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Pair: Colour Sergeant W. Cragg, 60th Rifles South Africa 1834-53 (Serjt. Wm. Cragg, 2nd Bn. 60th Rifles); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1537 Color Sergeant William Craggs, 2.B. 60. Rifles. 13 April 1859) edge bruising, contact marks, good fine and better (2) £460-£550 --- William Cragg was born in Quorndon, Loughborough, Leicestershire in 1820. He attested for the 60th Rifles at Nottingham on 23 October 1840. He was promoted to Corporal in December 1845; Sergeant in July 1848; Colour Sergeant in April 1855 and attained the rank of Sergeant-Major in January 1860, when he appointed to the 7th (Rifle) Depot Battalion. With the 2nd Battalion 60th Rifles he served in Jamaica, 19 years, 6 months; Canada, 3 years, and the Cape of Good Hope, 1 year, 11 months. Saw service in the Third Kaffir War 1851-53. Awarded the Army L.S. & G.C. with a gratuity and discharged with a pension after 21 years service on 14 February 1862. Latterly served as Sergeant Drill Instructor with the 1st Westmoreland Rifle Volunteers and died in 1872. With a quantity of copied research on C.D. and paper, including discharge papers.

An outstanding sniper’s ‘Battle of Loos 1915’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Private J. Ryan, 5th Battalion (formerly 2nd Battalion), Rifle Brigade, who emigrated to Canada after the War, and ‘changed his target from Huns to moose’ Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2546 Pte. J. Ryan. 5-Rif. Brig.); 1914 Star, with clasp (2546 Pte. J. Ryan. Rif. Brig.); British War and Victory Medals (2546 Pte. J. Ryan. Rif. Brig.); War Medal 1939-45, mounted for display, the Great War awards all named in a Canadian style and therefore possibly a replacement or duplicate set, contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine or better (5) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916; citation published 11 March 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and very good work, as a sniper. No work of this kind was too dangerous for him. While carrying out a duel with an enemy sniper in front of our parapets he was wounded, this being the third time he had been wounded during the year. His services have been most valuable and his devotion very marked.’ Joseph Ryan enlisted into the Army on 20 December 1907, aged 17. He landed at Havre on 7 November 1914, with the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade and was awarded the D.C.M. for his work as a sniper, principally as Bois Grenier during the Battle of Loos. He was wounded three times during 1915. By 1916 he was serving with the 5th Battalion and his award was both gazetted and named to this battalion. At some later date, presumably no longer fit for front line service, he was transferred to the Labour Corps and subsequently discharged from the service due to his wounds on 11 December 1917. The Regimental History records that Ryan’s D.C.M. was for the attack at Bois Grenier on 25 September 1915, and that it was one of four such awards for this action. The Rifle Brigade Chronicle of 1924 included a picture of Ryan, taken in Canada where he was then living, together with an ex-Rifleman who had served in Canada in 1866. After describing Ryan’s D.C.M. winning exploits, the note ends ‘From a letter recently received from J. Ryan he appears to still keep up his sniping, but has changed his target from Huns to moose, deer, etc.’ Sold with copied research including extracts from the Regimental History with account of the Bois Grenier action, and war diary extracts for 1914 and 1915. Note: Another group of medals to this man is known to exist, and given the fact that the 1914 Star in this lot omits the Battalion number, and the fact that the medals are all named in a style typically seen on Canadian-issued awards, it is likely that the medals in this lot are a replacement set issued in Canada.

A German Second World War 1940 Army Wehrpass and a Luftwaffe Wehrpass. Including a photograph of soldier born in 1892 in civil dress, served in WWI from 1913 through to 1918 and was recalled for service in 1940 until 1944. Many promotions in WWI. Awards for WWI are Iron Cross Second Class, Hessian Bravery Medal, WWI Honour Cross. A full English translation accompanies this Wehrpass. Together with a Luftwaffe Wehrpass dated June 1943, photograph of recipient shows him Hitler Youth uniform. Entries show him at various flying schools and flying regiments from 1943 through to April 1945. Interestingly within this Wehrpass there is a letter when this pass book was originally offered for sale in 1960. A full English translation accompanies this Luftwaffe Wehrpass, reasonable condition (2) £80-£100

An original hand-written autographed letter from Stanley R. McDougall V.C., M.M., late Sergeant, Australian Imperial Force, together with his business card and sections of the original ribands from both the Victoria Cross and the Military Medal that were presented to him by H.M. King George V at Windsor Castle on 19 August 1918 The letter, dated Scottsdale, 8 August 1961, states: ‘Dear Sir, I am extremely sorry for this delay in answering your letter, the reason being I put it away so careful I thought, but somehow it got down behind the drawer in my desk. You certainly must have a very interesting collections, and hope like you it will be accepted by the Imperial War Museum at Lambeth, for so many to enjoy. Kindly find enclosed my autograph and some ribbons off my V.C., M.M. which was personally pinned on me by King Georg [sic] the fifth at Winsor [sic] Castle 1918. Kindest regards and very best wishes, Sincerely yours, Stanley R. McDougall’, business card with ribands glued with reverse showing, to the front of letter, punch holes, glue residue on reverse, overall reasonable condition £80-£100 --- V.C. London Gazette 3 May 1918: ‘For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when the enemy attacked our line and his first wave succeeded in gaining an entry. Sergeant McDougall, who was at a post in a flank company, realised the situation, and at once charged the enemy's second wave single-handed with rifle and bayonet, killing seven and capturing a machine gun which they had. This he turned on to them, firing from the hip, causing many casualties and routing that wave. He then turned his attention to those who had entered, until his ammunition ran out, all the time firing at close quarters, when he seized a bayonet and charged again, killing three men and an enemy officer, who was just about to kill one of our officers. He used a Lewis gun on the enemy, killing many and enabling us to capture thirty-three prisoners. The prompt action of this non-commissioned officer saved the line and enabled the enemy's advance to be stopped.’ M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918.

Three: Corporal A. W. Larsen, 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Vietnam 1964-73 (1410781 A. W. Larsen); South Vietnam Medal 1964, 1 clasp, 1960- (1419781 A. W. Larsen); South Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, bronze, with silver star emblem; mounted court-style as worn; together with the recipient’s United States Army Meritorious Unit Commendation and Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation riband bar; and related miniature awards (the last without silver star emblem), generally very fine and better (3) £300-£400 --- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star: There is no record of entitlement for this award. There is a letter (translation of which is by a graduate of the RAAF School of Languages at Point Cook) from the Republic of Viet Nam Veteran's League of Queensland stating 'that Mr Alan Larsen has a medal of the Armed Forces of The Republic of Vietnam, namely a Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, which is awarded for meritorious combat service by a divisional Commander. This letter is given by way of explanation of the medal in his possession.' The letter in no way confirms any entitlement to the award. United States Army Meritorious Unit Commendation: By the direction of the Secretary of the Army, the Meritorious Unit Commendation is awarded to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Group for exceptionally meritorious achievement in the performance of outstanding service. The 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, distinguished itself in the conduct of military operations in the Republic of Vietnam from 5 May 1965 to 16 May 1966 while attached to the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) of the United States Army. As the first ground combat unit in-country, the 173rd Airborne Brigade and its assigned and attached units conducted extensive combat manoeuvres in the Bien Hoa area and in the Viet Cong strongholds of War Zone D and the Iron Triangle during the period 5 May 1965 to 4 May 1967. In every confrontation with the stubborn insurgents, the 173rd Airborne Brigade displayed marked aggressiveness which enabled them to neutralize enemy strongholds and capture thousands of logistical items. In addition to remarkable skill and tenacity in combat, the sky soldiers of the brigade carried on an extensive civic action program characterised by sincere compassion for the suppressed local populace. During each of the brigade's combat operations, the sky soldiers immeasurably aided the allied counterinsurgency effort by winning the hearts and minds of the Vietnamese people. The remarkable proficiency and devotion to duty displayed by the members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect distinct credit upon themselves, the Armed Forces of the United States, and the Armed Forces of Australian and New Zealand. Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation: The above medal recipient, Mr Alan Larsen, a former serving member of 1RAR who served in Vietnam lodged an application in 2011 with the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal (the Tribunal) putting in a claim to have the Citation awarded to 1RAR and its attached units, for service in Vietnam between 5 May 1965 and 31 May 1966. The Tribunal ruled that in awarding the Citation to the 173rd Airborne Brigade and its attached and assigned units, there was intent for the Citation to be awarded to 1RAR and thus it subsequently recommended to the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence that the award be accepted. The guidelines established in 1997 governing the acceptance and wearing of foreign awards allows the Governor-General to grant permission for the formal acceptance and wearing of foreign awards by Australians in extraordinary or unusual circumstances and since the Government of the Republic of Vietnam no longer exists, the Parliamentary Secretary considered these circumstances fell within these guidelines. Accordingly he wrote to the Governor-General recommending that he exercise his authority to accept the Citation which he did on 17 April 2015. Alan William Larsen was born at Mount Morgan, Queensland, on 3 February 1944 and enlisted into the Australian Army at Brisbane on 28 November 1962. He served in Vietnam with the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment from 27 May 1965 to 11 June 1966, and again from 27 March to 9 September 1968. He was discharged on 27 November 1968. Sold with an Infantry Combat badge; General Service cloth badge for Australians in S-E Asia; Marksman's embroidered badge; two Royal Australian Infantry Corps buttons in anodised gilt by Stokes & Sons, Melbourne; a duplicate South Vietnam Cross of Gallantry; a photographic image from the Vietnam War showing the recipient; and copied research.

A Connecticut Civil War Volunteers’ Service Medal attributed to Private G. A. Frink, 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Infantry, late Commissary Sergeant, Field and Staff, 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Connecticut Volunteers’ Service Medal 1861-65, bronze, unnamed, the reverse officially numbered ‘532’, complete with ‘Connecticut Minutemen April 1861’ top brooch bar, very fine £240-£280 --- George Arthur Frink was a naturalised Canadian born in 1838, and who enlisted as a private soldier in Company C, Connecticut Volunteer Infantry on 22 April 1861. When the regiment was mustered in to federal service on 7 May, the company letter was altered to G. On 18 July he transferred to the regimental staff, and although the State rosters record his rank as a Commissary Sergeant, the pension records note that in other infantry regiments at this time the commissaries held the rank of First Lieutenant. At the time the three Connecticut regiments were serving in the defences of Washington but on 16 July, they set out for Centreville, Virginia, as a part of Colonel Erasmus D. Keys’ First Brigade, part of General Daniel Tyler’s First Division, of the Army of North-eastern Virginia, and was engaged in the First Battle of Bull Run on 31 July. The 2nd Connecticut Volunteer Infantry then re-joined the Washington defences before returning home where it was mustered out on 7 August 1861. Frink did not serve again. After the war he lived in New York till his death in 1914. In 1905 he applied for a federal pension, and after his death his wife applied for a widow’s pension. The Connecticut Volunteers’ Service Medal 1861 In May 1903 the State of Connecticut authorised the production of a medal to be awarded to members of the First, Second and Third Regiments of Connecticut Volunteers who answered Lincoln’s ‘first call’ for troops in April of 1861. Posthumous awards were also authorised. By September 1904, 634 had been awarded. No further figures were published but the medals were numbered on the reverse and numbers have been seen as high as 781. The State’s list of recipients does not go beyond No. 730. There are a few gaps in these numbers and several examples of second awards. Of the men that were in awarded these medals, at least 468 served again in another other Connecticut unit, three of whom earned the Medal of Honor during this service. Its rarity compares with that of the army’s Civil War Medal with the traceable “No.” numbers, and the West Virginia Medal for soldiers killed in battle. Sold with copied research.

Canadian Memorial Cross, G.VI.R. (G-150 Pte. F. R. James.) very fine £100-£140 --- Frank Reginald James was the son of Lee and Elmyra James of Harvey Station, York County, New Brunswick, and he resided in the same town with his wife Dora. James served with the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, R.C.I.C. during the Second World War, during which the regiment landed on Juno Beach on D-Day. Over the following months the regiment continued to fight in France and on into the Netherlands. Private James was killed in action on 25 October 1944, and is buried in the Adegem Canadian War Cemetery, Belgium. Sold with the following related items and documents: recipient’s identity disc; 8th Princess Louise's (New Brunswick) Hussars collar title; cloth ‘Canada’ shoulder insignia; named enclosure for Memorial Cross; letter of condolence to recipient’s widow from the Attorney General of New Brunswick, dated 21 November 1944, and two photographs of recipient in uniform.

Three: Private J. Regan, King’s Royal Rifle Corps Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 clasps, Ahmed Khel, Kandahar (1188 Pte. J. Regan, 2/60th Foot); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (1188 Private Jas. Regan, 2/60 Foot); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1188 Pte. J. Regan, K.R. Rif. C.) some contact marks, otherwise very fine and better (3) £700-£900 --- James Regan was born in Bandon, Co. Cork. A Brick Maker by occupation, he enlisted into the 60th Rifles at Southampton on 16 January 1865, aged 19 years, 6 months. With the unit he served in India, September 1867-December 1878; Afghanistan, December 1878-October 1880; Marri Country, October-November 1880; India, November 1880-January 1881; South Africa, January 1881-January 1882. Saw active service in the Second Afghan War 1878-80; in Marri Country, 1880, and in the First Boer War, 1881. Awarded the Army L.S. & G.C. with gratuity in July 1883. Rifleman Regan claimed his discharge at Shorncliffe on 17 May 1887, and died in 1900. Sold with copied service papers and other research.

