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MENGELE JOSEF (1911-1979) German Nazi SS officer and physician at Auschwitz. Rare fountain pen ink signature ('Mengele Josef') on a small oblong 12mo piece, evidently neatly cut from an official document. Matted in black beneath a 4 x 6.5 photograph of Mengele and above a brief printed biography. Framed and glazed in a silver coloured wooden frame to an overall size of 9 x 14. VG £800 - 1000
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AUSCHWITZ: An A.L.S. by Jan Paszko, a Prisoner of War, two pages, 8vo (on the official printed folding stationery of Konzentrationslager Auschwitz), Block 20, Auschwitz, 30th November 1941, to his wife and children, in German. Paszko states that he has received his wife's letter and is pleased that she is taking some advice, remarking that she is due some money as long as the mill is running and advising her 'Go and take the allocation document to the insurance company, take it Szereb and he will tell you whether you can get the money, and, if so, how'. Accompanied by the front panel of the original partially printed Konzentrationslager Auschwitz envelope, hand addressed by Paszko (extensive age wear and numerous small tears etc at the edges, only P). With an official Auschwitz stamp. Some light age wear and a few small, neat splits at the edges of the folds, about VG £200 - 300
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DACHAU: An A.L.S. by Jaroslaw Pek, a Prisoner of War, three pages, 8vo, (on the official printed folding stationery of Konzentrationslager Dachau 3K), Dachau, 14th May 1944, to Marenka Pekova, in German. Pek writes a largely social letter to his wife, stating that he is healthy and that he safely received her small parcel and continuing 'Mika has also received some clothes but the new shoes which you sent to him, as it said on the packet, didn't arrive. I'm sure you are really worried but try not to be. They will find him some new ones, they are good people. Just be glad that nothing bad has happened to him and that he's healthy. I'm sure you're really scared without him and without me, but you just have to keep your chin up....But the main thing is that you're in good health and that you're bearing up, it's not easy for you. Everything that you send is wonderful, I know you send me the best you can...' With several official Dachau stamps. Some light overall age wear and a small area of paper loss, G £150 - 200
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GEORGE III: (1738-1820) King of the United Kingdom 1760-1820. D.S., George R, as King, at the head, one page (vellum), oblong folio, Court at Saint James's, July 1803. The partially printed document is a military commission appointing John Ponsonby, Viscount Duncannon to be a Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of the Duke of York's Marybone Volunteers. Countersigned at the foot by Charles Philip Yorke (1764-1834) British Politician, Secretary at War 1801-03 and Home Secretary 1803-04. With a blind embossed paper seal affixed. Some overall age wear and minor rubbing (resulting in a few areas of illegible text) and a few circular stains, some affecting the text. The King's signature is a little light, although legible. About G £150 - 200
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GEORGE IV: (1762-1830) King of the United Kingdom 1820-30. Signed Free Front envelope panel, addressed in the King's hand to Sir William Knighton and marked 'Most Private & Immediate' in his hand. Signed with his initials ('G. R.') to the lower left corner. Together with a second signed Free Front envelope panel, also addressed in the King's hand to Sir William Knighton and marked 'Private' in his hand. Signed with his initials ('G. R.') to the lower left corner. Both of the Free Fronts are neatly and lightly mounted to a contemporary 4to page removed from an album. About VG £80 - 100
Sir William Knighton (1776-1836) British Private Secretary to the Sovereign, King George IV, from 1822-30.
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WILLIAM IV: (1765-1837) King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain & Ireland 1830-37. Autograph Envelope wrapper signed, as Duke of Clarence, addressed in his hand to Robert Scott at Stockwell House in London and dated 'At Sea' 24th May 1824. Signed ('Clarence') to the lower left corner. With a small red wax seal affixed and two postal cancellations. Together with a signed Free Front envelope panel addressed in his hand to Francis Freeling at the General Post Office. Signed ('Clarence') to the lower left corner. G to about VG, 2 £80 - 100
Sir Francis Freeling (1764-1836) English Secretary of HM General Post Office from 1798.
