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PAPAGOS ALEXANDROS: (1883-1955) Greek Field Marshal, Commander-in-Chief of the Greek Armed Forces 1940-41 during World War II and later Prime Minister of Greece 1952-55. Book signed and inscribed, being a rare signed edition of The Battle of Greece 1940-1941, First English edition published by The J. M. Scazikis 'Alpha' Editions, Athens, 1949, and translated by Pat Eliascos from the original Greek text written between 1943-45 and published in 1945. Bound in the original stiffened paper wrappers and with two fold-out maps and several black and white plate illustrations. Signed by Papagos in fountain pen ink to the half title page, 'With the compliments of the author, A Papagos'. Also bearing the ownership signature of Guy D. Hadley to the front free endpaper and dated Athens, 22nd July 1949 in his hand. With a further pencil annotation to the head of the front cover. Some light age wear, otherwise VG Guy Hadley was employed by the BBC as a foreign correspondent.  

[HAILE SELASSIE I]: (1892-1975) Ethiopian Regent Plenipotentiary 1916-30 and Emperor 1930-74. A rare original printed 8vo propaganda sheet issued in the name of Haile Selassie and air-dropped over Ethiopia by the South African Air Force in 1941, printed in red and with the circular Imperial Seal featuring the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah at the head, the Amharic text stating, in part, 'The Italians have been defeated at Metema. Using the British airplanes, tanks and artillery, we have taken over Galabat and we have burned down Metema and destroyed them [the Italians] there. We have caused him [the enemy] to lose troops of three battalions…..By standing at the Ethiopian gate, I will be banging [the Italians] by hands which are as strong as steel. And now, because the Italians have totally lost hope, they are gathering and are about to send whatever troops they could get from Gojam and Gondar. Therefore, now is your chance to trap these drunken fishes [disillusioned soldiers]. Ethiopia stretches its hands unto God. Thanks be to God who has made this victory possible for us'. Lightly affixed with tape at the left edge to the inside of a paper folder annotated in an unidentified hand to the front and bearing the printed coat of arms of the University of Edinburgh to the verso. Light staining to the left edge, caused by the tape, otherwise VG Italian dictator Benito Mussolini had long held a desire for a new Italian Empire, promising his people a 'place in the sun' to match the extensive colonial empires of Great Britain and France. In early October 1935 the Italians began invading Ethiopia as the Second Italo-Ethiopian War commenced. In the following year the Emperor went into exile in England, where he was to stay until 1941. Haile Selassie spent this time focussing on countering Italian propaganda as to the state of Ethiopian resistance and the legality of the occupation. During the first half of World War II British forces, which consisted primarily of Ethiopian-backed African and South African colonial troops led by Colonel Orde Wingate, coordinated the military effort to liberate Ethiopia. The Emperor himself issued several imperial proclamations in this period, demonstrating that, while authority was not divided up in any formal way, British military might and the emperor's populist appeal could be joined in the concerted effort to liberate Ethiopia. On 18th January 1941, during the East African Campaign, Haile Selassie crossed the border between Sudan and Ethiopia and the standard of the Lion of Judah was raised again. Italy was defeated by a force of the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth of Nations, Free France, Free Belgium and Ethiopian patriots and on 5th May 1941 Haile Selassie entered Addis Ababa and personally addressed the Ethiopian people.  

‘It is a source of great satisfaction to me that I have fought my way here at the head of my forces and have borne my share in the conquest of our mutual enemies. It is with a sense of deep thankfulness to Almighty God that I stand today in my palace from which the Fascist forces have fled’ HAILE SELASSIE I: (1892-1975) Ethiopian Regent Plenipotentiary 1916-30 and Emperor 1930-74. An extremely rare and historically important printed folio copy of the speech made by Haile Selassie upon entering Addis Ababa on 5th May 1941, following the defeat of Italy and the liberation of Ethiopia, four pages printed in Amharic and with the Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah at the head, the text stating, in part, 'My People: It was on this day five years ago that the Fascist forces entered my capital and at once Mussolini proclaimed the establishment of the “Roman Empire” in our country of Ethiopia…..In those dark days you, my people, never abandoned hope. Small bands of warriors with old rifles ranged the hills. For five long years the Italian enemy never dared to penetrate the mountainous regions where Ethiopian patriots maintained their freedom in hardship and privation….Immediately before Italy entered the war to snatch what she could from a defeated France, she poured into Ethiopia men, money and munitions……Confident that these mighty armaments could not be assailed the Fascist Government proceeded with its work…..But a mighty change was at hand. It was to be in Ethiopia, for the first time, that the power of the power of the spirit was to be manifested as the ruling power in modern war. It was in Ethiopia that the will of a whole people was first to co-operate with the expert military genius of a valiant and humane nation to form together an irresistible force which should succeed in destroying an army far superior in numbers and equipment. It was long before the British forces, fighting for the cause of humanity in other theatres of war, could come to the rescue of Ethiopia……when the forces of our great Ally were at last released for an effectual attack upon the enemy….I again entered my country and marched with my forces from the far-off frontier on the Sudan into the heart of the Gojjam…..My forces were outnumbered by 20 to 1 and we were without artillery or aircraft. My appearance amongst the patriots at once brought thousands to my side and the enemy's fear magnified these to as many more……I proceeded at once to collect my forces which were scattered in pursuit of the enemy, and to move towards my capital which I have today entered. It is a source of great satisfaction to me that I have fought my way here at the head of my forces and have borne my share in the conquest of our mutual enemies. It is with a sense of deep thankfulness to Almighty God that I stand today in my palace from which the Fascist forces have fled. It is my firm purpose to merit the blessings which I have received: firstly to show my gratitude to my allies the British by returning the benefit done me; by releasing their Imperial troops for warfare on other fronts and by my supplying them with armed forces wherever they may need them; and, secondly, by re-establishing in Ethiopia Christian ethics in Government, liberty of conscience and democratic institutions. Lastly to you, my people, I say with a full heart, today is a day of rejoicing, today is a day of triumph over our enemies. Let us therefore rejoice but in the spirit of Christ……Do not stain the name of Ethiopia by acts worthy of our enemies. I shall see to it that they are disarmed and are given a safe passage to the place from which they came. And while you treat your enemies with forbearance, you must treat our Allies with the kindness that you show to a brother and a saviour. St. George who slew the dragon, is the patron saint of both our countries. Let us unite in everlasting friendship and amity to oppose this new dragon of Godless brutality that has assailed mankind'. Signed by Haile Selassie in fountain pen ink to a clear area at the head of the first page and dated 1941 in his hand. Also featuring an inscription in Amharic to Captain Richardson. Accompanied by a contemporary printed English translation of the speech. An extremely rare signed copy of what is undoubtedly the most important speech made in the modern history of Ethiopia. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, about EX 

HAILE SELASSIE I: (1892-1975) Ethiopian Regent Plenipotentiary 1916-30 and Emperor 1930-74. A very fine vintage World War II date signed 8.5 x 11 photograph, the image depicting Haile Selassie seated in a full-length pose, wearing his uniform, and with a small dog lying at his feet. The Emperor is flanked by his two sons, Crown Prince Asfaw Wossen (Amha Selassie) and Prince Makonnen (Duke of Harar), both of whom stand in full-length poses, also wearing their uniforms. Signed by Haile Selassie in fountain pen ink to a clear area of the image and dated 1942 in his hand. Signed photographs of Haile Selassie from this period are rare. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG Provenance: The present photograph was signed for Sir Edwin Arthur Chapman-Andrews (1903-1980) British diplomat who, together with the legendary Colonel Orde Wingate, accompanied Haile Selassie through Italian occupied Ethiopia during the extraordinary SOE operation in 1940 to re-instate the Emperor on his throne.  

MUSSOLINI BENITO: (1883-1945) Italian Fascist Dictator of World War II. Executed. An excellent content and rare early Autograph Manuscript by Mussolini, three pages, 4to, n.p. [Rome], n.d. [April 1925], in Italian. Mussolini´s bold black ink manuscript is entitled `Prime Osservazioni´, ("Initial Observations"), contains multiple corrections, amendments, crossed and underlined sentences, some underlined in blue pencil,and relates to his opinions on the proposal of reforms in the Italian army presented by General Antonino Di Giorgio, Minister of war, stating in part `…L´ordinamento costringerá ad una dura battaglia perché investe in pieno la routine di talune mentalitá professionali…´ ("…The legal system will force a hard battle because it fully affects the routine of certain professional mentalities...") Mussolini considers the armed forces reforms proposal of law courageous because it would get rid of the conventional lies, saying `…per molti individui, l´esercito non è già lo strumento che la nazione si prepara per defendersi, ma è uno strumento di parata, di ordine pubblico, di difesa delle istituzioni..´ ("…for many individuals, the army is not yet the instrument that the nation is preparing to defend itself, but it is an instrument of parade, of public order, of defence of institutions...") Further again Mussolini concludes stating `…un ordinamento senza foglia di fico..´, the metaphorical expression refers to Adam and Eve fig leaf, indicating the intention to conceal a dishonest action, pretending to do one thing but actually doing another very different, hiding the true situation, and for this reason he is in favour of removing the fig leaf from the regulations and explain openly the real situation. Including a full transcription of the manuscript. Very small overall age wear, with pinholes to the corners, and few very small holes to the last page, none affecting the text. Very small minor traces of former affixing to corners, otherwise G Antonino Di Giorgio (1867-1932) Italian General. Participated in World War One. Minister of war 1924-25 under Mussolini. Both the Superior Council of the Army and the Senate rejected Di Giorgio´s reform of the Armed Forces.

HITLER ADOLF: (1889-1945) Fuhrer of the Third Reich 1933-45. An historically important Autograph Manuscript, unsigned, two pages, 4to, n.p. (Munich?) n.d. (February 1925), in German. The holograph notes were prepared by Hitler in advance of a speech (the first following his release from prison) he delivered in Munich's Burgerbraukeller on 27th February 1925. In the upper left corner Hitler has penned the year 1918 followed by the questions 'What had happened?' and 'Just what went wrong', continuing with a diagram separating the political parties 'on the Left "Proletariat"….Marxism….finished for good due to criminality' and 'on the Right "Bourgeoisie"……bourgeois parties….broke down due to cowardice' and also including the 'Volunteer Corps - Nationalist Organisations, Citizens Defending Themselves', the manuscript continuing with other relevant points he intended to deliver within the speech, 'Stick to the facts. Parties reject violence (cowardly). Associations are non-political (stupid. They keep pulling their chestnuts out of the fire). During all this the nation is destroyed, plundered domestically and internationally. Could anything still help? Founding of the NSDAP [National Socialist German Workers' Party, more commonly known as the Nazi Party] Goal. Programme', and to the second page Hitler writes further notes, 'Development. 1919-20-21-22-23. 8th November Result: Inflation. 1924 Parliament. Struggle within the movement. Did anyone care about us? No. My release. December 1924, February 27th 1925. Buttmann. The division is impending. I and Held. I and Rohm. I and Ludendorff. Lies. The old movement……The movement? In a different Germany. Here.' Autograph material of Adolf Hitler is extremely rare in any form, and the present notes are of particular significance in Hitler's rise to power, this particular speech representing a landmark moment in the re-establishing of the Nazi Party and Hitler cementing his position as 'der Fuhrer'. A couple of extremely minor, very small holes at the intersection of a couple of folds, VG'If anyone comes and tries to make conditions to me then I say to him: friend, wait and see what conditions I have to make to you. I am not wooing the masses. After a year you shall judge, my party comrades; if I have not acted correctly, then I shall place my office in your hands again. But until that moment this is the rule: I lead the movement alone, and no one shall set me conditions so long as I personally bear the responsibility. And I once more bear entire responsibility for everything that happens in the movement' (extract from Adolf Hitler's two-hour speech delivered at the Burgerbraukeller, Munich, 27th February 1925)Hitler joined the tiny German workers party in 1919, He quickly became its leader. On 9 November 1923, at the height of the great German inflation (on 20 November, one U.S. dollar was equal to four trillion German marks), Hitler risked a coup. He led his followers through the streets of Munich to the Feldherrnhalle, a war memorial, where waiting police opened fire. Sixteen of Hitler's followers were killed; Hitler himself was arrested, and after a trial that he turned into a political platform, he was sentenced to four years in prison. The party was banned, and its remnants degenerated into squabbling factions. Hitler stood outside the fray, using his time in prison to write Mein Kampf. He was released in December 1924 after serving only nine months of his term, and set about rebuilding the party. The authorities lifted the ban on the Nazi Party on 16 February 1925. Hitler now arranged one of his rhetorical masterpieces: a mass meeting on 27 February to re-establish the party. He chose the same beer hall from which he had launched his abortive revolution fifteen months earlier. Three thousand people packed the hall, and several thousand more were turned away. He entered to the passionate applause of the audience, and gave [a] two hour speech….Its first three-quarters offered nothing that most in the audience had not already heard, and would hear again in Hitler's future speeches. He reviewed Germany's history, claiming that past conservative parties had no contact with the masses, and that leftist parties pretended to address the problems faced by ordinary Germans, but actually served the interests of the Jews who controlled them. He also outlined his views on propaganda. In the last quarter of the speech, he moved to re-establish his control of the party. He claimed absolute authority. Anyone unwilling to obey could go his own way. Hitler 'forgave' those who had made mistakes in his absence, and demanded that there be no criticism of him or the party for a year. The audience responded with enthusiasm. After the speech, Hitler had arranged…..'a piece of pure theatre'. The Nazi leaders who had fought for supremacy while Hitler was in prison all 'mounted the platform and, among emotional scenes, with many standing on chairs and tables and the crowd pressing forward from the back of the hall, shook hands, forgave each other, and swore undying loyalty to the leader'……The speech succeeded. Hitler once again was absolute leader of the party' (from Landmark Speeches of National Socialism, edited by Randall L. Bytwerk, Texas A&M University Press, 2008)

