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Click here to subscribeWarren Hastings Questions to be put to the Lords in Westminster Hall on the Impeachment against Warren Hastings esquire ordered to be printed 17th April 1795. Folio 4pp trimmed but not affecting text. Exceedingly rare. The Trial of Warren Hastings former Governor General of India was sensational. It lasted for years and became such an attraction that tickets were issued to the various sessions. In the end he was acquitted
Dorset bound volume of approx 11 printed pamphlets relating to Dorset all written by the Rev O P Cambridge and mostly relating to Bloxworth Church. Some signed by him with initials. Late 19th c. Cambridge writes on both historical matters and natural science. The pamphlets include one relating to a tornado which struck the village in 1896. This contains a photograph of the devastation caused by the phenomena. There is also a pamphlet on the effects of a lightning strike in the area with diagrams. Rare and unusual
Autographs – free fronts good selection of approx 50+ signed free fronts including Duke of Newcastle Lord Liverpool (Prime Minister) Lord Melbourne (Prime Minister but signing as William Lamb (rare) Marquis of Tavistock and many others each affixed to album pages. Note: sold as a group not subject to return.
Charles II – The Post Office An Act for erecting and establishing a Post Office printed Act of Parliament dated April 25th 1660. Folio 15pp unbound good condition. A highly important document. By this measure the British Postal System was created. This Act not only established the existence of a postal service – the basis for communication eventually throughout the world but also laid down the rates of postage – the most important measure in the postal service until the introduction of the Penny Post in 1840. A rare and highly sought after document. Together with An Act for settling the profits of the Post Office and Power of Granting Wine licences on his Royal Highness the Duke of York and an Act of George III dated Dublin 1796 giving further measures relating to the operation of the Post Office
Charles II – the Rye House Plot edition of the London Gazette for October 29th 1685 containing a report that Richard Nelthorp and John Ayloff were brought from Newgate and ordered to be executed being attainted for High Treason for conspiring to the death of Charles II. This refers to the so called ‘Rye House Plot’ which was a conspiracy to murder both Charles and his brother James Duke of York (later James II). The plot was revealed by traitors amongst those concerned and the plotters put to death – among whom was the very same Algernon Sydney who is featured in the previous lot ! Editions of the London Gazette from the 17th c are somewhat rare. This is in fine condition. The edition also carries news of the Turkish invasion of southern Europe and an eruption of Mount Vesuvius.2pp folio
America An Act for Establishing an Agreement with seven of the Lords Proprietors of Carolina for the surrender of their Title and interest in that Province to His Majesty 1729 folio 20pp unbound good condition. An important Act in the history of America. In 1663 a group of eight promoters and politicians obtained a Patent from Charles II to the whole of America between the 31st & 36th parallels under the name of ‘Carolina’ which was soon enlarged. The enterprise returned no profit and by 1719 the Proprietors who had suffered attacks by pirates wars and a revolution seriously considered their position. In 1729 they offered to surrender their interest to the Crown for £17 500 (£1.5million in today’s money). As a result Carolina became a Province of Great Britain. This is a rare document. ESTC N50955 records only one copy in the UK in the national archives.
India Rare Book On Guru Gobind Singh by Nanak Singh early to mid 20th century 32 pages. In Punjabi. Nanak Singh (July 4 1897-1971) born Hans Raj was a poet songwriter and novelist in the Punjabi language. His writing in support of India’s independence movement led the British to arrest him. He published several novels which won him literary acclaim.
India Rigobert Bonne Map – Sikh 1780 Punjab. A rare early (1780) engraved map of India by cartographer Rigobert Bonne. Hand coloured this map is the first known map to recognize Sikh Misl territory in the Punjab/Lahore region. The word Schiecks on the map refers to the Sikhs. For an identical map please refer to the Arts of the Sikh kingdoms (Canadian Collection). The Misl refers to the twelve sovereign states in the Sikh Confederacy during the late 18th Century Rigobert Bonne (French 1727-1795) was one of the most important cartographers of the late 18th century. The work of Bonne is highly regarded for its detail historical importance and overall aesthetic appeal.
