GREGOIRE HENRI: (1750-1831) Also known as Abbé Grégoire ("Abbot Gregoire"). French Catholic Priest, Abolitionist and revolutionary Leader, appointed President of the Convention. Rare A.L.S., `Bishop Senator Gregoire´, two pages, 4to, Paris, 28th September 1810, to Sauquaire de Souligné, in French. Greoire states in part `I have expressed my way of thinking as opposed to yours… You have been blessed with distinguished talents, but these talents being a blessing of heaven, they claim a legitimate use of it. Your heart, Monsieur, is may be more religious than what you believe..´ A lengthy letter of good content. With blank address leaf bearing a small area of paper loss as a result of the opening. G £300-400 Gregoire is well remembered for his memorable speech in the first session of the National Convention, 21st September 1792, stating `Kings are in morality what monsters are in the world of nature´. Two months after Gregoire delivered a speech demanding that King Louis XVI be brought to trial and immediately after was elected President of the Convention, over which he presided in his episcopal dress. Abbé Gregoire attempted to save the life of the monarch by proposing that the death penalty should be suspended.
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ALI MUHAMMAD: (1942-2016) American Boxer, World Heavyweight Champion. A good vintage signed 8 x 10 photograph depicting Ali standing in a full length boxing pose. Signed ('Muhammad Ali') by Ali in bold blue fountain pen ink to the clear background, further adding the words 'World Champ' and the date, 28th February 1965, in his hand beneath his signature. Signed photographs of Ali from this early stage of his reign as World Champion are rare and desirable. An inscription has been very neatly, professionally erased and with some light, very minor surface creasing and extremely minor, light foxing to the right edge, otherwise about VG £800-1200 €1000 - 1400 The present photograph was signed by Ali almost a year to the day after defeating Sonny Liston and becoming World Heavyweight Boxing Champion on 25th February 1964. The two fighters would meet again on 25th May 1965 and Ali once again claimed victory. The two fights, amongst the most anticipated and controversial in the history of the sport, launched Ali's career and signified the end of Liston's. For Ali, this was the beginning of the Ali mystique: the people's hero confronting seemingly impossible odds and unsurmountable foes (both inside and outside of the ring) only to triumph through his wit, integrity, courage and talent.
On the payment for the only known painting of Nelson in civilian clothes NELSON HORATIO: (1758-1805) British Admiral during the Napoleonic Wars, the victor of the Battle of Trafalgar, 1805. An excellent L.S., in the extremely rare form Bronte Nelson of the Nile, one page, 4to, Vienna, 23rd September 1800. The document states in full `Whenever Mr. Fuger delivers to Mr. Hertz the Banker three Pictures Viz: One full length of the Queen of Naples. One full length of Lady Hamilton & one quarter of a length of Lord Nelson of the Nile. Then Mr. Hertz is to pay Mr. Fuger the sum of two hundred & fifty Pounds Sterling, for which Mr. Hertz will have the goodness to draw bills on Lord Nelson in London.´ With integral address leaf in Nelson´s hand and also signed (‘B. N. N.’) by him with his initials. A letter of unusual content and featuring an extremely rare and desirable form of Nelson’s signature and initials. Some light overall age wear and a very small area of paper loss to the address leaf as a result of the original breaking of the red wax seal. About VG £3000-4000 Friedrich Heinrich Fuger (1751-1818) German Portrait Painter. The painting of Nelson referred to in the present letter is the only known image of the Admiral in civilian dress and currently hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in London. The oil painting was acquired by the Gallery in 1859. Nelson and his mistress, Emma Hamilton, both sat for Fuger in 1800 shortly after their arrival in Vienna from Naples following the victorious Battle of the Nile in 1798. At this time Nelson had achieved phenomenal fame and the couple were feted by thousands wherever they went. American Book Prices Current record only a very small handful of letters signed by Nelson with his title ‘Bronte Nelson of the Nile’ as having previously appeared at auction.
GOUVION SAINT-CYR LAURENT DE: (1764-1830) Marshal of France, Marquis de Gouvion Saint-Cyr. Very rare A.L.S., `Gouvion St Cyr´, two pages, folio, Sava, 22nd March 1804, to Marshal Berthier, in French. The document bears the heading of the Kingdom of Naples troops, on the printed stationery of the Lieutenant General and Counselor of State Gouvion Saint-Cyr, beneath an attractive vignette. Gouvion states in part `It is certain that corps of Russian troops, formed by fifteen hundred men, will arrive to Corfou to reinforce the existing ones; they keep announcing the arrival of troops of debarkment from the black sea. I can only keep on referring to my previous letters about the preparations done by the Neapolitan..´ further saying `..for several days there is an English wing of nine sails standing in front of Brindisi and Otranto..´ To the upper left border bearing an A.N.S. by Louis Alexandre Berthier (1753-1815) Marshal of France, Prince of Wagram and Neuchatel. Chief of Staff under Napoleon. Signed `Ml. Berthier´, annotating a day after and on receipt of Gouvion´s letter `..write a report for today at 3h´. A letter of very interesting content. Folded. Small overall minor age wear and creasing, otherwise G £1000-1500
Lannes in his capacity as Colonel General of Swiss regiments LANNES JEAN: (1769-1809) Marshal of France. Duc de Montebello. One of Napoleon's most daring and talented generals and personal friend of the Emperor. Rare L.S., `Lannes´, a good and bold signature example, one page, 4to, Paris, 19th June 1808, to Marshal Berthier, in French. Lannes states in part `I have the honour to send to Your Ecellency several proposals of appointments of Colonels to the 2nd and 4th Swiss regiments.. to replace Captain Wurtz de Rudens…I beg that Your Excellence propose to His Majesty the appointment of Alexander Watteville of Berne… The bad behaviour of Captain Daniel Neser.. I suggest to replace him and appoint judge Weltner who Your Excellency recommended..´ And before concluding `I beg Your Excellency will kindly submit my requests to His Majesty..´ Lannes was appointed Duc de Montebello only four days before signing the present letter. Very small overall age wear and toning, with an extremely small hole not affecting the text or signature. Upper right corner crease. G to VG £1500-2000
DECAEN CHARLES MATHIEU: (1769-1832) French General of the Revolutionary Wars. Governor General of Pondicherry and the Isle de France (actually Mauritius), and Commander of the Army of Catalonia during the Napoleonic Wars. Rare L.S., `Decaen´, one page, folio, Isle de France, Mauritius, 27th July 1808, in French. The document bears to the heading an extremely rare and large attractive vignette, showing a large crowned eagle, with the printed text beneath “French Empire”. Decaen, on behalf of the Emperor of French and King of Italy, appoints Joseph Guyot Brigadier Gendarme. With a blind embossed seal alongside the signature. Very small minor age wear to the edges, otherwise about VG £500-800
RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN 1812: An excellent selection of three documents signed by three French Generals, all of them killed during the Russian Campaign of 1812, comprising Jean Louis Romeuf (1766-1812) Brigade-General, Governor of the Duchy of Warsaw and friend of Lafayette. Romeuf died after a cannon ball hit him at the Battle of Borodino (Bataille de la Moskova). Napoleon´s surgeon, Dominique Larrey, tried in vain to save his life on the battle field. Rare A.L.S., Romeuf, one page, 4to, Hamburg, n.d., to a military inspector, in French. Romeuf reports on `..the new organization of the 1st, 3rd & 5th divisions of Cuirassiers..´; Jean-Claude Roussel (1771-1812) French General killed at Ostrovno, by a French outpost sentinel who thought by mistake that Roussel was an enemy. Attractive multiple D.S., `Roussel´, one page, folio, Reggio, 19th July 1800, to Benjamin Battu, in French. The document, showing the printed heading of the infantry army of Italy, being a certificate indicating that Battu cannot continue serving `..because of his woundsas a result of the Khoel affair, on 2nd Frimaire, year five..´ Countersigned by several members of the administration Council. Bearing an attractive red wax seal to the left border in fine condition; and Jean-Victor Tharreau (1767-1812) French General killed at the Battle of Borodino (Bataille de Moskova). L.S., J.V. Tharaud, one page, 8vo, n.p., 9th March 1800, in French. The document, bearing the heading of the Army of the Rhine, is an order given by Tharreau to evacuate Plobsheim which has been by mistake occupied by the 3rd battalion, instead of Plaishem, stating in part `…I order to evacuate it as well as the location of Eschau..´ Small repair to the verso, due to clipped small area where correspondent´s name was. Very small overall age wear, otherwise VG, 3 £120-180
JOURDAN JEAN BAPTISTE: (1762-1833) Marshal of France. A good A.L.S., `Cte Jourdan maire´, Soisy, 17th June 1829, to Monsieur Serasle, in French. A rare letter written by Jourdan in his capacity as Mayor of Soisy-sous-Etioles 1829-30 (today Soisy-sur-Seine), referring to the payments due for a loan given to purchase the cemetery of Soisy, stating in part `..because the time limit of the legal purge has only expired few days ago. I hope that I will receive from now on all the documents in due order….´ With blank address leaf bearing two ink stamps. Small overall creasing. G £100-150
![GROUCHY EMMANUEL DE: (1766-1847) Marshal of France. Marquis de Grouchy. An unusual and interesting A.L.S., `Le M[arech]al M[a](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/3d1efb42-d105-4f52-beb8-ab6c01265f3c/8cbd1680-f7af-4b4d-b30b-ab6d00b9bca4/468x382.jpg)
GROUCHY EMMANUEL DE: (1766-1847) Marshal of France. Marquis de Grouchy. An unusual and interesting A.L.S., `Le M[arech]al M[arqu]is de Grouchy´, a bold and good example signature, signed twice, one page, 4to, Paris, 20th May 1833, to Georges Cuvier, in French. De Grouchy explains to his naturalist correspondent that four months earlier he injured a bird of preyin his property in Normandy, and although he took good care of it and managed to recover the bird, `..on my vehicle, carefully protected, and carried in a sort of cage of birth similar to the ones used for parrots, the bird died during the trip. Even so I have instructed to send it to you, because if this bird which I have never seen is a rare specimen, you might kindly cover with stuff it for me…´ With blank address leaf, `To Monsieur Cuvier - at the King´s garden´, signed beneath by Grouchy, and bearing a red wax seal. Very small overall age wear, folded, otherwise VG £80-120 Georges Cuvier (1769-1832) French Naturalist and Zoologist. Widely considered a founding father of paleontology.
NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. A very fine and rare document, signed to the left border, `Napol´, with holograph text `Send-them back to another military corps.´ in Napoleon´s hand, to a L.S., `M.l Berthier´, twice, two pages, folio, Milan, 11th May 1805, in French. Napoleon is in Italy where he will be crowned King of Italy two weeks later. The document being a report issued and signed by LOUIS ALEXANDRE BERTHIER (1753-1815) Marshal of France, Prince of Wagram and Neuchatel. Chief of Staff under Napoleon. The document refers to the Imperial Guard Vélites corps, Berthier suggesting to exclude five guards, stating `..whose parents have declared not being able to pay the 200fr pension for them..´ As a result of Napoleon´s decision, Marshal Berthier also adds a short text in his hand to the front left border and beneath Napoleon´s one, signed `Ml B´, and stating `… will incorporate them to the less important camps belonging to these corps.´ The document lists the names of the five vélites, their origin and corps they have belonged to. Folded. Overall age wear and staining, mostly to the edges, with a very small tear, not affecting the texts and signatures. G £1200-1800 The Velites corps were created by decree in 1804, and were intending to permit that volunteers from wealthy families could reach quite quickly to the vice-Lieutenant infantry rank. They had to pay 800fr annually.
![[NAPOLEON I]: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. A rare and unusual contemporary printed bulletin, one page, oblong](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/3d1efb42-d105-4f52-beb8-ab6c01265f3c/6029e9a4-0588-4b95-9797-ab6d00b9cfbb/468x382.jpg)
[NAPOLEON I]: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. A rare and unusual contemporary printed bulletin, one page, oblong 15 x 10, Angouleme, July 1815, in French. The small poster bulletin being a public notice which was usually affixed to walls, entitled "Bulletin de la Rochelle", and stating "Bonaparte, after having a conference with Monsieur Richard, the King´s Commissioner… on board of the French fregate, at the Isle d´Aix shore, has decided to surrender to the English; and on Saturday evening, the 15th, he has been taken on board of the vessel Le Bellerophon-´ Stated by Marchadier, Prefect of Charente. A very rare sample of this bulletin. Overall age wear, with irregular edges. Partially repaired to the left border to verso. F £500-800 Napoleon reached the Isle of Aix on board of the fregate La Saale the 8th July 1815. He spent the last days of his life there, in a room of the Commandant´s house, with views over the Basques Harbour, under control of the English vessels. On 13th July he writes his letter of surrender addressed to the Prince-Regent of England, future King George IV. Stating `Altesse Royale, en but (sic) aux factions qui divisent mon pays et à l'inimitié des plus grandes puissances de l'Europe, j'ai terminé ma carrière politique, et je viens comme Thémistocle, m'asseoir sur le foyer du peuple britannique. Je me mets sous la protection de ses lois, que je réclame de votre Altesse Royale, comme au plus puissant, au plus constant, et au plus généreux de mes ennemis[].´ On July 15th 1815 Napoleon, in uniform, Napoleon get on board of Bellérophon. On 7th August 1815 he will be taken on board of the Northumberland to Sainte Helene.
Napoléon I to his brother Joseph, King of Spain, on his arrival to Spain.`..preside yourself the first victory, announcing your arrival to Spain with a major event, and making the battle be followed by words of peace..´And in his hand,`Do not worry, you will not miss any thing… Be cheerful, and most of all take care of yourself. Reach Madrid.´ NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. An exceptional and rare L.S., `Napoleon´, with a four lines autograph annotation in the hand of Napoleon at the conclusion, four pages, 4to, Bayonne, 13th July 1808, to his brother the King of Spain, Joseph Napoleon, in French. An excellent military content letter with an unusually lengthy annotation by Napoleon, signed with his full name, a good signature example. The Peninsular war started with the 2nd of May 1808 uprising, only two months before the present letter was written, when France turned on Spain, previously its ally. Napoleon states in part `.. One of the four millions that you have here has departed yesterday evening under the escort of Tascher. The other three will depart tomorrow, with an infantry escort. This way you will have on the 16th in Vitoria, four millions, 3 to 400 cavaliers, and one thousand infantry men. All necessary in Vitoria.´ Napoleon further refers to `Marshal Bessieres is today, with all his troops gathered at Medina de Rio Seco. Most probably on 15th May the battle against La Cuesta will take place..´, and to the French troops in Burgos, saying `..you will march with your reserve troops to Marshal Bessieres´ camp, to reinforce his position and to preside yourself the first victory, announcing your arrival to Spain with a major event, and making the battle be followed with words by peace..´ further again, Napoleon shows his discontent with General Savary, stating `..The military positions of the French armies in Spain was excellent. In the war a false positioning changes everything. It is still a good one; but, against my opinion, Savary has disseminated the division…You will find attached the orders which I have just dictated to General Bertrand for General Savary, where the army position is described considering all scenarios. Keep this copy. When you will learn that General Bessieres has defeated La Cuesta, your position will be better than ever.´ Napoleon further refers to the French armies and his Generals in several Spanish cities. And beneath his signature Napoleon, in his hand, adds a post-scriptum stating `Do not worry, you will not miss any thing. General Reille, my aide-de-camp, will send tomorrow 10.000 men to Figueres in Catalonia. Be cheerful, and most of all take care of yourself. Reach Madrid.´ One of Napoleon´s lengthier and most important letters to come to the autograph market, with exceptional content, showing how Napoleon was planning and considering meticulously any small eventuality, guiding his brother the King of Spain, step by step, instructing him how to act on each occasion, while still showing him his affection. Overall age wear and creasing. Professionally repaired with reinforced paper, only affecting the reading of few words. F to G £6000-9000 Joseph Bonaparte (1768-1844) King of Naples and Sicily (1806-08) and later King of Spain (1808-13, as Jose I). Elder brother of Napoleon Bonaparte.Jean-Baptiste Bessieres (1768-1813) Marshal of France, Duc d´ Istria.Gregorio Garcia de la Cuesta (1741-1811) Spanish General of the Peninsular War. Garcia de la Cuesta together with Lieutenant-General Blake, were defeated on 14th July at the Battle of Medina de Rio Seco. Napoleon had predicted on the present letter that the victory would take place a day later.Anne Jean-Marie Savary (1774-1833) French general under revolution and Empire and minister of Police. In 1805, shortly before the Battle of Austerlitz, he was sent by Napoleon with a message to the emperor Alexander I with a request for an armistice. In 1808, Savary induced Ferdinand VII, King of Spain, to cross the Pyrenees and go to Bayonne, a decision which cost him his crown and his liberty until 1814. In 1812, the day before the Malet coup d´etat, Malet arrested Savary who was close to be killed by General Guidal. Savary was among the last to desert the Emperor at the time of his abdication, and among the first to welcome his return.Henri-Gatien, Count Bertrand (1773-1844) French General. Grand Marshal of the palace since November 1813, title given to refer to the leader of the Military Household of the Emperor. The responsibilities of his position included: keeping accounts of the expenses and ensuring the security of the household. He exercised his duties during the last days of the Empire as well as in exile on the islands of Elba and Saint Helena, up until the death of the Emperor.
