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Click here to subscribeCOLBERT CLAUDETTE: (1903-1996) American Actress, Academy Award winner. A good vintage signed and inscribed sepia 11 x 14 photograph of the actress seated in a half length pose. Signed in dark fountain pen ink to a light area of the image, 'To Malcolm - Sincere good wishes, Claudette Colbert'. A few light corner creases, small pinholes and other minor faults to the borders, otherwise VG
PAXTON JOSEPH: (1803-1865) English Gardener and Architect, best known for designing the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, London, for the Great Exhibition of 1851. A.L.S., Joseph Paxton, two pages, 8vo, Chatsworth, 29th October 1852, to a gentleman. Paxton states that he has forwarded his correspondent's note to the Directors of the Crystal Palace Company and is sure 'they will feel a pleasure in doing what you wish' and has no doubt that he will hear from them soon. With blank integral leaf. Some light dust staining and age wear and a neat split at the base of the vertical central fold, not affecting the text or signature. About VG The present letter was written, in the year after the construction of the Crystal Palace, from Chatsworth, the estate of the 6th Duke of Devonshire in Derbyshire, where the 20 year old Paxton was employed as head gardener until 1858
KELLY & GUINNESS: KELLY GRACE (1929-1982) American Actress, later Princess of Monaco & GUINNESS ALEC (1914-2000) English Actor. Both Academy Award winners. An excellent signed 8 x 10 photograph by both Grace Kelly and Alec Guinness individually, the image depicting the actors in a head and shoulders pose together in costume as Princess Alexandra and Prince Albert from the romantic comedy film The Swan (1956). Signed ('Grace Kelly') by Kelly in black ink with her name alone to a clear area at the base of the image and signed ('Good wishes Alec Guinness') by Guinness in blue fountain pen ink to a light area of the image. An unusual and attractive signed photograph. Some very slight corner creasing, VG
MATISSE HENRI: (1869-1954) French Artist. An excellent illustrated A.L.S., with his initials H. M., four pages, 8vo, Nice, 6th January 1922, to his wife Amelie, in French. Matisse states that he has received Jean's paintings, including a portrait of Marguerite, a bowl of mandarins and a viola, adding that he has placed them on his wall to replace his own which are currently being packed ('I have the trunk and am trying to roll the biggest paintings around a stick, but haven't quite figured out the right way, and we've had to redo the first one, which I didn't do well, three times') and which he hopes will be sent tomorrow afternoon, remarking 'You can look at them at your leisure once they have been put on their stretcher bars. But don't show the whole lot because the Bernheims [Bernheim-Jeune, one of the oldest art galleries in Paris] could find out about it and reclaim them', further going into more detail about the paintings and his current work, 'The smallest are paintings of 3. One of them is an unprimed one of 4 that is coming back for the gallerists, but I intend to keep it because I worked on it a lot at the same time as a large design on the same subject that I have here. Another small one of 3 which I worked on in at least 15 sessions will not be with the lot because I have not finished it. I work on it 2 ½ to 4 hours every day, and it is going well. I will send it to you separately once it is done, and I hope you will like it. From now until my departure, I will not have enough time to finish what I have started. I am enclosing in my letter 2 photos (no longer present) one of a painting of 30, the nude, and one of a 15, a young girl seated on the arm of a chair, looking at the window'. Matisse returns to the subject of their son, Jean's, paintings, commenting 'I would say that my first impression made me see qualities but I also saw that he is at the peak of his instinctive elan and that he is starting to dissociate the various elements of the painting (colour, design, value). It shows that he has not studied it. For example in the viola…..and in the portrait, and also the mandarins, but the bowl is good. There are good parts in all paintings, next to flaws. He really has to go and see the Chardins at the Louvre, especially the pipe [at this point in the letter Matisse has drawn a small pen and ink sketch representing Jean Simeon Chardin's still life Pipes and Drinking Vessels] the peaches and the glass of wine, the brioche, the grapes, and he will come to understand that the different parts hold each other together and that the tone of one is not lesser than the one next to it (adding in the margin that he would like Jean to do a modelling course, 'He will learn to draw shapes in other ways than he does now….') But I suspect he will like the Rubens better, but in them the tones hold each other together as well. At least he is working, and I will speak to him more when I am back. I will take him to the Antiquities section of the Louvre and the School of B. Arts to show him how to look at antiquities. He should ask for permission to copy the pipe……I can then critique his work when I come back. I will try to make it easy for him to understand' and concludes by writing of his wife's art, 'The music of your painting, represented by red and green and blue-black is good overall [at this point in the letter Matisse has drawn a small diagram, within a square, identifying the juxtaposition of the colours] but the green does not work well next to the blue, nor does the red next to the black. It is normal and work will correct it. Experience, and the study of the masters, the paintings of Cezanne…..' A letter of wonderful content relating to painting and enhanced by the two small illustrations by Matisse. Some extremely light, very minor age wear, VG Amelie Noellie Parayre (1872-1958) Wife of Henri Matisse from 1898 until their divorce in 1939. Matisse and his wife had two sons, Jean and Pierre, and they also raised the artist's illegitimate daughter, Marguerite, who served as a model for the artist and is mentioned in the present letter.
VLAMINCK MAURICE DE: (1876-1958) French Painter, one of the principal figures in the Fauve movement. A.L.S., Vlaminck, one page, 8vo, Rueil-la-Gadeliere, n.d., to [Christian] Zervos, in French. Vlaminck explains to his correspondent that he has read their letter and comments 'I don't have any pictures from the Fauvist era, or rather, I don't have them anymore', adding 'You can write to Vollard or Fels on my behalf. As for sending you some pages about the Fauvist era, I have neither the time nor the energy for it. But you will find all the information you need in Fels' book Vlaminck'. With blank integral leaf. A letter of good content and association. One light red crayon annotation at the head of the page, about EX Christian Zervos (1889-1970) Greek-French Art Historian, Critic, Collector & Writer, founder of the magazine Cahiers d'Art. Ambroise Vollard (1866-1939) French Art Dealer, one of the most important dealers in French contemporary art at the beginning of the 20th century. Florent Fels (1891-1977) French Journalist & Author, a prominent figure in the discussion of art in France.
