We found 79736 price guide item(s) matching your search

A large 19th century Swiss rosewood and marquetry music box, the 33cm cylinder playing twelve airs on a two-piece comb and six bells, cranking mechanism, Change/Repeat and Stop/Start selectors, lithographed Timbres sheet no.H236, the hinged cover inlaid with an oval reserve of flowering branches, outlined with boxwood stringing, faux rosewood sides, bracket feet, 65cm wide, c.1870

A Victorian chrystoleum of a lady playing the piano, framed, another similar of a lady sewing etc (3)

A gilt cherub ceiling light with cherub playing flute decorated shade

A late Victorian rosewood and marquetry rounded square envelope card table, the quadripartite folding top enclosing an inset playing surface and dished counter trays, drawer to frieze, inlaid in ivory and shaded woods with flowering urns and leafy scrolls, outlined throughout with boxwood stringing, square galleried undertier, ceramics castors, 74cm high, 55cm wide, c. 1890

Attributed to Adam Buck Watercolour & pencil, "An attractive sketch with young boy playing on a wheelbarrow with dog and a cat," pencil and watercolour, bears initials A.B., approx. 21cms x 14.5cms (8 1/2" x 5 1/2") gilt frame. (1)

An oak framed Fire Screen with tapestry panel of "A Hound in a Landscape," 66cms x 70cms (26" x 27 1/2"); and a finely worked embroidered silk panel, "Children playing in a flower garden outside a Cottage," rosewood frame, a panel from a Polescreen. (2) Provenance: Formerly in the Collections at Postlip Hall, Cheltenham or Ballyvolane Stud, Co. Limerick.

Mid 20th Century School/Eton Playing Fields under Flood Water, Winter 1951/initialled/oil on paper, 15cm x 19.5cm and/A Murray/Old Stirling Bridge/etching, 20cm x 30cm

After C W Radclyffe/North East View of Eton College, from the Playing Fields/lithograph, 22cm x 33cm

A late 18th Century Chinese export serving dish, decorated in enamels with figures playing in a garden within a border of underglaze blue, 37cm wide, another meat plate decorated acrobats performing to a crowd of onlookers (damages) and two sleeve vases (4) Condition Report: 420 The smaller famille rose dish circa 1800 . The enamels are worn otherwise Ok. the larger dish has rubbed enamels and a large repared crack

An 18th Century leather covered tea caddy, of canted rectangular shape, the clasp marked Fine Silver, 16cm high, a lacquered tea caddy, a small tea canister labelled WH&T Robinson, Tea Dealers and Growers, a burr wood playing card box and a coopered box

A late 19th Century Regency style ladies dressing hand mirror Having enamel decoration, depicting a goddess in landscape playing a musical instrument to a bird, length 18cm.

A Victorian mahogany cased games compendium containing a set of turned boxwood chessmen (King 6.5 cm high), draughts, boards for chess and backgammon, playing cards, whist marker, score cards, gaming chips, cold painted racehorses (and jumps), miniature gavel, etc., fitted lift-out trays and hinged front racks

An interesting selection of collectables, including brass 'ship's wheel' cigar-cutter, GPO Morse-tapper, 1941 water canteen with felt coating and leather straps, 1970's pin-up playing cards, pipes, cigarette cases, etc. (box)

Chinese 10th century AD - Two pottery funerary figures, the larger playing a musical instrument, both with green and brown glazed robes, 19 cm & 21 cm (2)

After Alan M Hunt -'The Sappi Portfolio: - Alan Hunt's African Wilderness', including pencil signed limited edition prints Who's the fairest of us all?; Two's a team; Striped to confuse; Not playing safe; The overall view; A quiet approach; The waterhole; The beauty salon; Contentment; Worth the risk; The Bachelor club; I'm the boss, within presentation box

Various 18th century engravings after Bunbury - 'A Family Piece', pub. W. Dickinson, October 15 1781, showing a humorous scene of a portrait artist, 31 x 40 cm; 'Recruits', pub. Watson & Dickinson, January 1st 1780, 36 x 30 cm; 'Billiards', pub. Watson & Dickinson, November 15th 1780, 28.5 x 38 cm; 'The Hopes of the Family - An Admission at the University', pub. J. Bretherton, 3rd January 1774, 28 x 38 cm; 'The Billiard Players', pub. Rodwell & Martin, April 1824, 30 x 34.5 cm; 'Patience in a Punt', pub. W. Dickinson, May 1st 1792, 27.5 x 37 cm; and another men playing cards (7)

Gerald Norden: Framed oil on board; Hand and Playing Cards.