GAMAL SAMIA: (1924-1994) Born Zaynab Mahfuz. Egyptian film Actress and belly Dancer. Rare vintage signed 8 x 10 photograph by Gamal, the image showing the Egyptian actress dancing in a full length pose, in a scene of Valley of the Kings (1954) a film co-starred by Robert Taylor and Eleanor Parker. Signed in bold dark ink to a clear area of the image. The present photograph was obtained in person by well-known French autograph collector Pierre Goulliard. G £80-100
![[SHERLOCK HOLMES]; RATHBONE BASIL (1892-1967) British Actor, famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in a number of films](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/3d1efb42-d105-4f52-beb8-ab6c01265f3c/44ee3039-fffc-4339-b6a9-ab6d00b5e7da/468x382.jpg)
[SHERLOCK HOLMES]; RATHBONE BASIL (1892-1967) British Actor, famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in a number of films & BRUCE NIGEL (1895-1953) British Character Actor, famous for his portrayal of Dr. Watson alongside Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes in a number of films. An extremely rare vintage signed and inscribed 9 x 6.5 photograph by both Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce individually, the image depicting the two actors in half length poses together in costume as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in a scene from one of their films. Signed by both in dark fountain pen inks to clear areas of the image, Bruce adding an inscription and the date, 1943, in his hand. Signed photographs of Rathbone and Bruce in costume from a Sherlock Holmes movie are both extremely rare and highly desirable. Neatly mounted to card, very slightly irregularly trimmed to the edges and with some light, although extensive surface creasing, all of which only detract a little from the captivating image. G £800-1200 In 1943, the year in which Bruce has dated the present photograph, he and Rathbone starred in two Sherlock Holmes films, Sherlock Holmes in Washington and Sherlock Holmes Faces Death.
CHAPLIN´S LEADING ROLES: A good selection of three vintage signed photographs by film Actors and Actresses having performed as leading roles in Chaplin´s films, containing PAULETTE GODDARD (1910-1990) American Actress. Well remembered for her leading lady roles in Chaplin´s films Modern Times and The Great Dictator. Third wife of Charles Chaplin. Signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph, the promotional image showing Goddard standing in a three quarter length pose, in a scene of Renoir´s film The Diary of a Chambermaid (1946), film co-starred with her third husband Burgess Meredith. Inscribed to French autograph collector Pierre Goulliard; ADOLPHE MENJOU (1890-1963) American Actor. He appeared in films such as Charles Chaplin´s A Woman of Paris (1923), Stanley Kubrick´s Paths of Glory (1957), The Sheik (1921) with Rudolph Valentino or Morocco (1930) with Marlene Dietrich and Gary Cooper. A good signed and inscribed 7 x 9 photograph, a close-up portrait of Menjou. Inscribed to Journalist André Jouniaux, a well-known autograph collector; and MERNA KENNEDY (1908-1944) American Actress. Best known for her role opposite Charlie Chaplin in the silent film The Circus (1928). Rare signed postcard photograph, the Ross image depicting Kennedy standing, in a full length pose, alongside a white horse, in a scene of The Circus film. Kennedy died of a heart attack at the early age of 36, only four days after her marriage. All are boldly signed to clear areas of the images. VG £150-200
`…amitiés de la Gendarmerie, L. de Funes´FUNES LOUIS DE: (1914-1983) French Comedy Actor. An excellent and rare vintage signed and inscribed 5 x 7 photograph by Funes. The image shows the comedian outdoors, in a half length pose, in costume as French gendarme and corresponds to a scene of the film Le Gendarme en Balade (1970), fourth instalment of the Gendarme series. Signed in bold blue ink `Pour Jean Paul Gonzales, amitiés de la Gendarmerie, L. de Funes´, to a clear area of image, also dated 1970 in his hand. The present photograph and inscription relate to the day De Funes was awarded by the French Gendarmerie. Vintage photographs of Funes, even more in costume as Gendarme, are rare and desirable. About EX £600-900 Jean Paul Gonzales, French Comedian, also known as Floridor.
SEYRIG DELPHINE: (1932-1990) Lebanese-born French Actress, film Director and Feminist. Signed and inscribed 7 x 8.5 unpublished photograph by Seyrig, a unique copy showing the actress in a half length pose. Signed in bold black fountain pen ink to a clear area of the image. Autographs of Seyrig are rare and desirable. VG £100-150
![PIAF EDITH: (1915-1963) French Singer. An exceptional vintage signed and inscribed 7 x 9 photograph by Piaf, [1937], the clos](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/3d1efb42-d105-4f52-beb8-ab6c01265f3c/7839b9fd-6bf5-4f3b-ba4b-ab6d00b631c5/468x382.jpg)
PIAF EDITH: (1915-1963) French Singer. An exceptional vintage signed and inscribed 7 x 9 photograph by Piaf, [1937], the close-up portrait depicting Piaf in a very early pose. The promotional Polydor image, dating from around 1935/36, bears the printed caption Môme Piaf ('Little Sparrow') and is signed and inscribed by Piaf with an early form of her signature in bold black fountain pen ink to a clear area at the head of the image. Piaf states `Si j´ai l´air réveuse sur cette photo, c´est que je reve au bonheur que m´a donné mon amour de Bichon. Piaf' (“If I look dreamy on this photograph, it is because I dream with the happiness that my love Bichon has given to me´. Piaf annotates to her forehead `avant´ (“before”), an accomplice message to her correspondent. Signed photographs of Piaf from this very early stage of her career are extremely rare. Inscription with very good association. Very small pinholes to the corners, otherwise about VG £600-900 The present photograph is inscribed to “Bichon”, nickname of Raymond Asso (1901-1968) French lyricist and artistic agent. Piaf was Asso´s mistress in 1937, when she was only 22. Asso is credited as the creator of Piaf the artist, the one who took care of her, the one who put discipline and distance between Piaf and her former life and her not recommended friendships, the one who guided and taught her how to perform, to dress, to express and even to eat as he would say ''A rough diamond I had to size..'' Provenance from Asso´s personal collection.
