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A fine Second War ‘Escaper’s M.C. group of six awarded to Captain C. N. Cross, Worcestershire Regiment, who was captured and taken Prisoner of War at Rigel Ridge, Libya, on 14 June 1942. After three previous unsuccessful attempts, he successfully escaped captivity in Italy and proceeded to make a 450 mile journey through German occupied territory Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated ‘1944’, and additionally engraved ‘Italy Capt. Charles N. Cross, 1. Worc. R.’; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s related miniature awards (last two plain discs only), these similarly mounted as worn, contact marks, therefore nearly very fine (6) £1,400-£1,800 --- Provenance: Glendinings, March 1995; Dix Noonan Webb, December 2004. M.C. London Gazette 9 December 1943. The original recommendation states: ‘This officer was captured at Rigel Ridge, Libya, on 14 June 1942. He was transferred to Italy and was imprisoned in Campo 21 at Chieti from 4 August 1942 to 4 August 1943. During this time he was involved in three escape schemes. On 4 August 1943, he was moved to Campo 19 at Bologna, whence he escaped on 12 September 1943, three days after the occupation of the camp by the Germans. With four other prisoners, Lieutenant Cross hid in an uncompleted tunnel which had been begun on 24 August 1943. He was the second officer to leave the tunnel and was able to climb out of the camp unobserved. In bare feet he followed the railway from Bologna to Castel S. Pietro where he obtained civilian clothes, food and 300 lire from English-speaking Italians. He then walked to Imoli and caught a train to Termoli where the train was taken over by the Germans. He evaded them and made his way from Termoli to Bari, receiving a good deal of help en route from Italians. At Bari he was able to contact British paratroops. In view of this officer’s enterprise and determination to rejoin the Allied Forces, I strongly recommend that he be awarded the Military Cross.’ Charles Napier Cross was born in Edmonton, Llandaff, Cardiff, in April 1913. Prior to the Second War he was employed as a Director of a company in Bridgend, and played for Cardiff Rugby Club, as well as being a former captain of Glamorgan Wanderers. Cross was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Worcestershire Regiment, in April 1941. He served with C Company, 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment in North Africa, and was present when the Battalion fought in a gallant defensive action against the 21st Panzer Division at Rigel Ridge, south-west of Tobruk, 14 June 1942. Cross was part of a small number of men left to cover the withdrawal of the main force, and was eventually taken prisoner of war. The story of Charles Napier Cross’ remarkable 450-mile journey through German-occupied Italy, is reported at great length in his MI9 Debrief, and was retold in a wartime feature that appeared in the Western Mail & South Wales News, on 11 December 1943, from which the following extract has been taken: ‘ ... Six British officers continued their tunnelling operations, and decided to make a new passage under the cookhouse. They knew the officers were going to be moved, and their idea was to stay in the hole, for days if necessary, and come out after the camp had moved. Then came their first shock. Five of them got into the hole and waited for 15 hours. Coming out to reconnoitre they found that instead of the Germans having left the camp they had moved the British officers and taken the camp over as a barracks. Then there was a dash for freedom, Lieutenant Cross was second of the five to escape over a 12 ft. wall surmounted by another 4 ft. of wire. Bare-footed he went over another barrier of barbed wire, ran into the vineyards and began his great trek. After walking some miles with swollen legs and blistered feet he called at a villa and asked for shoes or boots. The occupants gave him boots and civilian clothes, and speaking Italian he was able to pass as an Italian civilian. After walking another 10 miles, he came between the railway and the road that ran to a town and jumped on a train in a siding. With a handkerchief over his head to the complete the illusion that he was an Italian, he travelled for 100 miles as a passenger. At the end of this journey the Germans searched passengers for arms, but his nationality escaped detection, and he made for open country. Occasionally, he got lifts in a mule cart; more often he walked, passing from village to village until at last he decided to make for Naples. A peasant warned him that it was impossible to get over the hills so he turned back to a town on the Adriatic coast. He had little sleep, rising at about one a.m. and travelling through the night and day until 10 p.m. when he had a couple of hours’ sleep and was off again. For food he helped himself from the vineyards. In the villages he bought macaroni and spaghetti and sat at cafe tables with other Italians. Sometimes he was asked too many questions. He escaped from a difficult situation by saying he had been with one of the Bersaglieri regiments, and, pointing to a mark on his face, said he had suffered a wound which made talking difficult. He had little trouble in bluffing the Germans. Sometimes an Italian who guessed his identity would shake hands with him, and, with a sly wink, help him on his way. When some 30 miles from the British lines a group of Italians mistook him for an escaping German and put him in a local gaol. But he managed to get out and shortly afterwards arrived at a town where he met a platoon of British paratroops. Lieutenant Cross, who has owned a business in Bridgend for the past seven years, is a son of the late Mr. Ernest Cross, managing director of Messrs. Cross Brothers, Cardiff, and will be remembered among Cardiff Rugby followers as a former player with Cardiff Rugby Club and a former captain of Glamorgan Wanderers.’ Cross managed to make contact with British Paratroops at Bari, 18 September 1943, and after a debrief at HQ 5 Corps was sent the following day to Brindisi. Whilst at the latter he was interviewed by General Mason-Macfarlane, Chief of the Armistice Commission. Cross was deemed useful and travel orders were raised for him to escort Herr Thisson (former German Consul at Bari) and his wife from Brindisi to Algiers by air (see original documentation included in lot). Having carried out his duty he returned to the UK via Marrakech, and advanced to Temporary Captain in May 1944. After the war Cross resided at 1 Rectory Road, Penarth, Glamorgan, and died in August 1964. Sold with a quantity of original documentation including an Allied Forces H.Q. travel order, with several carbon copies, marked “Secret” and dated 21 September 1943, authorising the movement of ‘Herr Thisson, ex-German Consul at Bari and his wife’ to proceed from Brindisi to Algiers, with ‘Lt. C. N. Cross’ as their ‘prisoner of war guard’, together with an Italian post-marked envelope addressed to Cross at his residence in Glamorgan from the Thissons at Merano; the above quoted newspaper feature from the Western Mail & South Wales News; a letter from a freelance journalist asking the recipient for permission to recount his escape story in an edition of The Soldier magazine, dated 13 August 1959; and three photographs, one of them - that shown - believed to have been taken of the recipient while a P.O.W. in Italy; and copied research.

A Second War ‘Bolster Force, Arakan 1944’ Immediate M.M. group of five awarded to Private L. N. Wallington, 6th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Military Medal, G.VI.R. (5374551 Pte L. N. Wallington. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) in its named card box of issue; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, nearly extremely fine (5) £1,400-£1,800 --- M.M. London Gazette 4 January 1945. The recommendation submitted by Major R. J. Northcote-Green (6 Oxf & Bucks) Commanding Bolster Force, states: ‘13/14 Sept 1944, Ponra Village, Maungdaw. On the night 13/14 Sept, the Bolster Force beech-head was heavily shelled - seventy five shells landing in the small area of the Camp. Pte Wallington was one of the two signallers manning the telephone to Force H.Q. When the shelling started Pte Wallington was at the Cookhouse and at the first lull in the shelling went to the Command Post where he found that the L/Cpl Signaller and the only Officer had been killed by a direct hit. Undaunted he set about mending the telephone line which had been cut in 8 places. This entailed working very near to the Petrol and Ammunition dumps which were on fire. Communication being established he rang up Force H.Q. and gave information of the situation. He checked the wireless set and then did a great deal to control certain non-combatants who were in confusion as a result of the shelling. By his coolness and courage he did much to restore order, thus enabling the Officer, sent down to take over to carry out evacuation. This soldier set a fine example. But for his fine efficiency and courage during the shelling, some time might have elapsed before Force H.Q. could have gained vital information.’ Major R. J. Northcote-Green was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry on the same occasion. Louis Norman Wallington was born on 26 September 1902, and was a chair maker by trade on enlistment. Sold with named Buckingham Palace enclosure letter and letter of congratulation from General W. J. Slim on Fourteenth Army headed paper (31 October 1944), together with the recipient’s Service and Pay Book.

Pair: Chauffeur F. C. Papworth, British Red Cross Society and Graves Registration Commission, later Army Service Corps 1914 Star (F. C. Papworth. B.R.C.S. & St. J. J.); British War Medal 1914-20 (F. C. Papworth. B.R.C. & St. J. J.) with damaged named card box of issue and outer transmission envelope, good very fine (2) £80-£120 --- Frederick Charles Papworth was born at Chesterton, Cambridgeshire on 17 March 1884. He served as a Chauffeur during the Great War for 12 months from 4 November 1914; firstly with Motor Ambulance Unit No. 2 of the British Red Cross Society, later with the Graves Registration Commission. Following his return to England, Papworth attested for the Army Service Corps at Battersea, London on 11 December 1915 and returned to the Western Front as a Driver attached to a succession of different units with the British Expeditionary Force from 23 July 1917. Sold with the following original photographs and documents: a portrait photograph, 85mm x 130mm, of the recipient in the uniform of the British Red Cross Society, taken March 1915; a photograph, 105mm x 82mm, of a fleet of motor vehicles inside a large hangar, reverse captioned ‘The Workshop, Le Cateau, 1918’; the recipient’s ‘Annexe du Passeport’ with portrait photograph attached, issued by the République Francaise authorising entry into France via Boulogne before 2 June 1915; a certificate issued by the French Ambassador to London authorising passage to France for the recipient’s automobile - Vauxhall, chassis Number 216; a letter of reference from Brigidier-General Fabian Ware, Director of Graves Registration and Enquiries at the War Office; a letter from the British Red Cross Society regarding overseas service Chevrons earned by the recipient; the damaged lid to another card box of issue for BWM and VM named to “Pte F. C. Papworth, A.S.C.’ Note: The medal rolls and index cards indicate that the recipient’s service with the Army Service Corps resulted in him being issued with a second pair of British War and Victory Medals.

Three: Private G. H. Loam, 15th (2nd Birmingham Pals) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 30 August 1916 1914-15 Star (929 Pte. G. H. Loam. R. War: R.); British War and Victory Medals (929 Pte. G. H. Loam. R. War. R.); Memorial Plaque (Gilbert Henry Loam) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure; Memorial Scroll, ‘Pte. Gilbert Henry Loam, Royal Warwickshire Regt.’, extremely fine (5) £160-£200 --- Gilbert Henry Loam was born in Reading, Berkshire, and attested for the Royal Warwickshire Regiment at Birmingham. He served with the 15th (2nd Birmingham Pals) Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 November 1915, and was killed in action on the Somme on 30 August 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Sold with named Record Office enclosures; a hand-written letter from the recipient’s niece (dated 1994), recounting her memories of the recipient; and copied research.

Pair: Lieutenant H. W. Froud, Durham Light Infantry, who was mortally wounded on the Western Front leading a night raid on the enemy’s trenches near Chérisy, and died of wounds later that day, on 27 July 1917 British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. H. W. Froud.); Memorial Plaque (Harold William Froud) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure, extremely fine (3) £100-£140 --- Harold William Froud was born in Christchurch, Hampshire, on 19 June 1889, and was educated at Bournemouth School. A keen footballer, he played as a half-back for Bournemouth Football Club. Following the outbreak of the Great War he attested for the 28th Battalion (Artists’ Rifles), London Regiment on 18 May 1915, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry on 30 October 1915. He served with the 5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 July 1916, was mortally wounded during the night of 26-27 July 1917, and died of wounds at No. 45 Casualty Clearing Station on 27 July 1917. The Battalion History, by Major A. L. Raimes, gives the following account: ‘On the night of 26-27 July a party of one officer and 22 men, all volunteers, attempted a raid on a section of the German trenches near Chérisy, known as Narrow trench. They left our lines at 12:30 a.m. but, unfortunately, it was a light night, and they were seen crossing No-Man’s Land. The enemy waited till they reached their wire, and then greeted them with a shower of bombs. Lieutenant H. W. Froud, who was leading the party, was mortally wounded, seven of the men were killed or wounded, and the remainder had no alternative but to retire. One of the men who was killed had volunteered so as to atone for some misdeed for which he had been court-martialled. He was last seen falling into the German trench, with a bayonet through his body, and his hands fast on his enemy’s throat. Another man had volunteered to avenge the death of his son who had been killed in a previous action.’ In a letter to the recipient’s parents, Froud’s Commanding Officer wrote: ‘I cannot speak too highly of your son as a gallant soldier and a true English gentleman respected by all officers and men of his regiment. I selected him with a party from his Company to do a small raid on the German trenches. Unfortunately I am afraid the enemy suspected this and were ready to receive the party with bombs, seven out of twelve in the party being hit, including your son, who was hit in several places When I saw him at the dressing-station we hoped he would go on all right, but I am afraid some small piece must have pierced him internally. I feel the loss personally, for your son was very popular with us, and I was most anxious to get him back again to the battalion after he was hit last year.’ Another officer wrote: ‘Harold died yesterday, at the casualty clearing station, from wounds received the night before. He was detailed to take out a raiding party to attack the German trenches in front. When he and his men were within fifteen yards of the German lines they assailed with bombs, and he received a number of wounds. he was brought in and was quite conscious and able to talk about what had happened. It was believed he was not dangerously wounded, but one of the small pieces must have penetrated a vital spot, and he died yesterday afternoon at the station to which he was taken. I need hardly tell you how much we all miss him. He was one of our best officers and one of the most popular with the men. I feel it is banal to offer you sympathy; what I want is that you should know he died splendidly.’ Froud is buried in Achiet-le-Grand Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Sold with a photographic image of the recipient; and copied research.