A ‘First Day of the Battle of the Somme’ casualty pair awarded to Second Lieutenant, B. H. Belcher, 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, who was killed in action during the attack on Ovillers on 1 July 1916 - seen to fall just after leading his platoon over the parapet, his battalion suffered a total of 437 casualties that day British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. B. H. Belcher.), Memorial Plaque (Basil Henry Belcher) nearly extremely fine (3) £1,000-£1,400 --- Basil Henry Belcher was born in Newbury, Berkshire, on 3 August 1894 and was educated at Brighton College, where he was a member of the Officers' Training Corps. At the outbreak of war, Basil and his elder brother, Wilfred, joined the 18th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (1st Public Schools Battalion), and both were commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the 3rd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment on 16 May 1915. Transferring to the 2nd Battalion, he served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from March 1916. Battle of the Somme On 1 July 1916, the 2nd Battalion - who formed part of 25th Brigade, 8th Division - found themselves in a trench near the France town of Albert. At 7.30am three companies of the battalion left the trench to advance on German held positions a few hundred metres away around the little village of Ovillers-la-Boiselle, off the Albert/Bapaume road. No Man’s Land was particularly wide at this point and was overlooked by German positions to the north. At about 7.45am the advancing companies lost their commanding officer when Lieutenant-Colonel Holdsworth was fatally wounded without even leaving the trenches; since his second in command, Major Sawyer, was also wounded, command of the battalion fell on the shoulders of Second Lieutenant Mollet. The 2nd Berkshires were in serious trouble. At 11am the order to standby was finally received from Brigade HQ and the surviving members of the battalion (about 200 men) regrouped in a nearby trench. The Battalion War diary for the day gives the following account: ‘Attack on Ovillers. The Battalion took up its assembly position in accordance with Brigade Operation Order No. 100. The 2nd Bn Lincolnshire Regt was on the left and the 2Bn Devonshire Regt on right. Our own wire was not sufficiently cut and parties were immediately sent out by Companies to clear it. At 6.25am the intensive bombardment began as scheduled. At about 7.15am the enemy opened rifle and machine gun fire on our line; this fire was probably drawn by the 2nd Devon Regt which at about this time attempted to line up in front of their parapet. At 7.20am Companies began filing down trenches and getting ready for the assault. At 7.30am the three assaulting Companies advanced to attack the German line. They were met by intense rifle and machine gun fire which prevented any of the waves reaching the enemy lines. A little group on the left of the Battalion succeeded in getting in, but were eventually bombed out. At about 7.45am the commanding officer (Lt Col A.M. Holdsworth) and second in command (Major G.H. Sawyer DSO) were wounded in the sap on the left of our front, the commdg officer handed over Command of the Battalion to 2nd Lieut C. Mollet (Actg Adjt) by this time the parapet was swept by rifle and machine gun fire which prevented any exit from our trenches. The enemy replied to our intensive bombardment by barraging the front line from about 6.35am onwards. No message was received from other Battalions in immediate vicinity. At about 11am the order came from Bde Headquarters to "stand by" and await further orders. About 200 men of the Battalion were collected on the right of the front line and in the assembly trenches off Ulverston Street. At about 12.30pm news was received that the Brigade would be relieved. At about 3pm Major Hon R. Brand, 2nd Rifle Brigade arranged to take over all the front line and with the sanction of the Brigade the Battalion was withdrawn to Ribble Street. On relief by the 37th Infantry Bde, the Battalion marched back to bivouac in Long Valley. Two Lewis Guns were damaged, Steel Helmets proved invaluable and in numberless cases saved men’s lives.’ The war diary for the day lists a devastating 431 casualties (20 Officers and 411 men) for the battalion; 3 officers and 33 men dead; 8 officers and 260 men wounded. The death toll appears far lighter than reality as a further 9 officers, including Basil Belcher, and 118 men are simply reported as missing. On that dreadful day missing almost always meant dead; either cut down by enemy fire or blown apart by shellfire. The following report appeared in the Newbury Weekly News on 13 July 1916: ‘Mrs W H Belcher, of Newbury, has received a telegram from the War Office, stating that her younger son, 2nd Lieut B H Belcher, Royal Berks Regt, has been reported missing on July 1st. From letters received from her elder son, it is feared that there is very little hope of his being alive. The battalion made an attack on the morning of July 1st, and came under very heavy machine gun fire, and 2nd Lieut B H Belcher was seen to fall just after leading his platoon over the parapet.’ For almost a year the family may have held out some hope that Belcher would turn up in a list of prisoners of war, though the report that he fell close to the British lines must have made them fear the worst. Confirmation came ten months after he fell, as reported in the Newbury Weekly News of 10 May 1917: ‘In view of the fact that no further information has been forthcoming about 2nd Lieut B H Belcher, Royal Berks Regt, reported missing July 1st, 1916, the Army Council conclude that he must have been killed in action on that day. He was educated at Brighton College and in Paris, and was on the point of going to Russia when the war broke out. In September, 1914, he and his brother joined the Public Schools Brigade, and obtained their commissions in the 3rd Batt Royal Berkshire Regt in May, 1915. They both went to France in March, 1916, and 2nd Lieut B H Belcher was in the severe fighting for the Vimy Ridge in the spring of that year. He was transferred to the 2nd Battalion, to be near his brother, just before the great offensive on the Somme. He went into action on the morning of July 1st, and was seen to fall soon after leaving the trench. The ground was so swept away by the enemy’s fire that search was impossible.’ His Colonel wrote of him: ‘He was a very good boy indeed. When he joined I told him that if he came up to the standard of his cousin, Gordon [Captain G. Belcher, M.C., Royal Berkshire Regiment], he would do right well. I think I can say with truth that he came up to that standard. He was very popular with all ranks when he was here.’ Belcher’s body was recovered from the battlefield, and he is buried in Serre Road No.2 Cemetery, France. His brother Wilfred survived the war, rising to the rank of Captain and being awarded the Military Cross. Sold with the following related archive: i)Two portrait photographs of the recipient; together with two small photographs, one of the recipient, the other presumably his mother. ii) A letter, dated 16 April 1915, from the recipient to his mother whilst serving with the 1st Public Schools Battalion, a month to the day prior to his Commission. The content giving the young man’s somewhat naive description of how the war began. iii) Named Buckingham Palace letter of condolence, dated 23 June 1917.

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1918; together with a Garrard, London, case of issue for a M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge; and an unrelated original letter to a Captain H. E. Fozard on Ministry of Munitions of War writing paper, dated 28 December 1918, and signed ‘Winston S. Churchill’, nearly extremely fine £140-£180 --- M.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 8 January 1919: Captain Harry Edwin Fozard, Aeronautical Inspection Department, Ministry of Munitions. Winston Churchill served as Minister of Munitions from 17 July 1917 to 10 January 1919.

Pair: Captain A. F. Dalzel, Devonshire Regiment, who was killed in action at Ladysmith on 27 December 1899 India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (Lieut. A. F. Dalzell. 1st Bn. Devon: Regt.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith Capt. A. F. Dalzel. Devon. Rgt.) extremely fine (2) £2,800-£3,400 --- Augustus Frederick Dalzel, Devonshire Regiment, was killed in Ladysmith by a Boer shell, December 27th, 1899. He was the only son of the late William Frederick Blygh (sic) Dalzel, M.D., Surgeon-Major Bengal Army, was born Sept., 1870, educated at Haileybury, and joined the Devonshire Regiment, January 1892, being promoted Lieutenant, May 1895. He served with the first battalion of his regiment in the campaign on the North-West Frontier of India, 1897-98, under the late Sir William Lockhart, with the Tirah Expeditionary Force, being present at the capture of the Sampagha and Arhanga Passes, receiving the medal with two clasps. Lieutenant Dalzel was serving with his battalion in Natal, when war broke out, was in the fighting round Ladysmith, and served in the town during the siege until killed.’ (The “Last Post” refers). ‘27th December. We are all feeling terribly down in the mouth today, as an unlucky shell came right into our mess this morning and burst there, killing poor Dalzel on the spot, and wounding eight other officers more or less. Price-Dent, and Caffin of the Yorkshires, are dangerously wounded, and Lafone, Byrne (Inniskillings), Tringham (Queen’s), Twiss, Scafe, and Kane very slightly - all with knocks on the head from bits of stone. Price-Dent has a piece of the back of his head knocked off, exposing the brain, and Caffin has his right arm broken and a bit of stone in his lung, and the doctors think badly of both cases. The rest are all right. I was down in the orderly-room at the time, and most of the officers had just left it and gone back to the mess, which is a big canvas and tarpaulin shelter behind a 7 ft. thick stone wall, with an earth bank behind it, and is pretty safe; but, by bad luck, the shell just scraped the top of the wall and burst over the heads of the fellows sitting underneath, sending showers of stones and dirt over them. Dalzel was sitting further on at a table reading, and had just laughingly said he wouldn’t move but would take his chance, when he was struck and killed instantaneously. One of the newspaper correspondents has very kindly sent a message through for me, asking his editor in London to break the news to Dalzel’s sisters, so that I hope they will know before they see the bare official news in the papers. Our mess can’t be seen from anywhere near the Boer guns, so that this shot was a pure fluke, and must have been aimed at something else. It has wrecked the mess, smashing two-thirds of the tables and chairs, and cutting the canvas and tarpaulin into shreds. It was a big 6-inch shell from a hill nearly four miles off. We have a look-out man, with a whistle, who blows whenever this gun fires, so that everyone has lots of time to get under cover, and the fellows in the mess thought they were quite safe. It is not likely to happen again in 1000 rounds. Poor Dalzel will be buried this evening in the cemetery here.’ (Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Park at Ladysmith refers).

The mounted group of twelve miniature dress medals worn by Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Parker, O.B.E., M.C., D.C.M., Royal Welsh Fusiliers The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military Division) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt; Military Cross, G.V.R.; Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R.; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Hazara 1891; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Orange Free State; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; 1914 Star, with clasp; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves; Coronation 1911; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, with bronze palm; Order of Merite Agricole, breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, mounted as worn, minor enamel damage to the last, very fine and better (12) £360-£440 --- Provenance: Llewellyn Lord Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2016. O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1919. M.C. London Gazette 18 February 1915. D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901. Edward Augustus Parker was born in Peckham, London about 1867 and enlisted in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in December 1886. Having then served with the 1st Battalion in the Hazara Expedition of 1891 (Medal & clasp), he was appointed Sergeant-Major in October 1898 and participated in the operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, including the action at Frederickstad on 20 October 1900. He was wounded on the latter occasion, mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901, refers) and awarded the D.C.M. Subsequently commissioned as a Quarter-Master, with the honorary rank of Lieutenant, in the 1st Battalion in April 1904, he was a member of the regiment’s Coronation Contingent in 1911. Advanced to Q.M. & Captain in April 1914, Parker joined the 1st Battalion in Flanders in early October and was consequently witness to the severe fighting that followed. Following an abortive attack on Menin on the 17th, the Battalion - numbering 1150 officers and men - took up positions on the Broodseinde Ridge: within three days, as a consequence of severe enemy shelling and numerous infantry assaults, the unit’s strength was reduced to 200 officers and men. On the 29th, the Battalion was reinforced by 200 men and moved to new positions just east of the village of Zandvoorde. The Germans attacked in force on the following day, supported by 260 heavy artillery guns, and managed to get behind the Battalion’s line: it was all but annihilated, just 90 men answering the roll call on the 31st, among them Parker, the only surviving officer. He was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 17 February 1915, refers) and awarded the M.C., both distinctions undoubtedly reflecting his ‘gallantry in the Field’, as cited in a reference written by Major-General H. E. Holman at a later date. He was invested with his M.C. by King George V at Windsor Castle in April 1915, one of the first officers to be so honoured. Parker was subsequently appointed to the Staff, initially serving as A.D.C. to the G.O.C. 7th Division (November 1914-May 1915), and afterwards as a Camp Commandant In IV Corps H.Q. (May 1915-February 1916), and Camp Commandant 4th Army (February 1916-March 1918). Then following a brief spell as Camp Commandant, Supreme War Council, he returned to his post in 4th Army and remained similarly employed until the war’s end. He was awarded the O.B.E. and five times mentioned in despatches (London Gazettes 15 June 1916, 4 June 1917, 7 April 1918, 20 December 1918 and 5 July 1919, refer); in addition he was appointed a Chevalier of the French Order of Merite Agricole (London Gazette 7 October 1919, refers), and awarded the Croix de Guerre (London Gazette 24 October 1919, refers). Parker, who had been advanced to Q.M. & Major on the recommendation of Lieutenant-General H. Rawlinson, G.O.C. IV Corps, in May 1915, was appointed Q.M. & Lieutenant-Colonel in November 1923, shortly before his retirement. He died in December 1939. Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including the recipient’s pre-attestation recruit’s form; warrants appointing him to the rank of Sergeant-Major and Quarter-Master (1898 and 1914); his M.I.D. certificates for French’s despatch, dated 14 January 1915, and Haig’s despatches, dated 30 April 1916, 8 November 1918 and 16 March 1919; and an old copy of General Rawlinson’s letter recommending him for advancement to Q.M. and Major, dated 5 May 1915.

