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POTTER BEATRIX: (1866-1943) English Author of Children's Books. A very fine original signed watercolour illustration by Potter on an 8vo sheet of paper, n.p., August 1927. The charming and delicately executed artwork (which appears in its published form on page 38 of the First Edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, 1902) depicts the young, disobedient Peter Rabbit, wearing his blue jacket and with his back to the reader, standing opposite Mr. McGregor who kneels in his garden as he tends his vegetables, an astonished look on his bespectacled and bearded face as he stares directly towards Peter. With a holograph caption by Potter immediately beneath the illustration, 'Round the end of a cucumber frame whom should he meet but Mr. McGregor!' Signed ('Beatrix Potter'; the signature a little faded, largely to the surname, although still legible) and dated in her hand beneath the caption. Rare and particularly desirable in this form. Attractively and professionally matted in pale brown and cream and framed and glazed in a decorative wooden frame to an overall size of 11.5 x 14. About EX £10000 - 15000
Potter made a series of watercolours to raise money for a fund to save some woodland and meadow near Windermere in the Lake District, many of which were sold in America. Within a year enough money had been generated to save the land from being built upon and Potter herself wrote 'It was a great satisfaction to me to have been able to help the fund through the kindness of my friends in America…Whenever I cross the ferry and look at the pleasant green banks I will think of the good friends across a wider stretch of water'. The present lot is certainly one of the series of fund raising watercolours made by Potter, several of which are held in the V&A Collection.
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WOOLF VIRGINIA: (1882-1941) English Novelist. A.N.S., with her initials V. W., on one side of her husband's printed correspondence card (annotated with her initial V across her husband's first name), Tavistock Square, London, 11th July 1937, to Mrs. M[ax] Newman (Lyn Lloyd Irvine). Woolf informs her correspondent, in full, 'We shall be in on 19th July & shall expect you at 4.30'. Hand addressed by Woolf to the verso. One very slight, extremely minor crease, otherwise VG £200 - 300
Lyn Lloyd Irvine (1901-1973) English Journalist & Writer, wife of Max Newman (1897-1984) British Mathematician and Code Breaker whose lectures on the Foundations of Mathematics at Cambridge in 1935 served as an inspiration to Alan Turing.
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[DU MAURIER DAPHNE]: (1907-1989) British Author. A curious autograph MS, in an unidentified hand, in pencil, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d. (1930s ?), marked Copy at the head and additionally annotated 'Copy of a letter from Father' at the foot. The manuscript relates to Du Maurier's writings and states, in part, 'I am disturbed over what I hear about Daphne's book. That imitative indecency is actually a throw back to bad breeding. I am going to ask that you stop it instantly if or whenever she starts that kind of thing in private talk. I think of my dear Cannan, a mans man if ever there was one and how when old Wardill offered once to lend me a dirty book he took me aside and said don't let him, promise – it isn't your sort of book and you wouldn't like it. I was over 40 at that time. Surely if a man can be so delicate for his friend. And the worst of that writing and the worst of that writing and talk is that even to read or listen coarsens the feelings not to mention good natural manners'. Some light overall foxing and age wear and some extensive, although neat, splits at the edges of the folds, only very slightly affecting a few words of text, about G £100 - 150
The present document originates from the papers of Foy Quiller-Couch and is quite probably in her hand. The daughter of British writer Arthur Quiller-Couch (1863-1944), Foy Quiller-Couch was a life-long friend of Du Maurier. Of course, Du Maurier herself also had a famous father, Gerald Du Maurier (1873-1934) English Actor.
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DU MAURIER DAPHNE: (1907-1989) British Author. An amusing conclusion of an A.L.S., Daphne, six pages (numbered 4, 5 and 6 to the head of the recto of each sheet), 8vo, n.p., n.d. (1930s), to [Foy Quiller-Couch]. In a social letter to her friend Du Maurier writes of an event which she attended, 'with her were those Lord and Lady Weymouth….I'm afraid they are a dreadful set. Those are the sort of people one would gladly see guillotined. It was dreadful to see old bishops and quiet worthy general's wives being elbowed out of the way. I shall remember the haggard harsh-faced Lady Stanley for a long time….she had that dreadful loud voice, and was bristling with tiaras; she was probably drunk' and also sends news of being introduced to the married quarters occupied by forty different women, 'For the first time I thanked God for Alexandria, as I was able to ask them all if they wanted to go, and it took about 5 minutes discussing it. My first start off was rather typical and unfortunate. I lost my way, and instead of getting to the married quarters, found myself in the heart of the mens barracks, where one isn't meant to go, and had to run the gauntlet while chaps at the window cat called and whistled….of course the poor things didn't know who I was, but mistook me for a lady of the town, and of course the appalling thing is that when I give prizes away at the sports this summer, some of them will perhaps recognise me, and our mutual embarassment will be agony!! Can you come up instead and pretend to be me? I obviously can't appear!' Du Maurier also writes of her eldest daughter who had been to London on a day trip with a nurse to visit family in Hampstead, remarking 'The nurse was prostrate with fatigue at the end of the day, but the child apparently was as fresh as she had been at the beginning! She is an alarming child; as she was met by Angela Halliday in a small sports car instead of by mummy in the Hillman with the grey hood, she at once turned to the nurse and said “That's not Granny's car – where's Granny's car?“ She had seen the Hillman once, in February! My one hope is that she will be a wizard with an engine, and we can shut her up for hours with one, in the years long years to come! The Guardsman [her husband, Frederick Browning] is despondent, and says all his worst characteristics are appearing in his child!'. Some light age wear and minor staining to the final page, only very slightly affecting a few words of text, otherwise VG £200 - 300
Foy Quiller-Couch - daughter of British writer Arthur Quiller-Couch (1863-1944), and a life-long friend of Du Maurier. Indeed, Du Maurier was accompanied by Foy Quiller-Couch when she became inspired with the storyline for her novel Jamaica Inn. In 1930 the two ladies were staying at Jamaica Inn and went riding on Bodmin Moor. They became lost in bad weather conditions and apparently sheltered for some time in a derelict cottage on the moor but were eventually led back to Jamaica Inn by their horses.
Frederick Browning (1896-1965) British Lieutenant General of World War II, remembered for his important role with the First Allied Airborne Army during Operation Market Garden. Husband of Du Maurier from 1932.
Tessa Browning (1933- ) Daughter and eldest child of Du Maurier and Browning. Her second husband is David Montgomery (1928- ) 2nd Viscount Montgomery of Alamein.
