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Lot 1077
1796 pattern British Light Cavalry Officers Sabre. German made, maker marked "J J Runkel, Solingen" to spine of 82cm blade. Grip missing. Scabbard is rust pitted overall. Together with a 20th Century souvenir Gurhka Kukri. 40cm bright steel blade marked "India". Wooden scabbard which is missing both knives and most leather covering.
![The Ingoldsby Legends or Mirth and Marvels by Thomas Ingoldsby [i. e. R. H. Barham]. London, Richard Bentley, MDCCCLXVI [1866](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/7d84a268-bcdc-48fb-aa78-a82500f8bede/1fb8863e-0e3a-4dae-92a2-fcbcd5017246/468x382.jpg)
Lot 605
The Ingoldsby Legends or Mirth and Marvels by Thomas Ingoldsby [i. e. R. H. Barham]. London, Richard Bentley, MDCCCLXVI [1866]. New edition. 8vo. pp. xi, [i], blank, 468. Illustrated title-page. One illustration in the preface to the second edition. Inscribed 'Charles Marriott from F. B. Harvey July 1867' on verso of front free endpaper. Contemporary full green calf with gilt ruled borders, raised bands, gilt decorated spine, all edges marbled. Very occasional light foxing, some rubbing to extremities, covers slightly scuffed.
Lot 24
Jack Butler Yeats RHA (1871-1957) THE DODDER IN FLOOD, BALLSBRIDGE, DUBLIN, 1929 oil on panel signed lower left; titled on reverse Mrs Bernard Shaw (purchased at the Alpine Club Gallery exhibition, 1929);Acquired by Alice Bernrard (née McKay), Dublin;Sotheby's, 21 October 2015, lot 42;Private collection 'Paintings', Alpine Club Gallery, London, 6 - 23 February 1929, catalogue no. 7 Hilary Pyle, Jack Butler Yeats, A Catalogue Raisonné of the Oil Paintings, Vol. I., Andre Deutsch, London, 1992, no.385, p.352 (incorrectly illustrated) Jack Yeats painted the Dodder in Flood in 1929, the period in which his style was changing from its early Realist mode to the later more experimental approach. This transitional work belongs firmly to the later style. The artist had first painted the subject of the Dodder in flood in 1920, (A Yellow Flood, Clonskea, 1920). In 1923 he painted two other views of the weir on the river at Clonskeagh when he lived nearby on Marlborough Road in Donnybrook. Dodder in Flood, painted in the year that Yeats reluctantly moved to Fitzwilliam Square, is a view of the river from Ballsbridge according to an inscription on the rear of the frame. Dodder in Flood takes a different perspective from the earlier more conventional views of the river that include buildings and landmarks on its banks. This painting must be based on a view from a bridge over the torrent looking westwards as it races towards the sea. Unlike the diagonals and subtle connections that Yeats provides in many of his other landscape compositions, the foreground of Dodder in Flood is left open so that the water appears to flow directly out into the space of the viewer. A dramatic scene is made from what is a comparatively modest body of water but as Dubliners are aware the Dodder can be treacherous during winter storms and floods. Steep inhospitable banks enclose its sides. Their stony barren surfaces are conveyed through the application of thick grey and white paint in a variety of incongruous brushstrokes that create a rough dynamic texture, particularly on the exposed bank on the right-hand side. The sky is completely overcast with a dark stormy hue. The thick debris filled currents are painted in strong impasto brushstrokes that contain blues, pinks, yellows and reds. Elsewhere the paint is thinly applied and parts of the underlying surface of the board are visible. On the left-hand bank warm greens and reds suggest foliage and provide a glimmer of light in the painting. Although rivers and fast flowing currents feature prominently in many of Yeats' paintings the Spartan nature of this composition with its concentration on