|
SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL: (1581-1660) French Catholic Priest. Venerated both in the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. Canonized in 1737 by Pope Clement XII. Vincent de Paul is known for his humility and for serving the poor. Extremely rare L.S., ‘Vincent de Paul I[ndigne] P[retre] d[e] l[a] M[ission]’, (“Vincent de Paul, Unworthy Priest of the Mission”), one page, 4to, Paris, 19th April 1658, to Monsieur Firmin Get, Prior of the mission in Marseille, in French. The written text is in the hand of Saint Vincent de Paul’s secretary Bertrand Ducournau, and states in part ‘..the grace of our Lord be with you.. I praise God for the trip you have made to Toulon and for the success..’. Vincent de Paul explains his intention to deliver in Tunisia a thousand additional pounds to Jean le Vacher, stating ‘..900 for him and 100 pounds for our dear de Romilly.’ a Christian slave of the Turkish, and further refers to other minor funds obtained for convicts. Small overall age wear, with a light professional repair to the verso, and upper edge trimmed, not affecting the text or signature. G £3000 - 4000 €3400 - 4600
Vincent de Paul established a mission in Tunisia in 1648, appointing at the head of it Jean le Vacher (1619-1683), and trying to help and assist white Christians held as slaves. Jean le Vacher was appointed French consul and continued Vincent de Paul work after the priest passed away. Le Vacher died tied to a cannon refusing to apostatise when the local Dey obliged him to.
|
|
|
CARDINALS: A very good selection of signed photographs (24), various sizes, A.Ls.S., signed cards, by over fifty Cardinals from all over the world, including Antonio Agliardi (1832-1915), Alfonso Mistrangelo (1852-1930) Florence, Jaime de Barros Camara (1894-1971) Rio de Janeiro, Peter Tatsuo Doi (1892-1970) Tokyo, Pietro Maffi (1858-1931) Pisa, Michelle Pellerino (1903-1986) Turin, Frantisek Tomasek (1899-1992) Prague, Ignacio Gabriel Tappouni (1879-1968) Lebanon, John Heenan (1905-1975) Westminster, Humberto Sousa Medeiros (1915-1983) Boston, Yu Pin (1901-1978) Nanking, August Hlond (1881-1948) Poznan, etc.. All are boldly signed to clear areas. Very small duplicity. VG, 52 £400 - 500 €450 - 560
|
|
|
NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNERS: Ralph Bunche (1904-1971) American Scientist and Diplomat. First African-American to be awarded with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1950. Also awarded by President John F. Kennedy with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. T.L.S., ‘Ralph’, one page, 4to, New York, 6th September 1963, on the United Nations printed stationery, to Robert Livingstone. Bunche states ‘I know that the Office of Personnel will do all they can with regard to your interest. I am hoping soon to see Molly and compare memories. It will be great fun, for she is an astute observer.’, and Auguste Beernaert (1829-1912) Prime Minister of Belgium 1884-94. Nobel Peace Prize in 1909. A.L.S., ‘A. Beernaert’, two pages, 8vo, mourning paper, Brussels, 10th October 1885, to the Premier President, in French. Beernaert states in part ‘Baron Beyens, our Minister in Paris, asks me to recommend to you his request which will be presented to you on behalf of his daughter Mme Baroness Rousseliere..’ With blank integral leaf. VG, 2 £120 - 200 €140 - 230
|
|
|
DE LESSEPS FERDINAND: (1805-1894) French Diplomat and developer of the Suez Canal. A.L.S., ‘Ferd. De Lesseps’, one page, 8vo, Paris, 10th March, to Mr. Guillaume, in French. De Lesseps thanks his correspondent for his invitation and states ‘I have already met yesterday our friend Cobau and will be happy to meet him again in your home...’ With blank integral leaf. VG £60 - 90 €70 - 100
|
|
|
NADAR: (1820-1910) French Photographer, Caricaturist and Balloonist. His real name being Felix Tournachon. A good A.L.S., Nadar, one page, 8vo, Paris, 1856, on his personal printed stationery, to Paul Meurice, in French. Nadar states in part ‘My dear friends, I succumb under an horrific migraine.. I suffer like a brute, I am unable to watch things clearly..’ With blank address leaf. G £100 - 150 €110 - 170
‘I have forwarded to the Company of La Tour [Eiffel] the wish you have explained to me regarding the shipment of the projectors..’
|
|
|
EIFFEL GUSTAVE: (1832-1923) French Civil Engineer, designer of the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty. A.L.S., ‘G. Eiffel’, two pages, 8vo, written to the first and last pages permitting attractive framed full display, on his printed stationery, 1, Rue Rabelais, Paris, 3rd June 1900, to an unidentified woman, in French. Written and signed in purple fountain pen ink. Eiffel states in part ‘I have forwarded to the Company of La Tour [Eiffel] the wish you have explained to me regarding the shipment of the projectors lights..’ Together with several contemporary newspapers with important articles related to Eiffel, including Figaro editions dated 28th May and 21st June 1889. With a Stern Paris watermark. Overall creasing, folded. Pinholes to the upper corners as a result of former affixing. About G, 4 £600 - 900 €680 - 1000
‘Unfortunately our Warsaw group can do nothing in support of the
Prague Esperantists because of the current horrible condition of our city and country..’