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DU MAURIER DAPHNE: (1907-1989) British Author. Large portion of an A.L.S., Daphne, twelve pages, (missing pages four and five), 8vo, 13 Rue Jessop, (although on the printed stationery of the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, Mustapha Barracks, Alexandria), 29th December 1936, to Foy (Quiller-Couch). Du Maurier announces 'The socks are on my feet. The holly is at the mast-head of our galleon on the mantelpiece. The calendar is above the Guardsman's [her husband, Frederick Browning] desk….For all these things we send love and thanks' and writes of their 'very pleasant' Christmas, 'We were decked with Egyptian holly (an evergreen with scarlet berries, most effective) a bunch of mistletoe adorned the door, we had a real Christmas tree, and were given two turkeys! These last arrived three weeks before the feast, alive, and we were obliged to keep them in the strip of path behind the house and feed them until the day of execution. I don't think Mother would have approved, but what else could we do? We had a fine dinner, puds and pies complete, with the nice Prescotts in to help us eat it and pull crackers, and the Colonel of the Irish Guards and wife from Cairo. Boxing Day struck the usual ant-climax'. Du Maurier also playfully reflects on old age, following an illness suffered by her husband which she feels will recur throughout his life, 'in retirement at Fowey the old Colonel will be seen very red in the face on bended sticks being helped along….and everyone flying into shops at his approach. Miss Quiller-Couch in an East wind, bowed beneath scarlet umbrella, will have the same effect on the populace. I, as an elderly lady, will be milder of temper but possibly more embarrassing to meet than either of you, as a touch of senile decay will have affected me, and I shall have no control over my conversation. I shall stop total strangers in the street, and enquire their age.' The letter continues 'The poor Guardsman getting very doleful at my departure….I leave Port Said on January 16th' and concludes with an amusing anecdote, 'To finish up, here is a story for Father. We dined the other night at the Murray Grahams (I have kept the Xmas card!) after dinner our hostess sat down and played to us, with the usual deep breathings, swaying from side to side, and rolling of the eyes. When she had finished she rose with dazzling smile to dead silence. She turned to the Guardsman “And how did you like that?“ “Not very much, quite frankly“, replied the Guardsman, “I'm not very keen on classical music I'm afraid. Now, if you'd play something with a tune in it…“ Mrs. Graham smiled pityingly, and faced the rest of her little audience. No one else spoke. And then from the back came the dry voice of a certain Dr. Gilmore. “I've decided my new hobby“ said he “And what is that, Doctor, piano-playing?“ enquired Mrs. Graham, with a renewal of dazzling smile. “No, the bag pipes“ he said. There was an awful pause and then a rush of conversation, and everyone began talking of something else. The piano was closed and we had no more music….We have not seen Mrs. Graham since.' Du Maurier also writes a postscript expressing her distress at having just heard of General Poole's death and also enquiring of other mutual acquaintances. Some extremely light, very minor age wear, otherwise VG £300 - 400
Foy Quiller-Couch - daughter of British writer Arthur Quiller-Couch (1863-1944), and a life-long friend of Du Maurier. Indeed, Du Maurier was accompanied by Foy Quiller-Couch when she became inspired with the storyline for her novel Jamaica Inn. In 1930 the two ladies were staying at Jamaica Inn and went riding on Bodmin Moor. They became lost in bad weather conditions and apparently sheltered for some time in a derelict cottage on the moor but were eventually led back to Jamaica Inn by their horses.
Frederick Browning (1896-1965) British Lieutenant General of World War II, remembered for his important role with the First Allied Airborne Army during Operation Market Garden. Husband of Du Maurier from 1932.
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DU MAURIER DAPHNE: (1907-1989) British Author. T.L.S., Daphne, two pages, 4to, n.p. (London, 'The Flat'), 15th March 1948, to [Foy Quiller-Couch] ('My dear'). Du Maurier tells her friend that she has been meaning to write to her all week, but has been very busy in London and attending many plays ('which has been rather fun'), and continues to report of a lunch with a gentleman named Fergus, '….I arrived at his office in Lincoln's Inn feeling very queer, having eaten a bad mushroom the night before! He was all sympathy, took me to his lair in Gunpowder Ally, and produced gin, whereupon we sat down to our lunch (of which I ate very little) and then discussed every sort of subject under the sun, from spiritualism to Roman Catholicism and whether ladies at the time of the Crusades remained true to their absent spouses. He really is a most entertaining companion, and has such a funny earnest manner though describing something quite funny. The real purpose of our encounter was to put into action a plot, which had been hatched at Menabilly, and which by now will have been broken to you, either by Fergus himself, or the Bank. We are both prepared for violent protest on your part followed even by your wrath as Justice of the Peace, to which we bow our heads in all humility but the matter has now gone beyond redemption, and I do believe that your anger will spend itself if you recognise that this is truly a memorial to your father'. Du Maurier further continues 'That plaque in Truro cathederal never did seem the right answer, to my mind, and though the X ray machine in the Cottage Hospital was laudable, there is something rather un-inspiring about a machine which would certainly never have driven your father to have written one word of his beautiful prose….That plaque in Truro cathederal is no practical use to you or your mother now, while she is ill, and the X ray machine cannot do anything for her either, so – my dear – let the small and very inadequate private memorial on the part of Fergus and myself be of some use to her, and to you, in the days to come'. Some extensive overall creasing, G £200 - 300
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ROWLING J. K.: (1965- ) British Author of the Harry Potter books. Black ink signature ('J K Rowling') on a white card, matted in black and white at the centre of seven small colour reproduction images of the front covers of the dust jackets to each of the seven Harry Potter novels and framed and glazed in a plain black frame to an overall size of 20 x 20. EX £150 - 200
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PIUS VII: (1742-1823) Pope of the Roman Catholic Church 1800-23. L.S., G. Card. Chiaramonti, as Cardinal, one page, 4to, Imola, December 1788, to Francesco Marescotti, in Italian. The Cardinal writes a cordial letter thanking his correspondent for their kindness in sending good wishes for the Holy Christmas celebrations, and concludes by hoping that the Lord will make him happy. With integral address leaf bearing a blind embossed paper seal and with some large areas of paper loss. Some light overall age wear, about VG £200 - 300
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PIUS VIII: (1761-1830) Pope of the Roman Catholic Church 1829-30. A.L.S., F. S. Card. Castiglioni, as Cardinal, two pages, 4to, Cesena, 8th July 1821, to Abbot Michele Colonna, in Italian. The Cardinal states that he has received the document of the embroiders explaining the work balance, adding that he may have been too pedantic but wishes to be prudent for now and the future. Castiglioni writes of other matters including singing the Palm Antiphonal hymn, mentions having seen a Penitentiary Cardinal 'who seemed to become a hundred years old' and also refers to Emeritus De Gregorio, as well as asking his correspondent about missionaries and Bishops in the United States. With integral address leaf (very slight area of paper loss as a result of the seal being broken). Some show through of ink to both pages. VG £200 - 300
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PAUL VI: (1897-1978) Pope of the Roman Catholic Church 1963-78. A.L.S., G B Montini, on two sides of a correspondence card, Vatican, 21st May 1942, to Signor Fabrini, in Italian. The future Pope, writing in his capacity as the Vatican's Secretariat of State, sends his respects to his correspondent and forwards a photograph (no longer present) with the blessing of the Holy Father. Some extremely light, very minor age wear, VG £200 - 300
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[WELBY JUSTIN]: (1956- ) Archbishop of Canterbury 2013- . MONTAGUE BROWNE ANTHONY (1923-2013) British Diplomat, Private Secretary to Winston Churchill 1955-65. Montague Browne, whilst working for Churchill, conducted an affair with Jane Portal, one of Churchill's personal secretaries, from 1949-55. Recent DNA tests have revealed that Montague Browne was the biological father of her son, Justin Welby, the current Archbishop of Canterbury. T.L.S., Anthony Montague Browne, one page, 8vo, Hotel de Paris, Monte Carlo (although on the printed stationery of Hyde Park Gate, London), 8th October 1960, to Dennis Wheatley. Montague Browne thanks his correspondent for their letter, which he has shown to Winston Churchill, and continues 'He is complimented by your suggestion and would be happy that you should dedicate your book to him in the terms you suggest'. Accompanied by the original envelope. A letter of interesting association. VG £100 - 150
Dennis Wheatley (1897-1977) English Author of thriller and occult novels. The first part of Wheatley's autobiography was entitled Saturdays with Bricks (1961) and was dedicated to fellow bricklaying enthusiast Winston Churchill.