the bare elements of banks, river and sky is unusual in his oeuvre. The work approaches pure abstraction is its prioritising of paint and form. The painting was exhibited at Yeats' one-man show at the Alpine Club Gallery in London in 1929 when it was purchased by Mrs George Bernard Shaw. Yeats told Lady Gregory that Mrs Shaw had thought he had 'gone mad' when she saw his work the previous year but now retracted her statement. Her husband, George Bernard Shaw, and T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia), also visited the exhibition. (1) Arguably London audiences were more receptive to Yeats' late style of painting although the Dublin public would soon come to admire his pioneering attitude towards his craft and its ability to transform familiar sights into challenging works of art. We are also grateful to Dr. Hilary Pyle HRHA for her assistance in cataloguing this work.1. Hilary Pyle, Jack B. Yeats. A Biography, Routledge and Kegan Paul, London, 1970, p.137. Dr Róisín KennedyOctober 2017 9 by 14in. (22.9 by 35.6cm)
Lot 135
LANNES JEAN: (1769-1809) Marshal of France. Duc de Montebello. One of Napoleon's most daring and talented generals and personal friend of the Emperor. Rare A.L.S., Lannes, one page, 4to, Lisbon, 8th January 1804, to his father-in-law, François Scholastique, Count of Guéhéneuc, in French. Lannes sends a note to his correspondent recommending a Portuguese important person travelling to Paris, and stating `I recommend to you my friend monsieur Castello Blanco, nephew of monsieur Da Cruz, a respectable man. If he needed your help, I kindly ask you to do all necessary to be useful to him..´ With integral addressee leaf and watermark. Some extremely light, minor age wear to the edges, about VG £1000-1500In 1801 Napoleon I appointed Lannes as ambassador to Portugal and in 1804, shortly after the present letter date, he was created Marshal of France. A year later he would lead the left part of the Grande Armée at Austerlitz.José Braamcamp de Almeida Castelo Branco, Count of Sobral (1775-1846) He will become Minister of Treasury and Foreign Affairs Minister of Portugal.
Lot 206
KLITSCHKO WLADIMIR : (1976- ) Ukrainian Boxer. World Heavyweight Champion. Signed colour 8 x 10 photograph by Wladimir Klitschko, the image depicting the World Champion standing on the boxing ring, celebrating his victory and wearing the champion belt. Signed in bold blue ink with his name alone to a clear area of the image. Together with Mariusz Wach (1979- ) Polish Boxer. World heavyweight title challenger in 2012 against Wladimir Klitschko. Signed co lour 8 x 12 photograph by Wach, the image depicting the Polish champion in a half length boxing action pose. Signed in dark blue ink to a light area of the image. EX,2 £80-100
Lot 209
LACOSTE RENÉ : (1904-1996) French Tennis Player & Businessman. Nicknamed "the Crocodile" because of his tenacity on the court. Worldwide known as the creator of the Lacoste tennis shirts. Signed 4 x 6 photograph of Lacoste, the image showing the tennis French champion in a full length action pose. Signed in dark ink to a light area of the image. VG £100-150
Lot 232
LANGTRY LILLIE: (1853-1929) British Actress, mistress of King Edward VII. An excellent and large format signed and inscribed 13 x 9 sepia card photograph of Langtry, the image depicting the British actress in costume as Cleopatra, lying and watching herself in a mirror. Photograph by Van der Weyde Light Studios, from London. Signed in bold black fountain pen ink to the lower white border of the photograph, Langtry adding alongside (`Xmas 1890´) in her hand. A large and good example signature. Small overall age wear to the borders, although not affecting the signature. VG £300-400
Lot 249
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 £300-400Joseph 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.