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VICTORIA: (1819-1901) Queen of the United Kingdom Great Britain & Ireland 1837-1901. D.S., Victoria R. I., as Queen, at the head (her signature a little light in places), one page (vellum), oblong folio, Court at Saint James's, 8th June 1848. The partially printed document is a military commission appointing Henry Hill Dawson to be an Ensign in the 19th Regiment of Foot. Countersigned at the foot by George Grey (1799-1882) British Politician, Home Secretary 1846-52, 1855-58 & 1861-66. With blind embossed paper seal (at some point removed from its original position and now nealty re-affixed). Some light foxing at the edges, just affecting the Queen's signature, and some minor overall age wear, about VG £100 - 120
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PRINCE LEOPOLD: (1853-1884) Duke of Albany, son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Leopold was diagnosed with haemophilia as a child which led to his death as an adult at the untimely age of 30. A.L.S., Leopold, three pages, 8vo, Boyton Manor, Codford St. Mary, Wiltshire, 21st February 1878, to 'My dear Hilton', on the Prince's personal printed stationery. The Prince announces 'I fear you will scarcely forgive my neglect of you' and continues to explain that he has been engaged in preparing for his impending travels and only just discovered Hilton's letter '& found to my horror that yesterday was the day. However, I could not have come anyhow, as I have so much business to transact before leaving England' He further explains that he will go to Windsor tomorrow for a few days before leaving for Nice and in a postscript remarks 'I shd. like to hear how the Installation went off'. Some heavy traces of former mounting to the verso of the final page, otherwise VG £100 - 120
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EDWARD VII: (1841-1910) King of the United Kingdom 1901-10. Autograph Envelope Signed, with his initials ('AE') as Prince of Wales, addressed in his hand to General The Right Honble. Sir Henry F. Ponsonby at Osborne. Signed in the lower left corner. With the blind embossed cipher of the Prince of Wales to the verso. Together with Alexandra of Denmark (1844-1925) Queen of the United Kingdom 1901-10, consort of King Edward VII. Autograph Envelope, unsigned, addressed in the Princess's hand to Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge at St. James's Palace in London. Bearing two postage stamps and post marked at Sandringham and [King's] Lynn, 29th January 1879. Some light overall age wear and minor faults to both envelopes, Queen Alexandra's with two small file holes to the edges, not affecting the text. G, 2 £100 - 120
Sir Henry F. Ponsonby (1825-1895) British Soldier and Royal Court official, Queen Victoria's private secretary 1870-95.
Princess Augusta of Hesse-Kassel (1797-1889) Duchess of Cambridge, wife of Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge. Maternal grandmother of Queen Mary of Teck, wife of King George V.
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EDWARD VII: (1841-1910) King of the United Kingdom 1901-10. A.L.S., Albert Edward, as Prince of Wales, two pages, 8vo, Pall Mall, 7th February n.y. (1900), to Mrs. Hartmann, on the mourning stationery of the Marlborough Club. The Prince thanks his correspondent for their kind letter and invitation to dine, remarking that 'Monday 19th would suit me admirably & perhaps we could have some “Bridge” afterwards?', and further stating that it had been his good fortune to have met his correspondent's sister a day earlier. With blank integral leaf. About EX £100 - 150
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[EDWARD VII]: (1841-1910) King of the United Kingdom 1901-10. An excellent collection of printed ephemera relating to the funeral and burial of King Edward VII, comprising an oblong 12mo partially printed ticket of admittance issued to Lord and Lady Savile and marked Private and Confidential for the Grand Entrance of Buckingham Palace, Monday, 16th [May 1910] at 2.15pm and bearing the facsimile signature of Charles Frederick, Master of the Household; printed folio Ceremonial to be observed at the funeral of King Edward VII, 20th May 1910 (detailing procession from Westminster Hall to Windsor via train and listing the numerous mourners and officials present); two partially printed letters, each one page, 4to, Earl Marshal's office, London, May 1910, one inviting Lord Savile and the other Lady Savile to 'assist at the Internment of His late Most Sacred Majesty...' in the Royal Chapel of Saint George at Windsor, 20th May 1910; an oblong 12mo partially printed ticket of admittance issued to Lord Savile for the Royal Chapel of St. George, Windsor, 20th May 1910 (numbered C22 and with the circular blind embossed seal of the Earl Marshal); an oblong 12mo partially printed ticket of admittance issued to Lord Savile to St. George's Hall at Windsor Castle, 20th May 1910, issued by Lord Beauchamp, Lord Steward, and with a circular blind embossed seal; a fine printed 8vo Order of Service for the Burial of King Edward VII at the Chapel of St. George, Windsor Castle, 20th May 1910, bound in purple velvet with gold embossed title and cipher to the cover; an oblong 8vo partially printed invitation card issued to Lord and Lady Savile for a Luncheon at St. George's Hall, Windsor Castle, 20th May 1910, after the funeral service of King Edward VII, accompanied by the original Earl Marshal's envelope. An unusually complete set of ephemera relating to a Royal funeral. Some light age wear, generally VG, 8 £300 - 400
John Savile Lumley-Savile (1853-1931) 2nd Baron Savile of Rufford in the county of Nottingham. Friend of King Edward VII.
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GEORGE V: (1865-1936) King of the United Kingdom 1910-36. An unusual D.S., George R. I., as King, at the head, one page, folio, Royal Court, Guernsey, 1921. The printed document, in French, is addressed to the Captains, Bailiffs, their Sworn Lieutenants and all other loyal subjects of Jersey, Guernsey and the other Channel Islands and relates to Reverend Hubert George De Carterat Stevens-Guille, a Fief de Canaly. Countersigned at the foot by Edward Shortt (1862-1935) British Lawyer and Politician, Home Secretary 1919-22. With blind embossed seal to the left edge. VG £100 - 150
Reverend Hubert George De Carterat Stevens-Guille (1861-1951) Jurat of Guernsey.
