon, 1st March 1496, in Middle French. The manuscript document is addressed to Jehan Lalemant, receiver general of finances in the Duchy of Normandy, and is a warrant to pay Charles Depontoy the sum of one hundred gold crowns, granted above and besides the pledges, pensions and benefits he already receives, in order for him to acquire a house in Paris. Signed by the King at the foot and countersigned by Hobineau. Autographs of King Charles VIII are rare in any form as a result of an accident which left him in a coma, dying nine hours later at the young age of 27. A small area of loss to the upper left edge and a second area of loss to the lower right edge of the document have been neatly replaced, and with some minor staining (slightly affecting the King's signature) and light overall age wear. Some slight, minor traces of former mounting to the upper edge of the verso, G
RAVEL MAURICE: (1875-1937) French composer. A good signed printed folio programme for the Grand Festival Maurice Ravel held in the Salle Imperiale of the Hotel du Palais de Biarritz on 24th August 1930 to benefit regional assistance works and the Ciboure War Memorial, signed (‘Maurice Ravel’) by Ravel in blue fountain pen ink with his name alone to a clear area of the title page and also signed by Jacques Thibaud (1880-1953) French violinist, Robert Casadesus (1899-1972) French pianist and composer, Madeleine Grey (1896-1979) French soprano, and Philipe Gaubert (1879-1941) French flautist. All have signed in fountain pen inks with their names alone. Accompanied by two original printed slim oblong 8vo tickets for the concert. Some light creasing and minor age wear, about VG
SCHMITT HARRISON: (1935- ) American astronaut, Lunar Module Pilot of the Apollo XVII mission (1972) and the twelfth man to walk on the Moon. Signed and inscribed colour 8 x 10 photograph of Schmitt standing in a three-quarter length pose, wearing his white spacesuit and resting one hand on a globe of the Moon partially visible in the foreground. Signed by Schmitt in bold black ink to a light area of the image, also adding the mission name Apollo 17 in his hand beneath his signature. EX
EDEN ANTHONY: (1897-1977) British Prime Minister 1955-57. Vintage signed 8 x 10 photograph (image size 4.5 x 6.5) of Eden seated in a three-quarter length pose. Photograph by Vivienne of London and bearing her credit stamp to the verso. Signed by Eden in fountain pen ink to a largely light area of the image and dated 1955 in his hand. Some very light age wear and some minimal water staining to the lower edge and corners of the photographer’s mount, otherwise VG
CHURCHILL WINSTON S.: (1874-1965) British Prime Minister 1940-45, 1951-55. Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1953. Book signed and inscribed, being a folio softcover edition of Winston Churchill – The Greatest Figure of Our Time, edited by Bruce Ingram, First edition published by The Illustrated London News, London, 1954. Issued as an Eightieth Year tribute to Churchill, the volume is profusely illustrated and includes twelve colour plates and four gravure plates and with sections of text devoted to Churchill in Parliament, and in War, Churchill the man, and his place in history. Signed by Churchill in fountain pen ink to the plain recto of the frontispiece illustration, ‘To P. G. Oates from Winston S. Churchill’, and dated 1954 in his hand. An unusual volume to find signed. Some very light, minor age wear, VG Peter Geoffrey Oates (1919-2007) British civil servant who worked in the Prime Minister’s office at 10 Downing Street from 1951, firstly as private secretary to Attlee, and later to Winston S. Churchill.
MAGNANI ANNA: (1908-1973) Italian actress, Academy Award winner. A good vintage signed 9 x 7 photograph by Magnani, the image depicting the actress in a half-length pose, standing before Virginia Grey, in costume as Estelle Hohengarten, as she reveals the tattoo on her chest to Magnani, Burt Lancaster (in his role as Alvaro Mangiacavallo) and other onlookers in the memorable scene from the film The Rose Tattoo (1955), adapted from Tennessee Williams's play of the same name. Signed by Magnani in bold blue fountain pen ink with her name alone to a clear area of the image. It was for her performance in this film that Magnani won her Best Actress Oscar. Rare. A few very light, minor surface and corner creases, VG Provenance: The present photograph originates from the collection of Pierre Goulliard, a French gentleman who, for over 50 years, dedicated himself to obtaining in person autographs of British, American and European movie stars, always obtaining the signatures in fountain pen ink.
ROLLAND ROMAIN: (1866-1944) French Dramatist & Novelist, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1915. An excellent and rare set of two documents, one Manuscript Autograph & one A.L.S., Romain Rolland, two and one pages respectively, 4to and 8vo, Villeneuve - Vaud, Villa Olga, 28th April 1935, to Pierre Marcel Levy, in French. The first document, being a Manuscript Autograph which Rolland entitles `Quinze Ans de Combat´, is a lengthy report of the author providing us with details relating to the genesis of his work with same title, stating in part `Ce livre est le journal de route d´un écrivain independent, au cours des quinze à vingt années qui ont vu les bouleversements politiques et sociaux du monde. L´intelligence a fatalement participé à cette grande “mutation”. Elle a subit ces profondes secousses, et réagit à leurs ébranlements. Il lui a bien fallu, dans le combat qui, depuis les premiers jours d´Août 1914, avec des trêves apparentes, mais sans arrêt, se livre sur toute la terre (guerres, revolutions, contre-révolutions, etc..) prendre parti dans l´une ou dans l´autre des armées. Même ceux qui pretendent s´abstenir, par leur abstention même, favorisent celui des camps qui, à cet instant où ils désertent, est le plus fort…´ (Translation: “This book is the travel diary of an independent writer, during the fifteen to twenty years that have seen the political and social upheavals of the world. Intelligence fatally participated in this great “mutation”. It has suffered these profound shocks, and reacts to their shaking. In the fight which, since the first days of August 1914, with apparent truces, but without stopping, has been fought all over the world (wars, revolutions, counter-revolutions, etc.), it had to take part in one or the other of the armies. Even those who claim to abstain, by their abstention itself, favour that of the side which, at this moment when they desert, is the strongest side”) Rolland further states `Ce livre est la confession de l´écrivain qui s´efforça, pendant la guerre, de faire entendre sa voix “au-dessus de la mêlée” des nations, qui a tenté obstinément, après la guerre, de maintenir les droits de “l´indépendance de l´esprit”, de sauvegarder le grand Credo individualiste de l´âge precedent, et qui a dû, en révisant sincèrement toute son idéologie, en la confrontant