Lot 265
EASTWOOD CLINT: (1930- ) American Actor & Film Director. Academy Award winner. A good signed and inscribed 10 x 8 photograph by Eastwood. The promotional Warner Bros. Inc. image shows the actor standing outdoors, in a head and shoulders pose, in his role as Philo Beddoe, in a scene from Every Which Way But Loose (1978). Signed in bold black ink to a clear area of the image. Together with Anthony Quinn (1915-2001) American Actor. Academy Award winner. Signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph, the image depicting Quinn in a head and shoulders pose. Signe din bold black ink to a light area of the image. VG, 2 £150-200
Lot 266
NOVAK KIM : (1933- ) American film Actress. A good and attractive signed 8 x 10 photograph by Novak, the image depicting the American actress in a close-up portrait pose. Signed in bold black ink to a clear area of the image. Together with Jean Simmons (1929-2010) English-American Actress and Singer. Signed 8x 10 photograph, the Paramount promotional picture depicting Simmons standing outdoors in a scene of All the Way Home (1963). Signed in bold blue ink to a light area of the image. VG, 2 £80-100
Lot 267
FONDA HENRY & LOREN SOPHIA : Two good signed photographs. Henry Fonda (1905-1982) American Actor. Academy Award winner. Vintage signed and inscribed 5 x 7 photograph by Fonda, the image depicting the actor in a head and shoulders pose. Signed in bold black ink to a light area of the image ; Sophia Loren (1934- ) Italian Actress, Academy award winner. Signed 4 x 6 photograph by Loren, the image depicting the Italian actress in a close-up portrait pose. Signed in bold blue ink to a clear area of the image. VG, 2 £100-150
Lot 290
COTILLARD MARION: (1975- ) French Actress, Academy Award winner. Signed 8 x 10 photograph by Cotillard, the image depicting the French Actress seated in a sensual full length artistic pose. Signed in bold gold ink with her name alone across the image. Together with Charlotte Rampling (1946- ) English Actress. Signed 8 x 10 photograph of Rampling, the image showing the actress nude in an artistic full length pose. Signed in bold blue ink with her name alone to a light area of the image. VG, 2 £100-150
Lot 322
SEIGNER EMMANUELLE: (1966- ) French Actress and former fashion Model. She is married to French-Polish director Roman Polanski. Signed colour 10 x 8 photograph by Seigner, the image depicting the French Actress in a sensual head and shoulders pose. Signed in bold blue ink to a light area of the image. VG £100-150
Lot 343
ELLINGTON DUKE: (1899-1974) American Jazz Pianist. Signed colour 8 x 12 photograph of Ellington, the attractive image depicting Duke Ellington in a close-up portrait pose. Signed (`Good luck, Duke Ellington´) in bold black ink to the lower photographer´s mount. Mounted in white to an overall size of 13 x 16.5. Some very light, extremely minor foxing to the mount, otherwise £100-150
Lot 366
PAGANINI NICCOLO: (1782-1840) Italian Violinist and Composer. Rare D.S., Nicolo Paganini, being a signed receipt, Paris, 11th July 1838. The partially printed document, completed in another hand, in French, acknowledges the receipt of 3000 Fr from P. Dufour. With several ink strokes, serving as cancelations, partially running through the text and signature, Paganini´s signature remaining legible at the foot. Also bearing several annotations and cancellation to the verso. Some light overall age wear and two small, minor holes to the left and right edges. About VG £800-1200
Lot 370
VIEUXTEMPS HENRI: (1820-1881) Belgian Composer and Violinist. Signed 4 x 6 cabinet photograph, with additional signed inscription and autograph musical quotation to the verso by Vieuxtemps. The Anvers Photographie Artisitique depicting the Belgian composer in a half length formal pose. Signed in bold black fountain pen ink (`H. Vieuxtemps´)at the base of the image, to the lower light border. To the verso, Vieuxtemps states in French `To Mme Placide Colsoul, as a testimony of my gratitude and souvenir of the 27th January 1877. Verviers, January 1877 - H. Vieuxtemps´. Beneath his signature Vieuxtemps has penned an unidentified two bars musical quotation. Extremely small age wear, otherwise VG £800-1000
Lot 386
RACHMANINOFF SERGEI: (1873-1943) Russian Composer & Pianist. A good signed 5.5 x 3.5 piece (`Sergei Rachmaninoff´), underlined and dated 1937 in his hand. Rachmaninoff has also added at the base of the page a one bar musical quotation. Matted in light red beneath a 5 x 7 photograph of Rachmaninoff, the image depicting the Russian composer seated before his piano in a full length pose. Attractively and professionally framed and glazed to an overall of 11 x 17.5. EX £300-400