GAINSBOURG SERGE: (1928-1991) French Singer, Songwriter, Poet, Composer, Actor and Director. Rare signed and inscribed book by Gainsbourg, being an 8vo paper-back edition of Evguenie Sokolov, 120 pages, a short novel by Gainsbourg, edited by Gallimard, 1980. Signed and inscribed `a Ludovique, Gainsbourg´ to the presentation page. G £200-300
POWELL KENNETH: (1885-1915) British Athlete and Tennis Player who competed in the 1908 & 1912 Summer Olympics as well as at the Wimbledon Championships. Killed in action at Ypres during the First World War. Rare A.L.S., Kenneth Powell, one page, 8vo, Reigate, 4th May 1913, to [Percy] Rootham. Powell informs his correspondent, in full, 'Please accept this (enclosure no longer present) from me as an expression of thanks for what you have done for the Surrey Clubs.' Annotated and initialled in pencil at the foot by Rootham, '(Enclosing a copy of the Redhill L.T.C. for 1913)'. Autographs of Powell are rare as a result of him being killed in action at the young age of 29. Some light overall age wear and minor traces of former mounting to the verso. Together with a multiple signed 8vo sheet of printed stationery from the Ranelagh Club, Barnes, by the original nine members of the University of Oxford crew who participated in the Boat Race of 1939, comprising Richard Burnell (Olympic Gold medallist in 1948), George Huse, J. L. Garton, A. G. Slemeck, R. R. Stewart, Frank Waldron, H. A. W. Forbes, R. M. A. Bourne (replaced by J. R. Bingham in the actual race owing to injury) and H. P. V. Massey. All have signed with their names alone in fountain pen inks. Neatly laid down to a page removed from an album. About VG, 2 £100-150 Percy Rootham (1872-1939) British Vice President of the Lawn Tennis Association 1923-39.
BAKER JOSEPHINE: (1906-1975) African-American Dancer and Singer. An exceptional vintage signed and inscribed sepia 8.5 x 11.5 photograph of Baker, the wonderful image depicting the naked dancer kneeling in a full length profile pose delicately holding a piece of shimmering fabric over her knees. Photograph by Madame D'Ora and bearing her name to the image and her blindstamp to the lower photographer's mount. Signed by Baker in fountain pen ink to the image, 'To Alma Rose, Sincerely, Josephine Baker', and dated Paris, 25th May 1927 in her hand. Signed photographs of this quality and association are rare and desirable. The upper and lower right corners of the photographer's mount are chipped resulting in a small areas of loss, otherwise VG £2000-3000 Alma Rose (1906-1944) Austrian Violinist of Jewish descent, the niece of Gustav Mahler. During World War II Rose was deported by the Nazis to Auschwitz Concentration camp, where, for ten months, she directed an orchestra of female prisoners who played for their captors in an effort to stay alive. Rose died at the camp after a sudden illness, possibly the result of food poisoning. Dora Kallmus (1881-1963) Madame D'Ora. Austrian Fashion and Portrait Photographer.
‘….Stay Kool, Be Groovy….’ HENDRIX JIMI: (1942-1970) American Rock Guitarist & Singer. An excellent, rare vintage blue ink signature and inscription by Hendrix, 'To Michael, Stay Kool, Be Groovy, Jimi Hendrix', on a page contained in an autograph album. The album also features over thirty other signatures by various other popular musicians, a few television personalities, actors and sportsmen etc., including Cat Stevens (to the verso of the page signed by Hendrix), The Walker Brothers (Scott, John & Gary), The Californians (John O'Hara, Peter Abberley, Mick Brookes & Keith Evans), Engelbert Humperdinck, The Tremeloes (Chip Hawkes, Alan Blakley, Rick Westwood etc.), Marmalade (Dean Ford, Alan Whitehead, Graham Knight, Pat Fairley & Junior Campbell), The Settlers (Cindy Kent, Mike Jones, John Fyffe & Geoff Srdzinski), James Ellis, Julia Lockwood, John Noakes, Valerie Singleton, Tony Jacklin, Peter Oosterhuis etc. Some of the pages are multiple signed and a few of the less important signatures are on loosely inserted pieces or pieces laid down to the pages (a few tape stains etc.). Some of the pages are neatly annotated in the hand of a collector with various dates in 1967. A wonderful example of Hendrix's signature included in an original album alongside some of his contemporaries. Generally about VG £2000-3000 Provenance: The present album is accompanied by a typed statement signed by the previous owner stating, in part, 'This autograph book has been my personal property since it was brand new in 1967 and has remained in my ownership ever since. As a nine year old boy at the time I was keen to obtain some autographs and I clearly remember my parents' neighbour offering to take it to his place of work, Newcastle City Hall, where he was on duty in a security role on the night of the now infamous Walker Brothers tour, visiting Newcastle on 21st April 1967 and featuring support bands The Californians, Engelbert Humperdinck, Cat Stevens and of course Jimi Hendrix. My autograph book was passed around backstage where it was signed by the Walker Brothers themselves, Engelbert and Cat Stevens. Quite clearly the best autograph of all is Jimi Hendrix himself, who signed for me a personal “To Michael, Stay Kool, Be Groovy, Jimi Hendrix”…..as a nine year old I can remember looking up Groovy in the dictionary and thought the spelling of Kool was indeed the most cool thing on earth…..'
LENNON & ONO: LENNON JOHN (1940-1980) English Musician, a member of The Beatles & ONO YOKO (1933- ) Japanese Artist, Singer & Peace Activist, wife of John Lennon 1969-80. A rare signed and inscribed album record sleeve by both Lennon and Ono individually for Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins (1968), being the first of three experimental albums by Lennon and Ono released with Apple Records and parent company EMI. Contained in the original cellophane wrapper and signed by Lennon and Ono individually in black inks with their first names (Lennon adding an inscription in his hand, ‘Greg – love’) directly beneath the controversial front cover image depicting the couple standing together in full length naked poses. Framed and glazed in a plain black frame to an overall size of 15.5 x 15.5. Together with a selection of unsigned related material and printed ephemera including the Wedding Album (1969) box set, being the third and final experimental albums recorded by Lennon and Ono, a white vinyl Bagism slip sleeve containing a cardstock image of a single slice of wedding cake, two printed folding booklets of images and newspaper reports of Lennon & Ono entitled The Wedding and The Press, a printed double-sided folding booklet of Lennon & Ono’s cartoon drawings recounting the story of their wedding, two postcards of the couple, several single records, an 8vo printed War Is Over! Christmas card etc. Some light overall age wear, generally about VG, Sml. Qty. £2000-3000 Provenance: The present album was signed and inscribed by Lennon and Ono for Greg Sams (1948- ) American-born Fractal Artist, Author & Publisher who, in 1968, opened SEED, a macrobiotic restaurant in London which became popular in the psychedelic scene in the late 1960s and was frequented by John Lennon (who drew a cartoon about his experiences there) and Yoko Ono.
ROSSINI GIOACHINO: (1792-1868) Italian Composer. A rare and excellent D.S., `Gioachino Rossini´, two pages, 4to, thin paper, Paris, 15th March 1866, in Italian. The partially printed document being the official application form presented to register the copyright of one of his operas Le Siege de Corinthe in Milan, Italy. The document states in part `Gioachino Rossini intending to formally reserve the rights due to the author, according to the law from 25th June 1865, presents the opera with grand score for orchestra..´ Rossini signs beneath the opera title `L´assedio dil Corinto´, and the date of the premiere “1826”. Signed at the base by the prefect secretary. Bearing an official taxation stamp to the upper left front corner and two ink stamps of the Italian ministry to the front and verso. Also bearing to the verso a contemporary registry annotation related to Rossini and his opera, dated in Florence, on 1st of May 1866. Very small hole not affecting the text or signature, and very small tear to the bottom edge, otherwise G £600-900 Le Siege de Corinthe (1826) is a three acts opera by Rossini premiered in Paris in 1826, and was Rossini´s first French opera..