ROMMEL ERWIN: (1891-1944) German Field Marshal of World War II, Knight's Cross winner with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds. A rare War date D.S., Rommel, in bold pencil, one page, 4to, Division Gefechtsstand (Division Command Post), 26th May 1940, in German. The partially printed document, completed in typescript, awards the Panzerkampfwagen-Abzeichen (Tank Badge) to Gefreiten Karl Steuerer of the 2nd Panzer Division, 25 Regiment. Signed by Rommel at the foot, in his capacity as Generalmajor and Division Commander, alongside an official circular stamp featuring the Nazi eagle and swastika. Some very light age wear at the folds and two minor stains, otherwise VG The present document, dated 26th May 1940, was signed on a critical day during the Battle of France. Heinz Guderian had set an ultimatum to the 10th Panzer Division led by Ferdinand Schaal and order that if Calais had not fallen by 14h on 26th May then he would withdraw the Division and instruct the Luftwaffe to destroy the town. The Panzer Division succeeded in their task, just 30 minutes before Guderian's deadline.   

TAUBERT SIEGFRIED: (1880-1946) German SS-Obergruppenfuhrer of World War II, Chief of Staff in Reinhard Heydrich's Security Service in the main SS Office. A.L.S., S. Taubert, one page, 4to, Wewelsburg, 18th August 1939, to a lady, in German. The letter is largely untranslated although includes a cordial invitation, 'I admit my defeat and invite you for the peace negotiations to our beautiful Wewelsburg'. Rare. Two file holes to the left edge and with one small tear to the upper right edge, none of which affect the text or signature, otherwise about VG

[NUREMBERG TRIALS]: RIBBENTROP JOACHIM VON (1893-1946) German politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nazi Germany 1938-45. A rare A.L.S., J v Ribbenrop, one page, folio, n.p. (Nuremberg), n.d. (1945/46), to the Prison Authorities, in German. Ribbentrop, writing in bold pencil, provides the authorities detaining him with instructions regarding his personal property, in part, 'I wish to hand over my complete property as shown below to my defence counsel Dr Georg Froeschmann, Nuremberg, Urilandstrasse 36, for my wife Annalies von Ribbentrop. Money: 26,000 Mark less the amount which Colonel Andrus handed over to my wife….The amount was, I believe, 3,600 Mark. 1 gold wrist watch (Longines). The prison receipt for the gold watch is held by Dr Froeschmann or Herr Pintor. Various pictures and letters which are in my prison cell in the linen bag. 2 files of defence documents (blue)…..1 suit, 1 pair of grey trousers…..'My Memoirs;, pages 108-126, 1 memorandum on the Jewish policy, 2 gold dental bridges'. Some light age toning to the head of the page, only very slightly affecting the first line of text and with some light age wear and a few very small tears to the upper edge, about VG Joachim von Ribbentrop was arrested in June 1945 and subsequently convicted and sentenced to death at the Nuremberg Trials for his role in starting World War II in Europe and enabling the Holocaust. On 16th October 1946 he became the first of the Nuremberg defendants to be executed by hanging. 

[NUREMBERG TRIALS]: RIBBENTROP JOACHIM VON (1893-1946) German politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nazi Germany 1938-45. A rare Autograph Manuscript Signed, Joachim von Ribbentrop (twice, once at the head of the first page and again, with an inscription, at the conclusion), thirteen pages (separate leaves), folio, n.p. (Nuremberg), n.d. (1945/46). Marked 'Personal' and written in bold pencil, in English, Ribbentrop's manuscript is of a biographical nature, and was prepared for Major Douglas M. Kelley, a United States Army psychiatrist serving at Nuremberg, and states, 'My family comes from a farm called "Ribbentrop"….in Detmold, where my family can be tracid (sic) back to the twelfth century being "Freibanum" (free-peasants) on their own land. In later centuries the family produced mostly judges, officials and later also soldiers. An ancestor of mine Barthold Ribbentrop signed the Westphalian peace for the Count of Lippe. My grandfather (father of my father) was still a…..Major in the Brunswick artillerie (sic). My grandmother was also a born Ribbentrop from Brunswick. The father of my mother was likewise….on his farm….in the province of Saxony. The mother of my mother was…..also from the country in Saxony. My father was Lt. Colonel in the Prussian Army Artillerie (sic). His two brothers also…..My father was a real type of a soldier, but also highly interested in intellectual and political matters. He was well based in all litteratuer (sic) history and a very independent sort of a personality. He also took an interest in the social tendencies of our century giving the working class a better living. His independence of thought (critic of political, military matters and of the former Kaiser) brought him into difficulties with his superior officers, so that he resigned from the army in 1909. We then lived in Switzerland for some years. In the worlds war my father fought with distinction and then lived as retired officer…..He was interested in the national-socialistic movement, but did not join it till 1933, because he was against the anti-Jewish policy of the party. He died on the 1 of January 1941 in his 82nd year. My feelings towards my father were such that I liked and admired him more than anybody in this world except my wife and children. There has never been a change in our relations since my childhood. I always had a very free exchange of views with him on all subjects and his death was felt by myself more than I can express. Of my mother I only have the recollection of my childhood. I was about 11 years when she died….of tuberculosis of the lungs after she had already lost a kidney, also of tuberculosis. The disease has been in her family, as her mother also died of this illness. My remembrance of her is of being a very sweet, delicate or rather suffering woman. Very good looking but very fragile. We loved her very much; when we saw her - as she was often absent….. - she was mostly in bed. I believe she was very fond of us 3 children, but did not want to infect us with T.B. and therefore saw us seldom. I have been sorry all my life not having known her more, because she was - the few times I remember - very good and sweet to us, She was, I believe, also very intelligent and very musical like my father. I used to love to sit beside her, when she played the piano, which she did, I believe, wonderfully. She made me love music so that I took up the violin and wanted to become a violinist, when I had finished school. My one brother, Lothar Ribbentrop, which I had, has been during his short life my good comrade. We were very fond of each other & helped us whenever we could. Once he saved my life in pulling me out of a river, as I could not swim, something which I never forgot him. I also could help him sometimes. We were together in Canada, where he caught a tuberculosis shortly before the war. He never recovered. He came over after the outbreak of the first worlds war, the army would not take him, he went to Switzerland and died of consumption at Lugano at the age of 26 in December 1918. We always had much the same ideas and thoughts. It may be a queer coincidence, but I must mention it: I was in Odessa (Russia) in December 1918, ill in bed, when one night in a dream I saw my brother quite clearly dying, lifting himself once more up in his pillows and then fall back dead. When after months I came home to Germany, my father told me of my brother's death and I could see from my diary that he had died really the same night I had seen him die in my dream. Our family life always has been very intimate. My brother was a rather quiet & earnest type of a man, very straightforward & very reliable. My only sister, Ingeborg….is a very nice little woman. Everybody likes her and we have also always been very fond of each other. It was on account of her, that my father at the time went to Switzerland, her lungs as little girl being affected by tubercular bacillus. However she recovered and has been healthy since. She was married about 1922/23 to a friend of mine, Albert Jenke, with whom she lived mostly in Turkey, he being in the building industry, Later on my brother in law was commercial attaché & councillor at the German Embassy at Constantinople. My sister is a woman, who I think takes life in a way, a woman should. She is always sweet & nice to everybody, has very many friends, has the heart in the right spot and I love her very much. The story of my own family: I was married to Annelies Henkell, daughter of the German champagne manufacturer Henkell and his wife,…..in Wiesbaden on the 5th July 1920. This year we should have celebrated our Silver Wedding. The story of the life of my wife and myself together is a rare one. It is too precious and too wonderful to be described in words, a marriage which has made life worth while living for me. I love my wife more than anything in this world, more than my own life and her love for me, she could not show better than she did during the last days of this war, when she wanted to come to me to Berlin from the south and end her life with mine. The Fuhrer forbade her coming. Our common life has been a life full of work, events, sad and gay ones, but above all a life full of happiness and harmony, as is seldom given to two human beings. I shall ever be grateful for this wonder. My wife has given us 5 children. The oldest Rudolf-Lothar was born on the 11th of May 1921 in Wiesbaden. He is a fine boy, educated in Berlin, joined the Westminster school in London for about a year, went then the usual way for Hitler Youth, working service into the army............This has caused a lack of memory to a certain extent, that some times certain happenings are completely wiped out of my memory…..the sleeplessness hasn't improved. I regularly take powders, but only sleep a few hours….Headaches, ear drumming, schwindelanfalle have somewhat intensified'. Signed and inscribed at the conclusion, 'To Major D. E. Kelley, with greatest thanks for all his kindness, Joachim von Ribbentrop'. A remarkable autobiographical manuscript written by Ribbentrop whilst imprisoned at Nuremberg. Some light age toning to some pages and with a few small, minor tears to a few margins, generally VGJoachim von Ribbentrop was arrested in June 1945 and subsequently convicted and sentenced to death at the Nuremberg Trials for his role in starting World War II in Europe and enabling the Holocaust. On 16th October 1946 he became the first of the Nuremberg defendants to be executed by hanging.Provenance: Acquired by our vendor at a Charles Hamilton Galleries sale (Auction 145) on 15th April 1982 (lot number 108).OWING TO LIMITATIONS IMPOSED BY THE SALEROOM THE COMPLETE DESCRIPTION FOR THIS LOT CANNOT BE SHOWN - PLEASE CONTACT US DIRECTLY FOR THE FULL DESCRIPTION

LOUIS XI: (1423-1483) Louis the Prudent. King of France 1461-83. A rare L.S., Loys, one page, oblong 8vo, Montils-lez-Tours, on the 5th day of January [n.y.], to `Dear and Beloved Cousin, Count of Comminges, Marshal of France´, in old French. Written in the hand of the clerk, the King offers his help, troops and military weapons to his correspondent, stating `Monsr le mareschal pour ce que aurez besoing d'artillerie et que Jay entendu quil en y a a lyon, Jescriz a ceulx de la ville, quilz facent ce que leur ordonnerez, et me semble que devez faire fondre celle quilz ont faite et en faire faire des pieces quil vous semblera qui vous seront necessaires pour mener avecques vous´ ("Monsieur the Marshal, for what you will need of artillery and having been told that there is artillery available in Lyon, I write to those of the city in order that they do what you will order them. And it seems to me that you must melt down the ones they have made and make them in pieces as you think you will need them to carry with you") Countersigned at the base by Tillhard. A very slightly light signature although perfectly legible and visible by the King. Addressed to the verso. Overall age wear, small staining and slightly trimmed right and bottom edges, with a very small repair to the left edge, otherwise G The castle at Plessis-lez-Tours, near Tours, also known before as Montils-les-Tours, was the Royal residence of three Kings of France, Louis XI, Charles VIII and Louis XII.  It was the first building in bricks and stone in the Loire and was initiated by Charles VII and Louis XI, the last bought the estate of Montils in 1463 and finished the building of the castle, making it the Royal residence of the King of France. A small cottage next to the castle gave shelter to Francis of Paula (1416-1507), an Italian mendicant friar and founder of the Roman Catholic Order of Minims. Francis of Paula was never ordained a priest. He died and is buried at Montils-lez-Tours  Jean de Lescun d´Armagnac (? - 1473) Count of Comminges, known as the Bastard of Armagnac. Appointed marshal of France in 1461, the year Louis XI ascended to throne. The historically important ordinance of Montils-lès-Tours, well-remembered for the reformation of custom, was promulgated by Charles VII (1403-1461), the father and predecessor of Louis XI, in April 1453. It was an ordinance which defined the jurisdictional competences of the Parliament of Paris, the extent of the Royal domain, the rights relating to Royalty, to Peers of France, to prelates, etc.. It is especially important in the history of law because the King requests the writing down of customs, which till then were almost an exclusive matter of private law.

