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PRICE IN BRITISH POUNDS |
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ALDRIN Buzz (Edwin Eugene)
(1930-)
US Astronaut
Signed and inscribed colour 8 x 10. |
£190 |
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ALDRIN Buzz (Edwin Eugene)
(1930-)
US Astronaut
Personal handwritten cheque (with smiling moon logo) dated June 13th,
1977, boldly signed with the less common "Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr".
Professionally framed and glazed. |
SOLD |
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PRINCESS ANNE &
CAPT. MARK PHILLIPS
Signed and inscribed Christmas greetings card by both Princess Anne &
Capt. Mark Phillips, featuring a colour illustration to the cover of their
horses Goodwill and Columbus. With original envelope dated 17th December
1975. |
£150 |
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ARMSTRONG
Neil, Alden (1930-)
US Astronaut
Neil Armstrong signed photo 8" x 10.5", wearing white spacesuit.
Inscribed "Best Wishes, Neil Armstrong". |
SOLD |
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ASTRONAUTS
Color glossy 8 x 10 photo of an orbiting Lunar Lander, signed in black
felt tip by Gene Cernan, Alan Bean and Edgar Mitchell, all adding their
missions. |
£200 |
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BADER, Sir
Douglas Robert Stuart (1910-1982)
English Aviator
Signed First Day Cover commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Battle of
Britain. Postally cancelled 13th September 1965, signed by Douglas
Bader in blue biro. |
£180 |
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BADER, Sir
Douglas Robert Stuart (1910-1982)
English Aviator
Signed First Day Cover commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Battle of
Britain, 1970, and featuring a colour illustration of a Hawker Hurricane
MK.1 in flight. Postally cancelled 19th September 1970, signed by Douglas
Bader in black ink. |
£165 |
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BARNUM,
Phineas Taylor (1810-1891)
US Showman
THE GREATEST SHOWMAN. Handwritten note 24th June 1857 to 'My
dear Drayton' and stating that he 'would be obliged if he
could spare him a few tickets'. |
£340 |
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BEATTY, Sir
William
Surgeon on board the Victory at the battle of Trafalgar who attended Lord
Nelson after he received his mortal wound.
Autograph letter signed "Wm. Beatty", to "My dear
Friend", discussing general matters, his absence from town, the
weather, acquaintances. United Service Club, 7 October 1836. 3pp.
Approximately 7" x 4 1/2". In fine condition. |
SOLD |
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BLAKE, Robert
Admiral (1599-1657)
English Naval Commander
Document signed, one page, Whitehall, 2nd Dec. 1654, being a warrant
relating to William Wood, a cook with the frigate Greyhound, addressed to
the Commissioners of the Navy, with blank integral leaf, lightly laid down
to contemporary folder alongside three engravings. |
SOLD |
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BRUNEL,
Isambard Kingdom - (1806-1859)
English Engineer and Inventor
Autograph cheque signed on a brown and white cheque form of Drummond's
Bank, uncrossed, the signature is clear and unmarked. |
SOLD |
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BUFFALO BILL
(William Frederick Cody) - (1846-1917)
American Soldier, Bison Hunter & Showman
Visiting Card (2.25" x 3.5") inscribed and signed to verso
"Was the kind ever seen in London before?" W. F. Cody, Buffalo
Bill 1887". The recto side of the card is printed 'Hon W. F. Cody.
Nebraska'. A few pinholes, see photo.
Buffalo Bill performed in London
in celebration of Queen Victoria's Jubilee year in 1887.
Professionally framed and glazed with
a vintage 1929 Forbes (Boston) Lithograph (No 17 in The Famous American
Series). |
£750 |
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BYRD, Richard Evelyn -
(1888-1957)
US Explorer & Aviator
With Floyd Bennett, he made the first aeroplane
flight over the North Pole (1926), for which they received the
Congressional Medal of Honour. In 1929 he established a base, 'Little
America', in the Antarctic and was the first to fly over the South Pole.
Signed book "Discovery" - First Edition. NY
: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1935. Hardcover, 6.5" x 9.5", 395 pages.
Signed "R. E. Byrd" in fountain pen on his full page photo,
opposite title page. In fine condition with sunning to the spine.
|
£160 |
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CAPEL, Arthur
- FIRST EARL OF ESSEX
(bap. 1632-1683) - Politician & Conspirator
Signature 'Essex' as Earl of Essex and first lord of the Treasury, on a
piece cut from a Treasury Warrant, which also bears the signatures of
three Treasury Commissioners, Sidney Godolphin, Sir Edward Dering, and Sir
John Ernley. Whitehall, June 1779. Approx. 5" x 5". A
good example of the uncommon signature.
Essex was Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland, 1672-1677. On 26th March 1679, he became first lord of the
Treasury. On the discovery of the Rye Plot (1683) Essex was sent to the
Tower, where he was found with his throat cut on 13 July 1683. |
£220 |
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CHARLES II,
The Merry Monarch (1630-1685)
King of Great Britain and Ireland
King Charles II, L.S., large folio,
Whitehall 9th March 1677, to Henry Godricke, informing him of the issue of
a warrant for £1000 to Sir Henry to raise "tenn companies of foot..