Late 19th Century gilt framed oil, study of two cats playing with an artists brush, 10.5ins x 14.5ins

George Hann, double sided oil on board, Impressionist style Harbour scene with sailing boats and buildings and a head and shoulder portrait of a lady playing a mandolin verso, both signed, 20ins x 16ins

Fine and large 19th Century Swiss musical box, the rosewood crossbanded burr walnut case enclosing a lever wind movement with interchangeable 15in cylinder and six bells, the three piece comb stamped Nicole Freres, playing eight airs, 37.5ins wide overall with cast brass end handles (some losses to the rosewood crossbanding, currently in working order)

Reproduction brown patinated bronze figure of children playing leapfrog

Small quantity of cigarette cards, three packs of playing cards and a quantity of Royal Airforce Flying magazine and other various ephemera

Three various clockwork figures, bear and monkey playing drums and monkey with cymbals

Silver mounted leather playing card case, silver and enamel R.A.F. wings, silver and marcasite R.N.L.I. badge and a silver baby brooch

A pair of continental porcelain Italian centrepieces. The trefoil bases with applied boy and girl playing music having ribbon pierced ovoid bowls above. Impressed marks to base H 39cm

A Chinese blue and white plate decorated with three figures playing a game. Diameter: 29cm approximately

A quantity of small boxes, a small carved stool and sets of various playing cards in boxes

A Victorian rosewood and inlaid music box, playing eight airs with sequence of bells. original Visible Bells (two broken teeth) working order

A quantity of Prints including a Print of Gentlemen round a table playing dice game, P.G. Needell Ink Wash of Christchurch, The Port of Valletianche Print by Maurice deCamps, a limited edition print of Cottages by G. John Blockley, etc.

Royal Copenhagen robin, Royal Copenhagen figure of a girl playing the cymbals and a pin dish (3) Condition Report Very good condition

Swarovski crystal penguin, seal playing, seahorse with certificates and boxes

Town Crier, 19th/20th century watercolour in birds eye maple frame; Bust Portrait of a girl, oil in gilt frame; Lady playing a Guitar, pen and ink (3)

'Girl playing a Lute' after Gerard Honthorst, oil on board signed by Jon Broughton , titled verso 20cm x 15cm

A Franz Bergmann Vienna Cold Painted Bronze of a Seated Snake Charmer, circa 1900, sat beside a basket with an adder coiled around him, playing a pipe picked out in cold enamels, cast Bergmann mark and model number 3412, 10.5cm Some rubbing to painted decoration. 110615

An Ormolu and Porcelain Mounted Striking Mantel Clock, retailed by Le Roy & Fils, London and Palais Royal Paris, circa 1880, case surmounted by two cherubs holding a bunch of grapes and playing a triangle, flanked by rams' heads, light blue porcelain panels depicting urns with sprays of flowers, cherubs and a circular portrait of a lady, dial with Roman numerals, twin barrel movement striking on a bell, backplate stamped Japy Freres and numbered 12943, stamped with retailer's mark, 35cm high 09.06.15, Case surfaces are faded, bottom front mount is slightly loose, porcelain panels with some rubbing to the gilt decoration, dial is rubbed in parts and the enamel jewels are missing in parts, later pendulum, movement looks complete.

An Ormolu Striking Mantel Clock, circa 1840, the musical themed case flanked by a gentleman in robes playing a flute, lyre and instruments, base with acanthus leaf borders, 3-inch dial with Roman numerals and indistinctly signed, twin barrel movement with outside countwheel striking on a bell, silk suspension, 37cm high 09.06.15, Case surfaces are faded, dial with an indistinct signature, movement is dirty, with pendulum.

A Gilt Metal and Porcelain Mounted Striking Mantel Clock with Garniture, signed Levy Freres A Paris, circa 1870, surmounted by a cherub playing a harp, dark blue porcelain cherub panels, globe shaped dial with Roman numerals, twin barrel movement striking on a bell, backplate signed and numbered 342, 31cm high, with dark blue porcelain and gilt metal mounted ewer shaped garniture, 24cm high 09.06.15, Case surfaces are faded, porcelain panels in the base with minor scratches, globe shaped dial has been re-painted, slight rubbing to the paint around the winding holes, movement plates with small scratches and needs cleaning, one of the garniture with a crack to the bottom side of the neck and scratch marks to the top side.

A reconstituted stone garden figure of a seated cherub playing a tambourine, raised on further square section pedestal (a/f to left foot) Condition Report / Extra Information Height 147cm.