LAURENCIN MARIE: (1883-1956) French Painter and Printmaker, Avant-garde Cubist associated with the Section d'Or. A.L.S., `Marie´, one page, 4to, 1 rue Savorgnan de Brazza, Paris, n.d., to a friend, in French. Laurencin acknowledges receipt of her correspondent´s letter which has reassured her, and states in part `Professor Gosset has recently operated my friend… she was desperate and we were all wondering if it was anemia, or… but all was coming from her appendix..´. The paper bears an attractive watermark. Light age wear, mostly to edges, otherwise VG
UTRILLO MAURICE: (1883-1955) French Painter. Signed and inscribed printed 8vo exhibition catalogue for Exposition d'Oeuvres anciennes et recentes de Suzanne Valadon at the Galerie O. Petrides, Paris, 7th - 16th June 1938, one of a limited edition of 100 (this example un-numbered) and featuring a few monochrome illustrations and a list of Valadon's works from the collections of Utrillo and Petrides. Signed by Utrillo in bold pencil to an inside page beneath a printed sonnet written by the artist in honour of his mother and opposite an image of her with a painting. Together with a printed 8vo catalogue for an exhibition of works by Maurice Utrillo and Lucie Valore at the Galerie Paul Petrides in Paris, 3rd - 18th March 1950, signed and inscribed by Valore with her first name only, also on behalf of her husband, in French to the front cover. Some light scuffing and age wear to both and the second catalogue with a horizontal fold to the centre, G to about VG, 2
DUFY RAOUL: (1877-1953) French Fauvist Painter. A.L.S., Raoul Dufy, one page, oblong 8vo, n.p., n.d., to an unidentified correspondent, in French. Dufy writes in bold pencil, in part, 'My old man, what joy to see your name on the walls of Lyon where I stay tonight….' To the verso is a pencil sketch of two squares and horizontal lines, presumably also in the hand of Dufy. Very slightly irregularly trimmed at the base and with some extremely light, minor creasing, otherwise VG
DUBUFFET JEAN: (1901-1985) French Painter & Sculptor. T.L.S., Jean Dubuffet, one page, 4to, Vence, 10th October 1959, to Georges Fall, in French. Dubuffet states that his secretary, Madame Neumann, has written to inform him that Fall 'did not meet the sale of the album of colour lithographs which was delivered to you a few months ago, and that this book embarrasses you', further adding that he himself had several requests 'that I could not satisfy for lack of a sufficient number of copies'. Some light, minor creasing to the edges and a small tear to the centre of the upper edge, not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG Georges Fall (1920-2014) French Publisher and Writer. In 1954 Fall began publishing Le Musee de poche ('The Pocket Museum'), a successful collection of monographs on contemporary artists which included essays on Jean Dubuffet and other artists.
DELVAUX PAUL: (1897-1994) Belgian Surrealist Painter, famous for his paintings of female nudes. Signed and inscribed colour 6 x 4 postcard, being a reproduction of his work entitled La Ville Rouge ('The Red Town', 1943-44), the image depicting several female nudes and a skeleton. Signed ('P. Delvaux') in bold black ink to a clear area of the verso. A light smudge only very slightly affects the last two letters of the signature. VG
GROSZ GEORGE: (1893-1959) German Artist. A.L.S., George & Eva Grosz, also on behalf of his wife, one page, slim 4to, Douglaston, Long Island, 1st February 1928, to Mrs. Lintoff. Grosz thanks his correspondent for their lovely invitation, although remarks 'but as we have for tomorrow night a formal invitation we wouldn't be able to rush home and change clothes - one of the drawbacks of living in the country, which I enjoy very much though'. Some very light, minor staining to the upper and lower edges, not affecting the text or signature, and a few very minor traces of former mounting to the verso. About VG
PICASSO PABLO: (1881-1973) Spanish Painter, a co-founder of the Cubist movement. A highly unusual and visually attractive series of seven original images of male lips, painted and signed ('Picasso') by Picasso, with various simple brushstrokes in tones of brown, and another created in black ink with his fingers, surrounded by a further six female lipstick impressions, most in vibrant shades of pink, one page, 4to, Perpignan, 9th September 1954, on the printed stationery of Jacques de Lazerme. Picasso's own image of his pouting lips appear prominently on the page, adding his signature (somewhat faded, although legible) above, and to the left appear another pair of lips created by Picasso, to which he has added some ink annotations representing teeth and the title Madame Montpellier. Immediately beneath appear some lips created with black ink using his fingers (the impression of the friction ridges visible) which are identified as belonging to Witty. Each of the other lips are annotated with the names of various individuals including Picasso's eldest child Paulo ('Polo'), Jacques de Lazerme and his wife Paule, Firmin Bauby of the Sant Vicens ceramic workshop, Jeanne de Rochette ('Totote'), the wife of the sculptor Manolo, and their adopted daughter Rosa Jordana ('Rosita') and several others. Dated in Picasso's hand at the base. A wonderful and playful piece of original design created by Picasso and his friends. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, otherwise VG Jacques de Lazerme (1909-1986) and his beautiful wife, Paule, played host to Pablo Picasso on several occasions between 1953-55 allowing him access to several spacious rooms within their seventeenth century home so that he could live and work as he felt inclined. The unique set of lip images were undoubtedly created by Picasso and his close circle of friends and family in Perpignan during the course of what must surely have been an entertaining and lively lunch or dinner.
BURTON RICHARD (1925-1984) Welsh Actor & TAYLOR ELIZABETH (1932-2011) English Actress, Academy Award winner. A good pair of bold pencil signatures by both Richard Burton ('Richard Burton', also adding an inscription in his hand) and Elizabeth Taylor ('Elizabeth Taylor Burton') individually, to the centre of the plain verso of a slim 8vo portion of a British Railways Continental Services menu. One heavy horizontal fold appears above the signatures, although does not affect them, and there are some slight traces of former mounting to the verso. One very light, extremely minor smudge to one letter of Taylor's signature. About VG
GAINSBOROUGH THOMAS: (1727-1788) English Painter. A good, extremely rare A.L.S., Tho Gainsborough, two pages, 4to, Pall Mall, London, 29th September 1783, to his sister, Sarah ('Dear Sister Dupont'). The artist writes on family financial matters, stating, in part, 'I promised John [his brother, 'Scheming Jack'] when he did me the honor of a visit in Town, to allow him half a Crown a week; which with what his good Cousin Gainsbro: allow him, and Sister Gibbon [his sister, Mary Gainsborough], I hope will (if applied properly to his own use) render the remainder of his old age tollerably (sic) comfortable; for villainously old he is indeed grown. I have herewith sent you 3 Guineas, with which I beg the favor of you to supply him, for half a year, with 2s=6d pr. week, paying him on what Day of the week you judge most for his good; I should think not on the same Days that either Sister Gibbon's two shillings is paid, nor on those Days which his Cousin do for him. And that he may not know but what you advance the money out of your own pocket. I have inclosed a Letter that you may show him; which may gain you a better power to manage him, if troublesome to you….' Gainsborough concludes by sending his family's love to 'you and old Philip and all your Family' and in a postscript remarks 'My Wife and Daughter Fischer is just returned from Bath, where they have been upon a Visit for 3 weeks, and left all the Family well'. A letter of good content and association. A light, minor water stain appears to the upper right corner of each page, only very slightly affecting the text (which remains perfectly legible) and a small portion of the base of the second page has been neatly excised. With a lengthy, neat split to the vertical central fold. About VG Sarah 'Sally' Gainsborough (1718-1795) Sister of Thomas Gainsborough, wife of Philip Dupont (c.1722-1781) a carpenter and cabinet maker. Their son, Gainsborough Dupont (1754-1797), and Thomas Gainsborough's nephew was a pupil of the artist and the only assistant Gainsborough is ever known to have employed. Mary Gainsborough (1713-1790) Sister of Thomas Gainsborough, wife of Christopher Gibbon (1715-1760) a Church of England parson, curate and schoolmaster. John Gainsborough (1711-1789) Brother of Thomas Gainsborough, known within the family as 'Scheming Jack'. 'John was erratic, not really trustworthy, and not for nothing was he known in the family as "Scheming Jack"…..something always went wrong with his schemes; his failures he would put down to the urgent flow of ideas: 'if I had but gone on with it I am sure I should have succeeded, but a new scheme came upon me'……"Scheming Jack" remained a……lifelong burden to his younger siblings…..and was always in need of money' (from Gainsborough - A Portrait by James Hamilton, 2017). Autograph letters by Thomas Gainsborough rarely appear at auction and American Book Prices Current record only four examples having been sold at auction since 1975.
