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Lot 40
Jim Clark / Graham Hill Signed PresentationFeaturing an evocative period photograph of the Lotus F1 teammates (and best friends off the circuit), mounted alongside a souvenir programme cover and entry list page, featuring the signatures of both drivers. Mounted, framed and glazed to a high-standard. Rare autographs. 45x63cmOffered at No ReservePLEASE NOTE: All estimates are subject to a buyer's premium of 18.6% incl. VAT (@ 20%)
Lot 41
A Rare 'Bank on Super Shell' Advertising Poster, 1924Features striking pictorials of a pre-War racing car at great speed on the banked circuit of Brooklands, marked in pencil to the top corner '1924'. Some wear, discolouration and light tears. Professionally framed/glazed to a high-standard. Very rare original. 50x75cm.Offered at No ReservePLEASE NOTE: All estimates are subject to a buyer's premium of 18.6% incl. VAT (@ 20%)
Lot 54
A Rare Mille Miglia Double-Sided Enamel SignThis rare piece of motor racing ephemera is believed to date from the 1950s - a large, double-sided enamel route marker directional sign, with hanging chains, as originally used at the Mille Miglia Italian road-racing events of that period; the sign is double-sided and could be mounted either way around to point competitors in the right direction. A well-preserved example, retaining a good level of gloss, with some light enamel loss & chipping, primarily to the edges.Offered at No ReservePLEASE NOTE: All estimates are subject to a buyer's premium of 18.6% incl. VAT (@ 20%)
Lot 58
Mike Hawthorn / Peter Collins Signed PresentationFeaturing a period photograph of the 1958 Ferrari F1 teammates (and best friends off the circuit), mounted alongside driver profiles from a souvenir programme, hand-signed in pencil by both drivers who were killed in the late 1950s. Mounted, framed and glazed to a high-standard. Rare autographs. 31x45cmOffered at No ReservePLEASE NOTE: All estimates are subject to a buyer's premium of 18.6% incl. VAT (@ 20%)
Lot 65
Mike Hawthorn Signed ArtworkA caricature artwork by Sallon, depicting World Champion Mike Hawthorn carrying his trophies. Signed clearly in blue ink, mounted and framed/glazed to a high standard. A rare signature. 29x41cmOffered at No ReservePLEASE NOTE: All estimates are subject to a buyer's premium of 18.6% incl. VAT (@ 20%)
Lot 74
An Original Art-Deco Bugatti Advertising PosterA rare & highly evocative 'Bugatti - Automobiles Autorails' advertising poster, which features glorious full colour artwork by R Geri, depicting a red Type 57 Bugatti motorcar racing a French SNCF high-speed Bugatti train. The poster measures 67 x 102cm & is mounted for preservation. Offered in distressed, original condition, with fold lines and some fading.Offered at No ReservePLEASE NOTE: All estimates are subject to a buyer's premium of 18.6% incl. VAT (@ 20%)
Lot 1053
Three rare Mauchline ware whistles with scenes of "Old Man of the Mountain", "Interior of Burns Cottage", and "United States Capital, Washington", 2.75ins high, another similar of Dunkeld Wood, and two cylindrical whistles with applied paper scenes of "Berwyn" and "Berwyn Chainbridge Hotel", 4.25ins overall
Lot 1
WEISSMULLER JOHNNY: (1904-1984) American Actor, famous for his role as Tarzan in various movies. A rare vintage signed and inscribed 6 x 8 photograph by Weissmuller, the image depicting the swimming champion outdoors, standing on the deck of a boat, returning from Amsterdam after competing at the 1928 Summer Olympics. Weissmuller stands alongside his coach and few members of the US 1928 Olympic team wearing their swimsuits. Boldly signed in black ink (`Johnny Weissmuller´) across the image to a clear area. Individually signed above and beneath Weissmuller´s signature by all four members of the US team, comprising Walter Laufer, Helen Meany, Paul Wyatt and François d´Eliseu. The last adding a carefully written inscription to a Japanese delegation, thanking them for their help. The photograph has been neatly affixed to a slightly larger black cardboard. About VG £300-400Weissmuller won five Olympic gold medals for swimming and one bronze medal for water polo in the 1920´s. He was the first man to swim the 100 meter freestyle under one minute, won fifty-two U.S. national championships, set more than sixty world freestyle and backstroke records and was undefeated in official competition for the entirety of his competitive career. Weissmuller won two gold medals in the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. Walter Laufer (1906-1984) American swimmer. In the 1928 Olympics Laufer won a gold medal as a member of the winning U.S. team in the men's 4×200-meter freestyle relay, together with Weissmuller, and a silver medal in the 100 meter backstroke. Helen Meany (1904-1991) American Diver. Meany competed in three consecutive summer Olympics, 1920, 1924 and in 1928 in Amsterdam where she won the gold medal in the 3 meter springboard competition. Paul H. Wyatt (1907-1970) American competition swimmer. Wyatt won in the 1924 Paris Olympics a silver medal in the 100 meter backstroke event and four years later, in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, he won a bronze medal in the same distance and style.
Lot 111
WHO THE: An excellent, rare vintage signed 7 x 5 paper magazine photograph by all four members of the English Rock band. Individually signed by Roger Daltrey (1944- ), Pete Townshend (1945- ), John Entwistle (1944-2002) and Keith Moon (1946-78). The image depicting the band´s members standing outdoors, most of them in a head and shoulders pose. Signed by each in blue ink to clear areas of the image, one of the signatures partially run across darker areas. Matted in black, beneath an unsigned 7.5 x 5 colour photograph showing the four rock band musicians sleeping and covered by a British flag, to an overall size of 8 x 12 (20.5 x 30.5 cm). Complete signed photographs of The Who are rare following the untimely death of Keith moon at the age of 32. G £600-900
Lot 125
GAINSBOURG SERGE: (1928-191) French Singer, Songwriter, Poet, Composer, Actor and Director. Rare signed 8 x 12 colour photograph, the promotional Philips image depicting Gainsbourg in a profile head and shoulders pose, smoking. Signed by Gainsbourg in bold blue ink to the upper clear part of the photograph. A large good example signature. To the verso bearing a printed list of Gainsbourg´s recording with Philips. Very small corner creases. VG £200-300
Lot 129
LEONIDOV ILEANA: (1893-1968?) Born Elena Sergueievna Pissarevskaya. Russian Dancer, Ballet Director and former silent film Actress. A talented artist with an enigmatic life. Rare signed artistic 8 x 6 photograph by Giacomelli of Venice, the image depicting Leonidov kneeling in a full length pose. Signed in bold black ink to the lower mount, beneath the lightly affixed photograph, to an overall size of 10 x 13 (25.5 x 33cm). Photographer´s blind embossed seal to the lower right photograph and mount corners. Mount edges irregularly trimmed and two heavy creases to the photograph lower right corner. £80-100Elena Pisarevskaya was the daughter of Rear Admiral Sergey Pisarevsky, Head of the Black Sea Training Unit, a reliable and battletested Commander in the Russian fleet. Elena left Russia in the early 20th century shortly before revolutionary movements started and went on exile to Italy where she was acclaimed for her leading roles in many of the most important Italian silent films of that time. In 1922 she appears on her last film and starts her dancer career, becoming the head dancer of the Italian ballet, performing in the best European theatres such as Naples, Paris, Madrid, Buenos Aires, Vienna and Covent Garden in London. In 1928 she was at the head of the Ballet of the Rome Opera, but again had to leave Italy with the rise to power of Mussolini´s fascism. Many years after her name appears again when she is appointed Director of the National Ballet of Bolivia in 1951, and further in Ecuador and Peru. She would only return to Europe in 1966, two years before passing away. A whole life marked by emigration.