|
|
|
ZAMENHOF LUDWIK: (1859-1917) Polish Linguist. Best-known as the creator of the constructed international language of Esperanto. Zamenhof was twelve times nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Rare A.L.S., ‘Zamenhof’, one page, small 4to, Warsaw, n.d., on his personal stationery, to Edouard Kuhrt in Prague, in Esperanto, with two words in Czech. Zamenhof states in part ‘It was with great pleasure that I read your letter with the welcome report about the progress of our project in Prague….Unfortunately our Warsaw group can do nothing in support of the Prague Esperantists because of the current horrible condition of our city and country..’ The letter bears to the upper left corner Zamenhof’s decorative purple ink address stamp. Accompanied by the original hand addressed post-stamped envelope. VG £800 - 1000 €900 - 1100
|
|
  |
LIVINGSTONE DAVID: (1813-1873) Scottish Missionary & Explorer of Africa. A.L.S., David Livingstone, (the original signature neatly excised and replaced with a signature from a different letter, and in a slightly different tone of ink), four pages, 8vo, Albemarle Street, 12th December 1857, to ‘My dear Moore’. Livingstone announces ‘I really am very anxious to comply with your wish and no difficulty would be experienced if I could make one day of it only’ although continues ‘but time would be required for you to publish it and then so many things occur in my walk that I am obliged to postpone meetings and disappoint my friends. I have disappointed several and to disappoint you would give me immense pain’. Livingstone also adds that if he could see his way clear he would ‘take a run down’ to see Moore, although that would only be after his return from Portugal, and concludes by confessing ‘I am quite in a whirl and will be glad when out of it and away from this country altogether’. Some light overall age wear, G £600 - 900 €680 - 1000
Livingstone’s correspondent is likely to have been Joseph Moore (1816-1893) English Missionary and Pastor of Congleton Congregational Church in Cheshire 1848-88. Moore and Livingstone became lifelong friends after having met at the London Missionary Society in 1838. Correspondence from Livingstone to Moore exists between 1847-64 including a letter of 26th January 1858, written shortly after the present letter (which is not recorded in Livingstone Online). Livingstone is known to have visited Congleton, where he stayed for one night, on 29th January 1858. The explorer was at the height of his fame and engaged in a hectic schedule of nationwide speaking engagements. Although Congleton was not officially named as a venue for one of his lectures, when news broke that he was in the town, the local council urged him to speak at the local assembly rooms. Such was the interest in his presence that, due to local demand, his lecture was promptly followed by a second. The present letter is written from the Mayfair offices of the publisher John Murray who published Livingstone’s Missionary Travels in the same year, 1857. Also in 1857, Livingstone was appointed as Her Majesty’s Consul with a roving commission, extending through Mozambique to the areas west of it.
‘..the real name of the self-called Count di Cagliostro is Cico, from Naples, son of a coachman..’
|
|
  |
CAGLIOSTRO ALESSANDRO: (1743-1795) Giuseppe Balsamo, known as Count di Cagliostro, Italian Adventurer and Occultist. Cagliostro, whose origins were shrouded in mystery, was a renowned magician close to most European Royal courts, his occult arts including alchemy, psychic healing and scrying. An extremely rare L.S, ‘Io Giuseppe Balsamo’, a bold good example signature, two pages, 4to, n.p., [Rome], n.d., in French. Cagliostro signs at the base of a carefully written text, being copied extracts of letters sent by Mrs Swinton to Mrs Cazin, mainly related to Cagliostro, gossips on his origins, his behaviour, etc.., stating in part ‘..I have to admit that I was one of his most devoted partisans.. until I was shown the documents signed by him, with his writing that I know well..’, further saying ‘..the real name of the self-called Count di Cagliostro is Cico, from Naples, son of a coachman..’ The present document, probably written by disappointed disciples of Cagliostro, was signed in Italy, where he returned in 1789 from his exile in England. He was arrested and sentenced to death on the charge of being a freemason, but Pope Pius VI commuted his sentence to life imprisonment. Small overall age wear and creasing to the borders. Two very small holes not affecting the signature. G £5000 - 8000 €5600 - 9000
Cagliostro was arrested in 1785, held in the Bastille, and prosecuted for his uncertain participation in the affair of the Diamond Necklace at the court of King Louis XVI of France, involving Queen Marie Antoinette. The bad reputation of the Queen was definitively ruined by the implication that she participated in a crime to defraud the crown jewelers of the cost of a very expensive diamond necklace. This Affair is historically significant as one of the events that led, among other causes, to precipitate the French Revolution.
