MACLEAN DONALD: (1913-1983) British Diplomat & Spy, a member of the Cambridge Five. An extremely rare original pencil drawing signed by Maclean, one page, 4to, March 1933, on the printed stationery of The Union Society, Cambridge. Maclean has executed an accomplished drawing of a young man seated in a profile head and shoulders pose with a pensive expression on his face. Signed (‘Donald Maclean’) by Maclean in bold pencil at the foot of the drawing and dated March 1933 in his hand. Maclean would appear to have identified the subject of his drawing in his hand with a single name (or series of initials?) which is regretfully somewhat indecipherable, although it can be presumed that the young man was a friend and contemporary of Maclean whilst reading modern languages at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Together with a printed 4to edition of Contemporaries and Makers, edited by John Kaestlin, March 1933, being the Cambridge University literary periodical and containing various printed poems, short stories and essays etc. With the ownership signature of Alastair Morton to the head of the first page and bound in the original maroon printed paper wrappers. A few very light, minor stains to the drawing and some light age wear and minor foxing to the periodical. About VG, 2 Donald Maclean studied modern languages at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, arriving at the university in 1931. Whilst there he became a member of the Communist Party and was a relatively well-known figure on campus. His literary efforts included a book review in 1933 for Cambridge Left, a journal to which other communists contributed, and in 1934 he became the editor of Silver Crescent, the Trinity Hall students’ magazine. In his last year at Cambridge Maclean became an agent of The People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs (NKVD), the interior ministry of the Soviet Union, and graduated with a First in modern languages before entering the Diplomatic Service.
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AUTOGRAPH ALBUM: An excellent autograph album containing over 50 signatures by various pop singers, entertainers and other famous individuals including Damien Hirst (2; one with a rare additional drawing of a shark in his hand across two pages), Charles Dance, Sebastian Coe, Barbara Windsor, Guy Chambers, Greg Rusedski, Orlando Bloom, Emily Watson, Kym Marsh, Barry Humphries, Bradley Walsh, Ricky Gervais, Annette Crosbie, Alexei Sayle, James Galway, David Baddiel ('To Peter, It won't be worth as much as the Damien Hirst, Cheers, David Baddiel'), Katherine Jenkins, Michael Sheen, Alan Bennett, Julie Walters, Cerys Matthews, Ruby Wax, Jilly Johnson, Alison Moyet, John Conteh, Alastair Campbell, Mick Jones (The Clash), Bryan Ferry, Kelly Jones (Stereophonics), Fay Ripley etc. All of the signatures were obtained in person by a chauffeur and some feature amusing inscriptions etc. Most are on individual pages. EX
KARLOFF BORIS (1887-1969) English Actor, famous for his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in Frankenstein (1931). An excellent signed postcard photograph of Karloff in a head and shoulders pose in costume as Frankenstein's monster. Signed ('Best wishes, Boris Karloff') in white crayon by the actor at the base of the image. Signed photographs of Karloff in his most famous role are extremely rare and highly desirable. One crease to the upper right corner of the white border and some extremely light, very minor surface marking, VG
DANTON GEORGES: (1759-1794) French Politician, one of the leading figures in the early stages of the French Revolution. Danton served as the first president of the Committee of Public Safety and has been described by historians as 'the chief force in the overthrow of the French monarchy and the establishment of the First French Republic'. Guillotined at the age of 34. A good, large D.S., Danton, at the foot, one page, oblong folio, Paris, 11th September 1792. The partially printed document, in French, is issued by the Department of Public Contributions in the name of the Executive Provisional Council and relates to a pension to be granted to Jean Gerard for merit, giving details of the amount he will receive and also recording the date of his birth and baptism in Paris etc. Rare. Some very light, minor overall age wear and a few small, neat tears at the edges of the folds, not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG
DE LAUNAY BERNARD-RENE: (1740-1789) French Governor of the Bastille and Commander of its garrison when the prison fortress in Paris was stormed on 14th July 1789. A rare D.S., Launay, one page, small 4to, n.p. (Paris), 1787. The manuscript document, in French, is a receipt for de Launay's salary and expenses for the third quarter of 1787 and details the total amount to be paid to him as being 989 livres and 14 sous. The document also details the salary and expenses due to three other individuals, Dupuget, DeLorne and Miray, the total for the four men recorded as being 1979 livres and 8 sous. Signed and annotated ('Recu') by de Launay in the left margin and countersigned by the other three beneath. With very slightly irregularly torn edges, not affecting the signatures, VG De Launay, the son of a previous Governor of the Bastille, was born in the formidable fortress and served as Governor himself from 1776. De Launay's fate in the immediate aftermath of the storming of the Bastille on 14th July 1789 was a gruesome one. Having been seized and his sword and baton of rank torn from him, he was due to be escorted to the Hotel de Ville although the furious crowd beat and assaulted him on the way there, eventually lynching him by repeatedly stabbing him with knives, swords and bayonets. Desperate and suffering greatly from the abuse (which had also included him being shot at) de Launay declared 'Enough! Let me die'. Following his killing his head was sawn off by a butcher, fixed to a pike and carried through the streets for several hours before being thrown in the river Seine the next day.
