A Rare 8-Bore Flintlock Wildfowling GunProbably John 2 Shaw, London, Circa 1690With three-stage sighted barrel with moulded ring around the muzzle carrying the fore-sight, turned at the mid-section and with moulding at the rear of the breech (touch-hole bushed), border engraved tang finely engraved with scrolling foliage with monkey-head terminal and inhabited by a bird, replacement rounded lock with slender raised border followed by double line borders and inscribed 'TRULOCKE', raised rainproof pan, rounded cock and steel both chiselled with foliage, moulded full stock (some old bruising, repaired along each side at the muzzle) with raised apron around the tang, iron mounts comprising side-plate pierced and chiselled with a foliated dragon, chiselled vacant escutcheon with a Pan mask at the top, butt-plate engraved 'V' and with slender moulded border around the pointed heel tang, trigger-guard with chiselled foliate finial fore and aft, two turned baluster ramrod-pipes (forward one incomplete), and later horn-tipped ramrod (barrel and mounts with old pitting) 138 cm. barrel Footnotes:ProvenanceThe Barons Suffield, Gunton Park, Norfolk, house sale Irelands, 17 September 1980Presumably made for the first owner of Gunton Park, John Harbord (fourth son of Sir Charles Harbord, d. 1679), who died in 1710 at the age of eighty-four as a result of a fall from his horse on the way back from shootingJohn 2 Shaw was one of the most distinguished English gunmakers of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He was apprenticed in Bristol, but already working in London 1665-8. Free of the Gunmakers' Company in 1673, he was appointed Gunsmith-in-Ordinary successively to Charles II, James II, William III and George I. He died in 1720. Many of the early English guns at Gunton Park were made by himFor two related guns with the same provenance see, The Penrose Collection of Antique Firearms to be sold in these Rooms, 23 November 2023, lots 87 and 88For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
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An Unusual Pair Of 25-Bore Flintlock Holster Pistols With Left And Right Hand LocksEarly 18th Century, The Locks And Barrels By A. Du Commun, Warwick, Late 17th CenturyWith shortened two-stage barrels (pitted) each turned at the girdle and chiselled with a trefoil above the sighting flat at the breech, each flat engraved with a grotesque mask and flanked by foliate scrolls, border engraved tangs, large border engraved rounded locks each secured by three side-nails and finely decorated with scrolling foliage inhabited by a naked female figure on the tail, the right hand lock inscribed 'A DV COMMVN' and 'WARWICK', the latter under the steel-spring (cocks expertly replaced), moulded figured full stocks (fore-ends partly replaced, small repairs around one lock) each carved with foliage behind the rear ramrod and barrel tang, steel mounts comprising border engraved flat bevelled side-plates each engraved with scrolling foliage with monster-head terminals, one with the decoration forming the tail of a dragon, vacant foliate escutcheons, spurred pommels each with stepped cap, trigger-guards each with foliate finial, baluster ramrod-pipes (three replaced), and later horn-tipped ramrods (some pitting and rust patination) (2)24.7 cm. barrels Footnotes:Abraham Du Commun was a Huguenot gunmaker who appears to have gone to Warwick where he worked either for or near to the outstanding provincial gunmaker Nicholas Paris. See Howard L.Blackmore, The Gunmakers of London Supplement 1350-1850, 1999, p. 20For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
A Pair Of Scottish 22-Bore Flintlock All-Metal Belt Pistols By John Murdoch, Doun (sic), Mid-18th CenturyWith four-stage barrels engraved at the flared octagonal muzzles and with symmetrical scrolling foliage at the mid-sections, fluted breeches each with notched back-sight at the rear, border engraved flat bevelled locks each signed in capitals and decorated with foliage on the tail, cocks en suite (one expertly replaced), faceted line engraved steels, three-quarter stocks engraved with foliate line ornament and characteristic foliage, the undersides each with three foliate engraved silver lines, foliate engraved ram's horn butts with interlace inlaid with silver along the back and each with vacant oval silver escutcheon on both sides, silver button triggers and threaded prickers (one replaced) each engraved as a flower-head, slender partly fluted belt hooks each with pierced and engraved terminal, and original slender steel ramrods each with baluster tip engraved with a flower-head (some old light pitting) (2) 18.5 cm. barrels Footnotes:Cf. a very similar pair of pistols sold in these Rooms, Fine Antique Arms & Armour..., 23 September 2020, lot 348Little is known of John Murdoch, however a note in the Statistical Account of Scotland, Vol. XX, 1798, p. 86 suggests that he was apprenticed to one of the Cadells and goes on to note 'The trade is now carried on by John Murdoch, also famous for his ingenuity in the craft and who has likewise furnished pistols to the first nobility of Europe. These pistols were sold from 4 to 24 guineas a pair... when Mr. Murdoch gives over business, the trade, in all probability, will become extinct'For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
An Officer's Full Dress Coatee Of The Berwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry Circa 1803-28Of scarlet cloth with green facings, full silver cord decoration and full complement of silver-plated ball buttons each bearing a crown only (lining distressed), together with its original full dress epaulettes each in silver wire with bullion fringe (white silk linings worn)Footnotes:ProvenanceThomas Del Mar Ltd In association with Sotheby's, Olympia, 8 December 2010, lot 94By repute this coatee belonged to Captain John Spottiswoode (1780-1866) who became Captain of the 3rd or 'Eagle' troop of the Berwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry in 1803. His father, also John Spottiswoode (c. 1742-1805), had raised the 3rd troop in 1801 and was appointed the regiment's Major in 1803, whereupon his son was appointed Captain. The 3rd troop was closely identified with the Spottiswoode family, its appellation 'Eagle' troop coming from its badges as worn on the troop's 'Tarleton' helmets which replicated the Spottiswoode family crest of an eagle rising. The troop which disbanded in 1828 was noted for the magnificence of its uniforms. In 1803 it is recorded that it was the wish of the whole troop to have the lace on its jackets like that of the Light Horse Volunteers of London and Westminster. This necessitated the use of 28 yards of lace which was regarded as 'extravagant in the extreme'. See A.V.B. Norman, 'Notes for a History of the Dress of the Scottish Yeomanry and Volunteer Cavalry up to 1850', Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Vol. XLI (1963), pp. 113-137; and B.F.M. Freeman, 'Historical Records of the Border Yeomanry Regiments: No. 3.- The Berwickshire Yeomanry Cavalry, 1797-1828', Transactions of the Hawick Archaeological Society, 1915, pp. 53-64For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
Camerer, Cuss & Co, 54 & 56 New Oxford Street, London, a very large late 19th or early 20th Century Black Forest clock, the chalet formed case with carved foliage detail, dial with Roman numerals and fitted with a brass movement with pipes and a automaton bugler who appears through two opening doors at the bottom of the case, 84cm highCase with general marks and wear, some minor losses, door to one side requires attention for closing, movement is sold untested and probably requires some attention
Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment 1917 Casualty, awarded to ‘ALBERT DICCOX’. Generally good condition. 22313 Private Albert Diccox, 2nd Devonshire Regiment who was killed in action aged 26 years on 14th April 1917 during the attack on Villers Guislains. The attack failed due to the presence of wire defences and heavy machine gun fire resulting in 17 Other Ranks being killed and 26 wounded. He was originally from Idstone Ashbury in Wiltshire.
WW1 American Officers Medal and Paperwork Grouping of 2nd Lieutenant Thomas C Chalmers 26th Yankee Division, good set consisting of his allied victory medal with four battle bars, metal insignia, cloth divisional patch, divisional medal, photographs and complete service history of 2nd Lieutenant Thomas C Chalmers who served with the US 26th (Yankee) Division. A railwayman serving with the National Guard, he landed in France on 18 October 1917. He was commissioned into the US 101st Field Artillery in August 1918. The collection also includes his birth certificate 1888 and death certificate 1947, and a captured German map of the St Mihiel area.