A 19th century Continental porcelain candelabra figure of a Shepherdess playing a flute, anchor stamp to back - Height 27 cm - Some minor losses and old repairs and an early/mid 19th century Staffordshire figure of a Regency couple - Height 17 cm - Some losses and damage to brocade and a repair to the parasol

BAINTER FAY: (1893-1968) American Actress, Academy Award winner. Vintage signed and inscribed 5 x 7 photograph of Bainter seated in a half length pose playing backgammon. Signed in blue fountain pen ink to the image, partially across a darker area. VG

JORDAN MICHAEL: (1963- ) American Basketball Player. Signed colour 8 x 10 photograph of Jordan in a full length action pose with a basketball whilst playing for the Chicago Bulls. Signed in black ink with his name alone to a clear area of the image. EX

MARX BROTHERS THE: Groucho Marx (1890-1977) American Film Comedian, one of the Marx Brothers. Vintage dark fountain pen ink signature ('Groucho Marx') on a page removed from an autograph album. With a neatly attached newspaper portrait to one side and annotated and dated by a collector to the base of the page, 23rd May 1948; Chico Marx (1887-1961) American Film Comedian, one of the Marx Brothers. Vintage bold black fountain pen ink signature ('Kindest regards, Chico Marx') on a page removed from an autograph album; Harpo Marx (1888-1964) American Film Comedian, one of the Marx Brothers. Vintage signed sepia postcard photograph of Marx seated in a half length pose playing his trademark harp. Signed in blue ink at the head of the image with slightly weaker contrast; Zeppo Marx (1901-1979) American Film Comedian, one of the Marx Brothers. D.S., Zeppo Marx, being a signed cheque, Los Angeles, California, 14th February 1973. The cheque is drawn on the Security Pacific National Bank and is made payable to the Southern California Gas Company for the sum of $23.33. The signature is not affected by any bank cancellations. VG, 4

CASALS PABLO: (1876-1973) Spanish Cellist. A good vintage signed 5 x 7 photograph of Casals seated in a full length pose playing his cello in a church during the Prades Festival. Photograph by Studio Libold of Prades and bearing their credit stamp to the verso. Signed ('Pablo Casals') in bold fountain pen ink with his name alone to the lower border. VG

BEST GEORGE: (1946-2005) Northern Ireland & Manchester United Footballer. Signed 8 x 10 photograph of Best seated in a full length pose playing a game of patience. Signed in bold black ink with his name alone to the lower white border. EX