A German Second War Luftwaffe Battle of Britain Bf 109 fighter Pilot’s award document and related archive to Unteroffizier K. H. Wilhelm, 3/Jagdgeschwader 77 (Ace of Hearts) Fighter Wing, who after shooting down three aircraft during the Battle of France, was himself was shot down and captured at Waldron, Sussex, on 20 October 1940 during the Battle of Britain i) Original certificate for his Pilot’s Badge dated ‘1 April 1940’ ii) Original promotion document from Feldwebel to Unteroffizier whilst a member of Jagdgeschwader 77 (JG77), dated 31 May 1940, this just prior to the Battle of Britain iii) A detailed letter dated 30 October 1940 from a fellow pilot, who was flying with Wilhelm when he was shot down. This sent to Wilhelm’s family, describing how he was shot down over England and confirming capture. Complete with its addressed envelope, stamped ‘Feldpost’ ‘15.11.40’ iv) A fine wartime prisoners of war sent postcard photograph of German prisoners held in a British Prisoner of War camp. Wilhelm at the extreme right of the photograph still wearing his flight blouse with full insignia and rather surprisingly, still wearing his Luftwaffe Pilot’s Badge. The postcard is stamped ‘Examined by Censor Prisoner of War Mail’ sent to his parents in Oldenburg, Germany. This removed from an album with traces of where removed to reverse v) A post-war letter/envelope from Gemeinschaft der Jagdflier, Jagerkreis Nord (Association of Fighter Pilots) to the recipient, dated 11 November 1992 vi) A post-war plaque for the Association of Fighter Pilots (Jagerkreis Nord) with his named label to the reverse side dated 1990 vii) A small quantity of photographs, one portrait of Wilhelm in uniform wearing his pilot badge; six being of Luftwaffe interest showing a high ranking Luftwaffe officer exiting a JU52 and shaking hands with Luftwaffe personel, plus three pre-war photographs, which we believe are images of the unit within the Condor Legion in Spain, generally good condition £600-£800 --- Karl-Heinz Wilhelm served as a pilot of 3/Jagdgeschwader 77 during the Battle of France, and is confirmed with aerial victories over two Morane 406s North West of Dinant on 13 May 1940, and a third in the same area on 15 May. During the Battle of Britain, on 20 October 1940, Wilhelm - flying Bf109 Wk Nr 4007/Yellow 11 - was shot down and baled out over Waldron, Sussex. He was captured unhurt and would remain a prisoner of war for the duration. After the war, he visited the Museum where his Bf 109’s remains were displayed; three photographic images of him visiting the crash site forming part of the lot. Sold with copied research.

An extremely rare Boer War silver and gold Presentation Belt from the Natal Carbineers to Nursing Sister C. E. Thompson in recognition of her great services to the men of the Regiment during the Siege of Ladysmith
Silver waist belt clasp, the reverse hallmarked Birmingham 1901 and with maker’s mark ‘T&JB’, applied with gold badge of the Natal Carbineers, hallmarked 9 carat gold, with belt of eleven silver roundels linked by silver chains, two roundels inscribed, ‘Presented by the Natal Carbineers to Nurse C. E. Thompson, in recognition of her great services to the men of the Regiment’, ‘During the Siege of Ladysmith Nov. 2. 1899. to Feb. 28. 1900.’, the remaining nine roundels depicting Maritzburg Town Hall, a covered Ambulance Wagon, an Army Signaller with Observation Balloon in the distance, a Nursing Sister, the Arms of the Colony of Natal, a Mounted Trooper, two Indian bearers with dhoolie, an Artillery Gun, and Artillery Shells, the reverse of each roundel with silver mark and date letter for 1901, a little polished, otherwise very fine and extremely rare £1,000-£1,400 --- Another example of this rare Ladysmith nurse’s belt (awarded to Nursing Sister E. M. Early) was sold in these rooms in December 2002. Chrissie Emma Thompson was a Civilian Nurse with the Natal Volunteer Medical Corps and served during the Defence of Ladysmith (Medal). She was mentioned in despatches by Sir George White for services during the Defence of Ladysmith (London Gazette 8 February 1901) and was appointed a Member of the Royal Red Cross for services in South Africa on 13 March 1903, the recommendation stating: ‘In recognition of the services rendered by them in tending the sick and wounded at the Volunteer Hospital, at Intombi, during the late War in South Africa.’ Sold with some copied research.

The Field Officer’s Army Gold Medal for St. Sebastian awarded to Major T. Jones, 4th Foot, in which action he succeeded to the command of not only the regiment but also of the brigade; he was severely wounded at the battle of the Nive and particularly mentioned for his exemplary conduct in command of the supports; in North America at the battle of Bladensburg he took command of the Light Company, was present at the capture of Washington, led the advance on Baltimore and the battle of Godley Wood; he was mortally wounded at New Orleans in January 1815 Field Officer’s Small Gold Medal, for St. Sebastian (Major Timothy Jones, 1st. Bn. 4th. Foot.) complete with gold riband buckle, light spotting to both obverse and reverse, otherwise about extremely fine £26,000-£30,000 --- Only the second Gold Medal for St. Sebastian to appear at auction in more than 30 years. The medal to Captain Thomas Power, 47th Foot, sold in these rooms in June 2012 (£32,000 hammer). Jones’ medal is believed to be the only one to an Officer killed at New Orleans available to collectors. Timothy Jones was first commissioned as Lieutenant in the 4th Foot on 23 October 1799; then Captain on 11 August 1808; Major in the Army on 21 September 1813; and Lieutenant-Colonel on 29 September 1814. He served in the Walcheren Expedition in 1809, and in the Peninsula from November 1810 to November 1812, and from July 1813 to April 1814. He was present at the battle of Fuentes D’Onor; the siege and storming of St. Sebastian; the crossing of the Bidassoa; and at the battles of Nivelle and Nive. Captain Jones was awarded a gold medal for St. Sebastian, on which occasion the 4th King’s Own played a ‘conspicuous and important part in storming the breach on the 31st of August’. The gallant behaviour of the King's Own on this occasion is set forth in the following copy of a letter from Major-General Robinson to the colonel of the regiment: ‘St. Sebastian, 5th September, 1813. My Lord, I feel it my duty to inform your lordship of the gallant conduct of the first battalion of the King's Own at the attack of the breach of these works on the 31st August. The first attack was the exclusive duty of the second brigade, consisting of the Fourth, forty-seventh, and fifty-ninth, with a company of Brunswick Oels sharp-shooters; or rather of a thousand men of the brigade; the remainder, to the amount of two hundred and fifty, were in the trenches and waited further orders. The Fourth led, and perhaps in the whole history of war there cannot be found a stronger instance of courage and obedience to orders, for the instructions were to make a lodgement on the breach only; there to wait support. The lodgement was effected under the most tremendous fire of grape and musquetry that can be imagined, and our loss was dreadful, that of the Fourth only is twelve officers, nineteen serjeants, and two hundred and thirty rank and file killed and wounded. The other regiments emulated the Fourth, and called forth the acclamations of the generals, and thousands who were looking on. It was not until after three hours hard fighting that the lodgement was certain, after which, by the premature springing of one of the enemy's mines, the town was soon carried. This action, so soon after that of Vittoria, requires that I should report the conduct of the regiment in the warmest manner to your lordship, and I feel it but justice to a few individuals, who from accidental causes had opportunities of doing more than others, to mention their names. Captain Williamson commanded the regiment, and was twice wounded after he had reached the top of the breach. Captain Jones succeeded, not only to the command of the regiment, but on my being obliged to quit the field, to that of the brigade, and acquitted himself most admirably. My acting aide-de-camp, Captain Wood, left me at my request, and by his judgment and example contributed materially to the success of the daring attempt. The three are excellent officers, and will ere long, I hope, prove themselves equal to the duties of a higher station.’ Jones was severely wounded at the battle of the Nive on 10 December 1813, and was mentioned in Wellington’s Nive despatch for his ‘exemplary conduct in command of the supports.’ He was afterwards present with the regiment at the investment of Bayonne in 1814. North America 1814-15 - Bladensburg and Washington The regiment was then posted to North America where it saw action at the battle of Bladensburg, 24 August; the capture of Washington, 24-25 August; the attack on Baltimore, 12-14 September 1814; and the battle of Godley Wood. Captain L. M. Bennett, of the 4th Foot, writing to his brother in Dublin, described what took place: ‘I am just returned with the Army after destroying Washington. We disembarked on the 19th August and advanced on the Mons Road to Marlborough, without meeting any opposition from that place to Bladensburg, where we found the enemy had taken up their position, which was situated at the other side of the village. As soon as our Advanced Guard, which consisted of half of our Light Company and a company of the 85th Regt., made their appearance they opened a heavy fire of artillery and musquetry which completely raked the road. We advanced with about 200 men to feel our way with Col. Thornton of the 85th, one of the bravest soldiers I ever met, he was severely wounded. In a few minutes, however, we had got on their flanks and kept up a heavy fire of musquetry from our Light Company which formed the Brigade and which Major Jones, a Captain of our regiment had got the command. In a short time the 85th Regiment, which is a Light Regiment, came into action with our Regiment. The Americans lay on top of a hill until the two Regiments advanced and then opened one of the most tremendous volleys of musquetry and artillery that can possibly be imagined. In a few minutes they gave way and ran in every direction never firing a single shot until they got beyond Washington. After our men rested themselves and interred the brave officers which fell, they advanced to Washington, and just as it got dark, the advance which I was with entered the city; there was a house standing just on the left as you entered the city which was full of men, and on our approach they fired on us, but fortunately did not do any damage, but killed the General's horse under him. We soon put them to flight and instantly set fire to the house; the advance went on with the General and set fire to all the public buildings. We remained there all the next day, as the Main Body of our Army made a movement out of the town and took up a position. We (the Light Brigade) advanced up towards St George's and the inhabitants of Washington were sure we were going to proceed to George's Town, the inhabitants of which sent in a deputation offering to give up the town if we would spare their houses, which the General made them believe until it got almost dark, and then we were to follow the Main Body which went off long before from the position outside the town of Bladensburg. The enemy had nine pieces of artillery and ten thousand men. Our loss has been trifling, eight officers wounded and one killed out of the regiment.’ Jones is mentioned in various accounts of the capture of Washington and played a prominent part in the burning of the place: ‘... Major Timothy Jones had led another British column up Pennsylvania Avenue. During the long night of burning no one had investigated the rather pedestrian brick building that housed the State, War and Navy Departments just west of the executive mansion. Now the men of the 1st Brigade, followed by some 30 blacks carrying powder and rockets, were on their way to remedy the omission... The...