FRANZ FERDINAND: (1863-1914) Archduke of Austria-Este, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne. The Archduke's assassination in Sarajevo in 1914 triggered a series of catastrophic events which led to the start of World War I. A rare, large vintage signed sepia cabinet photograph (5.5 x 8.5), the image depicting the young Archduke in a head and shoulders pose wearing a military uniform. Photograph by Atelier Adele of Vienna and bearing their imprint to the lower photographer's mount and verso. Signed by the Archduke in dark fountain pen ink with his name alone to a light area at the base of the image. Framed and glazed in the original green leather presentation frame bearing an applied silver coloured metal Archducal coat of arms and with the gilt stamped maker's mark of A. Forster of Vienna to the verso. Some light age wear to the photograph, largely to the borders of the photographer's mount, and the upper edge very slightly irregularly trimmed. Some light overall age wear and damage to the frame, G Atelier Adele had been founded by Adele Perlmutter-Heilperin and her two brothers, Max and Wilhelm, in Vienna in 1862. The studio was named photographer to the Imperial Court in around 1890. Signed photographs of Archduke Franz Ferdinand rarely appear at auction and this example is only the second we have offered in almost a decade. American Book Prices Current record only five other examples being sold at auction, some of them from prominent collections including those of Rev. Cornelius Greenaway, M. Wesley Marans and Jerome Shochet.
MANDELA NELSON: (1918-2013) President of South Africa 1994-99. Nobel Peace Prize winner, 1993. An extremely rare A.L.S., N R Mandela, one page, 4to (official feint ruled stationery), Victor Verster Prison, Paarl, South Africa, 21st August 1989, to Jack Lennard of The Wilberforce Council. Mandela thanks his correspondent for their letter and states 'I regard it as a singular honour to be invited to become one of the patrons of the Wilberforce Council, an invitation I readily accept', adding 'I will be more than happy to wear the Council's coveted tie.' Mandela further remarks 'My only regret is that my current circumstances will not allow me to play an active role in the affairs of the Council' and proclaims 'Human rights is still one of the world's burning issues of the day, and the work and achievements of Sir Wilberforce (sic; William Wilberforce) is as relevant now as it was in his time'. Mandela has also added his name in capitals and prison number ('1335/88') in his hand at the head of the page. Accompanied by the original Registered envelope hand addressed by Mandela. Together with a printed small 4to folding card issued by the Mandela Family in Soweto and featuring an image of Nelson Mandela alongside the colours of the African National Congress (ANC) and printed caption The People Shall Govern, also with an image of Oliver Tambo above the printed caption Forward to People's Power!, with a further printed image to the verso and typed inscription to Jack Lennard. File holes to the edges of all three items, not affecting the text or signature of the letter. Some very light, extremely minor creasing, VG, 2 William Wilberforce (1759-1833) English Politician & Philanthropist who supported the campaign for the complete abolition of slavery which led to the Slavery Abolition Act 1833. Wilberforce, who was never knighted, has been described as a humanitarian reformer who contributed significantly to reshaping the political and social attitudes of his time by promoting concepts of social responsibility and action. The present letter was written and signed by Mandela less than six months before he was released from Victor Verster Prison on 11th February 1990, having been transferred there on 7th December 1988. Autograph letters of Mandela dating from the period of his imprisonment following his arrest in August 1962 until his release in February 1990 are of exceptional rarity and are also highly desirable. There are no examples recorded by American Book Prices Current and we are aware of only one other letter (interestingly also written from Victor Verster Prison on 21st August 1989, although to a different correspondent and on a completely different subject matter) having previously appeared at auction.