à la sévère réalité, se dépouiller de son manteau de préjugés, arracher les plus tenaces, les plus chers, qui nous collent à la peau: ces superstructures idéologiques, comme dit Marx, qui font une caste de l´esprit et de ses servants, qui les scindent du milieu vivant… Il faut que l´esprit rentre dans le rang. C´est la condition même pour qu´il reprenne vie, dans l´homme vivant, l´homme integral, l´homme social, l´homme humain…´ (Translation: “This book is the confession of the writer who strove, during the war, to make his voice heard “above the fray” of nations, who stubbornly tried, after the war, to maintain the rights of “the “independence of the spirit”, to safeguard the great individualist Creed of previous ages, and which had, by sincerely revising its entire ideology, by confronting it with harsh reality, to strip itself of its cloak of prejudices, to tear off the most tenacious, the most dear, which stick to our skin: these ideological superstructures, as Marx says, which make a breed of the spirit and its servants, which separate them from the living environment... The spirit must enter into the row. It is the very condition for it to come back to life, in the living man, the integral man, the social man, the human man…”) Before concluding, Romain quotes a Victor Hugo sentence, and referring to his book, says `Il n´est pas une simple autobiographie. Selon le mot profond de Victor Hugo, “nul de nous n´a l´honneur d´avoir une vie qui soit à lui”. L´évolution qui est ici contée est celle d´un temps. “Une génération pourra, espère l´auteur, y reconnaitre une partie de la propre route, de ses élans, de ses tourments, de ses erreurs, de ses ténèbres, et sa lumière retrouvée”´ (Translation: “It is not a simple autobiography. According to the profound words of Victor Hugo, “none of us has the honour of having a life that is his own”. The evolution that is recounted here is that of a time. “A generation will be able, the author hopes, to recognize part of its own path, of its impulses, its torments, its errors, its darkness, and its rediscovered light”) A manuscript of extremely interesting content. Together with an A.L.S., `Romain Rolland´, to Pierre Marcel also, saying `Ma lettre d´hier s´est croisée avec l´envoi des premiers exemplaires de “Quinze ans de combat”…´ (Translation: “ My letter of yesterday was sent at the same time of the sending of the first copies of “Quinze ans de combat”) Rolland adds a lengthy post-scriptum referring to additions and changes to a future new edition of the book. Overall small creasing to the manuscript with repair to the verso to the central fold. G Pierre Marcel Levy (1878-1953) French Writer, author of multiple scholarships works about Arts. Quinze Ans de Combat (1919-1934) was published in 1935. The work contains multiple articles written by Rolland between 1919 and 1933 which were split among two books, Quinze Ans de Combat and Par la Révolution la Paix, these two books became bibliographical rarities after having being destroyed and forbidden in 1940.
LEOPARDI GIACOMO: (1798-1837) Italian poet and philosopher. An extremely rare A.L.S., Giacomo, one page, 4to, Bologna, 20th February 1826, to his father (‘Carrissimo Sig. Padre’), in Italian. Leopardi thanks his father for a gift of figs which ‘sono qui applauditissimi e graditissimi, e quantunque in casa io non fossi solito di mangiar de'fichi, adesso, non so come, trovo che sono pure una cosa di un sapore eccellente’ (Translation: ‘are highly applauded and very welcome here, and although I wasn’t used to eating figs at home, now, I don’t know how, I find that they are also something with an excellent flavour’) and adding that he has been supplied with sufficient enough to be able to share them, remarking that very little (and only bad) cheese is made around Bologna, and venturing the possibilities of selling their own cheese and produce in the area, ‘Veramente non si puo scusare l'indolenza della nostra provincia nel mettere a profitto i tanti generi squisiti che essa possiede, e che eccedono il consumo dell'interno: giacche i formaggi non sono il solo capo che manca in altre parti d'Italia, e che sarebbe ben accolto, ma noi abbiamo ancora molti e molti altri capi che da noi non si stimano e non si trovano a vendere perche soprabbondano, e altrove sarebbero ricercatissimi’ (Translation: ‘Truly, we cannot excuse the indolence of our province in making the most of the many exquisite products that it possesses, and which exceed internal consumption: since cheese are not the only item that is lacking in other parts of Italy, and which would be well received, but we still have man, many other items that are not esteemed here and cannot be found for sale because they are overabundant, and elsewhere they would be highly sought after’), further suggesting wine as another product for consideration, ‘E i nostri vini. che noi mandiamo solamente a Roma e in piccola quantita, mentre ne abbiamo tanta abbondanza, non si venderebbero qui nel Bolognese a preferenza di questi vini .......pessimi della provincia, tutti ingrati al gusto, e scomunicati generalmente da tutti i medici?’ (Translation: ‘And our wines, which we only send to Rome and in small quantities. While we have such an abundance of them, would they not be sold here in the Bolognese area in preference to these…..terrible wines from the province, all unpleasant to the taste, and generally excommunicated by all doctors?’) and commenting on the financial advantages and that landowners would have the opportunity to sell their goods at convenient prices. Leopardi concludes by referring to the weather he is experiencing, ‘Qui continuano le giornate temperate, che mi han fatto tornare in vita da una vera morte, perche le pene che ho provate in quest'inverno non sono descrivibili’ (Translation: ‘Here the temperate days continue, which brought me back to life from a true death, because the pain I have felt this winter cannot be described’) and sends tender greetings to his mother and other family members, as well as Dr. Masi and the surgeon Prosperi. With address panel to the verso, bearing the remnants of a papered seal. Autograph letters of Leopardi are extremely rare as a result of his death at the untimely age of 38 during the cholera epidemic of 1837. Some light age wear and very minor staining and a small area of paper loss to the lower left corner. About VGCount Monaldo Leopardi (1776-1847) Italian philosopher, nobleman, politician and writer, one of the main Italian intellectuals of the counter-revolution. Father of Giacomo Leopardi. The relationship between Monaldo Leopardi and his son was profound and bound by reciprocal affection, as witnessed in the present letter (Giacomo closes ‘Mi ami, mi benedica e mi creda sempre suo affettuosissimo figlio’ Translation: ‘Love me, bless me and always believe me to be your most affectionate son’) however the two also had completely opposed temperaments with an entirely different conception of life.