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DE LESSEPS FERDINAND: (1805-1894) French Diplomat, developer of the Suez Canal. L.S., Ferd. de Lesseps, two pages, 8vo, La Chenaie, 26th August 1857, to Monsieur de Boinville, in French. De Lessps states that he was interested to receive his correspondent's letter and delighted to learn that de Boinville is an old friend of his family, continuing 'I hasten to thank you for your remarkable article in the Maidstone Journal, and you will see an extract from it in the latest edition of the Isthmus of Suez Journal. I have instructed the offices of this Journal, which is published under my direction, to send you all of the issues regularly.' Some light staining, overall creasing and age wear and a few small tears to the edges, very slightly affecting the text but not the signature, about G £100 - 120
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BUNKER CHANG & ENG: (1811-1874) Siamese conjoined twin brothers, whose condition and birthplace became the basis for the term Siamese Twins. An extremely rare vintage signed carte-de-visite photograph, the sepia albumen print by The London Stereoscopic & Photographic Company depicting the twins standing in a three quarter length pose. Photographer's imprint to the lower mount and verso. Signed ('Eng & Chang', possibly in one hand) in bold pencil to the lower photographer's mount. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG £400 - 600
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CODY WILLIAM F.: (1846-1917) American Showman, known as Buffalo Bill. Bold vintage fountain pen ink signature ('W. F. Cody') and date, Chicago, Ills, December 1872, in his hand on an oblong 12mo piece of paper. Matted in white beneath a colour postcard of Cody standing in a full length pose and framed and glazed in a plain black wooden frame to an overall size of 7 x 12.5. About VG £200 - 300
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COHEN MORRIS: (1887-1970) British-Canadian Adventurer, aide-de-camp to Sun Yat-sen and a Major-General in the Chinese National Revolutionary Army. Rare book signed and inscribed, a hardback edition of Two-Gun Cohen by Charles Drage, published by Jonathan Cape, London, 1954 (second impression). Signed in bold blue fountain pen ink by Cohen to the front free endpaper and dated 19th December 1959 in his hand. Bound in red cloth and accompanied by the dust jacket. About VG £200 - 300
Cohen's life story is an interesting one - he arrived in China in 1922 and trained Sun Yat-sen's small armed forces to box and shoot, and he soon became one of Sun's main protectors, accompanying the Chinese leader to war zones and conferences. Cohen carried two guns with him and the western community were intrigued by Sun's gun-toting protector and began calling him 'Two-Gun Cohen', a name which stuck, hence the title of the present biography. When the Japanese invaded China in 1937 Cohen joined the fight and undertook some tasks for the British Intelligence Agency, Special Operations Executive (SOE). Cohen was in Hong Kong when the Japanese attacked in December 1941 and, on the fall of Hong Kong, the Japanese imprisoned Cohen in Stanley Prison Camp. He was not released until late 1943 as part of a rare prisoner exchange.
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ROCKEFELLER JOHN D.: (1839-1937) American Industrialist & Philanthropist. D.S., J. D. Rockefeller, one page, oblong 4to, New York, 31st May 1889. The attractive partially printed document is a stock certificate issued to J. N. Kinney for 100 shares in the Standard Oil Trust, numbered A1544. Signed by Rockefeller at the foot in his capacity as President and countersigned by the secretary Henry Flagler (1830-1913) American Industrialist, known as the father of both Miami and Palm Beach in Florida; and also by the treasurer Joel Freeman. Some light overall creasing and with an official stamp to the left edge indicating that a transfer certificate for the shares was issued on 16th April 1896. About VG £300 - 400
The Standard Oil Co. Inc. was established by Rockefeller in 1870 and was the largest oil refiner in the world of its time. Its controversial history as one of the world's first and largest multinational corporations ended in 1911, when the United States Supreme Court ruled that Standard Oil was an illegal monopoly.