Pair: Private A. J. Packer, Rifle Brigade, who was killed in action on the Western Front on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916 British War and Victory Medals (S-15099 Pte. A. J. Packer. Rif. Brig.); Memorial Plaque (Arthur John Packer) in card envelope, good very fine (3) £300-£400 --- Provenance: Acquired by the vendor directly from the recipient’s family. Arthur John Packer was born in Westminster, Middlesex, and attested for the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own) at Camberwell, Surrey, on 8 December 1915. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 11 May 1916, and was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, on 1 July 1916. On this date the Battalion, as part of the 11th Brigade, 4th Division, was ordered to attack Redan Ridge. Held up by fire from Ridge Redoubt and The Quadrilateral soon after leaving the trenches, they entered the German line by 10:00 a.m., and were involved in heavy close quarter fighting along the trenches. Driven back after a counter attack they retired to Mailly-Maillet, having suffered total casualties of 474. Packer was amongst those killed, and is buried in Redan Ridge Cemetery, France. Sold with named Record Office enclosure for the British War Medal; the recipient’s last letter home to his parents; and copied research.

An emotive Great War pair, together with an extensive archive, awarded to Air Mechanic 1st Class F. Dearing, 20 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, who was mortally wounded during an aerial combat on the Western Front over Ypres on 26 September 1916, in which he and his pilot succeeded in shooting down an enemy aircraft, before being shot down themselves. Never regaining consciousness, Dearing died of his wounds later that day. He was just 16 years of age - one of the youngest Flying casualties of the Great War British War and Victory Medals (9882 Pte. F. Dearing. R.F.C.); Memorial Plaque (Frederick Dearing) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure; Memorial Scroll, ‘A. Mech. I Frederick Dearing, Royal Flying Corps’; together with the recipient’s card identity tag ‘9882 Dearing F. R.F.C. C.E.’, extremely fine (4) £600-£800 --- Provenance: Acquired by the vendor directly from the recipient’s family. Frederick Dearing was born in Shoreham, Sussex, on 2 March 1900, and attested underage for the Royal Flying Corps at Hove, Sussex, on 9 October 1915, giving his age as 18 years and 196 days. He served with the Royal Flying Corps as part of the British Expeditionary Force during the Great War on the Western Front from 17 January 1916, and was posted to 20 Squadron, with the rank of Air Mechanic 1st Class, on 1 June 1916. Dearing’s first engagement of note came on 8 September 1916 when, serving as the observer in at F.E. 2D, piloted by Second Lieutenant D. H. Dabbs, they succeeded in shooting down an enemy machine, before being victims themselves: ‘Second Lieutenant Dabbs and Air Mechanic Dearing had just sent an Aviatik two-seater side-slipping into the clouds apparently out of control when their FE was hit by ground fire that sent shrapnel ripping through Dabb’s arm and the FE’s petrol piping ad radiator. The FE rapidly began to lose height but, while Dearing strafed the German trenches 200ft below them, Dabbs was able to glide it back across the lines to a safe forced landing in a field near Fleurbaix. However, this was in full view of a German artillery emplacement whose gunners quickly laid down a barrage of shells all around the grounded machine and Dabbs was hit in the leg by shrapnel and Dearing helped him from the cockpit. In a letter home, dated 11 September 1916, Dearing wrote of the incident: ‘I have had several trips up in an aeroplane over the lines and I brought a German aeroplane down, and soon after we were brought down ourselves, but fortunately behind our own lines. When I got back to camp one of the chaps told me that I was supposed to be dead and the troops seemed quite surprised to see me on parade and looked at me as though I were a ghost. This happened last Friday and I would have told you about it but I thought you might get the wind up or something.’ However, on 26 September 1916 Dearing’s luck ran out: ‘At 7:30 a.m. Second Lieutenant A. F. Livingstone and Air Mechanic Dearing were patrolling at 12,000 feet near Ypres in F.E. 2D A8 when Livingstone dived on a lone German machine 2,000 feet below them but, as he later recorded in his combat report, he dived too far and found it necessary to go alongside the hostile aircraft in order to regain height. Both machines were firing at each other at this point and, as the FE climbed above the German machine at close range, the enemy observer’s answering free hit both the British flyers, wounding Livingstone in the ankle and Dearing in the neck and head. Livingstone brought the machine down to a successful forced landing just south of Vlamertinghe but it was too late for Dearing, who died shortly afterwards at No. 10 Casualty Clearing Station.’ Dearing’s Commanding Officer, Captain R. Stuart Maxwell, wrote to Dearing’s mother: ‘I am just just writing to tell you the splendid circumstances in which your son received the wound from which he afterwards died. He was acting as gunner observer on the morning of 26 September, when they engaged a German machine in aerial combat. Your son managed to put in such fine shooting that the German machine was sent crashing down just behind his own lines. The pilot, Second Lieutenant Livingstone, was rather badly wounded in the feet almost at the same time that your son was hit, right at the end of the scrap. He brought the machine down at once, however, and your son was in the Doctor’s hands in a very short time. He never regained consciousness, and died in hospital about 1:30 p.m. on the same day. I was very sorry that we were unable to tell him that the German machine was brought down. He was a mere boy, and as game and plucky as any observer I have ever had to do with. It will, I hope, relieve you in your almost unbearable grief to know that he died doing his job as gallantly and as well as any man could, and that those of us who knew him during the last few months looked on him as a really splendid youngster ,who feared nothing and was always ready to undertake any work, however dangerous.’ Second Lieutenant Livingstone also wrote thus: ‘I feel I must write to convey to you my sincere sympathy in the loss you have sustained in the death of your son Frederick. His loss will be deeply regretted in the Squadron as he was a very good and keen observer. It is some satisfaction to know that we succeeded in bringing down the German machine.’ Dearing is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. He was just 16 years of age. Sold with a large archive of original documents and ephemera, including various letters from the recipient to his mother, and vice versa; various postcards from the recipient to his sister; a selection of R.F.C. Dinner invitations; War Office notification of his death; telegram from the recipient’s mother to her husband (Dearing’s step-father) informing him of Frederick’s death; Imperial War Graves Commission correspondence, including a photograph of the recipient’s original grave; a large number of hand-written and typed letters of condolence to the recipient’s mother, including those from Second Lieutenant Livingstone; postcard photograph of the recipient; various newspaper cuttings; remnants of a R.F.C. cap badge; and copied research.

The Second Afghan War and M.S.M. group of five awarded to Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant D. C. Elkins, 9th Lancers, later a Yeoman of the Guard Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (1355. Sergt. D. Elkins. 9th Lancers.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (1355. Sergt. D. C. Elkins. 9th Lancers.) official correction to initials; Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., coinage head (Sq. Q.M. Sjt. D. C. Elkins. 9-Lrs.); Coronation 1911; Jubilee 1935, the first with contact marks, nearly very fine, otherwise very fine and better (5) £600-£800 --- Daniel Charles Elkins was born at Iver, Buckinghamshire, on 8 October 1852. He attested for the 9th Lancers at Aldershot on 8 April 1871, aged 18 years 6 months, a shoemaker by trade. He embarked with the regiment for India on 9 January 1875, was promoted to Sergeant in June 1878, and served in Afghanistan during the campaign of 1879, from 19-30 March, and from 5 April to 6 June (Medal). He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in July 1889, promoted to Troop Sergeant-Major in April 1890, and was discharged as Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant on 31 August 1896. He was appointed to the King’s Body Guard on 22 August 1902. Elkins was unsuccessfully recommended for the M.S.M. with annuity in 1922. The medal, without annuity, was finally awarded in Army Order 142 of 1936. He was present at the inspection of the Guard by King Edward VIII on 26 June of that year. Elkins died at Hounslow, London, on 1 January 1944, aged 91. Sold with copied photograph and discharge papers.

A Great War M.C. group of three awarded to Major H. J. Bennett, 2/4th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was taken prisoner in March 1918 Military Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals (Major H. J. Bennett.); together with an unofficial St John badge, silver-gilt and enamels, very fine and better (4) £600-£800 --- M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1918. Herbert John ‘Jack’ Bennett served with the 2/4th Battalion in France from 25 May 1916. He had been commissioned as Lieutenant on 14 September 1914, was appointed Temporary Captain on 9 December 1914, promoted to Captain on 1 June 1916, and appointed Acting Major on 22 April 1917. He was captured near Marcelçave on 30 March 1918, whilst attempting to rejoin his men in the trenches before the village which, unknown to him, were no longer being fought for. ‘Near the railway bridge he ran straight into the enemy as they swarmed towards the village and was captured.’ In the Oxford Times of 25 May 1918, Major H. J. Bennett was reported as P.O.W in German hands. Sold with Buckingham Palace letter for returned prisoners of war and a photocopied group photograph of Bennett and other officers of the 2/4th Battalion.

Royal Air Force WW2 medals and ephemera for 1806562 Sgt G J Weedon comprising 1939/1945 Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal, together with his Caterpillar Club pin badge, member's card and letter from the Irwin Air Chute Company. Sgt Weedon was reported as missing as a result of air operations on the 21st October 1944 and was made a prisoner of war and sent to Stalag 3 / 3A.  Included are telegrams/ correspondence to and from Sgt Weedon as a P.O.W, German personnel cards, photographs pre/post capture, side cap and typed narrative dated February 1945 on the forced march of prisoners from Stalag 7 etc

WW1 British Empire Medal group of four for William Taylor Motorman, comprising British Empire Medal correctly engraved, 1939/1945 Star, Atlantic Star with clasp for France and Germany and War Medal, with original letter from Central Chancery confirming authenticity of the BEM and naming, folder of original and comprehensive copy paperwork/documentation. William Taylor was an Australian seaman who joined the Merchant Navy in 1939 with Ellerman's Wilson Line of Hull. On the outbreak of war he volunteered for special duties, crewing fast blockade runners to speed through German patrols in the north sea to Sweden. Crewed by Merchant Navy volunteers and an SOE agent as Chief Officer, they carried supplies intended for the Danish resistance to Sweden and brought back vital steel ball bearings, which were in short supply at the time. The fast vessels were stripped of all unnecessary fittings and carried machine guns for defence, as well as German air and naval patrols, they faced German mines laid along their routes. The operations were planned in strict secrecy as the Swedes had to maintain neutrality, but after one earlier operation Hitler was so angry that he threatened the Swedes with invasion. Taylor's records show that he took part in Operations 'Bridford' and 'Moonshine', serving on the Nonsuch, then Hopewell and finally the Gay Corsair, all blockade runners. The Daily Mail 18 July 1944 reported "Hull Men in Fast Ships Smash the German Blockade." His British Empire Medal was Gazetted 17 July 1945: "For gallantry and initiative in hazardous circumstance: William Taylor Motorman."

British Army WWI Royal Artillery Military Medal group for 138928 Signaler / Gunner G Barritt comprising Military Medal, War Medal and Victory Medal together with a letter / form from the Royal Garrison Artillery and four London County Council Attendance medals

British Army WW1 Machine Gun Corps certificate presented to Lieutenant A W Erskine and his demobilization War Office letter dated 5th February 1920

MONTGOMERY OF ALAMEIN HANDWRITTEN LETTER signed by Montgomery of Alamein dated 27/3/1947, on War Office