|
|
|
FARINA - EAU DE COLOGNE: Italian-born German Perfumiers. Creators of the first “Eau de Cologne”. A rare A.L.S., ‘Jean Marie Farina’, three pages, 4to, Cologne, 4th Germinal 1801, to Madame widow of Fauvel, in French. Signed by Jean Baptiste Farina (1758-1844), although descendants of creator Jean Marie Farina (1685-1766) used to sign letters with the creator’s surname “Jean Marie”. Farina responds to his correspondent and to her multiple requests for a shipment of Eau de Cologne and explains that it has been delayed due to an unexpected accident, further stating in part ‘..the stove had collapsed, and the repair takes a month.. such inconvenient has obliged me to delay important orders for the Loire, Francfort and for the north country..’ Blank address leaf with very small area of paper loss due to the opening of the letter. Overall age wear. Folded. About G £200 - 300 €230 - 340
|
|
|
DIESEL RUDOLF: (1858-1913) German Engineer and Inventor of the Diesel engine. Diesel disappeared and died at sea on his way to London, in suspicious and still uncertain circumstances which remain unsolved. A rare T.L.S., ‘Diesel’, one page, 4to, Munich, 11th February 1911, on his “R. Diesel - Engineer” printed stationery, to James R. Harris & Adolphus Busch, in German. The letter bears also an ink stamp dated 24th February 1911. Diesel responds to his correspondent’s letter dated 31st January, copy of which is bound with adhesive to the upper border together with Diesel’s response, and is related to the “Formation of Company: Busch-Sulzer Bros.-Diesel Engine Co.” Diesel states in part ‘I thank you for your kind communication regarding the incorporation of the new Company and await with pleasure your draft of the agreement of the new Company with me.’, further saying ‘As far as the price is concerned, at which Mr. Adolphus Busch enters his investment to the new Company, I am in accord with the proceeding as you have proposed. As you know, I have complete confidence in Mr. Adolphus Busch and yourself…therefore I give you blank power of attorney for arranging all organization matters..’ Together with two T.Ls., both in English and addressed to Rudolf Diesel, one signed ‘J.R.H’, James R. Harris, dated in Munich, 5th April 1911, and the second being the translation of the one sent by the General Manager of Schulz-Buscher, dated 30th April 1910. Harris states in part ‘I have just handed to your son-in-law, Mr. Von Schmidt, duplicate copies of the contract to be entered into between yourself and the new company…You will remember that it was understood between us that the only basis upon which Messrs. Sulzer Bros. would enter into a contract with our new company, was that reciprocal obligations of exchange should exist between Sulzer Bros. and the new company, but such obligations should not exist between yourself and the new company…especially as you are connected in an advisory capacity with competitors of Sulzer Bros…’ . To the second letter, the Schulz-Buscher General Manager states ‘There is no question as to the future of our Company and to speak plainly, I have become a Diesel Enthusiast.’ An excellent content archive. Small overall age wear and folds, otherwise G £1500 - 2000 €1700 - 2300
Adolphus Busch (1839-1913) German-born co-founder of Anheuser-Busch. A philanthropist who used his wealth to improve education and give response to humanitarian needs. Busch bought the rights from Rudolf Diesel to assemble diesel engines in America
|
|
|
HARLEY DAVIDSON: A good D.S., ‘John A Davidson’, two pages, folio, yellow paper, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 31st July 1965, the partially printed document being a an early dealer agreement contract between Harley-Davidson and the Pennsylvania dealer Paul W. Haines, dba Haines Harley-Davidson Sales. Signed by John A Davidson in his capacity as Dealer Placement Manager before becoming the future President of the iconic firm. The present contract was executed four years before the company merged with AMF. The contract contains interesting customer service aspects which did not appear in earlier versions. Folded. VG £400 - 600 €450 - 680
‘I read these in bed on a Sunday morning (shameless confession) while the church bells were tolling and they never sounded so sweet to me before..’
|
|
|
WRIGHT FRANK LLOYD: (1867-1959) American Architect, Designer and Writer. Wright created an architectural philosophy he named Organic Architecture. His work Fallingwater (1935) is widely considered the best work of American architecture, and the American Institute of Architects recognized him in 1991 as “The Greatest American Architect of all time”. Rare signed and inscribed typescript ‘To Lewis - F.L.Wt’, to the head of first page, nine pages, 4to, Taliesin West, February 1953, to architecture critic Lewis Munford. The Typescript document being an essay entitled “In the Cause of Architecture the ‘International Style’”, typed in Wright’s studio at Taliesin West, with his usual type face and spacing. The nine pages essay states in its first paragraph ‘The International Style is Neither International Nor a Style. Internationalism is Totalitarianism… At most the notion becomes a fashion and a fashion is - always - some passing show of imitation; probably an imitation of a bad imitation by a bad imitator. In any International “Style”, therefore, we would have more invasion than invention… I see in it a cliché for the rising tide of mediocrity, You will find that it merely betrays what was originally individual in true Democratic sense of the much abused term - Organic Architecture - The Architecture of Democracy’. The typescript bears several corrections, and the date is added to the upper right corner by Munford. Extremely small minor age wear, and a very small crease due to former clip to the upper left corner. VG £2500 - 3500 €2800 - 4000
|
|
  |
WRIGHT FRANK LLOYD: (1867-1959) American Architect, Designer and Writer. Wright created an architectural philosophy he named Organic Architecture. His work Fallingwater (1935) is widely considered the best work of American architecture, and the American Institute of Architects recognized him in 1991 as “The Greatest American Architect of all time”. A rare and interesting lengthy A.L.S., ‘Franck Lloyd Wright’, two pages, 8vo, written to first and last page, allowing fine display, small but clean writing, n.p., 24th December 1901, to Sophia Austin Morris. A lengthy autograph letter related to the lecture of a book, stating ‘I am richer and happier for having read your book’. Wright states in part ‘Majind insists upon the return of your Jean Paul… He has gone with me to Hillside three different times and has been with me in all sorts of odd moments. I have read him - Fruit, Flowers and Thorns.. Never, will I forget my experience... Previous to that I had been all along charmed and sunned by his genial humor and his persistent inclination to stick a posie anywhere regardless.. but there came a grumble on page 260 - then on page 261 a row of asterisk, - like the ominous hush before the coming storm, - and solemnly deep down, he begins, and gathering wrath and force and power he goes on building up grandly until with a terribly comprehensive reach, he crashes the universe in fragments, at our feet and commands us to look down - and we look, shuddering into a godless chaos.’ further adding an amusing comment ‘I read these in bed on a Sunday morning (shameless confession) while the church bells were tolling and they never sounded so sweet to me before..’ and before concluding adds ‘I shall never lose that impression.’ Accompanied by the original envelope in Wright’s hand. Folded, otherwise VG £4000 - 6000 €4500 - 6800
Flower, Fruit and Thorn Pieces is a book by Jean Paul (1763-1825) Johann Paul Richter, German Writer.