LOUIS XII: (1462-1515) King of France 1498-1515. A rare and excellent Letter Signed with holograph text in his hand, `V[ot]re bon cousin Loys´, one page, oblong 4to, Asti, Italy, 10th July, n.y. [1494], to the Duc Bar, in old French. The present letter was written few years before accessing the throne, during the military campaign of Charles VIII in Italy. Louis XII explains that he has received the warning letters sent by his cousin, and states in part `…ay escript au Roy de ceste matiere bien au long Et de ma part donne provision en ce quil mest possible…´ (Translation: “…I have written to the King lengthy about this matter and on my part I have given provision in what is possible for me…”), and further refers to the message with information he is sending with the help of Prince of Salerno, saying `…le vueillez croire de ce qui vous dira de ma part´ (Translation: “…please believe him with what he tells you on my behalf”)Countersigned by Cotereau. Addressed to the verso. Upper edge very slightly trimmed, small creases to the upper left edge with very few small pinholes and small repair to the verso of the right edge. G  

MARGUERITE DE NAVARRE: (1492-1549) Also known as Marguerite of Angoulême. Princess of France and Queen of Navarre by her second marriage to King Henry II of Navarre. Marguerite was the sister of French King Francis I. Marguerite is the ancestress of the Bourbon Kings of France. A patron of humanists and culture, she is regarded as “The First Modern Woman”. Rare L.S., `Votre bonne cousine et amie, Marguerite´, one page, 4to, Jarnac, (Charente, Southwestern of France), 12th March 1543, to Monsieur de Jarnac, in old French. Marguerite will intervene and write to the King so that the Sire de Jarnac is compensated for the expenses incurred for the trips made for the service of the King, stating `Mon cousin, j’ai vu la lettre que vous m’avez écrite et suis bien aise que vous n’êtes encore parti pour aller à La Rochelle. Je vous assure que je ne manquerai d’écrire au roi la dépense que vous avez faite aux voyages et autres choses pour son service car il est raisonnable que vous en soyez récompensé, et aussi le roi ne voudrait pas que l’on se fit pauvre à son service et principalement vous qu’il a en si bonne estime. Quant à l’affaire de monsieur de Caumont, j’en ai écrit… J’écris présentement aux deux qu’ils me viennent trouver à Béziers et que je tiens prêt qu’ils me fassent compagnie jusqu’à Bordeaux. J’avais délibéré de vous mander là avec madame de Jarnac et votre fille mais j’ai avisé qu’il sera meilleur savoir avant quelle volonté à monsieur de Caumont…´ (Translation: “My Cousin, I have seen the letter you wrote to me and am very glad that you have not yet left to go to La Rochelle. I assure you that I will not fail to write to the King about the expense you have made for travel and other things under his service because it is reasonable that you should be rewarded for it, and also the King would not want people to become poor at his service and especially you whom he holds in such good esteem. As for Monsieur de Caumont's affair, I have written about it... I am currently writing to the two who are coming to find me in Béziers and I am ready for them to accompany me to Bordeaux. I had deliberated to summon you there with Madame de Jarnac and your daughter, but I advised that it would be better to know beforehand what will Monsieur de Caumont…”) Also annotated to the heading `De la mesme reyne pour les mesmes affaires des mesmes moys et an. Mars 1543´ (Translation: “From the Queen for the affairs of the same month and year, March 1543”) Neatly inlaid, otherwise VG

CATHERINE DE´MEDICI: (1519-1589) Queen consort of France 1547-59, as spouse of King Henry II. Catherine de Medici saw during her life time three of her sons becoming Kings of France, Francis II, Charles IX and Henry III. Very rare L.S., `Catherine´, one page, folio, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, 23rd June 1566, to Monsieur de Jarnac, in old French. Catherine sends the present letter on behalf of her son, King Charles IX who would be 16 years old three days later. Catherine de´ Medici is concerned regarding the goods arrived to the port of La Rochelle and which have been put under hold, stating in part `Monsieur de Jarnac, la lettre que le Roi monsieur mon fils vous écrit présentement satisfera pour la réponse que je vous pourrais faire à la dépêche que nous avons reçue de vous du XVIIIe de ce mois touchant les navires de La Rochelle qui y sont arrivés chargés de marchandises que l'on prétend être déprédées…´ (Translation: “Monsieur de Jarnac, the letter that the King, Monsieur my son, is writing to you at this time will satisfy the answer that I could give you to the dispatch that we received from you on the 18th of the present month  concerning the ships from La Rochelle which arrived there loaded with goods they pretend to hold…” Further again, Catherine sends precise orders, saying `…vous prier bien fort de tenir la main envers les dits juges, à ce qu'ils procèdent en cela avec la meilleure, plus juste et prompte expédition que faire se pourra, cessant tous ports, faveurs, exception de personnes longuement commencées et dissimulations quelconques, sans oublier ce que le dit seigneur Roi mon fils vous mande touchant d'un nommé Guillaume Mesmyn…´ (Translation: “…pray you very much to look over the said judges, so that they proceed in this with the best, most just and prompt dispatch that can be done, ceasing all ports charges, favours…  without forgetting what the said Lord King my son tells you about a man named Guillaume Mesmyn…”) Countersigned at the base. With address leaf, stating `Monsieur de Jarnac chevalier de l'ordre du Roi, monsieur mon fils, capitaine de cinquante hommes de ses ordonnances et son lieutenant général au gouvernement de La Rochelle et pays d'Aunis en l'absence de mon fils le prince de Navarre´ (Translation: “Monsieur de Jarnac Knight of the Order of the King, Monsieur my son, Captain of fifty men of his ordinances and his Lieutenant General in the government of La Rochelle and the country of Aunis in the absence of my son the Prince of Navarre”) Also annotated to the verso `De la Reyne Catherine de Medicis mère du Roy Charles 9, 1566´ (Translation: “By the Queen Catherine de Medicis, mother of the King Charles 9, 1566”) Overall age wear, with edges slightly trimmed and repair to the left border, not affecting the text or signature. G Monsieur de Jarnac (1514-1584) Guy 1er de Chabot, Baron de Jarnac. The Abbey of Saint-Maur became very famous in the Middle Ages, and was one of the most famous pilgrimage centers of medieval France. The abbey was secularised in 1531 and a Château was built in 1541 for the Bishop of Paris Jean du Bellay. In 1563 Catherine de Medicis acquired the Château du Bellay and largely rebuilt it. On 23rd September 1568, Catherine de Medicis´ teenage son, King Charles IX, issued the well-remembered Edict of Saint-Maur, which prohibited all religions but Catholicism. Charles IX (1550-1574) King of France 1560-74. He ascended the throne at the very early age of ten years upon the death of his brother Francis II. From 1560 to 1563 his mother Catherine de´ Medici held the regency of France.Guillaume Mesmyn was a Corsair of La Rochelle, acting between 1556 and 1569. 

ELISABETH OF VALOIS: (1545-1568) Also known as Elisabeth of France. Queen of Spain 1559-68 as third spouse of King Philip II of Spain. She was the eldest daughter of King Henry II of France and Catherine de´Medici. Elisabeth died at the very early age of 23. A very rare Autograph letter signed by the Queen, to her mother. A.L.S., `Elisabeth´, one page, folio, n.p., n.d., to the Queen of France and her mother Catherine de´Medici, in old French. Elisabeth asks for an important favour, stating in part `Madame, j'ai su le bien et faveur qu'il vous a plu faire…de certain arrêt duquel il se soit peiné bien fort, moyennant laquelle révision et fasse lui de justifier son innocence qui est cause que de nouveau je redoive vous supplier faire…il a souffert de dommage en sa personne et biens par la malice de ses ennemis. J'ai prié dieu madame qu'il vous tienne en santé très heureuse et longue vie. Votre très humble et très obéissante fille´ (Translation: “Madame, I have learned the good favour you have been kind to do... of certain judgment which he has suffered himself very much, in return for which revision and make him justify his innocence which is the cause that again I must beg you to do… he suffered damage to his person and properties by the malice of his enemies. I prayed to God madam that he keep you very healthy and long life. Your very humble and very obedient daughter”) With address leaf stating `A la Reyne, Madame et mère´ (Translation: “To the Queen, Madame and mother”) A very rare latter of good association. Overall age wear, with foxing and creases, mostly to edges. About G King Philip II of Spain was very attached to Elisabeth of France, staying close by her side even when she was ill with smallpox. Both were very close to their two daughters, buying them dolls and toys and both rejoiced at the birth of Isabella as if it had been the birth of a son. Elisabeth had another miscarriage on 3 October 1568, and died the same day, along with her new-born infant daughter. After the death of Elisabeth, Catherine de´Medici offered her younger daughter Margaret as a bride for Philip II, but the King declined the offer 

 `My intention is that you give orders to arrest him and seize his documentation. Don't waste time doing what I tell you to do´ LOUIS XIV: (1638-1715) Also known as Louis the Great or The Sun King. King of France 1643-1715. Son of Louis XIII. His reign of more than 72 years is the longest recorded of any monarch in European history. An extremely rare and excellent Autograph Letter Signed, `Louis´, one page, 8vo, n.p. [Versailles], Ce Mercredi, 16me Novembre, in French. The full manuscript letter, boldly written in the King´s hand, is a striking example of the Royal absolutism, stating in full `Je vous ay donné ordre de renvoyer un homme qui enseigne à Orléans [à Laon], lieu de sa naissance. Je ne trouve pas que ce soit assés. Mon intention est que vous donniés ordre de l'arrester et de sesir ses papiers. Ne perdez pas de temps à faire ce que je vous mande´ (Translation: “I have ordered you to send a man who teaches in Orleans at Laon, the place of his birth. I don't think that's enough. My intention is that you give orders to arrest him and seize his documentation. Don't waste time doing what I tell you to do´ With blank integral leaf. VG In this autograph letter we can read what the authority of the King was, and also the arbitrariness of the justice of the time. We see the sovereign getting personally involved in a matter that seems of little importance, most probably a cleric professing subversive ideas, but ordering to obey without delay.