DIVISION BRANDENBURG - Nachlass Major Max Wandrey, Kommandeur des 2. Bataillons im Jäger-Regiment 1 in der Panzergrenadierdivision "Brandenburg", 787. Träger des Eichenlaubs zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes. Max Wandrey war einer der tapfersten Offizierein der bekannten Sondertruppe der Abwehr - den Brandenburgern, welche in denletzten Kriegsjahren zur Panzergrenadierdivision erweitert wurde. Seine Tatenerheben ihn in die Reihe der erfolgreichsten Frontoffiziere, was durch seinehohen Auszeichnungen belegt wurde. Bereits 1942 mit dem Deutschen Kreuz in Goldausgezeichnet, erhielt Wandrey für seinen verdienten Kampfeinsatz als Chef der11. Kompanie am 9. 1. 1944 in Griechenland das Ritterkreuz zum Eisernen Kreuz undals Kommandeur des 2. Bataillons am 16. 3. 1945 posthum das Eichenlaub. Wandreyverstarb am 21. 2. 1945 nach einer schweren Verwundung in einem Lazarett inKruschwitz/Sachsen.--GroßeVerleihungsurkunde zum Deutschen Kreuz in Gold an Max Wandrey. Datiert 13. 5. 1942, mit OU Generalfeldmarschall Keitel. DazuVorläufiges BZ zum Deutschen Kreuz in Gold. Datiert 13. 5. 1942, mit OUGeneralfeldmarschall Keitel. Übersendungsschreiben zur Urkunde des DeutschenKreuzes. Datiert 15. 4. 1943. Beigefügt ein schönes Foto des Beliehenen mit DKund Ritterkreuz.-Tagesbefehlder Division Brandenburg über die Verleihung des Eichenlaubs zum Ritterkreuzdes Eisernen Kreuzes. Datiert v. 17. 3. 1945.-Beileidsschreiben des Divisionskommandeurs Brandenburgv. 1. 3. 1945 an die Witwe des Gefallenen mit Mitteilung über die Einreichungzum Eichenlaub des Ritterkreuzes zum Eisernen Kreuz. -Abschrift des Fernschreibens des Führers zurVerleihung des Eichenlaubs zum Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes v. 16. 3. 1945.-Abschrift des Fernschreibens von GeneraloberstSchörner zur Verleihung des Eichenlaubs. Datiert 19. 3. 1945.-Glückwunschschreiben zum Eichenlaub desRitterkreuzes zum Eisernen Kreuzes. Datiert v. 23. 3. 1945 mit OU des Chefs desGeneralstabs des Heeres Guderian.-Zeitungsberichte zur Verleihung desRitterkreuzes. Dazu ein schönes Trägerfoto Max Wandreys.- Schreiben v. 19. 3. 1945des Divisionskommandeurs GM Schulte-Geuthans mit Mitteilung über die Verleihungdes Eichenlaubs und die Übersendung des Ärmelbands "Brandenburg" an die Witwedes Gefallenen Max Wandrey. Extrem seltenes Dokument zur Geschichte desÄrmelbandes der Division Brandenburg.-Konvolut20 Fotos von Max Wandrey sowie Kameraden der Brandenburger und ihrenEinsatzorten. Teilweise Ablichtungen Wandreys mitRitterkreuz.Fotokonvolut von einmaliger Seltenheit. Fotosdieser Truppe sind bisher kaum im Handel vorgekommen. Von großem historischen Interesse.- Konvolut Auszeichnungenund Dokumente Max Wandreys, Eichenlaubträger der Division Brandenburg: - Besitzzeugnis zum Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen. Datiert 29. 7. 1940.- Verleihungsurkunde zum Eisernen Kreuz 2. Klasse. Datiert 1. 6. 1940, mit OUGeneralleutnant und Divisionskommandeur v. Briessen.- Verleihungsurkunde zum Eisernen Kreuz 1. Klasse 1939. Datiert 7. 8. 1941, mitOU Generalleutnant Seifert.- Besitzzeugnis zum Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz. Datiert 1. 10. 1940, mit OUOberst v. Randow.- Dazu Foto seiner Grabstelle und 2 Leutnants-Schulterstücke.Aus dem Besitz eines der legendären "Brandenburger"von großer Seltenheit. DIVISION BRANDENBURG - Grouping from the Estate of Major Max Wandrey, Kommander of the 2nd Bataillon, Jäger-Regiment 1, Panzergrenadier Division "Brandenburg". The 787th recipient of the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. Wandrey was one of the bravest officers in the well known special forces of the Abwehr: the Brandenburgers, which was expanded into a Panzergrenadier Division in the last years of the war. His actions elevated him into the ranks of one of the most successful combat commanders, which was evidenced by his many military decorations for valor. Already awarded the German Cross in gold in 1942, Wandrey received the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for his valor in combat as the commander of the 11th company on 9 January 1944 in Greece and as commander of the 2nd Battalion on 16 March 1945 posthumously the oak leaves. Wandrey died on 21. 2. 1945 after a serious wound in a hospital in Kruschwitz/Saxony. The grouping consists of the following: - Large award document for the German Cross in Gold to Max Wandrey dated 13. 5. 1942, features original signature of Field Marshal Keitel. - Preliminary award document for the German Cross in Gold dated 13. 5. 1942, features original signature of Field Marshal keitel. Included is the certified receipt for the document dated 15. 4. 1943 and a beautiful photograph of Wandrey with German Cross and Knight's Cross. - Order of the Day from the Brandenburg division for the award of the Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, dated 17. 3. 1945. - Condolence letter from the Commander of the Brandenburg Division, dated 1. 3. 1945 to Wandrey's widow. She is also being notified that her husband has been recommended for the Oak Leaves to the Knight's cross of the Iron Cross. - Copy of the Führer's telex for the award of the Oak leaves to the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross, dated 16. 3. 1945. - Copy of the telex from Colonel General Schörner for the award of the oak leaves, dated 19. 3. 1945. - Congratulatory letter for the Oak Leaves of the Knight's cross to the Iron Cross, dated 23. 3. 1945 features the original signature of the chief of the General Staff of the army, Heinz Guderian. - Newspaper reports on the award of the Knight's cross and a very attractive photo of the recipient, Max Wandrey. - Letter dated March 19, 1945 from the division commander, Major General Schulte-Geuthans, informing Wandrey's widow that her husband has been awarded the oak leaves. The letter also notifies the widow that she is being sent a "Brandenburg" cuff title. Extremely rare document pertaining to the history of "Brandenburg" division cuff title. - Group of 20 photos featuring Max Wandrey and his Brandenburger comrades in various combar settings. Also, photocopy of Wandrey with the Knight's Cross. Photo collection of unique rarity given the nature of the Brandenburger's classified missions. Of great historical interest. - Group of awards and documents to Max Wandrey, Oak Leaves recipients of the Division Brandenburg: - Preliminary award document for the infantry assault badge, dated 29. 7. 1940. - Award document for the Iron Cross 2nd Class, dated 1. 6. 1940 with original signature of Lieutenant General and Division Commander v. Briessen. - Award document for the Iron cross 1st class dated, dated 7. 8. 1941 with signature of Lieutenant General Seifert. - Preliminary award document for the Black Wound Badge, dated 1. 10. 1940 with original signature of Colonel v. Randow. - Photograph of his gravesite with two lieutenant's shoulder boards. From the estate of one of the legendary "Brandenburgers" and of great rarity.

Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf. Monumentalausgabe in Pergament aus dem Besitz des Prinzen Colonna, Statthalter von Rom. Der Deckel mit gold geprägtem Hoheitsadler und dem Titel "MEIN KAMPF" in erhabener Prägung. Der Rücken ebenfalls in reicher Goldprägung. Dreikant-Goldschnitt. Franz Eher Verlag München, 351 Seiten. Auf dem Vorsatzblatt die eigenhändige Widmung des Reichsministers für Volksaufklärung und Propaganda, Dr. Joseph Goebbels: "S.E. Principe Don Piero Colonna in aufrichtiger Verbundenkheit". Mit Originalunterschrift Dr. Goebbels und Datum: "8. Mai 1938". Im Innendeckel großes Ex Libris der Prinzen Colonna. Beigefügt eine handschriftliche Bestätigung des Prinzen Oddone Colonna vom Juni 1991, dass es sich bei dem Exemplar der Monumentalausgabe um ein Geschenk Adolf Hitlers an seinen Großvater, Don Piero Colonna, damaliger Gouverneur der Stadt Rom, handelt. Das Buch wurde dem Prinzen Colonna anlässlich des Staatsbesuches Adolf Hitlers in Italien (3. - 9. Mai 1938) überreicht. Colonna war der einzige unter den Mitgliedern des römischen Adels, der sich eindeutig zum italienischen Faschismus bekannte. Als Gouverneur der Stadt Rom hatte er innenpolitisch einen wichtigen Posten inne. Die Familie der Prinzen Colonna gehört zu den ältesten und angesehensten römischen Adelsfamilien. Sie führen ihren Stammbaum bis auf den römischen Kaiser Marc Aurel (162 - 180 n. Chr.) zurück. Die vor ihrem Palazzo befindliche antike Markussäule ist daher auch das Emblem ihres Wappens. Es mag zunächst verwundern, dass Hitler nicht selbst eine Widmung an den Prinzen in die große Prachtausgabe seines Werkes, schrieb. Adolf Hitler besaß jedoch gewisse persönliche Vorbehalte gegen diese Familie, die in seiner Biographie begründet sind und sich nicht gegen Piero Colonna persönlich richteten. Die Colonna gehören neben den Fürsten Orsini zu den besonders gemeinen Schurken in Richard Wagners Oper Rienzi. Das Wagnersche Frühwerk handelt von dem Volkstribun Cola di Rienzi, der im mittelalterlichen Rom die Rechte des römischen Volkes gegen die degenerierte Adelsherrschaft durchsetzen will. Sein Versuch Rom zu antiker Größe zurückzuführen scheitert an der Niedertracht des römischen Adels. Diese Oper übte auf den jungen Hitler in seinen Wiener Jahren eine geradezu magische Faszination aus. Vom Stehparkett der Wiener Staatsoper sah er die Oper wahrscheinlich einige dutzend Mal in der legendären Inszenierung Alfred Rollers mit Mahler als Dirigent. Die entrückenden in stimmungsvolles Licht getauchten Bühnenbilder Rollers und die Mahlerschen Tongewitter trugen in nicht zu unterschätzendem Ausmaß zu Adolf Hitlers persönlicher Entwicklung bei. Der Inhalt der Oper ist geradezu eine Vorwegnahme seines eigenen Lebensweges, Rienzi also eine Präfiguration des künftigen Führers. Gemäß einem Schreiben des Reichsleiters Max Amann an Prof. Gerdy Troost vom 6. August 1940 wurden von der monumentalen Prachtausgabe des Buches "Mein Kampf" nur 100 Exemplare hergestellt, die vom Verlag aus unverkäuflich waren. Sie wurden nur an besonders bedeutende Persönlichkeiten auf direkten Wunsch Adolf Hitlers bei besonderen Anlässen überreicht. Das hier angebotene Exemplar besticht durch den interessanten historischen Kontext und die gesicherte Provenienz. Es ist meines Wissens das einzige bekannte Exemplar mit einer Goebbels-Widmung, das bisher bekannt wurde. Exemplare mit Widmungen Adolf Hitlers sind nicht bekannt. Bedeutendes historisches Objekt von großem Interesse für die Erforschung des Charakters des Reichskanzlers Adolf Hitler. Zugleich ein prächtiges museales Ausstellungsobjekt von großer Anziehungskraft. 52,5 x 40 cm. Die Buchschließen fehlen. Adolf Hitler Mein Kampf Monumental Edition in Parchment from the Estate of Prince Colonna, Proconsul of Rome. The cover features a gold embossed national eagle and the title "Mein KAMPF" in raised embossing. The back is richly gold embossed with triangular gold edging. Marked to the publisher Franz Eher Verlag München and features 351 Pages. The front page features a personal dedication by Reich Minister for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, Dr. Joseph Goebbels: "S. E. Principe Don Piero Colonna in sincere solidarity". With original signature of Dr. Goebbels and dated 8 May 1938. The interior cover features the large Ex-Libris of Prince Colonna. Included is a handwritten confirmation letter from Prince Oddone Colonna in June 1991 that this exact example was a gift from Adolf Hitler to his grandfather, Don Piero Colonna, then proconsul of the city of Rome. The book was presented to Prince Colonna on the occasion of Adolf Hitler's state visit to Italy 3 - 9 May 1938. Colonna was the only one among the members of the Roman nobility who clearly professed Italian fascism. As governor of the city of Rome, he held an important position in domestic politics. The family of Prince Colonna belongs to the oldest and most respected Roman noble families. They trace their pedigree back to the Roman Emperor Marc Aurel (162 - 180 AD). The ancient column in there Palazzo is the Emblem from their coat of arms. It may be surprising at first, that Hitler did not himself write a dedication to the prince in this monumental edition. Adolf Hitler, however, had certain personal reservations about this family, which appear in his biography, although they were not directed against Piero Colonna personally. The Colonna, along with Prince Orsini, are among the most vile villains in Richard Wagner's opera Rienzi. The Wagnerian early work is about the Tribune Cola di Rienzi, who wants to assert the rights of the Roman people against the degenerating aristocratic rule in medieval Rome. His attempt to return Rome to ancient greatness fails because of the rascality of the Roman nobility. This opera exerted an almost magical fascination on the young Hitler during his Viennese years. From the standing parquet of the Vienna State Opera he probably saw the opera a few dozen times in the legendary production of Alfred Rollers with Mahler as conductor. The rapturous stage sets of roller, bathed in atmospheric light, and the Mahlerian thunderstorms contributed to Adolf Hitler's personal development and is not to be underestimated. The theme of the opera is almost a reflection of his own path in life, Rienzi as a prefiguration of the future leader. According to a letter from Reichsleiter Max Amann to Prof. Gerdy Troost dated 6 August 1940, only 100 copies of the monumental magnificent edition of the book "Mein Kampf" were produced, which were not for sale by the publishing house. They were only presented to particularly important personalities at the direct request of Adolf Hitler on special occasions. The specimen offered at auction, impresses with its interesting historical context and its assured provenance. To my knowledge, it is the only known copy with a Goebbels dedication that exists. Copies with dedications by Adolf Hitler are not known. Important historical object of great interest for the further research of the character of the Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler. Very attractive museum worthy specimen. Measures 52,5 x 40 cm. The book locks are missing.

WW2 and Great War Sir Brian Horrocks DSO MC hand written letter on Black Rod notepaper to Brig Wieler replying to an invitation. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99

Transylvania (Principality) - Apafi Miha?ly I (Sovereign 1661-1690). The Declaration of the Hungarian War, Lately set out by the most illustrious Michael Apafi, Prince of Transilvania, against the Emperour’s S. Majesty. According to the Transylvanian copy, anno 1682. To all kings, princes, and common-wealths, ... Michael Apafi, by the grace of God Prince of Transylvania, ... I do declare and testifie in sincere truth and unfeigned faith, London: Francis Smith, Sen., 1682, [4], 15, [1]pp. (including additional title page: Declaratio belli Hungarici), some toning, disbound folio, together with: France, The French Intrigues Discovered. With the Methods and Arts to Retrench the Potency of France by Land and Sea, and to Confine that Monarch within his Antient Dominions and Territories. Humbly submitted to the Consideration of the Princes and States of Europe, especially o England. Written in a Letter from a Person of Quality abroad, to his Correspondent here, London: R. Baldwin, 1681, [2], 31, [1]pp., initial blank present, light damp staining and some toning, disbound folio, Law, The Lawyers Demurrer, to the Addresses in Fashion. Or, the several Declarations and Orders of the Honourable Societies of the Middle-Temple, and Grays-Inn, lately made in Relation to that Affair, London: Richard Janeway, 1681, 2pp., single sheet, caption title, imprint to colophon, light toning, disbound folio, Nottingham Charters, The Case of the Burgesses of Nottingham, in reference to the Surrendring of their Charters, truly stated, August the 21st. 1682, London: Brabazon Aylmer, [1682], 4pp., caption title, imprint to colophon, folded and inner blank margin excised at foot, disbound folio, [Penn, William],The Great Question to be Considered by the King, and this approaching Parliament, briefly proposed, and modestly discussed: (To wit) How far Religion is concerned in Policy or Civil Government, and Policy in Religion? With an Essay rightly to distinguish these great interests, upon the Disquisition of which a sufficient Basis is proposed for the firm Settlement of these Nations, to the most probable satisfaction of the several Interests and Parties therein. By one who desires to give unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsars, and to God the things that are Gods, [London: s.n., 1679], 8pp., caption title, final leaf with letterpress signed at end 'Philo-britannicus' (i.e. William Penn), light damp staining, disbound folio, Charles II, Reflections upon the Conduct of the King of Great Britain in the late Wars. Contained in a Letter from a Subject of one of the Confederated Princes, to a Friend in Holland. Done into English, London: Printed for H.R., 1682, 4pp., caption title, imprint to colophon, light toning and minor damp stains, gutter margins slightly torn, disbound folioQty: (6)NOTES1. ESTC R16479; Wing A3526. 2. ESTC R9404; Wing F2185. 3. ESTC R17022; Wing L740. 4. ESTC R25331; Wing C1023E. 5. ESTC R7032; Wing P1300 & Sabin 59704. 6. ESTC R222084; Wing R727.

