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Click here to subscribeThree Charlie Bears teddy bears designed by Isabelle Lee, comprising Button (CB 194513), cream with brown tip curly plush, height 26 cm, Big DC panda bear (CB 0104639) QVC exclusive limited edition of 800, white and brown with frosted tip long pile plush, swing labels, height 51cm and Bradley (CB 094305), light brown plush with darker brown tip, height 36cm, all with swing tags. (3)
Three Charlie Bears panda bears, designed by Isabelle Lee, Caleb (CB 114809), dark brown and light brown plush, height 48cm, Chrissie (CB 194536), limited edition of 2600, brown and cream plush, and Nicola (CB 124963), limited edition of 900, cream and dark green/grey plush, height 36cm, all with swing tags. (3)
Three Charlie Bears teddy bears, designed by Isabelle Lee, Naomi panda bear (CB 114735), beige and light brown long pile plush, height 34cm, Cody (CB 114810B) dark brown long pile plush, height 41cm, and Bobby Dazzler (CB 121328), QVC exclusive, dark brown with golden tip plush, height 48cm, all with swing tags. (3)
Three Charlie Bears teddy bears, designed by Isabelle Lee, Leonie, QVC exclusive, CB 124915, golden, white and dark brown variegated plush, height 41cm, Tiana, CB 604794A, cream and leopard plush, limited edition 2973 of 3000, height 28cm and Walker panda bear, CB 114945, LE 600, CB Best Friends Club, dark brown with cream tipping / light brown with cream tip plush, height 36cm, all with swing tags. (3)
Three Charlie Bears teddy bears, designed by Isabelle Lee, comprising Grant (CB 114638B), with long pile brown plush, height 48cm, Ross (CB 183986), limited edition of 6000, with brown and cream plush, height 53cm, and Perry (CB 614852B) with brown with light brown tip plush, height 32cm, all with swing labels. (3)
Two Charlie Bears teddy bears, designed by Isabelle Lee, both original bears from Wilfy's Wonderful Wildlife Collection, Shades (CB 104654), limited edition of 1923, with black and light brown with golden tip long pile plush, height 53cm, and Seth (CB 194202), limited edition of 2600, with black and golden plush, height 45.5cm, both with swing tags. (2)
Three Charlie Bears teddy bears, designed by Isabelle Lee, Tom (CB 104739), black plush, height 29cm, Trevor (CB 114819), brown with blonde tip and light brown with cream tip plush, height 46cm and Lita (CB 114810A), limited edition of 1000, light brown with dark brown tip plush, height 41cm, all with swing labels. (3)
A large 1930s French Art Deco pressed glass vase by Edmond Etling of shouldered ovoid form with a repeat abstract lattice panel design over a stylised fruiting and foliate ground, picked out with a faint grey stain, relief moulded mark to the base, fitted with a removable light bracket for internal and external light, height 28cm.
A late 19th Century pedestal comport decorated to the centre with a hand painted fruit roundel within a light peach border with a gilt overlay pattern, the pedestal raised to three claw feet, unmarked, possibly Coalport, height 15cm, diameter 23.5cm, together with a Staffordshire basket with hand painted floral decoration, unmarked, length 25cm, both S/D. (2)
A PAIR OF FANCY YELLOW DIAMOND AND WHITE DIAMOND EARRINGS in 18ct white gold, each set with a pear shaped brilliant cut yellow diamond of 0.76 and 0.74 carats, within halos of round cut diamonds, suspended from rows of further round cut diamonds, stamped 750, 2.8cm, 5.8g. Accompanied by two gemological reports from the GIA stating that the diamond of 0.74 carats is of fancy yellow colour, natural colour origin, SI1 clarity, and that the diamond of 0.76 carats is of fancy light yellow colour, natural colour origin, VS2 clarity.
NICHOLAS I: (1796-1855) Emperor of Russia 1825-55. L.S., Nicolas, a good and bold signature example, three pages, folio, Saint Petersburg, 23rd March 1837, to His Majesty the King of Naples, in Cyrillic. The manuscript letter informs the King, 'Our Dear Brother and Friend.. after having accepted the petition received from our Privy Councillor, Chamberlain and Cavalier Count Adam Matushevits, who is residing now at the Court of Your Majesty as our Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Minister, we relieve him from his duty and Envoy..´. Countersigned at the foot by Karl Nesselrode. Accompanied by the original envelope wrapper bearing a large Imperial paper seal. Some extremely light, minor age wear, otherwise VG Ferdinand II (1810-1859) King of the Two Sicilies 1830-59. Karl Nesselrode (1780-1862) Russian Count and Diplomat. Foreign Affairs Minister 1816-56. Nesselrode served under Tsars Alexander I, Nicholas I and Alexander II.