India A rare Large Lithograph of Colonel Mordaunt’s Cock Match at Lucknow. A very detailed 18th Century Indian Scene 18th c mezzotint “Colonel Mordaunt’s Cock Match at Lucknow in the Province Oude in the Year 1786 – after Zoffany. Published England 1798 framed and matted 20” x 26 1/2” (from the collection of the late Frederick Hagar); along with a newspaper article about Zoffany’s painting. In Lucknow Zoffany met the main players at the court. The nominal head of the State of Oudh was Asaf-Ud-Dowlah although the governor Warren Hastings was the British representative. He commanded the power of the British East India Company and it was Hastings who commissioned the painting of the cockmatch by Zoffany. A scarce Lithograph – The original painting hangs in the Tate Gallery London – an important lithograph depicting 18th Century India.
India Four Rare 19th Century Lithographs – Tipu Sultan. A rare set of four 19th century lithographs – depicting battle scenes. Four separate coloured aquatints of battle scenes all framed and matted: two views of “Storming of Seringapatam May 4th 1799”; two views of “Battle of Assye Sept 23 1803”; all by Stadler after Heath published by Tegg England 1818 purchased at The Parker Gallery London 1998 7 1/4” x 8” (sight) 14 1/2” x 15 1/2” (framed); (from the collection of the late Frederick Hagar). The Siege of Seringapatam (5 April-4 May 1799) was the final confrontation of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War between the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore. The British achieved a decisive victory after breaching the walls of the fortress at Seringapatam and storming the citadel. Tippu Sultan Mysore’s ruler was killed in the action. The British restored the Wodeyar dynasty to the throne after the victory but retained indirect control of the kingdom. The Battle of Assaye was a major battle of the Second Anglo-Maratha War fought between the Maratha Confederacy and the British East India Company. It occurred on 23 September 1803. Early Lithographs of India are scarce.
India Alexander Burnes Travels into Bokhara: A Voyage Up the Indus to Lahore and a Journey to Cahool Tartary and Persia. A rare account of the Sikhs and Lahore court by Burnes published 1839 – Lithograph of Ranjit Singh 3 volumes. Sir Alex to his journey into Bokhara and Lahore. Sir Alexander Burnes (1805-1841) British traveller explorer and writer was born on 16 May 1805. He joined the Bombay infantry in 1821. Upon his arrival in India he devoted himself to the study of the local languages and was while still an ensign selected for the post of regimental interpreter. In 1829 – he was sent on a complimentary mission to Lahore in charge of English horses including a team of carthorses four mares and a stallion sent by the King of England as presents for Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The real object of Burnes’ mission was to survey the River Indus and assess the power and resources of the Amirs of Sindh then being threatened by the Maharaja. He submitted to his government a geographical and military memoir on Sindh which formed the basis of Lord William Bentinck’s Indus navigation scheme. He describes Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s habits and government his passion for horses his troops and horse artillery his dancing girls and the Koh-i-Noor diamond. In January 1832 Burnes visited Lahore again to solicit from the Maharaja facilities of travel through the Punjab to Afghanistan Central Asia and Baikh and Bokhara.
India – rare early photographic book on Sikh shrines in West Pakistan. Department of Archaeology in Pakistan 1962. 1st edition pp 143 illustrations. The earliest book and compilation of Sikh related sites in the newly formed West Pakistan post 1947 putting together an early history and photograph of Sikh shrines many of which today do not exist or have been defaced or destroyed. This rare book has 76 photo plates including the Samdhi of Maharajah Sher Singh Mahan Singh Suchet Singh Teja Singh Jawahir Singh Phula Singh and Charhat Singh. A most valuable account and record. Bound in original green cloth. VG condition.
India – a rare stereo view photo of Sikh Soldiers circa 1914. A scarce image of Sikh soldiers in traditional dress chanting hymns c1914-1915 France during the Great War – 7ins x 3.5ins titled – ‘Sihks singing religious chats outside their billets’. The central figure can be clearly seen reading from a Sikh prayer book also known as Gutka. Over 138000 Sikh soldiers fought in France and Belgium during World War 1 and more than a quarter became casualties. Such images are highly sought after and an almost identical image exists in the India Office Library.