* Bantock (Granville Ransom, 1868-1946). British Composer. A group of three autograph letters signed, 'Granville Bantock', The University, Edmund Street, Birmingham, 9 & 21 September 1931, and 1 March 1932, all to Mr Richard, of the Music Publisher Cranz, the first repeating his opinion of Havergal Brian's Opera "The Tigers", 'I am glad to have this opportunity of confirming the opinion I then expressed that it is a most original work of great musical interest, and likely to make a sensation, if and when produced on the Continent. It is a witty and brilliant satire of life in England during the War...', the second telling that he is delighted that Cranz have accepted Brian's works which 'is good news indeed for British music', also mentioning that Eugene Goossens is interested in his own Choral Symphony "Atlanta in Calydon" for unaccompanied voices which was published by Breitkopf before the war and hoping to be able to discuss the publication of his new work, the final letter thanking him for the Wagner pocket scores and enquiring about the publication date of Havergal Brian's opera and symphonies, the first with old staple to upper margin, the second a little dusty and with some marginal browning at foot and creasing to left margin, old staple holes and one short tear to upper margin, each two pages, 8vo (the second letter 4to)Qty: (3)

* Du Maurier (Daphne, 1907-1989). English Author and Playwright. A lengthy wartime autograph letter signed, 'Daphne du Maurier', 25 October 1942, to a prisoner of war, Sargeant Tony Arnold RAF, a 'fan' who had written to her from Stalag Luft III [later the scene of the Great Escape (1944)], the novelist giving family news, news of her own life at this time, and particularly her literary endeavours, '... I am very busy on a new one [novel], an immensely long novel this time, twice the length of Frenchman's Creek ... and will be called "Hungry Hill" ... My play of "Rebecca" has been running for some time, but came off this last week. There was a film of it, very good ... They are supposed to be doing a film of "Frenchman's Creek" sometime, but I have no idea who they will get to do it. I would have liked Laurence Olivier and Vivian (sic) Leigh, but I believe neither are available. Anyway, it will be done in Hollywood I suppose, so I shall have no say in the matter...', wondering what they might do after the war and referring to her children, written in dark blue ink on 5 sheets, each with a German sensor stamp 'Geprüft 25', slight browning to final page away from signature, 10 pages, 8vo, accompanied by the original envelope, spotted in brown and with German sensor stampQty: (1)NOTESA remarkable letter in response to a fan who had written to her from Stalag Luft III. There seems little known of Tony Arnold, and he does not appear to have been involved in any way in the Great Escape. The film of Frenchman's Creek was directed by Mitchell Leisen and starred Joan Fonteyne with Arturo de Cordova and Basil Rathbone.

* Elizabeth II (1926- ). Queen of the United Kingdom 1952- . Autograph Letter Signed, 'Elizabeth' as Princess, Sandringham, Norfolk, 28 December 1951, to the portrait painter Frank O. Salisbury (1874-1962), in response to his offer of a portrait of her grandfather King George V, '... I cannot begin to say how very touched I am by your extremely kind gesture, and you can be certain that the picture will be a very treasured possession. I only hope that I did not give the impression the other day that I was begging for it! ...', written in blue ink on Sandringham letterhead, slight adhesion remains to blank upper margin of second page, two pages, 8vo, together with Salisbury's autograph draft letter signed to the Princess Elizabeth, Sarum Chase, Hampstead, 15 December 1951, explaining the background to the picture, '... I feel that it is destined to be yours, especially as your beloved grandfather so graciously gave me helpful sittings for it, to enable me to paint the larger portrait that is now in the Washington National Gallery commemorating the fact that in the Great War our two nations fought together for Justice & Peace...', slight adhesion remains to blank inner margin of second page, two pages, 4toQty: (2)NOTESThe portrait referred to is probably the one now in the Royal Collection Trust (RCIN 405939), painted by Salisbury circa 1928 and showing King George V at half-length facing three-quarters to the left, wearing the mantel, collar and star of the Order of the Bath.

* Mao Zedong (1893-1976). Chairman of the Communist Party of China 1943-76 and Chairman of the People's Republic of China 1954-59. An exceedingly rare vintage blue ink signature, [1960], in Chinese characters, inscribed to the verso of a printed invitation to a Buffet Party hosted by the China-Latin America Friendship Association at the Xinqiao Hotel, [Peking], on Thursday, 27 October 1960 at 6.30pm, 'in order to kindly see off the cultural friendship delegations of Latin American countries', the Chinese text printed in red on off-white paper, some very light overall soiling to both sides, barely affecting the signature, oblong 8vo (17 x 11cm)Qty: (1)NOTESFollowing the end of World War II, the Communist movement was flourishing in Latin America and in 1947 Mao Zedong was prompted to remark that 'the Latin American peoples are not the obedient slaves of United States Imperialism'. Chairman Mao and the Chinese communists' goal was the defeat of United States Imperialism and Latin America was regarded as vital to attaining this goal as, because of its geographical location, it supported Mao Zedong's theory of the establishment of rural revolutionary base areas. Chinese interest and activities in Latin America increased sharply in the early 1950s (there were believed to be 250,000 card carrying communists active in the area) and the countries were of considerable interest to the Chinese and viewed as a fertile ground for advancing Communism, not least Red China's own brand of the ideology. The China-Latin America Friendship Association was established in Peking (Beijing) in March 1960 and became the general fortress of cultural infiltration into Latin America. The American diplomat Roy R. Rubottom Jr., who served as Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (1957-60), noted that, in 1960, Mao Zedong appeared to have 'gone out of his way' to receive Latin American Communist leaders and to exhort them to give their full backing to the kind of revolution he favoured. The present signature, also dating from 1960, was undoubtedly obtained during the Buffet Party which Mao Zedong attended in honour of Latin American communists. A nice example of one of the rarest and most sought after autographs of all major political leaders and cultural icons of the twentieth century. A PSA/DNA letter of authenticity certificate is included with this lot.

* Nelson (Horatio, Viscount, 1758-1805). Autograph Letter Signed, ‘Nelson’, (as Baron Nelson of the Nile), [Foudroyant, Naples Bay], 5 August 1799, to Rear Admiral John Duckworth, ‘Lady Hamilton sends you Harp Strings and Silk which Mr Tyson [Secretary to Lord Nelson] will pay for and send you the account. I send the Capitulation of Gaeta. We received accounts last night which I am sure may be depended on that Mantua has surrendered Prisoners of War, all is well here we sail this evening’, with a postscript, ‘Sir W[illia]m & Lady H[amilto]n desire their kindest regards’, 1 page, docketed by recipient on verso, 1 page, 4toQty: (1)NOTESBy 1798 Napoleon’s designs on Naples had become clear and it was Neapolitan cooperation that contributed to Lord Nelson’s triumph over the French at the Battle of the Nile in August. However, in early January 1799 the French (aided by Neapolitan Jacobins) captured Naples, forcing Nelson and his fleet to assist the king and the royal family in their evacuation to Palermo. Nelson signed the Articles of the capitulation of Gaeta on 31 July, Nelson sending Duckworth a copy the following day. Nelson and the Hamiltons lived on Foudroyant, off Naples, from 25 June to 2 August 1799, following the recovery of Naples from the French. Rear-Admiral Sir John Thomas Duckworth (1748-1817) was Nelson’s second in command and had been at Minorca since July where he had covered against a Spanish relief. Lord Nelson had met the Hamiltons in Naples in 1793, where Sir William was stationed as British Ambassador. By 1799, Nelson and Emma Hamilton had become lovers. By the time the three of them returned from Naples to England in 1800 Emma was pregnant with Nelson’s child, Nelson soon living openly with the couple at Merton Place, Surrey.

* Pakenham (Sir Edward Michael, 1778-1815). Autograph letter signed as adjutant-general in the Peninsula to Denis Pack (c.1772-1823), 6 July 1813, addressed to 'My dear Pack', single bifolium written on all 4 sides, old folds (short nicks to ends), docketed in pencil ('1813, Hon. Col. Pakenham appt to Highland Brigade'), 4to (25 x 19.8 cm)Qty: (1)NOTESThe noted War of 1812 casualty Edward Pakenham writes as adjutant-general to the Duke of Wellington (at that point a marquess) informing Major-General Pack of an apparently unwelcome appointment as temporary commander of the Highland Brigade (6th division), explaining the rationale behind Wellington's decision, and making recommendations for the appointment of subordinate officers. Later in the month Pack was wounded commanding the division at the battle of Souraren. Pakenham was killed leading the British forces at the Battle of New Orleans (8 January 1815); his counterpart on the American side was Andrew Jackson, later seventh president of the United States.

* Wolsey (Thomas, 1470/71-1530). English archbishop, statesman and cardinal of the Catholic Church. Lord High Chancellor of England 1515-29. A very fine manuscript Document Signed, ‘Thomas Wulcy’, Richemount [Richmond], 25 November [1513], boldly penned in black ink in a secretarial hand on laid paper, being a Privy Council Warrant ordering [John Dauntesey] ‘Daunce’ to make payments in Flanders to Richard Fermour and William Brown, merchants of the Staple at Calais, of £1000 to be paid to William Copland for the purchase of ‘artillerye and other habilymentes of Warre’ and a further £1000 to be paid to Alan Kyng ‘for provision of Wyne for the kynges use’, a holograph receipt by Fermour and Brown (per me Rychard Fermer; per me Wyll[ia]m Browne junior) on the lower half of the document, dated 6 December 1513, Wolsey’s signature appears at the centre of the document alongside those of Thomas Howard, 2nd Duke of Norfolk (1443-1524, English soldier and statesman, Lord High Treasurer 1501-22, Earl Marshal 1509-24; signed ‘T. Norfolk’), Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester (c.1460-1526, Lord Chamberlain 1509-26; signed ‘C. Som[m]ersete’), Richard Foxe (1447/88-1528, Bishop of Winchester 1501-28, Lord Privy Seal 1487-1516, the founder of Corpus Christi College, Oxford; signed ‘Ri Wynton’) and Sir Thomas Lovell (c. 1449-1524, English soldier and administrator, Speaker of the House of Commons and Treasurer of the royal household; signed ‘Thomas Lovell’), filing hole touching one letter in second line, incorrectly dated at the head of the document in a hand of c.1800, some light browning and overall age wear, one short split to left upper margin not touching text,1 page, 4to (210 x 180mm), endorsed: ex[aminat]ur p[er] Dalison (examined by Dalison) [George Dalison, Auditor of the Exchequer]Qty: (1)NOTESProvenance: collection of Sir Joseph Dimsdale – ‘D’ (blind-stamp monogram collector’s mark with crest above to lower margin; not located in Lugt); subsequently part of the Ray Rawlins Collection of Historical Documents and Letters. The present document is illustrated in full in The Guinness Book of World Autographs by Rawlins (1977, p. 241). The document was included in the auction of the Rawlins Collection by Sotheby’s, June 1980 (Lot 67, £1,300, Thomas) and the small circular stamp of the Rawlins collection has been neatly removed from the lower left corner leaving a light, minor stain. Docketed in Rawlins’ hand in pencil to the verso as formerly part of the collection of Sir Joseph Dimsdale; XII 265; Alan G. Thomas (1911-1992) bookseller; Sotheby’s, London, 13 December 1993 (Lot 306, £2,000); International Autograph Auctions Ltd., 3 April 2011 (Lot 609, £5,600). In pencil, at top, c1850: Pl 2 No 1 implying illustration as Plate 2, number 1. The same hand has annotated the signatures of the privy councillors 1-5, and the same hand has written lines at right-angles below them, suggesting that the lower half of the document was not illustrated. Above the box formed by these lines is a short inscription of which only the words Thereabouts to be … can be made out. The left and bottom margins have been trimmed – note the straight cuts, the tightness of the trace of the circular stamp to the margin and the loss of a word in the left margin. Sir John Dauntsey (Daunce) (c.1484-1545) of Thame, Oxfordshire and London, rose from humble origins to the highest offices in King Henry VIII’s financial administration by way of the London company of Goldsmiths. ‘Richard Fermor (1480/84-1551) of Isham and Easton Neston, Northamptonshire and London, merchant of the Staple of Calais, merchant. Fermor was given a share in the contract for victualling the royal army during the Tournai campaign of 1513, and he exported large quantities of wheat, flour, beer barrels, cannonballs, harness, and saltpetre. As a reward he was given licences to export wool direct to Italy. … In 1524 Fermor was in Florence and gave financial assistance there to John Clerk, Wolsey's agent, who was negotiating for the cardinal's election to the papacy. At the time of his fall (1529), Wolsey owed Fermor £125 for various silks.’ For both Dauntsey and Fermor see History of Parliament Online for fuller details. George Dalison of Clothall in Hertfordshire, Cransley in Northamptonshire and Gray’s Inn, c.1480-1524. Gave 40 marks (£26 13s 4d) for the Auditorship of the Exchequer in 1507, and served in that office to 1521. Wolsey’s ability to keep a large number of troops supplied and equipped for the duration of the Anglo-French War (1512-14) was a major factor in its success. Wolsey also had a key role in negotiating the Anglo-French treaty of 1514, which secured a temporary peace between the two nations. Under this treaty the French king, Louis XII, would marry Henry VIII’s young sister, Mary. In addition, England was able to keep the captured city of Tournai and to secure an increase in the annual pension paid by France. The present document dates from the beginning of the power struggle between Wolsey and his co-signatory the Duke of Norfolk, who had fought for King Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth (1485), and made an important contribution, as Earl Marshal, to the coronation of King Henry VIII. Norfolk challenged Wolsey in an attempt to become the new king’s first minister, although eventually accepted the cardinal’s supremacy. Two months before signing the present document Norfolk had been instrumental in crushing James IV’s forces at Flodden, 9 September 1513. His signature, T Norfolk, is anomalous since his father’s dukedom was not restored to him until 1 February 1514. It was also at the time of signing this document that Wolsey was given a significant opportunity to demonstrate his talents in the foreign policy arena. The war against France had begun in 1512 and, although the first campaign was not a success, Wolsey learned from his mistakes and in 1513, with Papal support, a joint attack on France was launched. Thomas Lovell, one of the privy councillors who signed the warrant, supervised the procurement of artillery and the fortification of Calais between 1511 and 1514 (ODNB). A handsome document of exceptional rarity.