Lot 133
PAGANINI NICCOLO: (1782-1840) Italian Violinist and Composer. Rare D.S., Nicolo Paganini, being a signed receipt, Paris, 11th July 1838. The partially printed document, completed in another hand, in French, acknowledges the receipt of 3000 Fr from P. Dufour. With several ink strokes, serving as cancelations, partially running through the text and signature, Paganini´s signature remaining legible at the foot. Also bearing several annotations and cancellation to the verso. Some light overall age wear and two small, minor holes to the left and right edges. About VG £800-1200
Lot 134
ROSSINI GIOACCHINO: (1792-1868) Italian Composer. An exceptionally rare signed and inscribed 9.5 x 15 sepia photograph by Rossini, unusual in this very large size, the image depicting the Italian composer seated, in a three quarter length pose. Signed (`G. Rossini´) in bold dark fountain pen ink to the lower white border beneath an inscription in his hand (`Souvenir of friendship, offered to my young colleague Dominique Ducharme´) in French, and dated (`Passy de Paris, 15th August 1867´) also in his hand. An excellent signed photograph. Very small lighting to the lower white border, not affecting the signature. Professionally double matted in red and gold with a very rich and attractive classic frame, and glazed, to an overall size of 17 x 23 VG £2000-3000Dominique Ducharme (1840-1899) Canadian Pianist, Organist and music Educator. Ducharme studied for five years at the Conservatoire de Paris.
Lot 162
FRENCH COMPOSERS: A good selection of three A.Ls.S., by various French Composers, including GABRIEL FAURÉ (1845-1924) A.L.S., Gabriel Fauré, a bold and good signature, two pages, 8vo, Paris, 26th June 1915, on the National Conservatory printed stationery, to an unidentified composer, in French. Fauré states `I have been sincerely interested in your work, You entitle it "Free" Symphony although it is not necessary as it correspond to the accepted forms. If you would have the opportunity to perform it you might consider useful to amend few parts… It is quite rare that any of our works do not need improvements after an audition..´ With blank integral leaf. Accompanied by an original Musica magazine, published in February 1909, dedicated in full to Fauré, his life, his works, photographs, etc…; Napoleon Henri Reber (1807-1880) A.L.S., Henri Reber, two pages, 8vo, n.np., n.d., to A. Thomas, in French. Reber explains to his correspondent that he tries to meet him for eight days now, and that he doesn´t want to influence his decision, respects his views, although respectfully asks him to include his name on the list; André Messager (1853-1929) A.L.S., A Messager, to the front and verso of his personal oblong 8vo stationery card. A letter referring to war, WWI, stating `You must be glad, as I am, reading Miss Cecile Sorel opinion regarding Italy (Excelsior this morning).. The whip, or a kick to the ass, that is what they deserve. But even so the newspapers are guilty… I am deeply disgusted.´; Ernest Reyer (1823-1909) A.L.S., E. Reyer, two pages, 8vo. Referring to a performance delayed. With expenses annotations to the verso. VG, 5 £100-150Ambroise Thomas (1811-1896) French composer. Director of the Paris Conservatory 1871-96. Cécile Sorel (1873-1966) Countess of Ségur. French Actress. Known for her extravagant costumes.
Lot 176
GLAZUNOV ALEXANDER: (1865-1936) Russian Composer and music Teacher. He was the direct successor of most of the Group of five Russian composer´s legacy. Director of the Saint Petersburg Conservatory 1905-28, he left the Soviet Union in 1928 and never returned. His best-known student was Dmitri Shostakovich. A rare 8.5 x 11.5 signed and inscribed large card photograph, the image depicting the Russian composer seated in a half-length pose, playing his piano. Signed and inscribed by Glazunov in bold black fountain pen ink to a clear area of the image, stating `To the deeply sensitive and musical pianist, Liubov Nikolaevna Slavianova, from a sincere admirer of her talent and human qualities. Yours cordially, A. Glazunov.´ in Cyrillic, also dated beneath the inscription `Petrograd, 9th May 1917?´ in his hand. The photograph has been neatly affixed to a larger white card to an overall size of 11 x 14 (28 x 35.5 cm). Small overall, minor age wear, mostly to the edges, otherwise G to VG £800-1200
Lot 206
MONTEFIORE MOSES: (1784-1885) Baron Montefiore. British Banker, Activist and Philanthropist. He was elected Sheriff of London 1837-38. Rare A.L.S., Sir Moses Montefiore, one page, 8vo, Ramsgate, Kent, 10th July 1868, on his private printed stationery, to Mr. Lloyd. Montefiore, in the third person, states in full `Sir Moses Montefiore presents his compliments to Mr. Lloyd, and will have the pleasure of giving his proxy for the November 1868 Election at St. John´s School in favour of "W.A. Armstrong" in compliance with Mr- Lloyds´ request.´ With blank integral leaf. Very lightly affixed to a slightly larger card. Extremely small areas of paper loss to the integral leaf edges. F to G £400-600
Lot 217
JOHN PAUL II: (1920-2005) Pope of the Roman Catholic Church 1978-2005. A.L.S., with his initials J P II, as Pope, to the inside of an 8vo folding Easter greetings card, n.p. (Vatican City, Rome), 21st March (1989), to Grazyna, in Polish. The Pope writes to one of his friends and fellow countrymen, stating, in part, 'Thank you very much for your Easter wishes which I received from Danuta. I wish that our Lord, crucified and resurrected, will always be with you, and accompany you in your day to day life....' The Pope's letter is written to the left panel of the inside of the card and to the right panel appears a facsimile Biblical quotation, greeting, date and full signature of the Pope, with a gold printed Papal seal at the head. The colour printed cover of the card features a reproduction of a liturgical text and illustration from a Breviary owned by Ferdinand II of Aragon ('Ferdinand the Catholic') and contained in the Vatican Apostolic Library. Rare in this form. About EX £1000 - 1500The second longest serving Pope in modern history, Pope John Paul II is recognised as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland and eventually all of Europe. John Paul II significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Anglican Communion. One of the most travelled world leaders in history, John Paul II visited 129 countries during his pontificate. As part of his special emphasis on the universal call to holiness, he beatified 1,340 people and canonised 483 saints, more than the combined tally of his predecessors during the preceding five centuries. John Paul II was canonised on 27th April 2014 and is widely known to Catholics as Saint John Paul the Great.
Lot 226
CARMICHAEL STOKELY: (1941-1998) Trinidadian-American Activist. A prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement. Member of the Black Power Movement, Black Panther Party and leader of the All African People´s Revolutionary Party, & MAKEBA MIRIAM (1932-2008) South African Singer and Civil Rights Activist. Nicknamed "Mama Africa", and appointed U.N Goodwill Ambassadress. A rare signed 6 x 4 card by Carmichael and Makeba, the first sating `For the Liberation of all Oppressed People´. Individually signed by both in bold blue ink, and matted in black beneath a 5 x 5 photograph of Makeba, the image depicting her singing in a half length pose, to an overall size of 8 x 12 (20.5 x 30.5 cm). VG £80-100
Lot 230
WRIGHT WILBUR: (1867-1912) American Pioneer Aviator and Inventor. Credited, together with his brother Orville Wright, with inventing building and flying the first ever successful airplane. Rare signed 6 x 4 page by Wright (`5th November 1908, Wilbur Wright´), to the verso of a menu, in pencil. Matted in black beneath a 7 x 9 photograph of Wilbur Wright, the image showing the aviator in a head and shoulders pose, to an overall size of 12 x 16. VG £1500-2000
Lot 231
FONCK RENÉ: (1894- 1953) French Aviator, the top Allied Fighter Ace of World War I. An extremely rare vintage signed and inscribed sepia 6.5 x 4.5 photograph `R.Fonck´, the image depicting the fighter ace outdoors, standing in a full length pose wearing his uniform and medals, before his airplane. Signed and inscribed in black fountain pen ink to a light area of the image, stating `To my friend Coudumet. Souvenir of a great friendship.´ in French. Also dated November 1918 in his hand. Signed images of Fonck are rare and desirable. Small overall, minor age wear, extremely small creasing and two pinholes to corners not affecting the text or signature. G £600-900The present photograph was signed by Fonck during the Armistice celebration in November 1918, and is inscribed to a World War I soldier and friend.