To Marlene Dietrich - '…As you landed on the stage drunk and naked I would advance from the rear…' HEMINGWAY ERNEST: (1899-1961) American Novelist, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1954. A remarkable T.L.S., Papa, in bold pencil, two pages, 4to, Finca Vigia, San Francisco de Paula, Cuba, 28th August 1955, to Marlene Dietrich ('Dearest Kraut'). Hemingway thanks the actress for her long letter 'with the gen on what you found wrong' and remarks 'I don't know anything about the theater but I don't think it would occur to me, even, to have you introduced even to me with strains of La Vie En Rose. Poor peoples.', further providing his own advice for Dietrich's cabaret show, 'If I were staging it would probably have something novel like having you shot onto the stage, drunk, from a self propelled mineworker which would advance in from the street rolling over the customers. We would be playing "Land of Hope and Glory". As you landed on the stage drunk and naked I would advance from the rear, or your rear wearing evening clothes and would hurriedly strip off my evening clothes to cover you revealing the physique of Burt Lancaster Strongfort and announce that we were sorry that we did not know the lady was loaded. All this time the Thirty ton S/P/ Mortar would be bulldozing the customers as we break into the Abortion Scene from "Lakme". This is a scene which is really Spine Tingling and I have just the spine for it. I play it with a Giant Rubber Whale called Captain Ahab and all the time we are working on you with pulmotors and raversed vacuum cleaners which blow my evening clothes of you. You are foaming at the mouth of course to show that we are really acting and we bottle the foam and sell it to any surviving customers. You are referred to in the contract as The Artist and I am just Captain Ahab. Fortunately I am crazed and I keep shouting "Fire One. Fire Two. Fire Three." And don't think we don't fire them. It is then that the Germ of the Mutiny is born in your dishevelled brain. But why should a great Artist-Captain like me invent so many for so few for only air-mail love on Sunday morning when I should be in Church. Only for fun, I guess. Gentlemen, crank up your hearses'. Hemingway reflects 'Marlene, darling, I write stories but I have no grace for fucking them up for other mediums. It was hard enough for me to learn to write to be read by the human eye. I do not know how, nor do I care to know how to write to be read by parrots, monkeys, apes, baboons, nor actors' and continues his letter, 'I love you very much and I never wanted to get mixed in any business with you as I wrote you when this thing first was brought up. Neither of us has enough whore blood for that….Not only that but I myself was circumcised at a very early age', also wishing her luck in California and Las Vegas and warning her to be careful with the finances of her shows, 'Some people would as soon have the publicity of making you look bad as of your expected and legitimate success. But that is the way everything is everywhere and no criticism of Nevada or anyone there. Cut this paragraph out of this letter and burn it if you want to keep the rest of the letter in case you thought any of it funny. I rely on you as a Kraut officer and gentleman to do this.' Hemingway then turns to his own work, commenting 'I love you very much and wish you luck. Wish me some too. Book is on page 592. This week Thursday we start photography on fishing. Am in charge of fishing etc. and it is going to be difficult enough. With a bad back a little worse. The Artist is not here naturally. I only wrote the book but must do the work as well and have no stand-in. Up at 0450 knock off at 1930. This goes on for 15 days.' and concludes 'I think you could say you and I have earned whatever dough the people let us keep. So what. So Merdre. I love you as always'. Hemingway adds a holograph postscript of eight lines to the verso of the second page, providing an update, 'Started OK on fishing - one 472 lbs and one 422 lbs. Very good close shots of harpooning at the end but fish too small even in cinemascope for what we need - Must have bigger fish - system of photography and the way the local boats work and how close we can ride herd on them very good. Steer 7 to 10 hrs. on flying bridge and it is hard work.' A letter of exceptional association between the writer and actress, and also a letter of wonderful, at times surreal, content. Some very light, extremely minor creasing, VG Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992) German-born American Actress & Singer. At the time of the present letter, as the content suggests, Dietrich was preparing for a series of successful cabaret shows which included a run of performances at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas in November 1955. As the present letter shows, Ernest Hemingway was initially involved in the production of the film version of his novel The Old Man and the Sea (1952), and took an active role in marlin-fishing to try and find a fish worthy enough for the film. The film's budget is reported to have grown from $2 million to $5 million as a result of searching for "suitable fish footage". As it happened, the producers ended up using a rubber marlin and stock footage of marlin fishing for the film, which was released in 1958 and starred Spencer Tracy, who received an Oscar nomination for his performance. The Old Man and the Sea, one of Hemingway's most famous works, was the last major work of fiction to be produced and published in his lifetime. The novel was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953 and was cited by the Nobel Committee as contributing towards Hemingway's Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954.  