* Lovell (Lovell Benjamin Badcock, 1786-1861). A collection of papers relating to Lovell's service in the Peninsular War with the 14th Light Dragoons and later, circa 1809-47, including a 14-page fair manuscript memoir with subjects including personal memoirs of the Peninsular War, a series of approximately 25 letters written to Lovell when serving in Portugal, 1830s, relating to diplomatic matters including relations with Spain, and including two letters of Henry Addington (later Viscount Sidmouth, Prime Minister), and four of Lord George William Russell as Minister to Lisbon, circa 1833, plus approximately 40 official letters and documents relating to General Lovell Lovell's orders and letters on administration of the Indian Army, 1839-1847, including a letter from Sir Robert Peel to the Master of the Rolls, plus approximately 16 mostly manuscript documents relating to drills and manoeuvres and a group of 7 further personal mostly manuscript documents, mostly folio and roughly grouped in four modern ring bindersQty: (4 ring binders)

* Seven Years War. Autograph Letter Signed by Hans Stanley in his capacity as 'Chargé d'Affaires' reporting on the situation in Paris where he had been sent to negotiate a settlement of Peace in the Seven Years French Indian War, Paris, July 12th, 1761, 2 pages, integral blank leaf part torn away, folded, 4to, together with: Stanhope (William, Lord Harrington, 1719-1779), Autograph Letter Signed 'Harrington' to the Prime Minister Robert Walpole, Whitehall, 13 Nov, 1734, 4 page letter, in which he forwards dispatches received from the Prime Minister's brother Horatio Walpole in The Hague, and forwards copy of a letter he has written to the French envoy on the subject of the Peace Treaty for Walpole's approval or comment before sending, and includes comments on the various options and pitfalls of the ongoing negotiations for peace, folded, 4to, plus other miscellaneous letters, documents & ephemera etc., mostly 19th century, including a detailed 90 page manuscript account regarding the French siege & rebellion of Rome in 1848, entitled 'Expedition des Napolitains à Rome' which was supported by Garibaldi and led to the creation of the new Roman Republic and the flight of Pope Pius IX (the Pope appealed to Napoleon III, whose troops successfully attacked Rome in June 1849 and reinstated the Pope in the Vatican), disbound, 8voQty: (small carton)NOTESHans Stanley (c.1720-1780) was a friend and correspondent of Horace Walpole and M.P. for Southampton from 1754 until his death in 1780. He was a Lord of the Admiralty between 1757-65. The letter was written from Paris a few weeks after his arrival in the City as Chargé d'Affaires, a position appointed by William Pitt. He was tasked to negotiate the conclusion of the Seven Years War with France and the negotiations were later known as the Stanley-Bussey Talks, which proved to be unsuccessful.The identity of the recipient of the letter is not known, but the content of the letter suggests it may have been the Prime Minister, the Duke of Newcastle, whose "partial indulgence" he had long enjoyed. Stanley writes of being received civilly in Paris, of finding the employment "fatiguing" and in fond remembrance of leisure hours spent at "that Palace at Eastbury" as a guest of its sociable Lord George Bubb Dodington, Baron Melcombe. A pencil note at the end of the letter states that the letter was sold at the "Dodington Sale 1910".

Italian Wars 1494-1549. Manuscript letter-book, probably late 16th/early 17th century, 121 leaves (watermark a Latin cross within inverted oval with monogram 'B I' below; similar countermark; cf. Briquet 5677-5704), written in brown ink in the same fluent italic hand, 22 lines to the page, later foliation at foot, browning, closed tears in folios 42 and 91 and to margin of folio 83, the texts comprising: 1) Ill[ustrissi]mi et Ex[cellentissi]mi viri Alphonsi Davali Marchionis Vasti defensio et r[everendissim]os ill[ustrissi]mos ac potentissimos Sacri Rom[ani] Imperii electores et principes, in Latin, folios 1r.-12r., 1a) Del Marchese del Vasta agli Principi del Imperio, Italian, folios 12v.-21r. 2) Parere del Sig. Marchese del'Vasto alla M[ajes]ta del'imperatore Carlo Quinto intorno alla impresa di Provenza, Italian, folios 21v.-24r., 3) Literae Caroli Quinti Imp. ad Vittoriam Marchionissam Piscarie[m] post expugnatum et captum regem Francorum apud Papiam, Latin, dated 25 March 1525, folio 24v., 3a) Carolus divina Clementia Romanorum Imperator semper Augustus, Italian, folio 25 r., 4) Risposta di Vittoria Colonna Marchesa di Pescara a Carlo Quinto imperatore, Italian, dated 1 May 1525, folio 26, 5) Clementis Septimi litere seu breve adversus Carolum Cesarem huius nominis quintu, Latin, dated 23 June 1526, folios 27r.-31v., 6) Litere Caroli Cesaris adversas Clementem Septimum Pontificem, Latin, dated 17 September 1526 folios 32r.-71v. 7) L[ite]ra seu breve di Clementesettimo contra Carlo quinto Imperatore, Italian, dated 23 June 1526, folios 72r.-78 r., 8) Risposta di Carlo Quinto Imperatore a Papa Clemente Settimo, Italian, dated 17 September 1526, 78v.-121v., bound with a sequence of probably later manuscript fragments at rear (5 in total, the first 4 headed 'Discorso di Mons. Claudio Tolomei a Papa Paulo III', 'Aviso Della Morte d'il Sign. Pier Luigi Farnesi figlio di Papa Paulo III', 'Relatione di tutti se stati, sig. e prencipi d'Italia', 'Relatione della Republica Lucchese MDLXXXIII', these 4 all written in same hand, the first two with continuous later foliation 82-132, the third and fourth foliated 500-509 and 550-556 respectively; the fifth fragment in a different hand, 18 leaves), later manuscript indices tipped to front pastedown and initial blank, 18th-or 19th-century Italian half vellum binding, patterned sides, folio (30 x 20 cm)Qty: (1)NOTESProvenance: 1) Rev. Walter Sneyd (1808-1889) (his bookplate 'Ex libris Gualteri Sneyd'; pencil annotation 'Sneyd sale lot 240'); see De Ricci, English Collectors of Books and Manuscripts 1530-1930, pp. 136-7. 2) Professor Cecil H. Clough (1930-2017), Reader in Medieval History, University of Liverpool. These letters may relate specifically to the War of the League of Cognac (1526-30).

[English Civil War & Protectorate]. Group of pamphlets, 1642-60, comprising: 1. The Humble Petition of Both Houses of Parliament: presented to His Majesty on the 24th of November. With His Majesty's Gracious Answer thereunto. Also, a Proclamation for the better Government of His Majesty's Army, Oxford [i.e. London]: Leonard Lichfield, 1642, 8 pp., type-ornaments, 2 woodcut factotums, later wrappers, 4to (18.2 x 13 cm), 2. The Speech of the Right Honourable the Lord Fiennes, Commissioner of the Great Seal; made before His Highness and Both houses of Parliament, on Wednesday the 20th of January, 1657. Being the first day of their Sitting, 1st edition, London: Henry Hills and John Field, 1657, [2] 26 pp., edges untrimmed, modern boards, 4to (19 x 14.5 cm), 3. A Faithful Remembrance and Advice to the General Council of Officers of the Armies of England, Scotland and Ireland, from Divers in Cornwal and Devon, in Behalf of themselves and sundry hundreds, cordial friends to the blessed Cause of Rightehousness which God hath stated and pleaded with a stretched out Arm, in these (and in the fight of all the) Nations, 1st edition, London: L. Chapman, 1659, [2] 5 [1] pp., paper flaw affecting one letter in title, disbound, 4to (17.5 x 13.7 cm), 4. A Letter of General George Monck's, Dated at Leicester 23 Jan. and directed unto Mr. Rolle to be communicated unto the rest of the Gentry of Devon, London: John Redmayn, 1660, 7 [1] pp., small marginal hole in title, disbound, spine strengthened with clear tape, 4to (19.5 x 14.8 cm), 5. A Letter to General Monck, in Answer to His of the 23th of January, directed to Mr. Rolle, to be communicated to the Gentlemen of the County of Devon. By one of the Excluded Members of Parliament, 1st edition, London: for R. Lowndes, 1659 [i.e. 1660], 8 pp., pp. 5/6 upper fore corner torn away and reattached with clear tape, disbound, 4to (18.1 x 13.8 cm)Qty: (5)NOTESESTC R3653 ('Counterfeit London reprint'), ESTC R202081, R207766 (seven UK copies), R208113, R202935; Wing E1571, F881, F282, A861, M2809.

Harford (Ralph). A Gospel-Engine, or Streams of Love & Pity to quench and prevent New Flames in England, being a Petitionary Letter to the most active London Ministers, Subscribers of the Representation (by Letter to the Lord General,) or their Vindication, concerning their present actings in relation to the State, and their too frequent sowing Tares of Dissention for a Third War, without any other cause then their own Exorbitant Interests, viz: for Domination. Munday, March 5. 1649. Presented to them at their houses, by a friend who cordially wisheth the Kingdoms and their welfare, as his own. The particular Men, presented to, are named in the next page. 2 Martii 1648. Imprimatur, Gilb: Mabbot, London: Printed (to save transcribing) for R[apha]. H[arford]. in Queens-head Alley, Paternoster-row, 1649, 11, [1]pp., small label to lower outer corner of spine, signed at end: Rapha Harford, some toning and spotting, 20th century half morocco, 4to, together with: [Nortcliffe, Counsellor], An Argument in Defence of the Right of Patrons to Advousons. And incidently of the Right of Tythes in generall. As it was delivered to the Committee for Tythes, on Wednesday the 14 of September 1653 and taken exactly by one that hath skill in Tachygraphy or the Art of Short-writing, London: Edward Blackmore, 1653, 12pp., ink manuscript numbers to verso of title, some dust-soiling, light fraying to margins, old library label to upper pastedown, 20th century morocco-backed cloth, rebacked, library numbers at foot of spine, extremities rubbed, 4to, Streater (John), A Shield Against the Parthian Dart, or, A Word to the Purpose, Shot into Wallingford-House. Answered in Defence of the present Actions of State here in England, that produced the late Change of Government. By J.S., [London: s.n.]: Printed in the year, 1659, 23, [1]pp., first word of title and some page numbers slightly cropped at head, some toning, 20th century marbled wrappers, 4toQty: (3)NOTESA Gospel-Engine, 1649 - Wing H768; ESTC R234769. An Argument in Defence of the right of patrons, 1653 - Wing N1279; Thomason, E.713[14]; ESTC R207166. A Shield Against the Parthian Dart, 1659 - Wing S5950; Thomason, E.988[11]; ESTC R208075.

Good WW2 and Later Archive For George Robinson served with The Loyal Regiment during and post WW2. Including WW2 medal group consisting 1939-45 Star, Burma Star, Defence medal, 1939-45 War medal, mounted as worn. Together with his 1945 Commission ... Photo album 1940-41 during his training ... Four various albums from different periods ... 1935 photos in the OTC ... Studio pictures of him ... Post war group photo ... Large quantity of letters including a Dear John letter. Large quantity.

A group of World War I medals named to Dvr A Dunford, Royal Engineers, 12621, comprising 1914 star with rosette and clasp for 5th Aug-22 Nov 1914, War and Victory medals, together with certificate of transfer to reserve February 1919, protection certificate and certificate of identity, birth certificate 17th December 1886, and a letter from the War Office acknowledging the entitlement of Dunford to confirm his eligibility for membership of the Old Contemptibles Association.

Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery of Alamein 1948 hand written letter on War office notepaper regarding the unveiling of the War Memorial. Little creased bottom RH and centre folded. Condition 7/10.