Lot 232
BREGUET LOUIS: (1880-1955) French Aviator and Pioneer Aircraft Designer and Builder. An excellent and rare signed and inscribed 10 x 8 sepia photograph `Louis Breguet´, also signed by his brother `Jacques Breguet´, the image depicting Breguet outdoors, in a full length pose alongside his brother Jacques Breguet, Jacques Pelletier and an unidentified aviator, before a bomber plane. Signed and inscribed in bold dark blue ink to a clear area of the image, largely to the white lower border `To Monsieur Touzé, as a souvenir for the victory he has so usefully worked for.´, dated `New York, 8th October 1925´ in his hand. The victory Breguet refers to is the achievement of the bomber Breguet 19. Very small overall, minor age wear, otherwise VG £300-400Jacques Breguet (1881-1935) French Engineer and Industrialist. He worked with his brother Louis on many airplanes designs and on gyroplanes. Captain Georges Pelletier d´Oisy (1892-1953) French aviator and World War I ace. Pelletier made an attempt in 1924 to fly around the world in a Breguet 19, but ended crashing the airplane in China after 26 days and 10.580 miles covered.
Lot 248
JENNER EDWARD: (1749-1823) English Physician & Scientist, the pioneer of smallpox vaccine, the world's first vaccine. An extremely rare and significant manuscript notebook, unsigned, the tall 8vo bound volume compiled by Jenner, comprising over 100 pages of holograph text (and some original illustrations and diagrams), n.p., n.d. (c.1822/23), being Jenner's transcripts of contemporary scientific texts relating to meteorology. Jenner's notes explore the various aspects of contemporary meteorology, including the observations and discoveries of leading academics including William Falconer, Luke Howard and Thomas Forster and cover a wide variety of meteorological subjects from instrumentation ('a complete apparatus of meteorological instruments should include the Barometer, Thermometer, Hydrometer, Photometer, Athrioscope, Cynometer') through to the influence of flora and fauna ('Animal effluvia as well as vegetable are capable of being mixed with the air, and suspended in it. These are now generally esteemed to be the cause or source of fevers of the malignant or contagious kind'). The comprehensive notebook includes texts from various publications, essays and papers, a few extracts of which include - 'The analysis of the atmosphere is one of the finest discoveries of modern Chemistry. It appears to consist of two distinct expansible fluids contained in different proportions, a single portion of oxygen gas being united to three parts by weight, or four parts by bulk, of azote. There is also a very slight admixture of carbonic acid gas, accounting perhaps to a thousandth part of the whole', from the Supplement to the Encyclopaedia Britannica written by Sir John Leslie between 1815-24, 'The degree of pressure of the atmosphere upon the human body has not been exactly estimated, it having been computed from 31,000 to 42,000 pounds' weight. In the different states of the atmosphere his varies, the effects of these variations are not ascertained', from the 'Remarks on the Influence of Climate, Situation, Nature of Country, Population, Nature of Food, and Way of Life' by William Falconer (London, 1781), 'It is the frequent observation of the countenance of the sky, and of its connection with the present and ensuing phaenomena, that constitutes the antient and popular meteorology. The want of this branch of knowledge renders the predictions of the philosopher, who is attending only to his instruments less generally successful than those of the weather-wise mariner or husbandman', from the Philosophical Magazine, (Vol. XVI, London, 1803. Article XVIII), 'On the Modifications of Clouds, and on the Principles of their Production, Suspension and Destruction'; being the substance of an Essay read before the Askesian Society in the Session 1802-3, by Luke Howard, 'One of the principle uses of meteorology is, that it enables us to predict, in some measure, the ensuing changes of the weather. To do this accurately, a familiar acquaintance with the modification of the clouds, and indeed with all the operations which are going on above, appears necessary. When two or more contrary indications appear, the result must be deduced from those which ultimately prevail; & that when several agreeable signs appear, the event may be predicted with additional certainty…some animals express signs of uneasiness previous to an alteration of the weather long before there are any visible signs of a change. Dogs for instance become very drowsy & stupid before rain & their ears are sometimes found considerably inflamed….cats though in a less degree are affected in the same manner - and a leech, confined in a glass of water, has been found, by its rapid motions…to indicate fair or wet weather. Peculiarities in the electric state of the atmosphere may…affect the constitution of animals in the same manner as they appear to do ours, & thereby excite pleasurable or uneasy sensations', from the 'Researches about Atmospheric Phaenomena etc.' by Thomas Forster (London, 1813), 'In the formation of thunder storms I have noticed that when the rain actually begins to form and descend, the intensity of the blackness is not so great as where the cumulostratus is only going into a state of nimbus. If therefore the density is increased in the formation of drops of water, the blackness must depend on some other peculiarity of structure', from an article in 'The Philosophical Magazine' (Vol. XLI, London, 1813) written by Thomas Forster, 'To establish meteorology on a solid basis we should inquire into the extent and constitution of the medium we breathe and assist external observation by the different philosophical instruments which implicate at all times the exact condition and qualities of that mutable fluid', from the 'Treatise on Meteorology' by John Leslie in the Quarterly Journal of Science, Literature, and the Arts (Vol. XIV, Article X, London, 1823) 'White clouds on a grey ground, is one of the most certain indications of a mixture of two currents possessed of different constitutions. Storms are more sudden from the West points, in their commencement and are preceded by greater indications of commotion in the atmosphere, are attended with greater variations of the Barometer, are more squally in their progress, more partial in their extent and generally of less duration than those from an East point', from 'Remarks upon Meteorology; with a Specimen of a New Meteorological Table' by Dr.Bostock, as it appeared in 'A Journal of Natural Philosophy, Chemistry and The Arts' by William Nicholson (Vol. XXV, London, 1810), 'The limit, or boundary of the atmosphere terminates where the expansive force or power of the air, upwards, or from the Earth's surface is completely overcome by the force or power of gravitation downwards, or towards the Earth's surface, which is estimated at about 44 or 45 miles. It is computed that it would extend only to about 5 ½ miles in height if it were so compressed, that its density throughout should equal its degree of density near the surface of the Earth', from an essay 'On the Barometer' by Richard Walker of Oxford, published in 'The Philosophical Magazine' by Alexander Tilloch (Vol. XL, July - December 1812). On two pages at the centre of the journal there can be found Jenner's grey & black water colour depictions of cloud types, faithfully rendered in the style of the originals as they appear in Luke Howard's On the Modification of Clouds (1803). A third original illustration has been neatly excised from its page. Bound in the original, plain dark cloth boards (some light staining and age wear) and with a pencil ownership signature and address to the front free endpaper of a Miss Perkins & Dr Perry of 3 Priory Street, Everton. Some light staining and age wear throughout, the text however completely legible and not significantly affected in any way. Generally G £15000 - 20000A fascinating and remarkable meteorological record compiled by Jenner for his personal reference. Jenner's interest in meteorology is not well documented, however, it would undoubtedly have been a subject of great importance to him in association with his experimentation with ballooning and his studies of bird migration. The present notebook offers a unique insight into the aspects of meteorology he most desired to understand. Jenner is frequently referred to as the 'father of immunology' and his work is said to have saved more lives than the work of any other human. A member of the Royal Society, in the field of zoology he was the first person to describe the brood parasitism of the cuckoo. In 2002 Jenner was named in the BBC's list of the 100 Greatest Britons.