JANVIER ANTIDE : (1751-1835) French Watchmaker and Inventor. Antide was the well-known watchmaker of King Louis XVI. Rare A.L.S., `Januarius Maius Quoque´one page, 8vo, Paris, 23rd Mai 1834, to Paul Garnier a mechanic watchmaker, in French. A cleanly written letter by Antide Janvier who announces an important new, stating in part `J´ai une communication à vous faire, qui ne vous étonnera pas moins que moi…´ (`I have a communication to make to you, which will astonish you no less than me…´) Janvier further asks his correspondent for a favour, saying `… venez avant d´aller à votre boutique de la place Egyptienne où je voudrais entrer avec vous parce que je ne peux disposer du billet que vous avez vu…´ (`..come before going to your shop in the Egyptian Square where I would like to enter with you because I cannot have the ticket that you have seen…´) With address leaf written by Janvier. G to VG

LEOPOLD I OF BELGIUM: (1790-1865) King of the Belgians 1831-65 following Belgian independence in 1830. Founder of the Royal House to which all Belgian Kings have belonged. A fine A.L.S., `L´, two pages, 8vo, Claremont, England, 27th July 1820, addressed to Monsieur Favon, Counselor of the Legation in charge of the Affairs of His Serene Highness Monseigneur the reigning Duke of Saxe Coburg, in French. Leopold refers to a questionable private affair related to a woman and tries to sort out the problem promptly and smoothly, and states in part `… J´ai reçu votre dernière lettre hier et vous réponds de suite…il y a beaucoup d´extravagance dans la conduit de Mad. A, si je ne le faisais pas par consideration pour mes parents, on aimerait autant n´avoir rien du tout à faire avec ces braves gens. Je suis fâché qu´on ne m´ait jamais donné la moindre communication relativement à ces sujets, puisqu´on aurait pu faire du bien qui actuellement sera plus difficile..´ (“..I have received your last letter yesterday and reply to you immediately…there is a great deal of extravagance in the conduct of Mad. A, if I wasn´t doing this as a gesture of consideration for my parents, we would have preferred to have nothing to do with these brave people. I am angry that I have never been given any communication regarding these subjects, since we could have done good which currently will be more difficult…”) Leopold further states `Cependant il faut consulter avec le beau frère de Mr. Renié et gagner du temps, avant tout, pour pouvoir recevoir les réponses nécessaires. Si Mad. A dans l´entretemps devait se render coupable d´indiscrétion alors naturellement il serait impossible d´agir en sa favuer…conservez la Somme que j´ai mis à votre disposition si pareilles choses devait arriver, et de bien vous garder de lui donner cet argent aussi longtemps qu´elle conserve les soit disant mémoires´ (“However, it is necessary to consult with the brother-in-law of Mr. Renié, above all save time, and also to be able to receive the necessary answers. If Mad. A in the meantime was to be guilty of indiscretion so naturally it would be impossible to act in her favour… keep the sum that I have made available to you if such things should happen, and be careful not to give her this money as long as she keeps the so-called memories…”) A rare and carefully worded letter by the future sovereign on a delicate, but crucial, matter to preserve the good name of his dynasty, that would provide not only a King for Belgium, but also a Prince Consort, his nephew Albert, for England.With blank integral leaf. Accompanied by the original envelope, bearing a royal red wax seal to the verso. Very small minor age wear, otherwise G to VG Madame A[lexandra] was in fact the lover of Leopold's brother and was menacing to make their liaison public by publishing her Memoirs, which Leopold seeks to prevent at all costs to avoid a royal scandal. 

WLADYSLAW IV VASA: (1595-1648) King of Poland 1632-48. A renowned Patron of the Arts. Wladyslaw gained fame when he defeated the Ottoman Empire and was elected Tsar of Russia by the Seven Boyars in 1610, although he did not accept the Russian throne. Rare L.S., `Vladislaus Rex´, one page, 4to, Vilnius, 12th February 1639, to Monsignor Visconti, Archbishop of Larissa and Apostolic Nuncio, in Italian. To the heading, `Vladislao Quarto per gratia di Dio, Re di Polonia e Suetia´ ("Wladyslaw Fourth by the Grace of God, King of Poland and Sweden´ Wladyslaw sends a kind and affectionate letter to Reverend Visconti, and states in part `…in noi desiderio di rimostrarle con effetti il grado in che l´habbiamo ricevuto e la stima che facciamo del suo affetto…´ With address leaf, bearing an attractive Royal paper seal affixed in very fine condition. Very lightly affixed to a slightly larger folding page. Small overall age wear, otherwise G 

SZOLDRSKI ANDRZEJ: (1583-1650) Polish nobleman and Roman Catholic Priest. Bishop of Poznan in 1636. He is well remembered as the sponsor of the reconstruction of the Cathedral of Poznan after the fire in 1622, where he is buried. Szoldrski was the son of Stanislaw, owner of Czempin and Piglowice. Very rare L.S., `And. Vescovo di Posnania´, (''And.[rzej] Bishop of Poznan''), with two holograph words, two pages, Warsaw, 29th September 1641, to Sertorio Orsato, in Italian. Annotated to the upper left by the correspondent, Sertorio Orsato, with the date the letter was received. Szoldrski reports being arrived back to his homeland, and refers to his letter sent to his correspondent sent from his residence `Your Illustrious person should have received my letter sent from Ciazyn, my ordinary residency, having written to you as soon as I returned to the homeland…´, further stating in part ´…non per mancamento della volonta, ma per difetto….e commodita in mandar… non essendomi in questi paesi, corrieri… come in Italia…´  (``not for lack of will, but for lack of… and convenience in sending... not being in these countries,... as in Italy...´´) With blank integral leaf. Small overall age wear and toning, otherwise G  Sertorio Orsato (1617-1678) also known as Orsatti or Ursatus. Italian Historian and Poet. Teacher of philosophy in the University of Padua.    

JOHN III SOBIESKI: (1629-1696) King of Poland & Grand Duke of Lithuania 1674-96. A popular King among his subjects and a respected military leader whose 22-year reign marked a period of stabilization. Very rare L.S., `Jan Krol´, signed by the King of Poland, one page, oblong folio, 25th October 1686, to Jan Benedykt Sapieha, in Polish. The letter states to the heading, "John Sobieski Third, King of Poland by the Grace of God, Grand Duke of Lithuania, Ruthenia, Prussia, Mazovia, …" The letter states in part `…With the present letter we inform that ... according to the privilege of Sigismund Augustus II in 1569, at the General Assembly of Lublin of the Grand Duke of Lithuania,… in which such a law related to fiefs, farms ... lands, forests, ... lakes, ponds, meadows and other all goods ... We can rule these subjects/natives ... we can add to our treasury the duty of the service, both with the fief of Samogitia duchy..´ Bearing at the base of the front page a large blind embossed seal of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. With registration annotations to the verso. Overall  age wear, with two small tears to the lower edge, and two small holes, not affecting the signature or seal. G Jan Benedykt Sapieha, Polish-Lithuanian nobleman and politician. He was appointed Treasurer of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Sapieha was a member of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth Parliament and took part in the expedition to Khotyn in 1673. He contributed to and supported the victory of Jan III Sobieski as King. 

PETER II: (1715-1730) Emperor of Russia 1727-30. An extremely rare L.S., Peter, one page, small 4to, Moscow, 20th November 1729, to Ferdinand Albert II, Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel, in German. The Emperor writes on the occasion of having received news of the birth of his correspondent's daughter, Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel. Autographs of Peter II are extremely rare in any form as a result of his untimely death from smallpox at the young age of 14 (just two months after signing the present letter). Some light creasing and a few minor stains, otherwise VG Ferdinand Albert II (1680-1735) Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel, a Generalfeldmarschall in the army of the Holy Roman Empire.Juliana Maria of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel (1729-1796) Queen of Denmark and Norway 1752-66, the second consort of King Frederick V of Denmark and Norway.

NICHOLAS II OF RUSSIA: (1868-1918) Emperor of Russia 1894-1917. A rare and exceptional signed 7 x 11 photograph by the Tsar, a large and unusual size image depicting Nicholas II in a half length formal pose wearing his uniform. Signed in bold black ink `Nicholas´, in Cyrillic, to the white lower photographer´s mount. Also dated, 1909, in the Emperor´s hand, to the lower right corner. Photograph by the Imperial Russian Court photographers Boissonnas & Eggler of St. Petersburg and bearing their blind embossed stamp to the lower white photographer's mount border, beneath the Emperor´s signature. VG 

[GEORGE IV]: (1762-1830) King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland 1820-30. A printed small 4to Pass Ticket to the Coronation of King George IV at Westminster Abbey on 19th July 1821, featuring an octagonal wood engraving vignette of the north side of Westminster Abbey to the centre, surrounded by a decorative rectangular border printed in black and blue and with rosettes to the corners, with ample blind embossed borders featuring a crown at the head, leaves and flowers, interspersed with the King's GIVR monogram, also bearing a circular heraldic coat of arms, palm leaves and the name of the embosser, Henry Dobbs, ornamental stationer to the King, at the base. Admission tickets to the King's Coronation (as opposed to the procession) are rare. Some very light, extremely minor staining, otherwise VG The coronation of King George IV was a magnificent and expensive affair at Westminster Abbey and proved to be a popular event.  

HAILE SELASSIE I: (1892-1975) Ethiopian Regent Plenipotentiary 1916-30 and Emperor 1930-74. A good printed folio copy of the poem Ethiopia's Resurrection by Kebede Michael, printed in Amharic in two columns within a decorative border, the text commencing 'No matter how many times narrated or written/ The atrocities of the Fascists have no end/ Let alone the youth, even infants were slaughtered/ The churches and huts were burnt down alike/ Village dwellings disappeared, and sedge has replaced them/ The people lost their properties and were tossed/ Many fell down elsewhere, and their estates vanished/ Be it the merchants, peasants or the poor/ All were attacked by the troops of tyranny for five long years', and continuing to describe the atrocities of the Italians, thank God for 'the light has come back' and for restoring Haile Selassie to his throne and country ('Your prayer has been heard, and you have been given the charm/ Your enemy is defeated, run away and become disgraced/ He is wasted and slaughtered in the wilderness…….Then God has witnessed that you deserve justice/ To the generation of the Habeshas, and to the land of Ethiopia/ Now, God's mercy has fallen upon them/ God has made you considerate of your country/ The restorer of freedom, the unifier of your people'), also praising the role of Great Britain, 'The graceful Britain, the graceful England/ She helped us to cross the river of sorrow…..The Great Britain, the advocate of peace/ From now on, it will not allow despots in the world/ To stabilise the world, so that hope shall not be lost/ May Great Britain live forever!'. Signed by Haile Selassie in fountain pen ink to the upper border and dated 1941 in his hand, and with an inscription in Amharic to the Pretoria Museum. Rare in this form, and accompanied by an English translation. Some light creasing and age wear to the edges, only very slightly affecting the signature, and with a small area of scuffing to the upper border causing a very small hole. About VG Kebede Michael (1916-1998) Ethiopian-born writer, poet, playwright, historian, novelist and philosopher who is widely regarded as one of the most prolific and versatile intellectuals of modern Ethiopia. 

HAILE SELASSIE I: (1892-1975) Ethiopian Regent Plenipotentiary 1916-30 and Emperor 1930-74. A good vintage fountain pen ink signature by Haile Selassie, dated 1936 in his hand, on an oblong 12mo page removed from an autograph album. Also signed by Princess Tsehai Haile Selassie (1919-1942) Ethiopian children's nurse, third daughter of Haile Selassie; and by Prince Asfaw Wossen Tafari (1916-1997) Amha Selassie, Crown Prince of Ethiopia who was proclaimed Emperor three times, serving as Emperor-in-exile of Ethiopia 1989-97. Son of Haile Selassie. Both have signed with their names alone in fountain pen inks. A fine trio of signatures including the rare example of Princess Tsehai who was to tragically die at the young age of 22 as a result of complications during childbirth. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG Provenance: It is understood that the present signatures were obtained in Gibraltar at the time of Haile Selassie's escape from Ethiopia to England after the Italian occupation in 1936. .

MAKONNEN HAILE SELASSIE: (1924-1957) Duke of Harar. Ethiopian Prince, son of Emperor Haile Selassie. A rare, bold fountain pen ink signature of Prince Makonnen on an oblong 12mo card, with a typed caption immediately beneath. Accompanied by a T.L.S. by R. N. Thompson, A.D.C. to the Duke of Harar, one page, slim 4to, Toronto, Ontario, 28th May 1951, to Frank M. Flack, on the printed stationery of The King Edward Hotel, forwarding the autograph of the Duke as requested and remarking 'His Imperial Highness wishes to convey his gratitude to you for your greetings, and assures you that he is enjoying his visit very much to the North American Continent'. Accompanied by the original envelope. Autographs of the prince are rare in any form as a result of his untimely death at the age of 32 in a car crash. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, otherwise EX 