WW2 German Army Black and Silver Wound Badge Citation Pair, both issued to Karl Bauer who served in Schnelle Abteilung 387, part of Panzerjäger-Abteilung 387, 387th Infantry Division. The citations were issued in 1942 and 1943. Citations are accompanied by other period and post war documents relating to Karl Bauer, including a Railways Pass which shows him in uniform of the Hitler Youth.
Inert 1916 Dated British No24 Rifle Grenade, good semi-relic example with the brass top being marked “W S & S No24 1916”. Rusted rod and rusting and pitting to the grenade body. This lot is inert (Empty and Safe) and legal to own in the UK. We are not able to offer in house post and packing on this lot. Please make sure that you are able to make collection of this lot if you bid. Please note only available to bidders in the UK or those who can arrange for collection.
Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque Kings Own Scottish Borderers 1917 Casualty, bronze plaque awarded to ‘ALBERT JAMES NEWBY’, generally good condition. 10796 Sergeant Albert James Newby, 6th Battalion Kling’s Own Scottish Borderers who is recorded as having been killed in action on 23rd September 1917 but was most likely killed in the period 20th – 23rd September when the battalion attacked Hanabeke Wood and suffered Other Rank casualties of 26 killed, 200 wounded and 27 missing. Albert James Newby was never recovered and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers 1917 Casualty, awarded to ‘GEORGE ALFRED BYE’, generally good condition. 44368 Private George Alfred Bye, 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers who was reported missing in action, presumed killed on 10th November 1917 at the age of 36. Originally from Brightlingsea, Essex he is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Also entitled to a British War and Victory medal.
Victorian Crimea Campaign Medal to Corporal William Greening, 4th Light Dragoons, Who Was Serving with the Light Brigade at the Time of the Famous Charge of the Light Brigade on 25th October 1854, Crimea medal with clasps Alma, Balaklava, Inkerman and Sebastopol, impressed naming, “CORPL W. GREENING. 4TH LT DRAGNS”. Dark patina to the medal. William Greening from Bridport Dorset, attested for the 4th Light Dragoons on 22nd December 1834 and served for 25 years and 261 days before he was discharged to pension at his own request on 1st October 1860 at the age of 46. During this time, he spent 6 years in the East Indies and 1 year and 10 months in East Turkey and the Crimea. He was promoted to Corporal on 1st December 1855.William Greening is confirmed on the Pay List of the 4th Light Dragoons as being on the strength of the Regiment for the whole of October (WO12/659). The medal rolls confirm the award of all clasps including the Balaklava clasp for 25th October 1854. Greening does not appear on the Absence from Muster Roll list for the period of the charge. Private William Greening, 4th Light Dragoons is listed in the Honour the Light Brigade book by Lummis and Wynn.Sold with copies of the relevant rolls and discharge papers.
A Pair of Great War Memorial Plaques to the Pendlebury Brothers from Astley, Manchester, 2 Bronze Memorial Plaques, awarded to “HARRY PENDLEBURY” and “THOMAS PENDLEBURY”. 16226 Private Thomas Pendlebury, 6th South Lancashire Regiment who died of illness whilst at home on 28th December 1915. Thomas Pendlebury attested on 20th December 1914 and served for 55 days with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force before returning home on 19th September 1915. He is buried in Leigh Cemetery.30327 Private Harry Pendlebury, 4th Kings (Liverpool) Regiment who died of wounds on 19th April 1918 and is buried in Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery, Belgium.Thomas Pendlebury is the older (by 1 year) brother of Harry, and both are the sons of Thomas and Sarah Pendlebury of 122 Higher Green, Astley, Manchester.
WW2 German Iron Cross 2nd Class Award and Citation Grouping, consisting of an unmarked Iron Cross 2nd class without ribbon accompanied by the official award citation issued in June 1940 to Gefreiten Walter Schönfelder Armee-Pferdelazarett 542, signed by Generaloberst, later Generalfeldmarschall Walter von Reichenau, holder of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross and who died on the Eastern Front in 1942. Eastern Front medal with citation awarded to Schönfelder and bronze drivers sleeve badge with citation. Interesting grouping.
A beadwork picture -7 beaded panels, Possibly worked by a merchant seaman who had visited India in 1841, which would explain the inclusion of the coin, the ship, the red ensign, a navy signalling flag and of the Imperial crown (possibly) also includes a French flag. The glass on the frame is broken but the beadwork remains in good condition with strong bright colours
Beatles autograph- a signed single cover of Twist and Shout signed by all 4 Beatles .The believed providence is that the vendors father was friends with a restaurant owner (card pictured) who he met whilst stalking in Norfolk, the Beatles were regulars at the restaurant and had the record signed and gifted it to the vendors father for the vendor knowing that the were a fan. The autographs have not been authenticated
A Second World War and later group of five comprising 1939-45 and Africa Star with 1st Army bar, Defence and War Medal with Mentioned in Despatches Oak leaf and Africa Medal with Kenya clasp named to Major R.T. Elliot Kenya Regt. Mounted court style for display. With two VI Commando shoulder titles and 's aint Louis' and US flag patches with a further shoulder title to the reverse of the frame, a photograph of the recipient in uniform, a First World War compass and the recipient's Fariburn Sykes second pattern fighting knife in leather scabbard. Also Kenya National Park and Samburu Game Reserve car badges and a copy of his obituary. Rodney Thomas Elliott was born into a military family in 1921. Following education at Ampelforth he took a Regular Army Emergency Commission with his Father's regiment and was appointed 2nd Lieutenant with the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry from 29th March 1941. Promoted to War Substantive Lieutenant on the 19th September 1942 and Temporary Captain from 15th February 1944. Transferring to 6 Commando his obituary tells of his time with this battalion sized British Army Commando unit formed in July of 1940: 'He recalled knowing the landing was real when they were handed raw carrots to eat during the sea journey towards North Africa. On November 8th 1942, wearing US patches on their shoulders to confuse the enemy, he landed near Algiers. As they stepped off the landing craft his senior officer disappeared under the waves, weighed down by his kit and was never seen again. Elliott, a lieutenant, now took charge. The enemy was engaged immediately and his Commando knife saw close quarter action within minutes of landing. The next few months saw constant action and he was mentioned in dispatches. A few months on, he set off a land mine with a trip wire which cut short his combat career. The resulting injuries relegated him to base training duties with his parent regiment'. Indeed records confirm that he was reported as wounded on the 7th April 1943 whilst fighting in North Africa. Post War service saw his first encounter with the role of conservationist in the forests of Germany where one of his duties was to bring to an end the rampant poaching by bored US and British soldiers. Following the war he became a soldier-settler in Kenya from 1947 where he worked as a regular game warden. Amongst other highlights he accompanied the young Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh on their visit to Kenya spending her last day as a Princess with her inspecting elephants. Enrolled in the Kenyan Police Force at the outbreak of the Mau Mau rebellion his skills were ideally suited to teaching soldiers the arts of bush craft and tracking, later remembered by General Frank Kitson as 'one of the finest soldiers I ever knew'. Following the Mau Mau conflict he became Game Warden of Maralal District where he worked with many well known conservationists including George and Joy Adamson who established the Born Free foundation. He once came close to shooting Elsa the Lion as he felt she was too dangerous to have at close quarters, he was left in no doubt of seriousness of the Adamson's commitment to the Lion's when Joy promised to shoot Elliott if he shot Elsa. Known by all as The Major, Elliott had a reputation as a fierce enforcer of game law allied with support for the local communities and animals under his care. Playing a significant role in anti-poaching wars in Kenya's Tsavo Parks his many contacts with the enemy were unreported and his influence on the conflict unrecorded. Following independence Elliott made few friends amongst the local authorities, prosecuting senior police and military personnel who poached 'enthusiastically'. Later, when moved to the post of Divisional Warden at Nyeri to take him away from such controversy he continued with his determined work exposing the Department's own staff as some of the worst poachers. He spent the rest of his working life attempting to end poaching and corruption, as well as introducing conservation measures that were often widely copied. From 1978 as a Superintendent of Police he was tasked with ending the endemic corruption in the government's conservation services. After less than a year in post he had created chaos in government ranks with every one of the forty wardens he investigated from the staff of seventy being guilty of some crime. Elliott's was a fascinating life which encompassed active combat with the Commandos in North Africa during the Second World War and life in colonial and post colonial Kenya attempting to reduce corruption and protect the wildlife that he was responsible for, truly a life of it's time in which 'The Major' attempted to uphold the rule of law in all he encountered. Provenance: A direct descendant of the recipient. *CR Note only one T on Eliott on the Africa Medal. Medals nicely remounted, other items showing expected surface marks and wear, elastic to scabbard stretched.