SISLEY ALFRED: (1839-1899) French-born British Impressionist Painter. A fine A.L.S., A. Sisley, one page, 8vo, Moret-sur-Loing, 9th January 1897, to [George] Viau, in French. Sisley announces that he is coming to Paris on Monday and would like to invite his correspondent to lunch in order that 'we will make out together this great list'. The artist concludes by sending his regards to Viau's wife and mother. With blank integral leaf. A letter of good association. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG £600-900 George Viau (1855-1939) French Dentist and Art Collector who acquired works by many Impressionist painters including Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Alfred Sisley.
YEATS JACK BUTLER: (1871-1957) Irish Artist, brother of W. B. Yeats. A.L.S., Jack B Yeats, one page, oblong 4to, Fitzwilliam Square, Dublin, 8th February 1955, to Monsieur Corbiere. Yeats thanks his correspondent for their note and continues 'I am sorry to say I have not any photograph of myself here which I would care to send to you: but here is my old hat, old coat, old suit of clothes, to bring you my good wishes…..' Two small tears to the lower edge, not affecting the text or signature, and a thin vertical strip of very light staining to one fold, neatly and professionally restored to the verso. About VG
BRITISH ARTISTS: Selection of A.Ls.S., a few signed postcard reproductions etc., by various British painters, sculptors, illustrators and artists, comprising Alfred Munnings (stating that he won't be able to paint a portrait of Lady Rose's little boy until April, but would like to do it and remarking 'I know all that country well……& also Lady Rose's charming house. The cost of the picture would depend on its size. I should say from £100 upwards accordingly', n.y.), William Russell Flint (sending Christmas and New Year greetings, accompanied by the original envelope), Henry Scott Tuke (vintage signed sepia postcard reproduction of his work All Hands to the Pumps, 1910), John Bellany (signed and inscribed colour postcard reproduction of an artwork), Frederick William Pomeroy (sending thanks for his correspondent's kind congratulations and remarking 'I am sure you feel out in the cold, as I did, but I hope we old friends may be able to make it hot for you in the coming elections. Unfortunately there is not room for all at once, but it comes to those who wait, sometimes', 1906) and Harry Furniss (Brief A.L.S., Hy. F., to [Herbert Beerbom] Tree, seemingly thanking him for an invitation to attend a performance of Richard II at His Majesty's Theatre on 14th October 1903 and featuring a large original pen and ink illustration of Furniss and his wife standing in full length poses before Herbert Beerbohm Tree). Some light age wear and a few minor faults, G to about VG, 6
SMITH MAGGIE: (1934- ) English Actress, Academy Award winner. A good vintage signed 7 x 9 photograph of Smith in a head and shoulders pose. Signed with her name alone in bold blue fountain pen ink to a light area at the base of the image. Together with Helen Cherry (1915-2001) English Actress. Vintage signed and inscribed 7.5 x 9.5 photograph of Cherry standing in a three quarter length pose. Signed in bold blue fountain pen ink across a light area of the image. Some slight corner creasing and a few small pinholes and with a tear to the right edge of the image. G to about EX, 2
HOPPER EDWARD: (1882-1967) American Painter. Book signed and inscribed, being a hardback edition of Edward Hopper, First Edition published by the American Artists Group as their Monograph Number 8, New York, 1945. With many monochrome reproductions of Hopper's paintings, including Night-Hawks. Signed and inscribed by Hopper in blue fountain pen ink to the colour printed front pastedown which features a reproduction of The Martha McKeen of Wellfleet. Bound in paper covered boards with a cloth backing and no spine label. Some light age wear, most noticeable to the extremities of the boards, otherwise about VG
RODIN AUGUSTE: (1840-1917) French Sculptor. A good vintage signed postcard photograph of Rodin's bust Bellone in the Museum of Luxembourg. Signed ('Rodin') in bold black fountain pen ink with his name alone to a clear area at the centre of the image. Some light scuffing to the image and two slight traces of former mounting to the upper and lower edges, not affecting the signature. One very slight ink blot to one letter of Rodin's signature. About VG
GAUDIER-BRZESKA HENRI: (1891-1915) French Artist & Sculptor. An extremely rare A.L.S., with his initials H G B, to one side of a picture postcard featuring an image of a cast bronze head of a girl originating from Southern Nigeria and in the collection of the British Museum, n.p. (London), 28th February 1914, to Nina Hamnett in Paris. The artist writes 'So you got to Paris easily & are happy. The language must flow out in torrents by now! There's no change here always slagging at stones which is very pleasant. The rest of the crew disport themselves gaily on disparagement of the absent…..'Together with Nina Hamnett (1890-1956) Welsh Artist & Writer, the Queen of Bohemia. A.L.S., Nina Hamnett, one page, oblong 8vo, Westbourne Terrace, 6th July 1953, to Mr. Davis, an autograph collector, stating, in part, 'Here is a postcard from Brzeska signed H G B written to me in Paris in 1914. I have unfortunately none of the autographs that you mention. I have Poulenc's but you saw my list of names.' Autographs of Gaudier-Brzeska are extremely rare in any form as a result of his early death at the age of 23 when he was killed in the trenches during World War I and the present example is enhanced by its fine association and provenance. Some light staining and age wear to the postcard and with a postal cancellation slightly affecting the text and signature, G to VG, 2 Gaudier-Brzeska and Hamnett conducted a love affair after meeting in London while Hamnett was studying at the London School of Art. She posed for the artist who sculpted a series of nude bronzes of her before Hamnett moved, in 1914, to Paris to study.