BRAHMS JOHANNES: (1833-1897) German Composer. An excellent and rare signed 5 x 7.5 photograph `Johannes Brahms´, the image depicting Brahms in a well-known half length pose. Signed in bold black fountain pen ink to the lower white mount, dated beneath `Wien May 89´, in his hand. Edges very slightly irregular. Very small overall minor age wear, otherwise about VG £5000-8000
RODRIGUEZ DE LA VEGA PEDRO: (1940-1971) Mexican motor racing Driver. Rodríguez was killed during a car race in Nuremberg while he was driving for the lead at the wheel of a Ferrari. Rare D.S., being a contre-marque 5.5 x 8 page from the 29th Grand Prix of Monaco, May 1971. Signed in blue ink to a clear area across the page. The printed page lists the names of 12 pilots, including Pedro Rodriguez, Ronnie Peterson, Jean Pierre Beltoise, Rolf Stommelen, Chris Amon, Jo Siffert, Henri Pescarolo, etc.. The collector annotated beneath each name the drivers qualifying times. Less than two months later Rodriguez suffered the fatal accident. Autographs of Rodriguez de la Vega are rare in any form following his tragic early death at the age of 31. Attractive presentation, matted in black, alongside an unsigned 4 x 5.5 photograph of Rodriguez wearing his helmet and overalls, and a Monaco Grand Prix contemporary image of cover programme, to an overall of 16 x 12. VG £100-150
SHOSTAKOVICH DMITRI: (1906-1975) Russian Composer. An excellent and very rare signed musical score, with multiple annotations in Shostakovich´s hand, being an original copy of the score for his 14th Symphony, offered by the Russian composer to his biographer, the day before its premiere. Printed musical score signed `D. Shostakovich´, in Cyrillic, one hundred and sixty pages, folio, Leningrad, September 1969, in Cyrillic. Signed by the author to the first page, also adding multiple annotations, corrections, tempos, words and musical notes in his hand, in red ink, to over twenty five pages. The present score wa offered by Shostakovich to his biographer and musicologist Marina Sabinina. To the last inside blank page, Sabinina annotates and signs in Cyrillic, `I received this musical score from Dmitri Shostakovich, the day before the performance of the premiere of the symphony, with his annotations. M. Sabibina. 4th July 1999. I offer it to Volodia Hofmann, son of my old friend and colleague Rotislav Modestovich. M.C´. Bounded in a semi-rigid grey leather cover. Small overall age wear, mostly to cover, otherwise G to VG £2500-3500 The Symphony No. 14, Op. 135, by Dmitri Shostakovich (1969), is a work for soprano, bass and a small string orchestra with percussion, consisting of eleven linked settings of poems by four authors. Most of the poems deal with the theme of death, particularly that of unjust or early death. The symphony is dedicated to English Composer Benjamin Britten (1913-1976).The Symphony was a creative response to Modest Mussorgsky´s Songs and Dances of Death, which Shostakovich had orchestrated in 1962. Like Mussorgsky, Shostakovich brings back the subject of death in various images and situations. The Mussorgsky cycle contains four songs. Shostakovich added eleven poems by Federico Garcia Lorca, Guillaume Apollinaire, Wilhelm Kuchelbecker and Rainer Maria Rilke.Shostakovich attached great importance to this work, commenting in a letter: "Everything that I have written until now over these long years has been a preparation for this work."
CEVERT FRANÇOIS & STEWART JACKIE: François Cevert (1944-1973) French Formula One Racing Driver. Cevert died at very early age of 29 after crashing his Tyrrell racing car at the Watkins Glen race track, New York, during the qualifying sessions; & Jackie Stewart (1939- ) British Formula One racing Driver. Stewart won the world Driver´s Championship in 1969, 1971 and 1973. Rare signed 6 x 9 page removed from a Formula one printed programme by Tyrrell teammates Cevert and Stewart, the document showing the printed text “Pilotes F1” and two images of the pilots. Individually signed in Monaco on 14th May 1972, in bold blue ink alongside their images, to clear areas of the document. VG £300-400
PIRONI DIDIER: (1952-1987) French Formula One racing Driver. Pironi won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1978. Rare signed 7 x 9.5 photograph by Pironi, the single shot image depicting the F1 driver in a half length pose wearing his racing overalls. Signed in bold blue ink to a clear area to the centre of the image. Pironi survived after a severe accident when he was leading the championship in 1982. Five years after, when he was able to walk again, Pironi turned to offshore powerboat racing, but was killed in an accident near the Isle of Wight. Autograph obtained in person by Michel Clare (1927-2008), Olympic athlete and sports journalist of L´Equipe. VG £100-150
CRESCENTINI GIROLAMO: (1762-1846) Italian Castrato. A sopranista Singer, Teacher and Composer. After a masterly execution in Vienna of the Romeo's Prayer aria, Napoleon conferred upon him the Order of the Iron Crown of Lombardy and appointed him singing teacher of the Imperial Family. Very rare A.L.S., `Crescentini´, in the third person to the heading, one page, 4to, Collegio di Musica, Friday 22nd May 1839, to F. Walehy, in Italian. Crescentini states `Crescentini presents his most respectful regards to Prof. Sign. F. Walehy, and assure him that he will make his best to please him with his request.´ With small area of paper loss to the address leaf as a result of the opening of the letter. G to VG £400-600 Domenico Cimarosa composed the opera Gli Orazi e i Curiazi, creating the role of Curiazio for Crescentini, premiered at La Fenice theatre in Venice in December 1796. Nicola Zingarelli also composed the opera Giulietta e Romeo, creating the role of Romeo for Crescentini who composed himself the aria "Ombra adorata aspetta", also known as "La Preghiera di Romeo" ("Romeo´s Prayer") which would bring enduring success for the Italian castrato..
MAUREL VICTOR: (1848-1923) French Baritone. Rare A.L.S., `V.or Maurel´, four pages, 8vo, Paris, 15th August 1897, to Monsieur Litta, in French. Maurel first mentions the travelling that his correspondent´s letter did, stating `Your 2nd of August letter wandered from city to city before reaching me, first Paris, then Bayreuth, Munich, Nuremberg, Stuttgart and finally Paris again, where I got it last night. It was stupid clerk the one who caused..´, further referring to a performance issue with impresarios and future plans, stating in part `I believe that you will not regret the decision you have made, since the Don Juan affair seems to have taken a good turn…. Right on the spot and within a few days we could work out a good libretto, and as you correctly state, we could return in Spring with a theatrical work which we could stage immediately.´ Maurel adds two post-scriptums, and states to the second `I have written an article about Wagner and Bayreuth. It will be published on Wednesday on the Le Gaulois. Read it. I think that you will find it interesting.´ VG £200-300
MALIBRAN MARIA: (1808-1836) Spanish Mezzo-Soprano. Rare A.L.S., Mme Malibran, in the third person, to the heading and a second time, three pages, 8vo, 27 Euston Square, London, Sunday, 10th of May, n.y., to Mme Anderson, in English. Malibran states in part `..However she will be happy to sing on Wednesday the 13th at her concert, she will sing either.. or "Se m´abbandoni" from Mercadante, in the opera of Nitocri. Mme Malibran is sorry to say..´ At the end of the letter and beneath her signature, Malibran states `Excuse my bad English´. A letter of interesting content, unusually written in English by Malibran.Small overall age wear, mostly to the edges, with a very small tear to the fold, otherwise G £600-900 Giuseppe Saverio Mercadante (1795-1870) Italian Composer. A prolific opera composer,his development of operatic structures, melodic styles and orchestration contributed significantly to the foundations upon which Giuseppe Verdi built his dramatic technique.Nitocri (1824) is an opera in two acts by Mercadante. The libretto is fictionalised account of the Egyptian queen Nitocris. Although the opera fell into oblivion, Mirteo's aria "Se m´abbandoni", remained a popular concert piece, sometimes interpolated into other operas, as Maria Malibran did in the final scene of Zingarelli's Giulietta e Romeo.
