We found 30912 price guide item(s) matching your search

* [India]. Group of autograph letters signed, 18th and 19th century, comprising: 1. Dirom (Alexander, 1757-1830), army officer, to East India Company director Simon Fraser, Frith Street, London, 10 April 1793, advising of a delay in payment (‘I expected to have heard from Messrs Meyricks to day that they had received some money on my account’), single bifolium written on 1 side, wax seal, old paper extension to conjugate leaf, 4to (22.8 x 18.5 cm), 2. Shuldham (Thomas, 1756-1832), army officer, as aide-de-camp to Sir Robert Abercromby, commander-in-chief, India, to a carriage maker (‘Sir’), Calcutta, 16 February 1794, providing detailed instructions for the provision of ‘a phaeton without a hood finished in the very highest stile’, single bifolium written on 2 sides, 4to (23 x 19 cm), 3. Carey (William, 1761-1834), orientalist and missionary, to ‘My Dear Sir’, Serampore, 13 March 1823, discussing botanical specimens including Beaumontia grandiflora, single sheet written on 1 side, 4to (19.5 x 18.5 cm), 4. Colebrooke (Sir George, 1729-1809, 2nd Baronet), banker and chairman of the East India Company, to ‘Sir’, Bath, 18 April 1809, seeking a place to deposit family records and indentures, single sheet written on 1 side, removed from an album with card residue verso, 4to (23.7 x 19.2 cm), 5. Overbeck (Daniel Anthony, 1764-1840), last Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie governor of Chinsurah, to John Edmonds, British missionary, Chinsurah, 2 September 1826, on Edmonds’s imminent return to Britain, single bifolium written on 3 sides, remains of seal, 8vo (20.6 x 12.6 cm), and 5 other items, including: Martin F. Tupper (1810-1899), poet, 'Two Sonnets on a rumoured Proclamation', c.1860, autograph draft of 2 poems, incipit 'Our Empress Queen!' and 'A dream of Empire', signed 'Martin F. Tupper, Albany, Guildford' verso, single sheet, 4to; Frederic Augustus Thesiger, 2nd Baron Chelmsford (1827-1905), autograph letter signed, 9 May 1892, single sheet, 12mo; and 'Inspection and Retrospection', North-Western Provinces, India, 1883, anonymous manuscript poem in 17 stanzas, 6 pp., folioQty: (10)NOTESFrom 1790 to 1792 Alexander Dirom was deputy adjutant-general of Company forces in the Third Anglo-Mysore War. He wrote A Narrative of the Campaign in India (1794) and retired with the rank of lieutenant-general. Thomas Shuldham reached the rank of major-general and served as commander of the Sirhind division (see The East India Register and Directory, for 1828, p. 24).

[Italy]. Five manuscripts, 18th-19th century, comprising: 1. 'Annali e memorie scritte da Giovanmaria Zappi Tiburtino', c.1750, [1] 4-14 1-57 78-126 59-77 127-199 212-244 leaves, leaf 31 loose, leaves 44-5 with transverse tears, pencilled note to front pastedown ('Order of material differs from original, in which are wanting pp. 42-44 and 82-100 ...'), text-block loose in contemporary vellum covers (soiled, loss to foot of spine, 4to (26.5 x 19.5 cm), 2. 'Miscellani atiquaria' [spine-title], c.1775-1800, sammelband of some 11 texts in different hands (titles including 'Notizie istoriche della citta e territorio di Pisa', 'Delle Isole di Giglio, Giannutri, e di alcuni vestigie di antiche fabbriche esistenti nell'isola dell'Elba presso Portoferraio ... fatta nel ... anno 1760', 'Relazione distinta dell'isola di Lustica', and similar), approx. 170 leaves in total, large watercolour genealogy of Roman emperors bound in (opening to 50.5 x 35.5 cm), third-bound text (2 leaves) torn), penultimately-bound text (69 leaves) waterstained, contemporary vellum, folio (32.5 x 22 cm), 3. 'Raccolta di memorie istoriche della terra di Belvedere. Dall'epoca del suo nascimento da ostra citta antichissime nel Piceno. Fina al tempo presente ... Presentata dal sacerdote Antonio Mei alle signorie illustrissime de'pubblice rappresentanti di detta terra', 1810, [2] 200 [2] pp., watercolour plan to final leaf, contemporary half vellum, folio (34.5 x 22.8 cm, 4. 'Dioecesis Albanensis Prophana Pars. I [...Albanensis Dioecesis Sacra seu Series Chronologica Episcoporum Albanensium Pars II]', c.1700 and later, pp. 5-40 42-109, 1-6 [2] 7-43 [3] 43-200, bound with numerous related manuscript documents and fragments (approximately 60 leaves in total), several 17th- and 18th-century Italian pamphlets and one velllum document (pencilled date 1633), text-block near loose in contemporary vellum, folio (28 x 19.5 cm), 5. 'Breve notia della vera origine di Casa Malatesta che servira per confutare l'opinione del ... Christoforo Verucchino e per risposta alli di lui fondamenti. Del Signore Martino Pervitali da Civitella', 1690, 19 leaves (apparently extracted from a larger work, with pagination 131-149), calligraphic title in green ink, woodcut arms mounted to initial blank, late-19th/early-20th-century marbled half calf, rebacked, 8vo (21 x 14 cm)Qty: (5)NOTESProvenance 1) Thomas Ashby (1874-1931), British archaeologist in Italy and director of the British School at Rome (items 1-4 only: 1-3 with bookplate, 4 with manuscript purchase note to front pastedown); 2) Professor Cecil H. Clough (1930-2017), Reader in Medieval History, University of Liverpool (all items). The Annali e Memorie di Tivoli of Giovanni Maria Zappi (1519-1596) was not published until 1920.

* [American Civil War; Virginia]. Group of documents, 19th century, comprising: 1. Printed court summons signed by Fontaine Beckham (1788-1859) as justice of the peace, Jefferson County, Virginia, 8 January 1851, printed sheet completed in manuscript, signed 'F Beckham', red-velvet-covered thick card mount, sheet torn at lower right-hand corner not affecting text, 18 x 14.6 cm, 2. Manuscript receipt for the purchase of 'negro slaves Dennis and Belinda', Fairfax County, Virginia, 15 April 1861, single bifolium of wove paper, 10 lines, written on one side only, conjugate leaf docketed 'Dulany', damp-stained, creased from folding, loss to upper inner corner, 18.2 x 13.8 cm, 3. Contemporary manuscript copy of two affidavits confirming 'Daniel Coffman to have been a loyal man during the rebelion [sic]', Greenbrier County, West Virginia, 1866, single sheet of lined paper written recto only, small embossed stamp depicting the Capitol Building and with text 'Congress' various inconsistencies in spelling, old folds, central fold just splitting at head, nicked along inner edge, 23.5 x 17.8 cm, and 1 other item (Internal Revenue receipt 'for special tax on the business of retail liquor dealer', paid by R. D. Burns of Lynchburg, Virginia, 9 December 1891, engraved receipt in red and black, completed in manuscript, browned, old folds, small hole to lower left, upper right corner chipped, 24.5 x 18 cm)Qty: (4)NOTESFirst item: Fontaine Beckham (1788-1859) was mayor of Harpers Ferry, Virginia, and local agent for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. He was shot and killed in the famous raid on the small outpost by abolitionist John Brown, today seen as a major event in the build-up to the American Civil War.

Slavery. Memoirs of a West-India Planter, re-published from an original manuscript: with an address to the Right Honourable Lord Glenelg on the present state of colonial slavery, by the Rev. John Riland, 2nd edition, London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., 1837, advertisement leaf, a little light soiling, 'Library of the Dissenters' Old Meeting-House, Scarborough' printed label cut and pasted to title verso, 'Old Meeting House Loan Library' ink inscription to title, with a presentation inscription from the author dated Oct. 6. 1837 at head of title, United College, Bradford library label to front pastedown, original cloth-backed boards, lower joint splitting, spine label chipped, some fading and corner wear, 8vo, together with Testimonies Concerning Slavery, by Moncure Daniel Conway, 2nd edition, London: Chapman & Hall, 1865, a couple of leaves with crease marks, shelf number to front endpaper, original cloth gilt, small tears and chips at spine ends, 8vo, The Lost Continent; or, Slavery and the Slave-Trade in Africa, 1875, by Joseph Cooper, 1st edition, 1875, folding map, advertisement leaf at end, slight soiling to title, original green cloth gilt, spine darkened, a few stains, 8vo, Liverpool and Slavery: An Historical Account of the Liverpool-African Slave Trade. Was it the cause of the prosperity of the town?, by a Genuine "Dicky Sam", 1st edition, Liverpool, 1884, folding wood-engraved plate of the Slave Ship "Brockes" of Liverpool (small repairs and tears to folds), The Liverpool Underwriters' Association triangular ink stamp to plates margin and title, press cuttings pasted front and rear (offset to dedication), hinges tender, original cloth gilt, a little rubbed with a few marks, slight lean, 8voQty: (4)