Hemingway and Dietrich first met on a French ocean liner in 1934 and maintained a regular correspondence for almost 30 years. The writer and the actress are both recognised as having led complicated and tangled love lives, although their own personal relationship was never consummated. Despite a lengthy correspondence, letters from Hemingway to Dietrich very rarely appear on the market, the majority of their correspondence being housed in the John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum following a donation by Dietrich's daughter, Maria Riva, in 2003. American Book Prices Current record only two other letters written by Hemingway to Dietrich as having been sold at auction, one with relatively routine content in 2011 ($19,000) and a more interesting letter in 2014 ($30,000).

DU MAURIER DAPHNE: (1907-1989) British Author. T.L.S., Daphne, four pages, 8vo, Menabilly, Par, Cornwall, 22nd June 1968, to 'My dear' (Foy Quiller-Couch). Du Maurier states 'I should have written to you before now to thank you for the brandy and the peppermint' and continues to send news of her recent activities, 'My sang-froid was complete. And talk about not being known at Boconnoc. I shall probably never speak to anyone lower than a Field-Marshal again my life. I might have been the Queen. The whole regiment of parachutists drawn up on parade at Aldershot before me. A General at my side who made a speech in praise of Guardsman (her husband, Frederick Browning) I followed with a modest word, and then - lo and behold - three Free Fall champion parachutists dropped from three thousand feet above my head and to my feet, and one of them rushed up and saluted, and presented me with a statuette of a parachutist in battle order. I was then given three cheers, and walked to a dais, where the entire regiment marched past me with bands playing, all saluting and “eyes right“ and the regimental mascot, a pony, bringing up the rear. Now, what do you think of that? Luckily, Flavia had found me a hat (which Tessa had borrowed for Ascot) and my outfit might have been from Christian Dior, but as I told you, it has been hanging in my cupboard for years….Lunch at the Officers Mess with champagne. Tessa acted as my Lady-in-Waiting and Kits was also present to support me. I thought he might be a little out of his element in an Officer's Mess, but perhaps it was the champagne, anyway, I looked across the table and saw him holding forth in a steady spate of words to an ex-colonel and I think a general about who should be the future President of the United States, so I presume he was at ease. We were then taken to the garrison church at Aldershot to be shown another very nice plaque, next the pulpit, in honour of Guardsman. I really think I am a little above myself, and you must come along some time and take me down a peg or two'. Du Maurier continues to refer to her own work ('Meanwhile, I am hard at work on my book, and all goes well'), rioting students in France ('I don't know what the world is coming to, it's time we went and sat under an azalia') and several family members including her cousin Dora, 'She hopes to fly to Switzerland for a holiday, and I have had the greatest difficulty in preventing her from taking a boat to the Black Sea. At 91 its rather far, I felt. I could just manage Paddington, and that was enough for me'. About EX Foy Quiller-Couch - daughter of British writer Arthur Quiller-Couch (1863-1944), and a life-long friend of Du Maurier. Indeed, Du Maurier was accompanied by Foy Quiller-Couch when she became inspired with the storyline for her novel Jamaica Inn. In 1930, apparently around the time of the present letter, the two ladies were staying at Jamaica Inn and went riding on Bodmin Moor. They became lost in bad weather conditions and apparently sheltered for some time in a derelict cottage on the moor but were eventually led back to Jamaica Inn by their horses. Frederick Browning (1896-1965) British Lieutenant-General of World War II, deputy commander of the First Allied Airborne Army in Operation Market Garden, 1944. The event of which Du Maurier writes about in the present letter was most likely in recognition of the Browning Barracks receiving a Civic Trust Award in 1968. Built in 1964 as part of the new military town of Aldershot, the Browning Barracks were named after Frederick Browning and were the depot for the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces.