|
|
|
MATA HARI: (1876-1917) Gertrud Margaretha Zelle being her real name. Dutch exotic Dancer, with stage name Mata Hari, who was convicted of being a spy working for Germany during World War I. She was executed by firing squad in Paris. A good A.N.S., ‘Mata Hari’, one page, 8vo, Vienna, 10th January 1917, on the very attractive Bristol Hotel, Vienna, printed stationery, to Lieutenant Oscar Dofer, in French. Mata Hari sends a short note to an admirer stating in the third person ‘Mata Hari, with her thanks for your admiration’. Accompanied by the original printed stationery 6 x 5 envelope, bearing a stamp and postmark. Matted in white, framed in wood and glazed to an overall of 11 x 19. Very mall ink stains to few words, otherwise VG £1200 - 2000 €1400 - 2300
Mata Hari was arrested only one month after writing the present letter.
|
|
|
NESS ELIOT: (1903-1957) American Prohibition Agent, leader of ‘The Untouchables’. Signed Leaving Card, the small 8vo card featuring a floral illustration to the front cover, with the words ‘Something to Remember Us By’ and a small decorative pink ribbon attached. Signed (‘Eliot Ness’) in black ink, the forename very slightly feathered, beneath the signatures of the other well-wishers. Together with a reproduction 5 x 7 photographic image of Ness. With a thin white adhesive strip to the head of the front and back cover, not affecting the signature. Otherwise G, 2 £500 - 600 €560 - 680
|
|
|
CARLOS THE JACKAL: (1949- ) His real name being Ilich Ramirez Sanchez. Venezuelan terrorist, a Marxist-Leninist recruited by the Popular Front of the Liberation of Palestine. Carlos is currently serving a life sentence in France. He has been sentenced to three different life terms. A.N.S., ‘Carlos’, to the verso of his own photograph, a Kodak colour 6 x 4 image showing Carlos in a close-up portrait in 2011, Poissy, 29th May 2011. Carlos states ‘Here I appear at Court in Paris on a minor issue; I had an allergic reaction against something in the food… Yours in Revolution, Carlos’. Matted in black, beneath a 5 x 7.5 photograph of Carlos in the 1970’s, to an overall of 8 x 12. The signed photograph being easily removable. EX £150 - 200 €170 - 230
‘Pilot Francis Powers is my only son.. As one father to another, I plead with you to let him come home as soon as you can find it in your heart to do so..’
|
|
|
[POWERS FRANCIS GARY]: (1929-1977) American Pilot. Powers was shot down on 1st of May 1960 while flying with a CIA U-2 spy plane a reconnaissance mission in Soviet Union airspace. Powers was convicted of espionage and sentenced to ten years. Two years later Powers was exchanged in a spy swap in Berlin during the cold war. Powers died in a helicopter crash. Unusual document, being a letter sent by Gary Powers’ father to the Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, T.L.S., Oliver Powers, one page, 4to, Pound, Virginia, 19th May 1960, to Nikita Khrushchev. Powers states ‘I extend to you and Mrs. Kruschev my regards as one parent to another. Pilot Francis Powers is my only son. I am asking you to be lenient with him in your dealings with him. He has always been a fine young man, and we love him very much. As one father to another, I plead with you to let him come home as soon as you can find it in your heart to do so, so that he may be with us a while longer. Please give him this note from his mother enclosed in this letter.’ An emotional letter of Powers’ father imploring for his son’s life and trying to touch his correspondent as father. Accompanied by a letter of provenance signed by Francis Gary Powers Jr., 11th January 2017, public speaker and authority on the U-2 Incident and Cold War history. With several annotations to the verso in pencil. Overall creasing and staining. FR to G £1500 - 2000 €1700 - 2300
Steven Spielberg brought this story to screens in the film Bridge of Spies (2015)
|
|
|
BELGIOJOSO CRISTINA: (1808-1871) Italian noblewoman and Writer. A Patriot who played an important role during the Italian struggle for independence. A good A.L.S., ‘Christina Trivulzio de Belgiojoso’, three pages, 8vo, 2nd October, n.y., to a Minister, in French. Belgiojoso reminds the Minister his commitment regarding the edition and publication of an abbot’s work, stating ‘..according to your request, he has kept twenty-five copies of his work for the ministry. But these copies are quite expensive..’ Small overall foxing, otherwise VG £100 - 150 €110 - 170
|
|
|
PARKS ROSA & KING CORETTA SCOTT: Rosa Parks (1913-2005) American Activist, ‘the First Lady of civil rights’ and Coretta Scott King (1927-2006) American Activist and Civil Rights Leader, the wife of Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1953 until his death in 1968. Both leading figures of the Civil Rights Movement. A United Nations First Day Cover for Combat Racism all over the World, individually signed by Parks and King. Both have signed in blue or black inks, with their names alone, to a clear area of the cover. Postmarked 19th September 1977. VG £120 - 200 €140 - 230