Sparrow (Anthony). A Collection of Articles , Injunctions, Canons, Orders, Ordinances and Constitutions Ecclesiastical; with other Publick Records of the Church of England, Chiefly in the Times of K. Edward VI, Q. Elizabeth, K. James & K. Charles. Published to Vindicate the Church of England, and to Promote Uniformity and Peace in the same, London: Robert Cutler & Joseph Clarke, 1671 , engraved frontispiece of the arms of the Bishops of England, title torn with loss to lower left and lined to verso, each part title within ornamental border, two folding tables (both with repaired closed tear), leaves A1, B1 & B2 strengthened to fore-edge, some light soiling and occasional spotting, later endpapers, contemporary calf, joints split, spine strengthened at head & foot, later manuscript title label, small 4to, together with: Gabriele d'Emillane (Antonio Gavin) , A Short History of Monastical Orders, in which the Primitive Institution of Monks, their Tempers, Habits, Rules, and the Condition they are in at Present, are Treated of, London: Printed by S. Roycroft, for W. Bentley, 1693, imprimatur leaf present, 19th century half calf, rebacked preserving original spine, contrasting labels including volume number label (possibly this work bound uniformly with other works as part of a set), 12moQty: (2)

* [India]. Three autograph letters signed from foundling Indian princess Alina d’Eldir Mercier (c.1780-1851) to Sir Charles Stuart, Baron Stuart de Rothesay (1779-1845) as British ambassador to France, Paris, 1821, i.e. 1. ‘A Son Excellence Monseigneur l’Ambassadeur d’Angleterre’, Rue de la Paix No. 6, 28 February 1821, on her kidnap and arrival in Paris (‘Je fus enlevée fort jeune … J’ai été remise à une dame, nommée Cormillier, française habitante de Chandernagor … mon éducation se fit au couvent du Calvaire, Paris’), and the failed mission of ‘Goolam Mouchi-oud-Din’ (see below), single bifolium written on 2 sides, annotation in a separate hand to blank conjugate leaf verso, 2. ‘A Son Excellence Monseigneur l’Ambassadeur d’Angleterre près de la cour de France’, Rue de la Paix, No. 6, 3 August 1821, seeking his intercession with the East India Company (‘Les honourables members de la Compagnie des Indies, informés de ma position, n’ayant pas daigné répondre à ma juste demande … J’espérais, Monsegnieur, que mon titre d’Indienne et sujette de l’Angleterre, suffirait pour intéresser cette illustre Compagnie …’), single sheet written on both sides, 3. ‘A Son excellence Sir Stuart, Ambassadeur d’Angleterre’, Rue du Faubourg St Honoré No. 84, 26 September 1821, presenting a portrait, single sheet written recto only, all in French and signed ‘Alina Deldir Mercier Indienne’, letters 1 and 2 with Arabic ink-stamp dated 1819, folio (32 x 20 cm) , together with a manuscript note to the Court of Directors of the East India Company, dated Paris 24 November 1821, enclosing ‘the accompanying memorial from a lady who was brought from India many years ago …’, single sheet, folioQty: (4)NOTESProvenance: Acquired by an American collector active c.1970-80. Alina d’Eldir (probably a corruption of ‘al-Durr’) arrived in France as a child before the Revolution and was received at the royal court by the Princesse de Lamballes. Educated at a convent, she attracted the notice of Napoleon and Josephine around the time of the expedition to Egypt. In 1818 she was visited by an envoy, ‘Goolam Mouchi-oud-Din’, who informed her of her noble lineage and sought to bring her back to India, but she refused to renounce her Catholicism. These three letters may concern a possible second mission two years later, when an Indian nobleman is known to have visited London but was prevented from continuing to France. At some point marrying army officer Charles Mercier, in 1828 she published a book of Méditations , edited by the marquis de Fortia d’Urban. She also worked as a practitioner of magnetic therapy, her notes on the subject appearing as La verité du magnétisme in 1829, and founded the ‘Ordre Asiatique de morale universelle’.

Virgil. Publii Virgilii Maronis Opera, per Johannem Ogilvium edita, et sculpturis Æneis adornata, London: Thomas Roycroft for William Wells & Robert Scott, 1663, title in red & black with manuscript name, torn and repaired, 97 engraved plates and full-page illustrations only (of 104, some by Hollar & Lombart), one folding engraved map, without frontispiece and portrait, decorative engraved headpieces and initials, long closed tear to U4 & L4, some plates and text leaves repaired, dampstaining and mottling throughout, endpapers renewed, contemporary gilt panelled calf, rebacked, remnants of gilt decorated spine preserved, corners repaired, folioQty: (1)NOTESWing V601.

Cobbett (William). A History of the Protestant "Reformation", in England an[d] Ireland, 2 volumes, 1st edition, London: Charles Clement, 1824-27, some light spotting and soiling, bookplates (including author and illustrator Harold B. Pereira), later burgundy half morocco, spine ends slightly rubbed, 8vo, together with Hill (Edwin Darley). The Northern Banking Company Limited. An Historical Sketch Commemorating a Century of Banking in Ireland by the First Joint Stock Bank Established in that Country, 1st edition, Belfast: M'Caw, Stevenson & Orr, 1925, numerous colour and monochrome illustrations, a few minor spots to endpapers, original green cloth gilt, upper cover with inset illustrations, spine ends a little rubbed, 4to, with a presentation leaf and manuscript inscription to Revd. J.W. Minchin, M.A., with others Ireland related, histories, literature, 20th century, hardbacks and paperbacks etc including William Cobbett's History of the Protestant Reformation in England and Ireland, 2 volumes, 1st collected edition?, 1829, William Carleton, J.P. Donleavy et alQty: (approximately 90)

Journal of The Society for Army Historical Research . Nos. 49-252, 1934-84, an unbroken run, together with: Special Publications Nos. 5-11 & 15, 1938/2001, all original printed wrappers, occasional soiling and fraying, some spines with manuscript lettering or sticky labels, General Index to volumes I-XL (1921-1962), published 1969, original cloth gilt, all 4toQty: (113)NOTESProvenance: Collection of Jack Webb (1923-2019), London.

[Italy]. Manuscript journal of visits to Loreto and environs, 1839-52, Italian manuscript in black ink in alternate sections of wove blue and plain laid paper, approximately 340 leaves (a few blank), in 12 parts, each comprising an entry for a single journey performed in October in each of the years 1839-46, 1850-2 and 1854, titles 'Viaggio fatto alle S. Casa di Loreto' and similar (several titles also mentioning Ancona and Senigallia), 2 printed trade-cards (Leopoldo Pezzotti, manufacturer of devotional objects, Loreto, and Natalina Menghini, hostess, Ancona) and 5 manuscript shopping lists bound in, contemporary sheep-backed marbled boards, vellum tips, bound green silk page-markers, blue cloth ties, 8vo (20 x 13 cm), together with 5 further journals in the same hand, describing visits ('piccola villegiatura') to S. Casa di Loreto, Senigallia, Genzano, and Grottaferrata, 1858-63, all in booklet-form, stitched, 8vo (20 x 13 cm)Qty: (1)NOTESProvenance: 1) Thomas Ashby (1874-1931), British archaeologist in Italy and director of the British School at Rome (bookplate); 2) Professor Cecil H. Clough (1930-2017), Reader in Medieval History, University of Liverpool. The title-pages of the entries for 1851-2 and 1854 identify the author as Antonio Gammarelli, travelling in the latter two cases with 'Sig. D. Francesco Retazzi Romani e Tomasso Gatti' and 'Giovane Carlo Randanini'. This is possibly a member of the Gammarelli family of papal tailors active in Rome since 1798.