LA NOUE FRANÇOIS DE: (1531-1591) Also known as “Bras-de-fer” (“Iron Arm”). French Huguenot Captain. Best remembered for his exploits, such as the capture of Orléans at the head of only fifteen cavaliers in 1567, or the defeat he inflicted to Royalist troops before Rochefort. La Noue died as a result of a wound he received at the siege of Lamballe in Brittany. Very rare with historical content A.L.S., `La Noue´, one page, folio, Senlis, n.d. [May 1589], to the Duke of Longueville, in old French. Senlis is a small town in the north of France where Monarchs of the early French dynasties lived, attracted by the proximity of the Chantilly forest. An excellent military letter, La Noue reporting to his correspondent and master about the last events occurred, and stating in part `…La ville de Crespy se fust rachetée du sac à six mille escuz…et maintenant, à ce qu´on me dit, la plume volle par les rues… Si nous eussions guère tardé, les ennemys nous eussent réveillez… Et le corps de l´armée ennemye… on croit que la dire armée vient prendre Mouy, Merlon, et de là à Clermont…´ (“`…The town of Crespy was redeemed itself with the bag of six thousand shields…If we had been little late, the enemies would have woken us up…And the body of the enemy army… it is believed that the said army is coming to take Mouy, Merlon, and from there to Clermont…”) La Noue further refers to Spanish troops which would be on the way to support the enemy, saying in part `…Si cela est, il faut que le Roy se soyt amuzé à ataquer Louviers…si l´ennemy a occupé la plaine en premier… il faut penser à choisir un autre lieu meilleur en ces villages ligueurs entre Crespy et Soissons…´ (“If it is so, the King must have had fun attacking Louviers... if the enemy has occupied the plain first...we must think about choosing another better place in the league villages area between Crespy and Soissons...”) A letter of excellent and historical content. With addressee to the verso. Small overall age wear with few water stains, although remaining perfectly legible. Professionally repaired to the verso to the edges. About G   The present letter was most probably written during the siege of Senlis, where the troops of the Duque of Longueville, Henri I d´Orleans, together with the troops commanded by François de la Noue defeated the Catholic League of France, supported at that time by the Pope Sixtus V, and by the King of Spain Philip II.Henri I d´Orleans (1568-1595) Duke of Longueville. Governor of Picardie, Soldier and Grand Chamberlain of France 1589-95 under Henry IV. He died at the very early age of 26. His funerary monument is at the Louvre Museum. Henri I of Orleans was the loose inspiration behind the character of Longueville in William Shakespeare´s Love´s Labour´s Lost. In 1570, at the siege of Fontenay, La Noue had his left arm shattered by a bullet and amputated. He ordered a mechanic of La Rochelle to make him an artificial iron arm with a hook allowing him to hold his reins.Charles IX (1550-1574) commissioned La Noue in 1572, after the Saint Bartholomew´s Day Massacre, to reconcile the inhabitants of La Rochelle to the King. The inhabitants of La Rochelle, the great stronghold of the Huguenots, were not in favour and La Noue decided to give up the Royal commission and acted as General of La Rochelle 1574-78.In 1579 La Noue was imprisoned for five years, and during his captivity he wrote his celebrated Discours Politiques et Militaires, published in 1587 in France, same year in English, and few years later published in German. His work had an immense influence on soldiers of all European nations. 

Just two days after his investiture by Queen Elizabeth II as a Knight of the Garter, Churchill reflects on his political career – ‘The only reason I ever went into politics was to get things done in the way I thought was right’ CHURCHILL WINSTON S.: (1874-1965) British Prime Minister 1940-45, 1951-55. Nobel Prize winner for Literature, 1953. A remarkable, historic Autograph Statement signed by Churchill, with his initials W S C, to the recto of an official small 8vo British Government manila envelope (the verso bearing the printed Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom), n.p. (10 Downing Street?), 16th June 1954 ('1.15 a.m.'). In dark fountain pen ink Churchill writes, in full, 'The only reason I ever went into politics was to get things done in the way I thought was right. I have never had any other ambition than to prevent things being done in a way I did not like. But it is often harder to get things done in ones own way'. Signed and dated at the foot. A wonderful and extremely rare autobiographical statement signed by Churchill, apparently unpublished, and penned at an interesting point in the twilight of his great political career. Some very light, extremely minor creasing, VG Although knighted as Sir Winston on 24th April 1953, Churchill's investiture by Queen Elizabeth II as a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter did not take place until 14th June 1954, just two days prior to writing the present statement. Churchill was invested with his insignia in the Throne Room of Windsor Castle and later attended a service held in St. George's Chapel at Windsor. The Most Noble Order of the Garter, Britain's most senior order of knighthood, is awarded at the sole discretion of the Sovereign and membership is limited to no more than 24 living members. King George VI had initially offered Churchill the Order of the Garter after losing the General Election of July 1945, although Churchill declined, feeling that the time was not right for honours and rewards. The offer was renewed by Queen Elizabeth II, and, late into his second and final term as Prime Minister, Churchill accepted. On 16th June 1954, the very day that Churchill signed the present statement, the Prime Minister and his Defence Ministers conducted a top-secret meeting of the Defence Policy Committee in which it was agreed to go ahead with the production of the British hydrogen bomb. The decision would not be formally communicated to the full British Government Cabinet until their next meeting on 22nd June. Churchill wrote privately to American President Dwight Eisenhower requesting a 'better sharing of information and also perhaps of resources in the thermonuclear sphere' and would later brief the President on the H-bomb decision at a meeting in Washington on 25th June, during the third and last of Churchill's visits to the United States during his second premiership.  In the context of the present statement, in which Churchill states 'it is often harder to get things done in ones own way', it should be remembered that in the days leading up to the Prime Minister's transatlantic trip, he and Anthony Eden, who had not always enjoyed the smoothest of relationships, disagreed over whether Churchill should consult Washington on the terms of the proposed British withdrawal from Egypt. The Prime Minister favoured delaying negotiations with Egypt until he had explored 'the extent to which the United States could be persuaded to support us….or even be associated with us….' Eden, the Foreign Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister, opposed Churchill's suggestion. Considering all of the above and recognising that the Prime Minister was approaching his 80th birthday, in declining health, and would resign less than a year later, Churchill's statement strikes a particularly strong chord as he reflects on his political career which had begun more than half a century earlier when he was elected as Member of Parliament for Oldham in 1900.  Provenance: From the estate of Peter Geoffrey Oates (1919-2007) British civil servant who worked in the Prime Minister's office at 10 Downing Street from 1951, firstly as private secretary to Attlee, and later to Winston S. Churchill. Oates described working with Churchill at Downing Street, Chequers and Chartwell as 'chaotic' and his obituary recalls that, as a private secretary, he had to endure long hours by day and night as Churchill worked in bed in the morning, had a long sleep in the afternoon, and worked after dinner until 3am or later.  

TROTSKY LEON: (1879-1940) Russian Marxist Revolutionary. Founder and first Leader of the Red Army. Assassinated. Very rare A.L.S., `Leon´, one page, small 8vo, Pachuca, Mexico, 8th July 1937, to Frida Kahlo, in French. Trotsky, deported from Norway, landed in Mexico only six months before the present letter was written, in January 1937, when he and his wife were hosted by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in their own home. Shortly after and seduced by Kahlo´s charms, they had an affair, as the present letter demonstrates, Trotsky annotating at the base `Je t´……….´, being the starting letters of `Je t´aime´ (`I love you´). Trotsky states `Je n´ai pas réussi à envoyer hier la carte postale ; je la met dans l´enveloppe parce que je suis obligé d´envoyer les lettres par l´intermédiaire de l´administration de M. Gomez( ?) et ma carte postale parrait être comprise comme une ``plainte´´. Mes saluts les plus chaleureux´ (`I did not manage to send the postcard yesterday; I put it in the envelope because I am obliged to send the letters through the administration of Mr. Gomez(?) and my postcard seems to be understood as a ``complaint''. My warmest greetings´) With blank integral leaf. Accompanied by the original envelope, postmarked and stamped in Mexico. Small overall age wear with a vertical crease, otherwise G    Trotsky was exiled to Kazakhstan in January 1928, and was later expelled from the Soviet Union to Turkey in February 1929, accompanied by his wife Natalia Sedova and their eldest son, Lev. He made requests to enter Belgium, France, Norway, Germany and the United Kingdom, but all refused access.In July 1933, Trotsky was offered asylum in France although he was forbidden to live in Paris and found himself under the surveillance of the French police. In February 1934 a decree was issued to deport Trotsky from France. Trotsky would then be admitted in Norway where he lived from 1935 to 1936. Almost all Trotskyists who were still within the Soviet Union's borders were executed in the Great Purges of 1936-1938. In December 1936, Trotsky and his wife were deported from Norway after spending the last four months under house arrest, at a farm distant from Oslo, harshly treated and forced to stay indoors for 22 hours per days and under the constant guard of thirteen policemen. Deported by the Norwegian authorities, Trotsky arrived to Mexico in January 1937.From January 1937 to April 1939, Trotsky and his wife lived in the Coyoacan area of Mexico City, at La Casa Azul (The Blue House), the home of the painter Diego Rivera and his wife and fellow painter, Frida Kahlo, with whom Trotsky had an affair. His final move was a few blocks away to a residence on Avenida Viena in April 1939, following a break with Rivera.Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) Magdalena Frida Kahlo y Calderón. Mexican surrealist Painter, known for her self-portraits and naive folk Mexican art. Kahlo married Mexican artist Diego Rivera, and is regarded as an icon for feminism movements.Diego Rivera (1886-1957) Mexican Painter, husband of Frida Kahlo. 

MAGNANI ANNA: (1908-1973) Italian actress, Academy Award winner. A good vintage signed 9 x 7 photograph by Magnani, the image depicting the actress in a half-length pose, standing before Virginia Grey, in costume as Estelle Hohengarten, as she reveals the tattoo on her chest to Magnani, Burt Lancaster (in his role as Alvaro Mangiacavallo) and other onlookers in the memorable scene from the film The Rose Tattoo (1955), adapted from Tennessee Williams's play of the same name. Signed by Magnani in bold blue fountain pen ink with her name alone to a clear area of the image. It was for her performance in this film that Magnani won her Best Actress Oscar. Rare. A few very light, minor surface and corner creases, VG Provenance: The present photograph originates from the collection of Pierre Goulliard, a French gentleman who, for over 50 years, dedicated himself to obtaining in person autographs of British, American and European movie stars, always obtaining the signatures in fountain pen ink.

MACEO Y GRAJALES JOSE ANTONIO: (1845-1896) Guerrilla iconic Leader and second-in-command of the Cuban army of independence. Cubans nicknamed Maceo ''The Bronze Titan'' because of his multiple wounds in battle, while Spanish nicknamed him ''The elder Lion''. Maceo was killed near Punta Brava by Spanish forces after being betrayed by the physician of his headquarters. Rare D.S., `Jose Maceo´, one page, folio, Head Quarters of El Perico, 14th March 1896, in Spanish. The present letter was signed by Maceo six months before being killed. The partially printed document bears a printed coat of arms to the upper left corner and is the appointment of vice-Lieutenant Miguel Fernandez as Lieutenant, and signed by Mateo y Grajales in his capacity as General Major of the Liberation Army of Cuba. Overall important age wear, creasing and staining, with few holes and small tears to edges. Large repairs to the verso. P 

REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT - URRUTIA MANUEL: (1901-1981) President of Cuba from January to July 1959. Urrutia resigned his position a will better only seven months, owing to a series of disputes with Fidel Castro, and emigrated to the United States shortly afterward. Rare D.S., `Urrutia´, one page, Presidential Palace La Habana, 13th February 1959, "Year of the Liberation'', in Spanish. The typed document is a decree, according to which Doctor Manuel Urrutia Lleo, in his capacity as President of the Republic of Cuba, states that the council of Ministers has approved the law nº 72, containing two articles stating in part `Article One: We declare dissolve the National Sports Committee and removed from their posts all members of the Committee on the 31 December 1958. Article Two: All faculties and power that law establishes regarding National Sports Committee will be in hand of the Delegate and General Director of Sports that the President of the Republic will appoint...´ Countersigned at the base by Prime Minister Jose Miro Cardona and by the Minister of Education. The document bears at the base a large and attractive blue paper seal of the Cuban Presidency with ribbons affixed. Three binder half-holes to the left border, small tears to the right edge not affecting the signatures. G Jose Miro Cardona (1902-1974) Cuban Politician who served as Prime Minister for a very short period of six weeks. He was appointed by President Urrutia in January 1959 but unexpectedly resigned in February 1959 and was replaced by Fidel Castro. 