100 soldiers in each company... within six weeks", signed to head,
embossed seal damaged and staining and age toning to edges, laid down to
later album page. |
SOLD |
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CHUNG LING
SOO (1860-1918)
'Chinese' Magician who died in somewhat mysterious circumstances whilst
performing a bullet catching trick at the Wood Green Empire in North
London.
Fountain pen ink signature with two additional words in his own hand on a
small slip of paper. Beneath his signature Soo has attempted his signature
in his 'native' language with a series of Chinese characters - the
magician feigned not to speak English and employed an interpreter whom he
would speak Chinese-sounding gibberish to; there was not a drop of
oriental blood in him! Some light irregular areas of discoloration, in
otherwise fine condition. A rare and desirable signature. |
£200 |
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CHURCHILL, Sir
Winston Leonard Spencer (1874-1965)
English Statesman
Signed and inscribed hardback edition of "My Early Life - A Roving
Commission", published by Macmillan & Co. Ltd., London, 1944
(reprint), inscribed to flyleaf "To J. Parker from Winston S.
Churchill, 1945". Small tears to dustjacket and light overall uniform
age toning to signed flyleaf. |
SOLD |
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COCKERELL, Sir Christopher
Sydney - (1910-) - English radio-engineer and inventor of the hovercraft.
Signed card together with modern portrait postcard. Ideal for display. |
£40 |
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COLLINGWOOD,
Cuthbert, Lord (1748-1810)
English Naval Commander. Second in command at Trafalgar. He died at Sea
and was buried beside Lord Nelson in St Paul's Cathedral.
Superb Autograph Letter, 'H.M.S. Ocean [on the coast
of Spain], 26 December 1806, signed "Collingwood", to
Lieutenant-General Sir Hew Dalrymple, Commander in Chief at Gibraltar,
discussing several aspects of the naval situation in the Mediterranean,
the influence of the French at Constantinople, reports from Cadiz of three
Spanish ships being put under French command, the possibility of an attack
on Naples, etc... 3pp Approx. 9" x 7". In fine clean condition,
one tear professionally repaired. |
£1,000 |
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COLLINGWOOD,
Cuthbert, Lord (1748-1810)
English Naval Commander. Second in command at Trafalgar. He died at Sea
and was buried beside Lord Nelson in St Paul's Cathedral.
Fine Autograph Letter Signed to [Henry] Reay, 3
pages 4to, closely-written, Queen, 4 April 1806. Lamenting the loss
of a friend, promising to do all in his power to help Mr Richard,
complaining that letters are not reaching him, and describing the recent
success of Duckworth and his own restlessness.
'The
subject nearest to my heart at this moment is the death of my dear &
truly lamented
friend of Chirton [North shields, where Collingwood inherited the manor
house this year]. I had a sincere regard & respect for him - which
he also entertained for me - and though we must all die soon this
reflection does not preveent the anguish which is caused ...
For the subject of your letter Mr Richard I knew him very well - his
father was mate of my watch when I was Lieutenant more than 30 years
since. ...
My wife tells me that several letters have
been written to me from my friends and townsmen of Newcastle, of
congratulation to me - from the Mayor, from Sir Mathew Ridley & the
Trinity house, and I am quite provoked that not one of them
has come to me ... you know me dear Sir how difficult it is to answer a
letter before you receive it. ...
Though the deed was not done by myself in person, I think you will be
highly gratified at the success of Sr Jas. Duckworth - one of my
admirals whom I detached from hence in quest of the
Enemy. I knew him an officer of skill & perseverance and he has
justified my opinion fully - those frenchmen my dear Reay must be
content to fight on shore. I wish we could provoke Bonaparte to hoist
his flag - and try some of his Grand Manoevres at sea. I do not wish
a happier day than to get along side of his Majesteux. ...'
'Ten days after Trafalgar,
Collingwood transferred from Euryalus to the Queen (90 guns)-to be
reunited with his devoted dog, Bounce-and in April 1806 to the Ocean (98
guns). His flagship took him to wherever at the time
was the most danger from the French or he could best assist an ally. For
his first nineteen months this meant blockading Cadiz or Cartagena.' [C.H.H.
Owen in Oxford DNB].