Lot 388
KHACHATURIAN ARAM: (1903-1978) Russian Composer. A rare, lengthy A.L.S., Aram Khachaturian, in Cyrillic, four pages, 4to, Snegiry, 21st July 1966, to Valerian Mikhailovitch [Bogdanov-Berezovsky], in Cyrillic. Khachaturian writes an interesting letter regarding an opera stating in part `how is it going with your opera? Have you managed to place it, meaning the stage performance? Have you received money for it to improve your budget? I am glad that you got interested in my idea. The fact that you think I could do an opera on this topic convinces me on its relevance. But I won't be able to do it on time for the 50th anniversary, but what is more important is that I don't have the libretto which I would like to, so the opera has been postponed´ further commenting other options he is considering, saying `Now I am thinking about doing some oratorio. I think Yesenin has something on this topic, however Aseev has too little. Maybe something like Jeanne d'Arc by Honegger? I have found 7 of my old fugues and I think in writing recitatives for them and get them published. I have finished the rough copy of the concert for piano and orchestra (the last part of the trilogy).´ In concluding the composer suggests various dates when they could meet in Moscow, and states `My last passion is Nadia Boulanger. We had an interesting conversation and confessed our sympathy for each other. I had a long talk with Jollivet about the destiny of the modern music. He vilified Boulez, and his wife expressed hatred towards Boulez. Some extremely minor, light age wear, otherwise VG £250-350
Lot 397
UNGER CAROLINE: (1803-1877) Austro-Hungarian Contralto who sang the contralto part at the first performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in Vienna on 7th May 1824. Unger is credited with turning the completely deaf composer around to receive his audience's thunderous applause, cheers and ovation gestures on the occasion. A.L.S., C. Sabatier, one page, 8vo, n.p., n.d. (c.1842), to a gentleman, in French. Unger informs her correspondent that she has just received a letter from her father which obliges her to leave promptly for Paris and continues to state 'It is therefore with great regret, Sir, that I find myself forced to renounce the pleasure that I would have had in taking part in your concert but I will preserve the memory of the friendly and gracious manner in which you most kindly invited me…..' With blank integral leaf. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG £300-400Caroline Unger had married the French writer Francois Sabatier in 1841 and retired from the stage in 1843.
Lot 418
SHOCKLEY WILLIAM: (1910-1989) American Physicist & Inventor, Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1956. Signed 5 x 7 photograph by Shockley, the image showing the scientist in a head and shoulders pose immediately before a blackboard bearing scientific calculations. Signed by Shockley in bold black ink to a light area at the base of the image with an original black ink diagram of a transistor added in his hand above his signature. Together with Benjamin Spock (1903-1998) American Pediatrician. VG to EX, 2 £80-100
Lot 420
EDISON THOMAS: (1847-1931) American Inventor of the phonograph and light bulb among many other items. D.S., Thos A Edison, using his ''umbrella'' signature, the document being a signed cheque, West Orange, New Jersey, 30th November 1928. The partially printed cheque is drawn on the account of the Edison Botanic Research Corporation at the Savings Investment & Trust Company and is made payable to Otto R. Greiner Co. Inc. for the sum of $20.29. Signed by Edison in bold black fountain pen ink signature and countersigned by J. Miller in his capacity as Treasurer. Some perforated bank cancellations only very slightly affect the signatures. VG £400-600John Vincent Miller (1873-1940) was Thomas Edison´s brother in law.
Lot 421
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 pencil, Edison announces '432 varnish poor prints today´s report at cost of 16 cents each. Costs $69,00 per day. It would pay to adopt some system different from piece work to do better varnishing.' and adds 'Perhaps varnish has something to do with it´. Extremely small crease to the upper edge and pinhole, otherwise VG £400-600 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.