CHRISTIE JULIE: (1940- ) British Actress, Academy Award winner. A good, early vintage signed and inscribed 7.5 x 9.5 photograph of the young actress in a head and shoulders pose, being an original publicity portrait for her second film, the British comedy The Fast Lady (1962) in which she starred in the role of Claire Chingford. Signed and inscribed in bold blue fountain pen ink to a light area at the base of the image. One very small, minor corner crease, VG
FONDA JANE: (1937- ) American Actress, Academy Award winner. An early, vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph of the young actress in a head and shoulders pose. Signed in blue fountain pen ink to a light area of the image, 'To John, Best wishes & thank you for waiting, Jane Fonda'. A few very slight, minor surface and corner creases, otherwise VG
CRUIKSHANK GEORGE: (1792-1878) British Caricaturist & Book Illustrator, associated with the works of his friend Charles Dickens. Manuscript D.S., Geo. Cruikshank, in the third person, at the head, one page, oblong 8vo, n.p., 5th August 1835. The document is in the form of an invoice made out to Messrs. Blackwood & Sons for 'Designing & Etching 8 subjects to illustrate…..at 6 Guineas each', totalling £50.8.0. Neatly inlaid and with some very light, extremely minor creasing to the edges, otherwise VG William Blackwood & Sons was a Scottish publishing house and printer founded by William Blackwood in 1804. It played an important role in literary history publishing works by many significant authors including George Eliot, Anthony Trollope, Joseph Conrad and E. M. Forster, both in books and the monthly Blackwood's Magazine.
KEMBLE E. W.: (1861-1933) American Illustrator of the first edition of Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, also remembered for his racist caricatures of African Americans. A printed 6.5 x 11 illustration by Kemble, possibly removed from a book, depicting a black man standing in a full length profile pose and holding an axe in one hand, with the caption 'Uncle Jimmy, New Orleans', signed by Kemble in black fountain pen ink with his name alone to a clear area at the base. A couple of light creases to the upper edge and a small tear to the lower edge, not affecting the image or signature, otherwise VG
FLAUBERT GUSTAVE: (1821-1880) French Novelist of Madame Bovary (1857), the leading exponent of literary realism in France. A fine A.L.S., Gu. Flaubert, two pages, 8vo, n.p., n.d. ('Mardi'; early 1870s), to a friend ('Mon cher ami'), in French. Flaubert announces 'Le Sexe Faible must have been taken to the censors today' and continues 'Weinschenk worries about the minister, but if you delete the word minister, the role no longer exists and the piece becomes incomprehensible. The general can be a Swiss general (Swiss - oh, very well) but minister can not be modified….you have to take it or leave it. Write your father what you think is appropriate. You know the question as well as I do. Your interest is at stake more than mine. If your father and Beauplan support us (and they can support us, since the censors depend only on them and on any one thing that they say about it) we are saved. If they don't, then not. In a last ditch effort I am writing one more time to d'Osmoy! And I will notify R. Duval to speak to his cousin Chabaud-Latour. More I cannot do. I know perfectly well that Weinschenk counts on a big financial success. Le Sexe Faible is his last challenge, and he will do anything I want. But still, if the minister is left out, good night! I am not trying to conceal that I am full of bitterness and that I am getting to the point where I have had enough, or even too much! It would probably not be bad if you made the trip to Paris. Sunday. It's worth it. As for the rest, it's up to you. I suspect your father will not answer you, an easy way to avoid difficult steps, and that Le Sexe Faible will be stopped by the censorship, but they will regret it.' A letter of excellent literary content, not least for its references to censorship which Flaubert had experienced previously when his debut novel and masterpiece Madame Bovary had resulted in a scandal when it was first serialized in 1856-57 with public prosecutors declaring it to have obscene content. Some very light, extremely minor age wear and a few small tears very neatly and professionally repaired. About VG Le Sexe Faible ('The Weaker Sex') was a light comedy originally written by the French poet and dramatist Louis Bouilhet (1822-1869) who was a close friend and mentor to Flaubert. Following Bouilhet's death Flaubert discovered Le Sexe Faible amongst his friend's papers, although it is open to debate whether the piece was a scenario or full text when discovered. Flaubert completed the play, with a sexist and politically incorrect theme, in honour of his late friend and it was scheduled to be produced in early 1873. However, the impresario Leon Carvalho favoured Flaubert's Le Candidat and that was instead chosen, although only survived for four performances before Flaubert himself withdrew it. Le Sexe Faible was again scheduled for production at the Theatre de Cluny in 1874, however shortly before the premiere Flaubert cancelled the production believing it to be unworthy of the play.
ROSTAND EDMOND: (1868-1918) French Poet. An attractive and unusual autograph manuscript, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d., in French. The manuscript is entitled `Dickens´, Rostand stating in part `He is a marvelous genius… he must be crowned.. He must be placed between Andersen and Tolstoy…. In his fantasies, it seems that Falstaff is aureoled with tenderness, like a plum pudding with a bluer flame. And in the midst of the warm intimacy of rooms where, thanks to him, the selfish kettle sings like a poet, he causes the wind which speaks of tragic misery to blow beneath the hard doors. He has spoken about the child's tears, and the eyes of death… Yes, between Andersen and Tolstoy. He is not Father Christmas, because in his sack he has something better than toys: the most beautiful stories, many dreams, and all goodness..´ Double cloth matted in green and red to an overall of 12.5 x 15. One vertical fold with text slightly light. G
SCOTT WALTER: (1771-1832) Scottish Novelist. A.L.S., W Scott, one page, 8vo, Abbotsford, n.d. ('Wednesday'; May 1822), to William Fair. Scott sends his hearty thanks to all concerned and adds 'I send my card (no longer present) for the press'. With integral address leaf. Some light overall age wear, otherwise about VG
STEVENSON ROBERT LOUIS: (1850-1894) Scottish Novelist of Treasure Island, Kidnapped and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. A.L.S., Robert Louis Stevenson, two pages, small 8vo, n.p. (Paris), 19th January 1877, to Walter L. Palmer. Stevenson writes an intriguing letter seeking a private meeting with Palmer and states, in full, 'I shall be obliged to you for an early interview. I have called on you already this morning; I shall call again after four this afternoon; and should I be again unfortunate, I should be glad to hear from you when you will be in the house, or where else I can conveniently speak with you alone. I am, Sir, your obedient servant'. Some light staining and wear to the folds (professionally and neatly repaired) only very slightly affecting a few words of text, but not the signature. G Stevenson's correspondent is most likely to have been Walter Launt Palmer (1854-1932) American Impressionist Painter. Palmer was in Paris in 1876-77 where he was studying with Carolus-Duran and encountered the artist colony of Grez-sur-Loing with Stevenson. The Scottish novelist was in Paris in early 1877 with his future wife, Fanny Osbourne, and spent much of the following year in the company of his lover and her two children.