A fine and well-documented Great War ‘Western Front’ C.B., ‘Gallipoli operations’ C.M.G., ‘Western Front’ D.S.O. group of seven awarded to Brigadier-General A. Birtwistle, East Lancashire Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force), who was four times Mentioned in Despatches - serving with the first Territorial unit to be committed on active service during the Great War, he ended the War as one of just a handful of Territorials to have been advanced to the rank of Brigadier The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband; The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; 1914-15 Star (Major A. Birtwistle. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Brig. Gen. A. Birtwistle.); Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., silver and silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1915, with integral top slide riband bar, good very fine and better (7) £3,000-£4,000 --- C.B. London Gazette 30 May 1919: ‘For valuable service rendered in connection with military operations in France and Flanders.’ C.M.G. London Gazette 8 November 1915: ‘For distinguished service in the Field during the operations at the Dardanelles.’ D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1918. M.I.D. London Gazettes 5 November 1915 (Dardanelles); 14 December 1917; 20 December 1918; and 5 July 1919 (these last three all Western Front). Arthur Birtwistle was born in Blackburn on 29 May 1877, the son of William Birtwistle, a prosperous mill-owner who by the 1920s was said to control more looms than any other individual in the world, and was educated at Blackburn Grammar School and University School, Southport. He was first commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Volunteer Forces on 28 April 1897, and from those early days he showed his dedication to military service as he served as Secretary of the Lancashire Ammunition Column Artillery and Territorial Movement, a role in which he continued to serve for about 12 years until he relinquished office at end of 1908. That same year, in 1908, he was appointed as a Justice of the Peace for Lancashire. Having been promoted Captain in the 3rd Lancashire Royal Garrison Volunteer Artillery, Birtwistle was appointed as Captain in the 1st East Lancashire Ammunition Column of the 1st East Lancashire Brigade on 1 April 1908. Some four years later, his promotion to the rank of Major was confirmed on 3 January 1912. He was promoted Lieutenant Colonel on 9 March 1915 in command of the 210th (East Lancashire) Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery and was present at Gallipoli, going ashore with the first guns of the 5th and 6th Batteries of the R.F.A., having been placed in charge of a subgroup of Australian and New Zealand Batteries. For his services he was Mentioned in Despatches by General Sir Ian Hamilton, and later that year was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George. Proceeding to the Western Front, Birtwistle was Mentioned in Despatches by Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig on three occasions, the first in his despatch of 7 November 1917, which was swiftly followed by his promotion to the temporary rank of Brigadier General in command of the 66th Divisional Artillery on 2 December 1917, and the announcement of the award of the Territorial Decoration (London Gazette 4 December 1917). Less than a month later he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in the 1918 New Year’s Honours’ list. He was again Mentioned in Field Marshal Haig's Despatch dated 8 November 1918, and yet again in his Despatch dated 16 March 1919; after reverting back to the Territorial Force after four years on active service he was appointed Colonel on 9 March 1919. Two months later he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath. During the Great War, Birtwistle had the distinction of not only serving with the very first British Territorial Unit (the East Lancashires) committed on active service during the War, but also being one of only eleven Territorial officers to be appointed to the rank of Brigadier-General during the War. Following the cessation of hostilities, Birtwistle took up a managerial role in the family business, as well as serving on numerous charitable committees. He was a keen motor-car driver and yachtsman, serving as President of the Lancashire Automobile Club, and regularly sailed on Lake Windermere. He retired from the Territorial Army upon reaching the age limit on 29 May 1934, being granted the honorary rank of Brigadier-General, and died on 12 May 1937. Sold with the following original documents: i) The recipient’s original Commission Document appointing him a Second Lieutenant in the Volunteer Forces, dated 28 April 1897 ii) Bestowal Document for the D.S.O., dated 1 January 1918 iii) Bestowal Document for the C.B., dated 3 June 1919 iv) Four Mentioned in Despatches Certificates, dated 22 September 1915; 7 November 1917; 8 November 1918; and 16 March 1919 v) War Office letter to the recipient regarding his retirement from the Territorial Army having reached the age limit, dated May 1934.

A Boer War M.V.O. and Order of St John group of five awarded to J. G. Hamilton, Esq., Honorary Civilian Director of Imperial Yeomanry Hospitals, afterwards a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Transvaal and Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding the Witwatersrand Rifles 1903-05 The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 4th Class, breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels, the reverse officially numbered ‘106’; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knight of Grace, set of insignia, comprising neck badge, silver and enamel, and breast star, silver and enamel with gold pin for wearing; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Director J. G. Hamilton, I.Y., Hp. Staff.) officially engraved naming; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Director & Treas: J. G. Hamilton, I.Y. Hosp:) officially engraved naming; Union of South Africa Medal 1910, unnamed as issued, minor enamel chips to the first, otherwise toned, extremely fine (6) £1,800-£2,200 --- M.V.O. London Gazette 20 February 1903: ‘John Gardiner Hamilton, Esq., Honorary Civilian Director of the Imperial Yeomanry Hospitals, South Africa.’ Knight of Grace, Order of St John London Gazette 8 May 1903. John Gardiner Hamilton was born in 1859, fourth son of James Hamilton, of New Park, County Mayo. He was educated at Croom’s High School, Greenwich, Merchant Taylor’s School, London, and privately. He entered the British Civil Service and was up to 1889 in the General Post Office, London. He afterwards went to South Africa where he settled in Johannesburg and became chairman and director of several Transvaal companies. He was three times Vice-president of the Transvaal Chamber of Mines (elected President in 1912). He was appointed Hon. Director and Treasurer in South Africa of the Imperial Yeomanry Hospitals during the Boer War of 1899-1902 (mentioned in despatches; Queen’s medal with three clasps, and King’s medal with two clasps; created M.V.O. (4th Class) 1903.). He was employed in China in connection with the supply of Chinese labour for the Rand Mines; and, in 1907, was elected Member of the Legislative Assembly (Opposition Chief Whip) of the Transvaal for Springs District for the duration of the life of that parliament; Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Witwatersrand Rifles 1903-05, and thereafter Honorary Colonel until death; was a J.P. for the district of Pretoria, was a Knight of Grace of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in England, and held the Union of South Africa medal. He died on 1 July 1912. Sold with copied research including official copy of a letter to Lord Kitchener from the Countess Howe [Patron of the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital fund] in September 1901, bringing forward the name of Mr J. G. Hamilton for his valuable services services with Imperial Yeomanry Hospitals, and for consideration that they be recognised with some honour. An original recommendation for the C.M.G. was struck from the list after the extent of his contribution was somewhat witheringly reduced by Sir Ian Hamilton to the short statement that he had “Lent a palatial mansion & extensive grounds for nearly two years to the Military for a Hospital.”

Austria: Military Merit Cross 2nd Class neck badge with War Decoration, 40mm, the suspension loop impressed with small letter "A", with neck riband, VF, (small flakes missing from the red enamel on two of the arms, very small chip to white enamel on the reverse, and several chips to the green wreath enamel); in its original case, the lid impressed "MILITAER VERDIENSTKREUZ ...ASSE" and initials "K.D." (the case very worn, the lid detached and crudely repaired with tape). Vendor States: Inherited from a Grandfather who saw service in WWI. £800-1200

Historische Buchführung des alten Heidelberger Spitals, Süddeutschland, Frühe Neuzeit - „Auszug aller briefreichen Präbenden des Spitals allhier zu Heidelberg, es seien ständige oder beständige Zinsen, Renten, Güter, bestendwissen, Brief über Güter sagend, Verträge, und andere Belange, Anno 1577, Spital Heidelberg". Handschrift, abgefasst in deutsch. Register am Buchanfang. Das Hospital lag im alten Stadtkern von Heidelberg und war im 16.Jh. bereits auf die Aufnahme von Pfründnern spezialisiert. Das Hospital versorgte sich über zahlreiche Immobilien und Gärten in und außerhalb der Stadt und besaß 2 Spitalhöfe in Wieblingen und Eppelheim und war damit einer der größten Grundbesitzer am unteren Neckar.Im verzierten Ledereinband mit Buchschließen, restauriert. Rotschnitt. Mit Alters- und Gebrauchsspuren, an Seiten, Einband u. Buchschließen restauriert, Korrosion, Risse, Verfärbungen, Flecken, Knicke, handschriftliche Einträge aus späterer Zeit, Wurmlöcher, stockfleckig.| Historical accounting of the old Heidelberg hospital, southern Germany, early modern period - "Excerpt of all letter-rich prebends of the hospital here to Heidelberg, it be permanent or constant interest, annuities, goods, bestknown, letter about goods saying, contracts, and other concerns, Anno 1577, hospital Heidelberg". Handwritten, written in German. Register at the beginning of the book. The hospital was located in the old city center of Heidelberg and in the 16th century it was already specialized in the reception of benefactors. The hospital provided itself with numerous properties and gardens in and outside the city and owned 2 hospital farms in Wieblingen and Eppelheim and so it was one of the largest landowners on the lower Neckar.In decorated leather binding with book clasps, restored. Red edges. With signs of age and wear, restored on pages, binding & bookclasps, corrosion, cracks, discoloration, stains, creases, handwritten entries from later times, wormholes, foxing.

Great War fighter ace Air Marshal Sir Robert Henry Magnus Spencer Saundby, KCB, KBE, MC, DFC, AFC hand written letter. (26 April 1896 - 26 September 1971) was a senior Royal Air Force officer whose career spanned both the First and Second World Wars. He distinguished himself by gaining five victories during the First World War and was present during the air battle when Lanoe Hawker was shot down and killed by Manfred von Richthofen, the "Red Baron". He is chiefly remembered for his role as Deputy Air Officer Commanding-on-Chief Bomber Command under Sir Arthur Harris during the latter part of the Second World War. Good condition. All autographs are genuine hand signed and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £10.

TWO SERVICE MEDAL GROUPS, AWARDED TO BROTHERS SGT. J.H. DOWNEY AND BMBR. W.A. DOWNEY WWI the first comprising the War Medal, Victory Medal and Military Medal (BUFFED & RE-INSCRIBED) (w/miniature), these inscribed for 58613 A.C. SJT... M.G.C., presented alongside M.M. Citation, Record of the act for M.M., letter to Downey from E.T.A. Heep, Machine Gun Corps Christmas 1918 Greetings Card, a trench map - Field Survey Co., R.E. (2578) 15.9.17 Edition 1, a handwritten booklet on the Third Battle of Ypres, a Baptisimal certificate dated 1891, for St. Anne's Soho School Attendance silver medals circa 1900-04, a small album of sketches and writings, four photographs (two early, two later), and a lap desk awarded to him in 1908; the second compising the 1914-15 Star, War Medal, Victory Medal and Death Penny Memorial Plaque, these inscribed for 85104 A. BMBR. W.A. DOWNEY, R.F.A., presented alongside Death Scroll, a photograph of him in uniform, three St. Anne's Soho School Attendance silver medals circa 1901-04, and a pocket worship bookNote: The citation of award for gallantry, 'For great initiative and courage displayed by him in the neighbourhood of St. Julien on the 26th September. At the commencement of operations this N.C.O. was in charge of 2 guns. He successfully led these guns forward to their objective. WHen he found that a section that had advanced on his left had lost all Officers and N.C.O.'s and had become disorganised, he went forward to them in spite of heavy sniping and re-established them in their positions in the front line. By his courage and initiative he averted what might have been a disaster.'As per letter from E.T.A. Heep, 'Thanks awfully for your kind letter. I am glad you got through safely and trust your good luck will continue. I hear from Capt. Drew that he has recommended you for a medal. I hope you get it as I always said you were the best sergeant in the Company and No.4 was the best section. Extraordinary, wasn't it, how we always got all the work to do. I hope you don't keep up that tradition. ...'PLEASE NOTE, THE MILITARY MEDAL HAS BEEN BUFFED AND RE-INSCRIBEDPHOTO UPLOADED

WINSTON CHURCHILL, PRINTED LETTER CIRCA 1957 the letter on 10, Downing Street, Whitehall headed paper, with facsimile printed Thank you for yourr kind wishes on my birthday Winston Churchill 30 November 1957, in stamped envelope addressed to Thomas Foulis Esq.,... OrkneyNote: Whilst a number of printed editions of this Churchill birthday letter exist, as per the vendor, Thomas Foulis himself served with Churchill during the Boer War.

WW2 German 1939 Iron Cross 1st Class Attributed to Leutnant Karl Heinz Dannhaner of Kampfgeschwader 55, fine example of an un-marked 1st class Iron Cross with the original pin and catch fixing to the reverse. Much of the original patina remains to the award. Complete with the original black leatherette case of issue with outline of the award to the lid. Housed inside the case is a piece of medal ribbon for the War Service Cross 2nd class. Also accompanying the medal is an original studio portrait photograph of Leutnant Dannhaner in Luftwaffe uniform wearing his awards. Also with the group is a letter written to an English collector from Dannhaner, inviting him to a reunion of the squadron in Germany.