DE LAROCHE RAYMONDE: (1882-1919) French Aviatrix, the first woman in the world to receive an aeroplane pilot’s licence. A rare vintage signed postcard photograph by De Laroche, the image depicting an aircraft in fight at the Camp de Chalons in France. Signed (‘Raymonde de Laroche’) in ink across a clear area of the image by De Laroche and dated 1919 in her hand. A later, small colour image of the aviatrix is neatly affixed to the upper right corner. Autographs of De Laroche are rare in any form as a result of her tragically early death at the age of 36 in an airplane crash. VG
RICHTHOFEN LOTHAR FREIHERR VON: (1894-1922) German Leutnant of World War I, a Flying Ace officially credited with 40 victories including that of Albert Ball VC. Lothar was the younger brother of Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen ('The Red Baron') and was awarded with the Pour le Mérite (Blue Max), the Royal House Order of Hohenzollern and the Iron Cross First and Second Class. Richthofen died at the young age of 27 in a flying accident. Rare vintage signed sepia postcard photograph of Richthofen standing in a half length pose wearing his uniform and medals and with a cap upon his head. Photograph published by Harry Rothenberg of Berlin and and with a printed caption at the base. Signed ('Frhr. Richthofen') by Richthofen in black fountain pen ink with his name alone to the base of the image. Autographs of Richthofen are rare in any form as a result of his early death. About EX
MONTGOMERY B. L.: (1887-1976) British Field Marshal of World War II. An excellent Autograph envelope signed ('B. L. Montgomery, Field-Marshal'), being the slim oblong 4to front panel of a World War II date envelope, boldly addressed in Montgomery's hand in dark fountain pen ink to 'The Right Hon Winston Churchill M.P., Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street'. Signed by Montgomery to the upper left corner and further marked 'Personal' in his hand. A fine and rare association piece between the two great British Allied leaders of World War II. A few very minor traces of former mounting to the corners of the verso, VG Winston S. Churchill (1874-1965) British Prime Minister 1940-45, 1951-55. Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1953.
CHURCHILL WINSTON S.: (1874-1965) British Prime Minister 1940-45, 1951-55. Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1953. An excellent T.L.S., Winston S. Churchill, with holograph subscription, one page, 4to, n.p. (although on the printed stationery of Hyde Park Gate, London, the address lightly crossed through in type), 16th September 1957, to Field Marshal The Rt. Hon. The Viscount Montgomery of Alamein ('My dear Monty'). Churchill confirms that he has spoken with the Reves and that they would be glad if Montgomery could stay with them from 11th - 14th October as had been suggested, further providing their address at La Pausa, Roquebrune-Cap Martin, and remarking 'Perhaps you will let us know nearer the date your time of arrival'. Churchill continues 'The Reves can also put Jock up at the same time if he can come down with you, so it will fit in well' and concludes 'I much look forward to seeing you'. A rare letter of wonderful association between the two great British Allied leaders of World War II. One file hole to the upper left corner and with the small circular stamp of the noted autograph collector Ray Rawlins neatly affixed to the lower left corner. VG Bernard Law Montgomery (1887-1976) 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein. British Field Marshal of World War II. At the time of the present letter Montgomery was serving as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (1951-58). Emery Reves (1904-1981) Hungarian-born British Writer, Publisher and Literary Agent. A friend of Churchill since 1937, Reves was sent to New York by the Prime Minister to assist in building the British propaganda organisation in North and South America during World War II. Reves La Pausa, the villa referred to in the present letter, was purchased by Reves in 1953. The property, situated in the Alpes-Maritimes, had originally been designed and built by the French fashion designer Coco Chanel. Churchill spent approximately a third of each year at La Pausa from 1956-58 with Reves and his wife, Wendy. The former Prime Minister wrote and edited part of his History of the English Speaking Peoples there, the foreign publishing rights for which Reves owned. Sir John 'Jock' Colville (1915-1987) British Civil Servant who served as Assistant Private Secretary to Winston Churchill from 1940-41 and 1943-45, and later as his Joint Principal Private Secretary 1951-55. Provenance: The present letter was previously contained in the collection of Autograph Letters and Historical Documents formed by the noted collector Ray Rawlins between 1930 and 1979. The letter was sold as part of The Rawlins Collection by Sotheby's, London, 2nd - 4th June 1980 (Lot 177, Estimate £300/400, Hammer price £280)
