There are 534297 lots that match your search criteria. Subscribe now to get instant access to the full price guide service.
Click here to subscribeCHIANG KAI-SHEK: (1887-1975) Chinese Political and Military Leader of the Republic of China 1928-75. Signed 3.5 x 5.5 photograph of the Generalissimo, the Hu Chung Hsien image showing Chiang Kai-Shek in a smiling head and shoulders pose. Signed in Chinese characters, in bold dark fountain pen ink, to a light area at the left base of the image. EX £400-600
PAUL V: (1550-1621) Pope of the Roman Catholic Church 1605-21. Born Camillo Borghese. He supported Galileo Galilei discoveries and protected him. Extremely rare L.S., `Paulus Papa V´, as Pope, to the heading, one page, 4to, Rome, 1st of November 1613, to Cardinal of Santa Maria Nuova Alessandro d´Este, in Italian. A carefully penned document referring his correspondent´s travel to Spain `..to make this trip for your important affairs, we give you our blessing…wishing you a safe trip and good return…´ With blank address leaf bearing a red wax seal in fine condition. With intersecting folds and a very small hole not affecting the text or signatures. Overall light creasing due to age wear. G £3000-4000 Alessandro d´Este (1568-1624) Italian Cardinal. Bishop of Reggio Emilia.
DUMAS ALEXANDRE: Fils (1824-1895) French Author and Dramatist. AçAn excellent autograph statement signed `A Dumas´, one page, 8vo, light brown paper, n.d., in French. Dumas states `Quand nous perdons ceux que nous aimons, ils cessent d´être où ils étaient, mais ils sont partout où nous sommes.´ (`When we lose those we love, they stop being where they were, but they are everywhere we are.´ With blank integral leaf. Folded. About EX £120-200
PELE: (1940- ) Brazilian Footballer. A retro Brazil gold and green cotton football jersey, with embroidered CBD (Confederação Brasileira de Desportos) emblem patch to left chest and number "10" on back, prominently signed below the number in black felt tip, "Pele". Some very light age wear, about VG £150-200
NEWMAN ALFRED: (1900-1970) American Composer of Film Music, Academy Award winner. D.S., Alfred Newman, four pages, 4to, n.p., 17th November 1932. The partially printed document, completed in typescript, is addressed to the Music Rights Department of Electrical Research Products Inc. in New York and gives notice of the intention for forty compositions to be used by United Artists in their production of The Kid from Spain. The document lists each of the compositions and their composers, including several by Newman and others including Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. Signed by Newman to the first page in his capacity as Musical Director. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG £200-300 The Kid from Spain (1932) was an American comedy starring Eddie Cantor which centred around bullfighting. The musical scenes are particularly noteworthy and included performances by the Goldwyn Girls (featuring a young Betty Grable) choreographed by Busby Berkeley.
ROSSINI GIOACCHINO: (1792-1868) Italian Composer. A rare A.M.Q.S., G. Rossini, three pages, 4to, musical score paper, London, 26th June 1824, annotations in Italian. Rossini has carefully penned 24 bars of music on two and three staves corresponding to his opera Ermione (1819), adding multiple side annotations, tempos, `Canto.. Pianoforte.. ´ as well as voice texts beneath the musical notes `Cosi piu mio non e.., come si puo cosi… e questa soffre il ciel, perfidia ed empie.. e ancor per l´infedel un fulmine non ha…´. Signed and dated in bold black ink at the base. The musical score sheets bears attractive blind embossed ornated borders. Professionally repaired to the fold and to the verso. G £5000-8000Ermione (1819) is an opera in two acts by Rossini, which is based on the play Andromaque by Jean Racine. The opera was withdrawn after few performances and would only be performed again a hundred years after Rossini´s death. Rossini said about it "It's my little Italian Guillaume Tell; and it will not see the light of day until after my death."
DICKENS CHARLES: (1812-1870) English Novelist. A.L.S., Charles Dickens, one page, 8vo, Gads Hill Place, Higham by Rochester, Kent, 28th April 1863, to William Woodall. Dickens announces 'I do not remember to have received any such communication from you as you describe in your letter…..' and continues to add that the letter may have gone to his London office and been set aside by mistake 'in the great accumulation of correspondence there'. Dickens further adds 'It is with regret that I convey to you the assurance of my inability to comply with the request of the Wedgwood Memorial Committee. But I have lately done all that I can reasonably afford to do…..'. With integral leaf bearing a contemporary docket, presumably in the hand of Woodall, noting that Dickens was 'unable to read gratuitously'. Some very light, extremely minor age toning and light wear, VG £800-1200 William Woodall (1832-1901) British Politician & Philanthropist, a supporter of Women's Suffrage. Woodall served as secretary of the Wedgwood Institute committee. The present letter is not included in The Letters of Charles Dickens (Vol. III 1836-70, published by Chapman and Hall, London, 1882).