DOYLE ARTHUR CONAN: (1859-1930) Scottish Author, creator of Sherlock Holmes. A fine A.L.S., A Conan Doyle, on two sides of his personal printed correspondence card, Bignell Wood, Minstead, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, 12th November n.y. (annotated 1926 in pencil in an unidentified hand), to an unknown correspondent, although presumably a literary critic. Doyle commences 'I remember old James Payn when I was his pupil giving me the standing rule "Never argue with a critic". I have kept it fairly well (save in psychic matters) and I do not feel galled by criticism for I always feel that if one does the very best one can Time will sort it out and what is worthy will remain & what dies should die', further adding 'Therefore I hardly know why I wrote to you save that it is an interesting point to argue how far a falling off is real or apparent & how far the fresh mind reacts as it used to do.' Doyle continues 'I was conscious at one time that [Sherlock] Holmes was strained & for some years I only wrote one story a year. I can truly say I have never written to order or allowed the money side of it to influence me at all. But I have not felt him strained in this last series of six. Five of these are done, and I will not do the sixth if I have any reason to think there is a real declension. I have my ear on the ground'. In concluding Doyle thanks his correspondent for their 'frank criticism & courteous letter' and remarks 'I should be a fool indeed if I resented what is honestly said'. A letter of good literary content and with a rare reference to Sherlock Holmes. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG James Payn (1830-1898) English Novelist & Editor of Chambers's Journal and the Cornhill Magazine. Presuming that the date of 1926 is correct, then Doyle would have been making reference to the final six Sherlock Holmes stories he would write, each of which appeared in The Strand Magazine between October 1926 and April 1927, concluding with The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place.
BARRIE J. M.: (1860-1937) Scottish Novelist, created Peter Pan. A.L.S., J. M. Barrie, one page, 8vo, Stanway, Cheltenham, 16th January 1927, to Mr. Murray. Barrie thanks his correspondent for having sent him a book ('which is doubtless awaiting my return to London') and remarks 'I look forward to reading it'. Some extremely light, very minor age wear, VG
MAUGHAM W. SOMERSET: (1874-1965) English Novelist and Playwright. T.L.S., W. S. Maugham, one page, 8vo, London, 1st November 1962, to Avarus, on the printed stationery of The Dorchester hotel. Maugham thanks his correspondent for their 'interesting and most moving letter', which had touched and pleased him, and hopes that he is addressing his correspondent correctly ('I cannot decipher your signature'), further remarking 'You must forgive me if I do not ask you to send me your treatise. I am now a very old man - nearly ninety - and in an indifferent state of health. I have not the strength left to do what you ask of me'. Some very light, extremely minor age toning, VG
BURGESS ANTHONY: (1917-1993) English Author of the dystopian satire A Clockwork Orange (1962). An unusual pair of ink signatures, 'with best wishes - Anthony Burgess (Antoine Bourgeois)', on a small 4to feint ruled page removed from a notebook, dated Monte Carlo, 24th July 1976 in his hand. Burgess has further added an original pen and ink drawing in his hand at the base of the page, the image showing an orange with a mechanical device extending from a segment of the fruit, evidently inspired by the title of Burgess's most famous work, A Clockwork Orange. An ink annotation in French to the verso indicates that the signature and drawing were made for a French journalist who had interviewed Burgess in Monte Carlo for the BBC. Rare in this form. Some very light age wear and minor creasing, about VGAnthony Burgess has offered several different clarifications as to the origin and meaning of the title A Clockwork Orange, in the preface to A Clockwork Orange: A Play with Music writing that the title was a metaphor for 'an organic entity, full of juice and sweetness and agreeable odour, being turned into a mechanism'.
BORGES JORGE LUIS: (1899-1986) Argentine Short-Story Writer, Essayist, Poet & Translator, a key figure in Spanish literature. A good, rare autograph manuscript signed, Jorge Luis Borges, one page, 8vo, Buenos Aires, 18th May n.y. (1927), in Spanish. The manuscript, with several corrections, is of an essay entitled Para el Centenario de Gongora and commences 'I will always be ready to think of Don Luis de Gongora every hundred years', continuing 'Gongora has risen to abstraction. The dedication to the letters, the esoteric and modest writing, the martyrdom acts of other people's misunderstanding and finesse, are symbolised in him. The witty Cordovan Luis de Argote - a man of bitterness on the lips and of youth employed in love - is now called Gongora, in the same way that two sticks tied in the middle are called a cross' and concluding 'Gongora is - I hope unfairly - the symbol of careful technicality, of the simulation of mystery, of mere adventures of syntax. That is to say, of academism that misbehaves and is scandalous. That is to say, of that melodious and perfect non-literature that I have always repudiated. I consign my hope - so often satisfied - of being wrong'. A wonderfully astute essay written in celebration of the tri-centennial of the death of Luis de Gongora. Some light overall foxing, otherwise VG Luis de Gongora (1561-1627) Spanish Poet who, alongside his lifelong rival, Francisco de Quevedo, is widely considered to be one of the most prominent Spanish poets of all time and a leading figure in Spain's Golden Age of literature. Gongora's influence on the Spanish-language avant-gardes was far reaching and Garcia Lorca's poetic group, 'The Generation of '27', are referred to as such precisely because their founding act was a celebration of Gongora's tri-centennial in that year. Para el Centenario de Gongora was originally published in Martin Fierro (No. 41, Buenos Aires, 28th May 1927) and reprinted in El idioma de los argentines the following year.
NEGRI ADA: (1870-1945) Italian Poet & Writer. Autograph verse signed, Ada Negri, on an oblong 8vo page removed from an autograph album, Milan, 15th May 1896, in Italian. Negri has penned a four line verse relating to the immeasurable joy of a baby's first kisses. Some very light, extremely minor foxing, otherwise VG
HEINE HEINRICH: (1797-1856) German Poet, Writer & Literary Critic. A.L.S., Henri Heine, in the third person, to one side of a plain oblong 12mo visiting card, n.p. (Seine-et-Marne?), n.d. (between 1802-34), to an unidentified recipient, in French. Heine wishes his friend a good day and adds 'I hope to have the good fortune of finding you at home another day, or perhaps to see you at Lagrange'. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG The Chateau de la Grange-Bleneau is a 14th century castle in the Seine-et-Marne district of France and was the home of the French aristocrat and military officer Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834) from 1802 until his death. In his work French Affairs Heine described Lafayette as a 'master of ceremonies' worshipped by the French as their idol, writing 'They adore him as a kind of Providence on horseback, an armed tutelary patron of public peace and security, as a genius of freedom', also observing that Lagrange was 'very charming'.