* Du Maurier (Daphne, 1907-1989). Two typed letters signed, 'Daphne', Kilmarth, Par, Cornwall, 9 October [1974] & 9 March 1981, the first to her friend Sheila, thanking her for lunch and 'for the pleasure of seeing Chapel Point again plus the good company; and then to the Almighty Pick [Sheila's husband] for the wonder of the Railway and the world about. One of these days I must devise a short story with something frightful happening at the junction, possibly all the little groups of people turning alive, and demo-ing against their Creator!... ', a few manuscript corrections, 2 pp., the second letter to Pick, 'I am truly flattered that you should think of me for writing a book about the railway folk coming alive. Its no good. Ideass [sic] have to ome [sic] from within myself. But itz [corrected to its above] a lovely thought, so why not have a shot at it yourself? You'll see I cant even type properly these days. Either my eyes or my brain, what there is of it!', one page, both 8vo, together with two signed Christmas cards from Du Maurier with mounted photographs, both 1976, the first inscribed 'So delighted Ursula will be with you. We'll get together after Christmas. To all at Chapel Point, with love Daphne', the second inscribed across fold, 'To you all from Daphne. Kilmarth under Trout 1976', plus a small black & white photograph of Menabilly with diagonal tear inscribed to verso in the author's hand, 'Menabilly, The House of Secrets, approx. 1950, when we were living there, 1943-1967', 7 x 9 cm, plus a colour photograph of the author standing in front of her own portrait, adhesion marks to verso, 12.5 x 7.5 cm, plus a printed receipt from the Jamaica Inn, Bolventor, Launceston, Cornwall, with manuscript insertions giving the date 29 January 1951 and the order of two beef sandwiches at 1/3 each and a total of 2/6Qty: (7)

Larken (Francis Wyatt Rawson, 1911-1985). Archive of Royal Navy service, c.1928-51, comprising: 1. ‘Journal for the Use of Midshipmen. Mr. Wyatt R. Larken. H.M.S. Valiant … Malaya … Queen Elizabeth … Viceroy … Malaya … Effingham’, 3 volumes, 5 September 1928 – 2 July 1931, approximately 135 + 125 + 55 manuscript leaves, printed title-pages, printed headings and rules throughout, 28 charts and plans and 55 technical drawings in pen-and-ink and watercolour on card, mounted on stubs, nearly all full-page, 27 gelatin silver print photographs mounted on interleaves (many depicting ships at sea; 3 depicting a shark caught at Port Blair, Andaman Islands; 3 of Bombay; several with blind-stamp 'Grand Studio, Malta', of which 2 forming a panorama probably of Valetta), a few other typescript documents bound in, original two-tone cloth bindings, red skiver spine-labels (chipped), printed paper labels with Larken’s ownership inscriptions to front covers, cloth mottled, folio (33 x 20.5 cm) 2. ‘H.M.S. Theseus, Commanders Standing Orders’ [cover-title], 1 March 1951, 223 roneoed typescript leaves (versos blank), signed by Larken in blue ink on first leaf, string-bound in original blue cloth-backed boards, pictorial collotype label mounted to front board (chipped and abraded), folio (33.5 x 18.5 cm), 3. Larken's personal bicorn hat, epaulettes and sword belt, black felt bicorn hat by Gieves Ltd with gilt braid and button, gilt braid epaulettes by Goode's Officers Stores (Portsmouth), leather sword belt with gilt metal buckle, in maroon velvet-lined metal case with Gieve Matthews & Seagrove Ltd brass plaque and a further brass plaque engraved 'F. W. R. Larken', 22 x 46 x 22 cm, 4. Silver cigar case, engraved with names of British soldiers including P. H. Graves-Morris (1907-1991) and one name in ?Chinese, cedar lining, 5 x 19 x 13 cm, 5. [Admiralty]. Regulations and Instructions relating to His Majesty's Service at Sea, London: Printed by W. Winchester and Son, 1806, viii 440 [174] pp., folding table removed, contemporary ownership Alexander Milner (active 1795-1812), Royal Navy officer, 'A. Milner, Capt, Swallow' to title-page, contemporary sprinkled calf, worn, 4to (26 x 20 cm), and 5 other naval titles including H.M.S. Theseus Goes East, Portsmouth: Acme Printing Co. Ltd, [1951]Qty: (-)NOTESProvenance: By direct descent to the present owner. Wyatt Larken was the son of Admiral Sir Frank Larken (1875-1953). As a young midshipman he cruised the Mediterranean in the Valiant, the Malaya and subsequently the Queen Elizabeth, these logs recording frequent visits to Cyprus and Malta as well as the station’s more unusual reaches. In April 1930 he joined the Hawkins-class cruiser Effingham for its East African cruise, visiting Ceylon and Mauritius before coasting Tanzania and spending a week at Zanzibar, then returning to Ceylon via Mombasa, the Seychelles and Addu Atoll in the Maldives. From 21 October 1930 to 19 January 1931 the Effingham undertook a cruise of the Persian Gulf, visiting Muscat, Sohar, Sur, Khasab and Khor al-Jarama in modern Oman, and Dubai and the island of Sir Abu Nu'ayr in what is now the United Arab Emirates. Wyatt’s log for this section occupies some 100 pages, and his entry for 17 December 1931 is especially noteworthy: 'Proceeded for Dabai on the Trucial coast ... at 1020 the Trucial sheikhs and their followers numbering all some 200 came onboard ... A torpedo was fired - also a full charge round from a gun. This they watched from the bridge ... They brought us gifts of beef and melon jelly ... and they were sent away with Gold Flake cigarettes and chocolate ... The chief ones wore splendid "bournous" of gold work cloth. All were fine upstanding men'. After leaving the Gulf the Effingham embarked on a Burma Cruise which included a visit to the Andaman Islands. The charts and plans include: Salamis Bay; the Brijuni Islands (modern Croatia); Fiume (modern Rijeka, Croatia); the Dardanelles; Istanbul; the Gulf of Aden; the Port of Colombo; Trincomalee; Port Louis (Mauritius); Mafia Island and the Rufiji Delta (modern Tanzania); an exercise near the Suvadiva Atoll (Maldives); ‘Area cover’d by Interests of Anglo-Persian Oil Co’; the Shatt al-Arab; the Andaman Islands; the Royal Navy camp at Diyatawala; and several route charts. Promoted lieutenant in 1933, commander in 1944 and captain in 1950, Larken saw Second World War service on seven different vessels and shore establishments, and during the Korean War commanded the aircraft carrier Theseus (mentioned in despatches) and the minelayer Apollo. From 1952 until his retirement in 1955 he was deputy director of naval ordnance.

Maugham (William Somerset). The Hero, 1st edition, 1st issue, London: Hutchinson & Co., 1901, a little minor spotting, mainly to endpapers, small label removed from front pastedown, original red cloth gilt, 1st issue with 'evil eye' symbol on front cover upside down, spine toned and a little rubbed with small stains and manuscript number '66', lower cover with light ring mark, 8vo, together with Mrs. Craddock, 1st edition, London: Heinemann, 1902, publisher's 32 pp. catalogue at end, slight marginal toning and a few minor stains, original cloth, some fading to spine, edges a little rubbed, 8voQty: (2)

Meredith (Henry). An Account of the Gold Coast of Africa: with a Brief History of the African Company, 1st edition, London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, 1812, [4] viii 264 pp., engraved folding map frontispiece (offset), occasional manuscript corrections, contemporary half calf, gilt arms to spine, wear, 8vo (21.4 x 13 cm), together with: Dunraven (Wyndham Thomas Windham-Quin, 4th Earl of), The Great Divide: Travels in the Upper Yellowstone in the Summer of 1874, 1st edition, London: Chatto and Windus, 1876, half-title, 15 wood-engraved plates, 2 folding maps, plates damp-stained, maps with linen supports to inner folds, contemporary blue calf gilt, 8vo (21 x 13.4 cm), Williamson (William D.), The History of the State of Maine; from its First Discovery, A.D. 1602, to the Separation, A.D. 1812, Inclusive, 2 volumes, 1st edition, Hallowell, ME: Glazier, Masters & Co., 1832, contemporary sheep, rebacked with original spines laid down, gilt arms of the Society of Writers to the Signet to covers, 8vo (22.9 x 13.4 cm), Wallace (Alfred Russel), Island Life: or, the Phenomena and Causes of Insular Faunas and Floras, 1st edition, London: Macmillan and Co., 1880, 3 maps, half-title and advertisement leaf discarded, ex-library copy with ink-stamps, 20th-century half morocco, 8vo (22 x 14.5 cm), and 3 others, including later editions of Baker's Ismailia (1907) and Drinkwater's Siege of Gibraltar (1844), both finely bound (not collated), and Guthrie, An Atlas to Guthrie's Geographical Grammar, 1820, complete with 25 folding engraved maps hand-coloured in outline, engraved plate, soiling and tears, worn and defective binding, 8voQty: (8)NOTESNorman 2179 (Wallace); Sabin 104493 (Williamson: 'according to Joseph Williams, the first edition consisted of 1000 copies'). Meredith's work is uncommon, and does not appear to have been reprinted until a modern edition in 1967.

[Ottoman Turkish manuscript]. Firman of Sultan Abdülhamid II (r. 1876-1909), 21 Shawwal 1315 AH [15 March 1898 AD], Ottoman Turkish manuscript in red, black and gold inks on single sheet of laid paper, large sultanic tughra in red ink at head followed by 7 lines of divani script, creased from folding, splits and tears along folds, 83 x 54 cmQty: (1)

Army Lists. A List of the Officers of the Army, Ordnance and Medical Departments, serving under the Presidency of Fort St. George. With an Index, [Madras]: compiled for the benefit of the male asylum, and printed at the Government Gazette Press, by the boys of the charity, 1821, pp. [2] 200 xviii [8], woodcut arms to title, errata leaf, interleaves throughout most of volume, restoration to pp. 101/2 (the leaf containing blank columns only), closely trimmed at foot, frequent contemporary manuscript additions to text and interleaves, contemporary inscriptions 'Charles Wahab, the first army list in which my name appeared' to initial blank, and 'Nagpore, Received 7th June 1812, J. Cross' to title-page verso, all edges gilt, later 19th-century hard-grain red morocco, 8vo (17.2 x 10.6 cm), together with 24 other army lists, 19th and 20th century, not collated, some evidently defective, crude rebindingsQty: (25)NOTESProvenance: Jack Webb (1923-2019), D-Day veteran and London antiques dealer. Rare early iteration of the army list for the Madras presidency, not on Library Hub or WorldCat.