Inscribed to Andre Previn SCHWEITZER ALBERT: (1875-1965) Alsatian Theologian, Musician, Philosopher & Physician, Nobel Peace Prize winner 1952. Vintage signed and inscribed 4 x 5.5 photograph depicting Schweitzer seated in a three quarter length profile pose playing an organ. Signed in fountain pen ink to the lower white border and inscribed in French, 'At the organ of the church in Gunsbach, to Mr. Andre Previn with all my gratitude, Albert Schweitzer', and dated Lambarene, 1958 in his hand. Matted in a cream mount to an overall size of 6 x 8. A good association piece. The ink is a little faded, although quite legible. VG Andre Previn (1929- ) German-American Pianist, Conductor & Composer. Albert Schweitzer grew up in Gunsbach and the village is now home to the International Albert Schweitzer Association.

'…its such a joy to think that the last bed I got into in England was yours…' EDWARD VIII: (1894-1972) King of the United Kingdom January - December 1936. Later Duke of Windsor. A fine, long A.L.S., David, (twice; at the conclusion and again at one interval in the letter), twelve pages, 4to, at sea, 5th - 11th August 1919, to his mistress Freda Dudley Ward ('My very own darling darling beloved little Fredie'), on the printed stationery of H. M. S. Renown. The Prince writes his letter, in pencil, over a period of six days at the start of his tour to Canada, beginning in a romantic vein, 'it's hell for me to-night (& is going to be till my return) loving you, wanting you & missing you! You just can't think what a huge whole in my life our parting & your absence makes sweetheart & I now have to face "the great blank" & feel so so terribly lost & lonely without you darling & the thought that I can't see you for over 3 months!! I'm so so miserable to-night & am on the verge of crying. It's a cruel separation as we both love each other & it all seems so unnatural somehow after the last 5 months when we hardly missed a day that we didn't meet at least once!! And this last 3 weeks has been heaven angel the most marvellous weeks of all don't you think?….we both mean every thing to each other, everything that really matters….I just can't tell you how much more than ever your crying & being so upset at our parting has made me love you love you sweetheart mine. How I loathe myself now darling for seeming so cold about it all as I know I did the last 24 hrs in London; I can't think what came over me as I was so crammed full of love….you were so divinely sweet to really mind my leaving England had a little to do with my pulling myself together so as not to be too "sloppy" as I didn't want to upset you any more!! My last sight of you sweetheart is more divinely marvellous than any that man could hope for parting from the woman he loves….its such a joy to think that the last bed I got into in England was yours, I couldn't get into mine at St. James's Palace yesterday at 6.00 & I'm so so glad that I didn't now!!', continuing to apparently refer to a keepsake from his mistress, 'Mrs. Thpider is worrying me to death from my watch chain trying to get back to Mr. Thpider in his house & she is vewy angwy with me for taking her away from him. Sweetheart I'm so so happy with all my precious sacred little souvenirs of YOU; first all my photos, then all my 3 rings, my disc which you've scratched & bitten & my cigarette case with your divine scratches & last but not least that lovely match box which I love so & then there's your sweet little sponge…' and further writing 'This is a marvellous ship & I have a very comfortable & luxurious cabin….the officers seem a nice lot tho' I haven't seen much of them as I've been keeping away from every body as much as possible….got some exercise after tea playing "medicine ball" on the quarter deck…I must keep fit for Canada, otherwise I shan't be any good.' (6th August), 'I've only just got away from the ward room sweetheart where I dined this evening; they are a nice cheery crowd & we've been bear fighting & playing vewy wough games ever since. 2 films of the ship's cinema (one even Charlie Chaplin) which were put on directly after dinner!!…I'm learning such a lot in this marvellous ship or rather rubbing up my scanty naval knowledge, it bores me stiff really darling…' (7th August), 'I'm more bored & restless & lonely than I've ever been in my life!! I'm just longing to get across & land on the other side & to start work; speeches etc. will keep me busy & I shall welcome them as they will help me in my loneliness & prevent my brooding a little tho. not much….oh! I am a thoroughly hopeless case for which there is only one cure & that is to be returned to England at once!!….Piers Legh is keeping (& is going to keep) the staff diary my copy of which I'm going to send you sweetheart to keep for me; he asks to be remembered to you darling….he's far more of a friend to me than Claud Hamilton is or ever could be!! Claud is so cold & hard & he just doesn't know that the word sympathy exists!!…'(8th August), '…we've only been steaming at 16 knts. since we left England on account of the "Dragon" & to-night we are only doing 10 knts. as we expect to see ice bergs in the early morning & shall be amongst them all to-morrow. I wonder if you've ever seen one sweetheart?….this afternoon we had some revolver practice & there was the cinema going after dinner as usual….you have my very latest programme haven't you sweetheart? I'm really hopelessly vague about it all & don't know the sequence of the cities, towns & places I am to visit let alone the dates!! But I don't care & am not worrying about anything much….except perhaps all the _ _ speeches I shall have to make everywhere & they won't be any worse than in England I don't suppose!! But its going to be hell having to make them far from my darling little mummie, a thing I've never had to do before; oh! why are fate & the way of the world so unkind sweetheart to prevent us living & travelling about together TOI et MOI!!….this is my very first ocean trip sweetheart I'm ashamed to say & so altho brought up in the Navy its all a new experience for me!!…' (9th August), '….its…been Sunday & I've been & am so terribly home sick beloved one thinking of last Sunday & I'm more lonely and miserable than ever; what a divine day that was & my memories of it are as sacred as all my memories of very own darling precious little Fredie Wedie….I simply loathe being separated from YOU like this sweetie its too bl_ _d_ for words & is so terribly depressing & I do feel so hopelessly lost….' (10th August), 'I enclose all the photos & the diary (no longer present) written up to yesterday tho the latter is too ridiculously pompous for words darling & will bore you to death; in fact I know you won't even read it tho I only send it to you to keep for me as it will be a useful record. It's more or less official & is sent to H.M. tho' I call it balls!!…to think that but for a hard fight on my part (knowing it was the right thing for me to do) I shld. never have set out on this trip at all. But I suppose we all have a job in the world tho mine is a bl­_ _d ­_ one & no mistake & how I loathe it & all these camouflaged stunts & having to do the dud hero!! It does go against the grain…' and concluding 'Mrs. Thpider joins me in all I say & hopes that Mr. Thpider is not going out too much during her absence. She is nearly as jealous as I am darling….Bless you bless you for ever & ever sweetheart all all my great huge love which is far more desperate than ever. Your loving & devoted & adoring & upwardly heartbroken & miserable little David tho deep down he's the happiest man in the whole wide world knowing that his Fredie Wedie loves him!! But if only SHE would read HIS heart!!' (11th August). Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by the Prince in ink and bearing a black wax seal to the verso. A letter of excellent content. VG Freda Dudley Ward (1894-1983) Marquesa de Casa Maury. English Socialite, the mistress of Edward, Prince of Wales from 1918-23. Ward remained a close confidante of Edward's until 1934 when his relationship with Wallis Simpson began. Piers Legh (1890-1955) British Soldier and member of the Royal Household, equerry to the Prince of Wales from 1919-36. Lord Claud Hamilton (1889-1975) British Soldier and Courtier, equerry to the Prince of Wales from 1919-21.