First World War group of items to Lieutenant F.R. Bullard 2/1st Derbyshire Yeomanry, including, Yeomanry Pocket Book marked to the front 'F.R. Bullard 2/1 Derbyshire Yeomanry', Instruction to the Machine Gun booklet dated 1915, marked inside to 'F.R. Bullard 2/1 Derbyshire Yeomanry', Army Book 136 (Notebook) marked to the inside to 'F.R. Bullard, 2nd Lt., Transport Officer, 14 D.L.I.' which contains nominal roll of members of the Transport Section and their jobs, Vet, Drivers, Breakers, Farrier, etc, assorted ephemera including list of officers chargers with names and colours of each horse, C2121 Forms (Messages & Signals) with detailed notes and diagrams written on the back regarding the placement of barbed wire obstacles including man-loaded equipment scales, note from Brigade Transport Officer, 18th Infantry Brigade to Transport Officer 14 D.L.I. regarding detailing 4 men with horses or mules for transport duties in the Loos area, notes of field punishment awarded to 'Pte Fellows, H, 14488, 14 D.L.I. A Coy', (3 days C.B for disobeying G.R.O. 1032), letter to Bullard from a fellow officer dated 21/06/1917, includes some details of a trench raid, '...our last little stunt which was a complete success - Some Batt. this! Fifty Boches were killed and eight taken prisoner. Moffitt was in charge of the party, Rothfield, Bruce and an old officer Lasalles went over. Rothfield did extremely well and captured one Boche sentry at a house who he was obliged to pop in the neck before he could get him over the parapit. You must have laughed to see him roll down to our support line, Roth running like hell! I was with the M.O. but fortunately had little to do as we had but seven wounded, mostly slightly, including Bruce, and one killed...', pair of woolen puttees attributed to Bullard, Trench Map, Sheet 62c NW, River Somme, Peronne 'Trenches correct 8/1/17', scale 1:20,000, trenches marked in red including Mannheim Trench, Johannes Trench, Brasso Redoubt, Oder Trench, Koros Alley, etc, records show Lt. Frederick Ringer Bullard of 2/1st Derbyshire Yeomanry entered France on 18th October 1916 and entitled to the 1914-1918 British War Medal and Victory Medal which he applied for 25/08/1921, 2/1st Derbyshire Yeomanry was formed in 1914 and was part of 9th Mounted Brigade, 3rd Mounted Division in the U.K., in October 1916 4 Officers and 165 O/Rs from the regiment were drafted to France as reinforcements to the 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, including presumably Lt Bullard, Private Harry Fellows entered France on 11th September 1915 and is shown as entitled to the 1914/15 Star, BWM and Victory Medal, demobilised to Class Z, vendor states he was gifted the items by Bullards niece in the late 1990s

* Mulready Cover. A Mulready one penny envelope with added manuscript caricatures and verse, [third Sunday] 24 May 1840, used from Maidstone to Knightsbridge, with fine clear double-arc despatch date stamp in black and cancelled with fine strike of the red Maltese Cross, two partial red transit date only stamps for 25 May to right blank panel of reverse, neatly addressed to David Power, Esq., Sloane St., Knightsbridge, Middlesex, numeral ‘160’ written adjacent, with additional pen and ink caricatures of three men with speech bubbles to front panel and manuscript verse to upper blank panel of the reverse, remains of red wax seal, fully opened in a diamond shape and laid down on a cut-down contemporary album leaf, envelope measuring 177 x 277 mm from tip to tipQTY: (1)NOTE:Mulready letter sheets and envelopes were introduced as part of the British Post Office postal reforms of 1840. They went on sale on 1 May 1840, and were valid for use from 6 May. Sunday postmarks are the scarcest and this is a very rare, and possibly unique, manuscript comic Mulready envelope with verse, sent on the third Sunday of 24 May. Mulreadys, which came in one and two penny value versions, were instantly derided by the general public who universally took to the gummed stamp Penny Black alternatives. Printed caricature versions of the Mulreadys quickly appeared on the market and these too have become collectable items from the Mulreadys’ brief one-year history. This is a highly unusual manuscript version, and while it may have been drawn by the recipient after receipt, rather than by the sender, it was clearly done at the time. The inverted manuscript verse on the upper flap appears may suggest this was written before posting but the speech bubble outline of the seated man and his neat positioning appear to indicate this was done after receipt. The Mehmet Ali reference is directly contemporary. The neat pen and ink illustrations show two men standing on the left and a third man seated below the despatch stamp on the right with the following text: [Caption below Britannia:]HIC JACET GLORIA BRITANNIAE[Here lies the glory of Britain] [Standing man on far left:]Lord ha' mercy has the Queen got all them children already [Man standing to his right and pointing:]You lubber! Them flying cats be'nt children. Don't you see as how it's a hallegory, & that's Britannia, a'sending out declarations of war to all the world, and there's the Chinamen & old Mahomet Ali a'reading of theirs & a'writing an answer [Man seated on right:]But who is to pay for all these wars? [Manuscript verse written on upper flap:]Explanation of the HieroglyphicBritannia's fame is taking its flightAnd her lion is dying for any spiteWhile her once proud navy is dwindled awayTo the size of yonder Laplander's sleighAnd she sits alone in sorrow & careAnd cries, "where are my friends"? Echoanswers--"Where?"--

A most interesting 19th century American large Texas steer horn flask, overall scrimshaw decorated with male portraits of gun slinger type figures, appearing to relate to Jesse James. The horn with military style leather cover bearing brass tab '102' overall 46cm across. Together with a letter from Mary B Morrow, dated March 1971, referring to such a flask that had been mentioned by her father Ben Morrow, who rode with the James Boys during the 'War between the States', she recalled her father saying that some of the Hudspeth's had said that such a horn was given to Quantril by Bill Haller, his first recruit and also mentioned another one that could be blown, but one that was carved after the war down in Texas by Dave Poole. Together with a hand written letter from Margaret Shepherd dated 1977 to the same gentleman, also making reference to the horn and the history of the so called James Boys. Jesse James from Wikipedia, Jesse Woodson James (1847-1842), was an American outlaw, bank and train robber guerrilla and leader of the James-Younger gang. He was raised in Western Messouri and had strong Southern sympathies. He and his brother Frank James joined pro-confederate guerrillas known as 'Bush Wackers' operating in Messuuri and Kansas during the American Civil War. As followers of William Quantril and 'Bloody' Bill Anderson, they were accused of committing various atrocities against Union soldiers and civilian abolitionists. After the War, as members of various gangs of outlaws, Jesse and Frank James robbed banks, stage coaches and trains across the mid west and were particularly known for gaining National fame and often popular sympathy despite the brutality of their crimes. On April 3rd 1882, Jesse James was shot and killed by Robert Ford, a new recruit to the gang who hoped to collect a reward on James's life and be promised an amnesty for his pervious crimes. Already a celebrity in life James became a legendary figure of the Wild West after his Death. Jesse married his cousin Zee in 1874 and had two children who survived into adulthood. (B.P. 21% + VAT) Appearing in good original condition, the provenance appearing genuine but unfortunately the Auctioneers have no further information to reinforce this suggestion.

UNITED KINGDOM. ST. HELENA. Elizabeth II, 1952-2022. Gold one pound, 2017. St Helena. Proof. Third crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II facing right. "ST. HELENA QUEEN ELIZABETH II ONE POUND 2017". Design by Raphael Maklouf / Laureate portrait of Charles II, in the background, a tea leaf, a classical building representing the Bombay Mint, and the depiction of an early British colonial coin issued in India (Bombay). Monogram of the king - C overlaid with an inverted letter C (Carolus Carolo - Charles, son of Charles) above. To the left of the portrait, the EIC mint mark of the East India Company. "CHARLES II - MAKE PEACE AND WAR". Design by Michael Guilfoyle. Edge MilledMintage: 500.Diameter: 25 mm.Weight: 8 g. (AGW=1/4 oz.)Composition: 999.0/1000 Gold.PLEASE NOTE: 6% Buyer Premium + VAT on this lot. Additional 6% fee charged on the Saleroom. Delivery cost will be added to your order.

WWI, two, India General Service Medal, one clasp Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 and British War Medal 113969 Pte A Flathers MGC [9457 Pte A Flathers W RID R on BWM], two postcards from the recipient to his mother (poor condition) and a letter from his commanding officer Major G C Smith(?) to the same, 10 September 1919 giving an account of the events immediately before her son's suicide, which occurred at the depot at Nowshera. 113963 Private Arthur Flathers of the Machine Gun Corps died 6 September 1919. He was buried at Mowshera Military Cemetery and is commemorated on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate), India

Webley & Scott Ltd, Birmingham Junior air pistol. .177 Pre-war, first model with long nosed barrel. J Serial no. prefix - J21302. c1930s. 'H' Inspection letter. A good early example with tin plate grips. In working order. Length 21cm. In good condition for age. very light surface rust in places. Nice blueing to barrel.

War Department headed signed letter from Lieutenant General Ira C Eaker, ex commander US 8th Air Force.

Framed copy of the newspaper of the day after the attack on Pearl Harbour, in 1941, a nurse who worked for the red cross became a prisoner of war when the Japanese invaded Singapore, she spent 3 years as a POW and made these grass pouches. On her arrival home she received a letter from Buckingham Palace, welcoming p.o.w.'s home. A copy of the London news 1937, and The Queen, 1935.

TAYLOR, Myron C. (1874-1959, editor). Wartime Correspondence between President Roosevelt and Pope Pius XII, New York, 1947, large 8vo, original cream parchment, slipcase. FIRST EDITION, EDITOR'S PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed to Anthony Eden.TAYLOR, Myron Charles (1874-1959, editor).  Wartime Correspondence between President Roosevelt and Pope Pius XII. With an Introduction & Explanatory Notes by Myron C. Taylor, Personal Representative of the President of the United States of America to His Holiness Pope Pius XII. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1947. Large 8vo (235 x 160mm). Half title, title printed in red and black, preface by Harry S. Truman, coloured portraits of President Roosevelt, Pope Pius XII and Harry S. Truman. Original cream parchment, the spine lettered and decorated in gilt, top edges gilt, others uncut, partly unopened, slipcase, silk ribbon. Provenance: Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon (modern armorial bookplate loosely-inserted). FIRST EDITION, THE EDITOR'S PRESENTATION COPY, the front free endpaper inscribed, "To The Rt. Hon. Anthony Eden, with best regards, Myron C. Taylor, April 12, 1947." Following Roosevelt's death on 12 April 1945, Pope Pius XII's final letter in the collection (numbered XXVIII) is dated 13 April and is addressed to Roosevelt's successor, Harry Truman. Truman provided the preface for the book, which ends with the (printed) words, "These messages, written during a momentous period of history, constitute a record of incalculable value. That records belongs to all who sought through victory, and continue to seek, the blessings of universal peace and security and well-being. It will be read with interest and appreciation by our contemporaries and will have a permanent place in the history of the greatest war in the annals of mankind."

CHURCHILL, Winston (1874-1965). The World Crisis, London, 1923-31, 6 vols., large 8vo, plates, original cloth. FIRST EDITION, VOLUMES ONE AND V ANNOTATED, HIGHLIGHTED AND WITH PASSAGES UNDERLINED IN PENCIL BY ANTHONY EDEN THROUGHOUT. (6)CHURCHILL, Winston Spencer (1874-1965).  The World Crisis. London: Thornton Butterworth Limited, 1923-31. 5 parts bound in 6 [as usual], large 8vo (233 x 155mm). Half titles, plates and maps, some folding and printed in colours, errata or erratum slips before "Contents" and at p.339 in vol. one, at p.52 in vol. III and at the half title of vol. IV, tables (dedication leaf in vol. III torn without loss). Original dark blue cloth, the upper covers lettered in blind, the spines lettered in gilt (some very faint white staining, the spine of vol. V with some minor wrinkling, short closed tear to head of spine of vol. VI, extremities lightly rubbed, lacking dust jackets). Provenance: Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon (old armorial bookplates in vols. one and V); Sir Gervase Beckett, Baronet (armorial bookplates in the other 4 vols. - Anthony Eden was one of Beckett's executors). FIRST EDITIONS, except for vol. V which is a second impression. In this set, of what is a notoriously complicated work bibliographically, the title pages read as follows: vol. one: "The World Crisis 1911-1914", dated on the verso of the title April 1923 [but with no volume asterisk on the spine]; vol. II: "The World Crisis 1915", undated, but the preface dated August 13, 1923; vol. III: "The World Crisis 1916-1918 Part I", dated on the verso of the title 1927; vol. IV: "The World Crisis 1916-1918 Part II", dated on the verso of the title 1927 [with pagination running on from the previous vol.]; vol. V: "The World Crisis. The Aftermath", dated on the verso of the title "First published ... March, 1929. Second impression March, 1929"; and vol. VI: "The World Crisis. The Eastern Front", dated on the verso of the title 1931. A HIGHLY IMPORTANT SET. VOLUMES ONE AND V ANNOTATED, HIGHLIGHTED AND WITH PASSAGES UNDERLINED IN PENCIL BY ANTHONY EDEN THROUGHOUT. For example, in volume one, on p.204 (commenting on the printed passage '... I am certain that if Sir Edward Grey had sent the kind of ultimatum suggested [i.e. that if Germany attacked France or Belgium, England would declare war upon her], the Cabinet would have broken up, and it is also my belief that up till Wednesday or Thursday at least, the House of Commons would have repudiated his action'), Eden writes: "In other words Cabinet was too 'soft'"; on p.265 (commenting on the printed passage 'At any rate, that is the sort of way in which I thought then, before the event, and think still, the French command might best have safeguarded the vital interests of France'): "This sounds [illegible words] much too vague ... I do not think Winston can [?]teach French generals this ... This friendship throughout the war was infinitely superior to ours and W. was not even a British soldier. Our staff - work was more thorough"; on p.266 (commenting on 'Plan XVII'): "This is neither true nor fair criticism"; on p.269 (commenting on the printed passage 'Someone suggested we should at any rate make sure of the Cotentin peninsula ... from which the British armies of the future might proceed to the rescue of France'): "You would have done better to do as you were told!"; on p.270 (commenting on a quote from Asquith's [?]telegram to the Commander-in-Chief Grand Fleet which stated on August 24th 1914, 'We have not entered the business [i.e. of going to war] without resolve to see it through and you may be assured that our action will be proportioned to the gravity of the need'): "Gas bag!"; on p.274 (commenting on the footnote 'In fact, however, it was the 1st Middlesex ... who captured the guns at Néry'): "Not the first time, or the last, that the Guards obtained the credit for the deeds of other and better soldiers"; on p.282 (commenting on the printed passage '... I consider now that this prudent withholding from the Army in the field in the face of every appeal and demand, the key-men who alone could make the new armies, was the greatest of the services which Lord Kitchener rendered to the nation at this time, and it was a service which no one of lesser authority than he could have performed'): "In other words we should not [underlined] have won the war without K. [i.e. Kitchener]"; in volume V, on p.23 (commenting, in blue pencil, on a passage which quotes Lloyd George, 'But after all, life is a brief span, and all that matters is not to fall below the level of events upon the greatest occasions'): "W's favourite motto"; on p.113 (commenting on the printed passage 'Mr Lloyd George said that "Great Britain would spend her last guinea to keep her navy superior to that of the United States or any other Power ..."'): "and today!"; on p.261 (commenting on refugees fleeing Crimea for Constantinople): "I saw this - indescribable. Selling stamps in the street, waiting in cafes, their uniforms were magnificent, their plight pitiable"; on p.287 (commenting on the printed passage 'A certain number of high Tories, while rigidly opposing any effective concession to Irish Nationalist demands, were still more violent in their denunciations of the Black and Tans'): "Bob C. as usual" [possibly referring to Robert Lindsay Crawford]; on p.290 a largely illegible note regarding a passage concerning Lloyd George's personal safety; on p.296 (commenting on Gladstone's views on Irish home rule): "[? illegible initials, but possibly] O.W.J. wanted a majority. He never thought of Home Rule until then - any more than [illegible name] did"; on p.307 (commenting on the printed passage 'Yet in so far as Mr Lloyd George can link his political misfortunes with this Irish story ...'): "not very far"; on p.320 Eden has boldly underlined and highlighted the following printed passage (tellingly, with hindsight): 'The general opinion was well expressed by Mr Neville Chamberlain:- "I, for one, am not going to be exasperated by outrages into changing my opinion as to the proper course to pursue. I consider in these difficult times that our business is to keep our heads, not to allow ourselves to be flustered into courses we may regret hereafter ..."'; on p.354 (commenting on the passage 'What was to happen to scandalous, crumbling, decrepit and penniless Turkey in this earthquake?'): "Hardly? It was our diplomacy and that of the French that failed. The Russians always aimed at [?]bringing Turkey into the war against us, for Constantinople was their chief war objective, as always"; on p.358 (commenting on the printed passage 'The rage and disappointment excited thereby throughout Turkey was said to have turned the scale and provoked Turkey into war against us'): "What effect had this on driving Turkey into the war against us? That it created profound feeling amongst all Turks who had [?]subscribed their [?]force, I know"; on p.359 (commenting on the printed passage 'I can recall no great sphere of policy about which the British Government was less completely informed than the Turkish'): "but the Russians knew it & bluffed us"; on p.369 (commenting on the printed passage 'I cannot understand to this day how the eminent statesmen in Paris ... could have been betrayed into so rash and fatal a step'): "Except that both Wilson & [?]L. G. [?Lloyd George] were [?]equally [?]ignorant & Clemenceau indifferent on most [?]aspects"; on p.370 (of Damat Ferid Pasha): "charming old man & probably scholar & gentleman. Very ill when I was at C"; on p.373 (commenting on the printed passage 'On the main issue of Constantinople Mr Lloyd George was whole-heartedly with lord Curzon'): "I thought dragging Curzon with him?"; on p.394 (commenting on a printed passage which transcribes a letter from Churchill to Lloyd George on Greece and Turkey): "All this would carry greater conviction [?]if [?]one [?]was not aware that Winston...