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MARY OF TECK: (1867-1953) Queen Consort of the United Kingdom 1910-36, wife of King George V. A.L.S., Mary R, two pages, 8vo, London, 2nd July 1923, to Mrs. Ralph Vivian, on the mourning stationery of Buckingham Palace. The Queen sends her most grateful thanks, once again, for her correspondent's 'kind & generous donation towards my London Needlework Guild, a gift which is much appreciated…' With blank integral leaf. Accompanied by the original Registered envelope hand addressed by Queen Mary. About EX £80 - 100
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EDWARD VIII: (1894-1972) King of the United Kingdom January - December 1936. Later Duke of Windsor. Vintage signed 4 x 5.5 photograph, the unusual image depicting the Prince of Wales on horseback whilst pigsticking, apparently in India. Signed ('David') with his family name in bold blue fountain pen ink to the lower white border. VG £200 - 300
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EDWARD VIII: (1894-1972) King of the United Kingdom January - December 1936. Later Duke of Windsor. A.L.S., David, and again with his initial D at the conclusion of a postscript, two pages, 4to, Ottawa, 28th & 29th August 1919, to his mistress Freda Dudley Ward ('My very own darling beloved little Fredie Wedie'), on the printed stationery of Government House. Writing in pencil, the Prince of Wales informs his lover that he reached Ottawa 'after a pompous arrival & presentation of addresses' to find a letter from her waiting for him, continuing to refer to her recent trip to Scarborough and a meeting with Mrs. Shaughnessy, 'I know her so little but she's certainly a divine woman all I've seen of her & so sympathetic & I'm so glad we had those 2 little “parties a quatre” before Legh and I went away as it has established a great bond between him & me & makes such a difference!! He heard from Mrs. S. to-day….she wants him to go down….to see her this week end & I've told him to go tho I fear he won't!!....He does love that woman so madly!! He's almost as desparately & pathetically in love as your little boy is sweetheart tho' that isn't possible!!', further mentioning the sale of his car ('I'm cabling home to find out the exact price Barker gave me as I can't remember exactly, so typical of me….') and a party at a Country Club which he has just returned from and which he found better than others, 'not better on account of the women darling as they were as plain as usual but the dinner & supper were wet & then we danced out of doors on canvas stretched on a bowling green which made a good floor & it was nicely lit up!!', also commenting on a garden party which 'meant shaking hands with over 1000 people again. My poor right hand was so sore & bruised after Toronto but it's worse than ever now' and reflecting 'but I'm rather a wreck altogether angel as besides being worked to death physically I'm always worrying my head off about everything & have become the completist pack of nerves & live on them entirely!! It's all such a strain & it's very wearing having to pull oneself together & face & address huge crowds several times a day besides the many set speeches I have to produce'. The Prince concludes his letter in French 'Bonne nuit et au revoir Fredie petite amour Cherie; tou petit David, t'aime et t'adore le plus en plus' and also writes in a postscript 'this long separation is absolutely cruelty to a child!!....Blesss you, bless you & God keep you safe. Take the very greatest care of your sweet precious darling little self tho. I trust Mr. Thpider, who sends his love to Mrs. Thpider….Forgot to tell you that I heard from Bertie [his brother, the future King George VI] last mail & he gave me news of you!' Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed in ink by the Prince and bearing a black wax seal to the verso. VG £1000 - 1200
Freda Dudley Ward (1894-1983) Marquesa de Casa Maury. English Socialite, the mistress of Edward, Prince of Wales from 1918-23. Ward remained a close confidante of Edward's until 1934 when his relationship with Wallis Simpson began.
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WALLIS WINDSOR: (1895-1986) American Socialite, wife of Edward, Duke of Windsor. A.L.S., Wallis Windsor, to the recto and verso of a folding 8vo yellow bordered notelet featuring her embossed monogram, Government House, Nassau, Bahamas, 25th February 1945, to Mrs. Donald Graham. The Duchess thanks her correspondent for the trouble she took 'to make the Exhibition in aid of the Canteen a success' and remarks 'I am deeply appreciative of all your efforts and hope you are not feeling tired as a result'. Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed ('Mrs Donald Graham' and marked 'By Hand') by the Duchess and signed by her with her initials ('W.W.') to the lower left corner. VG £200 - 300
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GEORGE VI: (1895-1952) King of the United Kingdom 1936-52. Autograph Envelope Signed (with his initials GRI), the oblong 8vo envelope simply addressed in his hand to Mr. Woods, the contents evidently having been delivered by hand. Dated 1945 in pencil to the upper right corner in an unidentified hand. A few light creases and minor spots of foxing. Together with Mary of Teck (1867-1953) Queen Consort of the United Kingdom 1910-36, wife of King George V and mother of King George VI. Autograph Envelope, unsigned, addressed in her hand to Sir Douglas Dawson at the Lord Chamberlain's Office at St. James' Palace. Generally VG, 2 £80 - 100
Douglas Dawson (1854-1933) British Army General and Courtier, Comptroller in the Lord Chamberlain's Department.