WORLD WAR II – DUNKIRKAutograph letter signed ('Walter') to his father, Lt. Col. Charles Barnard Bonham, D.S.O. ('Dear Pop'), beginning 'During the last two days I have had command of a small private motor cruiser which I took over to France yesterday to run a ferry service for the evacuation of our troops. I was in a continuous air raid for five or six hours at the end of which the boat broke down, smashed, and full of splinter-holes...', describing how he helped rescue men who were '...in addition to being burnt to hell... almost dead from exposure and exhaustion. I had to cut the wet clothing off most of them...' and that he saved lives by '...stripping them, rubbing them all over till I sweated blood, and then wrapping them up in blankets with beer-bottles filled with hot water as hot water bottles...', how they had come down to Dover from Sheerness under machine gun fire and without charts ('...how on earth I hit the right spot is a mystery to me...'), going on '...After our first trip the destroyer I was alongside was dive-bombed and she went full ahead to get out of the way, smashing my boat with her rat-guard and breaking one of my crew's hands...', describing trouble with keeping the engine from overheating and manoeuvring the boat at the same time ('...went over to a burning ship hundreds of whose wounded were swimming around in the drink. Have you ever tried pulling a man on board a boat single-handed?... I got a dozen on board and then had to stop... the poor devils hung onto the back of the boat and got their clothes wrapped round the screws and rudder...'), finally getting back to the sloop and giving medical help to those on board ('...had a triple whisky in the wardroom...'), ending by expressing his relief at being back in Margate ('...we washed our rank bodies and shaved off two days beard... a tailor fitted me out with some plain clothes, and then went to sleep... three hours broken sleep in the last three days...') and asking for news of family, particularly his brother Harry, lying wounded in hospital; with envelope bearing pencilled reply in the hand of his father 'Your telegram received. Well done – Harry doing well. God Bless [scored through] proud of you. Bonham', 6 pages, on White Hart Hotel headed notepaper, 4to (255 x 207mm.), White Hart Hotel, Margate, 31 May 1940Footnotes:'THE POOR DEVILS... BURNT TO HELL... ALMOST DEAD FROM EXPOSURE & EXHAUSTION': A VIVID FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT OF THE EVACUATION OF DUNKIRK.Lieutenant Walter George Hugh Testoferatta Bonham (c.1920-1943), came from a long line of distinguished officers, being the son of Lt. Col. Charles Barnard Bonham, D.S.O. (1871-1943) of the Royal Engineers, to whom this letter is written, and grandson of Admiral Charles Wright Bonham (1817-1910), whose family papers are offered in this sale (see lot 15). This remarkable letter reveals the extraordinary bravery of just one of the many thousands of servicemen and civilians who risked their lives to rescue over 330,000 allied soldiers from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk between 26 May and 4 June 1940, involving Navy destroyers, civilian merchant ships and, famously, a huge flotilla of 'little ships' of all kinds called into service. Just five months earlier, in December 1939, at the age of nineteen, Bonham had served on HMS Exeter, one of the three British cruisers that fought the German 'pocket battleship' the Graf Spey at the Battle of the River Plate. The ship was severely damaged and had to go in for repairs, allowing Bonham to return home. A press cutting included with the letter describes his hero's welcome in Penzance and gives his own account of the battle: 'No wonder Herr Hitler fears the British Navy...', the paper concludes. After surviving the Battle of the River Plate and Dunkirk, Lieutenant Bonham was killed in action in 1943. His service record as cadet and midshipman is also included in the lot. Bonham's brother Harry died of wounds received in action aboard HMS Fleetwood shortly after this letter in June 1940.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

SCOTLAND - ROYAL BROADSIDE PROCLAMATIONSBy the Queen, a Proclamation, for a Publick Thanksgiving... for the safety of Our Realms, and the Liberties of Europe... by all our loving subects in Scotland... Given at Our Court at Kensington, the Twenty Sixth Day of September, 1710, broadside, black letter, Royal arms in upper margin, 12-line allegorical opening initial, CONTEMPORARY MANUSCRIPT NOTE BY THE SHERIFF OFFICER OF LANARK relating to reading of the Proclamation 'at the mercatt cross of Lanark', a few small holes resulting in loss of several letters, loss to blank upper left section, archival tissue repairs [ESTC T19712, citing 3 copies only], folio (350 x 280mm.), Assigns of Thomas Newcomb, and Henry Hills, 1710--'By the King, a Proclamation, for a Publick Thanksgiving... for the disappointing the designs of the Pretender, and the wicked contrivances of his adherents... [to be] observed by all Our loving subjects in Scotland, on the said twentieth day of January next... Given... the Sixth Day of December, 1714', broadside, black letter, Royal arms in upper margin, 12-line allegorical opening initial, small paper flaw resulting in loss of 2 letters [ESTC T19494, citing BL and House of Lords Library copies only], folio (410 x 315mm.), John Baskett, Assigns of Thomas Newcomb, and Henry Hills, 1714 (2)Footnotes:Two scarce Royal Proclamations issued to be heard 'by all Our Loving Subjects in Scotland'. The first, relating to successes in the war with Spain, has a manuscript note on the verso by Mungo Humphray, Sheriff Officer of Lanark, recording that he had 'mounted the mercat cross [at Lanark] and after beating of drumbs I proclaimed...and afixt... and authentick printed coppy... upon the mercat croce so none may pretend ignorance...'.The Proclamation issued in 1714 offered thanksgiving for the 'disappointing the designs of the Pretender' in the aftermath of the ascension of King George I to the throne.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: •• Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Guernsey military interest - World War One Royal Irish Regiment medal trio and memorial / death penny named to 3196 Pte George Dimmer (Guernsey), together with original 'Killed in Action' letter, dating 27.9.1916, stating that 3196 Private George Dimmer was killed in action third September 1916; photocopy of Thiepval Memorial paperwork ' 3196 "D" Coy, 6th Bn., Royal Irish Regiment who died age 21 on 03 September 1916, Son of Mr. and Mrs. E. Dimmer, of 2, Arculon Farm Cottage Arrive, Guernsey, Channel Islands.'; silver Fiddle pattern Royal Guernsey Militia shooting prize spoon, 1914, inscribed, WON BY PTE. G. DIMMER III. (6)

FERDINAND GEORG WALDMÜLLER(Wien 1793–1865 Helmstreitmühle)Der Liebesbrief. 1848.Öl auf Leinwand.Oben rechts signiert und datiert: Waldmüller 1848.78 × 64,5 cm.Gutachten: Prof. Dr. Rupert Feuchtmüller, 12.9.1990 (in Kopie vorhanden).Provenienz:- Schweizer Privatbesitz.- Auktion Koller, Zürich, 16.11.1990, Los 5085.- Privatsammlung Fürstentum Liechtenstein.Literatur:Rupert Feuchtmüller: Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller. 1793–1865. Leben - Schriften - Werke. Hrsg. v. Österreichischen Galerie in Wien. 1996. S. 497, Nr. 792 (mit Abb.).Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller gilt als einer der renommiertesten Vertreter der österreichischen Biedermeier-Zeit und lernte bereits in sehr jungen Jahren an der Wiener Akademie als Schüler von Hubert Maurer (1738–1818) und Johann Baptist Lampi (1751–1830). Im autodidaktischen Studium bildete er sich nebst seiner akademischen Ausbildung stetig weiter. Seinen Lebensunterhalt finanzierte er in seinen Anfängen unter anderem mit dem Verkauf von Miniaturporträts und als Zeichenlehrer im Haus des Grafen Gyulay in Agram. Hier lernte er seine erste Gattin, die Hofopernsängerin Katharina Weidner kennen, die er fortan, bis zu ihrer Rückkehr nach Wien, als Dekorationsmaler zu ihren Engagements begleitete.Mehr und mehr wandte Waldmüller sich der Porträtmalerei zu und erhielt zahlreiche Aufträge aus Adelskreisen. Auf seinen Studienreisen nach Italien und Paris perfektionierte er seine Fähigkeiten der wirklichkeitsgetreuen Wiedergabe der Natur. Dass Waldmüller das Naturstudium gegenüber dem akademischen Kopieren alter Meister bevorzugte aber auch seine Reformvorschläge, führten in den 1840er-Jahren zum Konflikt und 1857 zum Akademieausschluss. Nachdem er jedoch in den darauffolgenden Jahren vermehrt internationale Erfolge feiern konnte, wurde er 1864 von Kaiser Franz Joseph (1830–1916) rehabilitiert. „Der Liebesbrief“ entstand 1848 und reiht sich in die letzte Schaffensphase Waldmüllers ein. In einer weiteren Version von 1849 wiederholt der Wiener Künstler das Motiv in einem kleineren Format. Dargestellt sind zwei junge Frauen, in eine Brieflektüre vertieft. Das Mädchen, dessen Schultern von einem roten Gewand umhüllt werden, beobachtet den Gesichtsausdruck und die Gefühlsregungen ihrer Freundin beim Lesen. Das Kleid der Briefleserin ist herabgerutscht und entblösst ihre Schultern. Vollkommen von der Dunkelheit umgeben, erhellt nur der Schein einer Kerze das Interieur und lenkt den Blick des Betrachters auf das Hauptgeschehen. Geschult durch zahlreiche Italienfahrten, wusste Waldmüller mit Raum- und Lichteindrücken umzugehen, wie vorliegende Darstellung besonders hervorzuheben vermag. Die Lichtquelle wird vom Künstler dafür genutzt, um theatralisch die Komposition und ihre Protagonistinnen und deren Gefühlsregungen in Szene zu setzen. Eine naturgetreue Wiedergabe unterschiedlichster Stofflichkeit zeichnen die Darstellungen Waldmüllers aus, wobei sich diese nie malerisch frei vom Gegenstand lösen, sondern dem Detail und der formalen Linearität verhaften bleiben. Mit grosser Virtuosität vermochte es Waldmüller unterschiedliche Texturen künstlerisch voneinander abzusetzen.Ferdinand Georg Waldmüllers Leben, selbst aus einfachen Verhältnissen stammend, war von Stabilität und Bodenständigkeit gekennzeichnet, was sich in seinem künstlerischen Werk widerspiegelte: nie verlor er den unmittelbaren Zugang zur Realität. Für eine ganze Künstlergeneration galt seine Arbeit zugleich als richtungsweisend, erklärend, moralisierend und sozialkritisch. FERDINAND GEORG WALDMÜLLER(Vienna 1793–1865 Helmstreitmühle)Der Liebesbrief (The Love Letter). 1848.Oil on canvas.Signed and dated upper right: Waldmüller 1848.78 × 64.5 cm.Expertise: Prof. Dr. Rupert Feuchtmüller, 12.9.1990 (copy available).Provenance:- Swiss private collection.- Koller auction, Zurich, 16.11.1990, Lot 5085.- Private collection, Principality of Liechtenstein.Literature:Rupert Feuchtmüller: Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller. 1793–1865. Leben - Schriften - Werke. Pub. by Österreichischen Galerie in Wien. 1996. p. 497, no. 792 (with ill.).