NIKOLAEVICH NICHOLAS: (1856-1929) Grand Duke of Russia. Grandson of Tsar Nicholas I. Commander in Chief of the Russian Armies. T.L.S., Nikolas, in Cyrillic, one page, 4to, Chateau Choigny, Santeny, 19th August 1924, to General of Infantry Lech, in Cyrillic. Nicholas states ´I very much admire the feelings you have expressed to me; feelings in which I can find an unshakable spiritual connection with me. It is in such connection that I get new strengths to serve my beloved Homeland and I reinforce my certainty that we will accomplish our duty.´ With several additional holograph annotations by Nikolaevich. Some light age wear, otherwise VG. £200-300
SMITH C. AUBREY: (1863-1948) English Actor & Cricketer. A good and clean signed and inscribed page `To Barbara with good wishes C. Aubrey Smith´, in dark ink to a 6 x 4 note page. Attractively matted in light grey, beneath a 7 x 7 image of Smith (the photograph being 8 x 10) depicting the English actor in a close-up half length pose. Easily removable. EX £80-100
VERDI GIUSEPPE: (1813-1901) Italian Composer. A.L.S., G. Verdi, one page, 8vo, Santa Agata, 14th October 1877, to [Giovanni] Maloberti, in Italian. Verdi writes a brief letter to his friend, stating 'Here you have 120 Lire for the whole year 1878. Do not send me neither the Chinese vases nor the other one'. With blank integral leaf. Some very light, extremely minor foxing, VG £800-1200 Giovanni Maloberti (1799-1880) Italian Violinist and the Philharmonic concertmaster in Piacenza, a close friend of Verdi for more than fifty years. When Maloberti retired from playing music he became an antique dealer and, in Verdi, he found the ideal customer. The composer was, as the present letter suggests, a passionate antique collector and filled his homes with antique furniture, paintings and objet d'art.
KLAPROTH JULIUS HEINRICH: (1783-1835) German Linguist, Ethnographer, Explorer and Orientalist. His works are credited with the turning of East Asian Studies into scientific disciplines. A rare A.L.S., Le Prof. Klaproth, in the third person, at the head, one page, 12mo, on a drawing light brown paper, Berlin, 13th November 1800, to Mr. Puyton-Morveau, in French. Klaproth sends his regards to his correspondent through Docteur Friedlander, and stating in part `He persuaded me that you will accept rending him services which will contribute to extend the knowledge of this scholar and traveller.´ G to VG £400-600
TOLSTOY LEO: (1828-1910) Russian Writer of the masterpieces War and Peace and Anna Karenina. A rare, large vintage signed and inscribed 10 x 15 photograph of Tolstoy seated in a three quarter length pose wearing his familiar dark peasant's tunic. Photograph published by Joseph Daziaro of Moscow and with his small printed label neatly affixed to the base of the verso. Signed by Tolstoy in Cyrillic across the lower part of the image and dated Yalta, 26th December 1901 in his hand. Signed photographs of Tolstoy of this size are particularly rare and desirable. The signature and inscription partially run across a darker area of the image and the text is a little light although legible. Some light overall age wear and minor scuffing to the image, G £4000-6000 The present photograph is inscribed to Pavel Alexandrovich Boulanger (1865-1925) Russian Railway official, a friend of Tolstoy and Tolstoyan Disciple. Boulanger was employed by the Moscow-Kursk Railway company and helped to arrange transport to the Crimea in the summer of 1901, where Tolstoy had been ordered to convalesce by his doctor following an illness. Tolstoy signed this photograph in 1901, the year that he was selected to receive the first Nobel Prize for Literature. In October he had turned down the honour believing that the prize money would bring unwanted complications to his life.