DRISCOLL BOBBY: (1937-1968) American Child Actor, Academy Award winner. An excellent, rare vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph of the juvenile Driscoll seated in a full length pose in costume as Percy Maxim, with a dog at his side, from the American comedy film So Goes My Love (1946). The Universal Pictures publicity photograph is signed by Driscoll in bold black fountain pen ink to a light area of the image. Autographs of Driscoll are rare in any form as a result of his untimely death at the age of 31. One crease to the upper right corner, otherwise VG
TOJO HIDEKI: (1884-1948) Japanese Prime Minister 1941-44, responsible for the attack on Pearl Harbor, which led to America entering World War II. An unusual set of three original 4 x 3 photographs, each depicting different views of the barracks in which prisoners, including Tojo, were held during the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal. One of the photographs is signed by Tojo, in both English and Japanese, with his name alone to the verso. Another of the photographs is annotated in an unidentified hand to the verso, 'Gallows where Tojo was hung. Note #13 on door!' Rare. Some very slight, minor age wear, otherwise VG, 3
JOYCE WILLIAM: (1900-1946) Fascist Politician and Nazi Propaganda Broadcaster to the United Kingdom during World War II, known as Lord Haw-Haw. Executed for Treason. An extremely rare vintage signed postcard photograph of Joyce, the image depicting the fascist in a semi profile half length pose, his scar ('Chelsea smile') inflicted in 1924 clearly evident, and wearing his black shirt with the British Union of Fascists logo visible. Signed ('W W Joyce') in dark fountain pen ink with his name alone to the centre of the image, across a darker area although legible. Annotated in ink in an unidentified hand to the verso, 'Signed by William Joyce at Leaside Library Hall Jan 18. 1937'. Autographs of Joyce are extremely rare in any form, and signed photographs are very seldom encountered. Some light silvering and age wear to the edges of the image, otherwise about VG The present photograph was signed shortly before Joyce was dismissed by Oswald Mosley, who had founded the British Union of Fascists in 1932. Joyce served as Director of Propaganda within the organisation and also as Area Administrator for the West Sussex division. The area became a hub of fascist activity under his regime with events including Blackshirt summer camps, lunches, rallies and meetings taking place.
NGOR HAING S.: (1940-1996) Cambodian American Physician and Actor, Academy Award winner. Rare signed 10 x 8 photograph of Ngor standing outdoors in a half length profile pose in costume as Dith Pran, embracing Sam Waterston, in costume as Sydney Schanberg, in a scene from The Killing Fields (1984). Signed by Ngor in bold purple ink with his name alone to the image. It was for their roles in this biographical drama film that Ngor won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar and Waterston was nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award. Signed photographs of Ngor are rare as a result of his murder at the age of 55. A couple of very light, extremely minor corner creases, otherwise EX
![[HITLER ADOLF]: (1889-1945) Fuhrer of the Third Reich 1934-45. HOFFMANN HEINRICH (1885-1957) German Politician & Publisher,](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/5e4b7819-bd77-43e1-a18c-a9af00bcfeb2/af81ab44-7205-47d1-9bd7-a9b300167f4b/468x382.jpg)
[HITLER ADOLF]: (1889-1945) Fuhrer of the Third Reich 1934-45. HOFFMANN HEINRICH (1885-1957) German Politician & Publisher, a member of Adolf Hitler’s intimate circle and the Fuhrer’s official photographer. A rare and unusual A.N.S., with his initials HH, to the verso of a postcard photograph featuring an image of Hitler, n.p. (Starnberg, Bavaria), n.d. (1926), to Adolf Hitler, in German. Writing in bold pencil, Hoffmann states, in full, ‘The newest portrait. Best wishes and Heil!’, evidently in reference to the image of the Fuhrer on the recto. Beneath Hoffmann’s note appear a further four signatures by other individuals closely associated with Hitler comprising Emil Maurice (1897-1972, German SS-Oberfuhrer, a founding member of the Schutzstaffel SS and Hitler’s first personal chauffeur), his girlfriend Ida Arnold, Franz Xaver Schwarz (1875-1947, German SS-Oberstgruppenfuhrer, National Treasurer of the Nazi Party during most of the NSDAP’s existence) and Lotte Bechstein (wife of Rudolf Pfeiffer-Bechstein, a member of the German family of piano manufacturers who were important early benefactors to Hitler). All have signed in bold pencil with the exception of Maurice who has signed his name in ink. Hand addressed by Hoffmann in pencil. A remarkable association piece and an intriguing group of signatures. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG The present postcard is of great interest for the connections that can be made through some of the signatories in relation to the romantic associations Adolf Hitler involved himself in during the late 1920s. Although Hitler’s sexuality has been the subject of scholarly and historical debate (as well as much speculation and rumour) for many years, it is accepted that the Fuhrer preferred the company of women much younger than himself, some of them teenagers. It is believed that Hitler made romantic advances towards Lotte Bechstein, one of the signatories on the postcard, although his affections at the time were more strongly directed towards Maria Reiter, a teenage German shop worker whom Hitler, aged 37, had dated following their introduction in Obersalzberg. According to the story Reiter provided to the German periodical Stern in 1959, Hitler had declared that he wanted to marry her and raise a family in the future, but at the time had a duty and mission to perform for the German nation. However, by 1927 the NSDAP headquarters began to receive anonymous letters accusing the Fuhrer of seducing a minor and Hitler distanced himself from the teenager. Reiter subsequently plunged herself into depression and attempted to take her own life. It came to light that the author of the letters was Ida Arnold, also a signatory on the present postcard. Arnold, the girlfriend of Emil Maurice, had invited Reiter for a coffee and skilfully extracted the information needed from her in order to give the letters some credibility. Hitler realised he was under enormous pressure and, as party leader, sought to avoid the threat of damaging revelations surfacing about his private life and requested that Reiter make a sworn statement denying having had any kind of relationship with him. Despite this, following Hitler’s rise to power in the 1930s he met Reiter on a couple of further occasions, again expressing his desire for her to become his lover, however she rejected his advances.
STAUFFENBERG CLAUS VON: (1907-1944) German Lieutenant Colonel of World War II, one of the central figures of the German Resistance movement within the Wehrmacht and a leading member of the failed 20 July plot of 1944 to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Stauffenberg was executed by firing squad shortly after the failed attempt known as Operation Valkyrie. A rare D.S., Stauffenberg, one page, 4to, Berlin, 23rd June 1944, in German. The partially printed document, completed in typescript, is a Leferplan (Delivery Schedule) issued by the High Command of the Army and lists four items including a telephone directory, stationery and accompanying envelopes for Rust and Fromm, as well as the required quantity of each, with a further urgent request for a hundred copies of the updated alarm schedule for the O.K.H. Signed by Stauffenberg at the foot in his capacity as Colonel. With various official ink stamps and two file holes to the left edge, not affecting the text or signature. Some light overall age wear and a few minor stains to the upper corners, about VG The present document was signed less than a month before Stauffenberg, one of the chief planners behind Operation Valkyrie, attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler inside his Wolf’s Lair field headquarters on 20th July 1944. The document is also noteworthy for its reference to Generaloberst Friedrich Fromm (1888-1945) who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Reserve Army and was a Knight’s Cross recipient. Claus von Stauffenberg was employed as Fromm’s Chief of Staff and although the Generaloberst was aware that Stauffenberg and some of his other subordinates were planning the 20 July plot he agreed to remain quiet about the fact in return for the opportunity of becoming a high ranking official in a new government. However, Fromm withdrew from having any further part in the conspiracy just days before 20th July and, following Stauffenberg’s failed assassination attempt, he attempted to arrest the plotters although was overwhelmed and confined to a jail cell. Fromm was later freed and subsequently held a Summary Court Martial of the soldiers at his Headquarters that had, at that point, been identified or suspected of being part of the failed operation (which had initially begun by forging Fromm’s signature). As the presiding official of the Summary Court Martial, Fromm condemned the officers to death and ordered their immediate execution by firing squad. Following the execution of the top plotters Fromm himself was arrested on 22nd July 1944 and placed in jail to await trial. It had become obvious to Nazi officials, including Joseph Goebbels, that Fromm had exerted his authority (despite Adolf Hitler’s specific orders to the contrary) and ordered the executions of his subordinates in order to silence them and avoid the risk of being implicated in the attempt to assassinate the Fuhrer. At the subsequent trial the court were unable to prove a direct association between Fromm and the 20 July plotters, however he was charged and convicted for cowardice before the enemy and sentenced to a military execution which took place on 12th March 1945.