The engagement to which Collingwood refers does not appear to have been
the celebrated victory of John (later Sir John) Duckworth on 6 February
1806. The name 'Sr Jas. Duckworth' is quite clear. |
£2,850 |
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CONCORDE -
Mike Bannister (Chief Concorde Pilot)
Photo showing Concorde's drop nose. Signed by Michael
Bannister, Chief Concorde Pilot and, Award Winning Concorde photographer,
Adrian Meredith.. Approx. 16" x 12". Professionally mounted,
framed & glazed. |
£95 |
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CONCORDE -
Mike Bannister (Chief Concorde Pilot)
Photo showing Concorde & The Red Arrows. Signed by Michael
Bannister, Chief Concorde Pilot and, Award Winning Concorde photographer,
Adrian Meredith.. Approx. 16" x 12". Professionally mounted,
framed & glazed. |
£95 |
 
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Russian COSMONAUTS
8 signed colour 4 x 6 p/c’s by the first Russian Cosmonauts in space,
comprising Yuri Gagarin, Valery Bykovsky, Alexei Leonov, Andrian
Nikolayev, Pavel Popovich, Valentina Tereshkova, Gherman Titov and Pavel
Belayev, alongside a 4 x 2 colour
postage stamp commemorating the crew of Voskhod 1 and signed individually
by all three crew members inc. Vladimir Komarov (rare), the stamp below a
colour p/c of the crew. Framed & glazed. |
£1,200 |
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DAMBUSTERS
1988 617 Squadron The Dambusters
45th Anniversary of the Dams Raid
Hand signed in ink by :
F/Sgt DA "Don" MacLean DFC
DFM - Navigator Lancaster AJ-T
Sgt GL "George" Johnson DFC - Bomb Aimer AJ-T
F/O Dave Rodger DFC - Rear Gunner AJ-T
Certified No 33, 44 & 4 of 75 respectively. Produced by The
Cambridge Stamp Centre. Professionally framed and glazed. |
£150 |
|
DAMBUSTERS
1988 617 Squadron The Dambusters
45th Anniversary of the Dams Raid
Hand signed in ink by :
P/O WC "Bill" Townsend CGM
DFM Pilot Lancaster AJ-0
P/O CL "Lance" Howard DFC Navigator AJ-O
F Sgt GA "George" Chalmers DFC DFM W/O AJ-O
Sgt DE "Doug" Webb DFM Front Gunner AJ-O
Certified No 14 of 51, 8, 7 & 8 of 75 respectively. Produced by The
Cambridge Stamp Centre. Professionally framed and glazed. |
£195 |
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DAMBUSTERS -
J. L. (Les) Munro DSO DFC Pilot
45th Anniversary of the Dams Raid signed cover personally signed by Les
Munro and also flown in the Lancaster PA474 'City of Lincoln' of the
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight on an Air Test from RAF Coningsby. No31
of a limited edition of only 75. Postmarked
Keswick Cumbria and depicting the 617 Squadron. It still contains the
original insert giving a brief description of this famous raid. |
£45 |
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DAMBUSTERS
Flight Sergeant Grant MacDonald (Rear Gunner to F/Sgt K. W. Brown CGM.
Lancaster AJ-F)
Sergeant Frederick Sutherland (Front Gunner to P/O L. G. Knight DSO.
Lancaster AJ-N)
Benham silk cover, Operation 'Chastise' Dambusters Raid signed by the 2
above-mentioned Canadian Dambusters. Has British Forces 2355 Postal
Services postmark dated 16 May 93. The border on this cover is blocked in
real 22ct Gold. No71 of a Limited Edition of only 155. |
£58 |
 |
DARLING,
Grace (1815-42)
English Heroine
On 7th September 1838, she rescued the survivors of the Forfasrshire
Signed piece 3.75" x 1.5", Grace Horsley Darling, with
additional words Longstone Light House and date 14th August 1842 in her
hand, slightly irregularly trimmed and with minor staining. Rare. Framed
and glazed with a vintage postcard. |
SOLD |
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DIANA SPENCER
Christmas card, signed 'To Betty & Ted, Love from us all, Diana' (hand signed - not auto pen).
Betty Andrew was employed at Althorp House and was a close friend
of the Princess. Card is accompanied by its envelope. This item
carries a lifetime guarantee of authenticity. We will also provide buyer
with a copy of a letter signed by Betty Andrew confirming
provenance. |
£1,700 |
|
ELIZABETH (Lady
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon) (1900-2002)
Queen Mother and Queen Consort of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Signed Christmas greetings card featuring a photo of the Queen Mother,
full length seated in an ornately decorated room, overmounted in ivory
with gold border, framed and glazed 16.5"x11.5" overall, very
slight foxing otherwise fine condition. |
£300 |
|
ELIZABETH (Lady
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon) (1900-2002)
Queen Mother and Queen Consort of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Signed Christmas greetings card featuring a colour photo, half length
standing on a boat with printed caption beneath "Off Newfoundland
1967" with gold embossed crown to cover, fine condition newly framed
and glazed. |
£300 |
|
ENOLA GAY
High quality poster, issued in 1995 to commemorate the 50th
Anniversary of the First Atomic Bomb drop at Hiroshima ending WWII,
featuring an actual color wartime photograph of the "Enola Gay".
Signed in person by :
Paul Tibbets -
Pilot
Richard Nelson
(deceased) - Radio Operator
Theodore "Dutch" Van Kirk
- Navigator
Thomas Ferebee
(deceased) - Bombardier and first man to release an atomic bomb in war.