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MARGARET PRINCESS: (1930-2002) Countess of Snowdon, younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II. An early A.L.S., Margaret, two pages, 8vo, London, 25th August 1942, to Mrs. Bruce, on the printed stationery of Buckingham Palace. The 12 year old Princess thanks her correspondent for 'the two pretty little pussy cats' and continues 'My birthday was very nice with quite a lot of presents, we went out shooting and it did not rain for once. It has been raining every day except yesterday and two Sundays!' Accompanied by the original Registered envelope hand addressed by Princess Margaret to Mrs. Bruce at Windsor Castle and signed by her with her initial ('M') to the lower left hand corner beneath the handstamped violet cypher of King George VI. Rare in this form. EX £200 - 300
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MARGARET PRINCESS: (1930-2002) Countess of Snowdon, younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II. A fine A.L.S., Margaret, two pages, 8vo, London, 25th March (1953), to Lady Harvey of the British Embassy in Paris, on the printed mourning stationery of Buckingham Palace. Princess Margaret thanks her correspondent for their letter and explains 'sadly that owing to the death of my beloved grandmother, I shall not now be able to come to Paris', further remarking 'She will be greatly missed by everybody and specially by her family, she was always the central pillar'. The Princess concludes by adding that she hopes 'that there may be a moment later for a short visit'. Accompanied by the original Registered envelope hand addressed by Princess Margaret and signed by her with her initial ('M') to the lower left corner. VG £250 - 350
Mary of Teck (1867-1953) Queen Consort of the United Kingdom, wife of King George V. Queen Mary had died on 24th March 1953, a day before the present letter was written, at the age of 85. She had taken an active interest in the upbringing of her two granddaughters, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, and her death occurred just ten weeks before Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation.
Lady Maud Harvey (d.1970) Wife of Oliver Harvey (1893-1968) 1st Baron Harvey of Tasburgh. British Civil Servant & Diplomat, Ambassador to France 1948-54.
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MARGARET PRINCESS: (1930-2002) Countess of Snowdon, younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II. A very fine vintage signed 7 x 10 photograph by both Princess Margaret and her husband Antony Armstrong-Jones (1930- , 1st Earl of Snowdon, British Photographer) individually, the image (by Snowdon) depicting Princess Margaret in a close-up head and shoulders pose holding her young baby daughter, Lady Sarah Chatto, in her arms. Her young son, Viscount Linley, can be seen standing close by and gently tickling the chin of his new sibling. Signed ('Margaret') by the Princess in bold black ink to the lower photographer's mount and dated 1964 in her hand and signed ('Snowdon') by the Earl of Snowdon in bold black ink with his name alone to the lower white border. Additionally annotated to the verso by Princess Margaret, 'with our best wishes for Christmas'. A charming signed family portrait. EX £200 - 300
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CHARLES: (1948- ) Prince of Wales. A.L.S., Charles, two pages, 4to, Sandringham, Norfolk, 4th January 1985, to Lady Salisbury ('Dearest Mollie'). The Prince announces 'I am feeling rather shame-faced because you got your thank you letter in before mine!' and continues to add that he was very touched that she had put together a 'splendid collection of spices and smells, with which I will be able to concoct some powerful mixtures!'. The Prince further states that it would be marvellous to meet his correspondent on 17th January ('I shall do my best to arrive early enough for some gardening!') and concludes by reporting 'No news yet of the Chesil beach saga. It has probably posed a real dilemma for the Crown handy people!'. VG £200 - 300
Marjorie 'Mollie' Olein Wyndham-Quin (1922- ) Lady Salisbury, wife of Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 6th Marquess of Salisbury, British Landowner & Politician. Lady Salisbury is a noted gardener.
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NORTH LORD: (1732-1792) British Prime Minister 1770-82. Portion of a D.S., North, one page, oblong 8vo, n.p. (Treasury Chambers), c.1773/74, with eight partial lines of manuscript text relating to a payment of £2000 to be made to Grey Cooper. Signed by North in the margin and countersigned by two other Lord Commissioners of the Treasury, Jeremiah Dyson (1722-1776) British Civil Servant & Politician and Charles Townshend (1728-1810) British Politician. Some very light, minor age wear, VG £80 - 100
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PITT WILLIAM: The Younger (1759-1806) British Prime Minister 1783-1801, 1804-06. A.L.S., W Pitt, two pages, 4to, Downing Street, 4th April 1791, to a gentleman. Pitt informs his correspondent 'I shall be very glad to find a favourable opportunity of contributing to the success of your application for a Regt. when circumstances will admit' and continues 'His Majesty [King George III] has already decided on the present occasion, but independent of these circumstances there are some claims which I feel myself so much bound to attend to that it would be impossible for me to urge your application in preference'. With a small area of paper loss at the lower edge where the name of Pitt's correspondent has been slightly irregularly torn away. Some slight traces of former mounting to the right edge of the verso. About VG £100 - 150
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GRENVILLE WILLIAM: (1759-1834) British Prime Minister 1806-07. A.L.S., with his initial G, two pages, 8vo, Dropmore House, 16th February 1820, to a gentleman. Grenville thanks his correspondent for their kindness and informs him that they will be at Windsor as soon after half past five as possible, 'but we must trust to your goodness to point out to us how we shall find the quarters you have the kindness to offer us, & in what manner we must make our approaches, first to arrive there, & afterwards to the Castle, without breaking in upon the rules to be established….' and in a postscript remarking that if they should arrive earlier than the stated time 'it would put us to no inconvenience'. VG £100 - 150
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GRENVILLE WILLIAM: (1759-1834) British Prime Minister 1806-07. L.S., Grenville, two pages, 4to, Dropmore House, 22nd December 1826, to a gentleman. Grenville states 'As this quarter is now drawing to a close I am desirous to know whether you have heard anything further from Mr. Trevelyan so as to let me know whether there is any prospect of his returning to the office, or whether it is his intention to retire…' and further remarks that he will make the necessary application for his provision to the Treasury if he retires on the 5th January. With blank integral leaf. One very small, neat split to the right edge of one fold, otherwise VG £100 - 150
Grenville may have been referring to Sir John Trevelyan (1735-1828) British Politician.