|
|
|
NAPALM GIRL: Signed 10.5 x 8 photograph by Phan Ti Kim Phuc (1963- ) and Nick Ut (1951- ). The well-known photograph by Nick Ut was awarded with the 1973 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography for the “Terror of War”, depicting the nine years old child Kim Phuc on a road, crying and running naked away from a napalm bombing. Signed by both in bold black ink to clear areas of the image, also dated by Kim Phuc. EX £80 - 100 €90 - 110
Fashion
|
|
|
ARMANI GIORGIO: (1934- ) Italian Fashion Designer. Signed 7 x 9 photograph by Armani, the image depicting the Italian designer in a close-up half length pose. Signed in silver ink to a dark background at the base of the image. EX £60 - 90 €70 - 100
|
|
|
KLEIN CALVIN: (1942- ) American Fashion Designer. Signed 8 x 10 photograph by Klein, the image showing the fashion designer in a close-up portrait pose. Signed in bold black ink ‘Best wishes - Calvin klein’ to the lower right corner. VG £60 - 90 €70 - 100
|
|
|
GAULTIER JEAN PAUL: (1952- ) French Haute Couture Fashion Designer. Signed and inscribed, including sketch, 6 x 8 photograph by Gaultier, the image depicting the French artist in a close-up artistic portrait pose. Signed and inscribed to the verso by Gaultier, a large bold dark ink signature, also adding a self-portrait sketch above the signature in his hand. VG £60 - 90 €70 - 100
|
|
|
TRUMP IVANA: (1949- ) Czech former Model and first wife of US President Donald Trump. T.L.S., ‘Ivana Trump’, one page, 4to, New York, 4th March 1991, on her The Plaza printed stationery, to the Museum Bayo in Spain. Ivana Trump thanks her correspondent for his letter and kind words. Signed in bold blue ink in her capacity as The Plaza President. EX £100 - 150 €110 - 170
|
|
|
KASPAROV GARRY: (1963- ) Russian Chess Grandmaster, World Champion 1985-2000. Signed 10 x 8 colour photograph by Kasparov, the image depicting the Russian Grandmaster seated, before a chessboard. Signed in bold blue ink, with his name alone, to a light part of the image. EX £60 - 90 €70 - 100
|
|
|
RHEIMS BETTINA: (1952- ) French Photographer. Signed art postcard photograph, the artwork corresponds to the Parisian exhibition Chambre Close series by Rheims, the colour image depicting a woman seated, in a provocative semi-nude three quarter length pose. Signed in bold black ink to the lower white border. VG £100 - 150 €110 - 170
| SCIENCE & EXPLORATION |
|
|
  |
[SILKWORMS 1852]: A curious and unusual document, being a 4to hardback notebook entitled ‘Education des Vers a Soie - de 1852-1855’, (“Silkworms Education - from 1852 to 1855”), in French. A very interesting document containing over 130 pages with day by day very precise annotations, including dates, temperatures, quantities, and lengthy and detailed descriptions and information. Although the title delimits the study from 1852 until 1855, the notebook contains annotations until 1899. A fourty-seven years silkworms very interesting scientific study. Overall age wear, with lose spine, and trimmed edges. G £150 - 200 €170 - 230
|
|
|
HUMBOLDT ALEXANDER: (1769-1859) Prussian Geographer, Naturalist and Explorer. A.L.S., ‘Humboldt’, one page, 12mo, n.p., Friday [April 1851], to an unidentified correspondent, in French. In his usual small and difficult writing, Humboldt states in part ‘Despite the polar cold.. I will be after tomorrow Sunday towards 10h at General Baudrand?’s home. I missed unfortunately the opportunity of presenting my tribute..’ Very small area of paper loss to the bottom left corner and small remnants of former affixing to the verso. G £150 - 200 €170 - 230
|
|
  |
[STANLEY HENRY MORTON]: (1841-1904) British Explorer & Journalist. An unusual and very attractive original 11.5 x 16.5 printed publisher’s advertisement for 1889 “Heroes of the Continent and How Stanley Found Emin Pasha”, by J.W. Buel, four pages, yellow paper, published by Historical Publishing Co. in 1889 and printed by C.R. Parish & Co., Philadelphia. The contemporary double sheet print states at the heading ‘The civilized world has been waiting with longing expectation for the Return of Henry M. Stanley from his last expedition into Central Africa..’, and contains ten large and very attractive drawings showing various scenes of Stanley’s exploration travels, including “Hewing a way through the jungle”, “Arabs capturing slaves”, “A fight with tree-dwellers”, “Quelling a mutiny”, etc… Small overall creasing. Folded. G £400 - 600 €450 - 680
|
|
|