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BADEN-POWELL ROBERT: (1857-1941) British Lieutenant General, founder of the Scout movement. An interesting T.L.S., Robert Baden Powell, four pages, 4to, Queenstown, South Africa, 25th February 1927, to Colonel Smedley Williams. Baden-Powell announces 'I was very pleased indeed to find the Scout Movement so much alive in East London. Well, I don't see how it could well be otherwise with you at the head…..and such a keen lot of Scouters and Lady Cub-masters' and continues his letter with seven headed paragraphs, in part, 'Rovers: I am glad that you have got the germs of Rovering started. It means such a lot to young fellows going out into life…I would like to congratulate you on the Scouty Lunch Club as a grand institution for bringing all together and fostering the Scout spirit. I should like to give the call to all ex-Scouts….to remember Lord Kitchener's saying “Once a Scout always a Scout”, and to roll up and rejoin our jolly Brotherhood either as Associates or Rovers and to give a hand as far as they can in pushing the Movement to the big development which lies before it. Scouts I would like to thank the Scouts for their splendid response to my request to do something at Christmas to the poorer children, including coloured and native youngsters, who through no fault of their own happen not to be white, but who can enjoy a day's happiness just as much as any of us. As a result of the Scouts' good turn these will have a greater feeling of good-will towards the whites…..Cubs I ought to have congratulated the Cubs….on the excellent and novel displays which they gave at the Rally. At the same time I should like to see more of them with Badges….and are doing their best….The Public The Public and Parents cannot fail to feel indebted to you and to those patriotic men and women who devote themselves to running the show for the good of their boys…..Schools I am glad that you personally have been one of the first of the educationists here to recognise the Educational value of Scouting…..The Future Now that I have nearly completed my tour of South Africa I am more than ever convinced of the power which Scouting possesses to help Education in developing the character and qualities needed in the men and women who will have the making of this country in their hands. So I urge you and your staff to continue your efforts, to consolidate your forces, and to make a bold forward move to develop Scouting on a yet wider footing, and so to impregnate a larger leaven of the youth with the right spirit and abilities. Personally I shall watch your onward progress with the greatest hope and closest interest…..Meantime to every Scouter, Rover, Scout and Cub I would commend this slogan, not merely as a precept but as one to say to yourself and to put into daily action in all that you do. “My country is a fine one, but I am going to do my bit towards making it yet a finer one”'. An unusually lengthy letter with fine content relating to the Scouting movement. With numerous light pencil marks throughout the text and some light creasing and minor overall age wear, some small pinholes to the upper left corner of each page, G £200 - 300
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CURRIE DONALD: (1825-1909) British Shipowner, associated with the Union-Castle line. Vintage signed postcard photograph of Currie standing in a full length pose on the deck of the SS Kinsfaun Castle alongside Rudyard Kipling and two other unidentified gentlemen, bound for South Africa. Signed by Currie in fountain pen ink with his name alone to the lower border. About EX £80 - 100
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) English Author, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1907. Kipling first visited South Africa for a winter holiday in 1898 and travelled their annually (except for one year) until 1908.
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CHICHESTER FRANCIS: (1901-1972) British Sailor and Aviator, the first person to sail single handed around the world by the clipper route, 1966-67. Book signed and inscribed, being a hardback edition of Atlantic Adventure, First Edition published by George Allen & Unwin Ltd., London, 1962. Signed by Chichester in bold blue fountain pen ink to the front free endpaper with an interesting inscription, in full, 'To Frank Bates, with many thanks for valuable help with some of my gear such as marine and bubble sextants which functioned perfectly. From Francis Chichester', and dated Christmas 1962 in his hand. Accompanied by the dust jacket (some tears and overall age wear). Together with a second book signed, being a hardback edition of the autobiography The Lonely Sea and the Sky, published by Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1965 (third impression). Signed by Chichester in bold blue fountain pen ink with his name alone to the front free endpaper. Accompanied by the dust jacket (some slight tears and minor age wear). G to about VG, 2 £100 - 120
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CHICHESTER FRANCIS: (1901-1972) British Sailor & Aviator, the first person to sail single-handed around the world by the clipper route. Signed 23 x 19 print entitled Lone Adventurer, after the oil painting by the artist J. Lawrence Isherwood, the image depicting Chichester in a head and shoulders pose with his ketch, Gipsy Moth IV at sea in the background. Limited Edition 34 of 75 published by Henry Dunn of Whitefield, Manchester, 1972. Signed by Chichester with his name alone in bold pencil to the lower white border and also signed by the artist with his name alone in bold pencil to the lower white border. Framed and glazed to an overall size of 25.5 x 21.5. VG £80 - 120
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NELSON WILLIAM: (1757-1835) 1st Earl Nelson, 2nd Duke of Bronte. Elder brother of Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson. A.L.S., Wm. Nelson, three pages, 4to, Hilborough, 6th August 1801, to Lady Hamilton. Nelson announces 'You can easily conceive what joy your letter gave me this morning, thank God our great, glorious & invincible friend is safe', adding that he was at Swaffham when he received it '& read the Gazette Honors to my Father, He made but little observation upon it, only said he liked him as well plain Horace as with all these high sounding titles; - that may be true, but still I could have wished him to have appeared pleased with the prospect of his family honors descending to his posterity & I could not help remarking to him, that we ought not to be like the selfish man, who is reported to have said, “why shd. I care for Posterity for Posterity never cared for me”'. Nelson further observes 'Mrs. Bolton made no remarks nor seemed in the least elated or pleased, indeed to say the truth there appears a gloom about them all, for what reason I can't devise, unless they are uneasy. Tom Tit does not share in it, to whom I verily believe & think they are secretly attached, they did not deserve to have a chance & I wish it had gone to Charlotte & her heirs male, but I hope to God it will be a long time before it leaves the true Nelson line & that the young Baron & Duke (who is now writing by my side) will raise up posterity & cut all the others out'. He also writes of other news, 'The clergy are all busy here calling meetings of their Parishes for the defence of the Country & Coast….but I hope our great Hero….will set us all at ease', asking Hamilton to send his love to his brother when she writes to him, '& express all my gratitude to him for what he has already done….' With address panel in Nelson's hand to the final page, addressed to Lady Hamilton at No. 23 Piccadilly, London. A letter of excellent association and content for its references to Horatio Nelson and various members of his family. Two areas of paper loss to the final page, caused by the original removal of a seal, professionally repaired but with the loss of a couple of words of text. About VG £600 - 800
Emma Hamilton (1765-1815) Lady Hamilton. Mistress of Horatio Nelson.
Edmund Nelson (1722-1802) Anglican Priest, father of Horatio and William Nelson and their six surviving siblings.
Susannah Bolton (1755-1813) Sister of Horatio Nelson.
Frances 'Fanny' Nelson (1758-1831) Viscountess Nelson. Wife of Horatio Nelson. Emma, Lady Hamilton, was known to have referred to Nelson's wife as 'Tom Tit', just as William Nelson also does in the present letter.
Charlotte Hood (1787-1873) 3rd Duchess of Bronte. Daughter of William Nelson, succeeded to the title of Duchess of Bronte (of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies) on 28th February 1835.
On 4th August 1801, just two days before the present letter was written, Horatio Nelson was created Baron Nelson of the Nile and of Hilborough in the County of Norfolk, with a special remainder to his father and sisters.
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HAMILTON & NELSON: HAMILTON EMMA (1765-1815) Wife of Sir William Hamilton and mistress of Lord Nelson & NELSON HORATIA (1801-1881) Illegitimate daughter of Horatio Nelson and Emma Hamilton. Rare book signed by both Emma Hamilton and Horatia Nelson individually, a hardback edition of Selecta Poemata Italorum, selected by Alexander Pope and (anonymously) edited by Francis Atterbury in 1684, the First and only edition, published by J & P Knapton, London, 1740. Volume I (of two) only. The Latin text edition has been rebacked with the original labels and calf spine with gilt lettering. Bearing the ownership signatures of Hamilton ('Emma Hamilton') on the front paste down endpaper and Nelson ('Horatia Nelson', in two slightly different coloured inks, the surname possibly added by her at a later date) to the head of the black and red printed title page. An extremely rare combination of signatures by the two women whom Nelson undoubtedly felt the most affection for during his life. Some light overall age wear and a few faults and stains to the front paste down endpaper, although not affecting Hamilton's signature. About VG £2000 - 3000
Volume II of the present book, also bearing the ownership signatures of Hamilton and Nelson, was previously contained in The Nelson Collection of F. Roy Deeley and was sold in these rooms (Lot 989, July 2012, hammer price £2100).