India – Rare early 19th century account of the Sikhs. History of All the Events and Transactions Which Have Taken Place in India: Containing the Negotiations of the British Government Relative to the Glorious Success of the Late War Addressed to the Honourable Secret Committee of the Honourable Court of Directors of the East India Company by his Excellency the Most Noble the Marquis of Wellesley Governor General of India &c Marquis of Wellesley John Stockdale London 1805 1st edition prev owner’s plate to the inner cover (Barnard Cox). 263pp. Details of the operations undertaken by the British army in the various regions of India. Includes ‘The Scheick [Sikh] Chiefs’ with British wanting to obtain the co-operation of the principal chiefs of the tribe of Scheicks in the war against the Mahrattas with help from the Raja of Putteealah [Patiala] despatches f the 25th September 1803 received proposal on behalf of Runjeet-Sing Rajah of Lahore to cede to the British Government the territory possessed by some chiefs of the tribe of Schiecks situate fourth of the river Sutlege upon a condition of defensive alliance.... Also states the British doubts of the right of Runjeet-Singh to transfer that territory... Letter from Rajah Sahib Singh of Puttealah testifying his friendly dispositions to the British. A most detailed early account of India and early Sikh military history during the founding years of the Sikh Empire. Rare in the original binding.
India – Travels in China Japan and Java by the Maharajah of Kapurthala 1903 A rare book on HH The Raja-I-Rajgan Jagatjit Singh of Kapurthala’s visit to the region in 1903 with 56 photo illustrations many of the Maharaja during his travels and a photogravure frontispiece of Maharajah Jagatjit of Kapurthala with a foldout coloured map London 1905. Bound in original biding with gilted crest of the Sikh State of Kapurthala coat of arms on the front board.
India – The Sikhs by John Archer A first edition of The Sikhs – in relation to Hindus Moslems Christians and Ahmadiyyas. A study in Comparative Religion by John Clark Archer 1946. Ex-Libris with bookplate orig binding. A great in-depth study of the Sikh religion 353p. Chapters include – The Central Homeland of the Sikhs – A heritage of Swords – The Khalsa of Guru Gobind Singh – Nanak – and much more. The book also has 12 great illustrations including : The Golden Temple Armed Akali The Akal Takht The Darbar Sahib Worshippers at Tarn Tarn The Arjun Deva Mela The treasury of the Golden Temple etc. A rare early study by a European.
India – Rare Chronicles of Ranjit Singh’s Durbar. A fine 1st edition of Umdat-Ut-Tawarikh Daftar III Parts (I-V); Chronicles of the Reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh 1831-1839 AD by Lala Sohan Lal SURI. Translated from Persian into English with corresponding Christian dates and explanatory and elucidatory notes by V S Suri. Foreword by Sita Ram Kohli. Frontis of Maharaja Ranjit Singh xxxiv 721 errata numerous full page illustrations. Original blue cloth binding with minor edge wear otherwise very good. A valuable intimate account of the daily events at the Sikh Durbar. Rare.
India – Sakhee Book of the 10th Sikh Guru’s Prophesies Rare 1st edition of The Sakhee Book Or the Description of Gooroo Gobind Singh’s Religion and Doctrines Translated from Gooroo Mukhi into Hindi and afterwards into English Sirdar Attar Singh Chief of Bhadour. Benares 1873. Published as presumed prophesies of the 10th Sikh Guru however thought to be fake and a propaganda stunt by the British to discredit Maharajah Duleep Singh. The Maharajah used these prophesies to gain support and funds in India so that he could mount a rebellion in the Punjab. Fronti is ana actual photo of Attar Singh pasted on the endpaper.
India – Punjab – Sikh – Attock Fort Hari Singh Nalwa 19th century A monumental watercolour of Attock fort Punjab – c1860s by a British office in the Punjab. Attock fort was an important stronghold during the Sikh Kingdom of Ranjit Singh. Maharaja Ranjit Singh decided to take the fort of Attock in his hand. Without fighting a battle the fort of Attock was taken by Maharaja in exchange of handsome Jagir through his minister Fakir Aziz-ud-din who negotiated with Jahandad Khan. As Attock fort was considered to be the gateway of India Wazir Fateh Khan was furious when he came to know that it had passed into the hands of the Maharaja. He therefore came at the head of Afghan troops and surrounded the fort. The Maharaja sent a strong force under the charge of Diwan Mohkam Chand the Sikh Empire wrested the Attock Fort in 1813 from the Kingdom of Kabul in the Battle of Attock. Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s commander Mohkam Chand wrested this strategically placed fort on the left bank of the Indus river from Shah Mahmud’s vazier Fateh Khan Barakzai.This fort had secured the passage of the Afghans to-and-from Kashmir. This was the first victory of the Punjabis against the Afghans. The capture of the fort of Attock meant the liberation of Northern India from Afghan menace. In 1833 Hari Singh Nalwa the Commander-in-Chief of the Sikh Empire’s army along its border with the Kingdom of Kabul strengthened Akbar’s fort of Attock by building the very high and massy bastions at each of its gates inscription reads “Attack from morning in June” A rare and highly important watercolour of the Attock fort – approx 50cm by 34cm.