HILLARY EDMUND: (1919-2008) New Zealand Mountaineer, the first man, with Tenzing Norgay, to reach the summit of Mount Everest, 1953. A good D.S., ‘Ed. Hillary’, one page, folio, being a numbered certificate of gratefulness for the donation received for the edition of the work Sagarmatha (1991). The typed text stating in part ‘The presentation edition of Sagarmatha come to you with my special appreciation. It is only with donations such as yours that the Himalayan Trust can continue its environmental work in the Everest region in Nepal. I consider our various projects with the Sherpa people of vital importance, and I am happy that you share in my support of them..’ Signed by “Sir Edmund Hillary, Himalayan Trust, Kathmandu, Nepal”. Printed at the base “The paper is hand-made in Nepal from the bark of the daphne shrub..”. The document has been cleanly affixed to a larger card. G £150 - 200 €170 - 230
|
|
|
HILLARY EDMUND: (1919-2008) New Zealand Mountaineer, the first man, with Tenzing Norgay, to reach the summit of Mount Everest, 1953. Signed and inscribed 3.5 x 4.5 photograph, the printed image depicting Hillary in a head and shoulders pose. With a brief printed biography to the verso. Signed in black ink to a clear area at the base of the image. Together with John Hunt (1910-1998) British Army Officer, Leader of the 1953 British Expedition to Mount Everest. A good signed and inscribed 4.5 x 6.5 photograph of Hunt in a head and shoulders pose. Signed in bold blue fountain pen ink across a light area at the head of the image and dated 18thJanuary 1972 in his hand. A couple of very light, minor surface and corner creases, otherwise VG, 2 £200 - 300 €230 - 340
|
|
|
NORGAY TENZING: (1914-1986) Nepalese Indian Sherpa Mountaineer, the first man, with Edmund Hillary, to reach the summit of Mount Everest, 1953. An excellent signed 8 x 10 photograph by Tenzing Norgay, the image depicting the mountaineer standing in a three quarter length pose with a large rucksack on his back and an ice pick in his hand, as he prepares to navigate the mountain range which can be seen in the immediate background. Signed (‘Tenzing’) in blue fountain pen ink with his name alone to a clear area of the image. Signed photographs of Tenzing Norgay of this size and quality are rare and desirable. About EX £300 - 400 €340 - 450
Sherpa Tenzing’s place as one of the most famous mountain climbers in history was secured when he became one of the first two individuals known to reach the summit of Mount Everest (accomplished alongside Edmund Hillary) on 29th May 1953. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.
|
|
|
VOLTA ALESSANDRO: (1745-1827) Italian Physicist. A Pioneer in electricity. The electrical unit, volt, is named in his honour. Rare A.L.S., ‘A. Volta’, one page, folio, Pavia, 15th April 1785, to Count Giambatista Giovio, in Italian. Volta states ‘With great pleasure, I have understood the resolution made by Y.H to come to Pavia to receive the award, and for what makes me wish the advantage of enjoying your company in a few weeks..’ further saying ‘..only one or two questions will be asked by some of the professors, the rest will be done by acclamation.. Our magnificient Rector Rezia will perhaps be able to give Y.E a better response and will make his best in all ways to help on this.. I would like to offer Y.E a room in my home..’. Volta addresses the letter to Giovio as ‘Knight of the Sacred Military Order of San Stefano & Chamberlain of His Imperial Majesty’. With remnants of a former red wax seal to the verso. Small overall minor age wear, folded, with extremely small ink holes, and one hole to the fold as a result of the opening, none affecting the signature. G £3000 - 4000 €3400 - 4500
Count Giovani Battista Giovio (1748-1814) Italian novelist. Giovio wrote under the pseudonym Poliante Lariano.
Giacomo Rezia (1745-1825) Italian Surgeon and Anatomist.
|
|
|
LACEPEDE BERNARD GERMAIN DE: (1756-1825) French Naturalist. L.S., Cte de Lacepede, two pages, folio, Paris, 19th November 1813, to Baron Riouffe, in French, on stationery bearing the printed heading Legion d’Honneur. Lacepede replies to a request for funding, stating ‘I hasten to reply, Mr. Prefect and dear colleague… to the request made by Mr. Boyer, Cavalier of the Legion of Honour, retired Captain of the 2nd Regt. of Hussars, so that Mr. Boyer, his son, who has been admitted in the 2nd Regt. of the Guard of Honour, be equipped and shod at the expense of the Legion’ and finally notifying Riouffe ‘I have the honour of informing you… that I have just prayed that His Excellence the Grand Chancellor of the Legion kindly put at your disposition, as soon as possible, the sum of 1798 francs, to be used to clothe, equip and shoe Mr. Boyer the younger’. Some very slight age wear, VG £100 - 150 €110 - 170
Honore Jean Riouffe (1764-1813) Prefect of Meurthe, Nancy. The Legion of Honour is the highest French order for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoléon Bonaparte.