HITLER ADOLF: (1889-1945) Fuhrer of the Third Reich 1934-45. An extremely rare D.S., A Hitler, in the form of an endorsement, being a signed cheque issued by Elisabeth Graber (?), the partially printed cheque, drawn on Copley’s Bank Limited, London, and dated 7th May 1937 is completed in Graber’s hand and made payable to Adolf Hitler for the sum of ‘Two pounds sterling’. Boldly signed by Hitler in black fountain pen ink to the verso and further countersigned beneath by several officials of the Reichsbank. The cheque bears a number of official ink stamps and cancellations made by the Reichsbank in Berlin and the overseas branch of the Midland Bank in London to the recto and verso, none of which affect Hitler’s signature and only lightly affecting the text and signature of Graber. Accompanied by a small oblong 12mo slip bearing red printed text issued by the overseas branch of the Midland Bank in London for Special Collection. Some very light, extremely minor creasing and age wear, otherwise VG On the same day that the present cheque was issued, 7th May 1937, the United Press reported that Hitler was called from his bed in the early hours to receive news of the worst disaster to German air transportation in history with the loss of the Hindenburg. The dictator was apparently stunned by the news and refused to comment formally. The world’s largest airship, the dirigible Hindenburg, had been destroyed by fire at 7.23pm on 6th May 1937 at Lakehurst Field in New Jersey. The present cheque was paid into a National Disaster Fund authorised by Hitler following the tragedy. It is of interest to note the address of Copley’s Bank Limited at Old Jewry in London as printed at the centre of the cheque. Old Jewry is situated in the historic and financial centre of England’s capital city and, following the Norman Conquest became a ghetto populated with Jews as William the Conqueror encouraged them to settle in his new domain. Just a few years after signing the present cheque Adolf Hitler, along with Hermann Goring, the commander-in-chief of the Luftwaffe, authorised the mass air attacks and bombing offensive against Great Britain, known as The Blitz. Many buildings and streets in the area close to Old Jewry were to be seriously damaged by the bombings. We can find no other record of a cheque bearing Hitler’s signature to be in existence and, as the Fuhrer famously did not maintain a bank account, any other possible cheque bearing his signature would also have to be in the form of an endorsement.
DISNEY WALT: (1901-1966) American Animator, Academy Award winner. A wonderful original bold pencil drawing signed by Walt Disney, to a feint ruled page contained in an 8vo notebook with plain green paper covers, the image depicting the head of Mickey Mouse, signed by Disney immediately below the drawing with his name alone. The notebook dates from November 1946 and contains several pages bearing pencil and ink notes in shorthand, compiled by the previous owner, journalist Sally Holloway, during various interviews etc., which she undertook, including one with Walt Disney at the Savoy Hotel in London on 19th November 1946. Holloway’s notes made at the interview, which she has also transcribed in longhand over four pages within the notebook, record that Disney arrived ‘grinning like a small, rather embarrassed boy’ as he was met by one of ‘the largest gatherings of pressmen ever to meet a Hollywood personality’. She also details the announcement that Disney was hoping to begin a production of Peter Pan early next year, the animator joking that ‘Peter is a very difficult person to get hold of you know’, Holloway further observing that ‘Critics howled when he s[ai]d t[ha]t Alice in Wonderland, wh is also on his list, wd probably have an Alice speaking American English’ and that Disney quipped ‘Well – can anyone tell me how to speak real English?....Everyone speaks a diff[erent] way’, also explaining that his staff of 900 would try to retain John Tenniel’s style as far as possible and further denying that he was not going to produce any more cartoons featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse (otherwise they would be divorced). Holloway also notes that Disney concluded his interview by stating that his trip to Ireland would start the following Friday and last two weeks during which time he hoped to get a sense of the atmosphere for a new leprechaun film but declined to provide any further details. Disney’s drawing appears to the right side of the centre pages of the notebook and is superbly executed and signed. There is some extremely minor, light show through from a blue crayon drawing to the verso in an unidentified hand, although clearly that of a