Approximately 24" x
30". Professionally framed and glazed. Buyer collects from shop or
this item will be taken out of its frame for mail order.
The posters were signed in person under the auspices of Greenwich
Workshop who had exclusive contracts with nearly all
members of not only the "Enola Gay", but also "Bock's
Car" crews, much to the chagrin of nearly every aviation artist and
military art publisher when the 50th Anniversary came around |
£350 |
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EVANS, Sir Edward
Ratcliffe Garth Russell, Lord Mountevans, 1st Baron (1881-1957)
English Naval Commander
Westminster Bank (Haymarket Branch) cheque signed (E. R. G. R. Evans).
Jan. 7th 1942, pay Admiral Sir Edward Evans. Also countersigned to
reverse. |
£90 |
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GIBSON Guy - (1918-1944)
English Airman, Wing Commander 617 Dambusters Squadron.
He led the famous ‘dambusters’ raid on
the Möhne and Eder dams in 1943, for which he received the VC. He was
killed on a later operation.
One of the RARE signed photos, posted 4 days before his death 15th
Sept 1944. The ink signature has faded slightly over the years, but
is still totally legible. Dedicated to his good friend 'Twiggy'. |
£3,000 |
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GIBSON Guy - (1918-1944)
English Airman, Wing Commander 617 Dambusters Squadron.
He led the famous ‘dambusters’ raid on
the Möhne and Eder dams in 1943, for which he received the VC. He was
killed on a later operation.
Charming letter from Scampton, Lincoln. One
page to B.A.Twigg Dear old Twiggy, Many thanks for your letter of
congratulation. I'm afraid there is no chance at all of me coming up to
the Orkney Isles for 'Wings for Victory week' as there is still quite a
lot of work to do, but if you see the Mayor, I would be awfully grateful
if you would give him my best wishes for success, and may the target be
doubled. Wishing you all the very best, Yours Wing Commander Guy Gibson'. |
SOLD |
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GULL, Sir
William Withey (1816-1890)
First Baronet - Physician to the Queen.
Gull has
been suggested as a suspect in the Jack the Ripper murders, related to an
alleged royal/masonic conspiracy.
Medical Prescription,
written by Gull, and signed by him with his initials, 16 June 1865. 6"
x 4½", laid down. Miscellaneous mounted signatures to reverse. Ideal
for framing. |
£145 |
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HARDY,
Admiral Sir Thomas Masterman (1769-1839)
Nelson's flag captain, to whom Nelson addressed his dying words.
Free front, signed lower left 'T. M. Hardy' & 'M. F. F. Berkeley',
addressed to Mrs. Stuart, Breakwater, Plymouth. London, 14 March 1834.
Approx. 3" x 4.5", laid down.
Admiral Maurice Frederick
Fitzhardinge Berkeley, first Baron Fitzharding of Bristol (1788-1867),
naval officer and politician, served in the Peninsula from 1810 as
flag-lieutenant to his uncle at Lisbon. In 1840-41 he commanded the
Thunderer (84 guns), in the Mediterranean, and took part in operations on
the coast of Syria. |
£225 |
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HILLARY Edmund
(1919-2008)
Mount Everest - Signed Edmund Hillary book "High Adventure"
leather bound by Easton Press "Signed Edition", with maps,
sketches and photographs. Comes with an Easton Press certificate of
authenticity, dated Nov. 2002. A superb book in mint condition. |
£140 |
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HILLARY Edmund
(1919-2008) & Tenzing NORGAY
25th Anniversary of the First
Ascent of Mount Everest commemorative First Day Cover signed by Edmund
Hillary & Tenzing Norgay. Bears two commemorative postage stamps
issued in the Kingdom of Nepal. The cover has been postmarked at Namche
Bazar, the post office serving Thyangboche, site of the base camp of the
original mission. Official first day of issue cancellation for the stamps
of May 29, 1978. Also commemorative coin. In original plastic wallet, as
issued. |
SOLD |
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HITLER Adolf -
German Dictator (1889-1945)
Document signed in blue-black ink, 3 pages folio with embossed seal in the
second leaf, Berlin, 12 October 1934. The appointment of XXXX as German vice-consul in Falmouth in the county of Cornwall.
The text is partly printed in black and completed by hand in a lighter
ink.
The document is accompanied by the carbon
copy of a chilling document - a sworn statement by XXXX denying any Jewish
connections, evidently required of him as a condition of the appointment. |
SOLD
|
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JAMES II
(1633-1701) - King of England 1685-1688
THE 'RYE HOUSE PLOT'
Autograph Letter ('signed' with a paraph sometimes interpreted as 'J') to
his niece Charlotte Fitzroy, Countess of Lichfield, 2 pages 4to, London,
19 July 1683. A family letter to a favourite niece, the illegitimate
daughter of Charles II and Lady Castlemaine, giving news of the recently
discovered plot, and the arrival of the Prince of Denmark (slight
staining).