[Royal Navy]. Advice to the Officers of the British Navy, 1st edition, London: printed for the author, and sold by the booksellers in town and country, 1785, [4] 116 pp., spotting and soiling, manuscript date 'March 11th 1785' to front free endpaper, later ownership inscription to front pastedown, contemporary boards, spine perished, boards held by cords, 8vo (18.5 x 12 cm)Qty: (1)NOTESESTC N29842. Very rare satirical work, ESTC traces one copy world-wide (Huntington), and two copies with the variant imprint 'sold by A. Flexney'. Captains are instructed that 'In the West-Indies, if any negro slaves from the enemy's plantations, escape on board your ship, led by the hope of partaking British liberty, when under the British flag; as this example might hurt the sugar trade, if it encouraged the slaves of our islands to fly to the enemy, sell them at the first port, and put the money in your pocket' (p. 39).

[Sanskrit manuscript]. [Extracts from the Mahabharata], Kashmir, c.1800-20, Sanskrit manuscript in black and red ink on laid paper, 53 leaves + blanks, 3 full-page figural miniatures in gouache with pen-and-ink, one similar full-page floral miniature to rear, 3 floral vignettes in text, browning and staining, marginal worming towards rear, affecting side-notes and occasionally the main text, stitched in contemporary wrappers, front wrapper frayed, 7.5 x 13 cmQty: (1)NOTESProvenance: Maria Bros, 78 The Mall, Simla (booksellers), with manuscript catalogue note identifying the extracts as the stories of Vaiyasika, Bhishmastava, and Gajendra Moksha, and dating the manuscript c.1800-20.

Stanley (Henry M.). In Darkest Africa, 2 volumes, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1890, pp. iii-iv [i]-xv 529, [4] iii-xv 472, title-pages in red and black, 2 steel-engraved portrait frontispieces, 2 heliogravure portrait plates, 37 wood-engraved plates (of which one, group portrait facing p. xiii volume 2, not listed in contents), and numerous wood-engraved vignettes in the text, all on india paper, mounted (except for the heliogravures: on standard paper stock, mounted), 6 etched sepia plates by G. Montbard signed in pencil by the artist, 3 folding colour maps (2 linen-backed), leaf of manuscript facsimile, geological profile, folding letterpress table, volume 1 inner hinges cracked, front inner hinge tender, etched sepia plates browned, plates 26 and 38 tissue-guard torn, a few marks, top edges gilt, others untrimmed, original black half morocco over bevelled boards, japon sides (soiled), demy 4toQty: (2)NOTESFirst US edition, signed limited issue, number 12 of 250 deluxe copies signed by the author on the limitation page.

Faulkner (Thomas). An Historical and Topographical Description of Chelsea, and its Environs, 2 volumes, Chelsea: T. Faulkner, 1829, dedication leaf to volume 1 inscribed and signed by the author "To Mr C.J. Smith", folding engraved map of Chelsea, Extra Illustrated containing a total of 315 engraved, lithograph & etched plates including many portraits (including 7 folding plates, 3 tinted watercolours views and 1 watercolour of Chelsea College & Ranelagh Gardens), some plates cropped and mounted back to back, few loosely inserted), list of subscribers, occasional spotting and offsetting, bookplates of James Walsh & Walter Alexander to front endpaper, hinges splitting, contemporary half calf, blind decorated spines, black morocco title labels (worn to corners), joints cracked and extremities rubbed, 8vo, together with an 18pp. manuscript booklet titled "Illustrations of the description of Chelsea and its Environs by Thomas Faulkner in 2 volumes, 1829, manuscript title-page within a decorative applied border, side stitched with thin ribbon, slim 8voQty: (3)NOTESC.J. Smith of Southampton Street was a subscriber to the work.

Evelyn (John). Silva: Or, a Discourse of Forest-Trees, and the Propagation of Timber in His Majesty's Dominions: As it was delivered in the Royal Society on the 15th Day of October, 1662, 1st edition, York: Printed by A. Ward for J. Dodsley, 1776, engraved portrait frontispiece, 40 engraved plates, including one folding, folding table, subscribers list present, repaired long horizontal closed tear to 4A4, and short closed tear to inner blank margin of 4M5, occasional light offsetting, toning and scattered spotting, armorial bookplate of Margaret Smith Burges to upper pastedown and laid down manuscript note to front free endpaper referring to measurements of various trees with another note in a different hand 'This remark was written by Lord Devonshire when he visited Parkanaur 1845, J.S.B.', contemporary calf, rebacked preserving original gilt decorated spine and maroon morocco title label, boards scuffed and a little worn, board corners worn & showing, 4to, together with: Lindley (John) , Flora Medica; A Botanical Account of all the more important Plants used in Medicine, in different parts of the World, London: Longman, Orme, Brown, Green & Longmans, 1838, half-title, modern bookplate of Noel Lothian to upper pastedown, contemporary calf by Nutt & Son, gilt decorated spine and borders to boards, olive green morocco title label to spine, 8voQty: (2)

Daniel (Rev. Wm. B.). Rural Sports, 4 volumes (including supplement), published Bunney & Gold, 1801 - 1813, folding engraved frontispiece to volumes 1 and 2, engraved portrait to supplement, calligraphic titles, sixty-eight engraved plates, some folding, (including one printed in colour), slight spotting throughout, marbled endpapers, bookplate of Arthur Walford, contemporary half diced calf with gilt decorated spines, worn at extremities, upper joint on volume 2 cracked, 4to, together with Surtees (Robert S.). Mr Sponge's Sporting Tour, Mr Romford's Hounds, Hawbuck Grange, Handley Cross, Plain or Ringlets [and] Ask Mamma, 6 volumes, published Bradbury, Agnew & Co., circa 1890, decorative titles and additional half-titles, numerous etchings with contemporary hand colouring after John Leech, top edge gilt, near-contemporary half calf with gilt decorated spines by Bayntons of Bath, very slight wear to extremities, spines slightly faded, 8vo, with Hawker (Lt. Col. P.). Instructions to Young Sportsmen in all that relates to Guns and Shooting, 4th edition, published Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown and Greene, 1825, title and preface, ten engraved plates (complete as list), near contemporary manuscript ownership signature to first front blank, contemporary half morocco gilt, some wear to spine and extremities, 8vo, plus Stephens (Henry). The Book of the Farm..., 2 volumes, 3rd. edition, William Blackwood and Sons, 1876, engraved portrait frontispiece, additional half titles, numerous engraved plates and illustrations to text, publisher's advertisement to rear of volume 1, index to rear of volume 2, later endpapers, contemporary quarter calf with ornate decorated gilt spines, some skilful restoration to head and foot of spines, inset gilt remarque of a farmer sowing grain to upper covers, bumped and with slight wear, 8vo, and The Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire, Hedley Peek & F. G. Aflalo, (editors). The Encyclopedia of Sport, 4 volumes, Lawrence and Bullen Ltd, 1900, additional decorative title and half titles, numerous uncoloured photogravure plates after A. Thorburn and others, each with tissue guard, numerous illustrations to text throughout, top edge gilt, remainder uncut, contemporary red cloth with gilt decorated spines, very slight staining to upper cover of volume 2, spines slightly faded, large 8voQty: (17)

ALMANACH ROYALAlmanach royal pour l'année 1771, contemporary French red morocco gilt, covers richly gilt with arms at centre and armorial devices at corners, blue silk liners, g.e., 8vo, Paris, le Breton, 1771Footnotes:Manuscript notes on a leaf facing the calendar for October record the birth of the dauphin Louis XVII, On 22nd October 1781 at 23 minutes past 1 in the afternoon, with a description of the ensuing fireworks, the Te Deum sung at Notre Dame in the presence of the King and his court, and further ceremonies and fireworks in 1782.Provenance: Joseph-Marie Terray (1715-1778), contrôleur général des finances, directeur des bâtiments du Roi, and abbot of St. Martin de Troan, arms on covers [Olivier 553.5]; a sale in 1813; Colonel Daniel Sickles, book label; Sotheby's, Bibliothèque d'un amateur, 15 May 1997, lot 7.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: •• Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

PLAYING CARD'Jacques Vise' [Jack], wood-engraving on paper, pochoir-coloured (red, green, brown, grey-blue), the figure in courtly French dress, inscribed 'Jacques vise' in banner at foot, some manuscript text showing through lower portion, the top section (including suit and the top of the head) torn away, mounted on card, 93 x 59mm., [Lyon, late fifteenth/early sixteenth century]Footnotes:An exceptionally rare example of a card produced by Jacques Vise, the Lyonnais card-maker active from 1481 to 1517. Although the figure is not clear, the use of Vise's name would tend to indicate that the card is a Jack.Provenance: Tajan, Autographes et Livres, 30 September 2002, lot 34This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ** VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