'…I feel more & more strongly that its absolutely legitimate to lie…' EDWARD VIII: (1894-1972) King of the United Kingdom January - December 1936. Later Duke of Windsor. A fine, long A.L.S., David, (twice; at the conclusion and again at one interval in the letter, and a further three times with his initial D at other intervals in the letter), fourteen pages, 4to, Calgary, Banff and other places, 15th - 21th September 1919, to his mistress Freda Dudley Ward ('Fredie darling darling one'). The Prince writes his letter, in bold pencil, over a period of a week whilst travelling by train across Canada during his official tour, stating, in part, 'I really am down & out to-night sweetheart & feeling like death as I've never taken such a hopelessly miserable & despondent view of life as I do now!! It's hell beloved one & all on account of having had to do the P of W stunt & play to the gallery till I can do it no more!! This trip has been a huge success up to the present, I'll take a little credit for that as I have worked hard & no mistake; but its partly fear of not being able to keep it up & letting down the staff & spoiling the whole trip which has put me in this hopeless state of mind!! I feel….that I'm not ½ big enough man to take on what I consider is just about the biggest job in the world!! Can't you picture your poor little boy….struggling with a long & important speech for tomorrow which he knows he's going to crash over & so spoil his reputation!!….Your little boy is quite silly to have cracked just now when the worst stunts are over & he's going to have a very easy & perhaps pleasant week before reaching Vancouver…I like Calgary…I was taken straight to church where I had to dedicate a war memorial; then we lunched at the golf club tho it was too maddening not to be able to play on the fine course & all I got was a mouldy walk!!….I've just got away from a very wet & noisy dinner at the Ranchman's Club, though I think the title implies tight men doesn't it darling? They are a fine crowd of Westerners, but God they drink….it was stiff cocktails & scotch to-night followed by dirty songs. I guess I was lucky to escape before midnight having only been roughly handled by one drunken tho it was kind roughness…' (15th September), '…we rode off to the "round" up of cattle which was an amazing stunt; I rode a nice locally bred horse in a "stock" saddle…We were in time to help the cowboys & Indians round up the last odd hundreds of cattle & they collected close on 2000.…it was quite good fun & I got lots of hard riding doing my best imitation of a cowboy….it's a real good life that ranching darling tho a very hard one & one's got to be real tough to take it on as a living….I've been listening to the queer & funny experiences of the whole staff who all had an adventure or experience with one or more women to-night'. (17th September),'Of course I'm as usual terribly sad & lonely sweetheart tho only on top tho that is the part of me that I work on; the deep down part is always always the same blissfully happy because WE love each other!! I ask for nothing in this world except that my precious darling beloved little Fredie Wedie shld love me as I know SHE does….I owe my Mama 2 letters & my father 3 tho they do write such balls that they are hardly worth answering tho I suppose I shall have to make an effort soon!!….I had a good game of golf with Godfrey this afternoon & was playing better; a nice 9 hole course tho he beat me 3 up but only because I messed up the last 3 holes!!…There are ½ dozen nice Canadian girls here darling all of them hideous but good dancers & cheery & gt fun & good for any thing I shld say tho that doesn't interest this little boy….' (18th September), '…I was on the verge of tears reading all the marvellous divine things you say to me sweetheart & did want you want you beloved one & just held out my arms (I did really!!) tho alas nothing happened & I felt more hopelessly lonely than ever!!….Oh!! Its useless my trying to tell you what your last letter & everything in it means to your vewy vewy own devoted adoring little David…I had 2 rounds on the 9 hole course at Banff yesterday morning tho I was hopeless on account of a gale of wind & being worried by people coming up to shake hands or snap me; & the limit came when a hideous Yank girl in huge spectacles came up to me & called me "dear sweet child" to my face just after I had missed a long drive shot & was using the foulest language!!….But this is a marvellous spot….& I adore it because you do & because you've been here & I figured out your divine lovely little face on the glacier at the end of the lake. We've been dancing….to-night with those Canadian girls who I'm ashamed to say we brought up in our train from Banff & we had them to dinner again…don't be thulky Fredie darling & we only gave them a lift as they missed the train having planned to come on here anyway & if only you could see them you wouldn't possibly be thulky!!…I got more than fed up & bored with those very plain girls we've had more or less in tow since Calgary & am glad to be quit of them!!!!….I enclose a few more photos (no longer present) angel which may amuse you; that Indian rig (complete with feathered head dress) was given me by the Stony Indians yesterday when they made me a "chief" and called me "Morning Star"…did anyone ever feel less like a star in the morning than your little boy darling; such an inappropriate name to give me!!' (19th September), '…You see I tell you every thing as you know beloved one & as I promised to; of course there have been funny incidents the whole time particularly at the queer parties we go to tho. they don't happen to me only to the staff!! But these women out here are as hot as hell most of them & one has to be more than on one's best behaviour and never release oneself a scrap when dancing or talking to them as they are merely waiting for the least hint for a flirtation & they squeeze one's hand & say the most amazing things tho all that merely revolts me. They don't get any change out of your little boy sweetheart….I can't possibly reach England before 20th Nov & my visit to the States is still very vague…New York is going to be cut out….I shld like to have spent a few hrs in N.Y. having heard so much about it merely to see the amazing city….' (20th September), 'We spent a terrible 4 hrs….yesterday afternoon as after all the balls we were solemnly driven up to the top of a bl_ _d _ mountain (1 ½ hrs) in cars to unveil some mouldy tablet to commemorate my visit!! Christ! Your little boy was peeved & fierce over the whole stunt as it didn't do any good to anyone & it was a case of "Gud I'm cold" when we might have had a good climb by ourselves!!….Bless you sweetie mine for this last divine letter & for Mr. Thpider's photo on that angellic (sic) seal which I love & which has made me so happy & Mrs. Thpider is delighted wiv it too & says it's a good photo!! How you do spoil me Fredie darling & its so so sweet of you to have put Mr. Thpider on yr. pearl necklace….everything you've given me is sacred sweetheart, yr. photos & sponges….And we use the same scent, soap & tooth paste etc. so that I'm only thinking of YOU darling one even when I'm cleaning my teeth!!….I feel more & more strongly that its absolutely legitimate to lie & that we are more than within our rights to do so when it concerns our own private affairs angel....' OWING TO RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED BY THE-SALEROOM WE CAN NOT PUBLISH A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THIS LOT - PLEASE CONTACT IAA LTD DIRECTLY FOR A FULL DESCRIPTION