Lot 256
TSIOLKOVSKY KONSTANTIN: (1857-1935) Russian Scientist. A Pioneer of the astronautic theory, considered one of the founding fathers of rocketry. Rare A.L.S., K. Tsiolkovsky, two pages, n.p., n.d., in Cyrillic. The document being part of a scientific content text related to multistage space rockets, with mathematical formulas and reasoning by Tsiolkovsky, stating in part `...counting the last space rocket train as the first one. Then the ordinal number will be y and we obtain: у + х = п1 + 1.´ further saying `Excluding the x from the equation (25) with the help of this equation, we obtain: (Long formula), With this, we have proved that by counting the trains in reverse, additional speed does not depend on the total number of rockets п1 train, but only on their reverse order (y).´ Tsiolkovsky concludes this reasoning with a statement `The idea of space rocket trains opens up vast horizons. Its realization makes the conquest of the solar space so real that it takes one's breath away.´ and further again returns to formulas stating `Let's go back to the calculations: We make a table frame by which means it will be easy to calculate the speed of each individual train and the highest full speed...´ A letter of excellent content. Overall age wear and a water stain to the left border, affecting only few words and not the signature, although the whole text remaining perfectly legible. G £600-900Space Rocket Trains (1929) is one of Tsiolkovsky´s main works, proposing the construction of multistage rockets.
Lot 286
PICASSO PABLO: (1881-1973) Spanish Painter. An extremely rare three colour proof for artist or printer of Portrait de Jacqueline ("Jacqueline´s Portrait") by Picasso, 12th April 1956, signed and inscribed by Picasso to the bottom left corner to his friend and artist Manfredo Borsi `Pour mon cher Borsi, son ami, Picasso´ ("to my dear Borsi, his friend, Picasso"). The present copy being almost certainly one of the proofs for artist or printer done in 1956, offered to his colleague, and therefore do not bear the number of the one hundred numbered lithographs signed by the artist. The three colour drawing being black, blue and brown. The signature and inscription being in red pencil, the first underlined in red and blue pencil. The present document size being in full 19.8 x 26,1, (50,2cm x 66,4cm), while the drawing portrait and date sizes are 15.3 x 20.4, (39cm x 52cm). VG £8000-12000 Portrait de Jacqueline ("Jacqueline´s Portrait") is a lithograph by Picasso, done in Cannes, on 4th December 1956. Portrait de Jacqueline was initially intended as a poster for the Picasso exhibition "Un demi siècle de livres illustrés" ("Half a century of picture books") at the Matarasso Gallery in Nice, 21st December 1956 to 31st January 1957. At the last moment, Picasso started over and executed a second magnificent three colour portrait of Jacqueline. Picasso worked right side out in lithographic crayon on three zincs which Matarasso brought to him. The run was executed on an offset press in Marseille, which explains why the image and the date are right reading, whereas in a non-offset lithograph run the printing would be reversed. A few proofs were done for the artist and printer in various colours. A hundred impressions of the lithograph Portrait de Jacqueline numbered and signed by Picasso were issued. Jacqueline Roque (1927-1986) Second wife of Picasso 1961-73 until the artist´s death. Jacqueline Picasso killed herself by gunshot in 1986 when she was 59 years old. A muse and source of inspiration of Picasso who created over 400 portraits of her. Pablo Picasso met Jacqueline in Vallauris, French Riviera, in 1953, she was 26 years old and he was 72. He romanced her by drawing a dove on her house in chalk and bringing her one rose a day until she agreed to date him six months later. They married in 1961. It is likely that Picasso's series of paintings derived from Delacroix´s The Women of Algiers was inspired by Roque. The artist commented that `Delacroix had already met Jacqueline´. After Picasso's death in 1973, Françoise Gilot, Pablo´s companion 1943-53, and mother of his two children, contested the will in favour of Roque on the grounds that Picasso was mentally ill. Provenance, the present document was offered by Picasso to his friend Manfredo Borsi in 1957 during a visit of the last to Picasso in Vallauris, and has been kept since by Borsi´s wife family Bianca Valentini Borsi, belonging today to her sister by inheritance. Manfredo Borsi (1900-1967) Italian Painter, Ceramicist and Lithographer. Borsi was graduated in the Florence academy of Arts, specialized in enamel ceramics. Borsi met Picasso in the 20´s in Paris and both became friends. Both moved to the south of France, Picasso to Vallauris, while Borsi moved to St Paul de Vence. Accompanied by a certificate issued and signed by Claude Picasso confirming that the lithograph is authentically signed and inscribed by Picasso. IAA Europe are indebted to Salvador Bonet, Archive Information Officer of the Museum and Natal House of Pablo Ruiz Picasso, and to their Archive Department for their assistance with the present lot.
Lot 299
VOSTELL WOLF: (1932-1998) German Painter and Sculptor. A pioneer of Happening and Fluxus. A rare and attractive signed and inscribed 14,5 x 21 abstract drawing by Vostell, the large folio work depicting an aerial view of the Palace of the Kings of Navarre of Olite. Signed `Vostell´ to the lower right corner, also dated 23rd October 1990, in his hand. Inscribed in Spanish `To Sebastia and Conchita of Girona´. The German artist has also added an annotation in an artistic way, stating `Madame du Barry, dreaming about a night at the Olite Palace!´ also in Spanish. A very artistic bold black ink drawing. Folded, with very small remnants of former mounting to the four corners verso, otherwise VG £800-1200The Palace of the Kings of Navarre of Olite was begun around the 13th century. At one time it was regarded as one of the most beautiful palaces in Europe, but was later abandoned and burned in 1813 to prevent it from falling into the hands of the French. Countess du Barry (1743-1793) Jeanne Beçu, was the last mistress of King Louis XV of France. Known for her great beauty and extravagant dresses. She was beheaded during the Reign of terror following the French Revolution.
Lot 332
SCHILLER FRIEDRICH: (1759-1805) German Poet and Philosopher. An extremely rare D.S., v Schiller, one page, oblong 8vo, Jena, 21st July 1804, in German. The document is a receipt issued by Schiller to the library of the University of Jena, and refers to the book `Juliani J. Caesares cum adnotat. Liebe & Heusinger´ annotated `Imperat. 0.30.´ in another hand and Schiller adding the word `accepit´ above his signature. Some overall foxing, not affecting the clarity of the text or signature, G £4000 - 5000The exact title of the work Schiller refers to is 'Juliani Imperatoris Caesares, cum integris adnotationibus aliquot doctorum virorum et selectis Ezech. Spanhemi interpretatione item latina et gallica additis imperatorum nummis ex instituto et bibliotheca Christiani Sigism. Liebe. Accedit Sponii Dissertatio de usu nummorum in physiognomia, et vita Juliani. Recensuit cim codice M.S. Augustano editisque omnibus contulit variantes lectiones observationes et indices adiecit. Joh. Mich. Heusinger. Gotha 1736', housed in the library of the University of Jena. Schiller borrowed that book during his stay in Jena between 19th July and 19th August, most probably in the course of his studies on Agripina. Schiller is widely considered as one of the greatest German poets in history and the second most important playwright in Europe after William Shakespeare. During the last seventeen years of his life (1788-1805), Schiller struck up a productive, if complicated, friendship with the already famous and influential Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Schiller's An die Freude ('Ode to Joy') of 1785 became the basis for the fourth movement of Beethoven's ninth symphony, one of the best known works in classical music and one of the most performed symphonies in the world. Beethoven's tune (but not Schiller's words) were adopted as the Anthem of Europe in 1972.