A Great War group of five comprising War Medal and Victory Medal named to Major T.V. Rebbeck, Territorial War Medal to Capt T.V. Rebbeck Hamps R. 1937 Coronation Medal and George V Territorial decoration, hallmarked for London 1920. Mounted as worn. Much the rarest of the First World War campaign medals there were only 78 Territorial War medals awarded to officers in the Hampshire Regiment. Thomas Victor Rebbeck was born in 1887, the son of Charles Rebbeck, an Estate Agent in Bournemouth who lived at 64 Drummond Road in Boscomb. He was Captain from 9th April 1910, he seems to have undertaken much of his service in India where he is recorded in November 1910 and where the 1/7th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment spent much of the War. Following hostilities he has an address in Gervis Place, Bournemouth and it is quite possible that he was involved with the family firm of Rebbeck Brothers Estate Agents in Poole Road after the war. It seems he died in 1942 at the age of 55. With copied Medal Index Card and other rolls etc. *CR Good condition as worn.
A rectangular hand painted sign with crossed British and American flags, 'American Ambulance' above and 'Great Britain' below. 43 x 84cm. The American Ambulance, Great Britain was a privately funded humanitarian ambulance service founded in 1940 by a group of Americans living in London. Growing to a fleet of some 300 vehicles staffed by 400 British women operating out of 27 stations across the country. The organisation was disbanded in October 1945, by which time it had covered a total of 17 million miles. A group photograph can be found online of twenty one members of the Leeds Station seated and standing around an almost identical sign. Apparently this was previously the property of a Miss Kitson who had the sign after the war when she had rooms at Kimbridge House in the Test Valley, Hampshire. When Miss Kitson left Hampshire she gave the sign to the vendor's father. It has been suggested that Miss Kitson was an ambulance driver during the war. *CR Surface showing signs of age, in as found and unrestored condition. A possibly unique survivor of such a sign from one of the Ambulance Stations or Offices of this valuable organisation.
A black 1908 pattern peaked cap with decorative cap band with scrolling oak leaves and acorns, and an Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry capbadge, the interior marked for Pulford and Sons, 65 St James St. London, and in ink to the internal band Capt Fortescue. There is a Captain E.C. Fortesvue who served with the 1st Battalion of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry during the First World War with seniority from the 1st April 1908. It is conceivable that this was his cap. *CR signs of use, but a nice example.
A Royal Navy frock coat with the rank of Commander, with a label for Matthew and Co of Portsmouth. Formerly the property of Duncan Tatton-Brown (1875-1960) who joined the Navy at the age of 13. Born in Nova Scotia due to his parent's service with the Royal Artillery, he appears to have had a long period of service serving during the First World War he was entitled to a War and Victory medal, he was raised to the rank of Commander in the New Year's list in 1919. With a similar Midshipman's jacket with Queen's Crown buttons and overcoat with rank removed and buttons protected by black fabric covers. Also a Gieves officer's cap with braid to peak but lacking cap band and a pair of Captain's epaulettes. *CR Poor condition, moth damage, in particular to linings, braid loose in places.
A collection of Second World War period newspapers, 39 papers, various publications to include headlines: 'Biggest Air Raids of All', 'Tens of Thousands Safely Home already', 'Monty all out for Caen', 'Germans driven back at Kursk Area', 'Paris the Gravest Hour' and others. And a copy of Calais 1940, a 63 page memoir by a Rifleman who was taken prisoner following the Defence of Calais in May 1940, signed by the author. *CR Papers folded and tatty to the edges as one would expect.
A Great War Victory medal named to Lieut G.C.T. Salter R.A.F. Unmounted in box of issue with ribbon. Geoffrey Charles Taylor Salter was born in 1898, the son of Charles Edward Salter, Doctor of Medicine and Annie Gertrude Salter of South Cliff House, Prince of Wales Terrace, Scarborough. A Second Lieutenant from the 23rd May 1915 he initially served with the 3rd Battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment attached to the Tank Corps before being attached to the R.A.F. Salter was awarded the Military Cross on the 18th June 1917 For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During the attack on Monchy-le Preux on April 11th 1917 'He handled his tank with the greatest skill and gallantry and although under heavy fire, he cleared a trench of the enemy, which he handed over to the infantry'. His Tank, a MkII Male tank serial number 578, and crew number C21, was known as 'The Perfect Lady' she eventually blown to pieces by artillery leaving one of the seven crew dead and five others wounded. One of three tanks in the Southern Section of the day's attack she can be seen in three photographs in the collection of the Imperial War Museum. At the time of the award he is with the E. Yorks Regiment Special Reserve and Machine Gun Corps. He clearly transferred to the R.A.F. where he seems to have served as a Forward Observation Officer. He is reported as being missing or wounded on the 11th May 1918, and by the 28th is recorded as deceased whilst serving with the 20th Squadron of the R.A.F., he died whilst observing from an FE2d fighter bomber He is commemorated on the Arras Flying Service Memorial. With box and ribbon for his War Medal and another empty box, named to his younger brother 2. Lieut J.H.R. (John Henry Raymond) Salter who served with the Royal Flying Corps and tragically, also died in October 1917 whilst flying a Sopwith Scout B2161 over France. With an Africa Star, a silver gilt N&E Yorkshire Masonic medal, Bar Golfing Society medals and other items. With typed notes regarding the two brothers and their family. *CR Medal as issued. Other items mixed but mostly good.
A circular emblem with a raised five pointed star, four holes for fixing and small tablet of Japanese script, 13.5cm wide. With a 's heet B' map of Burma, Siam , French Indo China and China, printed onsilk 62cm x 94cm. According to family tradition these items were 's ouvenired' by a Robert Sorby of the 8th Indian Cavalry who apparently fought with the rank of Major with the 101st Independent light tank squadron. This unit had exchanged their horses for tanks prior to Imphal, and Major Sorby's wife suggested a rocking horse as their insignia as this represented a form of mechanized horse. His tank took out a Japanese tank, possibly at the Battle of Imphal in the Spring of 1944 which was fought between the Japanese and British and Indian forces when the Japanese were attempting to invade British India. *CR Surface issues, appropriate signs of age as might be expected. The image of Major Sorby has been supplied by the family and there is not a printed copy included in the lot. Map showing signs of use with holes and staining.
An Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, 2nd type, named to 8107 Sapr S. Boyd R.E. Samuel Boyd was a Carpenter born in Gibraltar who enlisted for sixteen years in Dublin on the 27th May 1864 at the age of 14. Later recorded with the 19th Company Royal Engineers further extending his service beyond 21 years, finally being discharged in 1889. The papers confirm the award of this medal with a gratuity of £5. He married Maria Baskett in London on October 20th 1885 (without leave), they appear to have had eight children. With extensive copied research. *CR Good condition, on new ribbon.