MACLAREN ARCHIE: (1871-1944) English Cricketer, Captain of the England team 1899-1902, 1909. A good vintage signed postcard photograph depicting MacLaren standing in a full length pose at the crease with his cricket bat. Signed ('A. C. MacLaren') in bold, dark fountain pen ink with his name alone to a light area of the image. VG
JONES ROBERT T.: (1902-1971) American Golfer, Open Champion 1926, 1927 & 1930 and American Open Champion 1923, 1926, 1929 & 1930. T.L.S., Bob, two pages, slim 4to, Atlanta, Georgia, 19th July 1966, to Pat Ward-Thomas. Jones acknowledges receipt of his correspondent's letter and remarks 'Believe me, there is nothing I dislike more than failing to accept enthusiastically any assignment you might give me….' although continues to express some reservations, explaining 'My health has been especially troublesome lately and I have been sorely pressed with personal matters, especially in putting together some odds and ends for a book on golf technique I am publishing in October', further adding 'I am not one of those fortunate persons who can sit down before a typewriter and spill out words that make sense. The act of creation on a blank page costs me no end of pain. You speak so lightly of a piece of a thousand to twelve hundred words. For me, it would be just as easy to write five or six thousand; it is making the start that hurts. I honestly see no way I can do what you ask straight out of a clear, blue sky. If you might be able to accept the reservation that I shall try once I have seen your proof, then I shall be happy to have a go at it……If the uncertainty thus imposed is too great, I shall not be sensitive. On the other hand, I hope to be feeling better later on and perhaps may gain some grain of inspiration…..' Some light creasing and a few small, minor staple holes to the upper left corner of each page, about VG Pat Ward-Thomas (1913-1982) Author of golfing books including The World Atlas of Golf
DIETRICH MARLENE: (1901-1992) German-American Actress and Singer. A.L.S., Marlene, one page, 8vo, Copenhagen, n.d. (early 1970s), to 'Dearest' (Gene Lovelle), on the printed stationery of the Hotel Kong Frederik. Dietrich writes, in full, 'Please bring with you tonight what I owe you (Postcards etc).' Some light creasing, otherwise VG Dietrich's correspondent was Gene Lovelle, her dresser during the 1960s and 1970s who was married to Chic Lovelle, the star's guitarist.
MOUGLALIS ANNA: (1978- ) French Actress. Mouglalis played the main role in the film Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, 2009. Colour signed 8 x 12 photograph, the image showing her standing outdoors in a topless half length pose. Signed in bold black ink to a partially light area of the image. VG
DEREK BO: (1956- ) American Actress & Model. Signed 8 x 10 photograph of Derek seated in a full length pose at the edge of the sea in costume from her breakthrough role as Jenny Hanley in the sex comedy 10 (1979). Signed by Derek in bold blue fountain pen ink with her name alone to a light area of the image. EX
PRESLEY ELVIS: (1935-1977) American Rock 'n' Roll Singer. A good, early vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph of the young, handsome Presley in a head and shoulders pose. Signed in fountain pen ink to a clear area of the background, 'To Skeeter, a swell gal. My Best to you, Elvis Presley'. The inscription and signature are a little faded in places although remain reasonably legible. Together with a good multiple signed and inscribed vintage 8 x 10 photograph by all four members of the American vocal quartet The Jordanaires, who provided backing vocals for Presley, comprising Neal Matthews Jr. ('Skeeter, you've made this tour the happiest for me, Neal Matthews Jr.'), Gordon Stoker ('Skeeter - you're one of the sweetest girls I've ever worked with, Gordon Stoker'), Hoyt Hawkins ('Skeeter - I admire you far more than the fine singing & needless to say it has been fun. Hoyt Hawkins') and Hugh Jarrett ('Skeeter: My best to two fine little gal singers who are also two fine little ladies, Hugh Jarrett', evidently referring to Skeeter's unrelated singing partner, Betty Jack Davis), the image depicting the four singers in half length poses together. Signed by each in bold blue fountain pen inks to clear areas of the background. An unusual pair of signed photographs with a good association. A few very light, minor surface and corner creases and one very small, light stain to the base of Presley's image. Generally VG, 2 Skeeter Davis (1931-2004) American Country Music Singer, one half of the duo The Davis Sisters during the late 1940s. In the late 1950s Davis became a solo artist and is regarded as one of the first women to achieve major stardom in the Country Music field as a solo singer, influencing both Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette.The Davis Sisters made a regional tour alongside Elvis Presley and Hank Snow in 1955 and it is evidently from this date that the present pair of signed photographs originate.