Lot 344
HUGO VICTOR: (1802-1885) French Poet and Novelist. Rare signed and inscribed sepia 2.5 x 4 cabinet photograph by Hugo. The Carjat & Cie Paris image depicting the French poet standing, in a three quarter length formal pose. Signed `To M. C. Caragnel, his friend Victor Hugo´ in bold black ink to the lower white border of the photograph. VG £1500-2000
Lot 35
PASOLINI PIER PAOLO: (1922-1975) Italian Film Director, Poet and Writer. Rare signed and inscribed 5 x 3 card by Pasolini. Signed in bold blue ink `To Jack, Pier Paolo Pasolini´, the card bearing also to the left lower corner a 1 x 1.5 portrait photograph of Pasolini affixed by a collector. VG £200-300
Lot 36
DASSIN JULES: (1911-2008) American film Director. Unusual A.L.S., Jules, four pages, 8vo, Athens, 27th July 1980, to Carine Rueff. A lengthy love letter to his correspondent which he entitles `Who has been loved more than my Carine´, and stating in part `I have decided to let my heart sing because this gift that came to me in this late autumn is so beautiful, so rare, so full of spring… If I am like the immortal drunk who died trying to embrace the moon in the yellow river..´ Dassin further writes in a poetic way about a fantasy full of symbols related to his new behaviour and his thoughts, and further again says `My Carine, with this story I will end this letter because sad thoughts have gathered and are waiting to be heard. I´ll put them off… Forgive me my love for writing in English. It embarrasses me to go to the French dictionary for correct spelling and gender!´ and concludes `I yield to one sad thought. My love, do not ask me about the day. Do not invite me to sunny beaches or shaded walks. I will come when I can. And my heart has stopped singing because I cannot say it will be sooner. I love you..´ Accompanied by the original letter, post-stamped, addressed in Dassin´s hand. VG £100-150
Lot 39
FILM DIRECTORS: A good selection of signed 5 x 7 photographs, few larger (2) and some smaller (3), by various film directors, most French, comprising Claude Chabrol (1930-2010), Luc Besson, Ken Loach (signed to the verso), a rare autograph by Just Jaeckin director of Emmanuelle, Michael Radford, Arnaud Desplechin, Claude Pinoteau, Emir Kusturika, Alexandre Aja and Etienne Chatilliez. All are signed in bold ink to clear areas of the images. VG £80-100
Lot 414
TURGENEV IVAN: (1818-1883) Russian Novelist and Playwright. Extremely rare vintage signed cabinet photograph by Wesenberg & Co. of Saint Petersburg, the image depicting Turgenev in a formal semi profile half length pose. Signed `I. Turgenev´ in bold black fountain pen ink to a clear area of the image, in Cyrillic. Photographer´s imprint to the verso, in Cyrillic. “Wesenberg & Co., Saint Petersburg, Voznesensky Avenue nº 32”. Very small overall, minor age wear, and extremely small stains, otherwise VG £2500-3500A very unusual autograph, Turgenev signing with his name, opposed to his regular signature.
Lot 421
NABOKOV VLADIMIR: (1899-1977) Also known as Vladimir Sirin. Russian-American Novelist. Well known for his most noted novel Lolita (1955). Rare A.L.S., `V. Nabokoff´, twice, to the front and verso, one page, to the reverse of a German postcard, Berlin, 24th December 1935, to D. Roche, in French. Nabokov thanks his correspondent for his letter and states in part `.. I like white Christmas because they make any city look like St. Petersburg. As soon as Despair (in Cyrillic) will be published you will of course get a copy. My editor promised it would be ready for Christmas, but you the price of editors´ promises..´ Addressed to the front in Nabokov´s hand, adding his name as sender. VG £1000-1500Denis Roche, French translator of Nabokov´s works. Despair (1936) Otchayanie. Originally published serially in Russian during 1934, it was further published as a book in 1936, and translated to English by the author in 1937. Most copies of the 1937 English edition were destroyed by German bombs during World War II, only a few copies remain.
Lot 427
MENGELE JOSEF: (1911-1979) German Schutzstaffel (SS) Officer and Physician in the Nazi Concentration Camp Auschwitz during World War II. Rare fountain pen ink full signature `Josef Mengele´ on a very small oblong 12mo piece neatly clipped from an official document. Matted in black beneath a photograph of Mengele in a profile head and shoulders pose, and above a brief printed biography. Framed and glazed in a silver coloured wooden frame to an overall size of 9 x 13.5. VG £500-800
Lot 438
MOMORO ANTOINE-FRANÇOIS: (1756-1794) French Printer, Bookseller and Politician during the French Revolution. Momoro is the originator of the French Republic motto `Liberté-Egalité-Fraternité´. Guillotined. A rare L.S., Momoro, one page, small 4to, Paris, 15th January 1794, to the President of the Electoral Assembly, in French. Momoro accepts his correspondent's proposal to become a member of the Electoral Assembly and states `I have forwarded to the General Prosecutor my acceptance to the post of member of the department. I inform the Electoral Assembly about this and report that I will not be able to attend the assembly meeting today.´ Countersigned at the foot by citizen Leblanc (in whose hand the text of the letter is written) who also accepts the appointment. A boldly penned and attractive letter. Some extremely minor age wear to the edges, VG £300 - 400Momoro was condemned to death by the Revolutionary Tribunal and guillotined at the young age of 37 on 24th March 1794, a little over two months after the present letter was written. Upon hearing the sentence of the Revolutionary Tribunal Momoro loudly responded `You accuse me, who has given everything for the Revolution! ´ Somewhat forgotten today by historians, Momoro was, however, an important figure in the Cordeliers Club and in Hébertisme. As the originator of the phrase Unité, Indivisibilité de la République; Liberté-Egalité-Fraternité ou la mort', one of the mottos of the French Republic, his contribution to French history is in no doubt.
Lot 439
MARAT JEAN PAUL: (1743-1793) French Political Theorist, Scientist and radical Journalist during the French Revolution, advocating for basic human rights for the poorest, and publishing on his periodical L´Ami du Peuple (“The People´s Friend”). Marat was assassinated in 1793 and became a revolutionary martyr to the Jacobins. Rare A.N.S., `Marat l´ami du Peuple´, on both sides of a clipped 12mo piece, Paris, January 1790, to Miss Victoria to the verso, in French. To the front clipped piece Marat states `..who denounced me at your assembly - who is the author of the letter… `[M]arat l´ami du Peuple.. January 1790. - de Ste Marguerite. F.S.A´. To the verso Marat´s hand written text states `Miss Victoria, good evening, and to my friends, I kindly ask you to give a payment on account of 81 Pounds to..´. An interesting document, Marat addiing alongside his signature `L´Ami du Peuple´, identifying himself as the people´s friend, the name of his newspaper, only founded three months earlier. F £800-1200On September 1789, Marat began his own newspaper, entitled first Publiciste Parisien (“Parisian Publicist”), before changing its name few days after to L´Ami du Peuple ("The People's friend"). From this newspaper, he often attacked the most influential and powerful groups in Paris, including the Commune and ministers. In January 1790, date of the present document, he moved to the radical Cordeliers section, then under the leadership of Danton. He was nearly arrested for his aggressive attacks against Jacques Necker, Louis XVI´s Finance Minister, and was forced to flee to London.
Lot 442
DANTON GEORGES: (1759-1794) Leading figure of the French Revolution and first President of the Committee of Public Safety. Danton voted for the death of Louis XVI in 1793. Guillotined by the advocates of revolutionary terror. Rare D.S., Danton, one page, folio, Paris, 10th September 1792, in French. The document being a decree issued by the Provisional Executive Committee, signed by Danton in his capacity as President of the recently created committee, and stating `In execution of the 13th November 1791 law, the commissars of the National Treasury will grant the payment of the expenses, ascending to eighteen millions and three hundred and thirty seven thousand and four hundred and seventy two pounds, for the purchase of gold and silver done by the National Treasury in foreign countries, including the period from February to first of September of the present year.´ The document is dated `Paris, the tenth September 1792, fourth year of the freedom and first of the equality.´ The document is countersigned at the base by the six commissars, members of the National Treasury Committee comprising Dutramblay, Devaines, De la Fontaine, Savalette, Lermina and Gaudin. The last would later be appointed Finance Minister under Napoleon I. A very interesting Revolutionary date document. Some overall, minor age wear, with a very small tear to the lower edge, otherwise VG £2000-3000Danton acts as President of the Provisional Executive Committee, holding therefore the executive power for a very short period of one month immediately after the fall of King Louis XVI. On 10th August 1792, only 30 days before the present letter was signed, the popular forces marched on the Tuileries ending with the French monarchy the day after. With the fall of the King, the six existing ministers created the 12th August 1792 the Provisional Executive Committee in charge of converting into law the decrees approved by the citizens representatives. Danton was also appointed Minister of Justice on 10th August 1792, holding the post only until 9th October same year. The present document was signed by Danton during that very short period of two months. The National Treasury Committee was at the time of the present letter in charge of granting the transfer from the past fiscal regime to the new revolutionary system.