LAVER ROD: (1938- ) Australian tennis player, Wimbledon champion 1961, 1962, 1968 & 1969. Signed 10 x 8 photograph of Laver in a half-length tennis action pose. Signed in bold blue ink with his name alone to a light area at the base of the image. Together with three different signed 6 x 4 photographs of Laver, one showing him in a full-length action pose, another holding a trophy, and one shaking the hand of Roger Federer. All are signed in blue or black inks with his name alone to largely clear areas of images. Colour (2). VG to EX, 4
CONRAD CHARLES: (1930-1999) American astronaut, Commander of the Apollo XII mission (1969) and the third man to walk on the Moon. Signed 10 x 8 photograph of Conrad standing in a full-length pose, in his spacesuit, on the Moon’s surface as he conducts some experiments with various apparatus during an extravehicular activity. Signed in bold blue ink with his name alone to a largely light area at the base of the image. EX
MARX ZEPPO: (1901-1979) American comedy actor, one of the Marx Brothers. D.S., Zeppo Marx, being a signed cheque, Los Angeles, California, 26th May 1971. The partially printed cheque, completed in typescript, is drawn on Marx’s business account with the Security Pacific National Bank and is made payable to the circulation department of The Desert Sun for the sum of $7.50. A perforated bank cancellation does not affect the signature. A few very light, minimal creases to the upper edge, VG
FLINT WILLIAM RUSSELL: (1880-1969) Scottish artist and illustrator. A.L.S., W Russell Flint, one page, 4to, Peel Street, Campden Hill, London, 15th December 1965, to A. P. Ryan. Flint states that his correspondent’s letter has given him real pleasure and continues ‘Your approval of my Shadows in Arcady is a tonic. I have always been keen on “layout” & I work away at books very happily. My present effort, with plenty illustrations, is on ships’ figureheads. It will not, however, be ready for ages.’ A few light creases and a couple of very small, minor staple rust stains to the upper left corner, otherwise VGAlfred Patrick Ryan (1900-1972) Journalist and editor of the British Broadcasting Corporation’s News Services.
HARLOW JEAN: (1911-1937) American actress & sex symbol. An exceptionally exquisite vintage signed and inscribed sepia 9.5 x 12 photograph of the platinum blonde in a full-length study, alluringly posing in a figure-hugging plain white gown and with one arm positioned behind her head. Signed in bold, dark fountain pen ink to a light area of the image with an inscription to Clark Gable, incorporating a quote from their film Red Dust, ‘ “E’s” in the port cabin, Just Jean’. Authentic autographs of Harlow are extremely rare in any form and it is hard to imagine a more desirable example than the present photograph, not least in regards to the quality of the image and the association. Some very light, minor thin bands of silvering to the extreme edges of the image, otherwise EX Clark Gable (1901-1960) American actor, Academy Award winner. Jean Harlow starred alongside Gable in a total of six films, including the box office successes Red Dust (1932; Gable also later starring in John Ford’s remake of the film, Mogambo) and Hold Your Man (1933). Gable was Harlow’s co-star in her final film, Saratoga, which was completed using doubles and released on 23rd July 1937, less than two months after her death. It was to be MGM’s most successful film of the year, and the highest-grossing film of Harlow’s career. Provenance: Acquired by the present vendor at Christie’s Entertainment Memorabilia sale in New York on 25th July 2003 (lot 71).
MENUHIN YEHUDI: (1916-1999) American-born British violinist and conductor. T.L.S., Yehudi Menuhin, one page, 4to, Highgate Village, London, 6th February 1974, to Frederick Lydiate. Menuhin writes in relation to the scores of Lydiate’s Four Equations for string orchestra, which he had been sent, and comments ‘I would just like to say that Neville Marriner is in a position to do your work justice, as he is ‘only’ a conductor and has an orchestra with whom he can try new works and new programmes. This in fact is very difficult for me.’ Together with a second T.LS., Yehudi Menuhin, one page, 8vo, Highgate Village, London, 19th May 1972, also to Frederick Lydiate. Menuhin thanks his correspondent for their letter and remarks ‘I am indeed most interested in new scores; the only difficulty is that at the present period I am so overwhelmed with engagements and already have a stock of manuscripts and scores which I have promised one day to look at’. Some light, very minor creasing, otherwise VG, 2 Frederick Lydiate (1906-1978) English composer and pianist. Neville Marriner (1924-2016) English violinist and conductor.
TYNDALL JOHN: (1820-1893) Irish physicist. A.L.S., John Tyndall, one page, 8vo, n.p. (London), n.d. (‘Saturday, 12.45’), to [William] Bowman, on the blind embossed stationery of the Royal Institution of Great Britain. Tyndall informs his correspondent that he may be forced to leave London that evening, continuing ‘If not I shall join you: But if I am not with you before 7 you may conclude that I have been obliged to fly southwards’. A few creases and small tears and some light staining, GWilliam Bowman (1816-1892) English surgeon, histologist and anatomist.Tyndall served as professor of physics at the Royal Institution of Great Britain from 1853-87.