Hamilton (Alexander) Madison (James) and John Jay. The Federalist; a Collection of Essays written in favour of the new Constitution, as agreed upon by the Federal Convention, September 17, 1787, 2 vol., first edition, printed on thick paper, vol.1 with two small old ink smudges on title, 36 blank leaves added after the text at the end, title and first leaf washed with slight fading to later ink ownership stamp of W. B. Crosby, next leaf slightly soiled, vol.2 title also with ink ownership stamp of W.B. Crosby also slightly faded, front endpapers with ink signature of William Bedlow, that in vol.2 dated 1787 and in vol.1 1788, other ownership inscriptions by later family members, contents leaves of both vol. with identification of author (name or initials) in ink, presumably in William Bedlow's hand, armorial bookplate of William Bedlow, contemporary tree calf with gilt-stamped Greek key design borders, flat spines fully gilt with contrasting green and red labels, each volume showing minor signs of restoration, especially to joints and spine ends, bumping and wear to corners, but overall near fine copies now preserved in a double-backed quarter calf drop-back box, gilt extra, by Trevor Lloyd, [Sabin 23979; Howes H114; PMM 234; Church 1230; Grolier, American 100, 19], 8vo (165 x 93mm.), New York, Printed and sold by J. and A. McLean, 1788.⁂ An excellent copy with superb provenance of one of the most important works of Americana. The Bedlow-Crosby-Rutgers-Vanneck copy with family ownership dating back to the year of publication.The Federalist Papers is a collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the collective pseudonym 'Publius' to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution. Originally published in various New York state newspapers including The Independent Journal, New York Packet and the Daily Advertiser between October 27, 1787, and August 1788, they were finally published in book form in 1788, though the dated inscription in volume one would suggest that this volume at least appeared at the very end of 1787."When Alexander Hamilton invited his fellow New Yorker John Jay and James Madison, a Virginian, to join him in writing the series of essays published as The Federalist, it was to meet the immediate need of convincing the reluctant New York State electorate of the necessity of ratifying the newly proposed Constitution of the United States. The 85 essays, under the pseudonym 'Publius,' were designed as political propaganda, not as a treatise of political philosophy. In spite of this, The Federalist survives as one of the new nation's most important contributions to the theory of government" (PMM, 234). The Federalist "exerted a powerful influence in procuring the adoption of the Federal Constitution, not only in New York but in the other states. There is probably no work in so small a compass that contains so much valuable political information. The true principles of a republican form of government are here unfolded with great clearness and simplicity" (Church 1230). "A generation passed before it was recognized that these essays by the principal author of the Constitution and its brilliant advocate were the most authoritative interpretation of the Constitution as drafted by the Convention of 1787. As a commentary and exposition of the Constitution, the influence of the Federalist has been profound" (Grolier American 100, 56)."Provenance: William Bedlow, (1722-1798), with his armorial bookplate on front pastedown in each volume and with his ownership signature dated 1788 in vol.I and dated 1787 [sic] in vol.II. He married Catharine Rutgers who was the mother of Catharine Bedlow who was the niece and heir of Colonel Henry Rutgers.William Bedlow Crosby (1786-1865) with his signature on the flyleaf of each volume and the signature "W.B. Crosby" on each title.Thereafter by marriage and descent to the present owners.This copy of The Federalist evidently remained in the ownership of William Bedlow and a succession of prominent and related New York families, during the whole of the 19th and 20th centuries, during which time there is no evidence that it was ever actually offered for sale. The original 18th century owner of this copy was William Bedlow (1722-1798), a New York resident who had been a sea captain and merchant, and who during the latter part of his life had evidently been engaged in public duties connected with the American war effort. He was chosen, on June 8, 1775, to be a member of the Committee of Secrecy and Inspection, whose duty it was to supervise the enforcement of the decrees of the Provincial Congress. An example of the work of the Committee is illustrated in Appendix A, being a report on the violation of the import rules being flouted by a ship landing illegal goods from Greenock in Scotland. The letter is dated New York, July 5, 1775. Bedlow was thus committed to the revolutionary cause from the outset. He was also on a committee of 48 tasked with conducting the election of officers for the military companies organised in New York [City]. In that same year (1775) Bedlow was appointed a "Commissioner for the Erection of Fortifications in the Highlands on the Hudson River" from 1775-1777, a theatre of war of the utmost importance for the defence of New York itself. A Dutch engineer, Bernard Romans, was appointed to supervise construction work, but this soon resulted in a complete breakdown between Romans and the three Commissioners (including Bedlow). Very little of military use was achieved and eventually Romans was dismissed in February 1776 [see Journal of the New York Provincial Congress, passim, and the Journal of the American Revolution, passim].William Bedlow appears again in the historical records in the shape of a letter dated September 5, 1780, written by Bedlow from Clinton House to Richard Varick (1753-1831), the noted Revolutionary soldier who in 1780 had been deputy commissary-general of musters and, in 1780 aide to General Benedict Arnold at West Point. Bedlow asks for help to secure forage for his three horses, the forage master having died in post. [See George Washington Papers, Series 4, General Correspondence]. It is worth noting that Bedlow adds an interesting footnote to his letter in which he gives the news that "Mrs Bedlow and Mrs Rutgers" have gone on a journey together and that "Miss Rutgers & Miss Bedlow present their best respects to you".Bedlow's final public appointment seems to have been as Post-Master of New York City. Although the precise date of his appointment seems to be unknown, he submitted financial accounts for the Post Office from April 5, 1784 through October 1789.There is another extant letter to George Washington from William Bedlow, dated 27 September 1789, in which Bedlow clearly and bitterly complains about his unfair sacking from his role as Post Master of New York by Samuel Osgood (1747-1813), the …

Le Carré (John) A Perfect Spy, first edition, signed by the author "John Le Carré also known as David Cornwell" on title, Autograph Letter signed by the author loosely inserted, original cloth-backed boards, dust-jacket, very light sunning to spine, light creasing to head, a near-fine copy, 8vo, 1986.⁂ Le Carré's semi-autobiographical novel regarded by many as his greatest. Philip Roth called A Perfect Spy "the best English novel since the war".

Puccini (Giacomo, composer, 1858-1924) Autograph Letter signed ('Giacomo') to Sybil Seligman in Bournemouth, in Italian, 1½ pp. on a folded letter form with address on the reverse, Via Giotto 1 [Viareggio], 19th September 1917, written on his Torre Del Lago paper, but this address crossed out, concerning cloth samples: he has received the samples and likes the grey one but would prefer a darker shade. Four yards would be enough, "... Please be so kind as to ask the tailor in Savile Row. He will be certain to know how much cloth is needed for a man's jacket, waistcoat and trousers. ... I would so love to see you again. You see, dear Sybil, you are one of those dear, good creatures whom one never forgets and always loves. ... When will this terrible war end. I can't stand it any longer...", If there isn't a darker grey she should send the green ("But only if it is of the very best quality. I want 'super'."), small tear starting along 1 fold, browned.⁂ Sybil Seligman was Puccini's most constant female friend and at this time she was almost certainly his mistress.

Jack Warner (1895 1981) British film and TV actor best known for playing Policeman George Dixon in the long running TV series Dixon of Dock Green between 1955 and 1976. He was a driver for the Royal Flying Corp during the First World War and started performing in the music halls of the 1930s before moving to radio. He made his film debut in The Dummy Talks in 1943 and made a number of films including The Lady Killers (1955) before taking up the role of Dixon of Dock Green for which he will be most remembered. Jack Warner was his stage name, Horace John Waters being his birth name and he was awarded an OBE in 1965. A large black and white vintage photograph featuring six scenes from Dixon of Dock Green with a typed letter on the reverse of the photograph signed by Jack Warner, approximately 8.25 inches x 6.25 inches. The letter is dated 29th June 1959 to Stephen thanking him for his recent letter, agreeing that he will also miss Bob Penny and that filming of the new series of Dixon of Dock green starts on 12th September. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99

Florence Nightingale OM, RRC, DStJ (1820-1910) - a three-page ink manuscript autograph letter to Miss Hurt of Chace Cliffe, addressed from 30, Old Burlington Street, London, and dated Nov 17/56, discussing her mother Cecilia Hurt's (née Norman) grief, probably referring to the death of her son Captain Francis Richard during the Crimean War at the attack on Rednan, 18th June 1855, signed Florence Nightingale, folded in a later envelope, 22.5cm x 18.3cm, [1]

Four to Lieutenant R.S.S.Young, Special Force India Command, Royal Fusiliers, attd H.Q. 3rd west African Infantry Brigade, R.W.A.F.F.,1939-1945 Star; Burma Star; Defence Medal; War Medal. Together with condolence slip. Together with a pair to Captain J.A.B.Holborn, Royal Marines, Defence Medal; War Medal. Extremely fine. (Lot)Footnotes:Lieutenant Russell Selwyn Samuel Young joined up as soon as the war was declared, and after a period in the ranks and at an O.T.C.U. was commissioned to the Royal Fusiliers in 1940. Two months later he was drafted to Nigeria as a training officer to the West African Forces. Here he was at Various times acting adjutant and intelligence officer, finding his relaxation mainly in riding and cricket. In the autumn of 1943 he went to India and from there to the Burma front where, serving with the Special Force, he was staff officer at brigade H.Q. Then on the 17th April 1944 he was gravely wounded leading his men in a critical counter-attack. He was brought back, and although the doctors did everything possible and had hopes that he would pull through. He died in his sleep an hour or two later.From the O.C. Special Force India Command.'Special Force is a new formation, composed of personnel of the very highest physical and military standards. To have belonged to it is a great honour. as you will have read in the papers, the Force was put into action in the heart of Burma, from the air, and its only links with the base in India are wireless and aircraft, the latter operating from hastily improvised strips in the jungle. To accept, without question, orders that led to such isolation from comfortrest and safety, and to undergo the extreme hazards, hardships and strain of the campaign, called for more loyalty to the cause, and more self-sacrifice than is demanded of men in the more normal organisations in the service.Many people at home are proud of the fact that their sons and husbands are members of the Commandos, or the Airborne Divisions, or are in Parachute Units. I can assure you that the tasks of the Special Force embody all the riskes attendant to these corps, with the added load that our operations are carried out for far longer periods in hostile territory, and in far worse climatic conditions, and against an enemy no less tenacious than the Germans.In short, your son undertook cheerfully and with no thought of self, a task that ranks with ranks with the most hazardous and difficult asked of any man in this war.All ranks join in offering to you our deepest sympathy and in telling you of our admiration for our late comrade, whom we will always honour and respect'.The lot comprises additional items as follows: A photograph of a letter he wrote to his mother . Photograph album showing him at school and later his service with the RWAFF. Two small framed photographs of him in uniform. Two letters from Chaplain R.C.Hastie Smith to his mother. A R.W.A.F.F. epaulette. A CWGC note of his death and confirming his burial at the Taukkyan War Cemetery, Rangoon. A handwritten note relating to the Chindit badge. A note from David Young detailing his WW2 service. A Memorial that was printed in his school magazine.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Green, Ruth. The Wearing of Costume: The Changing Techniques of Wearing Clothes and How to Move in Them, from Roman Britain to the Second World War, signed and also with a signed letter; American Dressmaking Step By Step 1917; George Washington by Rev James O'Boyle, Dublin 1918 and 3 others (6)

A WWI M.M. group to Private R.F Gardner, Gloucestershire Regiment who received his award having taken several messages across no man's land under heavy fire/Military Medal, G.V.R. (2416 Pte. R.F. Gardner. 1/4 Glouc: R.-T.F.)/1914-15 Star (2416 Pte R.F. Gardiner[sic]. Glouc: R.)/British War and Victory Medals (2416 Pte. R.F. Gardiner[sic]. Glouc. R.)good very fine/Note: M.M. London Gazette 21 October 1916, 2416 Private Reginald Gardner, served on the Western Front with 1/4th Bn, Gloucestershire Regiment from 31 March 1915, a typed extract from Bristol Times & Mirror dated 21 September 1916 records 'Pte Reginald Gardner a 'well known' resident of Westonzoyland near Bridgewater has had the honour of receiving the MM for bravery and untiring energy while carrying out his duties as a bn runner during the attack and after the capture of the German trenches at the LEIPZIG REDOUBT near THIEPVAL on 22 & 23 August 1916. The news has been sent to his parents. The letter states that Pte Gardner took several messages across no man's land under heavy shell fire, and for his bravery has received the MM. The honour is very gratifying for so young a soldier, Pte Gardner being only 21 years of age/see illustration

[MAILER, Norman (1923-2007)]. A group of 4 FIRST EDITIONS by Mailer, comprising: Barbary Shore. New York and Toronto: Rinehart & Co., Inc, 1951. Dust jacket. FIRST EDITION, INSCRIBED BY MAILER. -- The Presidential Papers. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1963. Dust jacket. [Laid in:] Autograph letter signed ("Dick Gomer") to Jonathan on Partisan Review letterhead. 4 November 1963; publisher's review copy notice slip. FIRST EDITION, Advance review copy, SIGNED BY MAILER. -- Of a Small and Modest Malignancy, Wicked and Bristling with Dots. Northridge, CA: Lord John Press, 1980. FIRST EDITION, LIMITED ISSUE, number 74 of 300 copies SIGNED BY MAILER. -- How the Wimp Won the War. Northridge, CA: Lord John Press, 1992. FIRST EDITION, LIMITED ISSUE, number 68 of 275 copies SIGNED BY MAILER. -- Together, 4 works in 4 volumes, all FIRST EDITIONS SIGNED OR INSCRIBED BY MAILER, all in original boards, cloth or cloth-backed boards, dust jackets where indicated, condition generally fine.For condition inquiries please contact Gretchen Hause at gretchenhause@hindmanauctions.com

An original WWII Second World War Third Reich Nazi German Kriegsmarine Torpedo stop watch / timer. Mechanism appearing AF. Black dial and numbers on a cream face, engraved to the back with eagle and Swastika emblem above a letter M. Serial number 1285/41.

A WWI First World War Imperial German Army Trench Art style made knife / letter opener, fashioned from a shell / shrapnel fragment. The handle of crude shrapnel form, with an Imperial Iron Cross to the centre. Unusual item. Measures approx; 24cm long.  

An original WWII Second World War Third Reich Nazi German Party NSDAP members red cloth arm band. The armband of usual form with the black Swastika to a white circle background along with a shoulder patch and black and white folder of the believed soldier. A rare bring back item reported to be removed from a dead SS soldier in 1944. Supplied with a letter typed on the envelope from the original owner.

An original WWII Second World War period (likely pre-war) Third Reich Nazi German SA / Sturmabteilung letter opener. Alloy construction, with SA symbol to handle with swastika and eagle. Measures approx; 19cm long. 