|
|
|
ORFILA MATHIEU: (1787-1853) Spanish Chemist and a renowned pioneer in the science of toxicology. President of the French Academy of medicine, he was best known for testifying as an expert in criminal poisoning cases. Orfila served as Royal Physician to King of France Louis XVIII. Rare A.L.S., ‘Orfila’, one page, 8vo, Paris, 7th June 1851, on the letterhead of the Ministry of Public Instruction and Ecclesiastical affairs, to the President of the Court of Assizes of the Lower Loire, in French. Orfila refers to a court case of poisoning, by iron sulfate, and states in part ‘..I would like to know if I will be testifying on that day or the following…having been retained by the Superior Council for its session, I must try to keep my absence as short as possible..’ Very small creasing. Folded. G £400 - 600 €450 - 680
|
|
  |
MAGNUS HEINRICH GUSTAV: (1802-1870) German Scientist. The “Magnus effect” is named after him. A very good A.L.S., ‘G.Magnus’, four pages, 4to, Berlin, 21st August 1848, to a French colleague, in German. Magnus states in part ‘Soon after I received your letter, the booksellers went to the Leipzig fair which is essential for German booktrade. Unfortunately it went that bad that the whole booktrade stagnates. This is why your publisher told me that he can’t do anything now for your translation..if the circumstances will be favourable he is willing to publish a second edition..’ further saying ‘Athmospheric air is still collected here for you. Please forgive me as I didn’t speak to Mr. [François] Arago because of the promotion. It was always my principle to step aside from courtly men…Unfortunately I wasn’t able to work properly for 8 months. I am decan of our faculty these years, additionally to the political circumstances, there is little free time left. Are you still working on the vapours?’ And before concluding and referring to physical studies states ‘I would like to have 1. an Eudiometer made by you and 2. the equipment which Senarmont uses for his experiments on heat conduction.. Mr. Moritz from Petersburg told me you know Mr. Senarmont very well..’ A letter of good content. EX £400 - 500 €450 - 580
|
|
|
EDISON THOMAS: (1847-1931) American Inventor of the phonograph and light bulb among many other items. A.L.S., E, one page, 8vo, n.p., n.d. [1924], to [Jaffrey P. Buchanan]. Typically writing in bold pencil, Edison announces ‘432 varnish poor prints today’s report at cost of 16 cents each. Costs $69,00 per day. It would pay to adopt some system different from piece work to do better varnishing.’ and adds ‘Perhaps varnish has something to do with it’. Extremely small crease to the upper edge and pinhole, otherwise VG £400 - 600 €450 - 680
Jaffray P. Buchanan was employed by Edison as Manager of his Record Disc Division. The present note refers to Edison and Buchanan’s works on the production of the phonograph records.
|
|
|
HANSKY ALEXIS: (1870-1908) Russian Astronomer. A.L.S., A. Hansky, one page, 8vo, Pulkovo, 13th August 1902, to [Louis Olivier], in French. Hansky states in part ‘I have received the print of the first part of my article and I am revising it right now. In two or 3 days I will send you the second half of this article together with the photographs tests.’ With blank integral leaf. Autographs of Hansky are scarce after his death at the early age of 38. VG £100 - 150 €110 - 170
Asteroid 1118 Hanskya, discovered in 1927, was named in his honour.
Nobel Prize Winners
‘In these years of affliction our readiness to help one another is being put to an especially severe test.
|
|
|
EINSTEIN ALBERT: (1879-1955) German-born Theoretical Physicist, Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1921. A good T.L.S., ‘A. Einstein’, one page, 4to, Princeton, 10th June 1939, on his printed stationery bearing the blind embossed heading “A. Einstein. 112.Mercer Street. Princeton, New Jersey. U.S.A”, to Miss A. E. Botthof. Einstein is involved and helps war refugees, stating in part ‘The power of resistance which has enabled the Jewish people to survive for thousands of years has been based to a large extent on traditions of mutual helpfulness. In these years of affliction our readiness to help one another is being put to an especially severe test. May we stand this test as well as did our fathers before us.’, further saying ‘It must be a source of deep gratification to you to be making so important a contribution toward rescuing our persecuted fellow-Jews from their calamitous peril and leading them towards a better future.’ Accompanied by the original 9.5 x 4 post-stamped stationery envelope. Folded. VG £3000 - 4000 €3400 - 4500
|
|
|
SCHWEITZER ALBERT: (1875-1965) Alsatian Theologian, Musician, Philosopher & Physician, Nobel Peace Prize winner 1952. Signed postal card Albert Schweitzer, the card showing a drawn image of Schweitzer, bearing his name and his Nobel award at the foot of the image. With a Republic of Gabon stamp affixed to the top left corner, also showing Doctor Schweitzer, and an ink stamp from Lambarene, with Schweitzer portrait once more. The Physician adds beneath his autograph the date 23rd July 1960, in his hand. VG £100 - 150 €110 - 170
‘I discovered the role of Vitamin A in vision.’
|
|
|
WALD GEORGE: (1906-1997) American Scientist, Nobel Prize winner in Medicine, 1967. A good and lengthy autograph statement signed, George Wald, two pages, 4to, Harvard University, Cambridge Massachusetts, 21st July 1952. Wald responds to few questions written to the heading, in French, in the collector’s hand. Wald states in part ‘..I have been working, for 20 years, at first alone, later with young colleagues, to learn something of the mechanism of visual excitation. Very early in this work I discovered the role of Vitamin A in vision. The visual pigments…and this is the reason why when vitamin A is lacking, the disease night-blindness develops. In the past ten years my colleagues and I have succeeded synthesizing..’. VG £200 - 300 €230 - 340
|
|
|
LEONTIEF WASSILY: (1906-1999) American Economist. Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, 1973. Three of his doctoral students have also been awarded the Nobel Prize (Paul Samuelson 1970, Robert Solow 1987 and Vernon L. Smith 2002). T.L.S., W. Leontiev, one page, 8vo, New York, 12th April 1976, to Dr. Ben Braude. On his printed stationery of the New York University, Leontiev states in full ‘Echoes like yours, although I hear them infrequently, make me believe that one’s voice carries further than one could have expected. Enclosed is my bibliography and a copy of my Nobel Lecture.’ Accompanied by the Leontiev’s Nobel Memorial lecture mentioned in the letter. EX £80 - 100 €90 - 110
Manhatthan Project
‘I think my paper with Prof. L. Meitner in which fission was first explained in
some detail..’