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NIGHTINGALE FLORENCE: (1820-1910) British Pioneer of Nursing. Book signed and inscribed, a small 8vo hardback edition of Max Kromer - A Story of the Siege of Strasbourg by [Hesba Stretton, pseudonym of Sarah Smith], First Edition (?) published by The Religious Tract Society, London, n.d. (c.1872). Signed by Nightingale in bold pencil to the front free endpaper and with an inscription ('Charles Rouse from') in ink in her hand, also dated London, 17th October 1872, in ink in her hand beneath her signature. With a contemporary light pencil annotation beneath. Some light overall browning to the front free endpaper and light overall age wear, G £200 - 300
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POMPADOUR MADAME DE: (1721-1764) Jeanne Antoinette Poisson. Chief Mistress of King Louis XV of France 1745-64. L.S., La M de Pompadour, one page, small 4to, Versailles, 8th March 1756, to the Marquis de Bonnac, the King's Ambassador to the Estates General in the Hague, in French. The neatly penned manuscript letter states, in full, 'I am greatly appreciative, Sir, of the compliment you have made to me for the new Honour which I have been granted and I beg you to be persuaded of my appreciation. I am truly, Sir, your very humble and most obedient servant'. With blank integral leaf. Some extremely minor, very light age toning to the edges of the letter, not affecting the text or signature, VG £1000 - 1500
On 7th February 1756 King Louis XV announced the nomination of Madame de Pompadour as a 'dame surnumeraire', the presentation being held the following day, exactly a month before the present letter was written.
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FAMOUS AMERICANS: Miscellaneous selection of signed clipped pieces and cards etc., by a variety of famous American men and women comprising Herbert Hoover, Edith Bolling Wilson, Mamie Doud Eisenhower, Eleanor Roosevelt, Thomas Dewey, Archibald Cox, William Jennings Bryan, George Marshall, George B. McClellan, David G. Farragut and L. Gordon Cooper. A few are neatly laid down and a few are neatly annotated in ink in the hand of a collector. G to VG, 11 £100 - 150
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FAMOUS MEN: Small, miscellaneous selection of signed clipped pieces and cards by a variety of famous men comprising Herbert Kitchener ('Kitchener of Khartoum'), Moses Montefiore, Emperor Napoleon III ('Louis Napoleon', with a light ink cancellation running through the signature), Helmuth von Moltke (the Elder), David Lloyd George and William Booth (slightly faded, although legible). G to VG, 6 £100 - 120
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FAMOUS MEN & WOMEN: Selection of signed postcard photographs and slightly larger, 8 x 10s, a few signed cards etc., by various famous men and women, most of them sports stars, including Boris Becker, Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters, Virginia Wade, Roger Federer, Jelena Dokic, Geoff Capes, Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting, Nastia Liukin, Becky Downie, Gary Lineker, Patrick Moore, Evelyn Glennie, Isabella Hervey, Katie Downes etc. Many of the images are colour. Generally VG, 25 £80 - 120
| SCIENCE & EXPLORATION |
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SAUNDERS WILLIAM: (1743-1817) Scottish Physician. A.L.S., Wm Saunders, two pages, 4to, London, 15th May 1816, to Monsieur Le Chevalier [Antoine] Portal. Saunders commences 'The high reputation which you have so justly acquired by your various and useful publications, and the very handsome manner in which you have made mention of my work on the Diseases of the Liver, have induced me to write to you by the present opportunity' and continues 'Doctor Tupper who is the bearer of this letter is well known to many of the first medical characters in London and I beg leave to introduce him to your notice. I have given him a copy of my book on mineral waters of which I request your acceptance', further concluding 'Doctor Tupper has expressed to me his desire of having the honour to become a member of the school of medicine in Paris. He will be proud of your interest on the occasion and I have no doubt you will find him worthy of that honourable distinction'. With integral address leaf (small area of paper loss to one corner) bearing a small red wax seal. A few minor, neat splits at the edges of a couple of folds, otherwise VG £150 - 200
Baron Antoine Portal (1742-1832) French Anatomist, Doctor and Medical Historian.
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ADAMS JOSEPH: (1756-1818) British Physician and Surgeon. A.L.S., Joseph Adams, two pages, 4to, London, 22nd July 1814, to [Antoine] Portal, Professor of Medicine at Paris. Adams announces 'The satisfaction I felt in perusing your very valuable trait on “Hereditary or family diseases” has induced me to put my various memorandums in order & the fruit of the whole has been the production (no longer present), which I have the honor to lay before you…' continuing to add that he has pursued the subject further and seeking Portal's approval, concluding 'The subject is certainly not less new than important & the world must feel many obligations to you for reviving it'. With integral address leaf. Some extremely minor, very light age wear, VG £150 - 200
Baron Antoine Portal (1742-1832) French Anatomist, Doctor and Medical Historian.
Adams published a number of works during his lifetime including Observations on Morbid Poisons, Phagedaena and Cancer (1807), although the work that he refers to in the present letter was A Philosophical Treatise on the Hereditary Peculiarities of the Human Race: with Notes Illustrative on the subject, particularly in Gout, Scrofula and Madness (1814).
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FARADAY MICHAEL: (1791-1867) English Chemist & Physicist. A.N.S., M Faraday, one page, slim oblong 8vo, n.p., n.d., to Mr. Vincent. In a hastily written note Faraday invites his correspondent to tea at 5 o'clock. A couple of small tears to the upper and lower edges, not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG £100 - 150
Faraday's correspondent is most likely to be Benjamin Vincent (1818-1899) Assistant Secretary from 1848 and Librarian from 1849 until 1889 of the Royal Institution.