WINE - Charles Walter BERRY. In Search of Wine, London, 1935, original red buckram. FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed to Anthony Eden. With 6 other books of related interest including 3 PRESENTATION COPIES inscribed to Anthony Eden. (7)WINE - Charles Walter BERRY (dates unknown).  In Search of Wine. A Tour of the Vineyards of France. With a thought to Bacchus in particular and a Humble Recognition of the Wisdom of Others. London: Constable & Co Ltd., 1935. 8vo (195 x 130mm). Half title, large folding map of "The Wine Districts of France" at the end. Original red buckram, spine lettered in gilt (spine faded, without a dust-jacket). Provenance: Anthony Eden, 1st Earl of Avon (old armorial bookplate). FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, the front free endpaper inscribed, "To Captain The Rt. Hon. R. Anthony Eden ... with the compliments & respect of the author, who when he read your kind letter of appreciation felt that all the work entailed (mentally & physically) was amply justified - + more so. Charles Berry. Flow Wine! Smile Woman! And the Universe is consoled!! 3.XII.35." With 6 other books of related interest including the same author's Viniana (London, "reprinted 1934", 8vo, original red buckram, PRESENTATION COPY, the front free endpaper inscribed, "To The Rt. Hon. R. Anthony Eden ... with the author's thanks for the privilege. The old proverb says, An apple a day keeps the doctor away (to which the author would wish to add) for a day. But a glass of good wine for a very long time, so they say. Charles Berry, 8/11/36"), the same author's Tokay (London, Berry Bros. & Co., [n.d.], original buckram-backed boards, with a typed compliment slip from Mr Anthony Berry pasted to the front free endpaper, addressed to Anthony Eden, dated 28.5.76, stating, "I thought that you would like to have a bottle of the Tokay Essence following our telephone conversation last week and this is therefore being sent to you under separate cover. However, I am enclosing a copy of my uncle, Charles Walter Berry's booklet, which he wrote before the War. Please accept the bottle with the best wishes of us all here. Enc.") and Hugh R. Rudd's Hocks and Moselles (London, 1935, original cloth, FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, with an inscription by the author to Anthony Eden including a biblical 'quote' ("... 'He restored the chief butler unto his butlership again ... But he hanged the chief baker.' Genesis XL. 21")). Provenance: Anthony Eden (five of the books with his old armorial bookplate). (7)

Lewis (Clive Staples, writer and scholar, 1898-1963) 2 Autograph Letters signed Clive S Lewis to Cyril H. Hartman, an important correspondence on the proposed formation by Lewis, Hartman and Pasley of a literary coterie at Oxford: the first 6pp. & envelope, 8vo, Strandtown, Belfast, 25th July 1919, lamenting that he has had to go to Belfast for a "family circle" because his brother is leaving to go to Jamaica, taking a side swipe at "Sitwellism" before discussing an undergraduate theatrical project in ?Oxford, "... I am driven to the conclusion that we must rally round the theatre. The first play produced at this new place must be by one of us, preferably by you, it must be play we would like to have written if we didn't", suggesting a play by Hartman called Pauline, "we should get hold of lion-guests: Masefield is good and solid and we may hope for Yeats", folds; the second 3pp., sm. 4to, Oxford, University College, 1st September 1919, a wide ranging letter touching on various subjects, including, referring to a letter from Rodney Pasley about writing, "I wonder will the afterborn publish it as a blue-book when they look back and recognise us as one of the great formative influences of the 29th century?", his view at the time of the protestant church, "the consistent failure and approaching dissolution of the protestant Church", discussing the Sitwells, "It is no use to attack 'The Swiss family Sitwell' unless we offer something in its place", a discourse on literature, "Eccentricity is continually threatening to swallow literature... You say that we shall certainly not find a banner - but I think that the trouble is that we are beginning at the wrong end", and his annoyance with Pasley, "I am very sorry that Pasley published the 'Circus' it is quite unworthy of him", folds; together with 3 other pieces, comprising: (1). Pembroke College Martlets and University College, Oxford Martlets, printed menu signed "C.S. Lewis" and several others, in pencil, on card, ribbons on spine, 8vo, 9th March 1920 (2). Pasley (Rodney Marshall Sabine, university friend of C.S. Lewis, writer and editor, schoolteacher, 1899-1982) 2 Autograph Letters signed to Cyril H Hartman, together 8pp. & 1 envelope, 8vo, Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire, August & 12th December 1919, about publishing an annual poetry volume, and his suggestion of calling it the Yearlings, disagreeing with Lewis's and Hartman's ideas on literature, "I am delighted to be able to disagree with both yourself and Lewis about having some 'definite banner' to march under. We are not all going to march in the same direction," and to prove his point, he confesses that he has just published his poem, The Circus in the Monthly Chapbook, "You remarked when you read it, that it was just what the Sitwell crowd would like to write," folds, 4to and 8vo (5 pieces).⁂ A fine group of early CS Lewis letters and related material hinting at his later involvement with the more famous "Inklings" of which Tolkien too was a member. "In Oxford a small college club, the Martlets, encouraged the literary and dialectical interests Lewis had been able to pursue while recovering from his wounds [from the First World War] in hospital. He met W. B. Yeats and formed lasting links with Owen Barfield, who became his solicitor and philosopher-critic." - Oxford DNB.Provenance: Private UK collection.

First World War Iron Cross, 2nd class, together with a Third Reich War Merit medal, with envelope and letter

First World War Iron Cross, 2nd class, together with a group of photographs, letter, and envelope, with Third Reich postage stamp

HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE: a Cromwellian silver portrait plaquette of William Lenthall'CT' unknown maker, probably Dutch circa 1653 Shaped-oval in form, intricately embossed in high and low relief, featuring a side view of the male bust with head turned facing right, staring outwards, the hair long and wavy, a plain Puritan shirt collar at the neck, the official robes of the 'Speaker of the Long Parliament' beneath, either a lion or devil's mask to his shoulder, 'CT' stamped under the truncated body, and in the background a chased foliate landscape within an elaborate cartouche border, ornamented with a skull, masks and two outstretched naked figures to the upper rim, width 7.6cm, height 8.9cm, weight 1oz.Footnotes:ProvenancePreviously held in several famous numismatic collections, including:The Montagu Collection of Coins, 'Catalogue of the Collection of Medals', sold Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, London, Tuesday 25th May, 1897, Lot 233.The John G Murdoch Collection, 'Catalogue of the Valuable Collection of Coins and Medals - The Series of Scottish and Anglo-Gallic Coins', sold Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, London, Monday 11th May, 1903, Lot 175.The Arthur Loebbecke Collection, 'Kunstmedaillen und Plaketten des XV bis XVII Jahrhunderts', sold Munich, 26th November, 1908, Lot 255.Spink & Son, sold London, 20th January, 1910, purchased by Vernon James Watney (24 October 1860 - 27 August 1928) of Watney Brewery fame, and owner of Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire. The plaquette comes with a letter of provenance from Spink to Vernon J. Watney, dated 1910.Thence by descent to the present owner.Biography of William Lenthall (1591-1662)William Lenthall, (born June 1591, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire — died September 3rd, 1662, Burford, Oxfordshire), was an English Parliamentarian who, as Speaker of the House of Commons, was at the centre of repeated struggles between the Parliamentarians and Royalists during the English Civil Wars.Trained as a lawyer and called to the bar in 1616, Lenthall was chosen as Speaker of the House at the beginning of the Long Parliament, in November 1640. On 4 January 1642, King Charles I entered the House of Commons to arrest five Members of Parliament for high treason. Speaker Lenthall bravely defied the King to uphold the privileges of Parliament, refusing to reveal their whereabouts and uttering the infamous words 'May it please your Majesty, I have neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak in this place but as the House is pleased to direct me, whose servant I am here.' Lenthall believed in upholding the supremacy of the House of Commons and freedom of speech; as Speaker, he was a servant beholden to the House and not the King while within its walls. As such, Charles I had to leave without arresting the five Members, and no monarch has entered the House of Commons since then.During the Civil Wars Lenthall sided with Parliament, and upon the outbreak (1647) of the power struggle between the Presbyterians and Independents, he supported the Independents. At the same time he was probably secretly in sympathy with the Royalist cause. Lenthall continued as Speaker in the first Parliament (1654) held under Oliver Cromwell's Protectorate, and after the collapse of the Protectorate in 1659 he was speaker of the restored Long Parliament. Although he supported the Restoration of King Charles II in 1660, he was thereafter barred from public office. However, he soon regained royal favour by testifying against a man accused of participating in the trial and execution (1649) of Charles I.William Lenthall was therefore a remarkable man, not only intellectually astute but fearless. He survived twenty uninterrupted years as Speaker of the House, at a turbulent and violent time in British history. A period which bore witness to the execution of Charles I, the Civil War, the Interregnum years of Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), and then the Restoration of Charles II as Monarch. This rare, silver uniface plaquette was commissioned around 1653 to possibly commemorate Lenthall's endeavours. However, it can be read in two different ways, either viewed as a celebration of his achievements and character, a lion's mask (how it had been traditionally described in past auction catalogues) on his shoulder symbolising his valour in defying the King; the border embossed with a skull, masks and naked figures, metaphorically illustrating that he had fearlessly risen above the temptations of evil, his moral integrity intact. Or alternatively, this plaquette can be viewed as an overt criticism of Lenthall, for on closer examination the lion's mask on his arm actually resembles 17th century imagery of the Devil.It is pertinent to note that Lenthall was viewed as a somewhat controversial figure, his political allegiance openly switching sides dependent on who was in power. An alternative reading therefore could be that this plaquette was created as an open condemnation of Lenthall, and that the mask on his shoulder was in fact a representation of Oliver Cromwell, who Royalists quite literally saw as the Devil incarnate. Lenthall was viewed by his enemies as politically 'in bed' with Cromwell, dancing to his tune, symbolised by the devil's mask on his shoulder and the dark imagery embossed around him. The common myth perpetuated, was that Oliver Cromwell had used satanic forces to win the Battle of Worcester in the English Civil War. In 1651, on the eve of the Battle of Worcester, Oliver Cromwell allegedly met Satan in Perry Wood. According to legend, he was granted seven years' prosperity in return for his soul, starting with his Civil War victory in 1653. At this point Oliver Cromwell was declared Lord Protector of the Commonwealth, which is interestingly around the time this silver plaquette was created. Nevertheless, with remarkable precision, the leader of England's only experiment in republican government died exactly seven years later, amid terrible storms, in September 1658.Simultaneously loved and loathed, Cromwell was seen by some as a revolutionary figure, freeing England from the absolutist Charles; others saw him as a regicidal, religious maniac who was one of the signatories of Charles I's death warrant. Cromwell was demonised in satirical illustrations by Royalist propagandists throughout the civil war period, their authors making fun of both Cromwell's appearance as well as his politics. After the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Cromwell's body was exhumed and publicly hung. However, what cannot be denied is that Lenthall's survival strategy had worked. Despite walking a precarious ministerial tightrope, negotiating unimaginable parliamentary and civil unrest, he had prevailed over adversity and emerged triumphant; the consummate political player.Portraits of Lenthall as Speaker by Cornelius Johnson, Henry Paert and Van Weesop are to be found in the Palace of Westminster. The National Portrait Gallery also holds an anonymous portrait and a miniature likeness by Samuel Cooper.We would like to acknowledge Christopher Eimer for his assistance and expertise.LiteratureBritannica, 'William Lenthall, English politician', accessed 26/05/2023 via www.britannica.com/biography/William-LenthallBritish Library, 'Oliver Cromwell as the Devil', image 1660, accessed 12/06/23 via www.bl.uk/learning/timeline/item104116.htmlAndrew Thrush and John P. Ferris,'The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1604-1629 - Willam Lenthall (1591-1662)', (published Cambridge University Press, 2010), accessed 26/05/2023 via www.historyofparliamentonline.orgPalace of Westminster, 'Speaker Lenthall defends Parliament', accessed 26/05/2023 via UK Parliament www.parliament.ukFor further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