ANTIQUE MANUSCRIPT INVENTORY FROM 1743 WITH A SEAL AND ATTACHED ANOTHER DOCUMENT

A PAIR OF ORMOLU ALLEGORICAL FIGURES, LATE 19TH-EARLY 20TH CENTURYdepicting a pair of young female scribes, each leaning on a column propping up a bound manuscript, each holding a stylus, one also holding a miniature model of a sarcophagus, in ormolu bronze, atop rectangular stone bases; height of taller one: 35.5 cm (14 in.), net weight: 8.8 kg (19.4 lbs) CONDITIONN.B. All lots are sold in as-is condition at the time of sale. Please note that any condition statement regarding works of art is given as a courtesy to our clients in order to assist them in assessing the condition. The report is a genuine opinion held by Shapiro Auctions and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report or a photograph does not preclude the absence of defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. Shapiro Auctions, LLC., including its consultants and agents, shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Sheet music including George Crumb 'Ancient Voices of Children' facsimile printing from the original manuscript by the composer etc Condition Report & Further Details Click here for further images, condition, auction times & delivery costs

SECOND WORLD WAR - A MANUSCRIPT SERIES OF WEEKLY CHARTS LOGGING AIR RAID WARNINGS believed to relate to Bristol, 17 August 1940 - 8 November 1941.

PERSIAN SCHOOL, A Qajar battle scene from the Shanameh, Persia, late 19th Century, gouache beenath lacquer, verso with a four column manuscript page in nasta'liq script, 30cm X 17.5cm

[HISTORY] Robertson, George. The History of the Reign of George the Third, from his Accession to the Throne, down to the Present Time, in which are narrated the most Memorable Events of this Important Period; particularly the American War, the French Revolution, and the... Battle of Waterloo, for Whellier, London, no date [circa 1816], half leather, engraved vignette half title page, thirty-four engraved portrait plate illustrations, with an extra inserted manuscript plate list, quarto (boards almost detached; spine ends worn, with loss; scuffed; some plates with marginal staining).

Toni Watts (20thC). Page from Lincoln Cathedral MS302, watercolour with 24 carat gold leaf on manuscript vellum, artist label verso, 18.5cm x 12.5cm.Provenance: Purchased direct from the artist in 2016 for £900.

ELIZABETH I OF RUSSIA: (1709-1762) Empress of Russia 1741-62. L.S., Elizabeth, in Cyrillic, one page, folio, Saint Petersburg, 24th January 1737, in Cyrillic. The manuscript document is a Decree to the Patrimonial Chancery, instructing that attention to Piotr Novikov´s horses has to be maintained and that the same money he was receiving when he was working for the chancery as salary has to be paid in future. Further also instructing that the sum of 150 roubles has to be paid annually to the notary Bogdanov, as well as 800 kilos of flour and oat every four months, first the flour at the beginning of each period and after, at the end of each period, the money. Very small minor age wear, otherwise VG

NICHOLAS I: (1796-1855) Emperor of Russia 1825-55. L.S., Nicolas, a good and bold signature example, three pages, folio, Saint Petersburg, 23rd March 1837, to His Majesty the King of Naples, in Cyrillic. The manuscript letter informs the King, 'Our Dear Brother and Friend.. after having accepted the petition received from our Privy Councillor, Chamberlain and Cavalier Count Adam Matushevits, who is residing now at the Court of Your Majesty as our Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Minister, we relieve him from his duty and Envoy..´. Countersigned at the foot by Karl Nesselrode. Accompanied by the original envelope wrapper bearing a large Imperial paper seal. Some extremely light, minor age wear, otherwise VG  Ferdinand II (1810-1859) King of the Two Sicilies 1830-59. Karl Nesselrode (1780-1862) Russian Count and Diplomat. Foreign Affairs Minister 1816-56. Nesselrode served under Tsars Alexander I, Nicholas I and Alexander II.

GOUNOD CHARLES: (1818-1893) French Composer. Autograph Musical Manuscript Signed, Ch. Gounod, twice, four pages, folio (manuscript paper), n.p., n.d. (1880s), being the manuscript score of Gounod's sacred song For Ever with The Lord (1872), consisting of over 150 bars of music, with words, on 16 stave manuscript paper. With a smaller, neatly trimmed additional page of manuscript loosely inserted. Signed by Gounod to the title page, completed entirely in his hand, '”For ever with the Lord” a Sacred Song, The words by…The music by Ch. Gounod (nota) The copyright of this song belongs to M. M[ess]rs. Phillips and Page, Ch. Gounod'. Some light overall age wear and dust staining, most noticeable to the outer covers, about VG Gounod was a prolific composer of songs, although most of them were secular and only a small handful of religious songs, such as the present example, were written for the British market. During his lifetime Gounod's religious music was regarded in many quarters more highly than his most popular operas.  Alfred Phillips and Sydney Hubert Page entered into partnership as music publishers in 1884, the same year in which they commissioned Gounod to compose the popular setting of The King of Love My Shepherd is. Phillips and Page went on to publish further works by Gounod including O Divine Redeemer.

SMETANA BEDRICH: (1824-1884) Czech Composer. A contemporary manuscript copy (unsigned and in an unidentified hand) of Consolation No.3  by Franz Liszt, eight pages, folio, n.p., n.d., contained in attractive printed paper wrappers published for Ignaz Fuchs in Prague, the front cover bearing the ownership signature ('B. Smetana') of Smetana in bold purple fountain pen ink and further annotated 'Liszt' in his hand. An unusual piece linking two of the great European composers of the 19th century. Some very light age wear and minor staining to the covers, only very slightly affecting Smetana's signature, about VG The third solo piano work from Liszt's Consolations was composed between 1849 and 1850 and is the most popular of the six compositions, and also a favourite encore piece.  Smetana was a great admirer of Liszt and in 1840 made an entry in his diary expressing a desire to become 'a Mozart in composition and a Liszt in technique'. Seven years later Smetana applied to Liszt for financial help in establishing a musical school in Prague after the Hungarian had written encouragingly to the young Bohemian upon seeing some of his piano compositions, even offering to help find him a publisher for his music.

ROSSINI GIOACHINO: (1792-1868) Italian Composer. Rare A.M.Q.S., Gioachino Rossini, one page, oblong folio manuscript paper, Florence, 3rd June 1853. In bold dark fountain pen ink, Rossini has neatly penned a quotation for piano forte comprising ten bars of music across two staves, with small annotations, which he identifies as A[ndanti]no. Signed and dated by the composer immediately beneath the quotation. The document bears a watermark. Some light creasing and minor overall age wear, VG

TIPPETT MICHAEL: (1905-1998) English Composer. Autograph Musical Manuscript Signed, Michael Tippett, one page (manuscript paper), oblong folio, n.p. (1984). The manuscript, in bold pencil and comprising an extensive number of bars of music, are Tippett's rough manuscript sketches for part of his oratorio The Mask of Time. Signed by Tippett in black ink with his name alone at the foot. Together with two T.Ls.S. by Nicholas Wright, Tippett's assistant, each one page, 4to, London, n.d. and 7th December 1984, concerning the manuscript and also providing some interesting biographical content relating to Tippett, in part, 'He first decided to become a composer while at Stamford School and when he was aged about fourteen. He had heard an orchestral concert in Leicester, conducted by Malcolm Sargent and he was having piano lessons with a local teacher, Mrs. Tinkler, and decided that nothing would stand in the way of his becoming a composer! The composer to whose work he is very close is Beethoven, although he does not necessarily have one particular favourite piece of music. In answer to your question about where his ideas come from, he asks me to tell you 'from everywhere!' For example, in his Triple Concerto he is obviously influenced by music from the Far East which he heard on a tour over there…..I am also sending you a bit of rough MS, which has sketches for his new work The Mask of Time, which receives its first UK performance as the Proms on July 23rd…..' Rare. VG, 3

HUMBOLDT ALEXANDER VON: (1769-1859) German Natural Scientist, Geographer & Explorer. A very fine, rare manuscript line chart signed, A v Humboldt, one page, oblong 8vo, n.p. (Spain), 1799, in French. In his typically small, neat hand Humboldt has recorded a profile of Peninsular Spain from the southeast to the northwest, from the coast of Valencia to that of Gelice, recording several major towns and cities including Medina del Campo, El Escorial, Madrid and Aranjuez and their height above sea level, also recording some of the latitudes and noting that the scale of distance is 1:100. Signed and annotated by Humboldt beneath the chart, also noting a comparison with the height above sea level of several other European cities and landmarks including Munich, Brocken, Schneekoppe (Snezka) and Mount Vesuvius. Rare in this form. Some very light, extremely minor age wear and two very small areas of paper loss to two corners, not affecting the chart, text or signature. About VG In the first half of 1799, at the time of preparing the present chart, Humboldt (accompanied by the botanist and physician Aime Bonpland) found himself in Madrid where he sought authorisation to travel to Spain's realms in the Americas. Receiving a positive response to his proposal, Humboldt was presented to King Charles IV and subsequently granted access to crown officials and written documentation on Spain's empire. Armed with authorisation from the King, Humboldt and Bonpland set sail on 5th June 1799 on their Spanish American expedition which would last until 1804.  Humboldt's historic expedition is now regarded as having laid the foundation of the sciences of physical geography, plant geography and meteorology. On a personal level, the geographer's decades' long endeavour to publish the results of the expedition resulted not only in multiple volumes, but also drew him to the attention of the reading public with popular densely illustrated, condensed versions of his work in multiple languages. Importantly it also secured Humboldt's international reputation in scientific circles.