MONKEES THE: An excellent vintage signed 10 x 8 photograph by all four members of the American rock band of the late 1960s individually, comprising Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones and Mike Nesmith, the image depicting the band in full length poses energetically performing one of their songs. Signed by each in red ink to clear areas of the image. Signed photographs of The Monkees from this period of their career are surprisingly scarce. Some very light, minor surface and corner creasing, VG
ALI MUHAMMAD: (1942-2016) American Boxer, World Heavyweight Champion. Signed and inscribed 7.5 x 10 photograph of Ali standing in a half length boxing pose. In the immediate background appear two other large images of Ali. Signed in blue ink across a light area of the image and dated 19th February 1981 in his hand. A couple of very slight, minor surface creases, otherwise VG
GOUNOD CHARLES: (1818-1893) French Composer. Autograph Musical Manuscript Signed, Ch. Gounod, twice, four pages, folio (manuscript paper), n.p., n.d. (1880s), being the manuscript score of Gounod's sacred song For Ever with The Lord (1872), consisting of over 150 bars of music, with words, on 16 stave manuscript paper. With a smaller, neatly trimmed additional page of manuscript loosely inserted. Signed by Gounod to the title page, completed entirely in his hand, '”For ever with the Lord” a Sacred Song, The words by…The music by Ch. Gounod (nota) The copyright of this song belongs to M. M[ess]rs. Phillips and Page, Ch. Gounod'. Some light overall age wear and dust staining, most noticeable to the outer covers, about VG Gounod was a prolific composer of songs, although most of them were secular and only a small handful of religious songs, such as the present example, were written for the British market. During his lifetime Gounod's religious music was regarded in many quarters more highly than his most popular operas. Alfred Phillips and Sydney Hubert Page entered into partnership as music publishers in 1884, the same year in which they commissioned Gounod to compose the popular setting of The King of Love My Shepherd is. Phillips and Page went on to publish further works by Gounod including O Divine Redeemer.
POULENC FRANCIS: (1899-1963) French Composer, a member of Les Six. A.L.S., Poulenc, one page, 4to, n.p., Saturday, n.d., to Mr. Prunieres, in French. Poulenc states `Here you have the “good one to print”. It is perfect. In the next few days (4 or 5), I will send you a small vignette by Marie Laurencin for the front cover.´ Light signature. With traces of a former staple to the upper left corner. G
LEHAR FRANZ: (1870-1948) Austro-Hungarian Composer of operettas. Vintage signed sepia postcard photograph of Lehar in a half length pose with his hands gently clasped before him. Photograph by Franz Lowy of Vienna. Signed by Lehar in bold black fountain pen ink with his name alone to the lower white border. Together with an A.L.S., F Lehar, on one side of a correspondence card, n.p., 11th November 1922 (?), to a young lady, in German. Lehar thanks his correspondent for her charming photograph and adds that he will obtain tickets to Endlich allein for her, if she sends him a reminder. A couple of light, small minor stains to the edges of the image, G to VG, 2. Lehar's operetta Endlich allein (Alone at Last) premiered on 30th January 1914 at the Theater an der Wien. It was later revised into Schon ist die Welt (The World is Beautiful) in 1930, starring Richard Tauber.
SMETANA BEDRICH: (1824-1884) Czech Composer. A contemporary manuscript copy (unsigned and in an unidentified hand) of Consolation No.3 by Franz Liszt, eight pages, folio, n.p., n.d., contained in attractive printed paper wrappers published for Ignaz Fuchs in Prague, the front cover bearing the ownership signature ('B. Smetana') of Smetana in bold purple fountain pen ink and further annotated 'Liszt' in his hand. An unusual piece linking two of the great European composers of the 19th century. Some very light age wear and minor staining to the covers, only very slightly affecting Smetana's signature, about VG The third solo piano work from Liszt's Consolations was composed between 1849 and 1850 and is the most popular of the six compositions, and also a favourite encore piece. Smetana was a great admirer of Liszt and in 1840 made an entry in his diary expressing a desire to become 'a Mozart in composition and a Liszt in technique'. Seven years later Smetana applied to Liszt for financial help in establishing a musical school in Prague after the Hungarian had written encouragingly to the young Bohemian upon seeing some of his piano compositions, even offering to help find him a publisher for his music.
PAER FERDINANDO: (1771-1839) Italian Composer, employed by Napoleon from 1807. Paer composed the bridal march for Napoleon´s wedding to Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma, in 1810. A good A.L.S., Paër, two pages, 8vo, Paris, 12th December 1835, to Mademoiselle Leonore Leroy, in French. Paër states in part `My piano tuner, Mr Thorin lives at the Rue de l´Echiguer 44, Faubourg Poissonier. You have already forgotten my dear that Monday and Tuesday are the two last days for the exams at the Conservatory and that I must be there. Therefore postpone to a further date the presentation of the good Prince Wolkonski (who I wish to meet I know for the last two years)...´. With blank address leaf, bearing remnants of former seals. Some extremely light creasing to borders, with bottom edge very slightly trimmed, otherwise about VG
PAGANINI NICCOLO: (1782-1840) Italian Violinist and Composer. Rare D.S., Nicolo Paganini, being a signed receipt, Paris, 11th July 1838. The partially printed document, completed in another hand, in French, acknowledges the receipt of 3000 Fr from P. Dufour. With several ink strokes, serving as cancelations, partially running through the text and signature, Paganini´s signature remaining legible at the foot. Also bearing several annotations and cancellation to the verso. Some light overall age wear and two small, minor holes to the left and right edges. About VG
SPONTINI GASPARE: (1774-1851) Italian Composer & Conductor, a favourite of Napoleon Bonaparte. A.L.S., Spontini, one page, small 8vo, n.p., n.d. (c.1805?), to an unidentified correspondent, in French. Possibly the final page of a longer letter, the composer states, in part, 'Before Miss Francisca begins with the picture of Milton, that she has been kind enough to undertake, I wish to ask if it would be possible to increase its dimensions a little, to place it exactly at the top of my partition…..' With blank integral leaf. A few very light, extremely minor stains, otherwise VG The drawing referred to in the present letter would presumably have been used as an illustration to a libretto of Spontini's one act opera comique, Milton, based on the life of the English poet. The opera was first performed in Paris on 27th November 1804 and represented Spontini's first major success in France.