BURNS ROBERT: (1759-1796) Scottish Poet, a pioneer of the Romantic movement. Ink signature ('Robt. Burns') and holograph subscription ('Sir, your deeply indebted and most obedient humble servt.') on a slightly irregularly and closely trimmed very slim oblong 8vo piece (8.5 x 0.75) evidently removed from the conclusion of a letter, with one partial holograph line of text to the recto, 'value as his Rhymes: I beg your permission, Sir, from time to'. A couple of very light, extremely minor stains, not affecting the signature, about VG
NASH OGDEN: (1902-1971) American Poet. A.L.S., Ogden Nash, to one side of a colour picture postcard featuring an illustration of the North Drawing Room of The Royal Pavilion in Brighton, n.p. (Brighton), 20th November n.y., to Kenneth Allsop at the Daily Mail in London. Nash writes, in full, 'My disappointment was deep, but I was indeed hors de combat. Much better now after 5 days of sea air, and back to London tomorrow. All my thanks for your good wishes'. Annotated in ink in an unidentified hand to the upper edge. A few very light, minor corner creases, VG Kenneth Allsop (1920-1973) British Broadcaster, Author & Naturalist.
ROLLAND ROMAIN: (1866-1944) French Dramatist & Novelist, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1915. A.L.S., Romain Rolland, two pages, written to first and third page, 8vo, light green paper, Villeneuve, Villa Olga, 10th February 1931, to a comrade, in French. Rolland thanks his correspondent for his letter and mentions how glad his sister and myself will be to receive him and his mother, and suggests meeting on February 15th. On a post-scriptum Rolland explains in full detail how to reach his home, stating in part `Villa Olga is very close, a little above the former hotel Byron, well known in the region, which is now occupied by an English college. You can reach the train station..´ Paper with watermark. Very few small creases, otherwise VG
ROLLAND ROMAIN: (1866-1944) French Dramatist & Novelist, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1915. A.L.S., Romain Rolland, two pages, written to first and third page, 8vo, light green paper, Villeneuve, Villa Olga, 21st March 1935, to an unidentified correspondent, in French. Rolland explains how glad his wife, his sister and myself will be to receive him and his mother again, further stating in part `I do think that on last occasion you visited us the hotel Byron wasn´t yet burned. The rubble obstruct in art the way. If you will be coming with an automobile, the best would be to cross the little bridge over the train station between Villeneuve and the Hotel Byron, in front of “Montreux-Plage”..´ Paper with watermark. Very few small creases, otherwise VG
TENNIS: A printed 4to official souvenir brochure for the Federation Cup tennis tournament held in Nottingham, 21st - 28th July 1991, multiple signed to the inside front cover and several other pages by eighteen female tennis players and one coach who participated in the tournament, some of them Wimbledon champions and others Olympic medallists, comprising Steffi Graf, Jennifer Capriati, Jana Novotna, Anna-Maria Cecchini, Manuela Maleeva-Fragniere, Katerina Maleeva, Anke Huber, Zina Garrison, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Rachel McQuillan, Mary Joe Fernandez, Gigi Fernandez, Olga Morozova, Hana Mandlikova, Raffaella Reggi, Linda Ferrando, Miriam Oremans, Conchita Martinez and Marty Riessen. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG
SOMERSET FITZROY: (1788-1855) 1st Baron Raglan. British Field Marshal, commanded the British troops during the Crimean War. Raglan gave the order which led to the Charge of the Light Brigade. A.L.S., FR Somerset, one page, 4to, Freneda, 11th December 1812, to Sir Charles Stuart. Somerset informs his correspondent that the Duke of Wellington has granted Major Loftus leave 'to return to England without waiting for the Officers of his Battn. which has been defeated', explaining 'He intends to set off immediately for Lisbon & then to go home as soon as he can' and adding 'If he wishes it, I will thank you, to give him your dispatches at least if having them will assist his getting home'. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, 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. FitzRoy Somerset served as both aide-de-camp (from 1808) and military secretary (from 1810) to the Duke of Wellington.
BRITISH MILITARY: Selection of A.Ls.S. by various British military leaders comprising Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (referring to some letters and an account of Mr. Arden's health, 1820), Evelyn Wood VC (stating, in part, 'I must like Sir Charles Coldstream in “Used Up” answer “There's nothing in it”', 5th May n.y.), George de Lacy Evans (2; in one inviting his correspondent to a dinner with a General who has arrived from Paris and in the other stating that he is not qualified 'as to the style & wording of such a memorial' and intriguingly adding '….take care not to mention my name as a friend of yours as I have had the ill luck of rendering myself fearfully obnoxious in the high region of the Court & especially so to Sir C.P.', n.d.), Baron Raglan (as Fitzroy Somerset to Sir Edward Knatchbull, Paymaster-General, stating that there is 'no chance' of the Commander-in-Chief being able to make a recommendation for Captain Knight and that he has received the Captain's application to be placed on half pay, the difference between Infantry and Cavalry, 'and this is noted for consideration and will be attended to when a favourable opportunity may offer', 1844) and Garnet Wolseley (thanking his correspondent for a plan of the Battle of Tchernaia which he took a great interest in studying in detail, 1880). Some light age wear and a few minor faults, G to about VG, 6
[WORLD WAR II - INDIA]: Archibald Wavell (1883-1950) 1st Earl Wavell. British Field Marshal of World War II who served as Commander-in-Chief, India 1941-42, 1942-43 and later as Viceroy and Governor-General of India 1943-47. War date T.L.S., Wavell, with holograph salutation and subscription, one page, small 4to, Patna, 11th April 1944, to Mrs. Prince, on the printed stationery of the Viceroy's Camp. Wavell thanks his correspondent for their letter about Childe Rowland and the story from the fairy tale book, commenting 'I am most interested in it, I always wondered where Browning got the story from, and it must undoubtedly have been from this old fairy tale'. Together with a second War date T.L.S., Wavell, with holograph salutation, one page, small 4to, New Delhi, 21st August 1945, also to Mrs. Prince, on the printed stationery of The Viceroy's House. Wavell returns 'the pages (no longer present) which you so nobly tore out of your Fairy Book' and further remarks 'If a revised edition of my Anthology is ever published I will include a note to show where Browning got his idea from'; Claude Auchinleck (1884-1981) British Field Marshal of World War II, Commander-in-Chief, India 1941, 1943-47. War date T.L.S., C. J. Auchinleck, with holograph salutation and subscription, one page, 8vo, New Delhi, 24th May 1944, to Mrs. P. Watts, on the printed stationery of the Commander in Chief in India. Auchinleck thanks his correspondent for their letter and sends her one of his GHQ (India) signs (no longer present), adding in a holograph postscript 'It is worn with the red uppermost'. Together with a vintage black fountain pen ink signature ('C. J. Auchinleck, FM, C-in-C in India') by Auchinleck, and date, 9th May 1947, in his hand on an oblong 12mo piece neatly cut from the head of a sheet of printed stationery from the India Office, Whitehall; Louis Mountbatten (1900-1979) 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma. British Admiral of the Fleet of World War II, Viceroy and Governor-General of India 1947, Governor-General of India 1947-48. T.L.S., Mountbatten of Burma, with holograph salutation and subscription, one page, 8vo, Broadlands, Romsey, Hampshire, 25th July 1965, to Mrs. Jephcott. Mountbatten thanks his correspondent for their kind letter and a newspaper clipping which he was delighted to receive and comments 'I have just spent a week as the guest of Haile Selassie in Ethiopia and only got back last night'. Some light overall creasing and minor age wear, G, 5 Archibald Wavell published Other Men's Flowers: An Anthology of Poetry in 1944 and a revised memorial edition appeared in 1952.