A Fairbairn Sykes knife with a 17cm pointed double edged blade, marked to the ricasso for Wilkinson Sword Co.ltd London and 'The F-S Fighting knife', with 's ' shaped cross piece, and slender grip with crosscut grip, in leather scabbard. 33.5cm overall in scabbard. According to family tradition this knife was given to a great uncle Stanley Woodhouse who waslandlord of The Brickmakers Arms in Southampton. One of his customers served as a British Commando and on returning from a Commando raid in Norway during the Second World War, and gave him the knife immediately on returning from the raid. Unfortunately the name of the original owner has not been recorded. *CR A nice example showing some signs of age and use.
The black short shell jacket with gilt braided borders and seeded buttons, with scarlet lining and label for J.B. Johnstone Dublin and London, and in ink below 'A R Kirkpatrick Esq R.A.' With corded epaulettes with a single star for the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, with Queen's Crown Royal Artillery buttons. With breeches with broad scarlet stripe and buttons marked 'Mc Bride & Sons St James's S.W.'. With fringed sash and black leather belt and pouch bag with wavy bullion borders and finely worked gilt buckle and fittings, the end of the belt with VR within a cartouche beneath a crown, with flechette darts on an oval backing with rose, thistle and clover decoration. The pouch bag with conforming VR monogram within a cartouche beneath a crown. Alexander Richard Kirkpatrick J.P. of Donacomper near Celbridge in Co. Kildare (1813-1891). Born on the 6th August 1813 the oldest son of William of Donacomper Kirkpatrick and Mary Carr. He studied at Trinity Hall where he was both very wealthy, the family estates amounting to some 3,700 acres, and hunting mad, no doubt to the detriment of his studies. He married Catherine Louisa Trench in August 1854. A Barrister at Law from 1840 he is listed in the Ireland Directory at 18 Mountjoy square south, Dublin, Later being recorded as a JP and Magistrate. He is buried amongst members of his family at Donacomper Cemetery, County Kildare. The family sold Donacomper, an early 19th century Tudor-revival house, in 1965 following the death of Sir Ivone Kilpatrick a distinguished Diplomat, to the American Bredin family who retained much of the contents, the uniform may well have left the property at a sale of the residue at this time. See Burke's Landed Gentry of Ireland 1958. Provenance: ex collection of Daniel H.F. Gillman of Dun Laoire and Bray Co. Wicklow. (1909-2005). Gillman and his brother Sylvester were regular attendees at Coutny House auctions. Being Irish Georgian Society members, they were noted for their knowledge and collections of such items being credited in a number of relevant books including the 2nd edition of Mark Bence-Jones 'Guide to Irish Country Houses of 1988. *CR Jacket with signs of alteration or repair at cuffs, right elbow and possibly collar, signs of wear and a couple of small holes. Breeches with signs of wear. Sash and shoulder belt and patch with some signs of age and use. Generally a very fine uniform with magnificent shoulder belt and pouch.
A Great War 1914 Star named to 42541 Pte J. Day 1st Inniskillings. Private Day is recorded as being missing in May 1918 and later released from Germany as a prisoner of war in December 1918. 1915 Star named to 17460 L.Cpl W.W. Saville Worc R. Walter Saville arrived in France on the 19th July 1915, he also served with the Army Service Coprs before being demobilised as class Z on the 4th June 1919. War Medal named to 200119 Gnr W. Ball R.A. Victory Medal named to 100067 Gnr W. Adams R.A. who was wounded on the 14th September 1917 and entitled to a wound stripe. And a Mercantile Marine medal named to Henry Pettit. 5 medals. *CR First with scuffing to reverse.
A wheel from a crashed Beaufighter which came down in April 1944 in Guarlford South of Worcester. The rescue of the pilot featured in the Malvern Gazette on Saturday 27th May 1944. 'Guarlford Farm Workers Gallant Act: When an aircraft crashed on April 22nd at Guarlford, Malvern, and burst into flames, a young farm worker, Charles Richard Williams of Archer's Cottage ... forces his way through the flames, pulled out the pilot, who was severely injured and unconscious, and carried him clear of the wreckage. 'I twas working in a rickyard when I saw the plane overhead, apparently in difficulties. I saw it dive down and heard a crash and then saw a cloud of smoke. I raced as fast as I could across the fields for a quarter-of-a-mile and saw a RAF sergeant, who had a broken collar bone, near the plane. I asked if there was anybody i the plane and he said, 'Yes, the pilot.' I ran to the burning wreckage, crawled underneath, and dragged out the pilot, still attached to the seat. It was very hot as the whole of the machine was on fire and as I left the plane ammunition began to explode. The pilot's face was covered in blood, and I could see he was badly injured. I dragged him clear of the wreckage and then while I went for the ambulance my father .. carried him to a ditch'. Apparently the pilot survived with only a few cuts and bruises. *CR Good condition given the history of the item.
A collection of documents and other items including: Soldier's Service and Pay Book belonging to Andrew Letters Newman born 25 July 1920, who enlisted at Sterling on the 26th July 1938 with the Royal Scots Fusiliers seeing service in Madagascar and South Africa amongst other locations. With certificate of service, War badge, 1939/45 Star, War and Defence Medals (Unnamed as issued). Also with a certificate of service for Ronald Arthur Newman with the R.A., photographs and copied research. *CR Some paperwork in poor condition, larger photograph with surface issues.
A collection of twenty seven badges to include a silver Royal Armoured Corps cap badge, hallmarked for Birmingham 1941, others for the Suffolk Regiment. Royal Warwickshire, Cornwall, American badges and others. According to family tradition this collection of badges was put together by their Mother who worked for the SOE during the Second World War and the badges given to her by men about to leave on SOE operations. *CR Good condition.
A Great War 1914-15 Star named to 2306 Pte E. Goode R.War.R. Goode, from Birmingham served with the 6th Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, his war ended as a result of shell shock, he was entitled to a wound badge after 1 year and four months with the field force. A War Medal named to 104911 Pte A.Pepperell R.A.M.C. who died at sea on the 4th May 1917, he is commemorated on the Savona Memorial in Italy. Victory Medals named to 326781 Pte C. Freeman A& S.H. (1/8th) and 20202 Pte H. Williams Glouc R. Second World War Medals France and Germany, Italy (2), Africa, Burma and 39-45 Stars, War and Defence (2) Medals. 13 medals. *CR Some age related ware, largely as issued.
With a 79cm pointed and sharpened blade decorated with a Royal crest and fouled anchor, with brass guard with further fouled anchor beneath a crown, wire bound shagreen grip and lion's head pommel. In brass mounted leather scabbard with decorated mounts and twin ring suspension, 97cm overall. With half of the buckle from the sword belt. This sword belonged to Commander Frank L. Crook an Engineer Officer who was entitled to a First World War Trio. An officer prior to the war, seniority from 20 Aug 1914. As a Lieutenant Commander he served aboard HMS Cockatrice with the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla. *CR Some small areas of degradation to blade, scabbard very well presented with light dents to the lower mount.