[BEATLES THE]: BLAKE PETER (1932- ) English pop artist who co-created the sleeve design for the Beatles’ album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. An original colour 30 x 30 cm (approx.) printed album insert from an American pressing of the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album, the light card insert featuring various images etc. intended to be ‘cut-outs’ including a moustache, stripes, badges etc., signed (‘Peter Blake’) by the artist in black ink with his name alone to a clear area at the base. A few minor, light surface creases, VG
TAYLOR G. I.: (1886-1975) British physicist and mathematician who made contributions to fluid dynamics and wave theory. Taylor was part of the British delegation to the Manhattan Project during World War II and helped solve implosion instability problems in the development of atomic weapons, particularly the plutonium bomb used at Nagasaki on 9th August 1945. Manuscript D.S., G I Taylor, one page, 4to, Cambridge, n.d. Taylor responds to a researcher’s questionnaire entitled World Inquiry, with their manuscript questions at the head of the page, ‘1. Were your scientific “debut” easy or difficult? 2. Did means of living……enable you to make yourself known in science? Or did you live solely through your work of laboratory? 3. What work (or what discovery) made yourself more famous? Which do you consider as your master-piece?’ Taylor provides his answers to the first two questions beneath, writing ‘1) Easy 2) From 1920 to 1923 I was a lecturer in mathematics at Trinity College Cambridge – a post which gave me time for scientific work both in the Cavendish Laboratory and at my home’. Some light, minor damp staining to the foot of the page and some light creasing at the head, G
RAY MAN: (1890-1976) American visual artist, a significant contributor to the Dada and Surrealist movements and a renowned pioneering fashion and portrait photographer. T.L.S., Man Ray, one page, 4to, Paris, 31st January 1962, to Jean. Ray writes in a business-like manner regarding the sales of his works, apologising for writing in English ('in which language I can express myself more shortly') and referring to an agreement he had entered into with his correspondent in 1959, which had led him 'to believe that I would be freed from all matters of keeping accounts and from endless discussions', continuing to rectify several points raised in his correspondent's recent letters, in part, 'Our contract gives you control of world sales, and the exhibitions in New York were arranged with the approval of the Galerie Rive Droite….To date no accounts have been given me of transactions….Among other activities in New York I was responsible for selling a watercolour for $400, as well as some drawings at a good price….In your second letter you say you haven't taken paintings to cover the contract. I have receipts for all the works you have taken which exceed what you have paid me. You admit you haven't paid me the four millions due in 1961. The contract stipulates three millions to be paid over the period…..I cannot go into details here, since you promised to keep accounts for me. Anyhow, your small investment in me has paid off already, I'm sure. And will continue to pay. I have done much more than you in the way of publicity: interviews, radio and television in France and abroad, as well as participating in non-commercial official exhibitions. In 59, before our contract I consigned only the Orateur to Loeb, asking him only 300.00 francs for it. He did not sell it because he probably asked a couple of thousand dollars for it, and I took it back. I sold it to you for 200.00 frs. as an object, although I have always considered it as important as any painting. But I wasn't going to argue with you - I counted on the future. So, the contract is void as from today.' A couple of very light, extremely minor corner creases, VG
[HARLOW JEAN]: (1911-1937) American actress & sex symbol. Vintage signed and inscribed sepia 8 x 10 photograph, the image showing the actress seated in a half-length pose. Signed in dark fountain pen ink by Harlow's mother on behalf of the actress, the signature largely running across a dark area of the image. Some very light, minimal age wear, VG
BOGART HUMPHREY: (1899-1957) American actor, Academy Award winner. Vintage signed and inscribed 7.5 x 9.5 photograph of the actor seated in a head and shoulders pose. Signed in fountain pen ink to the image, ‘To the crew of “The Ship”, Good sailing, Humphrey Bogart’. The signature and inscription are somewhat faded although legible when viewed at the correct angle. Neatly trimmed to the right border and with some light surface creasing and a few areas of loss to the image at the edges. Together with Lauren Bacall (1924-2014) American actress, the recipient of an Honorary Academy Award. Bacall was married to Bogart from 1945 until the actor’s death in 1957. Signed 8 x 10 photograph of Bacall seated on a desk in a three-quarter length pose, in costume as Vivian Sternwood Rutledge, speaking on a telephone as Bogart, in costume as Philip Marlowe, stands alongside in a scene from the film noir The Big Sleep (1946). Signed by Bacall in bold black ink with her name alone to a light area of the image. About G to VG, 2 The present photograph of Bogart was most likely presented to a pub where it was evidently displayed. Bogart himself was an enthusiastic sailor who had enlisted in the United States Navy during World War I and later spent around thirty weekends a year on the water after acquiring the sailing yacht Santana in 1945.
HOSCHEDE MONET ALICE: (1844-1911) French artists' model, wife of the art collector Ernest Hoschede and later of the Impressionist painter Claude Monet. A.L.S., Alice, three pages, 8vo, n.p. (Poissy), n.d., to a friend, in French. Hoschede Monet announces 'Nous t'avions attendu hier toute la journee et j'ai ete bien etonne de vous que tu etais passe a Poissy sans t'arreter. J'espere que tu ne manqueras pas de venir avec qui tu le dis a la fin de la semaine car je crois que M. Monet doit revenir lundi ou Mardi' (Translation: 'We had been waiting for you all day yesterday and I was very surprised that you passed by Poissy without stopping. I hope you won't fail to come with whomever you say at the end of the week because I believe that Mr. Monet must return on Monday or Tuesday') and continues 'Je souhaite que toute tes belles esperances se realisent, mais n'ose y croire beaucoup! Marthe va mieux je crois elle a bien souffert tous ces jours......tous les enfants ne cessent de te demander et hier a chaque coup de sonnette ils se precipitaient esperant toujours te voir arriver. Enfin j'espere que cette fois tu ne manqueras par de venir pour moi.....Je ne puis aller a Paris etant absolument sans argent pour le moment' (Translation: 'I wish that all your beautiful hopes come true, but dare not believe it much! Marthe is better, I think she suffered a lot these days…..all the children keep asking for you and yesterday at each ring of the doorbell they rushed in, still hoping to see you arrive. Anyway, I hope that this time you won't fail to come for me…..I can't go to Paris, being absolutely without money for the moment'). Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VGAlice Hoschede Monet had six children by her marriage to Ernest Hoschede; Blanche (who married Claude Monet's son, Jean Monet, in 1897), Germaine, Suzanne, Marthe, Jean-Pierre and Jacques.