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DAUBENY CHARLES: (1795-1867) English Chemist, Botanist & Geologist. A.L.S., C Daubeny, two pages, 4to, Oxford, 23rd November 1833, to Rev. James Yates. Daubeny states that he should have long ago acknowledged receipt of the 'handsomely bound copies of the Reports of the British Association', which he has 'taken care to forward to their respective destinations' and continuing to remark 'I am requested by Dr. Williams, the keeper of the Radcliffe Library, by the fellows of….New College, and by the members of the Ashmolean Society to express their joint acknowledgements to the Council of the British Association for these valuable presents, and to yourself individually for the handsome manner in which you have carried into effect and communicated their resolutions'. With integral address leaf bearing a red wax seal (small area of paper loss where broken). One small, minor ink blot to one letter of the signature. VG £100 - 150
James Yates (1789-1871) English Unitarian Minister, Scholar & Antiquary. Yates was appointed as secretary to the council of the British Association (now known as the British Science Association) when it was founded in 1831.
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MARCONI GUGLIELMO: (1874-1937) Italian Inventor, developed a radio telegraph system. Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1909. Dark fountain pen ink signature ('G Marconi') on a feint ruled 8vo page removed from a visitors book, n.p., 6th August 1923. The page also bears 21 other signatures to either side of various society figures of the day and also including Viscount Gort (1886-1946) British Field Marshal, Victoria Cross winner for his actions at the Battle of the Canal du Nord on 27th September 1918. A little irregularly torn to one edge, otherwise VG £100 - 120
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EINSTEIN ALBERT: (1879-1955) German-born Theoretical Physicist, Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1921. An exceptional, large vintage signed and inscribed 15 x 17 photograph by Einstein, the gelatin silver print by Yousuf Karsh depicting Einstein in a pensive head and shoulders pose with his hands slightly raised and clasped before him. Signed by Einstein in white fountain pen ink to the lower right corner of the image, 'To Mr. Gabriel D. Haver, A. Einstein', and dated 1951 in his hand. Einstein has further added an autograph quotation in his hand above his signature, in full, 'Truth is what stands the test of experience'. Also signed by Karsh in white fountain pen ink to the lower left corner. A small series of surface creases (causing a few small cracks in the image) to the left edge, above Einstein's hands, and with a few other more minor surface and corner creases, none of which affect Einstein's signature, quotation or image. Signed photographs of Einstein of this size and quality are extremely rare and desirable and the present example is greatly enhanced by Einstein's addition of an English quotation. About VG £6000 - 8000
This well known image of Einstein was captured by Karsh at Princeton's Institute for Advanced Study in 1948, just a few years before the physicist signed the present example. The International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum in Missouri describes Karsh's sitting witth Einstein,'Now as an old man, in poor health, he [Einstein] still spent a few hours each day in his office working on the third edition of his book The Meaning of Relativity. Karsh found him in his office in wrinkled clothing, sock less shoes with wild uncombed hair. He was not happy with the wool coat he was wearing so he sent an assistant to find something else. He returned with a sweater. After putting it on Karsh offered him a comb for his hair and Einstein replied “I never use one” and none dared to suggest that he should. Using gentle lighting and posing him with a contemplative look he wanted him to look benevolent. Karsh was known for asking questions of the subjects of his portraits and many times he would voice record the sessions. He asked Einstein what would the world be like were another atomic bomb to be dropped, he replied wearily, “Alas we will no longer be able to hear the music of Mozart.”
Einstein's quotation is an English version of the last sentence of his foreword to Relativity: A Richer Truth (1950) by Philipp Frank. The book was published by the Beacon Press of Boston in 1950 and by Jonathan Cape of London in 1951, the same year in which Einstein signed the present photograph.
IAA Ltd would like to extend their thanks to Barbara Wolff, Information Officer of the Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, for her assistance in cataloguing the present lot.
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STANLEY HENRY M.: (1841-1904) British Explorer & Journalist. L.S., Henry M. Stanley, one page, 8vo, De Vere Gardens, 22nd May 1890, to Captain Shaw. The letter features facsimile text, in full, 'Pray accept my most sincere thanks for your kind congratulations and good wishes and believe me to be, yours most faithfully'. Signed by Stanley at the conclusion, also adding the date in his hand. The name of the correspondent has been added in a different & unidentified hand. With blank integral leaf. About VG £100 - 120
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[LIVINGSTONE DAVID]: (1813-1873) Scottish Missionary and Explorer of Africa. MOFFAT ROBERT (1795-1883) Scottish Missionary in Africa, the father-in-law of Livingstone. A good A.L.S., Robert Moffat, three pages, 8vo, Plymouth, 17th September 1874, to Mr. Baynes. Moffat thanks his correspondent for their time in regard to Baldwin Brown's charge and adds that he has made a note of the name of Rev. J. Davis for the future, further reporting of current events, 'I am with my daughter thus far my missionary tour South & West. I leave tomorrow for Torquay & then on to Taunton, Bath &c. We have had very animated meetings here with overflowing attendance, also at Davenport'. In a postscript Moffat writes 'Livingstone's Book will I hear be out of press next month. Thomas Livingstone, the Dr's eldest son who has been superintending the work leaves tomorrow for Egypt to occupy a situation in a Mercantile firm there'. Some light traces of former mounting to the verso of the final page, otherwise VG £250 - 350
The present letter is written five months after the funeral of Livingstone in Westminster Abbey on 18th April 1874. Moffat's daughter, Mary, had married Livingstone in 1845 and joined him on the Zambezi expedition which led to the discovery of Lake Nyasa, although had died in 1862. The daughter to whom Moffat refers to in the letter is most likely Jane Gardiner Moffat (1840-1927) who died unmarried, although he had five other daughters, two of whom died at a young age and the others wives of missionaries.
Livingstone's eldest son Robert (not Thomas) travelled to America and died in a prison camp at the young age of 18 during the American Civil War. Thomas, the eldest surviving son at the time of Moffat writing, did indeed go to Egypt in 1874 where he died two years later at the age of 27.
Moffat evidently refers to The Last Journals of David Livingstone which was published in London in 1874.