ROSSINI GIOACHINO: (1792-1868) Italian Composer. Rare A.M.Q.S., Gioachino Rossini, one page, oblong folio manuscript paper, Florence, 3rd June 1853. In bold dark fountain pen ink, Rossini has neatly penned a quotation for piano forte comprising ten bars of music across two staves, with small annotations, which he identifies as A[ndanti]no. Signed and dated by the composer immediately beneath the quotation. The document bears a watermark. Some light creasing and minor overall age wear, VG
DONIZETTI GAETANO: (1797-1848) Italian Composer. A.L.S., G. Donizetti, one page, 4to, Naples, 3rd May 1829, to Anna Carnevali, in Italian. A very good and lengthy letter, Donizetti asks if his correspondent `So you remember me? Your last letter was so late, and so cold, you (forgive me) make me believe that I had lost your friendship; I was looking for my guilt but could not find it with the exception of the Secret of Marriage… I feel deceived!´, further saying `The little songs are attached to the present letter, there are three, I haven´t had time to composed more because of the work and rehearsals on my old opera which I have to complete because I have to finish it and perform on July 6th at the San Carlo, Elisabetta al Castello di Kenilworth.´ Before concluding Donizetti states `If you respond to me, I will give you little songs..´. Some light overall creasing. Folded, with blank address leaf. G. It has been occasionally reported by few biographers a possible romance between Anna Carnevali and Donizetti. Elisabetta al Castello di Kenilworth is an opera by Donizetti, based on a Victor Hugo´s play, which was premiered as the present letter states at the Teatro San Carlo of Naples on 6th July 1829. It was the first of Donizetti´s operas based in the Tudor period of English history, later followed by Anna Bolena (1830) and Maria Stuarda (1835).
PUCCINI GIACOMO: (1858-1924) Italian Composer. A good vintage signed postcard photograph of Puccini in a head and shoulders pose. Signed ('Giacomo Puccini') in bold, dark fountain pen ink to a clear area of the background and dated Cairo, 19th February 1908 in his hand. Some very light, minor age wear and a few small creases to the upper edge and corners, not affecting the signature, otherwise VG
RACHMANINOFF SERGEI: (1873-1943) Russian Composer and Pianist. A vintage printed 8vo analytical programme for a Recital by Rachmaninoff organised under the management of Ibbs & Tillett of Wigmore Street, London, signed ('S. Rachmaninoff') by Rachmaninoff with his name alone in fountain pen ink to a clear area of the front cover beneath his portrait. Some very light, minor stains and age wear to the covers and a few minor spots of foxing to the inside pages, about VG
RACHMANINOFF SERGEI: (1873-1943) Russian Composer and Pianist. Vintage signed sepia 6.5 x 9.5 photograph of Rachmaninoff in a head and shoulders pose. Photograph by Mishkin of New York. Signed ('Sergei Rachmaninoff') in fountain pen ink to a light area of the image and dated 1923 in his hand. Attractively matted in gold and light burgundy and framed and glazed in a plain dark wooden frame to an overall size of 11.5 x 14.5. A couple of heavy surface and corner creases and some light silvering to the image, G
CORTOT ALFRED: (1877-1962) Franco-Swiss Pianist and Conductor. Vintage signed and inscribed 4.5 x 6printed image, most likely removed from a book or concert programme, depicting Cortot in a pensive head and shoulders pose. Signed in fountain pen ink to the lower white border. Some very light, extremely minor age wear and a few small traces of former mounting to the verso, about VG
BACKHAUS WILHELM: (1884-1969) German Pianist. A large signed and inscribed 15 x 11 sepia photographby Backhaus, the image depicting the pianist seated in a full length pose playing the piano. Signed in bold black fountain pen ink to a clear area of the image, and dated Buenos Aires 1921 in his hand. Together with Alexander Brailowski (1896-1976) Ukranian-French Pianist. Signed and inscribed 9 x 6.5 photograph, the slightly light image showing Brailowsky seated, in a three quarter length pose, alongside his piano. Signed in bold fountain pen ink to a light area of the image, dated Buenos Aires, September 1925 in his hand. The photograph has been professionally laid down on a thick cardboard. VG, 2
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Charles Halle (1819-1895) German Pianist and Conductor, founder of the Halle Orchestra. Vintage signed sepia cabinet photograph of Halle in a profile head and shoulders pose. Photograph by Johnstone O'Shannessy & Company Ltd. of Melbourne and bearing their imprint to the lower mount and verso. Signed by Halle with his name alone in fountain pen ink to the image; Wilma Neruda (1838-1911) Moravian Violinist, wife of Charles Halle. Vintage signed sepia cabinet photograph of Neruda standing in a three quarter length pose holding her violin. Photograph by Barraud of Liverpool and bearing his imprint to the lower mount and verso. Signed ('Wilma Halle') in black fountain pen ink with her name alone to a clear area of the image; Wilhelm Backhaus (1884-1969) German Pianist. Vintage signed sepia cabinet photograph of Backhaus in a head and shoulders pose. Photograph by Hahn Nachfolger of Dresden and bearing their imprint to the lower mount and verso. Signed by Backhaus with his name alone at the base of the image, largely across a darker area; Albert Visetti (1846-1928) Dalmatian Musician, Professor of Singing at the Royal College of Music in London. Vintage signed and inscribed sepia postcard photograph of Visetti standing in a three quarter length pose. Signed in dark fountain pen ink to a clear area of the background. Some light creasing, minor foxing and age wear, G to about VG, 4