‘I trust in the courage and patriotism of my soldiers, and I promise myself a certain victory’ BOLIVAR SIMON: (1783-1830) Venezuelan military and political leader who led what are currently the countries of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Bolivia to independence from the Spanish Empire. Bolivar served as the first President of Colombia 1819-30, the sixth President of Peru 1824-27 and the first President of Bolivia 1825. An interesting, rare A.L.S., Bolivar, three pages, 4to, Headquarters of Carupano, 27th June 1816, to Benoit Chasseriau, on Bolivar's printed stationery as Supreme Chief of the Republic, Captain General of the Armies of Venezuela etc., in Spanish. Bolivar forwards his correspondent a collection of bulletins which 'will instruct you of the operations we have executed, and of the advantages gained over the enemy wherever we have appeared', remarking 'If fortune, which has protected us hitherto in spite of the scarcity of means with which we have undertaken the first operations, continues to favour us in the future when we already have a very considerable body of troops, the campaign will be decided very soon in our favour'. Boliver further adds that he has been at Carupano for a month, busily raising and organising his army, and informs Chasseriau, 'At present, the only thing that stops me is General Marino, who should arrive at any moment with a large body that he brings me from Guiria. I expect it within two days to begin my marches immediately on Cumana. Although the enemy has concentrated there or in its vicinity, I trust in the courage and patriotism of my soldiers, and I promise myself a certain victory. The plains have been abandoned by the Spaniards who have brought to Cumana the troops with which they covered them, against the innumerable guerrillas who fight in that part for freedom. To take advantage of these circumstances, I have sent General Piar to Maturin with orders to put himself at the head of the army that must be formed from the meeting of our guerrillas. Their marches will be fast and they will go where it suits us best.' Bolivar concludes his letter by writing 'Friend, everything conspires to assure us the fruit of our efforts. The Spaniards are so disappointed that they cannot succeed and that their situation is desperate that although they appear to defend themselves, they only try to flee and save themselves. The generosity of the conduct that I have proposed towards them, I believe, goes to influence a lot to facilitate the freedom of my country'. A letter of excellent content and good association. Some light overall age wear and a few small tears and holes to the edges, G Benoit Chasseriau (1780-1844) French diplomat and spy, a comrade in arms of Simon Bolivar whom El Libertador appointed Minister of the Interior and the Police at Cartagena, Colombia. In 1816, the year of the present letter, Chasseriau helped finance Bolivar's expedition to los Cayos in the southwestern part of Haiti.  Manuel Piar (1774-1817) General-in-Chief of the Army fighting against Spain during the Venezuelan War of Independence. In 1817, following his military victories, Pilar, a mesitzos, came into conflict with Bolivar. In what is one of the independence struggle's darkest episodes, Bolivar gave orders for Piar to be arrested and tried for desertion, insubordination, and conspiring against the government. On 16th October 1817 Piar was executed by a firing squad.

SUCRE ANTONIO JOSE DE: (1795-1830) Venezuelan independence Leader and Hero. Statesman and General, also known as the ''Grand Marshal of Ayacucho''.  One of Simon Bolivar's closest friends. President of Bolivia 1825-28 and President of Peru 1823. Assassinated. An excellent and rare A.L.S., `A.J de Sucre´, one page, 4to, Headquartes at Cuzco, 12th January 1825, to a Prefect of a Peruvian department, in Spanish. The letter bears to the upper left corner the printed text ''United Liberator Army of Peru'', and Sucre referring to the reports received dated 7th, and two dated 8th, instructs urgent troops movements, stating in part `..you refer on a further report dated 7th to the troops arrival from Ica. It is also necessary that the… who will be unoccupied arrive very fast. The Hospital has reduced to half, or less than half the number of injured...´ Further again Sucre sends a very urgent order, requesting urgent arrival of troops, and saying `The troops are not in good physical condition, and therefore it is necessary that they come rushing, rushing all those not urgently needed there´ The document bears two circular paper seals affixed to the left front border, one of them showing the Crown coat of arms of King of Spain Ferdinand VII, which could mean that the present letter written and signed by Sucre could have been intercepted. Autograph documents of Sucre are rare in any form after his assassination at the age of 35. Small overall minor age wear, with large remnants of former affixing to the verso, but not affecting the front.G  The present letter is written only a month after Sucre secured the independence of Peru with his victory at Pampa La Quinua, where, in his capacity as Simon Bolivar´s Lieutenant, defeated the Spanish Royalist troops at the Battle of Ayacucho. Although Royalists signed the final capitulation, the military campaign of Sucre continued through 1825 in upper Peru and finally ended in 1826.

EISENHOWER DWIGHT D.: (1890-1969) American General of World War II, later American President 1953-61. A.L.S., Dwight D Eisenhower, one page, slim 4to (onion skin), Fraser, Colorado, 23rd July n.y. (1952), to Professor Edward Olsen. Eisenhower states that he is returning his correspondent's card (no longer present) and apologises for the appearance of his signature, explaining `In the fishing camp where I'm spending my few days of vacation the only pen I have is a bit on the balky side! Anyway, I'm flattered that you should consider an excerpt from a talk of mine to be worthy of preservation.' Together with a carbon copy of Olsen's letter to Eisenhower, one page, 4to, 20th July 1952, requesting a signed quotation from his 1948 address accepting the presidency of Columbia University, and also including a brief T.L.S. by Olsen, one page, 4to, Oregon, 10th July 1991, explaining the circumstances under which he wrote to Eisenhower. Rare in this form. VG.                                                                      Eisenhower's letter is written shortly after securing the Republican Party nomination for the Presidential Campaign of 1952. Holograph letters of Eisenhower are rare and desirable. Larry Vrzalik and Michael Minor state in their book From the President's Pen (1991) 'Eisenhower is one of the rarest of all presidents in A.Ls.S. for all periods, particularly of presidential date.' 

SJOSTROM VICTOR: (1879-1960) Swedish film director. A rare vintage signed 7 x 9.5 photograph of the director in a head and shoulders pose. Signed in dark fountain pen ink with his name alone to a clear area of the image. VG

DELLUC LOUIS: (1890-1924) French Impressionist film director. A rare A.L.S., Louis Delluc, one page, 4to, Rue de l'Elysee, n.d. (c.1921-23) to a gentleman, on the attractive red printed stationery of Cinea, in French. Delluc thanks his correspondent for their intervention and adds that he was glad that the manuscript was of interest, and therefore hopes for Fayard's decision. Autograph letters of Delluc are rare as a result of his untimely death from pneumonia at the age of 33. VG The French cinema magazine Cinea, of which Delluc was the editor, was published between 1921 and 1923. Fayard, the French Paris-based publishing house was established in 1857.

EISENSTEIN SERGEI: (1898-1948) Soviet film director & film theorist, a pioneer in the theory and practice of montage. A rare vintage signed 6.5 x 4.5 photograph of Eisenstein in a smiling head and shoulders pose wearing a large knitted sweater and with his hands clasped before him. Signed ('S. Eisenstein') in bold red fountain pen ink to the verso, with a quotation, in French, in his hand, 'Rions!....Pource que rire est le propre de l'homme….meme de l'homme malpropre' (Translation: 'Let's laugh!....Why laughter is the characteristic of man…..even of the unclean man'). Dated 14th November 1927 in his hand. The verso also bears various ink and pencil annotations in an unidentified hand, largely notes and directions for the publication of the photograph. Some light overall age wear and minor surface creasing, G

‘I do not want too much talking about the picture now – there is too much troubles in finishing it and getting it in correct form. And that is why I would ask you to tell nobody about all you know about it.’EISENSTEIN SERGEI: (1898-1948) Soviet film director & film theorist, a pioneer in the theory and practice of montage. An exceptional, lengthy A.L.S., S. Eisenstein, ten pages, 4to, New York, 2nd April 1932, to Seymour [Stern] ('My dear Seymour!'), on the printed stationery of the Hotel Hermitage, in English. Despite the length of Eisenstein's letter, he explains that he is writing in a 'very great hurry' and has a lot to do ('why do they not allow to say two lots, or even more - as is my case?') before he leaves, continuing 'I think “E[xperimental].C[inema].” in its actual shape is a brilliant achievement. I hope that this statement from me is enough! I am sorry not to join the board of editors - but it could not be done in a magazine where such a lot of space is given to our activities!' and also writing of his current film work, 'Very glad to hear that you seem to like the rushes “Viva Mexico” in the theoretical research field is before everything a “shot” (camera angle) picture: I think I have solved (anyhow for myself) the montage problem (as a system of expression). This picture has to analyze the same laws on their other degree - the “shot”. It is a pretty hard problem - but a couple of emotional “thru breaks” (like the ones you like) by their extravagance I suppose will help (and partly have allready [sic] helped) to solve the angle problem as well. I am allways (sic) very carefull (sic) in “my angles” - but in this picture especially - I am unrestfull (sic) until I get into the verve - basic verve of a thing - and in this problem there still are little odds and ends which escape and will be clear to the moment of the release of the picture', and writing of film journalism and his previous work, '….the article of the German soldier is misusing the “overtone” conception in the lousiest way. Ozef's shot (according to the examples stated - I have not seen the picture) are the poorest impressionistic baby-conceptions. Overtone is a thing of much profounder value and intention! Read it over! The worst thing that can happen is the vulgarization - not of the presentation of a thesis - of a term. I had one experience like that allready (sic) - many years ago I “flung upon the theoreticall (sic) market” the designation “film language” (you might not know that - but the first conscious use of that designation was made by me in a polemic article to Bella Balazo's (sic; Bela Balazs) revue of “Potemkin” 1926). It became just a matter of easy talking: “the f. language of Trauberg is clearer than the film language of Ekk” or in this style: “the vigour of Pudovkin's film language is enormous”. The use of such things is the worst bunk you can imagine. And that seems to happen to the overtone-conception! Do not tell that to the “poor soldier” - as soon as I have time I'll analyse and point out the mistakes he made - it will be more correct and less offending'. Eisenstein again returns to his current film project and explains that he cannot send his correspondent the photographs they wanted, 'I do not want this type of thing to be shown before the picture comes out. There are some “refrain” treatments through the whole picture made in the same manner and connected with the death theme going through it. I reserve the interest of this for this theme. It is an ”overtonal” theme to the picture - besides the “rough” social scheme of enslavement of the peons: the idea….well I'll tell you about that another time. I do not want too much talking about the picture now - there is too much troubles in finishing it and getting it in correct form. And that is why I would ask you to tell nobody about all you know about it. There are too many things involved. Mrs [Upton] Sinclair's statements…well I never use too strong language (in letters) and as in this case it would be exceedingly strong - I wish hold. Less understanding for film or anything than in the Pasadena Group I have never met…Well that is personal. No word about that. I object in the most formal way to publishing one line of the script, in principle - that must never be done with an unfinished picture, there are very important changes in the film (you know that part of the material has not been shot and the film has been re-shaped in treatment)…..I want the script - Kohner has - immediately with your help - sent to me…..I wrote him about it but got no answer…..And I do not want the script to travel through Hollywood', concluding by kindly thanking his correspondent for all of their assistance and, in a postscript signed with his initials ('S E'), angrily remarking 'As to the lousy bunch of philisters who consider my photographs “reactionary” - I only can use a Russian expression: “I put my Peter on them….” and remind them that I was allready (sic) doing “something” when these were just sucking “the breasts of their….f… mothers and shitting in their damned breeches - what they supposedly continue to do up to now!'. An extremely rare letter of truly remarkable and important content. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG Seymour Stern (1908-1978) American writer and film director who was the co-editor of Experimental Cinema and worked as a special advisor to Carl Laemmle and also assisted Sergei Eisenstein in America and Mexico. The present letter was written whilst Eisenstein was in the process of making Que Viva Mexico, a film project he had begun in 1930 and, with the production beset with difficulties, was eventually abandoned. The director had been invited by Upton Sinclair and his wife, Mary Craig Kimbrough Sinclair, to make a short, apolitical film about or involving Mexico. The Sinclairs had also made it clear that they were expecting Eisenstein to concentrate on visual imagery, and anything by way of a plot would be secondary; they were looking for an artistic travelogue. With the abandonment of the project Eisenstein would publicly maintain that he lost all interest in the film. Que Viva Mexico has since been described by film historians as Eisenstein's 'greatest film plan and his greatest personal tragedy'. 

VALENTINO RUDOLPH: (1895-1926) Italian actor, a sex symbol of the 1920s. An excellent, large vintage signed and inscribed sepia 13.5 x 16.5 photograph, the image depicting the Latin Lover in a head and shoulders pose, with one hand gently raised to his chin, in costume as Monsieur Beaucaire from the American silent romantic historical drama film Monsieur Beaucaire (1924). Signed in dark fountain pen ink to a clear area at the base of the image, 'To Audrey, para que no me olvides, Rudolph' (Translation: 'To Audrey, so you do not forget me, Rudolph'). A wonderful, rare, signed photograph with an affectionate inscription. A few minor creases and light age wear to the borders, otherwise VG Provenance: Valentino inscribed the present photograph for Audrey Evelyn James Coats (later Pleydell-Bouverie) (1902-1968) English socialite who was photographed by Cecil Beaton for TheBook of Beauty. Through her mother she was the illegitimate granddaughter of King Edward VII and herself was the illegitimate daughter of Sir Edward Grey, 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon.