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CANNING GEORGE: (1770-1827) British Prime Minister April - August 1827. A.L.S., Geo. Canning, one page, oblong 8vo, n.p., 12th July 1804, to an unidentified correspondent. Canning announces 'Let the Sister Louisa Bennet be paid the money due to her' although continues 'But in this, and in the former case of Thomas Smith, it would be right that a letter should be written to the Father, to whom the wages of the son supposed to be dead, have been paid wrongfully, to apprise him of the mistake; & to obtain from him an acknowledgement of so much money received on account for his son'. With blank integral leaf. One very small, minor stain to the upper edge, not affecting the text or signature. VG £100 - 150
At the time of the present letter Canning was serving as Treasurer of the Navy, a post which he had begun on 10th May 1804, just a little over two months earlier.
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WELLINGTON DUKE OF: (1769-1852) Anglo-Irish Field Marshal & British Prime Minister 1828-30, 1834. A.L.S., Wellington, one page, 8vo, London, 25th July 1840, to Lady Seymour. Wellington sends his correspondent some papers (no longer present) which he had received that morning. Some heavy folds, otherwise VG £100 - 120
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MELBOURNE VISCOUNT: (1779-1848) British Prime Minister 1834, 1835-41. A.L.S., Melbourne, two pages, 4to, Panshanger, 29th August 1834, to a lady. Melbourne states that he has read his correspondent's letter with great concern and remarks 'My regard for your late Husband would lead me to do all in my power to assist you, but the ecclesiastical patronage at the disposal of the Government is so confined, & the applications for it so numerous & powerful, that I should only be deceiving you, if I were to hold….any hope of my being able to provide for your son.' With blank integral leaf. Some minor, extremely light age toning, otherwise VG £100 - 120
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PEEL ROBERT: (1788-1850) British Prime Minister 1834-35 & 1841-46. A.L.S., Robert Peel, one page, 8vo, Drayton Manor, 27th July 1838, to a gentleman. Peel thanks his correspondent for their letter from Brighton and continues to remark 'I cannot think that any advantage would result from the cultivation by the Government of waste lands in the Colonies'. With blank integral leaf. VG £80 - 100
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PEEL ROBERT: (1788-1850) British Prime Minister 1834-35 & 1841-46. A.L.S., Sir Robert Peel, in the third person, two pages, 8vo, Whitehall, 12th December 1845, to Mrs. Willincott. Peel states that it is not within his power to comply with his correspondent's wishes. Some minor, light creasing, otherwise VG £80 - 100
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DERBY EARL OF: (1799-1869) British Prime Minister 1852, 1858-59, 1866-68. A.L.S., E G Stanley, one page, 8vo, Whitehall, 30th August n.y. (c.1833), to Sir Charles Flint. Derby informs his correspondent 'The accompanying two Bunches of Grapes (no longer present) came from the Phoenix Park this morning' and continues to remark 'They are thrown away on me, who never can ask anybody to dine with me, and may be acceptable to you if you have any party, as they do credit to Irish gardening'. With blank integral leaf. VG £80 - 100
Phoenix Park is an urban park in Dublin, Ireland.
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ABERDEEN EARL OF: (1784-1860) British Prime Minister 1852-55. A.L.S., Aberdeen, one page, 8vo, Argyll House, 12th March 1856, to Cantwell. Aberdeen states that he has been summoned to attend a meeting at the British Museum the following day 'to take into consideration the case of Professor Owen', although adding that he is not a member of the Natural History Committee 'by whom it ought properly to be decided'. Aberdeen concludes by stating that if he can leave the House he will attend the meeting and give his best assistance. With blank integral leaf. About EX £80 - 100
Sir Richard Owen (1804-1892) English Biologist and Palaeontologist who coined the name Dinosaur. A controversial figure, not least for his feuding with Charles Darwin, Owen was appointed superintendent of the natural history department of the British Museum in 1856, the same year as the present letter.
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GLADSTONE WILLIAM: (1809-1898) British Prime Minister 1868-74, 1880-85, 1886, 1892-94. A.L.S., W E Gladstone, two pages, 8vo, Carlton Gardens, 20th February 1850, to Richard Michell. Gladstone thanks his correspondent for having sent him his Bampton Lectures and explains that he has not had a period of 'comparative leisure' to peruse them with care, although remarking 'I have already read enough of them to see that in presenting me with the book you have supplied me with an employment which will be full of interest'. With blank integral leaf. About EX £100 - 120
Richard Michell (1805-1877) English Clergyman and Academic.