SEMBRICH MARCELLA: (1858-1935) Polish Coloratura Soprano. A.L.S., Marcella Sembrich-Stengel, four pages, 8vo, Breslau, 27th October 1887, to a friend, in German. Sembrich announces 'You know there is no second woman in the world who is as lazy to write letters as I am, and therefore you should not be surprised that you have not heard from me for so long' and continues to thank her friend for having taken care of her brother ('He wrote to me that you are so kind and kind'), further asking if he might be able to help Leon find a job and enquiring if his wife and children are healthy. Sembrich also states 'We will definitely be in London next season. I will give concerts. When I'm back in Germany and you have the time, maybe we can meet on 21st November. Leon has the list of cities I will be in. Thank goodness I have great success everywhere' and concludes by referring to her correspondent's mother in Dresden whom she hopes he will meet and send warm greetings to. Some light overall age wear, two small tears to the edges and with a couple of minor traces of former mounting to the final page, not affecting the text or signature, G
HUMBOLDT ALEXANDER VON: (1769-1859) German Natural Scientist, Geographer & Explorer. A very fine, rare manuscript line chart signed, A v Humboldt, one page, oblong 8vo, n.p. (Spain), 1799, in French. In his typically small, neat hand Humboldt has recorded a profile of Peninsular Spain from the southeast to the northwest, from the coast of Valencia to that of Gelice, recording several major towns and cities including Medina del Campo, El Escorial, Madrid and Aranjuez and their height above sea level, also recording some of the latitudes and noting that the scale of distance is 1:100. Signed and annotated by Humboldt beneath the chart, also noting a comparison with the height above sea level of several other European cities and landmarks including Munich, Brocken, Schneekoppe (Snezka) and Mount Vesuvius. Rare in this form. Some very light, extremely minor age wear and two very small areas of paper loss to two corners, not affecting the chart, text or signature. About VG In the first half of 1799, at the time of preparing the present chart, Humboldt (accompanied by the botanist and physician Aime Bonpland) found himself in Madrid where he sought authorisation to travel to Spain's realms in the Americas. Receiving a positive response to his proposal, Humboldt was presented to King Charles IV and subsequently granted access to crown officials and written documentation on Spain's empire. Armed with authorisation from the King, Humboldt and Bonpland set sail on 5th June 1799 on their Spanish American expedition which would last until 1804. Humboldt's historic expedition is now regarded as having laid the foundation of the sciences of physical geography, plant geography and meteorology. On a personal level, the geographer's decades' long endeavour to publish the results of the expedition resulted not only in multiple volumes, but also drew him to the attention of the reading public with popular densely illustrated, condensed versions of his work in multiple languages. Importantly it also secured Humboldt's international reputation in scientific circles.
MURCHISON RODERICK: (1792-1871) Scottish Geologist. A.L.S., Rodk. Murchison, one page, 8vo, Buxton, 3rd August 1852, to a gentleman. Murchison explains that his correspondent's letter was forwarded to him and in reply encloses a cheque (no longer present) for £5.0.0. 'for the purpose of supporting the Ipswich Museum'. Together with Austen Henry Layard (1817-1894) English Archaeologist, Traveller, Politician & Diplomat. A.L.S., A. H. Layard, three pages, 8vo, Little Ryder Street, 22nd March 1857, to 'My dear Taylor'. Layard states that it will be impossible for him to attend to a report, which he has not seen, until after the elections, commenting 'God knows whether I shall be a Member of Parliament or not. If I still have that honour I will not fail to make the enquiries you suggest' and further remarking 'I have a hard fight at Aylesbury & unfortunately have a colleague to do battle with and not as an opponent. Bethell has treated me scandalously & may unseat me'. Layard also makes reference to 'the China question' and suggests that the course Viscount Palmerston is taking 'is most mischievous'. Some light traces of former mounting to both letters, otherwise VG, 2 Richard Bethell (1800-1873) 1st Baron Westbury. British Politician, Judge & Lawyer, Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain 1861-65. Bethell served as Member of Parliament for Aylesbury with Layard from 1852-57 before continuing to serve with Thomas Tyringham Bernard until 1859. Viscount Palmerston (1784-1865) British Prime Minister 1855-58, 1859-65.