LINDER MAX: (1883-1925) French actor, director and comedian of the silent film era, cited as the 'first international movie star'. An excellent, rare vintage signed and inscribed sepia 8 x 10 photograph of the dapper Linder standing in a full-length pose wearing a top hat and with a cane in one hand. Signed in bold black fountain pen ink to a clear area of the image with an inscription in French, 'A Miss Sidony, Souvenir d'une sympathie subite, Max Linder', and dated at Chamonix, February 1919, in his hand. Autographs of Linder are rare in any form as a result of his controversial death at the age of 41. One small area of paper loss to the upper left corner, only affecting the border and not the image, otherwise VG 

MARX BROTHERS THE: A good vintage signed 10 x 8 photograph by the film comedians Groucho, Chico and Harpo Marx individually, the image depicting the three siblings standing together in full-length poses, each wearing their familiar attire, and Groucho and Chico holding enormous prop dumbbells and Harpo holding what appears to be a white balloon in the palm of one hand. Signed by each of the three brothers in dark fountain pen inks with their names alone to light areas of the background and with an inscription ('To Dolores, Merrily yours') in a secretarial hand to the upper left corner. Together with the original envelope postmarked 11th February 1941. Rare. Some light staining and minor age wear, otherwise about VG

MCDONALD MARIE: (1923-1965) American actress and singer. Vintage signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph, an appealing image of The Body standing in a full-length leg revealing pose wearing a black swimsuit. Signed in blue fountain pen ink across a light area of the background. Autographs of McDonald are rare following her untimely death from a drug overdose. Some light surface and corner creasing, G

BLONDE BOMBSHELLS: Belinda Lee (1935-1961) English actress. Rare vintage signed and inscribed postcard photograph of Lee in a head and shoulders pose. Number D733 from the Picturegoer series. Signed in blue fountain pen ink to a clear area at the head of the image. Autographs of Lee are rare in any form as a result of her untimely death at the age of 25 in a car crash; Diana Dors (1931-1984) English actress. Vintage signed and inscribed postcard photograph of Dors standing outdoors in a glamorous three-quarter length pose. Signed in black fountain pen ink to the head of the image. VG to EX, 2

MÉLIÈS GEORGES: (1861-1938) French Film Director, a pioneer of cinema and innovator in the use of special effects. Rare and lengthy interesting A.L.S., G. Melies, four pages, small writing, 4to, Orly, 4th January 1934, to Auguste-Jules Drioux, in French. A lengthy letter written by Melies during an illness convalescence at home, referring first to his health `Il y a 2 jours, environ, où cela semble aller un peu mieux, quoique je sois encore au lit et d´une très grande faiblesse, mais enfin j´ai pu manger un peu, et digérer, car depuis 6 semaines, rien ne passait! Il faut espérer qu´à force de purges , de lavements, de cataplasmes, de ventoses, sans compter tout le tremblement de cachets, potions, ampoules, etc…´ ("Since 2 days ago, approximately, things seem to be going a little better, although I am still in bed and very weak, but finally I was able to eat a little, and digest, because for 6 weeks, nothing passed through! It is to be hoped that by dint of purges, enemas, poultices, suction cups, not to mention all the trembling of tablets, potions, ampoules, etc..") Melies further refers to his opinions and relationship with the Mutuelle du Cinema, an association which gets funds from the cinema itself, working for the cinema and its workers, and which should help its members when they get old if they need assistance or medical attention, and mentions also his personal difficult financial situation, and states in part `Vous me demandez de vous dire franchement et sans gêne si la société de la "Mutuelle" ou d´autres sont venus à notre aide dans ces circonstances. Quoi qu´il m´en coûte, je suis oblige de répondre: hélas, non! A un point que nous avons complètement épuisé nos bien maigres économies, et que depuis près de 3 semaines, j´ai du laisser tomber le médecin, n´ayant plus de quoi payer ses visites et les énormes factures de pharmacie qui suivaient invariablement les dites visites´ ("You ask me to tell you frankly and without embarrassment if the "Mutuelle" society or others have come to our aid in these circumstances. Whatever it will cost me, I am obliged to answer: alas, no! To the point that we have completely exhausted our very small savings, and for nearly 3 weeks now, I had to drop the doctor, having no money left to pay for his visits and the huge pharmacy bills that invariably followed the said visits"), further adding `Quant à l´oeuvre de la "Mutuelle", qui est actuellement dans la plus grande "panade", les presidents ont été prévenus de ma maladie par le directeur d´ici, mais, malgré qu´on ait pour Georges Mélies la plus grande consideration (en paroles et en écrits du moins) personne n´a daigné se déranger, on ne m´a même pas offert de m´envoyer un médecin, et encore bien moins de m´aider pécuniairement´ ("As for the work of the "Mutuelle", which is currently in the greatest "mess", the presidents were informed of my illness by the local director, but, despite the fact that we have for Georges Mélies the greatest consideration (in words and in writing at least) no one deigned to bother, I was not even offered to send me a doctor, and even less to help me financially") Melies further explains that the Mutuelle cannot afford paying cleaners and cookers and that they have to take care of this too, and his wife who is doing all the work, is exhausted, very old and with no strength to even walk `Plus personne pour la cuisine et le ménage. Allez les vieux, collez-vous y de nouveau!... quand on est malade, et qu´on vous laisse froidement sans le sou, et sans soins, alors cela n´est plus rigolo du tout!..´ ("No one for cooking and cleaning. Come on old folks, stick to it again!... when you're sick, and you're coldly left penniless, and careless, then it's no longer fun at all!.."), and before concluding, sends his furious critics on the boarding directors and announces future protests he intends to lead, saying `il est bien difficile de se faire entendre des gros bonnets des comités actuels, qui ne connaissent, même pas de nom, les pionniers de la cinématographie. D´épais marchands de vin, devenus tenanciers de Cinéma…´ ("it is very difficult to be heard by the leaders of the current committees, who do not even know the name of the pioneers of cinematography. Fat wine merchants, who have become cinema tenants..") A letter of very interesting content, explaining the difficult last years of Melies and his critics about the Cinéma Mutuelle and the future of the pioneers of the "Cinematographie". Very small overall minor age wear with a very small area of paper loss and singeing to the upper left corner, not affecting the text or signature. G Auguste-Jules Drioux was editor of the magazine Passez Muscade, publishing a special edition in 1929 entitled Georges Melies. Melies often collaborated with the magazine, publishing his Croquis-magiques.

MELIES GEORGES: (1861-1938) French Film Director, a Pioneer of cinema and innovator in the use of special effects. Rare D.S., G. Melies, one page, 4to, Paris, 12th November 1912, the partially printed document being a receipt issued on Melies' attractive printed stationery. The manuscript receipt, in French, is for the sum of 370 Francs, being the payment of royalties due from the sales, in New York, of some of Melies' films. Also bearing to the front a red ink stamp of the Melies cinema manufacture over a tax stamp. Three binding holes to the left border, not affecting the text or signature. VG

THERE'S A GIRL IN MY SOUP: An excellent signed 10 x 8 photograph by both Peter Sellers (Robert Danvers) and Goldie Hawn (Marion) individually, the image depicting them in profile head and shoulders poses as they prepare to kiss one another in a scene from the British romantic comedy film There´s a Girl in My Soup (1970). Photograph by John Brown and with the original Shepperton Studios promotional text lightly affixed to the verso. Signed by Sellers in bold blue ink, adding the date June 1970 in his hand, and signed by Hawn in light green ink with her name alone, both to clear areas at the base of the image. Rare in this form. A couple of very light, minor corner creases, otherwise VG  

MÉLIÈS GEORGES: (1861-1938) French Film Director, a pioneer of cinema and innovator in the use of special effects. Rare D.S., G. Melies, two pages, 4to, 16 Passage de l´Opéra, Paris, 9th October 1912, being a receipt issued on Melies' attractive printed stationery "Manufacture de Films pour Cinématographes - G. Melies". The manuscript receipt, in French, is for the sum of 390 Francs, being the payment of royalties due from the sales, in New York, of some of Melies' films. To the second typed page, the document states "On New York sales - Forgive Us Our Trespasses…" Bearing to the front page a payment red ink stamp cancelling the debt with tax cancellation stamp. Three file holes to the left edge of the document, not affecting the text or signature. VG 

LUMIERE LOUIS: (1864-1948) French Pioneer Filmmaker, along with his brother Auguste. An excellent and rare A.L.S., `Louis´, to his brother Auguste Lumiere, three pages, 8vo, [16th August], on his printed heading "Les Lucioles - Houlgate - Calvados - Tel 11", in French. Louis Lumiere begins his letter with `Mon cher Vieux´ ("My Old dear") addressing to his brother, and states in part `Combien je suis peiné d´apprendre le gros accroc subi par notre bon vieux Papus. Va t-il s´en tirer…. c´est bien a toi qu´il le devra car sans la diligence que tu as apporté a le faire opérer, il était perdu. Et quelle journée tu as eu mon pauvre vieux! Tu aurais besoin de repos car ce surmenage finira par te jouer de mauvais tours. Crois moi´ ("How sad I am to learn of the big hitch suffered by our good old Papus. Will he get away with it... it is to you that he will owe it because without the diligence that you had to have him operated, he was lost. And what a day you had my poor old man! You would need to rest because this overwork will end up playing tricks on you. Believe me " Louis Lumiere further refers to his own health, saying `Je vais mieux depuis deux jours mais non sans douleurs nerveuses, cette nuit encore, ells m´ont reveillé´ ("I've been better the last two days but not without nervous pains, this night again, they woke me up") A letter of good association, in part relating to family and friends. VG

REINHARDT DJANGO: (1910-1953) Romani-French jazz guitarist and composer, one of the first major jazz talents to emerge in Europe. An extremely rare vintage signed and inscribed 7 x 9.5 photograph of Reinhardt in a head and shoulders pose smoking a cigarette. Photograph by Teddy Piaz of Paris. Signed by Reinhardt in dark fountain pen ink to a clear area of the image, 'POUR BOB DJANGO Reinhardt', in his semi-literate hand. Autographs of Reinhardt are extremely rare in any form as both a result of his lack of formal education and his untimely death at the age of 43. Some very light, minor surface creasing and areas of silvering to the image, about VG Provenance: The present photograph is accompanied by a statement of provenance signed by Lorraine Klaiss Myers in which she states that the signed photograph was 'given to my father in Paris, France where he met Django at his club, La Roulotte, during WWII in 1943', further explaining 'My father, Bob Klaiss, was a professional bass player from Philadelphia. PA, playing in Army bands during the war. He has since passed, but told me what a memorable experience it was to meet and hear the famous jazz guitarist perform at his club in Paris'. The statement also makes reference to an original 2.5 x 3 snapshot photograph taken by Bob Klaiss (included in the present lot) which depicts the entrance to La Roulette and features Reinhardt's name above the door. The photograph is annotated to the verso 'Paris, France, 1943', and also signed by Klaiss.  

BECHET SIDNEY: (1897-1959) American jazz saxophonist and clarinettist, one of the first important soloists in jazz. A good, rare vintage signed 5 x 7 photograph of Bechet in a head and shoulders pose playing his clarinet. Signed ('Sid Bechet') in blue fountain pen ink with his name alone, partially to a darker area of the image although still legible. Together with an interesting T.L.S. by Irene Reweliotty, wife of Andre Reweliotty, one page, 4to, Paris, 18th May 1961, to a gentleman, evidently a journalist with the newspaper Le Figaro, in French. Reweliotty states that she was deeply shocked to see that a newspaper such as Le Figaro was able to make a feature on the French television programme entitled Tribute to Sidney Bechet, during which an orchestra performed although one which had nothing to do with Bechet during his lifetime, further expressing her view that the event showed an absolute lack of respect for the memory of Bechet and that the mass of the French and foreign public who listened to and attended Bechet's concerts over a period of more than five years know that he was always faithfully accompanied by Andre Reweliotty's orchestra. A couple of very small, minor corner creases to the photograph, otherwise VG, 2 

PIAF & CERDAN: Edith Piaf (1915-1963) French singer, one of the most celebrated performers of the 20th century. Vintage blue fountain pen ink signature ('Avec ma bien vive sympathie, Edith Piaf') on an 8vo page removed from an autograph album; Marcel Cerdan (1916-1949) French boxer, World Middleweight champion 1948-49. Rare vintage black fountain pen ink signature and inscription ('Mon Meilleur souvenir a Monsieur Castelli, Marcel Cerdan') on an 8vo page removed from the same autograph album. Autographs of Cerdan are rare in any form as a result of his unfortunate death at the age of 33. An excellent and desirable pair of signatures. Some very light, extremely minor staining to the edges, otherwise VG, 2Piaf and the married boxer Cerdan began an affair in the summer of 1948 and the couple soon became devoted to each other. The middleweight boxer was tragically killed in an airplane crash on 28th October 1949 en route from Paris to New York, where he was going to visit Piaf who was singing in the American city. Piaf dedicated one of her most famous songs, Hymne a l'amour, which she recorded in 1950, to Cerdan, the love of her life.