NADAR: (1820-1910) French Photographer, Caricaturist and Balloonist. Very rare and exceptional signed and inscribed 4 x 7 cabinet photograph by Nadar. The attractive studio self-portrait sepia image (Circa 1863) showing Nadar in the basket of a balloon. Nadar was often referred to as “Le Photographe Volant” (“The Flying Photographer”). Signed and inscribed in bold black ink `To Jules Durnof, my comrade ascending the Giant in Amsterdam & Lyon. Good souvenir, Nadar´ to the lower white border of the image. Durnof was Captain of of civil and military French balloonists. Also dated in his hand `4th February 1868´. VG £1500-2000
![[GAUGUIN PAUL]: (1848-1903) French post-Impressionist Artist. Recognized, only after his death, for his experimental use of c](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/3d1efb42-d105-4f52-beb8-ab6c01265f3c/4074b911-c980-4777-b4d8-ab6d00b6b695/468x382.jpg)
[GAUGUIN PAUL]: (1848-1903) French post-Impressionist Artist. Recognized, only after his death, for his experimental use of colour and synthetist style, distinct from Impressionism. An extremely rare original unsigned sepia 6.5 x 4 photograph, [Pont-Aven, 1886-87], the image showing a group of persons, including several artists, seated outdoors around coffee-bar tables. The photograph is affixed to a slightly larger page. Three persons are identified and numbered in a collector´s hand, carefully annotating below the image and to the page the image is affixed to, their names, "1. F. du Puigaudeau - 2. Paul Gauguin - 3. Charles Laval". Photographs of Gauguin are very rare and desirable in any form. Overall age wear and creasing to borders. About G £2500-3500 Ferdinand du Puigaudeau (1864-1930) also known as Ferdinand Loyen du Puigaudeau, French post-Impressionist Painter. In 1886, while living at Marie Gloanec´s hostal in Pont-Aven, he meets Paul Gauguin, Emile Bernard and Charles Laval. Two years later the Art School of Pont-Aven was created.Charles Laval (1861-1894) French Painter of the Pont-Aven school, related to the Synthetism movement. Laval died of tuberculosis at the very early age of 33.
DELACROIX EUGENE: (1798-1863) French Painter. Regarded as the leader of the French Romantic school, he is also considered one of the last old Masters of painting, and one of the few who was ever photographed. Rare A.L.S., `Eug. Delacroix´, one page, 8vo, n.p., 15th April 1857, to M. Goldschmidt, in French. Delacroix regrets not having been able to meet him and states in part `.. if by any chance you consider returning and visit me, I would kindly ask you to let me know the time and the day. I will only remain in Paris until Sunday..´ Accompanied by the original envelope addressed in his hand bearing an attractive red wax seal to the verso. EX VG £400-600
‘the long study you dedicated to shining a light on my endeavours in painting’ CEZANNE PAUL: (1839-1906) French Artist & Post-Impressionist Painter. A good, rare A.L.S., Paul Cezanne, two pages, small 8vo, Alfort, 26th March 1894, to [Gustave Geffroy] ('Monsieur'), in French. Cezanne writes, in full, 'I have read yesterday the long study you dedicated to shining a light on my endeavours in painting. I wanted to express my gratitude for your kindness. Please accept my deepest thanks'. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG £6000-8000 Gustave Geffroy (1855-1926) French Journalist & Art Critic, one of the earliest historians of the Impressionist Art movement. In March 1894, as the present letter testifies, Geffroy wrote a sympathetic article in the periodical Le Journal championing the work of Cezanne, who until then had received little praise in critical circles. Their mutual friend, the painter Claude Monet arranged for a meeting between the two in November of that year which ended abruptly due to Cézanne's oft-noted erratic behaviour. Nevertheless, Geffroy continued to write favourably of Cézanne. As an expression of gratitude Cezanne painted Geffroy's portrait, which is now on permanent display in the Musee d'Orsay in Paris.
DISNEY WALT: (1901-1966) American Animator, Academy Award winner. An excellent vintage signed and inscribed 14 x 11 photograph, the image depicting Disney seated in a three quarter length pose at the steering wheel of a buggy, presumably within the grounds of Disneyland. At his side the American actress Carol Channing and French actor and entertainer Maurice Chevalier can be seen seated in three quarter length poses. Signed by Disney in bold black ink to the image, and inscribed to Chevalier, 'To Maurice, Avec Mon Appreciation, Walt Disney' and also signed and inscribed by Channing to Chevalier, 'Maurice dearest, How lucky can a girl get?...being between the first Gentlemen of France and America! With devotion and xxx's, Carol Channing'. A rare signed photograph with excellent associations. Some light surface and corner creasing, otherwise VG £1200-1800
TOULOUSE-LAUTREC HENRI DE: (1864-1901) French Painter, Printmaker and Illustrator. Best remembered for his immersion in the colourful and theatrical life of Paris in the late 19th century, producing elegant and provocative images of the decadent affairs of those times. Rare A.L.S., `H.T.Lautrec´, one page, 8vo, grid paper, Paris, 3rd February 1900, in French. Toulouse-Lautrec states `I think that we cannot wish better than what the Daily mail has done. I shake your hand very cordially and thank you for your support on this affair.´ Toulouse-Lautrec refers to the English newspaper Daily Mail with which he used to collaborate with sketches and illustrations, and before signing adds in English `Yours truly´. On a post-scriptum to the heading, signed with his initials `H.T.L´, the French painter adds `They have also promised a rectification article, send it to me please.´ Overall age wear and creasing, with small staining and few very small tears to the edges. F to G £800-1200
TOULOUSE-LAUTREC HENRI DE: (1864-1901) French Painter and Illustrator. A rare A.L.S., H. de Toulouse Lautrec, two pages (separate sheets), 8vo, n.p., 2nd June 1893, to 'Honoured Sir' (apparently the French actor Benoit-Constant Coquelin), in French. The artist sends his correspondent the addresses of a few friends of his own and Bourges', 'who would be happy to enhance by their presence the brilliance of your reputation.' In concluding he states that he hopes he will not arrive too late. Given Toulouse-Lautrec's early death at the age of 36, his letters are extremely rare - particularly those bearing a full signature. VG £2000-3000
A large Lachard portrait of Braque BRAQUE GEORGES: (1882-1963) French Painter and Sculptor. A main Cubism figure, closely associated to Picasso. Rare and attractive signed and inscribed 11 x 15 photograph by Braque, the unusually large Mariette Lachard image depicting Braque outdoors, in a half length pose. Signed and inscribed in bold black ink `G. Braque´ to the lower right corner, alsodated 1951 in his hand. The series of portraits taken by Mariette Lachard of Braque rank among his most famous and sought after images. Small creasing to the upper part of the photograph as a result of remnants of former affixing to the verso, otherwise G £600-900
‘Dali plunges and digs in his nails, his fingers, his hands, his fists, his arms and his shoulders…’ DALI SALVADOR: (1904-1989) Spanish Surrealist Painter. A fine original illustrated autograph manuscript signed ('Salvador Dali') in the third person in the body of the text, two pages, n.p. (Paris?), n.d. (1930s), in French, on the folding letter stationery of the Le Colisee bar and grill on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Penned in dark fountain pen ink, Dali commences his surrealist manuscript by announcing 'And it is precisely into the invisible anxiety of the void, into these vast horizons filled with nothing, and into these truculently desert-like, three-dimensional continuums that Salvador Dali plunges and digs in his nails, his fingers, his hands, his fists, his arms and his shoulders, to make himself remember until his ecstatic soul springs forth through his mouth' and continues 'And I repeat that if the man says that proto-erotic idea comes to overwhelm the void, this same man at the very moment where the artist's coefficients make him reach the highest hierarchy of conscience, of the materiality of his love, this same man, I repeat, at the very moment where he thinks he is expecting with his arms, his thighs, his saliva, and his very back the true anguish of the void of his love, this man, I am repeating for the third time, will feel how he is falling from his excess into the precipice, into the void of ejaculation (or) actually onto that which is nothing else but the very delicate material of which ecstasy is made', concluding 'M A Rebuc holds on to the sign of biology, of morphology, and of the aesthetic ecstasy in the ejaculatory sense of the word'. To the lower half of the second page of the manuscript appear two rows of original surrealist pen and ink drawings which illustrate, variously, an eyeball on the top of a column, various facial features including a nose and lips, a chess pawn, the profiles of two women wearing large hats and various twisted, tortured-looking objects, perhaps human organs. A rare illustrated manuscript. A couple of minor ink blots to the first page slightly obscure a few words of text, although do not affect the signature or illustrations. About VG £6000-8000
HARTUNG HANS: (1904-1989) German-French Painter of abstract style. An excellent and rare signed and inscribed abstract colour drawing by Hartung, one page, 9.5 x 11.5, to the title page of a catalogue, Antibes, 24th July 1984, in German. Hartung has drawn beneath the printed title "Hartung" a very attractive abstract image, using yellow and blue pencils. Signed and inscribed in bold black ink to the title page removed from the catalogue "Hartung", 10 x 12, by Pierre Descargues, published by Editions Cercle d´Art, 356 pages, Paris, 1977. Matted in white to an overall of 17 x 19. VG £2000-3000
FONTANA LUCIO: (1899-1968) Argentine-Italian Painter and Sculptor. Known as the Founder of Spatialism. Rare A.L.S., `Lucio Fontana´, one page, 4to, Milano, 16th January 1959, to Monsieur George Kasper, in Italian. Fontana thanks his correspondent for his letter dated 13th and for his very kind words, further stating in part `Regarding your interesting proposal, unfortunately I cannot take a personal decision because I have to agree this with my artistic agent Palazioli of the Bleu gallery, I leave today to Paris and will give you an answer on my return..´ Few creases to the edges, otherwise VG £600-900
DE CHIRICO GIORGIO: (1888-1978) Italian Artist, a strong influence on the Surrealist movement. Rare signed and inscribed 5.5 x 8 paper photograph of De Chirico, the Herbert List image depicting the Italian painter seated in his atelier. Signed `Giorgio de Chirico´, in bold blue ink to the lower white border. The page has been removed from a book or programme, showing to the verso the printed title “Giorgio de Chirico”. Signed images of De Chirico are rare and desirable in any form. VG £100-150
MORANDI GIORGIO: (1890-1964) Italian Painter and Printmaker. A rare, early original pen and ink book illustration drawn and signed by Morandi, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d. (c.1928/29). The attractive image depicts a lady in a profile head and shoulders pose wearing a hat. Within the lines of the drawing Morandi has penned some text, in Italian, for publication in Antonio Baldini’s book La Dolce Calamita (1929), in part `La Dolce Calamita di Antonio Baldini e la donna di nessuno…Lire 15 con un disegno di Giorgio Morandi´. Original illustrations by Morandi are highly sought after and the present example is particularly charming.VG Antonio Baldini (1889-1962) Italian Writer.