The Bampton Lectures have taken place at the University of Oxford since 1780. Concentrating on Christian theological topics, the lectures have traditionally been published in book form and on a number of occasions in the 19th century created great interest and controversy. In 1849 Michell delivered the Bampton Lecture entitled The Nature and Comparative Value of the Christian Evidences.
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CHURCHILL WINSTON S.: (1874-1965) British Prime Minister 1940-45, 1951-55. Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1953. Fountain pen ink signature ('W S Churchill') to the verso of a slightly irregularly torn printed (and incomplete) Barclays Bank document. Annotated in ink in the hand of the collector beneath the signature. G £150 - 200
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[CHURCHILL WINSTON S.]: (1874-1965) British Prime Minister 1940-45, 1951-55. Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1953. Clementine S. Churchill (1885-1977) Wife of Sir Winston S. Churchill. T.L.S., Clementine S. Churchill, with holograph salutation and subscription, one page, 8vo, Chartwell, Westerham, Kent, 8th July 1948, to Mrs. [John] Rodgers. Churchill states that it would give her and her husband much pleasure if her correspondent and her husband could lunch with them on 2nd August, explaining 'Colonel and Mrs. Ponsonby are coming, and afterwards we are going on to the Edenbridge Show, which I expect you may also be attending?'. Together with a second T.L.S., Clementine S. Churchill, one page, 8vo, Hyde Park Gate, London, 20th January 1965, to Sir John Rodgers, thanking him for his letter and remarking 'I warmly appreciate your thoughts and sympathy at this time' also including an original Post Office telegram (received copy) from Winston Churchill, one page, oblong 8vo, Knightsbridge, 4th December 1964, to Sir John Rodgers at the House of Commons, thanking him for his good wishes which he reciprocates (some tears and small areas of paper loss) and further including a small series of T.Ls.S. and one A.L.S. by various individuals related to, or associated with, Winston Churchill, all to John Rodgers, comprising Anthony Montague Browne (in full, 'Sir Winston Churchill has asked me to thank you very much for your letter of October 24, and the account of your interview with General Chiang Kai-shek. Sir Winston found this most interesting. You have no doubt considered passing this information to the Foreign Office, who would certainly be interested?', 25th October 1963), Christopher Soames, Mary Soames (a good A.L.S. referring to her mother and father and commenting 'Eastern phobias always lead to such tiresome interior decoration & bric-a-brac!', 24th August n.y.), Duncan Sandys and Brendan Bracken. Also including a good unsigned vintage 10 x 12 photograph of Winston Churchill standing in a half length pose in a doorway making a victorious salute with one hand and holding a cigar in the other. Photograph by George P. King of Sevenoaks, Kent, and bearing his credit stamp to the verso and pencil signature to the lower photographer's mount. G to generally VG, 9 £100 - 120
Sir John Rodgers (1906-1993) British Politician.
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DOUGLAS-HOME ALEC: (1903-1995) British Prime Minister 1963-64. Vintage signed 10 x 14 photograph of Douglas-Home in a half length pose. Photograph by Vivienne and signed by her in black ink to the lower photographer's mount and also with her credit stamp to the verso. Signed ('Alec Douglas-Home') in bold blue ink to the lower photographer's mount and dated 1965 in his hand. Very slightly neatly trimmed to the mount and with a couple of light, minor stains, only very slightly affecting the image and a couple of letters of the signature. Together with a signed First Day Cover by Home issued on the 50th Anniversary of Britain declaring War on Germany, 3rd September 1939, and featuring colour images and printed text. Post marked at London, 3rd September 1989. Signed ('Home') in blue ink with his name alone to a clear area. G to VG, 2 £100 - 150
Alec Douglas-Home served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain from 1937-40.
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THATCHER MARGARET: (1925-2013) British Prime Minister 1979-90. Signed colour 8 x 12 photograph of Thatcher standing in a full length pose at the entrance to Number 10 Downing Street. Signed in gold ink with her name alone at the base of the image. One very slight, extremely minor surface crease, otherwise EX £100 - 120
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POWELL ENOCH: (1912-1998) British Politician, famous for his Rivers of Blood speech of 1968 in which he criticised Commonwealth immigration. T.L.S., J Enoch Powell, with holograph salutation, one page, 8vo, London, 5th March 1975, to Mr. Pancott, on the printed stationery of the House of Commons. Powell thanks his correspondent for their letter and continues to remark 'I can assure you I shall not relinquish the subject of immigration until it is satisfactorily settled, if that is still possible'. VG £100 - 120
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BRITISH POLITICS: Selection of A.Ls.S., T.Ls.S., some signed letterheads and cards etc., by various British Politicians including Margaret Bondfield, Ellen Wilkinson, John Burns, Viscount Grey of Fallodon, Philip Snowden, Arthur Henderson (interesting content regarding Christianity and religion in society, 1927), Jo Grimond, William Whitelaw, Selwyn Lloyd, Roy Jenkins (referring to Electoral Reform, 1981), George Thomas (4), Emanuel Shinwell (discussing several of his books), R. A. Butler, Malcolm MacDonald (lengthy A.L.S. referring to Kenya and East Africa and mentioning Karen Blixen's book Out of Africa), Lord Hailsham etc. A few of the letters are accompanied by the original envelopes. G to generally VG, 30 £80 - 100