Lot 429
PIO OF PIETRELCINA: (1887-1968) Italian Priest & Mystic, famous for bearing the stigmata for most of his life, causing much controversy. Padre Pio was canonized in 2002. A rare T.L.S., `Padre Pio´, one page, 4to, San Giovanni, 12th October 1965, to Gino, in Italian. Padre Pio states `I am close to you in such a sad time. I hope that things will improve, I shall pray for all of you. Peace and love.´ Some light overallG £500-600
Lot 430
CLEMENT XII : (1652-1740) Pope of the Roman Catholic Church 1730-40. Clement XII started the construction of the Trevi Fountain. Rare L.S., L. Card. Corsini, one page, 4to, Rome 9th December 1713, to Signore Gaetano Galletti in Firenze, in Italian. Clement XII, in his capacity as Cardinal in charge of the Church Treasury, refers to an amount of money which will be paid in Florence and he will have to receive in Rome, and asks his correspondent about the amount he is still owing, stating `..in order to know how I can handle this..´ Letters signed by Clement XII are extremely rare, in part because he was one of the oldest men to be elected Pope when he was 78 years old and failing eyesight, soon after blind. With blank address leaf, bearing remnants of former seal and a blind embossed seal. A large tear to the blank leaf as a result of the letter opening. Folded, with a light water stain not affecting the signature. G £300-400
Lot 439
LANDRU HENRI DÉSIRÉ: (1869-1922) French Serial Killer and real-life Bluebeard. An extremely rare vintage signed sepia 5 x 7 photograph with lengthy annotation in his hand, the image depicting Landru seated in the dock in a half length pose during his trial on eleven counts of murder in November 1921. Signed ('Landru') in fountain pen ink with his name alone to the upper left side, partially to the white border. Landru adds in his hand an enigmatic inscription, stating `Dreaming on a plausible explanation to his lawyer Navières du Treuil, related to the starving cat, the only inhabitant of the villa of mystery. 18th November 1915 1921.´ Landru writes, may be intentionally, the year 1915 first, when he started his murders, crossing it before writing 1921. Some very light creasing to the bottom left corner and small age wear. Together with Alfred Capus (1857-1922) Writer and Journalist. Autograph manuscript of three pages, 4to, entitled `Landru´s Monologue´. Capus reports on some disappeared persons, added to Landru´s list of victims, explaining that this way it is much easier for the police and authorities avoiding investigations and further explanations. G £2500-3500Provenance: The present signed photograph originates from the archives of the assistant trial lawyer to Landru, Auguste Navières du Treuil and Philippe Zoumerroff´s collection. At his trial, Landru was convicted on all counts, sentenced to death, and guillotined three months later in Versailles. His life inspired Charlie Chaplin's 1947 film Monsieur Verdoux.
Lot 441
CODY W. F.: (1846-1917) American Showman. A.L.S., W F Cody, on one side of a correspondence card, Birmingham, 4th November 1887, to a gentleman. Cody thanks his correspondent and remarks 'The magazine has been read and I prize it highly'. Neatly laid down and with some light overall age wear and minor staining, G £500-800The present letter is written during Buffalo Bill's first tour of Great Britain, which was made in celebration of the Jubilee year of Queen Victoria.