Signed photograph of Bhagat Singh Thind – first US Sikh citizen Singh Thind PhD (October 3 1892 – September 15 1967) was the first American Indian Born on October 3 1892 in the village of Taragarh in the state of Punjab India Bhagat Singh Thind came to the US in 1913 to pursue higher education in an American university. However on July 22 1918 he was recruited by the US Army to fight in World War I. A few months later on November 8 1918 Bhagat Singh was promoted to the rank of an Acting Sergeant. He received an honourable discharge on December 16 1918 with his character designated as “excellent”. He was an Indian American Sikh writer and lecturer on spirituality who was involved in an important legal battle over the rights of Indians to obtain US citizenship. Thind had enlisted in the US Army a few months before the end of World War I. After the war he sought the right to become a naturalized citizen following a legal ruling that Caucasians had access to such rights. At this time Indians were categorized as Caucasian by anthropologists. In 1923 a crucial Supreme Court case United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind was decided in favour of the United States retroactively denying all Indian Americans citizenship for not being Caucasian in “the common man’s understanding of the term”. However Thind remained in the US completed his PhD and delivered lectures in metaphysics. Basing his lessons on Sikh religious philosophy. In 1935 the 74th congress passed a law allowing citizenship to US veterans of World War I even those from the barred zones. Dr Thind received his US citizenship through the state of New York in 1936 taking the oath for the third time to become an American citizen. A rare photograph of a important Sikh and Indian personality. Signed 25cm x 20cm.
A RARE EARLY VICTORIAN CAST CADDY SPOON with a fluted oval bowl resembling a small shell, with textured matting, the volute stem with two bands of beading curling back on itself & terminating in a swan`s mask, maker`s mark "IW", probably by John Williams, London 1848; 3.85" (9.7 cms) long; 1.5 oz
A RARE GEORGE III IRISH PROVINCIAL SAUCE BOAT on three fluted legs with a wavy rim & flying scroll handle, initialled "F.N.M." on one side, & crested on the other, the base also initialled "C.D", maker`s mark mis-struck (twice), probably by John Hilley or Humphreys, Cork 1760-80; 6.3" (16 cms) long; 5.8 oz
A RARE, HISTORICAL IRAQI NIELLOWORK & ENAMELLED MOSQUE CANDLESTICK in the form of a shallow circular cup with a scroll handle, the interior with a minaret-shaped "pricket" flanked by engraving & polychrome enamelled floral sprays, a signature, two crossed Iraqi flags & a Royal crown, the sides nielloed with a frieze of oval reserves separated by a floral ground & depicting scenes of architecture & the river Tigris, an equestrian figure, an inscription and a portrait of King Faisal I, the base engraved with a six-petalled flowerhead & inscribed "WINNER GOLD MEDAL IRAQ - BAGHDAD EXHIBITION 1922"; 5.5" (14 cms) diameter; 12.25 oz
A RARE EARLY 18TH CENTURY YELLOW SILK PIN CUSHION embroidered in silver bullion with flowers, an ammatory motif on one side & a cypher below a crown on the other, each corner with a tassle, with stand & glass dome; the cushion 4" (10 cms) long *Sold with a trade card of Cummins & Co., drapers of 72 Cheapside, inscribed in ink "a pincushion of Queen Ann`s - The gift of Mrs Sowerby"
A GEORGE III SMALL PLAIN OBLONG VINAIGRETTE with rounded corners, the cover initalled "EE", the gilt interior with a rare grille, stamped & pierced with the Royal Crown, an anchor & two hearts within a wreath, by Charles Hancock, Birmingham 1811; 1" (2.5 cms) long; 0.25 oz *Perhaps made in commemoration of a Royal Naval battle or event.