BERLIOZ HECTOR: (1803-1869) French Composer. L.S., H. Berlioz, with partial holograph salutation ('Monsieur'), one page, 8vo, Paris, 15th June 1844, to a gentleman, in French. The form printed letter announces 'I organise a great festival which will take place at the end of July in the room of the Exposition in the Champs-Elysees' and continues 'On this occasion, it would be nice to be able to unite all the musical talents existing in Paris and thus obtain an execution of the masterpieces whose programme is largely composed, worthy of both our capital and the current state of art'. Berlioz further informs his correspondent that a mass of 400 choristers have already been assembled, 'but its action shall be doubled if the main artists and professors - the honour of our lyrical scenes and of our schools - shall consent to appear at the heads of the various groups singing to guide them with their soul and voice', and adds 'It is this favour, Sir, that I dare to ask of your love of art and your kindness towards me'. In a postscript the composer asks for a reply to his letter before 1st July, and instructs that it should be sent to Mr. Ferriere, secretary of the festival, at the conservatory. Some light overall creasing, minor age wear and staining, none of which adversely affect the signature, G £600-900The present letter was written during a busy period of Berlioz's life; his highly influential Treatise on Instrumantation was published in early 1844 and it was also in this year that the composer met with his close friend, composer Mikhail Glinka, in Paris. Glinka persuaded Berlioz to embark on one of two tours of Russia, resulting in the French composer jokingly remarking 'If the Emperor of Russia wants me, then I am up for sale'.
CHAGALL MARC: (1887-1985) Russian-born French Artist. A good signed 7 x 9 photograph by Chagall, the attractive image depicting the artist seated on the floor, in a full length pose, with his mural paintings works to the background. Signed `Marc Chagall´ in brown ink to the lower white border, dated 1971 in his hand. Ink signature very slightly light in some areas. One very small stain to the lower border, not affecting the signature. Extremely small trace of former affixing to the verso, otherwise G £400-600
EDISON THOMAS: (1847-1931) American Inventor of the phonograph and light bulb among many other items. A.L.S., `E´, one page, 8vo, n.p., n.d. [1924] , to Jaffrey P. Buchanan. Typically writing in bold dark pencil, Edison expresses his concerns and states `Buchanan, We lose 100 Records daily due to hairs. Can´t these be seen by inspector of varnished blank & picked with needle´. ´Very small overall age wear, otherwise VG £600-900 Jaffray P. Buchanan was employed by Edison as Manager of his Record Disc Division. The present note refers to Edison and Buchanan´s works on the production of the phonograph records.
[HITLER ADOLF]: (1889-1945) Fuhrer of the Third Reich 1934-45. An Adolf Hitler's original personal unused printed 12mo bookplate, engraved in brown on a light beige threaded paper. Hitler's name is printed at the base beneath a Nazi eagle, swastika and oak leaves and the printed words Ex Libris at the head. VG £150-200
EIFFEL GUSTAVE: (1832-1923) French Civil Engineer & Architect, best known for the world-famous Eiffel Tower, built for the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris. A good autograph statement signed, G. Eiffel, on an 8vo page removed from an album, n.p., (Paris), n.d. (dated 14th July 1889 in an unidentified hand to the upper right corner), in French. Eiffel writes, in full, 'Paris is, at this time, eager to give the universe its warmest welcome'. A fine, boldly penned example with a good association to the Eiffel Tower, created as the entrance to the Exposition Universelle of 1889. Some very light, extremely minor age toning, largely to the edges, VG £400-600
PIUS VII: (1742-1823) Pope of the Roman Catholic Church 1800-23. Born Count Barnaba Niccolo Maria Luigi Chiaramonti. An excellent manuscript L.S., `Pius PP VII´, as Pope, one page, oblong folio, 16 x 10, Rome, 17th December 1819, to Archbishop of Messina, Antonio Maria Trigona, in Latin. The cleanly written and attractive document being the appointment of Antonio Maria Trigona as new Archbishop of Caesarea. Countersigned by Cardinal Secretary of State Consalvi Ercole. With blank integral leaf. Several vertical folds, scattered light spotting, and a few wrinkles, otherwise in fine condition. About VG £1000-1500
STEIN GERTRUDE: (1874-1946) American Novelist, Poet and art Collector. Stein moved to Paris in 1903 where she lived for the remainder of her life. She hosted a Paris salon, where the leading figures of modernism in literature and art, such as Picasso, Hemingway, Scott Fitzgerald and Matisse would meet. A.L.S., `Gtrde Stein´, two pages, 4to, Paris, n.d. [1938], on her personal printed stationery, Rue de Fleurus, Paris, to Billie Young. Stein crosses out her Parisian printed address and annotates beneath the new one `5 rue Christine´. In her usual difficult to decipher hand, Stein sends a friendly message, stating in part `Your letter touched me very much… send me more newspapers with your column in it, I would like to have them, I always like..´ further referring to her change of address ´.. after over 3 years in one place, here we are in another..´ With a Charles Skipper & East London watermark. Light ink. Overall minor age wear. G £800-1200
GADDAFI MUAMMAR: (1942-2011) Leader of the Libyan Arab Republic 1969-77 and ˜Brother Leader'' of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 1977-2011. Assassinated. Signed colour 5 x 7.5 photograph of Colonel Gaddafi, the image depicting him in a half-length smiling pose. Signed, in Arabic, in bold red ink to a light area of the image. VG £150-200
JACOBS EDGAR P.: (1904-1987) Belgian comic book Creator. A founding father of the European comics movement. A collaborator of Hergé, and creator of Blake & Mortimer. A good T.L.S., `E.P. Jacobs´, one page, Lasne, 10th December 1974, on his printed stationery, to Bernard Toussaint, in French. Jacobs states in part `I want to tell you how much I have been shocked by the rigor of your analysis which do not leave shaded any element of "Le Mystere de la Grande Pyramide" Further saying `It is quite evident that whoever expresses something is also confessing in some way and at the same time delivering himself of his obsessions! I have read again "Le Mystère de la Pyramide" under the light of your autopsy and couldn´t do anything but admiring your serious and coherent analysis´ Signed in bold blue ink at the base. Folded, with a very small tear to the right edge. EX £150-200The Mystery of the Great Pyramid (1950) is a comic book by Edgard P. Jacobs, being the fourth in the Blake and Mortimer series.