‘Suppose I hafter charge half-fare for the kid?’ FORD JOHN: (1894-1973) American film director, Academy Award winner. A rare Autograph Manuscript, unsigned, two pages, 8vo, Hollywood, California, n.d. (1938/39). In dark fountain pen ink Ford has penned a series of six dialogue and scene notes for his classic Western film Stagecoach (1939), in part, 'Lordsburg - Plummers leave Oriental, black cat crosses their path - younger Plummer - hysterically - shoots cat. Luke reproves him “Keep yo nerve” (Plummers = Luke, Matthew & John?)…..Buck: birth of baby - “a baby? How - I mean - why…..Curley - I'll explain it to you sometime…..Buck to Curly: “Suppose I hafter charge half-fare for the kid?”…….Hatsfield = Escape Sequence - “I overheard your conversation. I took the liberty of saddling a horse”, the Kid = Snow Sequence “has blanket - gives to Dallas, apologises “cause it smells of hoss”'. A significant manuscript relating to one of the most influential films in cinema history. Very slightly irregularly torn to the left edge and with a few small staple holes to the upper edge, none of which affect the text, otherwise VG John Ford's Academy Award winning film Stagecoach (1939) starred Claire Trevor as Dallas and John Wayne, in his breakthrough role, as Ringo Kid. Dudley Nichols wrote the screenplay as an adaptation of The Stage to Lordsburg, a short story by Ernest Haycox. The film follows a group of strangers riding on a stagecoach through dangerous Apache territory and has long been recognised as an important work that transcends the Western genre.  

[HENDRIX JIMI]: (1942-1970) American rock guitarist and singer. A red and green silk bandana previously belonging and worn by Jimi Hendrix, approximately 22” in length, tied in a loop with a knot and of a design typical of 1970 fashion. A rare piece of memorabilia accompanied by excellent provenance. Evidently worn and with some light age wear and a few small holes and light fraying, G Provenance: The present bandana was previously sold at auction by Sotheby's in their Rock & Roll & Film Memorabilia sale held on 24th September 2003 (Lot 45). The bandana is still loosely contained within their lot packaging with the lot label affixed. Also included is Sotheby's original lot description stating that the bandana 'is from the collection of the late Paul Samson….In 1982 whilst on tour in Europe he met Uli John Roth of The Scorpions, who shared his admiration for Jimi. Becoming friends, Paul later visited Uli and his then partner, Monika Danneman, at their house in Sussex. This bandana was given to Paul by Monika'. The provenance is further supported by a typed letter (the original of which is present) from the solicitors Marriott Harrison of London, Executors of Paul Samson's Will and a Trustee of the Estate, dated 7th July 2003 and addressed to Sotheby's, stating, in part, 'Whilst touring Europe in 1982, Paul Samson, lead guitarist and leader of the 1980's heavy metal band Samson, met Uli John Roth, a fellow musician and guitarist with German band The Scorpions….At the time, Uli John Roth lived in Sussex with his partner Monika Dannemann. Monika Dannemann was Jimi Hendrix's partner at the time of his death. When Paul Samson returned to England, he was invited to Uli John Roth's house, where he also became a good friend of Monika Dannemann. In late 1982/ early 1983, the Jimi Hendrix Bandana was given as a present to Paul Samson by Monika Dannemann who told him that the Bandana had belonged to Jimi Hendrix….When Paul Samson died last year the Jimi Hendrix Bandana was passed to us as part of his Estate….'  Monika Dannemann (1945-1996) German figure skater and painter, the last girlfriend of Jimi Hendrix who was present with the guitarist during his final hours at Dannemann's apartment in the Samarkand Hotel on Lansdowne Crescent, Notting Hill, 18th September 1970. 

[HENDRIX JIMI]: (1942-1970) American rock guitarist and singer. A pair of funky red corduroy ribbed bell bottom trousers owned and worn by Jimi Hendrix in 1968, with a zip fastener and elasticated waist band, and two small inside pockets, measuring approximately 38” in length and 11” wide at the base. A wonderful and desirable piece of memorabilia associated with one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century, who was also noted for his fashion sense, typifying the 1960s and counter-culture movement. Some light age wear, VG Provenance: The present trousers were previously sold by Bonhams in their sale of Film Entertainment and Autographs, Psychedelic and Underground Posters, Rock and Pop, Rare Records on 21st, 22nd & 23rd March 1995 (Lot 2472). Their catalogue entry, a copy of which is included in the present lot, stated that the trousers were worn by Hendrix 'in 1968 Civic Auditorium, Bakersfield, California, Oct. 26, seen on camera by Ron Rafaelli, photographer with Jimi at this time'.

DYLAN BOB: (1941- ) American Singer & Songwriter. Widely regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Dylan has sold more than 125 million records, one of the best-selling musicians of all time. Academy award winner and Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016. Rare signed 8 x 10 colour photograph, the image depicting Dylan outdoors, leaning against a graffiti painted wall, in a three-quarter length pose. Signed in bold purple ink `Bob Dylan´, to the right clear border of the image. Autograph obtained in person by collector during a smoking break while performing in Vienna. VG

SHAKUR TUPAC: (1971-1996) American rapper. A rare D.S., Tupac A Shakur, being a signed cheque, Los Angeles, California, 1st September 1996. The partially printed cheque, completed in an unidentified hand, is drawn on the City National Bank and made payable to the rapper's mother, Afeni Shakur, for the sum of $1500. Signed by Shakur in bold black ink, a bank cancellation only very slightly affecting the first letter of his signature. Also signed ('Afeni Shakur') by Afeni Shakur in black ink with her name alone in the form of an endorsement to the verso. Autographs of Shakur are rare in any form, and the present cheque was signed less than a week before the rapper was shot by an unidentified assailant in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, which led to Shakur's death, at the age of 25, six days later. One extremely light, very minor vertical crease to the centre, otherwise about EX Afeni Shakur (1947-2016) American political activist and member of the Black Panther Party. Mother of Tupac Shakur and the executor of his estate. 

ROUSSEAU JEAN-JACQUES: (1712-1778) French philosopher, writer and composer who influenced the progress of the Age of Enlightenment throughout Europe. A fine, rare Autograph Musical Manuscript Signed (with his initials, 'E.59 JJR. cop'), twenty pages (including title page), oblong folio, n.p., 1st June 1777. The musical manuscript is entitled 'Che faro Senza Euridice, Aria del Sigr. Ferdinando Bertoni', each page comprising ten staves traced by hand in a pale ink, the musical notes for the aria attractively penned in a darker ink for two parts violin ('Violini'), two parts oboe ('Oboe'), two parts horn ('Corni'), two parts viola ('Viole') and the voice part ('Orfeo') with lyrics penned in Rousseau's hand, the indications of movement ('Andantino', 'Presto', 'Andno' etc.), as well as the indications of intensity and nuance, all penned in red ink. Each measure is divided in the middle by a very light vertical pencil line. With four blank pages of staves at the conclusion, the whole tied with a small pale blue ribbon. An elegant manuscript which still retains Rousseau's light pencil annotation ('19p. a 8S - 7L12') at the head of the title page, indicating the price charged for this copy. Some very light, minor staining and foxing throughout, a few small pinholes to the title page, and one page with a small area of paper loss to the lower right corner, only very minimally affecting the manuscript. G Ferdinando Bertoni (1725-1813) Italian composer and organist who composed 70 operas, all of which fell into oblivion with the exception of Orfeo which was first performed in Venice in 1776. The work was based on the same libretto for the work of Christoph Willibald Gluck entitled Orfeo ed Euridice. The aria Rousseau copied is the most famous of the opera; in the third act, Orfeo mourns the loss of Euridice: 'Che faro senza Euridice'.  In his autobiographical work Confessions (Volume VIII) Rousseau recounted how, in 1751, he ceased working for Dupin de Francueil and started working as a professional music copyist in order to provide a consistent and reliable source of income. In September 1770 he resumed his work as a music copyist and practiced it until 1777, charging ten sols per page. Rousseau's work as a music copyist has been described as remarkable for its beauty and reliability and in his Dictionary of Music Rousseau argued in favour of the superiority of copied music over engraving, observing 'It is of great importance that music should be correctly and neatly copied….the understanding of a difficult piece of music depends greatly on the manner of its being copied…...the most ingenious copier is he whose music is executed with the most ease…..I must primarily suppose that the copier is possessed of all the knowledge necessary to his profession…..As written music, particularly in partition, is made to be read by concertants at a distance, the chief thing to be observed by the copier, is to make use of the convenient materials for rendering his notes most neat and legible. For this reason he should choose strong fair paper….the ink ought to be very black, without either gloss or gum; the ruling neat, equal, and well fixed, but not so black as the notes; on the contrary, the lines should be rather pale, so that the crotchets, double crotchets, pauses, and other smaller signs may not be confounded with them, and that the note may be expressed the fuller. The paleness of the lines, far from preventing the music to be read at a fixed distance, on the contrary, assists it by its neatness, and tho' the line should now and then escape the sight for a moment, the position of the notes very often of itself denotes it. The ruling of the paper is but an useless labour. If the copier would gain himself credit, let him rule his paper himself…..There are several intermediaries between what the composer plans, and what the audience hear. 'Tis the duty of the copier to connect these two terms as near as possible, to mark with precision every thing which should be done, that the music when executed may render to the composer's ear, exactly what was plann'd within his head at the time of the composition'.  

BIZET GEORGES: (1838-1875) French Composer. A rare and very fine A.L.S., Georges Bizet, three pages, 8vo, n.p. [Saint Gratien], n.d. [summer 1869], [to Louis-Godefroy Jadin], in French. Bizet sends an unusual and very interesting letter during his honeymoon, and in a poetic way initiates his letter stating in part `Tes lettres sentent le soleil. Ici, nous avons un demi beau temps, un soleil honteux, peureux, un soleil qui a beaucoup de choses sur la conscience. Je voudrais bien pouvoir emporter ma Geneviève mais il faut attendre. Nous sommes toujours et nous serons toujours heureux ici. et enchantés de te faire une place à côté de nous´ (“Your letters smell of the sun. Here we have half good weather, a shameful sun, fearful sun, a sun that has a lot on its conscience. I would like to be able to take my Geneviève with me, but we have to wait. We are always and will always be happy here, and delighted to make room for you next to us”) Bizet further refers to his composition works, saying `Je travaille à me crever. Pasdeloup s'est enthousiasmé pour le Noé d'Halévy - il a fallu signer un traité et m'engager à lui remettre l'ouvrage acte par acte, à des époques très rapprochées. - Je n'en dors plus. - Il faut lui donner le 1er acte le 15 7bre - le 2d 30 7bre - le 3me 15 8bre le 4me 31 8bre. - Le 4me est à composer en entier - il y a pas mal à faire dans les autres et le 1er seul est instrumenté par Halévy. - Tu vois quelle charrette !´ (“I am working to exhaustion. Pasdeloup was enthusiastic about Halévy´s Noé - I had to sign a contract agreement and commit myself to handing over the work to him, act by act, at very close intervals. - I can't sleep anymore. - He must be given the 1st act on 15th September - the 2nd 30th September - the 3rd 15 October the 4th 31 October.  The 4th is to be composed in full - there is a lot to do in the others and only the 1st is instrumented by Halévy.´ Further again Bizet make fun of Auguste Mermet (1810-1889) a French Opera composer, who is completing his opera Jeanne d´Arc (1876), and also refers to his forthcoming good times saying `…Bref, les affaires vont marcher. Je vais habiter un charmant appartement´ (“…In short, business will work. I will live in a charming apartment”) At the conclusion and beneath Bizet´s signature, his wife Genevieve adds fifteen lines of a friendly message. Small overall creasing, otherwise G