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NORGAY TENZING: (1914-1986) Nepalese Indian Sherpa Mountaineer, the first man, with Edmund Hillary, to reach the summit of Mount Everest, 1953. Book signed, a hardback edition of Tiger of the Snows, the autobiography of Tenzing of Everest, written in collaboration with James Ramsey Ullman, published by G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1955 (ninth impression). Signed ('Tenzing') in bold black ink by Tenzing Norgay with his name alone to the front free endpaper. Also signed to the half title page by five other members of the Everest Expedition of 1953 individually comprising Edmund Hillary (1919-2008) New Zealand Mountaineer, the first man, with Tenzing Norgay, to reach the summit of Mount Everest, 1953, Mike Westmacott (1925-2012) British Mountaineer, George Lowe (1924-2013) New Zealand-born Mountaineer, Charles Wylie (1919-2007) British Lieutenant-Colonel, Organising Secretary of the Expedition and George Band (1929-2011) English Mountaineer. All have signed with their names alone in black inks. Accompanied by the dust jacket. Some pencil annotations in an unidentified hand to the front free endpaper indicate that the book was previously owned by Malcolm Barnes, editor of The Mountain World. VG £200 - 300
| MILITARY & NAVAL LEADERS |
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HARDY THOMAS MASTERMAN: (1769-1839) British Naval officer, Flag Captain to Admiral Lord Nelson. Hardy commanded HMS Victory at the Battle of Trafalgar & SUTTON SAMUEL (1760-1832) British Naval officer, Flag Captain to Admiral Lord Nelson. Sutton briefly commanded HMS Victory before surrendering her to Hardy. A good D.S. by both Thomas Masterman Hardy ('T M Hardy') and Samuel Sutton ('Saml Sutton') individually, one page, 4to, HMS Triumph at sea, 6th December 1808 and Norwich, 11th January 1809. The manuscript document is an agreement between the two Royal Naval officers in which they 'mutually agree to continue to share Prize money in whatever Ship or Station we may be in from the commencement of the Present War with France and her Allies until Peace shall again be made with that Nation'. Signed by Hardy on board HMS Triumph, 6th December 1808, and countersigned by two witnesses, and signed by Sutton at Norwich, 11th January 1809, and also countersigned by two witnesses. The signatures of both Hardy and Sutton appear alongside small red wax seals. Two small light stains caused by the seals, only very slightly affecting a few words of text, otherwise VG £300 - 400
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WELLINGTON DUKE OF: (1769-1852) Anglo-Irish Field Marshal & British Prime Minister 1828-30, 1834. Signed Free Front envelope panel, addressed in his hand to The Honourable Mrs. Fane at Wimpole Street and dated Deal, 25th October 1833. Signed ('Free Wellington') to the lower left corner. Neatly laid down, otherwise VG £80 - 100
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WELLINGTON DUKE OF: (1769-1852) Anglo-Irish Field Marshal & British Prime Minister 1828-30, 1834. Autograph Envelope wrapper signed, addressed in Wellington's hand to C. B. Coles at 29 Arundel Street, Strand, London and dated Hartford Bridge, 12th November 1829 in his hand. Signed ('Free, Wellington') to the lower left corner. With a small red wax seal affixed. A few tears and small areas of paper loss to the edges, not affecting the text or signature. Together with a second Autograph Envelope wrapper signed by an unidentified individual with the surname Griffin (?), addressed in their hand to The Lady Campbell at Calne, Wiltshire and dated London, 18th August 1825 in their hand. The wrapper is additionally addressed in Wellington's hand 'The Lady Campbell, Calne' to a panel of the verso. With a small red wax seal affixed. A large tear slightly affects Wellington's text and with a small area of paper loss to one edge. G, 2 £80 - 120
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LAFAYETTE MARQUIS DE: (1757-1834) Gilbert du Motier. French Aristocrat and Military officer who fought for the United States in the American Revolutionary War. A.L.S., J. Buridant, by Jacques Buridant, one page, folio, n.p., n.d. (oval stamp of the Secretariat General to the left margin with date of receipt, 27th October 1820) to Lafayette ('Mon General'), in French. Buridant writes to make Lafayette aware of his nineteen years of military service, fourteen with the rank of Sergeant of the Guards 3rd Infantry Regiment, adding that he served in the last campaigns of Napoleon Bonaparte and received seven injuries at the Battle of Waterloo, and remarking 'Believing in receiving some right to your benevolence after the conduct he showed on the first day when the Royal Guard received the order to unleash gunfire on the citizens, showing them cruelty of such a horrible order, and declaring that I would rather stand on the side of the citizens, which I did straight away. My example was followed by most of the Company [and] what proves this is that the Company followed me, received no injuries and that the Regiment was totally mutilated', concluding by stating that he wants to remain in his profession and aspires to the rank of officer 'that I have been led to expect for several years'. With two autograph notes in the left margin, one signed by Lafayette and with a few additional words in his hand relating to Buridant's request. Some slight smudging to Lafayette's text, but not the signature. With blank integral leaf. Some very light, extremely minor age wear to the edges, otherwise VG £600 - 800
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GRENFELL FRANCIS: (1880-1915) British Army Officer, Victoria Cross winner for his actions at Audregnies, Belgium, during the Action of Elouges on 24th August 1914. Rare A.L.S., Francis, two pages, 8vo, Overstone, Northampton, 30th September (1914), to Sybil [Murray]. Grenfell states that he was glad to receive his correspondent's kind letter, commenting 'In the old days you went through what I am suffering now' and continuing 'Well, there were no greater friends than Rivy & Alastair & they are together now. Rivy died the death he would have chosen - & is with God & there we can afford to leave him'. Autographs of Grenfell are rare in any form as a result of his being killed in action at the age of 34. With a contemporary ink annotation to the integral leaf, in an unidentified hand (although most likely that of Murray), stating, in full, 'Francis was killed May 24th. His last words: Tell my men that I died loving them -'. A couple of very slight, minor paperclip rust stains to the upper edge of the first page, otherwise VG £200 - 300
Grenfell refers to the death of his twin brother, Riversdale Grenfell (1880-1914), who served in the 9th Lancers with his brother and was also tragically killed in action in September 1914.