* Elizabeth II (1926-2022). Queen of Great Britain, 1952-2022. Document Signed, St James's, 26 August 1955, a pre-printed pardon, completed in manuscript, concerning Thomas Nicholls who was convicted of failing to pay National Insurance contributions and ordered to pay a fine of three pounds, being hereby pardoned and the fine remitted to him, signed by the Queen at head of first page adjacent to embossed stamp, minor marks, paperclip stain at head and three file holes to left margin, not affecting signature or text, 2 pages, folio, together with an unsigned copy of another pardon for an unidentified person concerning a traffic offence in 1954, filing holes and rusted staple marks, 2 pages, folioQTY: (2)
* Titanic Relief Fund. A cheque (No. K. 18642) from The Capital & Counties Bank Ltd, for six guineas to Mrs Ada Mary West, 28 April 1917, with the Titanic Relief Fund ink stamp and three signatures and payee name in ink to verso, with blue pencil marks and Barclays Bank red ink stamp, 10.5 x 20 cm QTY: (1)NOTE:Edwy Arthur West (1875-1912), a Cornishman, married Ada Mary Worth in 1905 and had two daughters. They decided to emigrate to Florida with their two daughters to start a fruit culture business. West purchased ticket number 34651, costing £27.15s and the family embarked on the Titanic at Southampton on 10 April 1912 as second-class passengers.Ada West later recalled the events of the sinking: 'We were all asleep when the collision took place but were only jolted in our berths - my husband and children not even being awakened and it was only the hurrying of passengers outside the cabin that caused alarm. The steward bade us all get up and dress thoroughly with plenty of warm things. Arthur placed lifebelts upon the children and carried them to the boat deck. I followed carrying my handbag. After seeing us safely into the lifeboat Arthur returned to the cabin for a thermos of hot milk, and, finding the lifeboat let down he reached it by means of a rope, gave the flask to me, and with a farewell, returned to the deck of the ship'.Ada also recalled male interlopers in her boat who had hidden under the women's skirts; the men had to be asked to stop lighting cigarettes in fear of the women's skirts being set alight. She also stated that she did not fear for her husband's safety until after the ship had sank and she heard the cries of those in the water. A steward in the boat tried to soften the mood by shouting 'Pull up men -- they're singing in the other boats. Give them a shout!'. The boat's occupants apparently made enough of a din to drown out at least a bit of the carnage happening not far away. As day broke Ada stated that she saw no wreckage or bodies but could see many icebergs. Rescued by Carpathia, Ada and her two daughters were treated kindly. She later recalled another survivor scoff that it was wrong that Titanic's surviving officers were feted by the passengers and crew of their rescue ship, allegedly being treated to champagne in the first class dining saloon on the evening of their rescueAda West died in St Vincent's Nursing Home in Plympton, Devon on 20 April 1953 aged 74. One keepsake that remained in her possession for the remainder of her life was the flask that her husband had passed to her the last time she ever saw him.Her daughter Edwyna, a Titanic survivor in her own right, was married in 1941 to Clarence Patrick Erskine-Lindop (1920-2001) who later became Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Local Government in the Bahamas and he was made an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 1977. The couple are also believed to have spent time living in Manhattan. Edwyna died in Plymouth in 1969.The paper Mining World wrote 'It is impossible to write without mention of the conduct of this heroic Cornishman who unquestionably might have saved his life had he chosen to take the place that, we suppose, was subsequently occupied by one of the women saved. Of such heroes the world is not worthy. Arthur West may be one of the least known of the Titanic heroes, but none will deny him the distinction of being one of the noblest'.There is a memorial to Arthur West, a former chorister, in Truro Cathedral placed there by his wife and children who had returned to live in Cornwall following the tragedy. See Encyclopedia Titanica (2020).
Coburn (Alvin Langdon, 1882-1966). London, with an Introduction by Hilaire Belloc, 1st edition, London; Duckworth & Co. & New York: Brentano's, [1909], 20 fine hand-pulled photogravures on tissue mounted to card, tipped onto rectos of grey paper sheets, images approx. 21.5 x 15.5 cm and similar, a little spotting to preliminary leaves and heavy soiling to List of Plates verso (blank) and Introduction part-title page on recto facing, original roan-backed boards, upper cover titled in gilt, rubbed and soiled, some wear with leather loss at head and foot of spine, folioQTY: (1)NOTE:Parr & Badger, vol. 1, pp. 224-6.Coburn, who had studied with the painter and printmaker Arthur Wesley Dow, prepared the plates for this work himself. Though Coburn did not print them (other than proofs), he carefully oversaw the printing process.
* Jacobite horn beaker. A horn beaker believed to have been used by Prince Charles Edward Stuart when passing through the parish of Muthell, Perthshire prior to the battle of Culloden, 1746, height 13 cm, together with an illuminated notice documenting the history of the beaker 'This drinking horn was used by Prince Charles Edward Stewart when passing thro' the parish of Muthell Perthshire previous to the battle of Culloden 1746. The Prince accompanied by his staff halted for refreshment at Lentibard cottage then occupied by a family named Oliphant. This horn out of which the Prince drank has been carefully preserved in the family until the last of them died in the year 1822. This horn amongst other things were sold at auction and purchased by and is now presented to John Clough Esqre. as a token of esteem, by Donald Munro, Late Sergeant Major, Filey, 8th Sept., 1838', with illuminated coat of arms at head, 11 x 8.5 cm, framed and glazed, plus a related Ye Olde Curiositie Shoppe & Antique depot, 33 Heath Street, Hamstead, 4-page letter regarding the beaker on letterhead of 14 June 1912QTY: (3)NOTE:The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the Jacobite rising of 1745. It took place on 16 April 1746 and was the last pitched battle fought on British soil. The Jacobite army of Charles Edward Stuart was decisively defeated by a British government force under the command of Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, on Drummossie Moor near Inverness.The Oliphant Clan, as a mainly Episcopalian Clan were devoted followers of the Stuart Kings and became staunch supporters of the Jacobite movement. Members of the Clan travelled with Prince Charles’s army during the 1745-6 Rebellion. The Edinburgh goldsmith Ebenezer Oliphant who was a member of the Clan produced an elaborate set of travelling cutlery and two wine beakers in 1740-41, which it is thought may have been a 21st birthday gift for Prince Charles Edward Stuart.
* Dilke (Charles Wentworth, 1843-1911). Second baronet, writer and politican. A collection of approximately 46 letters, all signed but several in secretarial hands, principally from Dilke's lifelong home, 76 Sloane Street, others from Suez, Richmond, Dockett Eddy, Pyrford, Local Government Board, Toulon, Paris, House of Commons, and Newnham on Seyern, mostly c. 1875-1900, some undated, to a wide variety of correspondents, covering a wide variety of topics including an enquiry to the Daily Telegraph; publishing technicalities; a promise to get Lady Dilke to write (‘The only thing she has at all ready is a further set of her gruesome stories'); asking for information on fever houses (to Lyulph Stanley); declining a professional proposition (I have no capital at my disposal for a literary ventury'); to the actress Yvette Guilbert (1865-1944) about a picture in the National Portrait Gallery ('I will... remember your interest in the gentleman you name'); parliamentary matters; declining to do favours, particularly in respect of voting; sending a donation 'towards the starting of the Kensal Town Dispensary'; to J.T. Agg-Gardner MP ('I was entirely unable to come to the Conference with the Brewers, as Winston Churchill was speaking and I could not leave. ...'); the loan of a picture; to F[rancis] C[arruthers] Gould (1844-1925, caricaturist) inviting him to dinner at the House of Commons; announcing that he would be a speaker at the Cannock Chase miners demonstration, etc., etc., letters are generally in good condition, with a few traces of mounting, etc., together with: six letters of Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke, first baronet (1810-1869) and one of Charles Wentworth Dilke (1789-1864, liberal critic and writer on literature) from the Navy Pay Office about his financial difficultiesQTY: (approx. 52)NOTE:The second baronet was born into considerable wealth, inheriting property which included two major publications, The Athenaeum and Notes and Queries. He enjoyed a largely successful political career, being twice a member of parliament and briefly holding public office, but he is probably best remembered for his part in the Crawford Divorce and its unfortunate consequences. Dilke had been accused by Virginia Crawford, the sister of his brother's wife, that he had seduced her, and it became known that he had also been the lover of Virginia's mother. Although effectively found not guilty (although Virginia was not) Dilke had made the misjudgement of effectively re-opening the case, and in the event he was shown to be a bad witness to the truth, and his reputation was in tatters. Many years of investigation at great expense were eventually to show, at least to Dilke's friends, that it was Virginia Crawford who had lied in court.