GUISAN HENRI: (1874-1960) Swiss General during WWII. Last officer to be appointed General and Switzerland´s most famous soldier. An excellent signed and inscribed postcard photograph by Guisan, `Gen. Guisan´, the image showing Swiss General outdoors, standing in a full length pose wearing his military uniform. Signed and inscribed in bold black fountain pen ink to a clear area at the base of the image, also dated 11th April 1947 in his hand. The photograph also bears a light purple ink stamp “General Guisan”. EX
OPPENHEIMER J. ROBERT: (1904-1967) American Theoretical Physicist, known as the `father of the atomic bomb' for his role in the Manhattan Project during World War II. Scarce T.L.S., `Robert Oppenheimer´, one page, 4to, Princeton, 26th August 1963, on the letter heading of The Institute For Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey, to famous journalist Mr. Norman Cousins, Saturday Review, New York. Oppenheimer states `I very much liked your letter in the Times yesterday. I hope that you will like this very brief talk that I gave last June in Chicago´ Signed in bold blue ink at the base. Very small and light crease to the upper left corner with two extremely small pinholes as a result of a former staple, otherwise about VG Norman Cousins (1915-1990) was a noted political journalist and active world peace advocate.
FERMI ENRICO: (1901-1954) Italian Physicist, Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1938. Fermi worked on the Manhattan Project to develop an atomic bomb during World War II. A very fine Autograph Statement signed, one page, slim oblong 8vo, Stockholm, 11th December 1938, in Italian. Fermi writes, in full, 'I am convinced that physical sciences should orientate themselves towards an intense collaboration with other sister sciences and equally with biology. I hope that such a tendency, which is developing, could benefit both branches'. An excellent scientific related statement signed by Fermi at a significant point in his life and career. Some light creasing and age wear to the edges, only very slightly affecting a few words of text but not the signature, about VG Fermi had been one of just two Nobel Laureates (the other being Pearl S, Buck) present at the Stockholm Concert Hall on 10th December 1938, the day before signing the present statement, to receive their Nobel Diplomas and Medals from King Gustav V. Following his visit to Stockholm in December 1938 Fermi did not return to Italy but instead travelled to New York City with his family where they applied for permanent residency looking to become US citizens primarily due to the racial laws in Italy. It was not long after arriving in New York, in January 1939, that Fermi and other scientists, including Niels Bohr, began to discuss the newly discovered phenomenon of fission as a possible source of nuclear power.
HITLER ANGELA: (1883-1949) Austro-Hungarian elder half-sister of Adolf Hitler and the mother of Geli Raubal. The Fuhrer was extremely close to his half-niece, to the point of a possible sexual relationship with her and was devastated when Raubal committed suicide in controversial circumstances at the age of 23 in Hitler's Munich apartment. A rare A.L.S., Geli, to one side of a picture postcard of a building in Radebeul, n.p. (Dresden), 28th May 1937, to Hans Pant in Vienna, in German. Hitler informs her friend that she will be in Vienna on Monday and will be staying until the 4th June, adding 'I should be delighted if I could see you'. A letter with interesting associations. A couple of very minor, extremely light corner creases, otherwise VG Johannes Pant had been a priest at the Vienna Men's Hostel where Adolf Hitler lived in 1909 and it is alleged that Pant arranged for the cover up at the funeral and burial of Geli Raubal in Vienna on 24th September 1931 less than a week after her suicide.
HOFFMANN HEINRICH: (1885-1957) German Photographer & Publisher, Adolf Hitler's official photographer and a member of his intimate circle. Hoffmann was tried and sentenced for war profiteering after World War II. A rare series of original pencil caricatures drawn and signed by Hoffmann, one page, n.p. (Nuremberg), n.d. (c.1945-46). Hoffmann has drawn a series of six caricatures of various Jewish gentlemen, most in head and shoulders poses although one a full length study of a man walking. Signed by Hoffmann with his name alone in pencil at the base. Two file holes to the left edge, not affecting the images or signature, and with some light overall age wear and foxing, G Provenance: The present drawings are accompanied by a certificate of provenance signed by Peter Birner in 2001 stating that Hoffmann presented them to his grandfather, Andreas Birner, who was commander of the German guards in the section of the Nuremberg prison in which Nazi war criminals were held by the International Military Tribunal whilst awaiting their Denazification Trials.