DOOLITTLE RAID: A colour printed 10 x 8 image, evidently removed from a book or magazine, being a reproduction of a painting depicting James H. Doolittle in conversation with Marc Mitscher on board the United States Navy aircraft carrier USS Hornet prior to the air raid over Tokyo on 18th April 1942 during World War II, individually signed by thirteen pilots and air crew who participated in the raid comprising Richard E. Cole (Doolittle's co-pilot), Harry McCool (Navigator), Charles Ozuk (Navigator), David Jones (pilot), Henry Potter (Navigator), J. Royden Stork (Co-pilot), David Thatcher (Flight Engineer/Gunner), Robert L. Hite (Co-pilot), Nolan Herndon (Navigator), William M. Bower (Pilot), Clayton Campbell (Navigator), William L. Birch (Bombardier) and Chase Nielsen (Navigator). All have signed in various coloured inks to clear areas of the image, many adding their rank and crew number alongside their signatures. Together with three different printed images (6 x 5.5 and slightly smaller) each neatly removed from a magazine or book and all signed by James H. Doolittle in blue ink with his name alone to clear areas of the image. Also including a signed and inscribed colour 4 x 6 photograph by Chase Nielsen and a T.L.S. by Harry C. McCool, one page, 4to, San Antonio, Texas, 18th May 2000, to Mr. Terry, with interesting content, in part, 'Reference the B-26: The early models (May-Oct '42) had high wing loading and a “tricky” Prop-feathering mechanism which was prone to run wild at high speed (such as take off) and feather the prop resulting in an uncontrolled wing up at critical speed and usually ended in an inverted crash. This gave origin to the “One a day in Tampa Bay”…..The addition of 6 feet more wing span and a new prop governor, turned the B-26 into one of the most air worthy of the Bomber Forces'. Some light creasing and a few tears to the letter, G to generally VG, 6 

SWANCUTT WOODROW: (1915-1993) American Major General in the United States Air Force during World War II, pilot of the Boeing Superfortress bomber aircraft Dave's Dream which dropped a nuclear weapon during Operation Crossroads, the tests carried out by the United States at Bikini Atoll. A.L.S., Woodrow P. Swancutt, with rank beneath, one page, 4to, Roswell, New Mexico, 5th May 1947, to Dr. McAlamey, on the printed stationery of the Officers' Club at Roswell Army Air Field. Swancutt writes concerning his correspondent's request to sign some envelopes, and seeks clarification, 'You failed to mention this stamp in your letter but if you desire that I sign it for you I will most certainly do so if you return it to me'. VG

LEY ROBERT: (1890-1945) German Nazi Politician, head of the German Labour Front 1933-45. A rare A.L.S., Dr. Robert Ley, on one side of an official Prisoner of War postcard, n.p. (Nuremberg), 23rd September 1945, to his mistress Madelaine Wanderer, in German. Writing in bold pencil, Ley proclaims that he has 'had great sorrow and anxiety about you', but does now know why, continuing 'It was suddenly as if I heard your voice, but it was imagination. If I could only get some news of you. It's miserable. If you are unhappy you could perhaps try applying to Prof. Morell'. Beneath his signature appear two lines of text in Ley's hand, 'Internal Security Detachment, O.U.S.C.C., P.A.C., A.P.O. 403, U.S. Army'. Hand addressed by Ley to the verso. Some very light, extremely minor age wear, VG Madelaine Wanderer (1926-2007) Estonian ballet dancer with whom Ley conducted an affair after his second wife, Inge, had shot herself in a drunken brawl in 1942. Theodor Morell (1886-1948) German doctor, the personal physician to Adolf Hitler. Ley's letter was written just over a month before he committed suicide while awaiting trial at Nuremberg for crimes against humanity and war crimes. 

[DIRLEWANGER BRIGADE]: BUCHMANN ERICH: (1896-1972) German SS-Obersturmbannfuhrer who was posted to the SS Sturm (Assault) Brigade 'Dirlewanger' in 1944 and commanded the Waffen-Grenadier Regiment der SS 72 of the 36 Waffen-Grenadier Division. An extremely rare T.L.S., Erich Buchmann, one page, 4to, Munich, 13th October 1938, to Comrade Kelz, in German. Buchmann writes in his capacity as an SS-Standartenfuhrer, quoting his SS Number 5118, and explains that he had found out that day that the personnel office do not yet have a record of his new private address in Munich, which he provides as being at Amalienstrasse 60/III, and further asks that his driving licence be renewed to reflect his current employment. Together with a T.L.S. by an unidentified official within the Headquarters of the State Police in Karlsruhe, one page, 4to, Konstanz, 17th June 1940, to the Reichsfuhrer-SS, in German, and marked Secret. The letter concerns a disciplinary case against Buchmann and forwards the minutes and transcripts (no longer present) of an interrogation, further remarking that no further investigations have been made. Both letters have two file holes to the left edges along with various official ink stamps and annotations etc. Some light overall age wear, about VG, 2The infamous Dirlewanger Brigade, recognised for its brutality, was a unit of the Waffen-SS which operated during World War II. Consisting of convicted war criminals (not expected to survive their service with the unit) and political prisoners (largely socialists and communists who 'volunteered' for service in order to avoid concentration camps), the Brigade was not known for its dependability although did participate in the mass murders of civilians in German-occupied Eastern Europe.  

HIMMLER & JECKELN: HIMMLER HEINRICH (1900-1945) Nazi German Politician, Reichsfuhrer of the Schutzstaffel (SS) 1929-45 & JECKELN FRIEDRICH: (1895-1946) German SS-Obergruppenfuhrer of World War II who served as a Higher SS and Police Leader in the occupied Soviet Union. Knight's Cross winner with Oak Leaves. Bold pencil initials ('HH') of Himmler, and date, 4th December 1931, in his hand beneath the ink signature ('Jeckeln') of Jeckeln, with typed rank beneath and one line of text, on a 12mo piece evidently neatly clipped from the conclusion of a letter or document and with an official circular stamp featuring the Nazi eagle and swastika. Lightly mounted to the base of an oblong A4 sheet of photographic paper featuring reproduction images of Himmler and Jeckeln in head and shoulders poses, the latter wearing his uniform and Knight's Cross. VG 

EBERSTEIN KARL VON: (1894-1979) German SS-Obergruppenfuhrer of World War II, an early member of the Nazi Party who served as Chief of the Munich Police. Eberstein introduced Reinhard Heydrich to Heinrich Himmler in 1941. Dark fountain pen ink signature ('Frhr. v. Eberstein') on a slim oblong 12mo piece featuring two lines of typed text, evidently neatly clipped from the conclusion of a letter or document. Lightly mounted to the base of an A4 sheet of paper featuring a reproduction image of Eberstein in a head and shoulders pose. One slight crease to the upper left corner of the white border, otherwise VG

REDIESS WILHELM: (1900-1945) German SS-Obergruppenfuhrer of World War II, the SS and Police Leader during the German occupation of Norway. Fountain pen ink signature ('Rediess') on a slim oblong 12mo piece featuring two lines of typed text, including his rank, evidently neatly clipped from the conclusion of a letter or document. Lightly mounted to the base of an A4 sheet of photographic paper featuring a reproduction image of Rediess in a half-length pose wearing his uniform. VG 

PRUTZMANN HANS-ADOLF: (1901-1945) German SS-Obergruppenfuhrer of World War II, Higher SS and Police Leader in the occupied Soviet Union 1941-44 and the Supreme SS and Police Leader in Ukraine from 1943. Pencil signature ('Prutzmann') on a slim oblong 12mo piece featuring several lines of text, including his rank, evidently neatly clipped from the conclusion of a letter or document. Lightly mounted to the base of an A4 sheet of photographic paper featuring a reproduction image of Prutzmann in a close-up head and shoulders pose. VG 

HILDEBRANDT RICHARD: (1897-1952) German SS-Obergruppenfuhrer of World War II, head of the SS Race and Settlement Main Office 1943-45. Fountain pen ink signature ('Hildebrandt'), with two lines of typed text, including rank, and an official circular stamp featuring the Nazi eagle and swastika, on an oblong 12mo piece evidently clipped from the conclusion of a letter or document. Lightly mounted to the base of an A4 sheet of photographic paper featuring a reproduction image of Hildebrandt in a head and shoulders pose wearing his uniform. VG

HEISSMEYER AUGUST: (1897-1979) German SS-Obergruppenfuhrer of World War II who commanded the SS main office 1935-39. Fountain pen ink signature ('Heissmeyer') with two lines of typed text, including rank, on an oblong 12mo piece evidently clipped from the conclusion of a letter or document. Lightly mounted to the base of an A4 sheet of photographic paper featuring a reproduction image of Heissmeyer in a head and shoulders pose wearing his uniform. VG

BACH-ZELEWSKI ERICH VON DEM: (1899-1972) German SS-Obergruppenfuhrer of World War II, Knight's Cross winner. Bach-Zelewski led the brutal suppression of the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. Fountain pen ink signature ('von dem Bach') with two typed lines of text above and below, including his rank, on a small slim oblong 8vo piece evidently neatly clipped from the conclusion of a letter or document. Lightly mounted to the base of an A4 sheet of photographic paper featuring a colour reproduction image of Bach-Zelewski in a head and shoulders pose wearing his uniform. VG 

JURS HEINRICH: (1897-1945) German SS-Oberfuhrer of World War II, division commander of the 29th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS RONA. Killed in Action. Fountain pen ink signature ('Jurs') on a slim oblong 12mo piece featuring several lines of printed text, an official circular stamp and typed date, Hamburg, 5th August 1936, evidently neatly clipped from the conclusion of a letter or document. Lightly mounted to the base of an A4 sheet of photographic paper featuring a reproduction image of Jurs in a head and shoulders pose. VG