DORE GUSTAVE: (1832-1883) French printmaker, illustrator, painter and sculptor. A.N.S., with his initials G D, to the recto of his personal printed oblong 12mo Visiting Card, featuring his printed name to the centre and address at Rue St. Dominique to the lower right corner, n.p,, n.d., in French. Dore states that two little comedies will be performed that evening, adding ‘tachez donc de venir’ (Translation: ‘so try to come’). Some very light, minimal age wear, otherwise VG
DOLOMIEU DEODAT GRATET DE: (1750-1801) French geologist after whom the mineral and the rock dolomite were named. A supporter of Napoleon Bonaparte during the French Revolution, Dolomieu was captured and held as a prisoner of war in Italy from 1799. Following Napoleon's successful invasion of Italy, one of the terms dictated by him in the peace treaty of Florence in March 1801 was the immediate release of Dolomieu. An extremely rare autograph manuscript signed, with his initials G D D, two pages, 12mo (6.5 x 9.5 cm), n.p., n.d., in French. Dolomieu's manuscript notes, comprising thirty-seven lines written in a small, although perfectly legible, hand is entitled 'Les Erreurs reconnues sont des verites acquises' (Translation: 'The errors recognised are the truths acquired') and states, in part, 'et leur decouverte est d'autant plus utile qu'elles ont été de nature à séduire beaucoup de gens. Les erreurs vécues empechent l'esprit de s'occuper de nouvelles recherches: on croit savoir et c'est le plus grand obstacle a savoir reellement…….La verite recherchee par les hommes est comme le feu qu'ils produisent avec des matieres combustibles; plus elle s'etend, plus elle a de tendance a s'etendre de nouveau. On fait un pas vers la decouverte de la cause d'un phenomene quelconque lorsque l'on trouve que les causes auxquelles on l´attribuait n'ont aucun rapport avec lui. Comme il n'y a point d'effets sans causes, lorsqu'on decouvre un plus grand nombre de faits qui, quoique contemporain d'un phenomene, n'ont point de rapports avec lui, on se rapproche de la connaissance de la cause qui pourra l'expliquer. Cette methode d'approche de la verite, qu'on peut dire negative et d'exclusion peut reussir finalement quoiqu'elle puisse etre longue. Mais elle est essentielle a employer surtout dans les recherches geologiques' (Translation: 'and their discovery is all the more useful in that they have been of a nature to seduce many people. Errors experienced prevent the mind from dealing with new research: we think we know and this is the greatest obstacle to really knowing…….The truth sought by men is like the fire they produce with combustible materials; the more it expands, the more it tends to expand again. One takes a step toward discovering the cause of any phenomenon when one finds that the causes to which it was attributed have no connection with it. As there are no effects without causes, when we discover a greater number of facts which, although contemporaneous with a phenomenon, have no connection with it, we come closer to knowing the cause that can explain it. This method of approaching the truth, which can be said to be negative and of exclusion, can ultimately succeed, although it may take a long time. But it is essential to use especially in geological research'). An interesting and important text. Some very light, minor foxing and age wear, otherwise VG The text of Dolomieu's manuscript originates from a scientific work published in 1778-79 by Jean-Andre Deluc (1727-1817) Swiss geologist, natural philosopher and meteorologist who devised measuring instruments. Deluc's father was a supporter of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Jean-Andre also wrote of conversations he had experienced with Voltaire and Rousseau in an essay on the General Principle of Mortality which he had published in 1798.
VAN DONGEN KEES: (1877-1968) Dutch Painter, a member of the Fauves. A curious and fine A.L.S., `Kiki´, two pages, 8.5 x 11, Naples, Wednesday morning, n.d., on his printed heading of 5 rue Juliette Lambert, to his wife, in French. Van Dogen reports how are his recent days in Naples, stating `Réveillé par le commandement. Hotel Santa Lucia. Naples. Ben mon vieux c´est du Madame à la Jamaique, J´écoute et j´obéis. Donc (je dors encore un peu et le plombier est entrain de m´arranger un robinet pour que j´ai de l´eau chaude dans mon petit fourbi) il ne se pase rien ici sinon qu´il fait un froid de canard presque froid à allumer le feu´ (Translation: “Awakened by the commandment. Hotel Santa Lucia. Naples. Well, my old man, this is like a Madame in Jamaica. I listen and I obey. So (I'm still sleeping a little and the plumber is fixing a tap for me so that I have hot water in my little closet) nothing is happening here except that it's freezing cold, almost cold. to light the fire”) Van Dongen further refers to his work as writer, referring to his work on Rembrandt, and states `De froid, d´ennui et de tristesse je travaille mais le coeur n´y est pas… je travaille à ce Rembrandt, mais plus j´avance plus cela me paraît bête, je fais aussi de la peinture, c´est moins bête…´ (Translation: “With cold, boredom and sadness I work but my heart is not in it... I work on this Rembrandt, but the more I advance the more stupid it seems to me, I also paint, it's less stupid…”) Further again and before concluding, Van Dongen says `Je mange bien à la maison et je dors comme un ange. Je t´embrasse et je vais engueuler… qui ne m´a pas encore livré mes cadres…´ (Translation: “I eat well at home and I sleep like an angel. I kiss you and I am going to yell… who has not delivered my paintings yet to me…”) VG Kees Van Dongen wrote Rembrandt, based on Rembrandt´s life, which was published in 1943.