BURTON RICHARD F.: (1821-1890) English Explorer. A rare set of illustrated manuscript notes by Burton, unsigned, seven pages, 8vo, n.p. (London?), n.d. (c.1868-70), on the blind embossed stationery of the Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall. Burton's miscellaneous notes, in his typically small (and at times indecipherable) hand appear to be references made from The Life of Prince Henry of Portugal by Richard Henry Major, Burton noting that Prince Henry 'declared his object was to “acquire wealth, knowledge of the world and, if possible, fame”', and also recording references to various countries including Santiago (noting that it was not discovered by Antonio de Nolle but by the Portuguese Diogo Gomez), Sierra Leone, Cape of Good Hope, Venezuela, China, Ceylon, Germany and others, as well as hippopotamuses (described by Cadamosto as a horse-fish), the Pillars of Hercules and various other explorers including Christopher Columbus (who had endured 'twelve years hardship & fatigue'), the cartographer Martin Behaim etc. To one page of the notes Burton has drawn a detailed map of the region of Africa covering Tanzania, Mozambique, the Congo and Kenya in which Burton has identified various lakes including Lake Albert, Lake Victoria and Lake Tanganyika. An interesting manuscript linking two of history's noted explorers, albeit centuries apart, and enhanced by Burton's wonderful illustration of African lakes. Some light age wear and a few small, neat professional repairs to splits at the central vertical folds, none of which affect the text. About VG The Life of Prince Henry of Portugal by Richard Henry Major was published in London in 1868 and is an account of 'the discovery, within one century, of half the world' by Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), the main initiator of the Age of Discovery, and included Major's summary of 'new facts in the discovery of the Atlantic Islands, a refutation of French claims to priority in discovery, Portuguese knowledge (subsequently lost) of the Nile Lakes and the history of the naming of America' drawn from 'authentic contemporary documents'.

BECQUEREL ANTOINE HENRI: (1852-1908) French Physicist. Becquerel is credited as the first person to discover evidence of radioactivity. Awarded for his works in this field with the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903, together with Marie and Pierre Curie. An extremely rare manuscript document by Becquerel, being scientific notes, including formulas and calculations, one page, oblong 4to, ruled paper, n.p., n.d., in French. The manuscript includes Becquerel´s notes concerning X-rays, electrolysis, atoms and electrons, with formulas and equations. A document of very rare and interesting scientific content. Uneven bottom edge, otherwise VG

SNELL GEORGE: (1903-1996) American Geneticist & Transplant Immunologist, Nobel Prize winner for Physiology or Medicine, 1980. Autograph Manuscript notes signed, George D. Snell, one page, 4to, n.p., 17th July 1969. In bold pencil Snell has written a series of scientific notes, figures and diagrams, most likely in preparation for a scientific paper, referring to 'Digression on immunity, Albumin, Globulin…..immediate and delayed hypersensitivity….' and also noting the names of Takasugi and Hildemann, Brunner and others. Signed by Snell in blue ink at the foot of the page. VG

EINSTEIN ALBERT: (1879-1955) German-born Theoretical Physicist, Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1921. A good T.L.S., `A. Einstein´, one page, 4to, Princeton, 25th February 1942, on his printed stationery bearing the blind embossed heading ''A. Einstein, 112, Mercer Street, Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.A'', to Mr. Hermann Broch, in German. Einstein states `I read your manuscript with great interest, and I do really believe that your method brings the important subject closer to understanding.´, further saying `I will be happy if I am given the opportunity to use your work through my judgement.´ Folded. Small overall minor age wear, crease to the upper left corner and one stain, none affecting the signature. G   Hermann broch (1886-1951) Austrian Writer. A major figure of Modernism. From 15th of August to 15th of September 1939, Hermann Broch lived at the Albert Einstein house in Princeton, the one shown on this letter, while the Einsteins were on vacation. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in literature in 1950.

YUKAWA HIDEKI: (1907-1981) Japanese Theoretical Physicist, Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1949 and the first Japanese Nobel Laureate. A good manuscript D.S., Hideki Yukawa, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d. Yukawa responds to a researcher's questionnaire featuring their questions at the head of the page, '1. Were (sic) your scientific “debut” easy or difficult? 2. Did means of living (another profession or a private income) enable you to make yourself known in science?.......3. What work (or what discovery) made yourself more famous? Which do you consider as your master-piece?'. The physicist provides his answers below, in full, '1. Not very difficult. At least I did not think it very difficult, because I was young. 2. When I was young, i.e. a few years after graduation from the university. I had to depend more or less on my parents. 3. A paper entitled “On the Interaction of Elementary Particles”, which was published early in 1935'. An interesting document. Some light age wear and minor creasing, largely to the extreme edges and not affecting Yukawa's text or signature, about VG

WIGNER EUGENE: (1902-1995) Hungarian-American Theoretical Physicist & Mathematician, Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1963. Autograph Manuscript, unsigned, thirteen pages, 4to, n.p. n.d. (1977). The manuscript, with numerous corrections, is of a talk made by Wigner to the Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifiques in France on 4th May 1977, entitled The Future of Science and states, in part, 'Let me begin with a sentence in an article of Levy-Leblond to which Dr. Thom called my attention: “La plupart des disciplines scientifiques modern voient leur…..representants, la maturite une fois attiente, ou depasse, s'aventurer sur le terrain de la reflexion generale”. This is what I will be doing. Perhaps I add one more general remark: if I lecture about a subject of physics, I hope to present at least one conclusion that is new to most of the audience. In the present case I hope that all I'll say is already present in your minds, at least subconsciously. Otherwise you can't be with me……Let me begin with the observation that human life has changed unbelievably in the last 10 or so thousand years. Before that, man was a clever animal, living the way most wild animals live now - with one exception: he could communicate much better than other animals can. They say that language was invented about a million years ago. But the change in the last 10,000 years was also so great that most of the time we close our eyes to it. We simply do not have enough imagination to understand what our lives would have been 10,000 years ago. What has been invented materially: houses, tools, weapons…..an immense variety of machines - including agricultural equipment and communication. These already introduced changes into our lives, in particular the transition from a nomadic life, based largely on hunting, to an agricultural and sedentary one…..The organisation of our society also changed immensely in the last 10,000 years. Independence of the individual or pecking order in the original tribal organisation were replaced by large national entities - so large that each member knows only a fraction of all……Let me mention also the introduction of the idea of marriage - largely based on the increasing recognition of the connection between sexual act and child birth - and of systematic religion. Practically all this happened in 10,000 years or less, a tiny fraction of the existence of man as an animal. Most of all these changes resulted from man's increased knowledge - even if that knowledge was not yet what we now call science - not from the “survival of the fittest”. Very little of it would have been possible had man not developed, about a million years before, a language. It appears to me as a mystery that most of these changes and inventions had to wait 990,000 years after the establishment of languages…..Why the development of what we call “our science” had to wait until almost 300 years ago, to the times of Kepler, Galileo and Newton, is again a mystery……Science has affected in the past both our spiritual and our material life…..we do no longer believe in miracles. If someone is sick, we do not attribute his sickness to magic or witches, we blame viruses or bacteria……thunder is caused by an electric discharge, not by the wrath of Zeus…..One can say that, at least in this regard, science has done its duty, we do not need it any more. Is this really true - has science done its duty?......Einstein, in an article on this subject, expresses his doubts……Scientifically, the question can not be decided - we can not even describe happiness scientifically, we have no way to measure it……one can conclude science should tackle…..a better understanding of life, a better understanding of its meaning, of our emotions, what is, and what creates, for instance, happiness……At present the commonly cultivated branches of science, physics among them, are developing into too many directions……I suggested therefore sometime ago, when the problem of the consistency of the various branches of science first came to my attention, that semi-hierarchical organisations be established……I realise that the proposal…..may encounter several objections and may even be deplored by some…..Yet we know how beautiful science is, how much pleasure its cultivation gave us. Could this pleasure not be extended to a larger number of people……Since the leisure time of all people will continue to increase, would it not be good to bring people together for such conferences, stimulate their interest in a variety of subjects and also foster the friendship between them. I think it would…….Man needs a purpose that he can strive for, his life is not full unless he has a goal which inspires him and which requires intense efforts on his part. Yet science has deprived him of the goal which inspired his antecedents. As a result, many, too many, have made the quest for power and influence their goal…..Diversion from the quest for power might well be the most useful function of the scientific societies……The problem which may face the medical faculty….of scientists which may be the most difficult problem of all may be: should they try to make an indefinite extension of the human life possible? The possibility of such an extension would create many grave problems and I am glad we are not yet approaching this possibility. The Brave New World's solution may not apply to those who violently strove for, and eventually acquired, power…..I fully realise that most of what I said is controversial. Yet I hope we all agree that man should continue his efforts to add to man's knowledge, that we should continue to cultivate science……' Accompanied by a brief T.L.S. by a secretary on behalf of Wigner, one page, 4to, Princeton, New Jersey, 16th October 1979, to Martha Abitzsch, on the printed stationery of the Department of Physics at Princeton University, enclosing the article and apologising for the delay in answering his correspondent's letter. Each of the pages of the manuscript are stapled together in the upper left corner. VG