SAND GEORGE: (1804-1876) French Novelist who used the pseudonym of George Sand, her real name being Amantine Dupin. Also known for her romantic affairs with artists, including Frédéric Chopin and Alfred de Musset. A good and lengthy A.L.S., `G. Sand´, three pages, 8vo, n.p., 2nd July 1858, to Gabriel Falampin, in charge of her business affairs, in French. George Sand quite annoyed with her correspondent states in part `..my husband sold these rents for 100.000, without any difficulty, belonging to me…´ further saying `..he sold for 40.000f with provenance from my passed away mother´s pension, and these 40.000 became his property in exchange of the abandonment of my children. ´ Sand further pushes Falampin to `make the necessary to overcome an illegal quibble.´ Light folding, otherwise VG £120-200
VOLTAIRE: (1694-1778) French Enlightenment Writer and Philosopher. Voltaire is a pseudonym, his name being François-Marie Arouet. Voltaire is known for his attacks on Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion and expression, and separation of church and state. Rare L.S., `Voltaire´, two pages, 4to, Chateau de Ferney, Geneva, 18th July 1763, to Monsieur Dehaye Minime, in French. Voltaire states in part `Forgive, Monsieur, an old man ill and almost blind, if I haven´t thank you earlier for your flattering prose and your lovely verses. If I was healthy and young…´ further saying `..It seems to me that the water of Hippocrene matches better with you than the Neapolitan oil which is not curing Louis Eleven..´ With blank address leaf. Overall age wear and light foxing. Professionally repaired to the folds. G £2000-3000
SOULT NICOLAS JEAN DE DIEU: (1769-1851) Marshal of France, Duc de Dalmatie. D.S., Mal Duc de Dalmatie, one page, folio, Paris, 17th May 1833, on the war ministry printed stationery, to Mr. La Canoigue, in French. Soult, in his capacity as Minister of war and Prime Minister, orders on behalf of the King that Lieutenant La Canoigue from the 9th artillery regiment is transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the African light artillery, further stating `He will immediately join his Battalion in Alger´. With blank integral leaf. Folded. VG £100-150
HOCHE LAZARE: (1768-1797) French General of the Revolutionary army. A talented General, best known for his victory over Royalist forces in Brittany. Minister of war. Hoche died at the very early age of 29 of tuberculosis. A good L.S., `L. Hoche´, one page, folio, Vannes Headquarters, 4th December 1794, to General Roget, in French. The partially printed document bears the printed heading of General Lazare Hoche, Army of Cherbourg and Brest coasts and a revolution vignette. Hoche sends military orders related to the Vendée Wars stating in part `You will create multiple patrols and will control the easier crossing locations on the right shore of the Blavet by your garrisons… I will meet you at Locminé where I will give you further new orders..´ Folded, with overall age wear and very light foxing. G £200-300
LAGERLOF SELMA: (1858-1940) Swedish Author, the first female writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, 1909. A.Q.S., Selma Lagerlof, on an oblong 8vo card, n.p., n.d. Lagerlof has neatly penned the Latin phrase 'Labor improbus omnia vicit' (translated as 'hard work conquers everything', adapted from Virgil's Georgics, Book I, line 145-6). With light age wear, otherwise VG £80-100
BORJA Y ARAGON FRANCISCO DE: (1581-1658) Spanish Writer, an official in the court of King Philip III of Spain. Viceroy of Peru 1615-21. L.S., Francisco de Borja, one page, 4to, Madrid, 23rd October 1632, to Francisco de Cardona, in Spanish. Borja y Aragon thanks his correspondent for their letter and wishes, he refers also to Cardona´s reports and to his good services. With blank integral leaf. Some very light, minor staining, largely to the left edge, only very slightly affecting a few words of text but not the signature. G. £100-150