juvenile – perhaps belonging to one of Holloway’s young children in an attempt to copy Disney’s own drawing. Authentic original drawings of Mickey Mouse signed by Disney are extremely rare and highly desirable and the present example is accompanied by exceptional provenance. Some light age wear to the notebook and a few creases to the paper covers, otherwise VG Sally Holloway (1926-2010) English Journalist, one of the first female news reporters to be employed by the BBC. Born Sylvia Gray (the name she also used during the earlier part of her career), the journalist reported on the V-E Day celebrations in London and was also one of a team of four who covered the 1948 London Olympics for the Press Association. In the early 1950s she married fellow reporter David Holloway and around the same time was recruited by the BBC’s news division to replace Audrey Russell, the only woman previously to hold a reporter’s job. She left the BBC in 1954, although maintained an interest and career in journalism for the rest of her life, writing a column for the News Chronicle and freelancing for The Observer and the BBC’s Woman’s Hour. Holloway’s obituary in The Daily Telegraph refers to her meeting and interviewing various personalities including Winston Churchill and Walt Disney. Whilst we have unfortunately been unable to locate a published copy of the interview Sally Holloway (or Sylvia Gray, as she would have been at the time) conducted with Walt Disney at the Savoy Hotel on 19th November 1946 there is an image of Disney accessible on the internet taken by photographer Bill Jones at the same event. Remarkably, Disney is almost certainly seen holding the present notebook and, seated at a circular table, the animator holds a pencil as he prepares to make a drawing in the notebook – almost without doubt the drawing of Mickey Mouse which he made for Sally Holloway and which is offered here at auction for the first time.
MARX BROTHERS THE: An excellent vintage signed 8 x 10 photograph by all three of the Marx Brothers individually, comprising Groucho, Harpo and Chico, the image depicting the comedy trio in full length poses together, each wearing their trademark costumes. Signed by each with their first names only, in bold dark fountain pen inks to clear areas of the background. As was customary, the photograph bears an inscription ('To Harry, Merrily yours') in the hand of a secretary to a clear area at the upper left of the image. Rare. A couple of very light, extremely minor corner creases, VG
HANCOCK TONY: (1924-1968) British Television and Radio Comedian. A good vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph of Hancock standing in a half length pose, in costume as Wally Pinner, holding a puppet of Mr. Punch in one hand, in a scene from The Punch and Judy Man (1963). Signed by Hancock in blue fountain pen ink to the image, largely across a darker area although reasonably legible. Signed photographs of this size and quality of Hancock are rare and desirable. A few very slight, minor creases to the corners and borders, otherwise VG
A rare set of 10 Victorian 19th century solid mahogany Arts & Crafts dining chairs. The long run to include 2 carvers and 8 standard chairs. Raised on square tapering legs united by pierced bow stretchers to front and upper peripheral stretcher. Overstuffed gold velour seats and upholstered shield shaped back rests under stunning arched carved top rails.ÿ Measures 110cms high x 46cms x 46cms / 118cms high ( standard ) x 66cms x 56cms ( carvers )
A RARE 19TH CENTURY MAHOGANY CASED BAGATELLE TABLE, stamped 'Thurston, 14 Catherine Street, London', the out folding top revealing a baise lined game interior, with nine natural and stained ivory balls, with numbered arch holes and timber divisions. 125 x 68 x 97cm high** Please note that this lot contains ivory and is subject to CITES regulations when exporting outside of the EU. The United States Government has banned the import of ivory into the USA.
Cased W R Pape, a rare example of a 13 bore hammerless hammerless side lock shotgun with 30 inch original Damascus barrels with engraved top rip W R Pape Newcastle-on-Tyne Winner of the London Gun Trials 1858, 1859, 1866 & 1875. The lock with engrave W R Pape name and elaborate scroll work detail, the top lever marked W R Pape's Patent with elaborate scrollwork, with thumb slide side safety and 14.5 inch straight through well figured walnut stock, serial no. 3563 (shotgun certificate required), in fitted leather case with W R Pape Trade Label, a glass G & J W Hawksley oil bottle, pull throughs, Hawksley horn handled screwdriver and a copy of W R Pape 1906 Trade Catalogue
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