'... I could hardly have begun to
write you newse with out having made my letter long and that I had not
leasur to do, but now God be thanked there is so great a discovery of
this horrid conspiracy, and some of them as you know are condemned, and
will be executed to morrow and next day, that we have not so much
businesse to do, the Prince of Denmarke is come into the river, and will
I beleve be here this evening ...'
|
SOLD |
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JOSEPHINE. French Empress.
(1763-1814).
First wife of Napoleon Bonaparte.
LS Josephine. One page Malmaison, 8th
July 1811 to Baron D'Esterno, in French. Josephine states that she
authorises Monsieur Bonplan to deliver to Baron D'Esterno, Chamberlain to
the Emperors mother 'One ram and two Ewes from my flock of Merinos'. With
integral address leaf. Minor spotting not affecting signature. EXTREMELY
RARE. |
£2,750 |
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JUXON, William
- (1582-1663)
Lord High Treasurer (1636-1641), Bishop of London (1633-1649), Archbishop
of Canterbury (1660-1663)
He attended KING CHARLES I on the scaffold, and it was to Juxon
that the King gave his last commission in the word
"Remember!".
Warrant signed 'Guil:London:' as
Bishop of London, to Sir Robert Pye, ordering payments to be made to
Thomas Falconberg on instructions from the Lords Privy Seal. 1 page
12" x 9" with an integral blank leaf. 2 October 1640.
Professionally framed and glazed with a vintage print of the execution of
King Charles I. |
£320 |
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KENNEDY, Jacqueline -
(1929-1994)
US First Lady
Signed and inscribed sheet of headed notepaper from
British Airways Concorde, signed to Ed Singleton, best wishes, Jacqueline
Kennedy Onassis, rare. |
SOLD |
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LEWINSKY Monica
First edition "Monica's Story" signed inside on a bookplate. |
£60 |
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LOVELL Jim -
Apollo 13
"Lost Moon", Jim Lovell's account of the fateful Apollo 13 moon
mission. Hardback published by Houghton Mifflin Co. Signed by astronaut,
Jim Lovell, on publisher's book plate affixed to title page. |
£65 |
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LUCAN, George
Charles Bingham, 3rd Earl of - (1800-1888) - English Field Marshal
Commanded the Heavy Brigade at Balaclava.
ALS ('Lucan') to his agent William Brocklehurst, Castleham, 21 December
1843. Asking him to pass a paper on to Mellors after he has read it, and
expressing the hope of an early meeting. Framed & glazed with a Vanity
Fair print (April 23rd, 1881). |
£365 |
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MARQUIS DE SADE .(1740-1814)
Letter signed Sade. 20th July 1803 from Charenton, complaining about the conditions of his imprisonment.
|
SOLD |
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McCLURE,
Sir Robert John Le Mesurier (1807-1873)
Irish Explorer and Admiral - Arctic navigator. He received a parliamentary
award for the discovery of the Northwest Passage which is now credited to
Sir John Franklin.
Fine Autograph Letter Signed to Washington
(evidently the hydrographer John Washington, 1800-1863), 4 pages 8vo
(small tear), Esk, Singapore, 3 May 1860. Reminiscing about his
expedition in search of Sir John Franklin in 1850-1854, and giving a very
full account of the dangerous situation in China, to which he was now
posted.
'I have to return you many
thanks for the Arctic Charts, and for restoring my name to the western
waters that separate Baring and Mailville Islands, had I not not
mentioned the circumstance you might have considered the red current
that flows through my heart as frozen as that which bears my humber
name. I suppose the Chapter of Polar Discovery
is closed for this generation. ... McClintock well deserves all the
Honours he has so hardly earned ...
I believe we must have a fight before matters can be settled with
Celestials who have returned with defiance the Ultimatum sent in by Mr
Bruce [Frederick Bruce (1814-1867), brother of Lord Elgin]. I have
always been for peace hitherto thinking the Chinese had much to be said
in their defence respecting the Peiho affair, but since then the war
party at Pekin have been in the ascendant, headed by their celebrated
Prince Shin-man-shan, ... backed as he is
by the chief mandarins and at the head of 200,000 men
60,000 of which are Tartar Cavalry ...'
|
SOLD |
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MONTGOMERY
(OF ALAMEIN), Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount (1887-1976)
25th Anniversary of D-Day 1st Day Cover signed in blue ink
"Montgomery of Alamein". |
£95 |
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MULLER,
Renate (1906-1937)
German Actress, Mistress of ADOLF HITLER, died in mysterious
circumstances.
Vintage signed sepia postcard photo boldly signed in dark blue fountain
pen ink. |
£200 |
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MUSSOLINI,
Benito Amilcare Andrea (1883-1945)
Italian Dictator 1925-1943
Document signed, three pages, Rome, 16th Feb 1928, in Italian,
un-translated, listing various individuals, countersigned by King Victor
Emmanuel III of Italy, small file holes to left edge, otherwise very good. |
£200 |
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NAPOLEON Bonaparte (1769-1821).