TROUGHTON PATRICK: (1920-1987) English actor, famous for his role as the second incarnation of the Doctor in the British television science fiction series Doctor Who. Signed and inscribed colour 4 x 6 postcard photograph of Troughton in a head and shoulders pose in costume as the Doctor. Signed in bold blue ink to a light area at the base of the image. Together with a postcard photograph of actor Jon Pertwee in costume as Worzel Gummidge, bearing a facsimile signature to the lower white border, and also including signed postcard photographs (2) and slightly larger (1) by the British politicians James Callaghan, Harold Wilson and David Owen. A few very minor faults, generally VG to about EX, 5
GREGOIRE HENRI: (1750-1831) Abbe Gregoire. French catholic priest and revolutionary leader who was an ardent slavery abolitionist and supporter of universal suffrage. Concluding portion of an A.L.S., Gregoire, one page, small oblong 8vo, n.p., 21st May (1795), in French. The seven lines of text state, in full, ‘Je reitere mes salutations, mes souhaits d'heureux voyage a Mr. Taylor et a son compagnon de route. Je profite de la complaisance en le priant de se charger des deux paquets ci-joint. Salut cordial’ (Translation: ‘I reiterate my greetings and my wishes for a happy journey to Mr. Taylor and his travelling companion. I take advantage of the complacency by asking him to take care of the two attached packages. Cordial greetings’). Very slightly irregularly trimmed and with a few spots of light foxing and a strip of former mounting tape to the right edge of the verso, G
DE GAULLE CHARLES: (1890-1970) French General and statesman who led the Free French Forces during World War II. President of the French Republic 1959-69. An excellent, early A.L.S., C de Gaulle, four pages, 8vo, Paris, 12th January 1926, to ‘Mon cher camarade’, on the printed stationery of Philippe Petain, as a Marshal of France and Vice President of the Superior War Council, in French. De Gaulle commences his letter writing ‘Les observations que vous avez hier voulu m'adresser au sujet de l'etude sur le "Role de Nos Places" sont, pour moi, une preuve nouvelle de votre comprehension et de la penetration de votre esprit toutes sont judicieuses et si je ne me rallie pas a charme, croyez bien que j'en tire profit’ (Translation: ‘The observations that you wanted to address to me yesterday on the subject of the study on the “Role of Our Places” are, for me, a new proof of your understanding and of the penetration of your mind, all of them are judicious and if I do not rally to charm, believe me that I take advantage of it’) and further states ‘Nous sommes d'accord me semble t'il quant a la maniere de juger.....Gouvion St. Cyr et meme sere de Rivieres: Chacun de ces hommes doit etre loue pour avoir su faire la synthese des conditions de la defense nationale a leur epoque…… Mais, peut etre ne voyons-nous pas tout a fait les choses sous le meme angle, quant au necessites d'aujourd hui’ (Translation: ‘We are in agreement, it seems to me, as to the way of judging…..Gouivon St. Cyr and even Sere de Rivieres: Each of these men must be praised for having been able to synthesise the conditions of national defence in their time…….But maybe we don’t see things from quite the same angle when it comes to today’s needs’). De Gaulle also observes ‘Vous paraissiez inquiet d'une organisation defensive qui enchainerait le plan du commandement. Aussi ne faut-il pas a mon humble avis, que l'organisation defensive soit -comme beaucoup la souhaitent - fonction du plan d'operations. L'organisation defensive, necessaire en permanence et qui tient aux conditions geographiques, politiques, morales meme ou se trouve le pays est une affaire du gouvernement. Le plan d'operations est l'affaire du commandement’ (Translation: ‘You seemed worried about a defensive organisation that would chain the command plan. Also, in my humble opinion, the defensive organisation should not be – as many would like – a function of the plan of operations. The defensive organisation, which is permanently necessary, and which depends on the geographical, political and even moral conditions in which the country finds itself, is a matter of the government. The operations plan is the business of command’). A letter of very fine content. Some very light, minimal age wear, otherwise about EXLaurent de Gouvion Saint-Cyr (1764-1830) 1st Marquis de Gouvion-Saint-Cyr. French military commander in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. A Marshal of the Empire, Saint-Cyr is regarded as Napoleon’s finest commander in defensive warfare.Raymond Adolphe Sere de Rivieres (1815-1895) French General and military engineer whose ideas revolutionised the design of fortifications in France.Philippe Petain (1856-1951) French General and Marshal of France who commanded the French Army in World War I and became head of the collaborationist regime of Vichy France from 1940-44 during World War II. De Gaulle had been the protégée of Petain from 1912, and throughout World War I, however by the time of the present letter their relationship had become strained. De Gaulle would later declare that Petain’s life was ‘successively banal, then glorious, then deplorable, but never mediocre’.
ASQUITH H. H.: (1852-1928) British Prime Minister 1908-16. A.L.S., H. H. Asquith, three pages, 8vo, Cavendish Square, London, 5th March 1897, to his elder brother William Willans Asquith (‘My dear Dawdles’). Asquith thanks his brother for their two letters and continues ‘I am glad to say that both Margot & the little girl are going on very well. The latter is very tiny, but is declared by the experts to be exceptionally good looking. Violet, as you may imagine, is in a seventh heaven.’ Asquith also adds that he thinks the boys will go to the seaside for Easter and hopes that his brother will enjoy his trip. Some very light, extremely minor age wear. VGWilliam Willans Asquith (1851-1918) Elder brother of H. H. Asquith who was educated at Oxford and became school housemaster at Clifton College, Bristol. H. Asquith had married his second wife, the socialite and author Margot Tennant (1864-1945) in 1894 and together they parented five children. The present letter was written shortly after the birth of Elizabeth Asquith on 26th February 1897. A sister to Violet (1887-1969, later Violet Bonham Carter), Elizabeth was described as ‘a precocious child of uncertain temper but great intelligence’ and was to become Princess Bibesco following her marriage to the Romanian diplomat Prince Antoine Bibesco (1878-1951).