Lot 479
BENTHAM JEREMY: (1748-1832) English Philosopher, Jurist and Social Reformer. A fine, long L.S., Jeremy Bentham, with several holograph corrections, five pages, 8vo, n.p., n.d. (post 1802), to Baron de Lessert. In an elegantly penned letter Bentham writes to introduce his friend Edward Blaquierre, 'Now for the occasion: Eyes such as yours are of course continually in their travels over the habitable globe viewed through a French medium, the scene exhibited by the regeneration of Spain can not but be familiar to you: not so, perhaps, through an English one. Edward Blaquierre, a most serviceable friend of mine, is in no inconsiderable degree, qualified to satisfy any curiosity which that scene may have left unsatisfied. He is of the noble Irish family of that name. The head of the family - a Sir John Blaquierre - being a parliamentary leader and one of the proprietors of seats in the House of Commons', also explaining that Edward Blaquierre is a naval Lieutenant and was in command of a ship in the Mediterranean 'and in that capacity distinguished himself in various ways, amongst them by saving a Bey of Tunis from an insurrection' and that 'In the world of letters he is known to advantage by several works: one of them entitled "Letters from the Mediterranean" in which some mention, I believe, is made of the Tunis adventure' and further commenting 'there is a good deal of the Irish enthusiasm and a little more than enough of the Irish impetuosity and eccentricity in his turn of mind....amongst his eccentricities was that of sticking into that work of his an enthusiastic passage or two about the delight of Codification coupled with the mention of a name so little worth it as that which began this already too long letter'. Bentham also informs his correspondent that he had not heard from Blaquierre for some years when he received a letter from him 'on the point of embarkation on a visit to Spain with two declared objects: one of these was the giving in that country what notoriety he could to my works: the other, not then explained, but which has since turned out to be, the writing a history of the revolution, the news of which had just arrived here. Not only unpaid but unasked by me, or anybody else, he has been working for me with as much zeal as the highest paid ambassador could manifest in the service of his Monarch: and to that zeal, I am indebted for that notice from the cortes, of which some not very correct accounts, I believe, have found their way into some of your well-disciplined and well-purified newspapers. He continues full of gratitude for all the service he has done me'. Bentham states that Blaquierre has been married for a year and is currently residing in Paris ('a place of abode which the state of his finances renders a rather more convenient one than London') and is occupied in the completion of his history of the Spanish Revolution, continuing 'The liberty, I am thus taking with you, is, on his part, altogether unasked and unexpected. It would be a real satisfaction to me to bring together two men so worthy of each other: but my respect for both of you forbad my annoying either of you by a letter of introduction, which I have no title to give, and which it might be unpleasant to the one to receive, or the other to deliver: should, therefore, any intercourse have place, it is with you that it will commence'. The philosopher also writes of Blaquierre's proposed renovation of a property near Montpellier and continues to reflect on previous meetings with his correspondent and their wife at their home in Paris in 1802 as well as pleasant days 'at a place I had for four or five years in Devonshire', remarking 'Madame la Baronne, your wife, who was then skipping about from room to room in a state of maiden innocence, can not possibly have had cognizance of my existence, unless it were by the gloom with which the sight of a stupid old man, with deaf and aching ears, may have damped the gaiety of the rest of the company' and also writes of a Mr. Garnier, whom he believes has now been made a Marquis, observing 'If he is a man like other men, and in particular like other Frenchmen, the evidence I gave him of the impression made upon me by his discoveries in relation to the monetary system of ancient Rome, as detailed in his translation of Adam Smith, did something for me. Should Mr. Blaquierre become known to you, perhaps you might give him the additional honour of being known to Mr. Garnier'. Bentham concludes his letter with an anecdote concerning his correspondent's mother, 'One person of your family, the remembrance of whom (would you think it?) is still a source rather of uneasiness to me than satisfaction, is Madame de Lessert, your mother. Yes; for the chance of breaking your ladies with a laugh, I will give them matter for one, though it be at my own expense. At that dinner of which I partook at your house, there were, I suppose, not so few as twenty in company, all of the masculine gender - all of them compleatly unknown to me. As we marched in procession from the drawing room to the dining room, I observed Madame de Lessert's hand stuck by her side, waiting for some other to take hold of it. It had never entered into my conception that the honour could be designed for any such insignificant person as myself: observing, however that the hand still remained single, I perceived my mistake: but it was then too late to attempt repairing it, without encreasing, instead of obliterating, the ridicule. If the lady be still giving the family the benefit of those virtues, of which I heard so much, and to which the evidences were so visible in her countenance, lay me at her feet. I beg of you, communicate to her this my confession, and, if she gives me absolution, Blaquierre, without trouble to your pen, might be the bearer of it´. Some extremely light, very minor age wear, VG £1000 - 1200Jules Paul Benjamin Delessert ( 1773-1847) French Banker & Naturalist. John Blaquiere (1732-1812) 1st Baron de Blaquiere. British Soldier, Diplomat and Politician of French descent. Chief Secretary for Ireland 1772-76. Blaquiere fathered three daughters and four sons, including Edward Blaquiere, the subject of the present letter. Jeremy Bentham is considered as the founder of the modern utilitarianism.