An original WWII Second World War Third Reich Nazi German wall mounted Marine clock. The clock depicting the eagle and Swastika emblem to the face dial, above a letter M, likely for Marine. Surrounded by oak casing. Measures approx 20cm in diameter

A WWII Second World War interest medal group and archive of related effects, to one 158222 Captain (later Major) William Gordon Tollworthy of the Royal Engineers who served in Burma from 1942-45 and was head of Military Intelligence in Perak (and took part in Operations Juno and Jetsam) as part of The Malayan Emergency in 1956-58. The medal group comprising; Military Cross, 1939-45 STar, The Burma Star, Defence Medal, War Medal (with oak leaf for a mention in despatches), QEII General Service Medal (with Malaya clasp and impressed Capt WG Tollworthy MC RE), George VI Territorial Efficiency Medal (impressed ditto) and Pangkuan Negara medal (Order Of The Defender Of The Realm). All with ribbons, and mounted on bar, and with their original set of miniature medals. The Military Cross comes with its original citation which, in part, reads; 'During the operations of 51 Indian Infantry Brigade at KANGAW from 27th January for a period of fourteen days, constantly under fire of every nature, he worked with unfailing energy and determination, both by day and by night with little rest. He frequently visited all areas from the beach to the forward troops, supervising the landing of heavy equipment, the development of water points, the construction of bridges and tracks and the demolition of enemy bunkers and ammunition dumps.' The medal group comes with a wealth of paperwork, effects and history - all related to Tollworthy, and includes;  - Tollworthy's Perak Combined Operations Room Pass - A box of Tollworthy's cap badges, uniform patches and other such items - A small silver white metal presentation statue engraved 'Presented To Major W.G. Tollworthy 63 Ind. Fd. Coy. Burma 1944-1945' - a post-war presentation Kundo mantel clock engraved to the top ' Presented To Major WG Tollworthy MCRE by 39 FD SQN RE, 8th Sep, 1960' - a typed copy of ' The Military Memoirs Of Major WG Tollworthy ' - based on tape recordings made by his family in 1996. The memoirs detailing his entire life and military career in great and personal detail. Also included are several copied drafts of the memoirs. - an original captured C96 'Broomhandle' Mauser detachable wooden stock / pistol case (no pistol present) - Five folders of period-written (mostly handwritten) documents written by Tollworthy during Operation Junto (some marked 'Top Secret') - includes some letters written by those arrested, various official documents, orders, notes, letters etc. As well as copious handwritten notes, encounters and other such entries.  - a 'Confidential' marked map showing the District Boundaries in Perak Police Contingent Operational Area with hand-drawn additions by Tollworthy - an original edition of 'In Defence Of Singapore - A Series Of Drawings With Brief Notes' - an envelope of photographs of Malayan soldiers / civilians - each with code numbers present to the images (presumably for identification purposes) - Various handwritten lists of ' Jetsam Surrenders ' - which appears to detail the individual details of those who surrendered during Operation Jetsam (some marked 'Surrendered To SAS'), - Photocopies of 1930s / Wartime sketches that Tollworthy drew in a friend's autograph book (with accompanying letter) - Tollworthy's 1919 dated hallmarked silver miniature tankard (likely a Christening tankard) - A large box-file of maps, documents and other items relating to the Policing of Perak and other such items including details of communist terrorist captures, interrogations, and captured CT hand-drawn maps of jungle routes, camps etc. - a quantity of intricately drawn jungle maps confiscated from terrorists during Junto - various paperwork relating to his MC including the official letter from King George An interesting piece of history within the collection is perhaps a copy of an original Japanese diary that Tollworthy once discovered when on service in the Burmese jungle during WW2. Tollworthy kept hold of the diary for many years, and in the 1990s - with the help of The Daily Telegraph - Major Tollworthy was able to reunite the diary with the family of its original owner. Lots of documents relating to the diary are included, as well as a photocopy of the entire diary itself, and a photograph of Tollworthy with the Japanese family who came over to visit him. Newspaper cuttings and related letters are also present. The entire archive makes fascinating reading, and is perhaps the most poignant factor in the collection. (more can be read about the diary here: www.olioo-me.medium.com/never-forget-that-of-250-only-20-survived-diary-of-emon-tochio-9ccfe41780f4) The entire collection - which must be considered as Tollworthy's complete military career archive from 1942-1965 - is one of the most interesting, and most important collections we have ever seen. A truly unique archive, with well over 500 individual documents and supporting items of great historical importance. 

A pair of original post-WWII Second World War ' Mark V ' binoculars, once owned by one Captain B. A. Horsey - a Glider Pilot. The binoculars of usual form, but with large rubber eye shields. The lens plate stamped ' Mark V ' and '6E/392'. Complete with strap. Supplied with a copy of a letter of provenance which reads; 'These military binoculars were used by Captain B. A. Horsey, Glider Pilot Regiment during low level reconnaissance sorties over the Malayan Jungle during the war against the communist terrorists between 1956-1959. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal by the Queen and also a mention in despatches for flying over 3,000 operational sorties '. The note was written by Horsey himself, and dated 2019. 

An original WWII Second World War Third Reich Nazi German letter rack. Coromandel wood construction with x2 letter compartments with bone edge details and white metal Swastika and eagle emblem to the centre. Measures approx 14x26cm

A WWII Second World War medal group awarded to one 4209127 Private Leonard Lewis of the Army Air Corps. Lewis killed in action, 1944. The posthumous medal group comprising his War Medal, 1939-45 Star, Africa Star and Italy Star. All within their original issue box (addressed to his Mother), with ribbons and issue letter. The collection also includes x3 photographs from the Lewis family (one appearing to show Leonard), as well as a letter from the War Organisation which reads, in part; Dear Mr Lewis, I am so grieved for you to hear that the War report that your son Private Leonard Lewis...Army Air Corps... is now presumed killed in action at sea, and I should like to offer you the very deep sympathy of all in this Department for your sorrow... A poignant medal group. 

The Napoleonic Wars - an exceptional archive of original handwritten letters, notes and despatches from various generals, marshals, politicians and military leaders from the early nineteenth century. The collection, spanning some eighty-plus letters represents one of the greatest collections of such documents to ever be offered for sale. Some contents of note include;- 29.03.06 -  letter from Major General Berthier (Louis-Alexandre Berthier) to General Andreossy asking about events in Vienna- 23rd March 1806 letter from Major General Berthier to General Andreossy discussing his Order Of The Iron Crown award- a report (Rapport) dated 24.12.11 from Berthier to Napoleon (on official Rapport headed paper)- 16th March 1808 - note from Berthier to Napoleon concerning the 4th Regiment of Hussars- 5th September 1809 - letter from Prince Edward, Duke Of Kent to an unknown- 21st December 1813 letter from Henri-Jacques-Guillaume Clarke (Duke Of Feltre) to Monsieur Le Marechal- 24th July 1811 - report from Jean-François Aimé, Count of Dejean to Major General Berthier - 31st January 1810 letter from Jean-Baptiste Drouet, Comte d'Erlon to Minister of War (Clark)- 12th July 1808 - report to Napoleon on Berthier (unsigned)- November 14th 1813 - letter from Arthur Wellesley Duke Of Wellington to Sir Sidney Smith of The Admiral - discussing the 'state of affairs in Spain' - 24th January 1815 Report to Napoleon detailing lists of personnel for a gather - including musicians, chefs etc- 26th August 1808 letter from Henry Wellesley to Messrs Sykes- 16th March 1808 report to Napoleon from Berthier- 7th August 1805 letter from Michel Ney to General Dutaillis- 31st October 1808 - letter from Charles Maurice De Benevent to Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord- 10th September 1809 letter from Jean Baptiste Bessieres to Conseiller d'Etat- 5th September 1810 - letter from Viscount Palmerston to Colonel Charles Yorke regarding the establishment of the Cambridge Regiment of Militia. - 1st April 1805 - letter from Le Marechal Brune to Marechal BerthierThe collection includes around twenty individual reports or letters / notes to Emperor Napoleon from various officials (many from Major General Berthier). Many of the documents have been signed or initialled by Napoleon as proof that he has read them, as well as letters and reports between various generals, leaders and politicians. All circa early 19th century, and all of Napoleonic War interest. The collection spans 86 document folders, each containing a neatly laid-in (laid-in just to one edge very lightly) handwritten letters. Most feature ink stamps for Bibliotheca Lindesiana. Few of the manuscripts are titled as ' Copie ' or ' Duplicate ' but still appear handwritten and from the period. The late vendor spent some considerable time having the letters transcribed into typed versions for ease of reading - the majority of the letters are accompanied by a typed version (in French or English - depending on the origin language). Each folder contains handwritten catalogue reference numbers and brief notes to the cover, as used by the late vendor for identification. A remarkable and historically important collection of documents and manuscripts from one of the most tumultuous periods in world history. NB: extensive illustrations are provided for this collection, and each document has been photographed for perusal. Additional images for specific letters are available on request. Given the nature of this lot, buyers are reminded for the express need to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy and authenticity of any letter or document, irrespective of description, prior to bidding. 

A well-documented Great War ‘Dardanelles’ D.S.M. group of four awarded to Junior Reserve Attendant G. E. Stockham, Plymouth Battalion, Royal Naval Division, who served with the Royal Marine Brigade at Dunkirk and the Defence of Antwerp, 19 September - 12 October 1914, before proceeding to the Dardanelles, where he was awarded the D.S.M. for his gallantry in rescuing the wounded under fire at Achi Baba, 9-10 May 1915, was mortally wounded, and died of his wounds on 31 May 1915 Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (M9871 G. E. Stockham, Junr. R.A. Ply. Bn. R.N. Divn.) minor official correction to number; 1914 Star (M.9781. G. E. Stockham, Jun. R.A. R.M. Brigade.); British War and Victory Medals (M.9781 G. E. Stockham. S.B.A. R.N.); Memorial Plaque (George Edward Stockham) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure; Memorial Scroll ‘Pte. George Edward Stockham, R.M., R.N. Division’; together with the recipient’s card identity tag, nearly extremely fine (5) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1915: ‘During the night of 9-10 May 1915, in operations south of Achi Baba, worked splendidly under fire to recover wounded until himself severely wounded.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 5 August 1915. George Edward Stockham was born in Bristol on 28 June 1874 and prior to joining up was a member of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Ambulance Division, Bolton Ambulance Corps, St. John Ambulance Brigade. He joined the Royal Navy on 9 August 1914, and served with the Plymouth Battalion, Royal Naval Division, as part of the Royal Marine Brigade during the Great War on the Western Front from 17 September 1914, and was present at Dunkirk and the Defence of Antwerp. Proceeding with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 6 February 1915, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his gallantry at Achi Baba, in the Dardanelles, on 9-10 May 1915, where he himself was wounded. He died of wounds on 31 May 1915, and is buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Sold together with the recipient’s Mentioned in Despatches Certificate; original Parchment Certificate of Service; various Record Office letters to the recipient’s widow; Admiralty letter of condolence; and other letters and copied newspaper cuttings, including a photographic image of the recipient.

Three: Private D. Hogan, 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers, who was captured and taken Prisoner of War following the rear-guard action at Etreaux, during the retreat from Mons, on 27 August 1914 1914 Star, with copy clasp (8075 Pte. D. Hogan. R. Muns: F.); British War and Victory Medals (8075 Pte. D. Hogan. R. Mun. Fus.) traces of verdigris, about very fine (3) £300-£400 --- Dan Hogan served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914 and was taken prisoner of war on 27 August 1914 following the battalion’s famous rearguard action at Etreux during the retreat from Mons. The ‘Last Stand’ of the 2nd Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers at Etreux was the result of the ‘Munsters’ being ordered to save the 1st Division, to cover the rear-guard of its retreat from Mons, to hold the village of Fesmy and only to retire if ordered or was driven out. For a whole day and more, the battalion stuck to its task, holding up nine German battalions, out-numbering the ‘Munsters’ by 5 to 6 times their strength. The Story of the Munsters at Etreux, Festubert, Rue de Bois and Hulloch, by Rickard, and The History of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, by McCance, cover the action in detail. The latter refers: ‘The action is likely to become the classical example of the performance of its functions by a rear-guard. The Battalion not only held up the attack of a strong hostile force in its original position, thereby securing the unmolested withdrawal of its Division, but in retiring drew on itself the attacks of very superior numbers of the enemy. It was finally cut off at Etreux by five or six times its numbers, but held out for several hours, the remnant only surrendering when their ammunition was practically exhausted and only a small number of men remained unhurt. The survivors were warmly congratulated by the Germans on the fine fight they had made. No other claim to a memorial near Etreux is likely to be advanced-certainly nothing which would not take second place to the Munsters.’ Sold together with a Buckingham Palace letter to released prisoners of war.

Three: Private B. Morris, Coldstream Guards, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 28 November 1917 1914-15 Star (13542 Pte. B. Morris. C.Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (13542 Pte. B. Morris. C.Gds.); Memorial Plaque (Benjamin Morris) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure, good very fine (4) £100-£140 --- Provenance: Acquired by the vendor directly from the recipient’s family. Benjamin Morris was born in Leytonstone, Essex, and attested for the Coldstream Guards in Leeds on 9 November 1914. He served with the 4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 August 1915, and was killed in action on 28 November 1917. He is buried in Orival Wood Cemetery, Flesquieres, France. Sold with a Coldstream Guards cap badge, shoulder cyphers, tunic insignia, and various buttons; named Record Office enclosure for the 1914-15 Star; official notification of death letter; a copy of the Brigade of Guards Roll of Honour; empty Princess Mary Christmas 1914 Tin, with named enclosure; a postcard photograph of the recipient; and copied research.

Three: Private M. Timlin, Northumberland Fusiliers, who was posted missing, presumed killed in action, during the Battle of the Somme on 3 July 1916 1914-15 Star (12-11334 Pte. M. Timlin. North’d Fus:); British War and Victory Medals (12-11334 Pte. M. Timlin. North’d Fus.) all in named card boxes of issue, with two outer OHMS transmission envelopes both addressed to ‘Miss G. Barron, 1 Richardson Street, Ashington, Northumberland’; Memorial Plaque Michael Timlin) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure, in OHMS transmission envelope similarly addressed, extremely fine (4) £140-£180 --- Michael Timlin was born in Amble, Northumberland, and attested for the Northumberland Fusiliers at Ashington, Northumberland. He served with the 12th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 9 September 1915, and was posted missing, presumed taken Prisoner of War on 3 July 1916. A report from one of Timlin’s comrades states: ‘This man was with a bombing party in Shelter Wood at the back of Mametz Wood. The bombers had to bomb a certain part of the trench and they all came back except this man. I know him well because he lives three doors off me at Ashington, Northumberland. They all think he is a prisoner.’ Six months later, Timlin’s name still not having appear on the list of Prisoners of War, it was formally concluded that he was killed in action on 3 July 1916. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Sold with named Record Office enclosure for the 1914-15 Star; postcard from the Regimental Chaplain; British Red Cross and Order of St. John Letter, dated 26 January 1917, all addressed to the recipient’s fiancée, Miss Grace Barron; a poem ‘Fall In’ reputedly written by the recipient; a fine portrait postcard photograph of the recipient; and copied research.