* Graves (Robert, 1895-1985). English novelist, poet and critic. Autograph Letter Signed, ‘Robert’, Callun, Deya, Mallorca Spain, 30 October 1945, to John [Aldridge] and [his wife] Lucie, regarding the cover design for his new novel Seven Days in New Crete, ‘… I think the design’s lovely and I’m ever so pleased that another of your covers will be on one of my books. Only one technical comment: the apple should be sliced horizontally, not vertically, to show the star in the middle formed by the core. Pictorial comment: I'd like a little more witch to show in proportion to goddess, who’s on a little too grand a scale proportionately…’, Graves further mentions the specifics of the design and details what the book is about, ‘…[It] is a Utopia novel which I finished just before we met in August: about a chap called Venn-Thomas who gets evoked by some magicians in the year A.D. ?? (only it is not A.D. because Christianity has ended) and finds himself in an anthropological paradise ruled by the girls on your design…’, then after explaining who the Goddess is, the second half of the letter deals with more practical matters, a few marks and ink spots including one large blot to lower right corner affecting a few words without loss of legibility, a few small nicks to right margin, 2 pages, small folioQTY: (1)NOTE:Seven Days in New Crete is a seminal future-utopian speculative fiction novel which shares many themes and ideas with Graves's The White Goddess, published in 1948. The dust jacket picture design referred to in the letter was done by the artist John Aldridge and used for the first UK edition published by Cassell in 1949. The first US edition was published simultaneously by Creative Age Press in New York but carried a different design and the alternative title, Watch the Northwind Rise.John Aldridge (1905-1983) was a British artist and designer closely associated with Graves. He had created designs for the dust jackets of several of Graves's books prior to this one, including his classic I Claudius (1934).
* Henry VIII (1491-1547). King of England and Ireland, 1509-1547. Document Signed, 'Henry R', given under the king’s signet at Windsor Castle, 2 January 1514, warrant on vellum in English, with the sign manual of Henry VIII at head, to Sir Andrew Windsor, knight, keeper of our great wardrobe, to deliver to Lord Kurson [Sir Robert Curson, Lord Curson], 14 yards of crimson velvet ‘and as much black boogi [budge] as shall suffice for furring the same gown’, some light soiling, later filing annotation '60' to top left corner, lower blank left corner cut away, faint endorsement: xxs xxv to verso, 144 x 246 mmQTY: (1)NOTE:Sir Robert Curson, styled Lord Curson, and Baron Curson in the nobility of the Holy Roman empire (c. 1460-1534/5), soldier and courtier, was of Blaxhall, near Saxmundham, Suffolk. Little is known of him before he was knighted in 1489, but he was one of the king's champions, wearing the red dragon of Wales and the queen's favour on his helmet in tournaments at Sheen and Westminster in 1494 on the creation of Prince Henry as duke of York. On 29 August 1499 he obtained a licence to leave his post as captain of Hampnes Castle in the Calais marches in order to fight the Turks under the aegis of the emperor Maximilian I, with whom he conversed about Henry VII’s murders and tyrannies, and obtained an assurance that the emperor would assist a Yorkist attempt on the English crown. On 21 October 1501 Curson was publicly proclaimed a traitor from the pulpit at Paul’s Cross. Surprisingly he was not punished, but was soon after made a baron of the Holy Roman empire. From 3 June 1509 his annual fee was set at £400 and so it remained until 1520, when he (or his son Robert) attended the Field of Cloth of Gold. Although he never became an English peer, his title Lord Curson seems to have been recognized at court from about 1513 when as master of the ordnance in the rearward he served under Brandon in the French campaigns. Staunchly conservative in religious matters, at Ipswich in 1515 he cut down boughs to stoke the fire under the Lollard Nicholas Peke. Sir Andrew Windsor (c. 1466-1543) of Stanwell in Middlesex and the Middle Temple was an Exchequer official who became Keeper of the Wardrobe in 1506 and served in the office for the rest of his life. He survived the fall of his brother-in-law Edmund Dudley, witnessed the marriage of Princess Mary to Louis XII in 1514, signed the peace and marriage treaties with France in 1518, and two years later accompanied the King to the Field of Cloth of Gold. He acted as steward for several major estates, sat as a justice of the peace in several counties and as a member of parliament. He was created Lord Windsor in 1529.
* The Great Palestinian Revolt. A collection of 26 Autograph Letters Signed by Lt. Charles Meredith Inigo-Jones (1912-2009), Palestine, May to December 1936, written to his mother, addressed as 'Mater' and signed 'Mere', whilst on active service in Palestine, detailing his experiences during the first months of the Great Arab Revolt against the British, with good commentary and descriptive accounts of the conflict, skirmishes and the people, each letter between 3 and 15 pages (with 40 pages of carbon copy typed transcripts), together with another group of 12 letters written by Inigo-Jones from Egypt, written before his move to Palestine, plus two letters to another family member ('Auntie Dockie'), and approx. 10 further fragments of additional letters, the majority with envelopes, altogether approx. 215 pages, 4to & 8vo, plus a group of Dufycolor photographs of Palestine and a group of snapshot photographs of Inigo-Jones and friends in the region A collection of 26 Autograph Letters Signed by Lt. Charles Meredith Inigo-Jones (1912-2009), Palestine, May to December 1936, written to his mother, addressed as 'Mater' and signed 'Mere', whilst on active service in Palestine, detailing his experiences during the first months of the Great Arab Revolt against the British, with good commentary and descriptive accounts of the conflict, skirmishes and the people, each letter between 3 and 15 pages (with 40 pages of carbon copy typed transcripts), together with another group of 12 letters written by Inigo-Jones from Egypt, written before his move to Palestine, plus two letters to another family member ('Auntie Dockie'), and approx. 10 further fragments of additional letters, the majority with envelopes, altogether approx. 215 pages, 4to & 8vo, plus a group of Dufycolor photographs of Palestine and a group of snapshot photographs of Inigo-Jones and friends in the regionQTY: (a folder)NOTE:These letters by a young commissioned Royal Artillery officer, going by the name Mere Inigo-Jones, provide a detailed insight into British Mandate Palestine during the early part of the Arab nationalist uprising, known as the Great Revolt. Inigo-Jones was chiefly stationed on Mount Scopus, just outside the walled city of Jerusalem, but travelled extensively around Palestine. Throughout 1936 he wrote letters to his mother that describe an unpopular but well-equipped foreign army facing sustained low-level attack from guerrillas who were often indistinguishable - at least to the British - from the local population. He was present in mid-June when the British advanced into the old city of Jaffa by blowing up buildings with gelignite, ('..the result was various people came out with their belongings by the dozen, and it took us all our time to search them...'), and was tasked with searching deep, fetid cellars and narrow alleyways after the city had been under siege for 40 days. He was in personal danger numerous times, not least during an ill-advised march through the Judean hills in the height of summer without adequate supplies but also, for example, when repairing a broken-down truck during a firefight on night-time patrol ('...this time I got a towing rope fixed up, it was a most unpleasant experience as they were firing about 50 yds away - and were on the crest of the road in full moonlight, one could see the flashes in the trees in either side of the road, as well as the whine of bullets as they passed...', 29 September). He was on regular foot patrol, often searching Arab villages, ('...found several swords and muzzle loaders...'), which could easily flare into violence. A patrol near Ramallah on 4 August resulted in the shooting of an Arab, whilst on another occasion his camp came under fire, although the chief danger on that occasion was the drunk British soldier shooting a mortar. However, he was not immune to the beauties and extraordinary history of the region and despite the unrest he found time to visit the great sites of biblical history. He also describes meeting Samaritans, and even being shown an ancient Samaritan bible, on a day trip to Nablus.