Signed letter 'Nap' Gotha 25th October 1813 to Archi Chancelier
Cambaceres. The letter is written by Mounier. 'I have written to the
minister of the marine and nothing should be changed to the cruises of the
frigates. I am approaching Mayence and maybe I will arrive promptly in
Paris. You did very well organising the National guards of the Rhine. This
is absolutely indispensable'. |
SOLD |
 
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NELSON,
Horatio Nelson, Viscount (1758-1805) - English Admiral
An original Manuscript Order Signed 'Nelson & Bronte',
addressed to the Masters of His Majesty's Ships Royal Sovereign, Decade
and Martin, requesting them to survey 'two Casks of Pease rotten and
mouldy' and other named defective stores reported by 'Captain Hardy of His
Majesty's Ship Victory', and to report back to Nelson 'from under your
hands a Clear and correct account of your
proceedings'. Countersigned by John Scott, Nelson's secretary. 2 pp. 12 x
8 inches, some wear along fold marks, small blank piece lacking in lower
left corner, generally of good appearance, but with some uneven staining
where folded. 'Given on board the Victory in Lagos Bay [Portugal]
the 10th May 1805.' Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758-1805), victor of the
Battle of Trafalgar, England's most famous sailor. The fascination of this
historic document lies in its date and the circumstances in which it was
written. For Nelson this was a time of decision, and on 11 May 1805 he set
sail for the West Indies in pursuit of the French fleet. He had
sailed through the Straits of Gibraltar on 6 May, but information about
the French fleet only reached Nelson on the 9 May. He came to the
conclusion the French were about a month ahead of him, but 'chance may
have given them a bad passage, and me a good one'. The next day was spent
preparing five months' provisions for his own fleet. In this context the
removal of mouldy rations takes on a new significance. 'Nobody in England
would know until the end of May where either Nelson or the French fleet
had vanished to.' [Edgar Vincent, Nelson: Love and Fame, 2003] |
£4,600 |
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NIGHTINGALE,
Florence (1820-1910)
English nurse and hospital reformer
ALS signed 'Florence Nightingale', to Dr. John Murdoch [in India], telling
him that she has sent a parcel of books to Mrs. Burder of the American
Mission at Madanapalli, and listing all the tracts by Dr. Murdoch,
particularly those on Home Sanitary care, which she would like to be added
to the consignment, for which she offers to pay.
10 South Street, Park Lane, 29 October 1896.
In ink, 3pp. 8" x 5", toned
overall by the Indian climate, otherwise in good condition. Professionally
framed and glazed with a vintage (1860's) steel engraving bookplate.
Dr John Murdoch (1819-1904) was an
educationist and philanthropist, who helped to form the Christian
Literature Society in India. He travelled throughout India and wrote
extensively. Florence Nightingale lists a number of these works in this
letter. |
£900 |
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OATES,
Lawrence Edward Grace (1880-1912)
English Explorer
ALS to Mrs W.H. King of Cardonagh, County Donegal, 2 pages 8vo with
envelope Gestingthorpe Hall, postmark 28 August 1909. There are remains of
adhesive tape on the second (blank leaf) and envelope only, not affecting
the text
Thanking Mrs King for her hospitality, describing his comfortable journey
(Gestinthorpe Hall was the family home), lamenting the wet weather and its
effect on the harvest and the shooting, etc.
... The wet here has been terrible
and has put the harvest back a lot and the birds will still be very small
by the 1st. I hope and trust William has ceased to smell of whisky since I
left. Thank you very much for your kindness in putting me up. I enjoyed my
visit most awfully.'
In 1910 he set out with Captain
Robert Scott's Antarctic Expedition, and was one of the party of five to
reach the South Pole (17 January 1912). On the return journey the
explorers were dangerously delayed and became weatherbound. Lamed by sever
frostbite, Oates, convinced that his crippled condition would fatally
handicap his companions' prospect of winning through, walked out into the
blizzard, deliberately sacrificing his life to enhance his comrades'
chances of survival. |
SOLD |
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PASTEUR Louis
- (1822-1895)
French Chemist, the father of modern bacteriology
Brief autographed note on headed paper, 18th December 1889. To "Mon
cher monsieur Henri", and giving a sample of his handwriting as
requested, he didn't want to write anything 'banal' so sends his best
wishes to monsieur Henri and his family. Professionally framed and
glazed with a contemporary photographic portrait. Overall size 15.5"
x 13". |
£800 |
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PEARY Robert Edwin (1856-1920)
Explorer & US naval commander
"ENDS OF THE EARTH" Tenth Annual
Dinner response form from 1913 signed in fountain pen by Peary as a
member. Small print along bottom states "Each member is entitled
to bring one guest, with no axes to grind who speaks our language". |
£255 |
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PERON,
(Maria) Eva Duarte De
known as Evita (1919-1952)
Argentine popular leader and social reformer
Eva Peron signed typed letter, dated 15th March 1951, offering a job to
Miss Maria Esther Palomar at the National Telephone company. Together with
official certificate/diploma and mailing envelope. |
£280 |
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PERON,
(Maria) Eva Duarte De
known as Evita (1919-1952)
Argentine popular leader and social reformer
Eva Peron signed typed letter dated 20 September 1951 (Buenos Aires), on
"Comision Nacional Del Partido Peronista Femenino" headed paper.