MULLER RENATE: (1906-1937) German Singer and Actress, courted by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party during the 1930's. Muller died in mysterious circumstances at the age of 31, possibly murdered by Gestapo officers. Vintage signed sepia postcard photograph of Muller standing in an elegant full length pose. Signed in fountain pen ink with her name alone to a light area of the image. Her signature is a little light in places. Scarce. VG
TSCHAMMER UND OSTEN HANS VON: (1887-1943) German Sports Official of World War II, Reich Sports Leader 1933-43 in Nazi Germany. A good vintage signed and inscribed 8.5 x 11 photograph of Tschammer und Osten seated in a three quarter length pose wearing a circular lapel pin featuring a Nazi swastika. Photograph by Atelier Sandau of Berlin. Signed by Tschammer und Osten in fountain pen ink to the image, partially across a darker area although legible, and dated 30th July 1940 in his hand. Some very light, minor silvering and age wear to the edges, otherwise VG
FREISLER ROLAND: (1893-1945) German Nazi Jurist, Judge & Politician, present at the Wannsee Conference which set in motion the Holocaust. Freisler also presided over the 20 July plot show-trials. D.S., Freisler, one page, folio, Berchtesgaden, 14th August 1939, in German. The gold and black partially printed document appoints Heinrich Keimer to be a Court Judge for the District Court for life. Signed by Freisler at the foot and also bearing a facsimile signature of Adolf Hitler alongside a blind embossed circular seal featuring the Nazi eagle and swastika. With blank integral leaf. Tied with the original string within a folio presentation folder with a gold printed Nazi eagle and swastika to the front cover (some scuffing). Some light creasing and age wear, about VG
NAZI GERMANY: Small selection of signed postcard photographs by various German Field Marshals and Generals, most of them Knight's Cross winners, who served during World War II comprising Ferdinand Schorner, Erich von Manstein (signature a little light), Gunther Lungerhausen, Alfred Keller (signed to the recto and verso) and Hasso von Manteuffel (signed in red ink with poor contrast). Most of the images have typed captions to the recto or versos. Generally VG, 5
GRANDI DINO: (1895-1988) Italian Fascist Politician, Minister of Foreign Affairs 1929-32. A.L.S., Grandi, one page, 4to, Monte Estoril, n.d. ('Samedi', c.1945), to a Doctor, in French. Grandi announces (including a grammatical error) 'Here is the beginning, and I am really sorry for the delay, due to the impossibility to find a typist who can type in Italian. The dirty part that you see, it is me that I typed it, and I am very ashamed of it!', further adding that a lady in charge of finishing the work has promised to deliver it on Monday and also asking his correspondent to send the proofs when they are ready. Some light staining and age wear, only very slightly affecting a few words of text but not the signature, GDino Grandi resided in Portugal from 1943-48 and the present letter may relate to the publication of his book Racconta in 1945.
WORLD WAR II: Selection of T.Ls.S., A.L.S. (1) etc., by various British military, naval and air force personnel associated with World War II comprising Alexander of Tunis (referring to 'the so-called “mutiny” at the Curragh in 1914' which he remembers being quite intrigued in, although 'had no particular interest in the matter', 1954), Earl Wavell (sending his correspondent a pamphlet issued by the Eastern Army, 1943), John Cunningham (thanking Lieutenant Commander Beechey-Newman for their congratulations and adding 'I look back with considerable pleasure to the Empire Day Parade of the Sea Cadet Corps in Hyde Park last year', 1948), Airey Neave (thanking his correspondent for sending a copy of a letter to the Prime Minister and remarking that he read his comments with great interest, 1973) and Douglas Bader (signed order of ceremony for the official opening of Meadowcroft County Junior School in Aylesbury, 1969). Some very light age wear, generally VG, 5
JOSEPH I: (1678-1711) Holy Roman Emperor 1705-11. A good, scarce D.S., Joseph, as Holy Roman Emperor, two pages, small folio, Vienna, 20th October 1706, in German. The attractively printed document is addressed to Christophorus, Prelate of Aggsbach ('Dear Sublime, Devout Minister') and states, in part, 'The wonderful hand of God has helped us and our allies to successfully counter the ambitions of the French crown. And this despite the fact that the renegade subjects of the beloved Hereditary Kingdom of Hungary, who have allied themselves with the French crown, do not cease to pillage, to set fires and to commit murders in our neighbouring lands. We have therefore decided to hold the state parliament in our residence in Vienna on the 9th of the next month to consider the situation. We ask that you appear on that day, neglecting all of your other matters, to participate in the consultation. I also ask you to comment during this consultation and to stay until the end to await the results of the discussion…..' With two countersignatures at the foot including that of the Chancellor of Seilern-Aspang. With integral address leaf bearing a blind embossed paper seal. Documents signed by Joseph I are scarce as a result of his untimely death at the age of 32 during the smallpox epidemic of 1711. A few light, minor stains, not affecting the Holy Roman Emperor's signature, otherwise VG Joseph I continued the War of the Spanish Succession, which had begun by his father against King Louis XIV of France, in a fruitless attempt to make his younger brother Charles (later Emperor Charles VI) King of Spain. Joseph I also had to contend with a protracted revolt in Hungary, as referred to in the present document, fomented by King Louis XIV. Neither conflict was resolved until the Treaty of Utrecht, after his death.
PHILIP III: (1578-1621) King of Spain 1598-1621. D.S., Rey, at the foot, as King, one page, folio, Lisbon, 10th November 1607. The manuscript document authorises Don Pedro Lobo to keep on his property six oxen and one mare which are required for the cultivation of his land. The second page contains the manuscript text of the petition by Don Pedro Lobo, an inhabitant of Elvas, and bears several counter signatures. With blank integral leaf. Some light overall age wear. VG
LOUIS PHILIPPE I: (1773-1850) King of France 1830-48. L.S., Louis Philippe D, one page, 4to, Tuileries Palace, Paris, 27th November 1837, to [Theodore] Ducos, in French. The King informs his correspondent that 'the opening session of the chambers will take place in Paris on Monday the 8th of December' and that he should be in attendance. Countersigned at the foot by Marthe Camille Bachasson (1801-1880) Count of Montalivet, French Statesman and Minister of the Interior. With blank integral leaf. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG Theodore Ducos (1801-1855) French Politician & Shipowner, Deputy for Bordeaux from 1834.
EUGENIE DE MONTIJO: (1826-1920) Empress Consort of the French 1853-71, wife of Emperor Napoleon III. Signed printed folio edition of the sheet music for the Polka favourite Stephanie by Leon Waldteufel, published by Schlosser of Paris. Bearing the ownership signature (´Eugenie´) of the Empress Consort to the upper edge of the attractively printed colour paper cover. Some light overall foxing and age wear and neat splitting of the pages at the left edge. About G
WILHELM II: (1859-1941) German Emperor & King of Prussia 1888-1918. D.S., Wilhelm F.R., in bold indelible pencil, one page, small 4to, Haus Doorn, 15th May 1930, in German. The typescript document is in the form of a telegram issued on the official printed stationery of the Emperor and King and states, in full, 'I would like to sincerely thank you and all present German subjects, having expressed their loyalty to the Emperor in paying homage to the Imperial and Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, and my two grandchildren during their visit. The sincere devotion, displayed to my family and me, was a delight. I send my best regards to all persons concerned'. Some extremely light overall creasing and very minor age wear and with some slight traces of former mounting to the verso, causing some very minimal thinning to the upper edge, otherwise VG
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