Cricket Broadside. Cricket. On Monday, October 1, 1798, a Match of Cricket, will be played on Tunbridge-Wells Common, between Mr R Hoskins and Mr Day, (of Mayfield) for Ten Pounds. The wickets to be pitched at 10'Clock, and the Game played out, Tunbridge Wells: Sprange, Printer, [1798], letterpress broadside on laid paper, some overall spotting and browning, 250 x 195 mm, tipped on to a later paper backing sheetQTY: (1)NOTE:A very rare and early cricket broadside. The printer would be Jasper Sprange (1746-1823), a printer, bookseller, and postmaster. The Tunbridge Wells Museum owns the Sprange Collection which contains over 300 sheets of proofs kept by Sprange in two albums as a record of the printing he completed between 1800 and 1802.A Mr Hoskins is identified as a lodging-housekeeper at 17 The Parade in The Directory: Or, The Ancient and Present State of Tunbridge Wells... , Tunbridge Wells: Jasper Sprange, 1808, p. 33. Mr Sprange is also listed at 1 The Parade. Hoskins, tailor, is listed at Bath Square, p. 31. As no initial for Hoskins's first name is given it is not possible to say whether this is the same man as who appears on the broadside and the identity of the other 'Captain', Mr Day of Mayfield, Sussex, is entirely unknown.The match which took place on Tunbridge-Wells Common refers to what is now known as Higher Common Ground which was used as a ground by Kent County Cricket Club in the nineteenth century and is now the home ground of Linden Park Cricket Club. It is known that cricket was played on the Tunbridge Wells Common since at least the eighteenth century and the first recorded match on the ground took place in 1782. The first first-class cricket match was held on the ground in 1844, when a team of Married cricketers played a Singles' team. Kent County Cricket Club first used the ground in 1845 and county matches were played on the ground until 1880. In 1882 a first-class match took place there between a United Eleven, captained by W.G. Grace, against the touring Australians. The ground has been used by Linden Park Cricket Club since 1906.
* Janssen (Jules,1824-1907). Surface of the Sun, Meudon, France, 1893, carbon print, 385 x 290 mm, aperture mount with contemporary printed caption label to lower mount and stating 'Presented by Sir E. A. A. K. Cowell Stepney, Bart.', mount slightly dust-soiled and spotted, old wooden frame and backboard, glazed, 63 x 52 cm overallQTY: (1)NOTE:Pierre Jules César Janssen (1824-1907), usually known as Jules Janssen, was a French astronomer who, along with English scientist Joseph Norman Lockyer, is credited with discovering the gaseous nature of the solar chromosphere, and with some justification the element helium. In 1875, Janssen was appointed director of the new astrophysical observatory established by the French government at Meudon. From 1876 he began a series of solar photographs which were collected in his Atlas de photographies solaires (1904). Sir Emile Algernon Arthur Keppel Cowell-Stepney (1834-1909), 2nd Baronet, was a British landowner and Liberal politician.
* Janssen (Jules,1824-1907). Surface of the Sun, Meudon, France, 1893, carbon print, 385 x 290 mm, aperture mount with contemporary printed caption label to lower mount and stating 'Presented by Sir E. A. A. K. Cowell Stepney, Bart.', mount slightly dust-soiled with old dampstain upper left not touching photograph, old wooden frame and backboard, glazed, 63 x 52 cm overallQTY: (1)NOTE:Pierre Jules César Janssen (1824-1907), usually known as Jules Janssen, was a French astronomer who, along with English scientist Joseph Norman Lockyer, is credited with discovering the gaseous nature of the solar chromosphere, and with some justification the element helium. In 1875, Janssen was appointed director of the new astrophysical observatory established by the French government at Meudon. From 1876 he began a series of solar photographs which were collected in his Atlas de photographies solaires (1904). Sir Emile Algernon Arthur Keppel Cowell-Stepney (1834-1909), 2nd Baronet, was a British landowner and Liberal politician.
* Colditz Letter. Autograph Letter Signed from Charles Edward Stuart ‘Lucky’ Lockett, (written from Colditz Castle), 14 August 1943, to his wife, written in pencil in a small but very neat hand on a pre-printed POW form and signed ‘Charles’, giving a detailed insight into life at Colditz, he writes that he has sent his wife some photographs (not present) but describes their content: ‘...the footballers are a mixed bunch. The people who I discuss in my letters are front row right to left Allen our orderly, Roger Heap who eats with us, Peter Dollar who lives with Bader. Near the back with pipe Douglas Bader... I haven’t been down to the football field for a hell of a time due to stoppages of privileges or some other reason. The lack of games playing facilities in what is to be an all British camp is a disgrace... the French men get parcels from France which supplement their Red X parcels and take infinite trouble over their cooking. The result is quite amazing. A new Scotch doctor Capt Dickie has arrived and is messing with us he is as far as first impressions go an excellent fellow. I’ve seen quite a lot of him ‘cos I’ve had a couple of boils ... he lanced one with a razor blade 2 days ago...’, 1 page (26 lines) written closely on all three internal letter panels, with additional hurried pencil notes to exterior, written next to his sender details including POW number 409, and the address panel, stamped with both the German and British censor marks, 10 x 14.5 cm (folded)QTY: (1)NOTE:Squadron Leader ‘Lucky’ Lockett (1910-1966) was shot down over Sedan and taken prisoner on 14 May 1940, the rest of his crew having died. Following several escape attempts he ended up at Colditz in 1941, where among his fellow prisoners was Douglas Bader. Lockett himself is credited with having been on the team which made the legendary ‘Colditz Cock’, the glider which was to have been launched from the roof of the castle in an escape attempt. The glider was nearing completion when the American Army liberated the prisoners on 16 April 1945.
* Henry VII (1457-1509), King of England, 1485-1509. Document Signed, 'H.R.', given under the king’s signet at the Palace of Westminster, 18 June 1498, warrant on vellum in English, with the sign manual of Henry VII at head, to Sir Robert Lytton, knight, under-treasurer of England and keeper of our great wardrobe, to deliver clothing and furniture for the use of ‘our dearest second son [Henry] the Duke of York and our right dear and right well-beloved daughters the Ladies Margaret and Mary his sisters’, with descriptive details (see below) of the items to be given to each of the royal children, some age toning, marginal filing hole and later annotation '49', 1 page, verso blank, 145 x 250 mmQTY: (1)NOTE:For Henry: two coats, one of black damask and the other of black satin with sufficient lining; a gown of black velvet lined with black sarcenet; a bonnet of crimson velvet; a paylet [?pallet, a type of headpiece] case of canvas; a featherbed and a bolster; a pair of fustians; two pair sheets of three broads at 12d the ell; a counterpoint and as much black sarcenet as shall suffice for the lining of a gown of crimson velvet. For Margaret: a kirtle of black satin with sufficient lining to the same; a gown of black velvet with an edge of crimson velvet and sufficient lining thereto; three ells ribbon for girdles at 5d the ell; two ounces laces for her kirtle; one thousand pins; for a paylet for her woman; a featherbed, a bolster, two pair sheets of three broads at 8d the ell, a pair of fustians and a counterpane. For Mary: a kirtle of black satin with sufficient lining thereto; three ells ribbon for girdles at 5d the ell; two ounces laces for her kirtle; a bed for the same Lady Mary; a sparver [canopy for a bed or cradle] of green sarcenet, a paylet case of canvas, a featherbed, a bolster, two pair sheets of three broads at 16d the ell, a pair of fustians, a counterpane, two pillows of down and two pillow-beres to the same at 20d the ell. Henry VII’s children spent their earliest years at Sheen on the banks of the Thames, until a fire caused the royal nursery to be moved to Eltham Palace. Prince Henry (1491-1547), the future King Henry VIII, was born on 28 June 1491 and was accordingly just seven years old at the time of the warrant. His elder sister Princess Margaret (1489-1541), born 29 November 1489, was aged eight. She married James IV, King of Scots, on 15 January 1503, and the remainder of her troubled life was dominated by the politics of the Scottish crown. Princess Mary (1496-1533), born in March 1496, was aged two. In August 1514 she was pledged to marry Louis XII of France (1462-1515), who died on 1 January 1515, danced to death, it was said, by his energetic young consort. While still in Paris she surreptitiously married Charles Brandon (c. 1484-1545), Duke of Suffolk, whom the king had sent to escort her back to England. Sir Robert Lytton of Knebworth in Hertfordshire and the Middle Temple was a clerk in the Exchequer by 1470, and served as Under-Treasurer of England from 1497 until his death in 1505.