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MACDONALD CLAUDE: (1852-1915) British Diplomat, best known for his service in China and Japan. In 1899 MacDonald was the author of a Diplomatic Note which resulted in the Macartney-MacDonald Line, which still forms the basis of the border between China and Pakistan. A good A.L.S., Claude M MacDonald, four pages, 8vo, Tokyo, Japan (although on the blind embossed stationery of the British Legation at Peking), 19th January 1901, to 'My dear Treherne'. MacDonald informs his correspondent that their letter has finally found him at his headquarters in Peking, commenting 'It is certainly pleasanter in many ways than Peking and I think I shall be able to carry on without sandbagging myself round about and being shot at by the “Government to which I am accredited” though really one never knows one's luck' and further wishing his correspondent good fortune and happiness and also enquiring about his Godson ('is there anything I can do for the young man….what are you going to make of him'). A light tape stain to the upper edge of the first and final pages, not affecting the text or signature, otherwise VG £100 - 150
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O'CONNELL DANIEL: (1775-1847) Irish Political Leader. A.Q.S., Daniel O'Connell, one page, 4to, Llangollen, 25th January 1833. On a page removed from a Victorian scrapbook O'Connell has penned a four line quotation, in full, 'Still shall thou be my walking theme/ My glories still my midnight dream/ And every thought and wish of mine/ Unconquered Erin shall be thine'. Signed and dated immediately beneath the quotation. Below O'Connell's signature a small oblong 8vo engraving depicting a view of Nottingham Castle is laid down to the page. Some overall scuffing and age wear, about G £80 - 100
O'Connell's quotation is taken from Charles Phillips (1787?-1859) Irish Barrister & Writer. As illustrated by the present quotation, O'Connell eulogised Phillips warmly and Phillips 'almost exhausted the vocabulary of praise in his public references to his panegyrist' (DNB, 1885-1900, Volume 45).
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MARIE ANTOINETTE: (1755-1793) Archduchess of Austria, Queen Consort of France and Navarre 1774-91, Queen Consort of the French 1791-92. Wife of King Louis XVI of France. Marie Antoinette was executed by guillotine at the age of 37 following a trial at which she was found guilty of depletion of the national treasury, conspiracy against the internal and external security of the State, and intelligence with the enemy. An extremely rare A.L.S., Marie Antoinette, one page, 12mo, n.p., n.d., to an unidentified Count, in French. The Queen informs her correspondent that she has spoken with the King, who entirely agrees with the Count, 'and has instructed me to tell you that you would do well to come tomorrow, after Mass', further remarking that 'the matter shall be resumed and closed for good'. With blank integral leaf. Some very light uniform age toning, evidently caused by previous framing, and some slight ink bleeding to several letters in the text and signature, about VG £6000 - 8000
Provenance: The present letter is accompanied by an A.L.S. by the noted French autograph expert Noel Charavay, two pages, 8vo, Paris, 3rd December 1917, to Madame Johnstone, on the printed stationery of Charavay, in French. Charavay states 'I've examined with great care the enclosed letter by Marie Antoinette that you submitted to me. I do not see anything that could dispute the authenticity of this document. The writing, the ink, the paper, all of it is faithful to the Queen's autographs written during the last years of her life (Marie Antoinette's writing varied a lot depending on the period). To summarise, I truly believe that this document is authentic.'
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WILHELM II: (1859-1941) German Emperor & King of Prussia 1888- 1918. D.S., Wilhelm, in indelible pencil, one page, small 4to, Palace of Doorn, 27th January n.y., in German. The partially printed document, completed in typescript, is a telegram and states, in full, 'Warm thanks for the kind thoughts on my birthday. Best wishes from myself, and from Her Majesty the Empress'. Neatly trimmed at the base and with two file holes to the left edge, not affecting the text or signature. Together with an A.L.S. by Friedrich, Prince of Waldeck and Pyrmont (1865-1946), on one side of a correspondence card, Schloss Ebersdorf, 2nd September 1936, to a gentleman, in French, and also including a vintage signed sepia postcard photograph by Princess Helmtrud of Bavaria (1886-1977), the image depicting her seated in a three quarter length pose. G to about VG, 3 £100 - 150
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LEOPOLD III: (1901-1983) King of the Belgians 1934-51. T.L.S., Leopold, with holograph subscription, one page, folio, Brussels, 25th April 1939, to King George II of Greece, in French. The King writes a formal letter in response to his correspondent's letter informing him of the proposed bestowal of the award of the Great Cordon of his Order of the Saviour upon His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Count of Flanders. The King remarks 'The gracious attention of Your Majesty has touched me greatly. I see in it a new and precious assurance of your desire, matched by my own, to re-strengthen the bonds that unite our two Courts'. With blank integral leaf. Accompanied by the original envelope bearing a red wax seal to the verso. Some very light, extremely minor creasing, VG £100 - 150
George II (1890-1947) King of Greece 1922-24, 1935-47.
Prince Charles, Count of Flanders (1903-1983) Prince of Belgium, son of King Albert I. Prince Charles served in lieu of his older brother, King Leopold III, from 1944-50 as Prince Regent while King Leopold was declared incompetent to rule and unable to return to Brussels.