A fine example. Professionally framed and glazed with an original
Argentinian 1951 Evita Peron Partisan poster. |
£320 |
 |
PETERS, John
Gulf War Pilot, Captured by Iraq
A.L.S. dated 11 October 1992 on Royal Air Force 31 Squadron headed paper.
Signed John Peters. |
£38 |
 |
SACCO-HOMAN Guiseppe
The World's Famous Fasting Man
Signed postcard showing before and after portraits. At the turn of the
century Guiseppe Sacco-Homan would sit in a glass room and starve himself
for weeks at a time. |
£30 |
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SCOTT Cpt. Robert
Falcon (1868-1912)
English Explorer
The Voyage of the Discovery (Volumes one & two). Well thumbed
presentation from the 'Royal Geographical society for Antarctic Discovery'
signed & inscribed by Scott to title page........'To Charles
Clarke* with the best wishes of the authorities of the expedition and of
the author R. F. Scott Nov 1905.
*Charles Clarke was the cook's mate on board 'Discovery'.
|
£3,400 |
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SCREAMING
LORD SUTCH
Bank of Looney Land note signed to the reverse. |
£18 |
|
SHACKLETON, Sir Ernest
Henry -
(1874-1922)
Irish Explorer
ALS, three pages, 22nd Sept. 1910, to My dear Christy, stating that some
enclosures (no longer present) speak for themselves and continuing
"Lee Keedick has written again saying can 20 lectures at minimum one
hundred pounds. What are our lecture prospects in this country? We have
full halls here all the time. I cannot understand that there is not more
money in it", Shackleton further remarks that Wade should pay up at
once, adding "Don't know why Wade keeps it till the end of the tour,
anyhow there are only two more lectures". |
£1,400 |
  |
SMITH Edward J.
RNR.
(1852-1912)
Captain of the Titanic.
Signed discharge paper for a seaman Taylor from the SS Britannic dated 5th
August 1893. Framed and glazed with a machine print photo of Captain Smith
onboard Titanic. |
SOLD |
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STALAG LUFT
III - THE GREAT ESCAPE
Limited Edition (No 11 of only 12)
First Day Cover commemorating The Great Escape, Stalag Luft III. Signed by
Sub Lieutenant Maurice V Driver MID RN Retd. Postmarked 25th March 2004.
Driver served with the Royal
Navy with 812 Squadron in the Fleet Air Arm as a Sub-Lieutenant. His
operations were carried out in the North Sea and North-West Europe. 812
squadron was one of the "Swordfish" squadrons of the aircraft
carrier HMS Glorious flown off in April 1940 when she was sent to North
Norway to ferry fighter aircraft to oppose invading German forces. As a
result of the Glorious being sunk by German warships, whilst returning
from this mission 812 squadron was sent to North Coates RAF Aerodrome to
take part in Coastal Command operations.
During Driver's 25th operation an attack on German oil supplies in
Rotterdam (August 1940) his aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft
gunfire. He escaped by parachute and was taken prisoner. He was a PoW in
Stalag Luft III. |
£24 |
 
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STEPHENSON,
George - (1781-1848)
English Railway Engineer (English Inventor of the Locomotive)
Transfer of £430 Consolidated Stock in the Midland
Railway Company to Joseph Sandais. Signed Geo. Stephenson. February, 1848.
Approx. 13" x 8", minor marginal tears, folds, generally in good
clean condition.
George Stephenson never went to school and learnt to read and write
with difficulty in later life. His autograph is scarce.
Professionally framed and glazed with
a vintage print.
|
£540 |
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STRATTON Charles S. - General TOM
THUMB
1872 one page signed Charles Stratton known as General Tom Thumb, framed
with a picture of Stratton standing on a desk from the Barnum greatest
show on earth program and a small portion of his personalised stationery
bearing his initials. |
£250 |
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TITANIC
Original 1912 program for the "Titanic" Band Memorial Concert
held at the Royal Albert Hall on Friday 24th May 1912 (Empire Day). Signed
on the inside by all six conductors : Sir Edward Elgar - London Symphony
Orchestra, Sir Henry Wood - Queen's Hall Orchestra, Mr Landon Ronald - New
Symphony Orchestra, Mr Thomas Beecham - Beecham Symphony Orchestra, Mr
Percy Pitt - Musical Director of the Royal Opera House, Mr Fritz Ernaldy,
London Opera House and Herr Mengelberg. Sir Edward Elgar also signed the
front of the cover in red pencil. The program is in good condition,
considering its age, with no missing pages. Approx. 7.5" x 10".