Lot 488
HUGO VICTOR: (1802-1885) French Poet and Novelist. Vintage signed sepia cabinet photograph, the oval image depicting Hugo in a head and shoulders pose. Photograph by M. Lopez of Paris. Signed by Hugo in bold black fountain pen ink with his name alone to the lower photographer's mount. Matted in dark brown and framed and glazed in a decorative frame to an overall size of 10 x 12. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG £1500 - 2000
Lot 499
GORKY MAXIM: (1868-1936) Alexei Maximovich Peshkov. Russian Writer and political socialist Activist. A good an unusual A.N.S., M Gorky, in Cyrillic, one page, oblong 4to, Sorrento, 10th May 1929, to Arthur Bryant Triggs, in Cyrillic. Gorky writes, in full, 'Service for service - here is my autograph but you must send some Australian stamps to my son, a philatelist'. With a contemporary English translation, probably in Triggs´ hand at the foot of the page. Lightly laid down to a page removed from an album. Some light staining and age wear, largely caused by the mounting and none affecting Gorky's signature or text, G £600-900Arthur Bryant Triggs (1868-1936) Australian Painter and Collector. Maxim Alexeylevich Peshkov (1897-1934) son of Maxim Gorky who died under unclear circumstances at the early age of 36.
Lot 562
HIMMLER HEINRICH: (1900-1945) Nazi German Politician, Reichsfuhrer of the Schutzstaffel (SS) 1929-45. D.S., H. Himmler, one page, 4to, n.p., 23rd October 1943. The typed document, in German, is a memo addressed to SS Gruppenfuhrer von Herff and states, in full, 'As SS officers who are capable, should the need arise, of becoming higher SS and police officers, the names of SS Group Leaders Thomas and Jurs and SS Brigade Leaders Harm, Thier and, with strong reservations, Jaegy should be taken down. In regard to SS Group Leader Thomas, I ask that a detailed assessment again be sought from SS Group Leader Gebhardt. Is he once again stable enough to be of use in such a position? If he is stable and reasonable, he is of course fully fit for the position of a higher SS and police officer. There only needs to be a reasonably sure certainty that he won't deviate again'. Boldly signed in blue fountain pen ink by Himmler at the conclusion. With a number of blue and red indelible pencil annotations to the margins, some possibly in the hand of von Herff. Two file holes to the left edge and some extremely minor, light foxing, not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG £1000-1200Maximilian von Herff (1893-1945) German Army Officer and SS General of World War II. Knights Cross winner. von Herff served as Chief of Personal Staff to Himmler and in this capacity dealt with internal and financial SS matters.
Lot 599
GEORGE II: (1683-1760) King of Great Britain and Ireland 1727-60. D.S., George R, as King, at the head, one page, vellum, oblong folio, Court at Kensington´s, 5th October 1757. The partially printed document is a military commission, appointing William Price to be an Ensign in the 25th Regiment of Foot commanded by Major General William Home. Countersigned at the foot by Robert Darcy. With blind embossed paper seal affixed. Some light overall age wear and one small hold at the centre of a fold. The King´s signature is somewhat light, although legible. G £400-500 William Home (1681-1761) 8th Earl of Home. British Governor of Gibraltar 1757-1761. Robert Darcy (1718-1778) 4th Earl of Holderness. British diplomat and politician, and Secretary of State.