Lot 448
TALLEYRAND-PÉRIGORD CHARLES MAURICE DE: (1754-1838) French Diplomat and Statesman. Prime Minister of France July-September 1815. A rare D.S., Ch. Mau. Talleyrand, the document being a signed cheque, New York, 23rd May 1795. The partially printed cheque, completed in Talleyrand´s hand, is drawn on the Bank of New-York for the sum of $25. The cheque being payable to the bearer shows a large ink cross across the document and an ink stain to the upper edge, the ink cross affecting only partially Talleyrand´s signature. No bank cancellations. Irregularly trimmed edges and some overall staining, about G £300-400Talleyrand left Paris for England just at the beginning of the September 1792 massacres. The National Convention issued a warrant for his arrest in December 1792. In March 1794, King George III orders his expulsion and he is forced to leave the country by Pitt´s expulsion order. He went to the neutral United States where he stayed until his return to France in September 1796. During his stay, he supported himself by working as a bank agent.
Lot 455
LANNES JEAN: (1769-1809) Marshal of France. Duc de Montebello. One of Napoleon's most daring and talented generals and personal friend of the Emperor. Rare A.L.S., Lannes, one page, 4to, Lisbon, 8th January 1804, to his father-in-law, François Scholastique, Count of Guéhéneuc, in French. Lannes sends a note to his correspondent recommending a Portuguese important person travelling to Paris, and stating `I recommend to you my friend monsieur Castello Blanco, nephew of monsieur Da Cruz, a respectable man. If he needed your help, I kindly ask you to do all necessary to be useful to him..´ With integral addressee leaf and watermark. Some extremely light, minor age wear to the edges, about VG £1500-2000In 1801 Napoleon I appointed Lannes as ambassador to Portugal and in 1804, shortly after the present letter date, he was created Marshal of France. A year later he would lead the left part of the Grande Armée at Austerlitz.
Lot 471
NAPOLEON I: (1769-1821) Emperor of France 1804-14, 1815. An extremely rare L.S., Nap, one page, 4to, Moscow, 5th October 1812, to the Duc de Feltre, Minister of war, in French. Napoleon sends an urgent order from Moscow, and states in full, ´Monsieur le Duc de Feltre, the 500 mills that I have requested must reach the station. By military cartage they will never arrive in time to be of any use for us. I pray God to keep you under his saintly protection ' With the small 12mo original holograph note of receipt neatly pinned to the lower left corner. A letter of good content. Some extremely light, minor age wear, VG £5000 - 8000The French Invasion of Russia began on 24th June 1812 when Napoleon's Grande Armee crossed the Neman River in an attempt to engage and defeat the Russian army. Napoleon entered Moscow in September, just a few weeks before the present letter was written, although there was no delegation to meet the Emperor. The Russians had evacuated the city, and the city's governor, Count Fyodor Rostopchin had ordered the city to be burnt. Napoleon's hopes had been set upon a victorious end to his campaign, but victory in the field did not yield him victory in the war. The loss of Moscow did not compel Alexander I to sue for peace, and both sides were aware that Napoleon's position grew worse with each passing day. After a month, concerned about the loss of control back in France, Napoleon and his army left and the campaign effectively ended on 14th December 1812, with the last French troops leaving Russian soil. The campaign was the decisive turning point in the Napoleonic Wars and the reputation of the Emperor had been severely shaken. Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military and political leader, rose to prominence during the French Revolution and, as Napoleon I, served as Emperor of the French from 1804-14, and again in 1815. Napoleon dominated European and global affairs for more than a decade while leading France against a series of coalitions in the Napoleonic Wars. He was victorious in most of these wars and the vast majority of his battles, building a large empire that ruled over continental Europe before its final collapse in 1815. One of the greatest commanders in history, Napoleon's political and cultural legacy has ensured his status as one of the most celebrated and controversial leaders in history.
Lot 482
RUSSIAN IMPERIAL ROMANOV FAMILY: An exceptionally rare multiple signed 8vo feint ruled page by Romanov family members, sixteen signatures in total, dated Reval 8th & 9th June 1908. An excellent set of bold black ink signatures including the seven members of the Emperor Nicholas II family, all of them assassinated in Yekaterinburg in 1918. NICHOLAS II (1868-1918) Emperor of Russia 1894-1917. Signed ('Nicky'), a rare example of the Tsar's English signature using his family name. ALEXANDRA FEODOROVNA (1872-1918) Empress Consort of Russia 1894-1917. Signed (`Alix´), originally known as Alix of Hesse and by Rhine. MARIA FEODOROVNA (1847-1928) Mother of Tsar Nicholas II and Empress of Russia 1881-1894 as spouse of Tsar Alexander III. Signed with her family name `A[unt] Minny´. MICHAEL ALEXANDROVICH (1878-1918) Youngest brother of Tsar Nicholas II. In 1899, and after his brother George passed away, Michael became the heir presumptive. OLGA ALEXANDROVNA (1882-1960) Grand Duchess of Russia, the youngest sister of Tsar Nicholas II. Signed (`Olga A.´) OLGA CONSTANTINOVA (1851-1926) Daughter of Grand Duke Constantine Nikolaevich. Queen of Greece 1867-1913 as spouse of King George I of Greece, and Regent of Greece in 1920. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is her grandson. OLGA NIKOLAEVNA (1895-1918) Grand Duchess of Russia, the eldest daughter of the Tsar and Tsarina. TATIANA NIKOLAEVNA (1897-1918) Grand Duchess of Russia. Daughter of the Tsar and Tsarina. MARIA NIKOLAEVNA (1899-1918) Grand Duchess of Russia. Signed (`Marie´). Daughter of the Tsar and Tsarina. ANASTASIA NIKOLAEVNA (1901-1918) Grand Duchess of Russia, the youngest daughter of the Tsar and Tsarina. Signed (`Anastasia´) only a week before her seventh birthday. ALEXEI NIKOLAEVICH (1904-1918) Tsarevich of Russia, the youngest child and only son of the Tsar and Tsarina. A rare ink scrawlby the three years old, close to four, child, adding his initial (`A´), being his sister Princess Olga the one who completed his name on his behalf. PETER ALEXANDROVICH OF OLDENBURG (1868-1924) First husband of Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna. Known as “Petia”. Peter of Oldenburg married Olga Alexandrovna in 1901, an unexpected wedding by family and friends, as Peter had shown no prior interest in women, and members of society assumed he was homosexual. At the age of 19, Olga married 33-year-old Peter. After the celebration the newlyweds left for the Oldenburg palace where Olga spent her wedding night alone in tears, while her husband left for a gambling club returning the next morning Their marriage remained unconsummated. In 1916, Tsar Nicholas II officially annulled the marriage between Duke Peter Alexandrovich and the Grand Duchess, allowing her to marry Colonel Kulikovsky. STOLYPIN PIOTR (1862-1911) A rare signature of Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs 1906-11. Chairman of the Council of Ministers. Widely considered one of the last major statesmen of Imperial Russia. Stolypin was shot on September 1911 while attending a performance of Rimsky-Korsakov´s The Tale of Tsar Saltan at the Kiev Opera House in the presence of the Tsar and his two daughters, the Grand Duchesses Olga and Tatiana. ALEXANDER BENCKENDORFF (1849-1917) Russian Count and Diplomat. He served as Ambassador to Denmark and the United Kingdom. To the verso appear twenty five additional signatures including John Fisher (1841-1920), 1st Baron Fisher, Admiral of the fleet; Percy Noble (1880-1955) Royal Navy officer serving in both world wars; Colin Keppel (1862-1947) British Admiral and Extra Equerry to four Kings; Gavin Hamilton (1872-1952) 2nd Baron Hamilton of Dalzell. Scottish politician, etc… About EX £10000-15000 Provenance: The present page originates from an album of signatures collected by Princess Victoria (1868-1935), daughter of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. The signatures were obtained by the Princess when she encountered her cousin and his family whilst on vacation in Reval (the name of the modern day Tallinn, capital of Estonia, until 1918). Autographs of all of the Romanov family on a single item are extremely rare in any form. American Book Prices Current record only two items signed by multiple members of the Romanov family. This being one of them. The present signatures are illustrated in the book ‘In the Presence of History - The Authoritative Guide to Historical Autographs for Collectors, History Enthusiasts and Investors' by Steven Raab & Jonas Raab with Nathan Raab, and the authors, previous owners of the signatures, recounted their acquisition of Princess Victoria’s album, `Another time, we found that English dealer of long acquaintance had an autograph album that had been kept by Princess Victoria, daughter of King Edward VII. There were scores of large pages, a few thousand signatures, and virtually every royal house in Europe from about 1890-1925 was represented. Entire royal families, each with their own page or two, plus some groups interestingly mixed, jumped off the sheets, but one page struck me immediately – the entire family of the Tsar had signed, including Anastasia and the rest of his children. This was not merely a rarity – it was al-together unique and we couldn´t believe our eyes. We bought the album and lovingly researched it; many a time I´ve wished I had it back”.