[HITLER ADOLF]: (1889-1945) Fuhrer of the Third Reich 1934-45. An Adolf Hitler's original personal unused printed 12mo bookplate, engraved in brown on a light beige threaded paper. Hitler's name is printed at the base beneath a Nazi eagle, swastika and oak leaves and the printed words Ex Libris at the head. VG £150-200
FLAUBERT GUSTAVE: (1821-1880) French Novelist. Widely considered the leading exponent of the literary realism. Best-known for his debut novel Madame Bovary (1857). A good A.N.S., `Gu.Flaubert´, one page, 4to, n.p., Friday evening, n.y., to a friend, in French. Flaubert states `My dear friend, I am fully available for you and for the people you have recommended to me. Would you come at home next Sunday close to 4h!..´ With blank integral leaf bearing a Lacroix Brothers watermark. Light folding marks. VG £1000-1500
LUMIERE LOUIS: (1864-1948) French Pioneer Filmmaker, along with his brother Auguste. T.L.S., Louis Lumiere, two pages, Bandol, 12th June 1943, on his personal printed stationery, Villa Lumen, Bandol, Var, to Monsieur Lo Duca, in French. Lumiere responds to his correspondent´s letter and confirms having received his request and books, as well as his last manuscript dedicated to the History of the Photography and Cinema only eight days ago, and states `..my health which is very precarious these days (cataracts make reading more and more difficult and painful) did not allow me to answer sooner´ and adds an interesting thought `(Light is taking its revenge for my repeated dares!)´. Lumiere further congratulates Lo Luca for his book The History of Cinema, and `for your little book´ The Cinema Technique. Referring further to the manuscript received and to his correspondent´s request asking for Lumiere´s comments and annotations to this manuscript, the French filmmaker states `..I am taking the liberty to direct you to the few remarks you will find on a separate sheet, under reference numbers, in order to make the lecture easier.´ Lumiere also offers to Lo Luca´s international museum an original print related to his first movies, and concludes on a postscript explaining the personal documents which he also sends to his correspondent. Accompanied by two printed 4to pages, containing the amendments and annotations referred above, and including numerous technical, scientific and historical comments with multiple references to Marey, Antoine Lumiere and Melies. A letter of good content. Small overall age wear, with trace of a former staple, not affecting the text or signature. G £200-300 Joseph Marie Lo Luca (1910-2004) Italian writer and critic. Lo Luca was one of the founders of Cahiers du Cinema, an influential French film magazine founded in 1951.Etienne Jules Marey (1830-1904) French Scientist and pioneer of photography and cinema.Charles Antoine Lumiere (1840-1911) father of Auguste and Louis Lumiere.Georges Melies (1861-1938) French Film Director, a pioneer of cinema and innovator in the use of special effects.
KELLERMANN FRANÇOIS ETIENNE: (1770-1835) French General. Son of Marshal François Christophe Kellermann. Widely considered the ablest Napoleon´s cavalry commanders, he distinguished himself at the Battle of Austerlitz leading the light cavalry. A good A.L.S., `Kellermann´, three pages, folio, Valladolid, 21st to 28th October 1805, to General Thiebault, in French. A very interesting military content letter written during the Spanish campaign, related to the evacuations of Salamanca and Burgos, stating in part `We are taking provisions to enter the town. I withdraw most of my cavalry from the right wing, and I leave Thomieres with a thousand men to observe…´ further and ironically saying `I have armed 100 hussars, this means that I have given them horses, they are only missing saddles, bridles, clothes, boots, etc… everywhere, with good trenched positions, defended by 100 or 150 men should resist an attack of a thousand men until…´ Two pages with slightly lighter ink, otherwise G £60-90Jean Guillaume Thomieres (1771-1812) French General. Killed at the Arapiles battle.