A RARE 19TH CENTURY FRENCH PARCELGILT METAL CASKET Neo-Gothic in style, with openwork feet & corners, each set with a carved ivory figure, the domed cover & body decorated with vertical panels of foliate scroll engraving separated by applied pierced straps, with a swing handle, hasp lock (with key) & applied shield cartouche, initialled "AS", lined interior, signed "Alpe-Giroux et Compie a Paris", c.1840; 9.25" (23.5 cms) long *Giroux & Co (1799-1885), was founded by Francois Simon Alphonse Giroux and in 1838 his two sons Alphonse-Gustave and Andre took over the running of the company. Under their leadership the firm specialised in making objects of luxury & fantasy of such quality that Maison Alphonse-Giroux became official supplier to both King Louis XVIII & King Charles X of France. They also made small exquisite furniture and a bonheur-du-jour which they exhibited at the Paris World Exposition of 1855 was purchased by the Empress Eugenie for the Chateau de Compiegne - the Imperial Court`s residence.
A RARE 17TH CENTURY GILT-METAL MOUNTED BLOODSTONE PENDANT WATCH CASE of faceted octagonal form with a suspensory ring & turned finial, the hinged cover revealing a later-added vinaigrette grille with a spring catch closure, unmarked, probably 1650-1700; 1.9" (4.8 cms) long *The style of the grille probably indicates that is was added during the 1850`s or 60`s.
A RARE VICTORIAN SCOTTISH PHYSICIAN`S BOX of shallow oblong form with rounded corners and "neo-gothic" engraving, crested & inscribed "JESUS ONLY", the gilt interior divided into nine compartments (eight small & one large) to take a pill form or powdered drug, each with a hinged cover, inscribed with the abreviated name of the drum & its weight, the inside cover inscribed "Alexander R. Simpson MD from Mrs Barbour", maker`s mark "RJ", Edinburgh 1861; 3.25 (8.2 cms) long; 5 oz *Alexander Russell Simpson was Professor of Medicine & Midwifery and the Diseases of Women & Children in the University of Edinburgh and nephew of the famous Sir James Young Simpson (1811-1870), who became Professor of Midwifery at Edinburgh University in 1840, Physician to Queen Victoria in 1847, President of the Royal College of Physicians in 1850 and Baronet in 1866. A man of enormous energy and great personal charm, Simpson was a keen controversialist and much loved physician. His contributions to obstetrics are overshadowed by his discovery of the anaesthetic effects of chloroform in November 1847. After ether was discovered in 1846, Simpson was quick to use it to relieve the pains of labour, earning the gratitude of countless women & the condemnation of some members of the church and the medical profession. Simpson was a doughty advocate of the cause of general anaesthesia and his final vindication came when Queen Victoria had chloroform at the birth of Prince Leopold in 1853.
A rare Australian seaweed pattern transfer printed and painted oval plate from the Fereday service, Spode, Staffordshire, England, made for the Tasmanian market circa 1825 Marked with a central crest of a tree fern with a suspended hunting horn, a running fox below and the motto PER SYRTES AESTUOSAS from Horace’s Ode 1.22 also marked to the reverse Mr.. Dudley Fereday Sheriff (sic) of Van Diemen’s Land.» 32cm long, 21cm deep. Provenance Made for Mr Dudley Fereday, Sheriff of Van Dieman’s Land
A rare Australian seaweed pattern transfer printed and painted oval plate from the Fereday service, Spode, Staffordshire, England, made for the Tasmanian market circa 1825 Marked with a central crest of a tree fern with a suspended hunting horn, a running fox below and the motto PER SYRTES AESTUOSAS from Horace’s Ode 1.22 also marked to the reverse Mr. Dudley Fereday Sheriff (sic) of Van Diemen’s Land.” 32cm long, 21cm deep. Provenance Made for Mr Dudley Fereday, Sheriff of Van Dieman’s Land
A rare cedar armchair, Tasmanian origin, Australian, circa 1830 with straight side pilasters 100cm high, 76cm wide Provenance Left to the vendor by their grandmother, Margaret Brownell of Hobart (died August 1962) - wife of Augustus Spencer Brownell of Brownell Bros. department store in Hobart. Brownell Bros. was founded by William and Thomas Brownell, sons of Dr. T.C. Brownell who arrived in Hobart 1830 from England, who, among other occupations was the Assistant Colonial’s surgeon at Port Arthur. Thence by descent.
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