KABIR HUMAYUN: (1906-1969) Indian politician who served as Minister of Education (1963) and was also a poet, essayist and novelist in the Bengali-language. Autograph statement signed, Humayan Kabir, one page, 4to, Paris, 10th June 1961, in French. The head of the page is titled Enquête mondiale - Maximes de vie des personnalites contemporaines (Translation: ‘World survey – Life maxims of contemporary personalities’) in the hand of a researcher and immediately beneath Kabir has penned several lines of text, ‘Il faut accepter des differences comme un fait de vie, mais essayer d'etablir l'unite sur les fonds de l'universalite de raison, compassion et comprehension de tout le monde’ (Translation: ‘We must accept differences as a fact of life, but try to establish unity on the basis of the universality of reason, compassion and understanding of everyone’). Some very light, minimal creasing to the upper edge, VG
KOROLEV SERGEI: (1907-1966) Russian rocket engineer and spacecraft designer during the Space Race between the Soviet Union and the United States of America in the 1950s and 1960s. Korolev is regarded as the father of practical astronautics. A rare vintage signed 3.5 x 5 photograph of Korolev in a head and shoulders pose. Signed in bold black fountain pen ink to a light area at the base of the image and dated 1964 in his hand. About EX
WELLINGTON DUKE OF: (1769-1852) Anglo-Irish Field Marshal, the Victor of Waterloo, 1815. British Prime Minister 1828-30, 1834. An excellent, lengthy A.L.S., Wellington, eight pages, 4to, Elvas, 17th June 1811, to Sir Charles Stuart. Wellington acknowledges receipt of his correspondent’s three letters (‘as I have been forward with the troops for some days I have not been able to send you answers as regularly as I ought’), adding that he does not recall having written to Stuart on the subject of hay in Lower Beira, ‘If I should want any article of that description, and money is to be laid out in the previous collection of it for a magazine for the British army, I shall employ a British Commissary on the service, as I know from experience what a very good thing it is to give money to have a magazine collected for the British army by the Portuguese. We can scarcely keep them out of the magazines we collect for ourselves and we should scarcely get into one which they should collect for us’ and continuing to relay his views on the current state of affairs in frank terms, ‘If it was not a matter of most serious importance, which may go not only to the safety of the army, but to the fate of the whole cause, I should be highly diverted by the bustle occasioned at Lisbon by the danger of Elvas. All of a sudden the utmost activity prevails, and all means are set at work to relieve distress which ought never to have existed, if common precautions had been taken, or if any measures had been adopted to feed General Hamilton’s division, excepting to throw their consumption upon the magazines of the fortress. After all this bustle will produce nothing in time; and if I cannot get up a sufficient supply from our magazines, I shall be obliged to fight a battle to save this place against the whole force of Andalusia, Castille and the centre of Spain, with diminished force on my side. The enemy will be one fourth stronger than us in every arm, nearly double in cavalry, and we shall not have in the action 14000 Portuguese troops!! Under these circumstances I should, and shall, avoid a general action if I can; but I must put a countenance upon the state of affairs, and matters must be risked till provisions be placed in Elvas. The Portuguese Government may depend upon my bringing this subject under the distinct consideration of the Regent’s Ministers. I have long determined that I will have no discussion with them upon any subject; but I shall report the consequences of their conduct to my own Government, and leave to them to determine what shall be done. I conclude, however, that Lord Wellesley will think it necessary that our Regent should explain himself clearly to the Regent of Portugal on these subjects. I have no objection to agricultural cattle being purchased and distributed to the districts that require them, provided the money which is to purchase them is not to come out of the military chest…..I also beg that whatever is thus given in charity may be given on the ground of the wants of the several districts, and by no means in reference to the wants of the means of transport for the military operations. The Government have it in their power to collect those means of transport whenever we may require them, and ought to do their duty; and I do not think that the charity of the people of England ought to be laid out to aid in the operations of the war, or to save the Government the trouble of forcing those parts of the people who have not suffered to do their duty by their country. The quantity of 24 pound shot, we understand, that could be sent from Lisbon, was 480, which we fired in about two hours!!! I never heard there was any at Estremoz. This place, however, has 6000 mors shot than it had before we commenced operations against Badajoz; and although we destroyed sixteen miserable guns, it has four more pieces of ordnance, and these sent up are better than those they had. All it wants is provisions. The state of this place, however, and the means of keeping it hereafter, are subjects of very, very serious consideration, upon which I shall address Sir William Beresford….If we save it now, this Government will yet lose it, if they pay the usual attention to it’. Wellington concludes his letter with news of manoeuvres, ‘Soult has been very cautious in his movements, and has kept clear of us, and has gone to his right. I think he communicated with Regnier yesterday, not by Merida, but by Medellin, as Regnier also does not dash now. We raised the blockade and crossed the Guadiana this morning. Blake marches tomorrow to cross the Guadiana again at Mertola, and try something towards Seville’. A letter of outstanding content written at the height of the Peninsular War. Some light age wear and a few minor, small tears to some edges, otherwise VG Charles Stuart (1779-1845) British diplomat, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Portugal and Brazil 1810-14. British Ambassador to France 1815-24, 1828-30 and British Ambassador to Russia 1841-44. Sir John Hamilton (1755-1835) British Lieutenant-General who attached himself to Wellington’s British army on campaign in 1810. Richard Wellesley (1760-1842) 1st Marquess Wellesley. Anglo-Irish politician and colonial administrator who served as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs 1809-12. Elder brother of the Duke of Wellington. William Beresford (1768-1854) 1st Viscount Beresford. Anglo-Irish General who fought alongside Wellington in the Peninsular War. Jean-de-Dieu Soult (1769-1851) 1st Duke of Dalmatia. French General, a Marshal of the Empire during the Napoleonic Wars. From 1808 Soult commanded the French forces during the Peninsular War and was ultimately driven out of Spain by the coalition forces under the command of the Duke of Wellington. Joaquin Blake (1759-1827) Spanish General who served with distinction in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
BEAMISH VICTOR: (1903-1942) Irish Group Captain, a fighter pilot and flying ace of World War II who participated in the Battle of Britain. A rare D.S., F V Beamish, one page, folio, n.p., 18th September 1940. The partially printed document, completed in Beamish’s hand, is a Combat Report (RAF Form 1151, marked Secret) providing details of one of the pilot’s aerial engagements and victories over the Isle of Sheppey during the Battle of Britain, the narrative stating, in part, ‘I took off after 249 Sqdn…..The Sqdn. was then at 21,000…..The 109’s were camouflaged exactly to match our Spitfires & were only noticeable by the square wing tail & the black cross beneath the wings at close range…..I immediately attacked the….109 & got a couple of good bursts into it. Its undercarriage dropped down & it poured out a lot of smoke & lost height rapidly. This was seen by P G Barton (249 Sqdn) from above……& he watched it down to within a few feet from the ground but then had to continue formation with his squadron. I then got another good burst into another 109 and was then set upon by three other 109s. My ammunition was almost gone, & I got out of a hot corner, after a few circles’. Autographs of Beamish are rare in any form as a result of him being killed in action during World War II at the young age of 38. A few small, minor tears to the edges, one only very slightly affecting one word of text, and some light age wear, about VG
FREUD LUCIAN: (1922-2011) British painter. A good, rare A.L.S., with his initial L, two pages, 8vo, Rue de Seine, Paris, n.d. (1953), to Ann [Fleming], on the printed stationery of the Hotel La Louisiane. Freud announces ‘In spite of Doc. Leadinghams (sic) warning “Life is cruel, my dear!” we are very well’ and explains that Caroline [Blackwood] will be coming to London for two days on the 18th, ‘so could you please make a date for her with leadface for the 19th?’, further writing of his upcoming marriage, ‘I think a Paris wedding would perhaps be best as one needs no documents except my divorce papers but where-ever it takes place do please be my best man! The main advantage of being married here is that it can be done at dusk so that one can emerge, spliced, into the Paris night’. Freud also makes a reference to Ann’s husband, Ian Fleming, stating ‘I am becoming rather like Ian in so much so that a number of subjects can not safely be mentioned in my presence’. A letter of good content and association. Some very light, extremely minor creasing, otherwise VGAnn Fleming (1913-1981) British socialite whose third husband, from 1952, was Ian Fleming (1908-1964) British writer of the James Bond series of spy novels. Ann Fleming’s friends included the artists Francis Bacon and Lucian Freud, the latter of whom painted her portrait.Lady Caroline Blackwood (1931-1996) English writer, socialite and dilettante. Blackwood, the Guinness heiress, was depicted in Freud’s painting Girl in Bed (1952) as well as the autobiographical Hotel Bedroom (1954), the latter also featuring Freud himself and painted at a time when his relationship with Blackwood was beginning to unravel. Both paintings were executed at the Hotel La Louisiane, from where the present letter was written. Ann Fleming had introduced Blackwood to Freud and in December 1952 the two lovers eloped to Paris. Freud’s marriage to his first wife, Kitty Garman, was formally dissolved on 27th November 1953 and two weeks later, on 9th December, Freud and Blackwood were married in a civil ceremony at the Chelsea Register Office in London.