PENZIAS ARNO: (1933-     ) American Physicist, Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1978. Autograph Manuscript, unsigned (although bearing a later annotation and signature by Penzias), six pages, 4to, n.p., n.d. (1990s). The manuscript, with extensive corrections, is written in pencil and is a working draft of a letter to one of his colleagues, Marilyn, and states, in part, 'Remember the opening scenes of “The Graduate” in which someone whispered “plastics” in Dustin Hoffman's ear? What do you mean by software? Surely there's more to it than that single word. Can you name any large software businesses that are problem-free and rolling in profits? Lotus Development made hundreds of millions of dollars from its original 1-2-3, a spread sheet program created by a couple of people in a matter of weeks. It's most recent release…..came out over six months behind schedule and nearly sank the company. From my encounters with them I saw them as a well managed company……Microsoft is as successful a software company as I can name, but they depend on a special relationship with a hardware manufacturer……The whole point of my note to you was a…..hope that, having rocked to both sides, our corporate ship will finally move toward an even keel. In the projects from the 5E design era, we let hardware designers define the software job……Ironically, the “software is everything” ideology can lead to exactly the same result. Constructing tomorrow's hyper-complex systems out of genuine components glued together by software may well lead to the same result - a frantic rush to meet customer requirements. Neither yesterday's “hardware-is-all-that-matters”, nor today's…..attitude gives software architects the help they need to win with customers. In arguing for a middle ground, I would like to see our company gain the advantages inherent in the opportunity to divide tasks between hardware and software at the front end of the system design process. With few exceptions, people buy software to realize desired outcomes in the physical world……' To the left border of the first page Penzias has signed his name ('Arno Penzias') beneath a brief explanatory annotation, 'Letter to an AT&T colleague on the likely course of information technology strategy'. The six pages are stapled together to the upper left corner. VG

SEABORG GLENN T.: (1912-1999) American Chemist, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry 1951. Autograph Manuscript signed, Glenn T. Seaborg, two pages, 4to, n.p., n.d. (1970s?). The incomplete manuscript (the pages numbered 3 & 4 to the upper corners) is written in bold pencil and relates to the Occidental Petroleum Corporation and most likely were used in a speech or presentation given by Seaborg, stating, in part, 'Occidental is the third largest producer of coal in the U.S.. 23,000,000 tons per year with 4,000,000,000 tons of reserves in Kentucky, West Virginia…..They are also gasifying coal with a process developed by Garrett Research and Development…..Occidental has many other holdings…..They handle 500,000 barrels of crude oil per day. They are only in the natural resources business. Occidental will build the 30,000 barrel per day plant at a cost of about $50,000,000. However they want to pick a new location on government land of greater producing capacity for a 100,000 barrels per day plant, want a “no recourse loan” from the government, to be paid back from profits, to get this underway…..' and also referring to Occidental's competitors, Standard Oil of Indiana and Gulf Oil, who were sharing oil rights over 5,000 acres in Colorado. Signed by Seaborg in black ink with his name alone at the foot of the second page. Two small staple holes to the upper left corner, otherwise VG

SANGER FREDERICK: (1918-2013) British Biochemist, Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry in 1958 & 1980. Autograph Manuscript, unsigned, two pages, 4to, n.p. (Cambridge?), n.d. (1990s). The incomplete manuscript (the pages numbered 9 & 10 to the upper edges) relates to DNA sequencing and states, in part, 'To the remaining low phosphate medium a log culture of E. coli strain JM101 in 2 x TY…..were added and 1 ml added to the tubes. The cells were grown for 6 - 10 h and the DNA isolated as previously described (Sanger et al, 1980). Usually the cultures were combined before isolation and several regions were probed for at the same time. The isolated DNA was finally dissolved in 30 - 60 ml of the hybridizing solution…..This was sufficient for 5 - 10 filters. A random library of sonicated lambda fragments (average size 500 nucleotides) was prepared…..and cloned. Individual pure plaques were usually transferred to fresh plates so that there were about 50 per plate. Blots were prepared using nitrocellulose filters and hybridization and washing carried out…..Radioautographs were developed with fluorescent screens for 1 - 3 days and DNA prepared from the plaques giving a positive response….' Together with a brief A.L.S., F Sanger, one page, 8vo, Swaffham Bulbeck, Cambridgeshire, n.d. (March 1995), to Ursula Esse, forwarding the two pages of manuscript. Accompanied by the original envelope. Three file holes to the left edge of each page of manuscript, not affecting the text, and with a few very light, extremely minor creases. VG, 2

FLEMING ALEXANDER: (1881-1955) Scottish Biologist, Nobel Prize winner for Physiology or Medicine, 1945. A rare manuscript D.S., Alexander Fleming, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d. (annotated 4th September 1949 in ink in an unidentified hand at the foot). Fleming responds to a researcher's questionnaire featuring their questions at the head of the page, '1. Were your scientific “debuts” easy or difficult? 2. Did means of living (another profession or a private income) enable you to make yourself known in science?.......3. What work (or what discovery) made yourself more famous? Which do you consider as your master piece (sic)?' The biologist provides his answers below, in full, '1. Merely the result of years of hard work and observation. 2. No. 3. Penicillin because this has been useful to mankind. Perhaps best work was on the action of antiseptics or on lysozymes.' Documents or letters in any form signed by Fleming in which he refers to penicillin are rare and desirable. Some light age wear and minor creasing, largely to the extreme edges, a small area of paper loss to the upper edge and some ink show through from a few annotations in the hand of the researcher to the verso, only very slightly affecting a few words of Fleming's text and not the signature. G

TINBERGEN JAN: (1903-1994) Dutch Economist, winner of the first Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, 1969. Autograph Manuscript Signed, Jan Tinbergen, eight pages, 4to, n.p. (The Hague?) n.d. (1980s/1990s?). The manuscript, with a few additions and corrections in ink and pencil, is of an essay entitled Equality as an Aim of Policy originally prepared for the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development and comprising four sections, stating, in part, 'In recent years we observe a revival of the equality or equity ideal. Various democratic socialist political parties make attempts to express more explicitly through what policies they can hope to attain at least less inequality. It is not a new concept; in fact socialist movements from the beginning of their existence have seen social justice as one of their aims…..What was lacking, however, was a precise definition of the aim, and a modern scientific analysis of policies which could help attain the aim……In the course of history various attempts have been made to define equality….One interpretation which has to be abandoned right away is the primitive idea that all human beings are equal in all relevant aspects……”Equality before God” is a religious version of equality, felt by many as a consolation for the underprivileged in our temporary human existence and by others as a warning to the privileged……Non-religious idealists, and religious idealists when dealing with worldly affairs, have at times mentioned income equality as a goal of socio-economic policies or orders……Equal incomes for all with the present techniques of socio-economic policies will soon produce scarcity of applicants for difficult or responsible occupations and abundance of the supply of those wanting to take the more comfortable jobs. Attempts in the Soviet Union and Israel have shown this. They had to be abandoned…….A political version of equality consists of equal voting rights……In the liberalist era general voting rights brought political democracy, but hardly any socio-economic democracy, as a consequence of the principle of laissez-faire. As a correction on the admittedly impossible concepts of complete equality and income equality the idea of creating “equal opportunities” has been forwarded. While in stratified societies such as the Indian society, with its different “castes” an element of equal opportunities can already be brought by the official elimination of castes, in present-day developed societies equal opportunities of that type are self evident……The various interpretations of equality discussed are indicative of the belief that, one way or another, human beings have something that entitles them to an as yet undefined type of equality…….In recent years a new attempt has been made to interpret the concept of equality as a possible aim of socio-economic policies……Put briefly, the aim of equality should be to reach a situation of equal satisfaction to every citizen. Here the word satisfaction is meant to be identical to what is called nowadays welfare……Another word, to be used with much caution, might be happiness…..The operational significance of the new interpretation depends entirely on the measurability of welfare. The assumption has to be made that welfare is measurable. I see no reason to reject this assumption; it is not the first time that such an assumption is being made and examples from economics (for instance, job evaluation) and physics (for instance, the measurement of temperature or “degree of heat”) show its scientific productivity…..it is useful to distinguish between three different elements in the mathematical formulation of the utility or welfare function. A first class of elements will be called variables……a second class of elements consists of parameters…….The third class of elements in a welfare function are its coefficients……In principle this means that we accept any suggestion about people being different, provided that the difference be proved by measurement. This is perfectly sound methodology, which has brought the enormous advances in the physical sciences first and in psychology and related disciplines somewhat later…….The equality of the coefficients occurring in the welfare function is the key to the measurement of welfare. To begin with, we can consider a group of people with the same parameters, but with different variables…..In the equilibrium situation attained in that way the values of the variables, chosen and imposed ones, do still differ among the individuals of the group. Thus some will have chosen a more “difficult” job than others, carrying with it a higher income……' Accompanied by Tinbergen's personal printed visiting card signed by him with his name alone in blue ink. Each of the pages of the manuscript are stapled together in the upper left corner. VG