A wonderful and rare item. |
SOLD |
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TICHBORNE
CLAIMANT - Arthur Orton (1834-1898)
"The Tichborne Claimant", butcher, emigrant to Australia and
imposter, who returned to England in 1866 and impersonated Richard Charles
Tichborne (1829-1854), the presumptive heir to estates of the Tichborne
family in Hampshire, who was lost at sea.
Autograph Letter Signed as 'R. C. D. Tichborne' by Arhur Orton, to Lady
Brodie, regretting he is unable to visit because his solicitor needs his
presence "for the purpose of carrying on the proceedings in chancery
for the vacancy of my estates".
2 Wellesley Villa, Croydon, 25 July 1867.
2pp. 7 x 4.5", small piece of paper adhering to the first page,
otherwise in good condition. |
£160 |
 |
TOMBAUGH, Clyde
William - (1906-)
US Astronomer
First Day Cover (October 1st, 1991). Signed by Tombaugh with added
inscription "Discovered 9th planet, Pluto, on 18th Feb. 1930". |
£45 |
| 
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TREVES, Sir
Frederick (1853-1923)
English Surgeon
Born in Dorchester, Dorset, he was educated in London, and became
professor at the Royal College of Surgeons. He was founder of the British
Red Cross Society and made improvements in operations for appendicitis.
Joseph Carey Merrick (1862-90), a sufferer from neurofibromatosis, and
known as 'ELEPHANT MAN', was one of his patients, as was King Edward VII,
on whom Treves operated for appendicitis in 1902.
Autograph letter signed, 1913, 1 page, 4.5"x7". Declines to
attend a meeting. Autographs of Sir F. Treves are rather scarce.
|
£265 |
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TREVES, Sir
Frederick (1853-1923)
English Surgeon
See above description.
A.L.S. to an unnamed correspondent, 1 page 8vo, Thatched House Lodge,
Richmond Park, Kingston-on-Thames, 16 January 1925. A gracious acceptance
of the invitation to join 'the General Committee in support of providing
music for the new Abbey'.
Framed and glazed together with a Vanity Fair print.
|
£280 |
  |
VICTORIA. Queen of Great Britain
(1819-1901)
Fine document signed at the head 1883 appointing Adrian John Hebron as
Officer in the Land Forces. |
£200 |
 |
WALLIS, Sir
Barnes Neville (1887-1979)
English aeronautical engineer and inventor of the Bouncing Bomb used by
the RAF in the Dambusters Raid, 1943.
Brief TLS, B. N. Wallis, one page, 4to, Effingham, Surrey, 28th December
1978, to Mr. E. McGrory. Wallis thanks his correspondent for their
Christmas card and kind letter and sends his best wishes for a Happy New
Year. |
£160 |
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WALLIS DUCHESS OF WINDSOR. (Wife
of Edward VIII)
The Duchess of Windsor Memoirs "The Heart has its
Reasons". Hardback 1st Edition signed to title page
"Wallis, Duchess of Windsor". |
£375 |
|
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WALLIS DUCHESS OF WINDSOR. (Wife
of Edward VIII)
Signed souvenir reproduction of the front page of the 'Desert News'
Saltlake City Utah 1936. Good quality reproduction reveals headline
'Edward surrenders throne that he may wed American. Signed clearly in blue
ink by Wallis to lower right, next to a stamp, (1973), that reads.. LOVE. |
£390 |
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WELLINGTON, Arthur
Wellesley,
1st Duke of (1769-1852)
Irish-born Soldier and Statesman
Autograph letter signed ('Wellington'), 1/2 page 8vo with blank leaf
(small splits in the folds), London, 8 March 1839. To a fellow peer ('My
Lord') forwarding a letter which had mistakenly been delivered to the Duke
that morning. Framed & glazed. |
£285 |
 |
WELLINGTON, Arthur
Wellesley,
1st Duke of (1769-1852)
Irish-born Soldier and Statesman
Signed Free Front envelope, hand-addressed by Wellington, dated 2
Sept. 1833. |
£130 |
  |
WRIGHT, Orville
- (1871-1948)
US
Aviation Pioneer
Hardback edition of the Wright Brothers, by Fred Kelly, First Edition,
1943, signed and inscribed to half title page, 'To Professor Melvill Jones
with my compliments and cordial regards Orville Wright May 5th 1943',
foxing to page, spine damaged. |
£1,400 |
  |
WU-LING (Richard C.
Ritson)
Magician
Signed and inscribed 10 x 8 photograph. Has a few creases and knocks, not
detracting from this rare publicity shot. |
£90 |
 |
WU-LING (Richard C.
Ritson)
Magician
Signed publicity p/c of the Magical Mandarin. Together with a letter
from the Magic Circle to Mrs Ritson 1969 regretting the sad news of its
death. Also a Magic Circle Magazine with orbituary & 2 photos of Mr
Ritson in person. |
£90 |
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