* Courtenay (William ‘Kitty’, 1768-1835). 9th Earl of Devon, infamous lover of writer and art collector William Beckford. Autograph Letter Signed in the third person (three times), Champs Elysees Paris, 13 June 1817, to George Eastlake, relating to a deed that Courtenay had sent to Eastlake, which had not arrived and apologising in cloying terms that he has been inconvenienced by its lateness, 1 page with integral address leaf, a little soiling and a few marks including adhesion mark remains from previous mounting to inner margin of address leaf, 4toQTY: (1)NOTE:Courtenay was in his time considered a notorious homosexual. As a youth he was sometimes named by contemporaries as the most beautiful boy in England. He became infamous for his affair with William Beckford; they had met when Courtenay was eleven, Beckford being eight years his senior. Beckford was subsequently hounded out of polite British society when his letters to Courtenay were intercepted by Courtenay's uncle, Lord Loughborough, who then publicised the affair in the newspapers. Courtenay himself was forced to live abroad, and lived in the United States where he owned a property on the Hudson River in New York. He later moved to France where he died of natural causes in 1835.
* Diana (1961-1997). Princess of Wales, 1981-1996. Autograph Letter Signed, 'Diana', Kensington Palace, 5 July 1990, to Ann Marie, thanking her for the beautiful earrings and continuing, 'you both [Constantine II and Ann-Marie of Denmark] are incredibly kind to have given them to me ... Next year I hit 30, hopefully a cause for celebration... & a party, who knows!', thanking them again for the birthday present and saying how fortunate she is 'to have two such general "in-law relations" to think of me!', one small smudge on first letter of 'fortunate' on second page, written in black ink on Diana's personal red-bordered Kensington Palace stationery, 2 pages, 8vo, original post-marked envelope addressed in Diana's hand and initialled 'D' lower left, together with an earlier incomplete Autograph Letter Signed, 'Diana', to Ann-Marie, Kensington Palace, 25 December 1987, thanking her for the present of Halcyon day boxes before referring to the boys [William and Harry] who 'are over the moon with their Christmas presents...', and continuing later, 'William and Harry watch each others gifts like a hawk, so Charles and I take it in turns to be pig in the middle, in case they thump each other - it's quite exhausting!', the letter apparently lacking a second sheet of letterhead before concluding on the final sheet, 'you for my pressie & delicious lunch!', sending love from them all, 3 pp. on 2 sheets of Charles & Diana Kensington Palace letterhead, 8vo, with the original post-marked envelope addressed in Diana's handQTY: (2)NOTE:The recipient of these letters was Ann-Marie of Denmark, wife of Constantine II (1940-2023), the last king of Greece. After the abolition of the Greek monarchy on 1 June 1973, Constantine and his family moved to London where they were good friends with the royal family. Prince Philip and Princess Diana were godparents to the couple's son Prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark (born 1986); Constantine was himself godfather to William, Prince of Wales (born 1982).
* Elgar (Edward, 1857-1934). English composer. Autograph Letter Signed, 'Edward Elgar', Plas Gwyn, Hereford, 13 July 1904, to Messrs Hatzfeld & Co., in reply to their courteous letter and informing that 'The song you refer to was published in the Maga: of Music and lately by Messrs Boosey who purchased the copyright from Mr Coats I believe', and concluding that as there seems to have been a mistake somewhere he is sending the letter to Boosey who will no doubt communication with him, a few light spots and fold creases, album leaf hinge remains along blank upper margin of second page, 2 pages, 4toQTY: (1)
* Elton VC (Frederick Cockayne, 1832-1888). Lieutenant Colonel, English recipient of the Victoria Cross. Portrait of Major Elton, Stirling, 1860, albumen print, full length, seated with pillbox hat and cane, his dog ‘Turk’ seated beside him, some spotting, 114 x 152 mm, corners clipped, pasted onto a contemporary paper album leaf with ink caption details neatly written below, identifying his regiment as ‘22nd Depot Battalion’QTY: (1)NOTE:Elton was 22 years old, and a Brevet Major in the 55th Regiment of Foot, during the Crimean War when the deed took place for which he was awarded the VC: ‘On 29 March 1855 at Sebastopol, the Crimea, Major Elton, with a small number of men, drove off a party of Russians who were destroying one of the new detached works, taking one prisoner himself. On 7 June he was the first to lead his men from the trenches. On 4 August he was in command of a working party in the advanced trenches in front of the Quarries, encouraging his men to work under very heavy fire and even used a pick and shovel himself to set an example’ (The London Gazette, 24 February 1857. p. 660).Elton's Victoria Cross is displayed at the King's Own Royal Border Regiment & Border Regiment Museum in Carlisle Castle, Cumbria, together with the remainder of his group including an engraved copy of his Crimea medal. His original, regimentally impressed, Crimea medal has appeared on various occasions over the years at different auction houses and is believed to be currently held in Australia. Elton also received the French Legion d'Honneur and the Turkish Order of Medjidie.
* Napoleon I (1769-1821, Emperor of France). A fragment of wallpaper from the living room of Longwood House, St. Helena where Napoleon died, with foliate fleur de lys star pattern motif in green/blue on yellow background, with circular ink stamp to recto of the Agenc[e] Consulaire de France S. Heléne, with pencil note to verso 'Don de G. Colin. Papier du salon o? il est mort 1932', 18.5 x 12.5 cm, together with a Société des Amis de Sainte-Hélène typed letter signed addressed to Capt. V[ictor] Brisson, c/o Ed. Little Esq., 170 Phillip Str. Sydney, Australia regarding his new membership to the Society, dated 14 December 1932, signed by the Society Secrétaire General, also with Victor Brisson's membership card, and typed letter from Sir Spencer Davis inviting Captain V. Brisson to luncheon on Friday 4 November 1.15 pm at Plantation House (Government House), St. HelenaQTY: (4)NOTE:Longwood House, St. Helena was the final residence of Napoleon Bonaparte, who was held in exile on the island of Saint Helena from 10 December 1815 until his death on 5 May 1821. The location was wet and windswept and the interior of the house was damp and unhealthy which may have contributed to Napoleon's ill health and death. Longwood was originally a farm which belonged to the East India Company, and it was later given as a country residence to the deputy governor. The property was converted for the use of Napoleon in 1815, but following Napoleon's death in 1821, Longwood House reverted to the East India Company and later to the Crown, whereupon it was used for agricultural purposes once more. In 1858 the ownership was transferred to the French government. By the 1940s the condition of the property had deteriorated and the French government considered demolishing the building, but the decision to restore Longwood was made and it is now a museum. Captain Victor Brisson was born in France and spent many years sailing and living in the Pacific. A number of his log books from voyages between 1928-1936 are held in the Rare Book Collection at Fisher Library, University of Sydney, Australia. Captain Brisson could likely have visited St Helena in 1932 on one of his voyages and acquired the wallpaper sample at that time

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