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MICHAEL I: (1921- ) King of Romania 1927-30, 1940-47. T.L.S., Michel, with holograph subscription, two pages, 4to, Bucharest, 26th September 1940, to King George II of Greece, in French. The King writes a formal letter remarking 'It is with genuine satisfaction that I received the letter in which Your Majesty kindly announced to me that His beloved Sister-in-Law Her Royal Highness The Princess of Brunswick and Luneburg, wife of Your beloved Brother His Royal Highness Crown Prince Paul gave birth to a son who has been given the name of Constantin' and concludes by expressing his wish that Providence may protect the young Prince and the health of his Mother. Accompanied by the original envelope bearing a good red wax seal to the verso. VG £100 - 150
George II (1890-1947) King of Greece 1922-24, 1935-47.
Frederica of Hanover (1917-1981) Queen Consort of the Hellenes, wife of King Paul (1901-1964) King of Greece 1947-64. Their second child was Constantine II.
Constantine II (1940- ) King of Greece 1964-73.
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CHRISTIAN X: (1870-1947) King of Denmark 1912-47 and King of Iceland 1918-44. L.S., Christian R, with holograph subscription, two pages, 4to, Amalienborg, 12th November 1940, to King George II of Greece, in French. The manuscript letter is penned in an elegant hand and is a formal letter in which King Christian acknowledges receipt of the news that his correspondent's sister in law, Princess Frederica Louise, had given birth on 2nd June 1940 to a Prince who has been given the name Constantin. The King remarks 'Your Majesty knows well my deep feelings of sincere affection for His person and His family, not doubting the keen interest I take in this happy event. I send the most ardent wishes for the happiness of the new born Prince….' Accompanied by the original envelope bearing a good red wax seal to the verso. VG £100 - 150
George II (1890-1947) King of Greece 1922-24, 1935-47.
Frederica of Hanover (1917-1981) Queen Consort of the Hellenes, wife of King Paul (1901-1964) King of Greece 1947-64. Their second child was Constantine II.
Constantine II (1940- ) King of Greece 1964-73. Prince of Denmark as a male-line descendant of King Christian IX.
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McKINLEY WILLIAM: (1843-1901) American President 1897-1901. Assassinated. D.S., Wm McKinley Jr, being a signed cheque, Canton, Ohio, 22nd October 1885. The partially printed cheque, completed entirely in McKinley's hand, is drawn on The City National Bank and is made payable to Thomas Grey for the sum of $600. With a small, neat tear to the centre and a bank cancellation only very slightly affecting the signature, about VG £150 - 200
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EISENHOWER DWIGHT D.: (1890-1969) American General of World War II, later American President 1953-61. T.L.S., Dwight D Eisenhower, as President, one page, 4to, Washington, 2nd December 1954, to Mrs. James A. Cathcart, on the printed stationery of The White House. Eisenhower announces 'Over the years I've found that the key to effective results in every human effort is dedication - a deeply held conviction that the cause is right and worthy of the effort it requires, combined with the ability and determination to work as hard as one can to see it through', further expressing his gratitude for all his correspondent did 'in supplying the dedication and the tremendous outlay of effort to meet the challenge' and also remarking 'To me it foretells victory two years hence for those who believe in government which seeks only to serve, and which will keep our nation morally and economically strong at home, as well as militarily strong throughout the world'. Some light uniform age toning and some light staining to the edges, most likely caused by previous framing, G £150 - 200
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BEN-GURION DAVID: (1886-1973) First Prime Minister of Israel 1948- 54, 1955-63. A printed oblong 4to souvenir copy of The Inaugural Address of Harry S. Truman, delivered on 20th January 1949, with a US postage stamp featuring a portrait of Truman neatly affixed to the lower right corner and post marked at Independence, Missouri, 8th May 1973. Signed ('D. Ben-Gurion') by Ben-Gurion with his name alone in bold black ink to the lower right corner. VG £150 - 200
Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) American President 1945-53. Truman was an open supporter of Zionism and recognised the State of Israel on 14th May 1948 almost immediately after it had declared itself as a nation. The President was born in Missouri and the present address is taken from his second Inauguration, the first Presidential Inauguration to be televised.
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ISRAEL: Selection of signed postcard photographs and slightly larger, some signed visiting cards, compliment slips and a few letters etc., by various Israeli political leaders of the 1970s and 1980s including Ephraim Katzir, Yitzhak Navon, Meir Amit, Menachem Savidor, Mordechai Ben-Porat, Moshe Katsav, Aryeh Deri, Yehuda Ben-Meir, Gideon Patt, Yoram Aridor, Moshe Baram, Haim Yosef Zadok, Yehoshua Rabinovitz, Victor Shem-Tov, Simha Erlich, Yehezkel Flomin, Yitzhak Moda'i, Eliezer Shostak, Aharon Yadlin, Gad Yaacobi, Simcha Dinitz, Ya'akov Tsur, Roni Milo, Pinchas Sapir, Shlomo Hillel, Yisrael Katz, Moshe Nissim, Moshe Kol etc. The signatures are in both Hebrew and English (and in some cases both). G to generally VG, 50 £100 - 150
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