GONCHAROVA NATALIA: (1881-1962) Russian Artist, an avant-garde Painter and reputed costume and set Designer. She was married to Russian artist Mikhail Larionov. Goncharova was an Activist and founding member of several radical art movements. Rare A.L.S., `Nathalie Gontcharova´, one page, 4to, Paris, 6th March 1923, to a friend, in French. Goncharova states `I thank you very much for your pneumatique letter and I will be waiting for you on Monday at 2h1/2…´ VG £600-900
KAHLO FRIDA: (1907-1954) Mexican Painter. An extremely rare autograph envelope (slim oblong 8vo; front panel and reverse flap only) unsigned, addressed by Kahlo in bold black crayon to Bernardo Chavez at Venustiano Carranza #35, alto. Autograph material by Kahlo in any form is extremely rare as a result of her untimely death at the age of 47. Some light age wear and with three irregularly torn edges, G £200-300
KAHLO FRIDA: (1907-1954) Mexican Painter. Rare A.N.S., `Frida Kahlo´, one page, oblong 4to, Mexico, 28th October 1946, in Spanish. Kahlo annotates to the clear left border `Please pay this amount´, in pencil, to a partially printed document, being a receipt issued by the Company of distribution of cement in Mexico F.D, acknowledging the payment received for a supply of twenty tons of Blue Cross cement to the Archeological Museum. Accompanied by four individual receipts corresponding to the cement supply. Folded, with overall age wear and few tears and creases, none affecting the text or signature. F to G £600-900
BERNSTEIN THERESA: (1890-2002) Polish-born American Painter and Writer. Bernstein died 17 days before her 112 birthday. A.L.S., `Theresa Bernstein´, one page, folio, New York, 19th November 1980, to Steve. Bernstein states in part `I am sending you a few catalogues of my works. They are quite rare as they are records of my shows. Duke University Library has also compiled such a..´ EX £60-90
CANOVA ANTONIO: (1757-1822) Italian Sculptor. Best known for his marble sculptures, he is widely regarded as the greatest Neoclassical artist. Rare L.S., `Antonio Canova´, with his usual large bold flourish, one page, 4to, Rome, 12th October 1811, to Domenico Silva, in Venezia, in Italian. Canova refers to a bill of exchange addressed to his half-brother Gian Battista Sartori stating in part `Il S[igno]r Martini manda una cambiale di lire Ital. 1820 a mio fratello Gia[n]Batt[ist]a Sartori ; questa e quella somma stessa, ch'ella dovea ritirare da esso Sig[no]r Martini nel mezzo d'una tratta al medesimo..´ further and before concluding, Canova states `..in order to avoid a harm intending to hurt me..´ With address leaf to the verso. Overall age wear and creasing, with professional repair to the edges. G £600-900
`..thank you for having accepted to be a member of the committee of The Thinker..´ RODIN AUGUSTE: (1840-1917) French Sculptor. An excellent content A.L.S., Aug Rodin, one page, 8vo, Paris, 8th January 1909, on his personal printed stationery, 182, rue de l´Université, to Monsieur Fauré, in French. Rodin states in part `I am writing to you to thank you for having accepted to be a member of the committee of The Thinker, and for having sent your subscription..´ With blank integral leaf. Autograph letters by Rodin making reference to one of his most famous works, often used as an image to represent philosophy, are rare and desirable. Folded. VG £800-1200
“I am glad to be able to announce to you the success obtained by the committee created to offer The Thinker to the city of Paris.” RODIN AUGUSTE: (1840-1917) French Sculptor. An excellent content A.L.S., Aug Rodin, one page, 8vo, Paris, 14th January 1909, on his personal printed stationery, 182, rue de l´Université, to Monsieur Huc, Director of the newspaper La Depeche de Toulouse, in French. Rodin states in part `..I am glad to be able to announce to you the success obtained by the committee created to offer The Thinker to the city of Paris. You have kindly accepted, monsieur, to be a member of the committee and to give us your precious support..´ With blank integral leaf. Autograph letters by Rodin making reference to one of his most famous works, often used as an image to represent philosophy, are rare and desirable.Folded. Toning to the right edge. About VG £1500-2000
Busch’s original illustrations for Eine Milde Geschichte BUSCH WILHELM: (1832-1908) German Illustrator, Humorist, Poet and Painter, a cultural icon and influential source of inspiration for future generations of comic artists. An extremely rare and exceptional original comic strip drawn by Busch, eight pages, 8vo, n.p., n.d. (c. 1878), seven of the pages featuring two attractive sketches each, with brief captions beneath. The work is titled by Busch to the first page, in red crayon and with a flourish, `Eine milde Geschichte´ (“A mild Story”), being a comic strip corresponding to his work “Haarbeutel” (“A bag with hair”). The original fourteen attractive sketches, each drawn by Busch, give shape to the full comic strip, being the ones published for the first time in 1878. Beneath each sketch Busch has added captions in his hand, in part `Happy Farmer Bunke… Obstacle… Success… The bread dough is blended… He lays comfortable… because the gift of god became useless… Sadly Mrs Bunke cleans with the broom until he is clean again…´ Each strip has been numbered in red. A complete and very desirable original comic strip by Busch. Each page has been lightly affixed to a folio card. A few pages have extremely small clipped corners. VG, 8£40000-60000
ALLEN WOODY: (1935- ) American Film Director, Academy Award winner. An excellent vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph of the youthful Allen standing in a half length pose with his hands raised to the top of his head. Photograph by Seymour of New York. Signed in bold blue fountain pen ink to a light area at the head of the image. Signed photographs of Allen from this early period of his career are rare. A couple of very slight, extremely minor corner creases, VG £200-300
BUGATTI CARLO: (1856-1940) Italian Artist, Decorator and Art Nouveau Designer. Manufacturer of jewellery and musical instruments. Bugatti triumphed at the exhibition of decorative art in Turin in 1902. An unusual and very attractive watercolour portrait, one page, 4to, signed `Bugatti Carlo´, dated in his hand, Milan, 1st of January 1888. The portrait depicts a woman in a head and shoulders pose. Autographs of Bugatti are rare and desirable in any form. With blank integral leaf. Small overall age wear and staining, mostly to borders. G £400-600 Carlo Bugatti was the father of sculptor Rembrandt Bugatti, who committed suicide in 1916, and Ettore Bugatti the automobile manufacturer.