F. CARLOS LOPEZ OIL ON CANVAS, H 31", W 25", GIRL WITH BLOCKS: F. Carlos Lopez [American 1908-1953]. H 31 1/2", W 25 1/2". Depicts a seated young girl playing with blocks. Signed lower right and dated 1932. Framed.

An 8.25 inch walnut cased symphonion disc musical box, the centre drive movement with twin combs, signed Schutz-Marke Symphonion Trade Mark, no. 213135, in a moulded rectangular case with panelled lid, the interior with colour paper depicting cherubs playing various instruments, 14.5in (37cm) wide; with a box containing approximately 100 discs. (2)

A framed oil of a lady playing a guitar and a print of a nude lady

A Chinese porcelain panel with Chinese figures playing, 14" x 10"

A Singing Bird Musical Automaton, late 19th century, the bombe shaped rectangular body raised on four ball and claw feet with volute shoulders, the sides chased with scrolling foliage, the top with a hinged panel with three putti playing instruments, with a pierced and engraved gilt grille, 12cm wide (not working) Apparently un marked. In our opinion the case is silver. No actuator to start mechanism. Bird is very tired. With a bird shaped key. Will require full restoration. Silver is is good overall condition with fair to good detail remaining.

A Japanese Elephant Ivory Okimono, Meiji period (1868-1912), depicting a pedlar carrying a bucket and a branch pendant with various novelty objects including Noh masks, elephants, dolls, dice, takarabune and gourd bottles, two small children at his feet, the young boy playing with a spinning top, on oval base inset with mother-of-pearl rectangular signed seal, 9.5cm high Two minor chips. 100615

SIMEON STAFFORD (b.1956) Unframed, signed, Naive oil on canvas, busy Cornish beach scene with figures playing in the sea and on the sand, with St Michael's Mount behind, titled on stretcher verso, 'St Michael's Mount', 61cm x 61cm. Provenance: Purchased directly from the artist. (ARR).

Framed, unsigned, oil on canvas, 19th Century interior genre scene, showing figures merrymaking and playing with small dog, some seated at wooden tables, 49.5cm x 60cm.

[Standard Paris pattern, double ended], 52 playing cards (complete), plain backs, very slight finger-soiling, otherwise excellent set, c.82 x 52mm, [Gateaux, Paris], [c.1850] § [Daveluy of Bruges]. 52 cards (complete), non-standard square edge de luxe pack, printed in colour with borders in gold, very slight finger soiling, otherwise excellent set, original box with Queen of Hearts image to cover, c.87 x 58mm, [Belgium], [c.1860] § Great Mogul, complete in unopened green and gold wrapper, closed tears along 2 edges, minor soiling, c.98 x 64mm, [Belguim], [c.1870] § Domino Cards, pack of 28 cards printed in colour with borders and highlights in gold, illustrations depicting military scenes, good condition, c.77 x 56mm, Paris, [Brevete], [1856].

ROYAL DOULTON BIBELOT of a Faun playing Pan-Pipes. Impressed marks, Royal Doulton, 8753, FN potters mark. 4ins (10cms) high

TWO EARLY 19THC PEARLWARE FIGURES one of Apollo playing a lyre, the other of Flora holding a garland of flowers. Both in coloured glazes with square bases. Apollo 13ins (33cms) high. (2)