STANLEY HENRY M: (1841-1904) British Journalist and Explorer. A brief A.L.S., Henry M Stanley, one page, 8vo, Richmond Terrace, Whitehall, 21st July 1893, to E[dward] Marston. Stanley forwards 'another story (no longer present) to be added to the collection' and adds that it is entitled The City of the Elephants. With blank integral leaf. Together with Dorothy Tennant (1855-1926) English Painter, wife of Henry M. Stanley. A charming A.L.S., Dorothy Tennant, two pages, 8vo, Richmond Terrace, Whitehall, 2nd July 1890, to Miss. Balfour. Tennant informs her correspondent that her sister, Mrs. Myers, is staying at Hunstanton and will not return until a day or two before the wedding, further writing 'Will you come to my wedding at Westminster Abbey? And afterward to our home. My mother is going to receive her friends in the garden. I send you two tickets (no longer present) one for a friend. I think Mr. Balfour has had a stall ticket sent to him'. Some light overall age wear and staining, particularly evident to Tennant's letter. About G to VG, 2 Edward Marston was a partner in the British publishing house of Sampson Low, Marston & Company who published Henry M. Stanley's collection of nineteen stories from Africa under the title My Dark Companions and Their Strange Stories in 1893. The sister to whom Dorothy Tennant refers to in her letter was Eveleen Tennant Myers (1856-1937) English Photographer who also posed for the Pre-Raphaelite painter John Everett Millais.
JOHNSTON HARRY: (1858-1927) British Explorer & Botanist who played an important part in the 'Scramble for Africa'. A.L.S., H. H. Johnston, three pages, 8vo, Queen Anne's Mansions, St. James's Park, London, 8th July 1896, to Sir Edwin [Arnold]. Johnston states that he would have lunched with his correspondent but on the day and hour suggested has to attend a Railway Committee, adding that he hopes the pleasure will only be postponed until he returns in the autumn, and explaining that he is going out of town for a much needed rest although may look in on Arnold at Fleet Street before leaving. Johnston further remarks 'when I am back here & my pictures are up you must bring your Japanese visitor to look at my drawings & you must give me another chance at breakfast with you'. One small spindle hole only very slightly affects a few words of text, otherwise VG Sir Edwin Arnold (1832-1904) English Poet & Journalist, remembered for his work The Light of Asia (1879).
FREMONT JOHN C.: (1813-1890) American Explorer and Major General in the American Civil War. Fremont was also the first candidate of the Republican Party for the office of American President. A.L.S., J. C. Fremont, one page, 8vo, New York, 14th January 1884, to Miss. Merrell. Fremont states that he has received his correspondent's notes and regrets that she experienced 'so much trouble to obtain so small a thing as my autograph', further thanking her for her kind expressions and 'the favourable light in which you look upon such service as I have been able to render the country'. One very small, neat tear to the right edge, only very slightly affecting one word of text but not the signature, otherwise VG
BURTON RICHARD F.: (1821-1890) English Explorer. A rare set of illustrated manuscript notes by Burton, unsigned, seven pages, 8vo, n.p. (London?), n.d. (c.1868-70), on the blind embossed stationery of the Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall. Burton's miscellaneous notes, in his typically small (and at times indecipherable) hand appear to be references made from The Life of Prince Henry of Portugal by Richard Henry Major, Burton noting that Prince Henry 'declared his object was to “acquire wealth, knowledge of the world and, if possible, fame”', and also recording references to various countries including Santiago (noting that it was not discovered by Antonio de Nolle but by the Portuguese Diogo Gomez), Sierra Leone, Cape of Good Hope, Venezuela, China, Ceylon, Germany and others, as well as hippopotamuses (described by Cadamosto as a horse-fish), the Pillars of Hercules and various other explorers including Christopher Columbus (who had endured 'twelve years hardship & fatigue'), the cartographer Martin Behaim etc. To one page of the notes Burton has drawn a detailed map of the region of Africa covering Tanzania, Mozambique, the Congo and Kenya in which Burton has identified various lakes including Lake Albert, Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika. An interesting manuscript linking two of history's noted explorers, albeit centuries apart, and enhanced by Burton's wonderful illustration of African lakes. Some light age wear and a few small, neat professional repairs to splits at the central vertical folds, none of which affect the text. About VG The Life of Prince Henry of Portugal by Richard Henry Major was published in London in 1868 and is an account of 'the discovery, within one century, of half the world' by Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), the main initiator of the Age of Discovery, and included Major's summary of 'new facts in the discovery of the Atlantic Islands, a refutation of French claims to priority in discovery, Portuguese knowledge (subsequently lost) of the Nile Lakes and the history of the naming of America' drawn from 'authentic contemporary documents'.