RACINE JEAN: (1639-1669) French dramatist, one of the three great playwrights of 17th century France. An extremely rare ownership signature ('Racine') to the base of a slim 8vo title page (3 x 6"; 8 x 15.5 cm) removed from a second edition of Histoire de l'état présent de l'empire Ottoman, contenant le maximes politiques des Turcs, les principaux points de la religion Mahométane, ses sectes, ses hérésies, & ses diverses sortes de religieux; leur discipline militaire, avec une supputation exacte de leurs forces par mer & par terre, & du revenu de l'Etat, translated from the English of [Paul] Rycaut by Monsieur Briot, published by Sebastien Mabre-Cramoisy, Paris, 1670. Neatly inlaid and with some extremely minor, light age wear, about VG Provenance: From the celebrated collection of Robert de Flers (1872-1927) French playwright, opera librettist and journalist. The manuscripts amassed by de Flers were dispersed in 2014 at an auction in Paris conducted by Beaussant Lefevre.
[WHISTLER JAMES MCNEILL]: (1834-1903) American painter. The personal printed black bordered small oblong 12mo Visiting Card of Whistler, unsigned, featuring his printed name ('Mr. J. McNeill Whistler’) to the centre and addresses at both Cheyne Walk, Chelsea (London) and Rue du Bac (Paris) to the base. Accompanied by the original envelope addressed to Madame and Mademoiselle Mallarme at Rue de Rome and postmarked at Paris, 1898. Some light age wear to the envelope, otherwise VG Genevieve Mallarme (1864-1919) Daughter of the French symbolist poet Stephane Mallarme and the subject of James McNeill Whistler’s painting Rose et gris: Genevieve Mallarme (1897).
DONAT ROBERT: (1905-1958) English actor, Academy Award winner. A good vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph of the actor in a head and shoulders pose. Signed by Donat in bold, dark fountain pen ink to the image and dated 1950 in his hand. Some light surface and corner creasing, about VG Provenance: The present photograph was inscribed to Roy Moseley, author of several film star biographies.
ANDERSEN HANS CHRISTIAN: (1805-1875) Danish author, best remembered for his literary fairy tales. A fine pair of autograph fair copy manuscript verses signed ('H. C. Andersen') by Andersen, one page, large oblong 4to (approximately 13 x 10.5”, 32.5 x 26 cm), Paris, 26th April 1943, in Danish and French. To the left side of the page Andersen has penned his verse Soldaten ('The Soldier') in Danish, the four-verse work of four lines each, part of a song cycle, commencing 'Med daempede Hvirvler Trommerne gaae/ Ak, skal vi da aldrig til Stedet naae/ At hank an faae Ro i sin Kiste!/ Jeg troer mit Hjerte vil briste' (Translation: 'Our steps keep time with the muffled drum/ How slow it seems, and how long the march/ O, that he was at peace and everything done/ My heart is pounding'). To the right side of the page the author has penned a French translation of his verse, headed Le Soldat ecrite d'Andersen. Signed and dated by Andersen at the foot of the page. Manuscript verses by Andersen are extremely rare and highly sought after, and the present example is particularly charming. Some light staining and a few small, minor tears to the edges and with a vertical fold to the centre with neat splitting to the upper and lower edges and the whole reinforced with a thin strip of light tape to the verso. GHans Christian Andersen visited Paris on eight occasions during his lifetime and it was his second visit in 1843 (during which time he penned the present verses) that was perhaps the most important to him personally as he purposefully made it his ambition to meet French writers and artists, and thus succeeded in being accepted into the Parisian literary community. It is more than likely that the present verses were written at the request of one such member of the literary circles in Paris; we know that Andersen penned two similar verses on the same day, 26th April 1943, in the album amicorum of the poet and Romanticist Alfred de Vigny (1797-1863) and his wife Lydia.
WITZLEBEN ERWIN VON: (1881-1944) German Field Marshal of World War II, Knight’s Cross winner. A resistance fighter in the 20 July Plot against Hitler. D.S., V Witzleben, in blue indelible pencil, one page, 8vo, n.p., 1st September 1943, in German. The partially printed document, completed in typescript, awards the Kriegsverdienstkreuz (War Merit Cross) Second Class with Swords to Feldwebel Wilhelm Schoch. Signed at the foot by Witzleben in his capacity as Generalmajor. Two file holes to the left edge and with some light creasing and minor age wear, about VG
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