GUILLOTIN JOSEPH-IGNACE: (1738-1814) French Physician, Politician & Freemason who, in 1789, proposed the use of the guillotine as a device to carry out death penalties in France. Manuscript D.S., Guillotin, one page, 4to, Paris, 24th January 1796, in French. The document is a medical prescription and states, in full, 'Take a quart of scrag of mutton and half a dozen turnips; put in a pint of water; boil at low heat until the turnips are cooked, then remove the turnips and mutton and let dissolve. Manna en sorte [flake or common manna] one ounce. Then pass it through a linen. You must drink the broth hot, in the morning, with an empty stomach, glass by glass, every half an hour, until all is finished'. Signed and dated at the conclusion. With a small slim 12mo French newspaper clipping announcing the death of Guillotin neatly affixed at the foot of the document. Some light overall foxing and with slightly irregularly trimmed edges, otherwise about VG £1500 - 2000It is unclear which ailment the present prescription would alleviate, however turnips are a very good source of anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins and dietary fibre and have been cultivated as staple food since ancient Greek and Roman periods.Guillotin proposed the use of the device known as a guillotine on 10th October 1789 as a less painful method of carrying out death penalties by execution in France. The apparatus, with which Guillotin's name has become eponymous, was particularly used during the French Revolution, where it was celebrated as the people's avenger by supporters of the Revolution and vilified as the pre-eminent symbol of the Reign of Terror by opponents. One of the most famous individuals to be executed by guillotine was Marie Antoinette, Queen consort of the French, on 16th October 1793.
NOBEL ALFRED: (1833-1896) Swedish Chemist, Inventor & Philanthropist. Known for his invention of dynamite, Nobel bequeathed his fortune to institute the Nobel Prizes. An extremely rare A.L.S., A Nobel, two pages, 8vo, Brussels, 17th October 1895, to Oscar Ljungstrom, in Swedish. Nobel writes concerning the development of a ball sledge and other apparatus, stating, in part, 'It is hard for me to believe that they in America have not made any attempts in this direction about which you first and foremost have to be informed. With this, I will not say the task cannot succeed although until now it has failed but there is a big saving of time, work and money with the knowhow of what others have done before. In pure mechanical direction, many very ingenious persons are working. The piece of the engine can be directed to make it good enough but it is maybe not necessary as the combustion possibilities are highly significant, which is shown in explosions in the mine, even without marsh gas' and concluding 'My coal engine is principally very interesting. It opens a new horizon. I know it is now in good hands'. A letter of good scientific content. Some light overall age toning and a couple of minor stains to the text, not affecting the legibility of the letter, an area of paper loss to the lower corner of the first page and a few neat splits at some folds and a few extremely minor pinholes to some corners, about G £5000-8000 Oscar Ljungstrom (1868-1943) Swedish Archivist at the Urban Engineering office in Stockholm. Brother of Fredrik Ljungstrom (1875-1964) Swedish Engineer & Inventor who was mentored by, and later collaborated with, Alfred Nobel. The present letter is written a little over a month before Alfred Nobel signed his last will and testament at the Swedish-Norwegian Club in Paris. In his will the chemist set aside the bulk of his estate to establish the Nobel Prizes, to be awarded annually without distinction of nationality.
MUSSET ALFRED DE: (1810-1857) French Poet and Novelist. Best known for his autobiographical novel The Confession of a Child of the Century ("Confession d'un enfant du siècle" (1836), in part related to his love affair with George Sand. Rare and attractive ink drawing by Musset [c.1851], which relates to the coup d´etat of 2nd December 1851. The 9.5 x 6.5 light brown page showing three men running out from the "Conseil d´État" ("State Council"), struck down by the Law of Napoleon III. At the base of the drawing stating `The auditors chased from the Paradise on earth´. The drawing page has been affixed to a thicker card. Bearing a collection ink stamp to the verso, Artine Artinian (1907-2005) French literature professor at the Bard, NY University and collector. Creasing to the corners as a result of the affixing, and remnants of former affixing to the verso of the card. Small overall age wear and staining, otherwise G £1200-2000Alfred de Musset wrote about politicians and Ministers saying `Most Ministers are quacks, replacing each other, without changing anything to the sick´s health, and the worst craziness is to believe that revolutions can improve a nation prosperity.´