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VICTORIA CROSS: A selection of individually signed First Day Covers by various Victoria Cross winners including William Reid, John Cruickshank, Leonard Cheshire, Ferdinand West, Norman Jackson, Roderick Learoyd, Hughie Edwards etc. All of the covers feature different colour designs and images, all incorportaing various aircraft in flight, and commemorate various events and anniversaries, most associated with World War II. All are boldly signed to clear areas. VG to EX, 8 £100 - 120
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RICKOVER HYMAN G.: (1900-1986) American Admiral, famous for his development of naval nuclear propulsion. T.L.S., H G Rickover, one page, small 4to, Washington, 25th April 1958, to Mr. & Mrs. Weldon Harrison Lloyd, on the printed stationery of the United States Atomic Energy Commission. Rickover thanks his correspondents for their kind note and adds that he had originally hoped to be able to be in San Francisco for the Navy League meeting, but will now not be able to do so. Accompanied by the original envelope. Together with a second T.L.S., H G Rickover, one page, 4to, Washington D.C., 31st October 1958, to Commander Weldon Harrison Lloyd, on the printed stationery of the United States Atomic Energy Commission. Rickover thanks his correspondent for their note 'congratulating me on my promotion' and adds that he regrets he is always so busy that he cannot take time off to visit friends. Accompanied by the original envelope. VG, 2 £200 - 300
Weldon Harrison Lloyd (1910-1996) American Naval Commander and Electrical Engineer of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
| AVIATION |
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COTTLE SIDNEY 'JACK': (1892-1967) British Fighter Ace (13 victories) of World War I. Portion of a D.S., J Cottle, one page, oblong 8vo, n.p. (France), n.d. (November 1918). The typed document states, in part, 'Whilst on No 1 Special Patrol chasing E[nemy] A[ircraft] Capt J. Cottle observed one E.A….at 15,000ft. He immediately climbed towards the E.A., but he was out-climbed….Capt Cottle gave chase, firing several good bursts when stalling. At about 15.00 hrs after firing a good burst at very close range the E.A. turned over in a roll and came out level with Capt Cottle who immediately got onto its tail. The E.A. immediately dived with engine full on and he (Capt Cottle) then noticed that the Observer's gun was hanging over the side of the fuselage, and the observer was not to be seen. After firing his last few rounds into the cock-pit, Capt Cottle observed the E.A. to stall and fall down absolutely out of control in a series of spins and stalls….Capt Cottle fired in all 900 rounds.' The statement relates to Cottle's 13th and final victory East of Diaze on 5th November 1918. Boldly signed by Cottle in fountain pen ink at the conclusion in his capacity as Captain. A little closely trimmed and with one small file hole to the left edge, only very slightly affecting two letters of text, otherwise VG £150 - 200
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CROWE CYRIL: (1894-1974) British Fighter Ace (15 victories) of World War I. Portion of a D.S., C M Crowe Capt R.F.C., one page, oblong 8vo, n.p. (France), n.d.. The typed document states, in part, 'Crossed lines over Pleegsteert at 9,500 ft….Saw H.A. scout….and gave chas[e]….Continued patrol and saw H.A. scout….SE.5 formation all attacke[d] (I got double feed in Lewis gun which I could not remedy), each in tu[rn] diving and firing vigourously at H.A. scout, who after very clever maneuvering got away….I then lost formation. Patrolling towards Ypres, I encountered two H.A. two seaters….I immediately dived at last H.A. who was firing explosive bullets over his tail. Gun stoppe[d] so turned and remedied stoppage and dived at the second two seater…..H.A. turned East with nose well down….turned and engaged a third H.A. two seater….Whilst fir[ing] at him I ran out of ammunition having fired four hundred rounds….' Signed by Crowe in fountain pen ink at the conclusion in his capacity as Captain, Royal Flying Corps. A little closely trimmed to the right edge, with the partial loss of a few letters of text, about VG £150 - 200
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BOWMAN GEOFFREY: (1891-1970) British Fighter Ace (32 victories) of World War I. Fountain pen ink signature ('G. H. Bowman') on an oblong 12mo piece, evidently neatly clipped from a document and with the typed and printed rank of Major, Commanding 41 Squadron alongside and beneath the signature. About EX £100 - 120
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COBBY ARTHUR HARRY: (1894-1955) Australian Fighter Ace (29 victories) of World War I, the leading Fighter Ace of the Australian Flying Corps. Portion of a D.S., A H Cobby, one page, slim oblong 8vo, n.p. (France), n.d. (May/June 1918). The typed document states, in full, 'While attacking balloons 3 Scouts left LaGorgue aerodrome flying in V formation. I dived at the rear right hand one firing a burst from about 15 feet. This machine turned over on to its back and went down vertically with full engine on and crashed near Estaires. This machine was observed to crash South of Estaires by Lieut. Rintoul.' The statement would appear to relate to either Cobby's eighth or ninth victories, when he shot down balloons over Estaires on 30th May and 1st June 1918. VG £150 - 200
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CALDWELL KEITH: (1895-1980) New Zealand Fighter Ace (25 victories) of World War I who later served as an Air Commodore in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War II. Bold pencil signature ('K. L. Caldwell') on a slim oblong 8vo piece, evidently neatly clipped from a document and with the typed and printed rank of Major, Commanding 74 Squadron alongside and beneath the signature. One very small tear to the right edge, not affecting the signature, VG £100 - 120
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ALEXANDER WILLIAM: (1897-1988) Canadian Fighter Ace (23 victories) of World War I. Portion of a D.S., W. M. Alexander, one page, slim oblong 8vo, n.p. (France), n.d. The typed document states, in part, 'I dived on one E[nemy] A[ircraft] and closed to within about 75 feet behind him, firing about 25 rounds. I could see all my tracers going into the pilot's back and he fell against the side of the fuselage and the machine nose-dived completely out of control. I then dived at another E.A. and opened fire at about 200 yds….This machine….went into a spin. I could not follow him down owing to two other E.A.'s which were attacking me from behind and I was forced to dive to get away from them. Just before returning to aerodrome I saw an E.A. diving at a triplane and followed the E.A. down and forced him to leave the triplane. He then attacked me and we fought for five or six minutes. I fired about 30 rounds when he outclimbed me and I was forced to dive to get away from him'. Signed by Alexander at the conclusion and also bearing a contemporary annotation, signed with initials by an unidentified individual, stating 'Decisive. Two out of control'. A little closely trimmed, only very slightly affecting the first initial of Alexander's signature, otherwise VG £150 - 200
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[BISHOP BILLY]: (1894-1956) Canadian Fighter Ace (72 victories) of World War I. Victoria Cross winner for his aerial actions over France, 2nd June 1917. SCOTT ALAN JOHN LANCE (1883-1922) New Zealand-born Group Captain of World War I. D.S., Jack Scott, in pencil, one page, 4to, n.p. (France), 4th May 1917. The partially printed document, completed in typescript, is a Combat Report signed by Scott as an observer to the actions of Billy Bishop and his deputy flight leader William Mayes Frys, the narrative stating, in part, 'With Lieut. Fry following me I dived at two two-seaters. I fired 20 rounds at one and turned off, Lieut. Fry diving on it and firing. I dived again as he stopped firing and fired about 40 rounds....The machine did two turns of a spin and then nosedived to earth, where we saw him crash. I fired a short burst at long range at the second, which flew away and did not return (W. A. Bishop), 'I dived with Capt. Bishop and fired a long burst at close range at the same time as him....' (W. M. Fry). Major Scott, in his capacity as Officer Commanding No. 60 Squadron R.F.C., has added a brief statement at the foot, in full, '5 H[ostile] A[ircraft] were 1500 ft above Capt. Bishop and Lieut. Fry during all this time. They did not come down'. Two file holes to the left edge, not affecting the text or signature, and one to the upper edge, only slightly affecting one word of printed text, otherwise VG £200 - 300
The present document relates to Bishop's 17th victory, shared with Fry.
William Mayes Fry (1896-1992) British Fighter Ace (11 victories) of World War I.
Scott has been described as a 'pugnacious dogfighter', although never became an excellent pilot. Indeed, in training he crashed and broke both legs. This did not prevent him, however, from being Winston Churchill's flying instructor whilst serving as Commandant of the Central Flying School in 1917-18. Scott died at the early age of 38.
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