[EGYPT]: PALMER EDWARD HENRY (1840-1882) English Orientalist & Explorer. A fine illustrated A.L.S., with his initials EHP, seven pages, 8vo, Wady Mugharak, Desert at El-Tih, 22nd July 1882, to a friend ('My dear old pal'). Palmer writes a lengthy and informative letter describing the conditions in the desert ('This is not nice - thermometer at about 110 in shade') and remarking that he rode for eight hours a day for seven consecutive days, further writing 'Then again Arabs are such a nuisance - for instance this morning some…..made a little gentle raid on us & appropriated some camels - they conveniently avoided waking me from my forenoon siesta as they did not come so far up the valley - but the sheikh & most of the men have gone off on the war track thirsting for blood & I & my man Bokhar & two or three ageds & youngs will have to do any fighting that may be necessary till they come back. This country is not exactly what you would call in a truthful spirit safe just now. I have had to dodge troops & Arabs & Lord knows what & am thankful but somewhat surprised at the possession of a whole skin. The pleasing part of my present journey has yet to come - I have somehow to dodge the Egyptian sentries…..You see if they, the Egyptians [rebels] get hold of me there will be but short shrift for me as I shall undoubtedly be shot. This business has its anxieties but I feel quite calm about it…..Many thanks for the revolver, it is a charming little weapon…..I have armed my man with yours, but it is a most useful addition to my small arsenal. I could get no one to come with me at first - people said it was dangerous - but at last I managed to engage a Jew!.....He speaks a little Italian too so that I can curse without my Arab friends understanding…..I have thus far succeeded in my preliminary run through the desert beyond my wildest hopes, but it was often risky opening the game. For instance when I made certain propositions to the big Boss of these parts he replied sententiously “Ahmed Pasha Arabi is with the Muslims - you belong to our enemies”……They tried to bustle me one day - about 40 Arabs rode up to me while I was halting at midday & brought their camels to a standstill on their knees with one simultaneous motion & then jumped off & ran to me. But I spotted my friend the sheikh whom I had seen before & simply addressed him by name & asked him to sit down & smoke a cigarette which he did…..What a game it all is! How I long for the cool smoking room at the Savile & the cooler drinks…..I dread the 3 or 4 days march to Suez as it gets hotter the further south one goes……I am now 2 days from Suez & before the 3rd sun sets shall be either within reach of beer & baths or be able to dispense altogether with those luxuries for the future. The very equally balanced probabilities lend & certain zest to the journey…..My man stole some melons from a patch near some water…..& I feel better for the crime. Still I am dried up & burnt & thirsty & bored…..Just got into Suez safe! 24 hours consecutive travelling & have only had a piece of bread for 15 hours - no sleep. Mail just going out. Au revoir'. To the final page of the letter Palmer has drawn a small sketch of himself riding a camel through the desert. A letter of remarkable content, written just a few weeks before his murder. Some light overall age wear, a few minor stains and small areas of paper loss, G In 1882 Palmer had been instructed by the government to assist the Egyptian expedition, owing to his influence over the Arabs of the El-Tih desert, and was required to prevent the Arab sheikhs from joining the Egyptian rebels and to secure their non-interference with the Suez Canal. As the present letter illustrates, Palmer successfully made his way safely through the desert to Suez. Appointed interpreter-in-chief to the force in Egypt, Palmer was again sent into the desert from Suez to procure camels and gain the allegiance of the sheikhs with considerable gifts of money. It was during this mission that Palmer and his two companions were led into an ambush and murdered.