Lot 489
CATHOLIC MONARCHS: ISABELLA I OF CASTILE (1451-1504) Queen of Castile 1474-1504 & FERDINAND II OF ARAGON (1452-1516) King of Aragon 1479-1516 & as Ferdinand V King of Castile 1475-1504. Known as the Catholic Monarchs, they ruled jointly over the Kingdoms of Castile, Leon, Aragon and Sicily 1475-1504. They are recognized for laying the foundations for the political unification of Spain, and also for completing the Reconquista as well as their support and financing of Christopher Columbus´ voyage of 1492 which led to the opening of the New World. Rare L.S., unusual in this form, individually signed by the King and Queen `Yo el Rey´ and `Yo la Reyna´, one page, oblong 4to, Medina del Campo, 30th July 1497, to Alonso Ramirez de Villaescusa, in old Castilian. The document being a letter, sent as stated to the verso, by the King and Queen, to Alonso Ramirez de Villaescusa stating `Don Alonso Ramirez de Villaescusa, our royal representative in the town of Valladolid, we have read your letter, and what you explain regarding Francisco de Santiesteban presence in town while the Count of Ribadeo is absent. Let him remain there...until we give order on this matter as may redound to our service..´ Countersigned “By the order of the King and Queen” by Juan de la Parra. An extremely small hole to the left border not affecting the text or signatures, otherwise VG £3000-4000Alonso Ramirez de Villaescusa (1450-?) Royal Corregidor of the Kingdom and author of the 1493 work “Espejo de corregidores y jueces” a manual for corregidores and judges. Count of Ribadeo was the municipal Councilor of Valladolid.
Lot 501
HENRY II OF FRANCE: (1519-1559) King of France 1547-59. Rare D.S., Henry, one page, oblong 4to, vellum, irregularly trimmed to the right border, Melun, 1549, to Gabriel Dargon, in French. The letter being a patent title given to Gabriel Dargon son of Baron Dargon, a nobleman from the French Royal Court House. Countersigned by the King´s secretary. Overall creasing and right border partially trimmed affecting part of the written text but not affecting the King´s signature. F to G £400-500Henry II suffered an untimely death in a jousting tournament. Surgeons were unable to cure the infected wound inflicted by the captain of his Scottish Guard.
Lot 502
CATHERINE DE´MEDICI: (1519-1589) Queen consort of France 1547-59, as spouse of King Henry II. Catherine de Medici saw during her life time three of her sons becoming Kings of France, Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III. Rare L.S., Catherine, one page, folio, n.p., n.d., in old French. The carefully written document being the last page of a notary document. Signed by Catherine de´Medici in bold black ink beneath the text. Also bearing two additional unidentified signatures. One line contemporary annotation the verso. Small overall, minor age wear to the edges and two extremely small holes not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG £500-600
Lot 503
CHARLES IX: (1550-1574) King of France 1560-74. Son of King Henri II and Catherine de´Medici. Charles IX died at the very early age of 23. Extremely rare D.S., Charles, as King, to a large 23 x 13 vellum, Fontainebleau, 11th March 1563, in old French. The document refers to a Royal loaning accepted by his father King Henri II in 1556, for the amount of 50.000 écus in gold received from Spain-Italy, paid in Venice and Piedmont, including a part of 10.000 écus given by André Regniery which will get now this amount back plus interest to a total of 14.469 écus. The present document is signed by a young 13 years old King Charles IX, attending his first council Royal Council accompanied by his mother, Catherine de´Medici, acting in her capacity as Queen Regent and Governor of France. The document states in part `The King having attended his first council, also attended by the Queen his mother, Cardinals of Bourbon, De Guise and Strozzi, the Duke of Montpensier Prince of Mantua, Sir de Boissy grand-squire of France, Bishops of Orléans and Valence, and the Secretary of State Jacques Bourdin sieur o Vilaines…´ Countersigned by Bourdin. To the verso bearing several annotations from the Royal Treasurery secretaries. An excellent content document. Overall creasing and toning, otherwise G £500-600Jacques Bourdin (15?-1576) Minister Secretary of State in charge of the Swiss and Italy affairs.
![[KING LOUIS XV OF FRANCE]: King of France 1715-74. A rare printed original pamphlet, four pages, 4to, Versailles, 15th March](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/db08fd8d-41b2-4bb0-86c0-a7690140d7e7/2955b091-47b9-4eb9-c870-4a1de1b6addc/468x382.jpg)
Lot 504
[KING LOUIS XV OF FRANCE]: King of France 1715-74. A rare printed original pamphlet, four pages, 4to, Versailles, 15th March 1744, being the War Declaration order by the King of France Louis XV against the King of England George II. Printed in French and German to each page, with printed signature of the King at the end. The printed document states in part `…His Majesty, without any further pretention excepting the restoration of peace in Europe, did not expect being obliged to participate in a war, with the exception of the help our allies may need. Such approach would have shortly brought back peace if the British court would have acted with equity and moderation and if they would have just considered the welfare of the English Nation. But the King of England and Elector of Hannover had different intentions which we quickly realized were only tending to a general war. He has only been provoking France… Personal enemy of France.. English war vessels have multiplied their piracy attacks, with cruelty and barbarism.. So many repeated insults and outrages have tired His Majesty´s patience and cannot stand any longer having to protect his people, his allies, his honour and glory. These are the fair reasons which oblige His Majesty to take the decision of declaring war, in land and by the sea, to the King of England, Elector of Hannover.´ Overall, minor age wear to the edges, otherwise VG £1500-2000George II (1683-1760) King of Great Britain & Ireland 1727-60. France and Great Britain had an uneasy alliance from 1713 to 1744 which ended when both countries head political figures ceased in their posts, Cardinal Fleury the chief Minister of Louis XV died in 1743, and Robert Walpole Prime Minister of Great Britain resigned in 1742. In the years following Fleury's death, escalating Franco-British skirmishes at sea culminated in the declaration of war in March 1744, a war Fleury had avoided for so long, a war effectively ending the relatively peaceful period sometimes referred to as the "Thirty Years' Peace”. Louis XV made plans to invade Great Britain crossing the channel but failed due to bad weather causing important damages to the French fleet.