GREGORY XIV: (1535-1591) Pope of the Roman Catholic Church 1590-91. His tenure lasted only ten months. Gregory XIV, during his brief pontificate, excommunicated King Henry IV of France, modified the Apostolic Constitution so that the penalty for abortion did not apply until the foetus become animated, and bestowed the red cap upon the Cardinals who before wore only a hat. Very rare Autograph Manuscript by Gregory XIV, one page, oblong 8vo, n.p., n.d., in Italian. An excellent document comprising ten lengthy lines where Gregory XIV refers to respect to traditions and relics, mentioning the ones kept in the San Pietro Martire church at Trigolo, Cremona, where Gregory XIV was appointed Bishop 1560-90, stating in part `..che quelle forze non solo si portavano per rispetto de le Imagini grandi, per avere Sante reliquie riposte in una cassetta che stá a´piedi della Madonna..´ Accompanied by a full transcription of the text. With slightly irregular edges and few stains mainly due to age wear and former affixing to the verso, otherwise G.

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

DE SALES FRANCIS: (1567-1622) Bishop of Geneva 1602-22, canonised as a Saint in the Catholic Church by Pope Alexander VII in 1665. A lengthy manuscript list of indulgencies and confessions of the Saint Joseph religious society, prepared in Latin in an unidentified hand for presentation to De Sales, three pages, slim 4to, n.p. (Geneva), n.d. (January 1609), with a rare autograph statement signed ('Franc[i]s Ep[i]s[copi] Genevensis') by De Sales, as Bishop of Geneva, to the fourth page, n.p. (Geneva), 8th January 1609, in Latin. In the seven lines of holograph text De Sales confirms the validity of the indulgencies and confessions. With a blind embossed paper seal affixed beneath the statement. At the foot of the page appears a further, later autograph statement signed by Jean d'Arenthon d'Alex (1620-1695) in his capacity as Bishop of Geneva, also in Latin and dated October 1662. Some light overall damp staining, only very slightly affecting the text and signature (all of which remain perfectly legible) and with some professional restoration to a few areas of paper loss in the upper corners, G

BARNARDO THOMAS JOHN: (1845-1905) Irish Philanthropist, the founder and director of homes for poor children. A very fine, rare manuscript D.S., Thos. J Barnardo, four pages, folio, Stepney Causeway, Ratcliff, London, 13th January 1877, on the printed stationery of the East End Juvenile Mission. The document is in the form of a letter to Orlando Reeves Prankhard and outlines his contract of employment as the Medical officer of the Infirmary in Stepney Causeway and Medical Superintendent of the Mission and states, in part, 'The practical and thorough oversight and professional care of the Infirmary for sick children in Stepney Causeway and of the girls in Church House Home Bow Road whenever that last Institution shall be placed under your care. Your duties will include at least two professional visits to the Infirmary and Home each day…..Upon the occasion of each visit each patient will be seen and attended to and if no dispenser be appointed the medicines dispensed by you…..You undertake….to lose no opportunity of speaking earnest words of Christian exhortation to the patients whom you shall see in private and also to undertake the responsibility of the daily address to be delivered to the patients collectively…..You will undertake the periodical inspection (say once a month) of the sanitary arrangements of our various Institutions…..In the event of epidemics prevailing…..you will of course feel it to be your duty to give unceasing personal attention to the special necessities of the case. You will institute and carry out under my direction a thorough system of registration and “case taking” of all patients admitted to the Infirmary…..These services….will I am sure be conscientiously rendered by you more for the Lord's sake and for the Work's sake than for the sake of any pecuniary consideration but you have consented to receive in return for them a salary of two hundred pounds per year……You are I think fully aware that the East End Juvenile Mission…..about to be established….is carried on by means of faith and prayer and is wholly dependent under God on the free will offering of the Christian Public…..' A highly unusual document of excellent content. One small spindle hole to the upper left corner of each page, not affecting the text or signature, and some light age wear. About VG

LE CORBUSIER: (1887-1965) Swiss-French Architect, Painter and Urban Planner. A good Autograph Manuscript and sketch by Le Corbusier, two pages, front and verso, folio, n.p., n.d., in French. To one side of the sheet a drawing by Le Corbusier, an attractive modern art sketch, in blue pencil. To the other side bearing an irregularly written text with several corrections and amendments. Le Corbusier annotates nineteen lines of a draft text stating in part `Let´s explain to end with, why…There is always a trampoline for a jumper or a diver. That Summer, August 1956, on my piece of rock to the far end of Roquebrune Cap Martin, I had painted my booth with some colour..´ further referring to a similar situation he lived time ago with some black paint remaining and an idea he suddenly got. One edge trimmed with few tears and a very small area of paper loss to the bottom corner, none of them affecting the drawing and only partially two words of the text. G 

LEGER FERNAND: (1881-1955) French Painter & Sculptor. A good manuscript D.S., F Leger, and a second time with a more legible, complete form of his signature ('Fernand Leger') alongside, one page, 8vo, n.p., n.d. (c.50), in French. Leger's document is in the form of a numbered list from 1 - 10 of the titles of the lithographic reproductions for his book Le Cirque, published by Editions Teriade in 1950, and including La Parade, Les deux clowns, Les Cyclists, La Trapeziste, Les Oiseaux etc., concluding with numbers 11 & 12 which Leger instructs should be for text in black and white. With a brief pencil annotation in another hand, possibly that of the publisher, and dated March 1950. About EX Le Cirque, Leger's masterwork in print-making, was published by Teriade in 1950 and represents a magnificent folio of 34 colour and 29 black and white lithographs, considerably more than appear on the present list. In his book Fernand Leger - The Complete Graphic Work (1985) Lawrence Saphire describes La Cirque as the artist's 'master graphic work' and observing 'The text is Léger's own and his themes are the circus and the countryside; from these touchstones of his inspiration Léger extracts the principles of his art and his life. There can be no doubt that Cirque stands as his testament'.

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.

ROUSSEAU JEAN-JACQUES: (1712-1778) French Writer and Philosopher. An interesting autograph manuscript, three pages, 4to, n.p., n.d., in French. Rousseau writes a text, being related to remarriages, and states in part `Nobody ignores that the ecclesiastical and civil Laws have some time ago too much extended the chapters of the remarriages in order to disadvantage them, only admitting as marriage principles the intention of having children…and isn´t it an abuse of the Law authorities to add difficulties to an honest union, so simple on its own..´ The Rousseau manuscript includes close to the conclusion two paragraphs in the hand of Madame Dupin, stating in part `..the satisfaction of women of making themselves the choice..´, and referring to remarriages she concludes `And that this word will not be particularly convenient to women as well as to men.´ Overall minor age wear, with edges irregularly trimmed. G     The present text corresponds to Rousseau´s work about the history of women, written between 1745 and 1751 for his benefactress Mrs Louise Marie Madeleine Dupin, and which would never be published.

SCHELLING FRIEDRICH: (1775-1854) German Philosopher. Scarce A.L.S., `Schelling´, one page, 4to, brown paper, `From Home´, 20th November, n.y., in German. Schelling states `I have the honour to send you enclosed the mentioned manuscript. Considering that the author is actually far from here, I would appreciate to get a favourable reply as soon as possible. I will have the pleasure…´ Overall age wear and small staining. With a small hole to left border, not affecting the text or signature. G

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

MELIES GEORGES : (1861-1938) French Film Director, a Pioneer of cinema and Innovator in the use of special effects. Rare D.S., G. Melies, two pages, 4to, 16 Passage de l´Opéra, Paris, 5th November 1912, being a receipt issued on Melies' attractive printed stationery «Manufacture de Films pour Cinematographes - G. Melies». The manuscript receipt, in French, is for the sum of 370 Francs, being the payment of royalties due from the sales in New York of Melies' films. To the second page listing the name of the films, being A Son´s Example on New York sales and Ghost of Sulphur Mountain on Brockliss sales. Three file holes to the left edge of the document, not affecting the text or signature. VG