|
|
|
FRISCH OTTO ROBERT: (1904-1979) Austrian Physicist. Designer of the first mechanism for the detonation of an atomic bomb. A key figure in the first nuclear fission theoretical explanation. An excellent A.L.S., ‘O.R. Frisch’, one page, folio, stating in part ‘I think my paper with Prof. L. Meitner in which fission was first explained in some detail, and my subsequent paper in which the liberation of very large energies was first demonstrated..’ Frisch concludes with a sentence in French ‘Auquun(sic) de mes ouvrage je considere comme un chef-d’oeuvre!’ (“I do not consider any of my works a master work!’). To the heading showing the collector’s annotations with questions Frisch responds to, also indicating at the base of the document the date this statement was obtained, 8th November 1947. VG £600 - 900 €680 - 1000
‘..mainly small (but I hope useful) contributions to several branches of quantum theory.’
|
|
|
PEIERLS RUDOLF: (1907-1995) German-born British Physicist. Peierls played a major role in the Manhattan Project. His co-authored 1940 memorandum with Otto Frisch set out the first step to the atomic bomb construction. Interesting autograph signed thoughts by Peierls about himself and his works, one page, folio, stating in part ‘I have never done any one great piece of work, but mainly small (but I hope useful) contributions to several branches of quantum theory.’ To the heading bearing the collector’s annotations with questions Peierls responds to, also indicating the date this statement was obtained, 23rd April 1950. VG £400 - 600 €450 - 700
|
|
|
BRADBURY NORRIS EDWIN: (1909-1997) American Physicist and Director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory 1945-70. Bradbury succeeded Oppenheimer who appointed him after working closely with him on the Manhattan Project during WWII. Bradbury was in charge of the first detonation of a nuclear weapon in 1945. An interesting T.L.S., ‘N.E. Bradbury’, one page, 4to, 8th July 1990. Bradbury responds to three questions written in the hand of a collector to the upper part of the document and states in part ‘I am not famous nor do I consider any of my activities necessarily “masterpieces”.’ Bearing to the verso two official Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory ink stamps, one for the reception and one for the document dispatched. With a lengthy, small writing, Bradbury’s biography at the base of the document and few lines to the verso in the hand of the collector. Folded with a very small are of paper loss to the upper edge. G £400 - 600 €450 - 700
| ART & LITERATURE |
Painters
|
|
|
RODIN, MUCHA & CZECH ARTISTS: Rare multiple signed postcard by various renowned artists, including French Sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), Czech Art Nouveau Painter Alphonse Mucha (1860-1939), and six more Czech artists such as Josef Maratka (1874-1937) Sculptor, Arnost Hofbauer (1869-1944) Painter, Richard Klenka (1873-1954) Architect, Rudolf Vacha (1860-1939) Painter, Ferdinand Hercick (1861-1923) Painter, etc.. Individually signed to the greetings postcard cover, in pencil and red pencil, to a clear white background of the image showing a landscape. Addressed to Franz Ruth, Karlsbad, stamped and postmarked to the verso [c.1902]. Matted in black, beneath two 5 x 4.5 unsigned photographs of Rodin and Mucha, to an overall size of 12 x 12. A good selection of autographs in one single and attractive document. About VG £1000 - 1500 €1100 - 1700
|
|
|
INGRES JEAN-AUGUSTE: (1780-1867) French Painter. A Painter of History, and a renowned portraitist. Acknowledged as the leader of the Neoclassic school in France, he is a precursor of modern art, influencing Picasso, Matisse and other modernists. A.L.S., ‘Ingres’, one page, small 8vo, n.p., 2nd July 1847, in French. A short note in Ingres hand stating ‘I hereby authorize Sieur Matthieu to take back on my behalf the 2nd quarter warrant corresponding to the annual indemnity of 1000 fr which the Fine Arts administration has kindly assigned to my project.’ With blank integral leaf. Folded. VG £300 - 400 €340 - 450
|
|
|
INGRES JEAN-AUGUSTE: (1780-1867) French Painter. A Painter of History, and a renowned portraitist. Acknowledged as the leader of the Neoclassic school in France, he is a precursor of modern art, influencing Picasso, Matisse and other modernists. A.L.S., ‘Ingres’, one page, 4to, n.p., [18th October 1834], to Monsieur Oudard, in French. Ingres recommends an easel recently created to his correspondent and asks for his support and protection stating in part ‘The easel he is the inventor of, which I have seen and tested, brings all the benefits he announces. Mr. Bonhomme has rendered a real service to the artists and amateurs, and I dare to assure that His Majesty benevolence couldn’t be better applied..’ With blank address leaf. Small overall age wear and minor staining, otherwise G to VG £1000 - 1500 €1100 - 1700
|
|
|
COROT JEAN-BAPTISTE: (1796-1875) French Painter. A good A.N.S., ‘Corot’, one page, 12mo, Paris 24th October 1869, to Eugene Obermayer, in French. Corot states ‘Monsieur, I am every Wednesday at the painting studio, from 1h to 4h, and will receive you with pleasure.’ Accompanied by the original envelope addressed in Corot’s hand and post-stamped. With blank integral leaf. VG £200 - 300 €230 - 340
|
|