EINSTEIN ALBERT: (1879-1955) German-born Theoretical Physicist, Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1921. An excellent and lengthy A.L.S., `Papa´, two pages, 4to, 10th April 1936, to his son, in German. Einstein refers to Professor Pauli and to Sigmund Freud, and states `Once again, a long time has passed since I had last time written to you…I am sitting here in my study, wrapped in a blanket and still freezing cold, just because they are thinking it is Spring and therefore the furnace must be turned off…´, further referring to his day by day work and to Princeton `I keep on working with the same young man on problems which are so difficult that they keep on amazing me over my own courage. When I am losing steam, I just need to look, from my giant window, to the meadows with flowers and trees, and in the distance I can see the top of the tall tower of the University buildings, in the style of University buildings seen in England..´ further adding an amusing comment `It seems to me that only English things are held in high esteem here. If you say that you are coming from Switzerland, they consider that as being comical, because they think there is only chocolate and cheese there..´ Einstein further refers again to his work `I hardly get around reading books. Scientific work is practically eating you up, especially once the elasticity of your youth is gone.. From Germany, I am hardly hearing anything directly any longer, because anything and everybody there that I had trusted in, is either dead or scattered all over the world. Prof. Pauli from Zurich is here with me, he is a very young and clever physicist who probably sees me as some sort of fossil.´ Before concluding Einstein makes very interesting comments referring to Freud, stating ´Freud will be turning 80 soon. I finally have come to the conclusion that he actually has been correct in his main theses. From a very reliable source, I have heard accounts about ordinary case studies of his that defy any other explanation. I must admit, that in this regard, you certainly saw the light a lot sooner than I did. The reason probably was…´ A letter of excellent content and of good association. About VG £6000-9000 Eduard Einstein (1910-1965) Second son of Albert Einstein from his first wife Mileva. Nicknamed by his father "Tetel". Edward was diagnosed with schizophrenia at the age of twenty. It has been often reported that the drugs and "cures" of the time damaged rather than aided the young Einstein, his memory and cognitive abilities were deeply affected by electroconvulsive therapy treatments. Albert Einstein emigrated to the United States from Germany in 1933 after the rise of the Nazi German government and never saw his son again, although they corresponded regularly. Eduard lived most of the time at the psychiatric clinic in Zurich, where he died in 1965 of a stroke at age 55. Wolfgang Pauli (1900-1958) Austrian-born Swiss & American Physicist. A pioneer of quantum physics. Nobel Prize in Physics in 1945 for his "decisive contribution through his discovery of a new law of nature, the exclusion principle of Pauli principle", the basis of a theory of the structure of matter. Widely recognized as one of the most brilliant Physicians of the XXth century.Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) Austrian Neurologist & Founder of Psychoanalysis. Freud formulated the Oedipus complex and developed his theory on the Analysis of Dreams. He lived and worked in Vienna until 1938 when he escaped the Nazis and went to the United Kingdom where he lived in exile the last year of his life.
METTERNICH KLEMENS VON: (1773-1859) Austrian Diplomat, Foreign Minister of the Austrian Empire 1809-48 and Chancellor of the Austrian Empire 1821-48. A.L.S., Metternich, one page, 4to, Florence, 26th March 1819, to Monsieur Bori, in French. Metternich requests that his correspondent make a payment to Santarelli and explains that he will be in a position to repay him when he is in Rome. With blank integral leaf. Some light uniform age toning and with a neat split to the right edge of the central fold, close to, but not affecting, the text or signature, G £200-300
ORLOV NIKOLAY: (1827-1885) Prince Orloff. Russian Diplomat and close friend to Emperor Alexander III. Ambassador of Russia to Paris and Brussels 1859-69. A liberal mind and respected Diplomat. Two A.Ls.S., and a carte de visite, signed three times, `Pce. Orloff´, `N. Orloff´ and `Prince Orloff´, three pages each, 8vo, dated Bellefontaine Fontainebleau, 2nd June 1870, and 16th July 1881, with embossed crowned seals to the headings, both in French. Prince Orloff states in part `The arrival of the Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna and the Grand Dukes Serge and Paul will prevent me of visiting you at four. Usually, during the Princes stay I hardly have free time…´ Together with a carte de visite, light printing, showing “Le Prince Orloff - General Major a la Suite de S.M. l´Empereur de Russie”. Unsigned. VG, 3 £100-150
SWANSON GLORIA: (1899-1983) American Actress. Signed 4 x 6 postcard photograph, being a reproduction of Edward Steichen's close-up head and shoulders study of Swanson in 1924. Signed by Swanson in bold blue ink to the lower white border and dated 1981 in her hand. A couple of very light, extremely minor corner creases, otherwise VG £80-100
Collection of Matchbox 1950-70s 1-75 series including; no.10 (boxed), no. 35 (boxed), no. 2 (boxed), no. 45 (boxed), no. 27 (boxed), no. 24 (boxed), no. 72 (boxed), no. 47 (boxed), no. 2 'B-type Bus, no. 14, no. 47 (cream, light blue base plate), no. 1, no. 12, no. 23, no. 60, no. 48, accessory no. 3, Matchbox Major Pack no.5 and Matchbox car transporter (no cab), along with various empty boxes and two other models Condition Report & Further Details Click here for further images, condition, auction times & delivery costs
Ship's copper and brass trawling light, bears label 'Richard Irvin & Sons Ltd. Ship Store Merchants Lamp Manufacturers etc Aberdeen and North Shields No.2329,' of bow fronted form with hinged lid and removable blue and red filters, electrically powered, H40cm Condition Report & Further Details Click here for further images, condition, auction times & delivery costs
A gilt metal and cut glass hung seventeen light electrolier, mid 20th century, with three tiers of concentric circlets each with four light fitments on scrolled arms, the interior with five further suspended fitments, hung overall with faceted glass bead swags and pendants, approximately 100cm high, 50cm wide Provenance: Property from a Private Collection.