Lot 601
GEORGE IV: (1762-1830) King of the United Kingdom 1820-30. D.S., George PR, as Prince Regent, at the head, one page, vellum, oblong folio, Carlton House, 9th May 1811. The partially printed document is a military commission appointing David Law to be a Hospital Mate for General Service. Countersigned at the foot by Richard Ryder. With blind embossed paper seal affixed. Some light overall age wear and minor foxing, about VG £200-300 Richard Ryder (1766-1832) British Politician, Home Secretary 1809-12.
Lot 604
VICTORIA: (1819-1901) Queen of the United Kingdom Great Britain & Ireland 1837-1901. A lengthy A.L.S., Victoria, seven pages, 8vo, Windsor Castle, 19th January 1850, to a cousin, in German. Writing on black monogrammed mourning stationery the Queen pens a letter of condolence on the passing of 'our aunt Adelheid', commenting 'I was certain how large your grief and your sympathy would be. You were prepared, but this doesn't diminish the deep sorrow we are feeling, when such dear and admirable people are taken away from us! But now the much-loved are well, because their suffering was great for several years'. The Queen also expresses her pleasure that their aunt had witnessed the marriage of a nephew, 'Also we were pleased with this marriage and we hope the young couple will be happy' and further writes 'Poor, good Edward is quite orphaned now and every day he feels more how big his loss is; and he has also lost his home with this! The dear aunts loved him and treated him like their own child - You can be sure, dear cousin, that we will give him any compensation we could to relieve the pain of his loss'. Victoria remarks on the cold weather in England and Germany and concludes her letter in a positive manner, 'Now receive my deepest wishes for the New Year. Furthermore, may God save you and your revered husband and your dear children, and may the year 50 be good for the luck and restoration of Germany. With cordial regards from my dear Albert, I remain, for always, Your loyal cousin and friend….' . Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG £1000 - 1500 The present letter was written following the death of Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen (1792-1849) Queen Consort of the United Kingdom and of Hanover 1830-37, the spouse of King William IV. Adelaide had passed away at the age of 57 at Bentley Priory in Middlesex on 2nd December 1849. Queen Victoria's long reign of 63 years and seven months is known as the Victorian era of British History and witnessed a long period of peace and prosperity as well as overseeing great industrial, cultural, political, scientific and military change within the United Kingdom, further marked by a great expansion of the British Empire.
Lot 606
GEORGE V: (1865-1936) King of the United Kingdom 1910-36. A.L.S., George, as Duke of York, six pages, 8vo, Mar Lodge, Braemar, Aberdeenshire, 23rd September 1893, to Francis de Winton (`My dear de Winton´). The Duke states that he has received his correspondent´s letter and is pleased to hear that he will be at Sandringham next week, further remarking `It is a pity the black pony has taken to shying after Malet has been driving for so long, but I certainly shan´t keep her, I have already told Probyn so, & it is lucky we haven´t paid for her yet´ and also writing `It is certainly satisfactory that nearly all the silver goes into the plate room & I hope it is all arranged in the cases now, so that we can choose at once what we want to take to the Cottage.´ The Duke also hopes that his correspondent will be prepared to help him with some speeches, commenting `I won´t bother my head about them till I see you, because they only worry me´ and also refers to a Service at York Minster which he should very much like to attend, concluding `You must find out from Ponsonby whether it is usual to receive an address from the Presbyterian Minister on the present occasion before saying yes, otherwise i twill create a president (sic).´ The Duke adds a postscript to the final two pages, signed with his initial G, in response to a further letter from his correspondent, stating `I will keep the Stockton speech you sent me & when we meet we can condense it together, as I think now it is too long… If you will get some notes we can concoct a speech for the lunch at York, but it must be short´. Some very light, minor age wear, otherwise VG £150-200 Sir Francis de Winton (1835-1901) British Army Officer and Courtier, Comptroller and Treasurer of the household of the Duke of York.
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