Lot 513
FRANCIS I: (1708-1765) Holy Roman Emperor and German King 1745-65. Founder of the House Habsburg-Lorraine with his wife Maria Theresa. Unusual L.S., with holograph subscription, `Your most devoted Brother - Franz´, eight pages, three of them with written text, folio, Vienna, 28th November 1763, to his brother Duke Karl of Lorraine, in German. On a boldly and carefully written letter, the Emperor announces the birth and premature death of his grand-daughter and of his daughter in law passing away after giving birth too. An unusual document written and signed in German by Emperor Francis I. Bearing an attractive black wax seal in very fine condition to the address leaf to the verso. With blank integral leaf. Folded. Bounded with a slim yellow and blue cordon. VG £400-600The present document is a rare testimony of the birth of a heir to Prince Joseph of Austria (1741-1790), future Emperor Joseph II 1765-90 who left no descendants. His wife Isabella of Parma was six months pregnant with a baby girl in 1763 when she contracted smallpox. On 22 November brought on premature labour ending in the death of the child a few hours after birth, she was given the name Maria Christina.
Lot 519
ELISABETH OF AUSTRIA: (1837-1898) Empress of Austria, Queen of Hungary and Queen Consort of Croatia and Bohemia 1854-98, spouse of Emperor Franz Joseph I. Assassinated. A rare, attractive signed greetings card, the stiff oblong folding 12mo card (now neatly split into two halves at the central vertical fold) featuring a decorative colour floral design to the front cover and a printed caption ('Besten Gluckwunsch') in German to the inside, signed ('Elisabeth') by the Empress to the verso and with a five line greeting in her hand, in German, in full, 'May the lucky wings fulfil their mission and bring a wholehearted wish to you, from your faithful old friend'. VG £2000 - 3000Elisabeth of Bavaria (also affectionately known as 'Sisi') was, at 44 years, the longest serving Empress-Consort of Austria and had married her husband, Franz Joseph I, at the age of sixteen. Elisabeth was ill-prepared for the formal Habsburg court life and early in her marriage she was at odds with her mother-in-law, Princess Sophie, who took over the rearing of Elisabeth's daughters. The birth of a male heir, Rudolf, improved her standing at court considerably. However, the death of Rudolf and his mistress in a murder-suicide tragedy at his hunting lodge in Mayerling in 1889 had a huge impact on Elisabeth from which she never fully recovered. She withdrew from court duties and travelled extensively, unaccompanied by her family. Unusually tall, particularly beautiful and with long, flowing hair, Elisabeth became obsessively concerned with maintaining her youthful figure and beauty, spending two or three hours each day on her coiffure. While travelling in Geneva in 1898 she was stabbed to death by an Italian anarchist.
Lot 521
STANISLAW I: (1677-1766) Stanislaw Leszczynski. King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania 1704-09 & 1733-36, father of Marie Leszczynska, Queen consort of France 1725-68 as spouse of Louis XV. Rare and fine L.S., Stanislas Rex, one page, 4to, Lunéville, 14th February 1754, to Monsieur de la Condamine, in French. Stanislaw I thanks his correspondent stating `I will never thank you enough for the supplement of the historical journal related to your trip to the Equator which you have sent to me. I have instructed to read to me the main parts which you have marked to me´. The Duke of Lorraine further refers to the unfair objections his correspondent´s work received and says `Your responses have seemed to me very solid. However I am quite angry that you have had to feel compelled to do such work, you who can make such good ones..´ and concludes granting with pleasure his support to La Condamine´s future projects. With blank integral leaf. Small overall, minor age wear and foxing stains, with an extremely small tear to the right edge not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG £500-800When the treaty of Vienna recognized Augustus III as King of Poland in 1738, Stanislaw I was allowed to keep his Royal titles and was granted the province of Lorraine for life. He was the last Duke of Lorraine 1733-66. Stanislaw I established his court at Lunéville, the capital of Lorraine in the 18th century, which became a famous cultural centre. Stanislaw I was also an author and philanthropist, and many famous followers of the enlightenment visited his court, including Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu and many more. Charles Marie de La Condamine (1701-1774) French Explorer, Geographer and Mathematician. La Condamine spent ten years in present-day Ecuador measuring the length of a degree latitude at the equator and preparing the first map of the Amazon zone. The expedition drew a great deal of attention in France, as he was a popular writer. The journal of his ten-year-long voyage to South America was published in Paris in 1751.
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GEORGE III: (1738-1820) King of the United Kingdom 1760-1820. An excellent and rare lengthy A.L.S., `Your most affectionate Father, George R´, four pages, 4to, Queens House, 20th March 1795, to his son Prince Frederick. The King sends a very important letter to his son, going through all the military issues existing, explaining his views and advising on wise decisions. George III refers first to the additional troops requested for the West Indies, and states in part '..I am enabled to put you into a proper train to bring some regularity in forming the general plan the want of which caused all the disasters in the different services from the outset of this war..´ further explaining to his son the common sense that some military matters require, saying `..It is obvious that the defence [sic] of this Island is the first object, for which purpose the reports of the Generals who command districts must be examined, each of them will naturally desire to have a larger proportion of troops than can be furnished, but at the same time care must be taken that they have what appears sufficient in case of emergency to secure success provided they use every kind of exertion which the cases that may occur can possibly demand.´ further on saying about the situation in Germany `After I have consented to let the British infantry return from Germany which cannot but be looked upon as a personal sacrifice considering the exposed situation in which my electorate will be left, it is but just that I must insist that the British cavalry now there be left to preserve my Dominions, and consequently that that corps be compleated [sic] to its full compliment and without further loss of time formed with the German troops into n Army of Observation not a cordon to act independently of the Austrians..´ The King then refers to Gibraltar stating `Gibraltar must be kept by sending Young Corps to season there in a respectable state. Ireland must be furnished with Feasible Regiments to replace Regiments that can be employed in Foreign Service. The same measure must be followed up in Guernsey and Jersey, and the Island of Corsica must have a sufficient [sic] to prevent any insult from the Enemy.´ George III concludes saying `..The only possible means that can occur to me would be if some Irish Troopers could be taken from Ireland as the foundation of some new Corps of Cavalry and sent with such Recruits as may be raised to form a Corps of that nature… Upon the whole I would have you therefore state the whole on paper, then send for the Secretary of War and apprize him of the whole… I can make no other cause for the loose manner in which I have stated my thoughts, but my desire of letting you have as soon as possible the result of my thoughts on what you mentioned last night. I ever remain my dear Frederick…´ A letter of extremely interesting content. Folded, with very small remnants of former mounting very slightly affecting the “R” of the signature, otherwise VG £2000-3000Prince Frederick (1763-1827) Duke of York and Albany. Second son of George III and Commander-in-chief of the British Army. His father George III promoted him to the rank of Field-Marshal on 18th February 1795 and on 3rd April 1795 appointed him effective Commander-in Chief. The present letter was written only few weeks after being appointed Field-Marshal, and two weeks before becoming the Commander-in-Chief of the Great Britain Army. Prince Frederick headed the most important army reform that Great Britain has ever lived, founding military colleges and organizing massive fortification of the country´s southern coast, and is credited with defeating Napoleon in the Peninsular war. Henry Dundas (1742-1811) Secretary of war 1794-1801 under Prime Minister William Pitt. The present letter refers to 1795 French attack on the Dutch Republic when referring to Groningen and Friesland, to Hanoverians and British soldiers in Germany, to Gibraltar, to Irish troops, to the fortifications of the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey, to Corsica which the British had wrested from the French in 1794 establishing the short-lived Anglo-Corsican Kingdom, and to the economically important British West Indies.
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