A Continental, possibly French, wrought iron eight light chandelier loosely in Gothic taste, circa 1900, the scrolled and foliate circular openwork frame issuing conforming sconces arranged in pairs, suspended from conforming lozenge chains; the straight stem within terminating in gargoyle mounts and further foliage, approximately 114cm high, 68cm wide
A pair of patinated and parcel gilt metal three light figural candelabra in Empire style, late 19th/early 20th century, each with three foliate cast and cornucopia form branches issuing from a wreath held aloft by a winged and draped maiden, above a conforming and engine milled baluster socle and a further square section plinth, 53cm high
An Italian carved, polychrome painted and giltwood and wrought iron six light pricket chandelier, probably first half 18th century, the baluster stem carved with winged cherubs' masks, the scrolled and foliate carved branches with circular coronet drip-pans and foliate scroll terminal, the stem approximately 113cm long, the arms each measuring circa 44cm in length Provenance: The collection of the late Professor Michael Jaffé, Clifton Maybank
Baccarat, a pair of four light cut and moulded glass candelabra, 20th century, each with a central raised foliate and lobed sconce hung with beads and pendants above three further conforming sconces on scrolling arms, issuing from a knopped and baluster form stem, each spreading scalloped circular base inscribed BACCARAT, 47cm high Provenance: Property from a Private Collection.
A pair of Regency cut glass and gilt and patinated bronze lustre candlesticks, circa 1815, each with an engine milled urn socket above a scrolled corona hung with faceted beads and pendants, descending to a multi knopped stem and oval base, 21cm high; and an Empire twin light figural candelabrum, early 19th century, the scrolled and foliate cast arms issuing from a central flambeau finial supported by a cloaked caryatid, on a stepped rectangular section dove grey and white marble base, 24.5cm high, 27cm wide Provenance: The collection of the late Professor Michael Jaffé, Clifton Maybank The unusual cloaked caryatid, with her chastely crossed arms, could possibly represent a Vestal Virgin. In Ancient Rome these priestesses were tasked with cultivating and guarding the sacred fire of Vesta, goddess of the hearth. This association with fire made the maidens a common theme for candles, mantel clocks and fireplace ornament in later times. Alternatively, the heavy cloak and bracing gesture might signify winter.
A set of four gilt bronze twin light figural wall appliques in Louis XV style, first quarter 20th century, each with two foliate and rocaille cast sconces on scrolling conforming branches held aloft by a seated infant triton, 67cm high overall including electrical fitments, approximately 28cm wide, 23cm protuberance Provenance: Property from a Private Collection.
Lesney Matchbox 'Models of Yesteryear'. 2 x Y2-11 London Bus. 8 over 4/grey/bare.; 8 over 4/black/tan. 2 x Y4-1. Sentinel Steam Wagon. 'Sand and Gravel Supplies', blue/grey/rivetted.; 'Jacobs'. Lime green/grey/riveted. Y4-2. Shand Mason fire engine. Kent/white/grey. Y6-1. AEC lorry. 'Osram Lamps'. Light grey/grey/crimped/silver. Y7-1 Leyland van. 'W & R Jacobs & Co. Ltd.' Dark brown/bare/complete. Y11-1. Aveling and Porter steam roller. Mid-green/black. Y12-1 Horse drawn bus. Red/single. Also cement mixer. Blue/orange and tractor, red/silver. All Average to Good condition. Un-boxed.
Loading...
![VERDI GIUSEPPE: (1813-1901) Italian Composer. A.L.S., G. Verdi, one page, 8vo, Santa Agata, 14th October 1877, to [Giovanni]](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/7e99bbd2-d456-478b-b4b0-aacc009f7b1f/b9780e6d-671c-4a4f-b182-aadb01190e04/468x382.jpg)
![[HITLER ADOLF]: (1889-1945) Fuhrer of the Third Reich 1934-45. An Adolf Hitler's original personal unused printed 12mo bookpl](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/7e99bbd2-d456-478b-b4b0-aacc009f7b1f/5baf395c-79f1-465f-a6d7-aadb011a2106/468x382.jpg)
![[HITLER ADOLF]: (1889-1945) Fuhrer of the Third Reich 1934-45. An Adolf Hitler's original personal unused printed 12mo bookpl](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/7e99bbd2-d456-478b-b4b0-aacc009f7b1f/b8f6d2b7-80cf-457c-b2c4-aadb011a2046/468x382.jpg)