SCHILLER FRIEDRICH: (1759-1805) German Poet, Philosopher and Playwright. An extremely rare fragment of an autograph manuscript, unsigned, two pages, slim oblong 12mo, n.p., n.d. (1804-05), in German. The text, apparently unpublished and with several corrections, is from Schiller’s translation of Phedre and states, `O wird mir solcher Dank für meine Liebe? Verdammliches Verwegenes Erkühnen Freche That! Verdammliches Erkühnen! Und seiner frevelhaften wilden Lust zu büßen genug zu thun, Erlaubte sich der Freche gar Gewalt!´ further writing, to the verso, `Think of my Queen’s complaints - O Lord! From a wicked love - all her hate arisen – Theseus´. Some light overall age wear and with very slightly irregularly trimmed edges, about G In the winter of 1804-05 Schiller was suffering from pain and spasms of pneumonia and the only literary work he could undertake was a translation of Jean Racine’s dramatic tragedy Phedre, which had first been performed in 1677. The present fragment was one of a number excised from the original manuscript shorty after Schiller’s death and presented to admirers as a keepsake of the poet.
CHENIER ANDRE: (1762-1794) French Poet of Greek origin. A precursor of the Romantic movement. Chenier was guillotined at the early age of 31. Very rare A.L., by André Chenier, one page, small 4to, n.p., n.d., in French. The cleanly and carefully written text being a fragment of a sixteen verses poem by Chenier, stating in part `Quel bras guide les cieux, a quel ordre enchainée le Soleil bienfaisant nos ramène l´année. Quel signe aux ports lointains arrête l´étranger..´, (“What arm guides the heavens, to what chained order the beneficient Sun brings us back the year. What sign at distant ports stops the stranger..´) An excellent elegy by Chenier, further saying `Le moment d´être sage est voisin du tombeau, allons jeune homme, allos, marche, prends ce flambeau, marche, allons, mène-moi chez ma belle déesse..´, (“Time to be wise is close to the grave, let´s go young man, let´s go, walk, take this torch, walk, let´s go, take me to my beautiful goddess..´). Chenier frames the last word of this verse, `goddess´, and annotates alongside the poem another word to replace the first `maitresse´. At the base of the document and annotated in another hand `Fragment of an elegy by André Chénier, written in his hand, and given by the editor to Marceline Valmore. Paris 1819´. Small overall age wear, mostly to edges, otherwise G £2000-3000 At the request of Malesherbes, the defense counsel to King Louis XVI, Chénier provided some arguments for the King's defense. After the King´s execution Chenier sought a secluded retreat at Versailles. He was arrested at Passy by two agents of the Committee of Public Safety who were in search of a Marquise but only found a stranger who they imprisoned on suspicion of being the aristocrat they were searching for. Chenier had only come on a visit. Chénier was one of the last people executed by Robespierre who was himself seized and executed only three days later. Chénier's life was the subject of Umberto Giordano´s opera Andrea Chenier (1896). Pushkin wrote a poem based on Chenier last hours.
GOETHE JOHANN WOLFGANG VON: (1749-1832) German Writer and Philosopher. His poetry and dramatic works provided source material for Beethoven, Schubert and Berlioz among others. Very rare autograph text in the hand of Goethe, one page, oblong 8vo, n.p., n.d., in German. The text being a poem, a quatrain verse, related to the birthday of Princess Louise, spouse of his patron Grand Duke Charles Augustus. Goethe states `Vorüber führt ein herrliches Geschick - Erhabene Helden, hochverehrte Frauen - Nun fesselt uns des heutigen Tages Glück - Als Bleibende dich unter uns zu schauen.´ ("A glorious fate leads past the noble heroes, the highly esteemed women - Now today's day brings us luck - As if you stay with us."). An exceptional original piece in the hand of Goethe. Irregular edges, otherwise in very fine condition, VG £6000-9000 Princess Louise of Hesse-Darmstadt (1757-1830) daughter of Landgrave Ludwig IX of Hessen-Darmstadt. She Married in 1775 Grand-Duke Charles Augustus of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach.Goethe was court poet and minister to Louise´s husband, and his companion in his extra-marital affairs, but was moved by her charm, noble-heartedness and her eyes "the colour of cornflowers". Goethe dedicated several works to her. To the verso, in the hand of Dr. Edmund Kraüter, dated 1860, and as a proof of provenance, Kraüter states "The lines written to the front are handwritten by J. W. Göethe, attested by Dr. Edmund Kräuter, son of the councilor and librarian Dr. Friedrich Theodor Kräuter, Goethe's longstanding private secretary. Weimar, 14th August 1860." Krauter further reports on the content and context of Goethe´s poem.The present poem is recorded in Goethe´s works, 1827 edition, page 9.
An extremely rare original drawing by the Americam Poet PLATH SYLVIA: (1932-1963) American Poet, wife of Ted Hughes from 1956 until her death. A good, original pencil drawing, unsigned, one page, 8vo, n.p., n.d. Plath has drawn an appealing image of an old street scene with an empty wooden cart abandoned in the foreground and several buildings in the immediate background including a church tower, the spire of which features a cross at its highest point and which Plath has carefully heightened in dark fountain pen ink. Annotated and signed to the verso in pencil, 'By Sylvia Plath, Ted Hughes', by her husband, the English Poet Laureate. Any original item in the hand of Plath is extremely rare and desirable as a result of the poet's tragic suicide at the age of 30. Some very light, extremely minor foxing and a few very minor creases to the corners, VG £2000-3000 The present drawing is one of just a small handful by Plath in existence, and most likely dates from the late 1950s, shortly after her marriage to Hughes. The poet was an artist of some talent, and Hughes wrote of her artistic nature in Birthday Letters - 'Drawing calmed you. Your poker infernal penWas like a branding iron. ObjectsSuffered into their new presence, torturedInto final position. As you drewI felt released, calm. Time openedWhen you drew the market at Benidorm.I sat near you, scribbling something.Hours burned away. The stall-keepersKept coming to see you had them properly.We sat on those steps in our rope-soles,And were happy…' -'Drawing'
'Melville makes fine reading on this trip' CRANE HART: (1899-1932) American Poet, one of the most influential modernist poets of his generation who sought both inspiration and provocation in the works of T. S. Eliot. An extremely rare A.L.S., Hart, three pages, 8vo, on board the R.M.S. Tuscania, off Newfoundland, 9th December 1928, to Samuel Loveman ('Ahoy Sam!'), on the attractive colour printed stationery of the Cunard Line. Crane commences his letter by declaring 'The ship is rearing like a high-strung broncho (sic) and I'm out walking the quarter deck much of the time - enjoying the rythmical (sic) lift and plunge of it', adding that they have also experienced sleet and rain since Sandy Hook and that he has been to every meal ('O it's great!) and remarking 'The bad gin pains are leaving my head - and taking only the bad memories with them - not the pleasant thoughts of you and Mary and others' before again returning to the subject of the liner, 'This is a pleasant boat - not at all crowded - and such nice people. English servants know how to be pleasant as well as efficient, and of course I would be given the one nearly handsome English waiter in the salon! Rather tough food - but I'm getting used to it. The whisky - which is all I've tried thus far - is like balm of Giliad - or whatever Poe said. A little goes a long ways - and really doesn't sadden one. I'll soon write more - from London'. In a postscript Crane remarks 'Melville makes fine reading on this trip'. Accompanied by the original printed Cunard envelope hand addressed by Crane to Samuel Loveman at the Rowfant Book Shop in New York. Autograph letters of Crane are extremely rare as a result of his suicide at the young age of 32 and the present letter is particularly desirable for its association and references to Edgar Allan Poe and Herman Melville (perhaps Crane was reading Moby-Dick; or, The Whale on his voyage across the seas?). VG £3000-4000 Samuel Loveman (1887-1976) American Poet, Critic and Dramatist associated with Hart Crane and H. P. Lovecraft.
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