FRESNEL AUGUSTIN-JEAN: (1788-1827) French Physicist & Civil Engineer whose research in optics led to the almost unanimous acceptance of the wave theory of light. Fresnel is best known for inventing the catadioptric Fresnel lens for lighthouses, saving countless lives at sea and thus labelled 'the invention that saved a million ships'. An interesting and exceptionally rare A.L.S., Fresnel, two pages, 4to, Paris, 15th January 1827, to the Prefect of Vendee, in French. Fresnel writes in regards to a letter of the 14th December addressed to the Director General of Engineering in which the Prefect had reminded the Director General of the authorisation of the delivery of a lightning rod and the addition of a fourth reflector to the lighthouse at Sables, to which the Director General had subsequently replied to the Prefect that the Secretary of the Commission of the Lighthouses had to agree with the Chief Engineer of Vendee for the installation to be made. Fresnel states that he regrets the delay which the matter has suffered and further continues to justify his position, informing the Prefect that, in another letter from the Director General, he did not at all invite Fresnel to authorise the simple installation of a fourth reflector, and that the matter would have been dealt with during his last inspection tour of the west coast in autumn 1825, remarking 'I have talked to Mr. Richer about all the details relative to the amelioration of the lighthouse at Sables. We had agreed that one of the spare reflectors would be added to the lighting machine and lit as soon as the Director General would have allowed it' and further commenting 'If the phrase in the sentence contained in the letter he sent you has made Mr. Richer suppose that he had to wait for my instructions before installing a reflector which position and direction have been automatically indicated by its position then he should have written to me and not let a year go by without profiting from the authorisation that had already been granted by the Director General'. Fresnel also states that he 'would never have suspected that the fourth reflector that had been requested with so much insistence and that was immediately available was not yet installed' and that the lightning rod, that should have been constructed in Paris, was sent to Mr. Richer on 12th March the previous year and the remittance was also announced by letter on the same day, adding that he does not recall if receipt of the lightning rod was confirmed 'but I would have thought if he hadn't received it he would have informed me'. In concluding Fresnel asks the Prefect to excuse the length of his letter and hopes he will regard it as displaying only 'the very natural desire of justifying myself in your eyes'. Autograph letters by Fresnel are exceptionally rare, not least as a result of the physicist's premature death at the age of 39 from tuberculosis, and the present example is particularly desirable for its references to lighthouses and their reflectors. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, otherwise VG American Book Prices Current record no examples of Fresnel's autograph in any form as having ever appeared at auction.
BREWSTER DAVID: (1781-1868) Scottish Physicist, Mathematician, Astronomer & Inventor, a pioneer in photography who invented an improved stereoscope. A.L.S., D Brewster, one page, 8vo, St. Andrews, 10th August 1857, to William Stirling. Brewster states that he has been requested by the University of St. Andrews to ask his correspondent 'that you would kindly sign the accompanying paper, as Member for Perthshire from which our students chiefly come'. Some light staining caused by previous mounting to the verso, only very slightly affecting the text but not the signature, G Sir William Stirling-Maxwell (1818-1878) Scottish Historical Writer, Art Historian & Politician who served as Member of Parliament for Perthshire 1874-78.
SINATRA FRANK: (1915-1998) American Singer & Actor, Academy Award winner. A good vintage signed 5 x 7 photograph by Sinatra, the image depicting him in a smiling head and shoulders pose. Signed in bold blue ink to a partially clear area of the image. The photograph bears a silver printed autograph of Sinatra. Accompanied by the original Frank Sinatra printed stationery envelope. Some extremely minor, very light age wear. VG
DARWIN CHARLES: (1809-1882) English Naturalist. A remarkable, fine A.L.S., C. Darwin, two pages, 8vo, Down, Beckenham, Kent, 13th May n.y. (1872) to his son, Francis Darwin ('My dear Frank'). Darwin asks his son to try and persuade Abraham Dee Bartlett 'to do me a great favour (& if he will, report the result to me)', explaining that he would like 'to show to the Porcupine a live snake, observe whether the sight of the snake will make it rattle the quills on the tail, as Mr. Bartlett showed me that the Porcupine does when angered' and concluding that the letter can be read to Mr. Bartlett. A letter of interesting content for its discussion of animals and with good association. Some very light, extremely minor age wear and two small, light stains to the right edge of the pages, not affecting the text or signature. About VG Sir Francis Darwin (1848-1925) British Botanist. Darwin worked with his father on various experiments and later edited The Autobiography of Charles Darwin (1887). Abraham Dee Bartlett (1812-1897) British Taxidermist and an expert on captive animals who served as superintendent of London Zoo, thereby becoming a prominent observer of animal life. The present letter is published in The Correspondence of Charles Darwin and Abraham Dee Bartlett's reply to Darwin is also recorded. On 16th May 1872 he wrote to the naturalist informing him that 'I turned a Snake loose into the yard with 2 of Grotes Porcupines, one of them shook his tail at the sight of the Snake, the other did not, but gnashed his teeth and appeared much inclined to bite the snake. I then tried the Crested Porcupine he did not shake his tail, but set his spines up and I thought he would attack the snake with his teeth…….I believe from what I saw that the Porcupine if hungry and in a wild state met with a snake he would kill and eat it'. Darwin's letter was evidently written during research for The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals which was published in 1872 as his third major work of evolutionary theory. Autograph letters by Darwin discussing experiments with animals, as the present letter does (and conjures up an exciting scene in one's mind, as confirmed by Bartlett's observations), rarely appear on the market and are highly desirable.
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![[EGYPT]: PALMER EDWARD HENRY (1840-1882) English Orientalist & Explorer. A fine illustrated A.L.S., with his initials EHP, se](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/8fcf6b4d-1bab-486c-9853-abe5011f8a24/ce9aa3e0-ebfd-4911-981a-abe501292f6f/468x382.jpg)