MAZARIN JULES: (1602-1661) Italian Cardinal, Diplomat and Politician, served as Chief Minister of the French Monarch 1642-61. L.S., `Le Card[inal]e Mazarini´ with an holograph sentence in French immediately above `Le tres affection et tres veritable serviteur´ in bold ink and in his hand ("The very affectionate and very truly server"), one page, folio, Dijon, 10th November 1658, to the Duke of Neubourg, in French. An interesting letter where Mazarin tries to convince his correspondent on his friendship and loyalty, stating `Aussitost que Mr. Le Comte Guillaume de Furstenberg m´a tesmoigné de la part de V.A. qu´elle désirait certaines preuves de mon amitié et de ma passion a son service, j´ay eu impatience d´en parler au Roy en termes qui ont obligé Sa Majesté a l´heure mesme par sa bonté d´escrire a V.A. la lettre qu´elle trouvera cy jointe, dont je m´asseure qu´elle aura grande satisfaction. J´y adiousteray maintenant que si j´estais capable de pouvoir souhaiter quelque mal ou quelque embarrass a V.A. dont je suis aussi esloigné que de le désirer a moy mesme, j´aurais bien de la peine a m´empischer de faire ce mauvais souhait contre elle afin d´avoir occasion de luy faire mieux cognoistre la vérité et la réalité de tout ce que Sa Majesté luy promet, et certes l´estime qu´on fait icy de la personne de V.A. est a si haut point, que sans traité et sans pareilles lettres elle ne pourrait pas moins d´asseurer dans son besoin de tout ce que peuvent les forces de cette Couronne qui sont Dieu mercy en estat de se faire respecter…´ (Translation: "As soon as Mr. Le Comte Guillaume de Furstenberg notified to me on behalf of Y.H. that You wanted certain proofs of my friendship and of my passion for Your service, I was impatient to talk about this to the King in terms which compelled His Majesty at that very moment by his kindness to write to Y.H. the letter which You will find enclosed, and which I am sure will give You great satisfaction. I will now add that if I were capable of being able to wish some evil or some embarrassment to Y.H., from which I am as far as from wishing it to myself, I would have great sorrow and would prevent myself from making this bad wish against Y.H. in order to have an opportunity to make Y.H. better acquainted with the truth and the reality of all that His Majesty promises Y.H., and certainly the esteem that is held here for the person of Y.H. is so high that without a treaty and without such letters Y.H. could not less assure in his need of all that can the forces of this Crown which are thank God in a condition to make themselves respected") A letter of good content. Page with attractive watermark. Small overall age toning, otherwise G to VG The present letter is addressed to Philip William of Neuburg, Elector Palatine (1615-1690) Count Palatine of Neuburg 1653-1690. In 1685 he inherited the Electorate of the Palatinate, which thus switched from a Protestant to a Catholic territory. Charles II's sister, the Duchess of Orleans and Louis XIV´s sister-in-law, also claimed the Palatinate. This was the pretext for the French invasion in 1688, which began the Nine Years War. Mazarin refers to the report received from Guillaume de Furstenberg, being Wilhelm Egon von Fürstenberg-Heiligenberg (1629-1704) German Count and later Prince of the Holy Roman Empire. He was a clergyman who became Bishop of Strasbourg. He worked for the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne and for Louis XIV of France at the same time, and was arrested and tried for treason for convincing the Elector to fight on the opposite side of a war from the Empire.

EUGENIE DE MONTIJO: (1826-1920) Empress consort of the French 1853-70 as the wife of Emperor Napoleon III. A.L.S., Eugenie, two pages, 8vo, n.p., 16th January 1876, to Countess Pepoli ('Ma chere niece'), in French. The Empress thanks her correspondent for their letter on the occasion of the New Year and continues to remark 'Mon fils et moi nous sommes bien touches de votre souvenir et de vos voeux' (Translation: 'My son and I are very touched by your memory and your wishes'). With blank integral leaf. Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by the Empress. The letter and envelope are neatly stitched within 8vo half bound pale leather custom boards featuring the coat of arms of the Second French Empire and title to the cover. VGLouis-Napoleon, Prince Imperial (1856-1879) Napoleon IV. The only child of Napoleon III and Eugenie de Montijo, the Prince was killed in a skirmish with a group of Zulus during the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. 

ALBERT VII: (1559-1621) Archduke of Austria who served as Sovereign of the Habsburg Netherlands with his wife Isabella Clara Eugenia from 1598-1621, and as Viceroy of Portugal 1583-93 and, briefly, as Archduke of Lower and Upper Austria from March-October 1619. An interesting L.S., Alberto, one page, large folio, Brussels, 22nd December 1605, in French. The manuscript letter is addressed to all of the lieutenants, governors, colonels, captains and men of war, provosts, mayors, aldermen and other justices, officers and subjects who may have cause to read it, and is a commission for Pierre Launay, an archer of the guard, to lead the tercio of Don Pedro Carmiento (?), lately arrived from England, asking that they be allowed free passage 'et le chemin accomodes de vivres et aultres choses necessaires pour leur meilleur passaige, Et enchargeons aud. Archier de tenir la main vers le Me de camp, Capnes et officiers dud. Tercio de faire vivre leurs gens en bon ordre et discipline militaire, et faire de sorte quilz se contentent raisonnablem. des viandes ordinaires que les subiectz auront en leur maison, sans leur demander ou les contraindre d'aller cercher du pain blancq, vin, poisson, chair de mouton, de veau et semblables boissons et viandes extraordinaires' (Translation: 'and the route accommodated with provisions and other things necessary for their better passage, and charge the said archer to join with the master of camp, captains and officers of the said tercio to make their people live in good order and military discipline, and to do so that they are reasonably content with the ordinary meats that the subjects will have in their house, without asking them or forcing them to go and get white bread, wine, fish, meat of mutton, veal and similar drinks and extraordinary meats') and also advising that the archer will notify the governor or principal officer of the province in advance of their arrival. With the small remnants of the affixed seal. Some extensive, small holes to the text and some splitting at the folds, slightly affecting the text and signature. FR The tercio military units of the Spanish Army, active during the reign of the Spanish Habsburgs in the early modern period, were renowned for the effectiveness of their battlefield formations and provided a crucial step in the formation of modern European armies..

`..entrusting you with the responsibility for the future command and judgements of our Army previously led by the late General Field-Marshal Prince of Tauris, Potemkin,...´ CATHERINE II THE GREAT: (1762-1796) Empress of Russia 1762-96, Catherine the Great. An excellent and very attractive L.S., `Ekaterina´, in Cyrillic, two pages, 4to, Saint Petersburg, 20th October 1791, to Mikhailo Vasilievich, in Cyrillic. An excellent document signed, the Empress referring to the refurbishing of the Black Sea Fleet in case the Turks do not agree with the upcoming peace treaty, and mentioning the late Field-Marshal Potemkin who died only a week before the present letter was written. Catherine the Great states in part `In addition to our three commands that had already been given to you on the occasion of entrusting you with the responsibility for the future command and judgements of our Army previously led by the late General Field-Marshal Prince of Tauris, Potemkin, and of the Black Sea Fleet, we consider it necessary for you to do the following: first, to disarm the Black Sea Fleet and do your utmost to speed its repair and get it ready for the spring, storing the provisions and other necessities well in advance, in case of the failure of our negotiations with the Turks and their obstinacy in signing a peace agreement…´ Despite the peace treaty negotiations, the Empress distrusts the Turks, and gives additional orders, further saying `Second, to urgently build ships and other vessels, that we started or planned to be built under the command of the late Field-Marshal, informing us in every detail about the success of what is being built and where…´ VG Catherine II refers in the present letter to peace treaty negotiations, which will end up with the Treaty of Jassy, signed by the Russian and by the Ottoman Empire on 9th January 1792, only two months after the present letter was signed. Jassy was a city in Moldavia. This peace treaty put an end to the Russo-Turkish War of 1787-92 and confirmed Russia´s dominance in the Black Sea. The treaty was signed by Grand Vizier Koca Yusuf Pasha and by Prince Bezborodko who had succeeded Prince Potemkin as the head of the Russian delegation. Grigory Aleksandrovich Potemkin-Tavricheski (1739-1791) Russian Nobleman, Military Leader, Prince of the Russian Empire and favourite of Catherine the Great. Potemkin took part in the coup which deposed Tsar Peter III in 1762, giving the power to the tsar´s wife Catherine II. Potemkin became her lover and adviser and the most powerful man in Russia. The present letter is signed only one week after Grigory Potemkin passed away.

NESSELRODE KARL: (1780-1862) Russian diplomat who served as Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire from 1816-56. A.L.S., Nesselrode, one page, 8vo, n.p., n.d. ('Samedi matin'; 15th October 1853), to Sir Hamilton [Seymour], in French. Nesselrode writes to complete the information which he gave to his correspondent yesterday, and informs Seymour that 'nous avons recu hier au soir la declaration de guerre.......et la sommation adressee au Pr. Gortichakoff' (Translation: 'we received yesterday evening the declaration of war…..and the summons addressed to Pr. Gortichakoff'). With blank integral leaf (a few very small, minor areas of paper loss to the edge). VGSir George Hamilton Seymour (1797-1880) British diplomat who served as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of St Petersburgh 1851-54.Alexander Gorchakov (1798-1883) Russian Prince, diplomat and statesman who served as Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire 1856-82. Nesselrode's letter is written just one day before the commencement of the Crimean War, a three-year conflict between Russia and the ultimately victorious alliance of the Ottoman Empire, France, the United Kingdom and Sardinia-Piedmont.  

JOHN VI OF PORTUGAL: (1767-1826) King of Portugal and Brazil 1816-25. Nicknamed "The Clement". After the Brazilian independence John VI became Emperor of Brazil for life. His death may have been caused by poisoning. A good L.S., `O Principe´, with large and artistic letters, and paraph, two pages, folio, Rio de Janeiro, 5th October 1810, to King Ferdinand I King of the Two Sicilies, in Potuguese. John VI, in his capacity as Regent, respond to the letter received from his correspondent King Ferdinand I announcing the birth of his son the heir and future King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies, and sends him and to the new born Prince his best wishes. Countersigned `Conde  de Linhares´ by Rodrigo de Sousa Coutinho. With blank address leaf, bearing a large paper seal affixed. Folded, with area of paper loss to the blank leaf. G  Ferdinand IV (1751-1825) King of Naples 1759-1806 & 1815-16. King of the Two Sicilies (as Ferdinand I) 1816-25. Ferdinand II (1810-1859) King of the Two Sicilies 1830-59. He succeeded his father Francis I at the early age of twenty.     Rodrigo de Sousa Coutinho (1755-1812) 1st Count of Linhares, Minister of war and Foreign Affairs in the government in exile. 

MAGINOT ANDRÉ: (1877-1932) French Minister of war 1929-32. Former soldier, Maginot is best known for his advocacy of the string of forts known as the “Maginot Line”. A very fine and clean A.L.S., `Maginot´, two pages, 8vo, Paris, 17th December 1928, bearing the embossed printed heading of the Minister of the Colonies, to a Marshal, in French. Maginot responds openly to his correspondent and friend´s request, stating in part `Je ne dispose que de trois gouvernements généraux en Afrique et d´un en Indochine. Ils sont actuellement pourvus. Quel que soit mon désir de faciliter ta tâche, et tu sais qu´il est grand, je n´ai donc Je n'ai donc pas la possibilité de nommer M. Cayla pour le moment, à un poste de gouverneur-général…´ (Translation: `I only have three general governments in Africa and one in Indochina. They are currently covered. Whatever my desire to facilitate your task is, and you know it is great, I do not have the possibility of appointing Mr. Cayla for the moment, to a post of Governor-General…´) Nonetheless Maginot promises to keep his request in mind, saying `Tu sais que j´ai toujours, lorsque je l´ai pu, appuyé les demandes faites par toi en faveur de tes collaborateurs, mais cette fois ta demande exceed mes moyens. Tout ce que je puis te promettre, et c´est quelque chose, puisque Mr. Cayla n´est encore que gouverneur de 2eme classe, c´est que lorsqu´une vacante se produira dans le cadre des gouverneurs souverains, je tiendrai le plus grand compte de ton intervention´ (Translation: `You know that I have always, when I could, supported the requests made by you in favour of your collaborators, but this time your request exceeds my means. All I can promise you, and it is something to consider, since Mr. Cayla is still only 2nd class governor, is that when a vacancy occurs within the framework of the sovereign governors, I will hold the greatest account of your intervention´) Before concluding, Maginot sends a personal message to his friend, stating `A ma place tu ferais la même réponse, même au meilleur de tes amis…´ (Translation: `If you were in my place you would give the same answer, even to the best of your friends …´) With blank integral leaf. EX Léon Cayla (1881-1965) will become Governor-General of Madagascar a year and a half after the present letter was written.

`Malheureusement, dans le regime que nous subissons actuellement, les services rendus au pays, si éminents soient-ils, ne comptent guère en regard des intérêts de parti´ DE GAULLE CHARLES: (1890-1970) French General of World War II. Later President of the French Republic 1959-69. T.L.S., `C. de Gaulle´, one page, 4to, n.p., 26th October 1950, to General Ingold, on his printed letterhead bearing `Le Général De Gaulle´ to the heading, in French. A very interesting thought by De Gaulle, expressing in a bitter way how the services given to the homeland are valued few years after the end of WWII, and how they have to suffer such behaviour. De Gaulle responds to his correspondent´s letter, and states in part `Je comprends et partage vos sentiments en apprenant la mesure qui vient d´atteindre Roger Malfette. Il m´avait écrit pour me dire ses craintes à ce sujet. Malheureusement, dans le regime que nous subissons actuellement, les services rendus au pays, si éminents soient-ils, ne comptent guère en regard des intérêts de parti´ (Translation: `I understand and share your feelings on learning the measure that has just affected Roger Malfette. He had written to me to tell me his fears on this subject. Unfortunately, under the present regime, the service given to the country, no matter how high, counts for little against party interests´) Very small overall minor age wear, otherwise G to VG General François Ingold (1894-1980) was the military Commander of the Niger-Dahomey-Togo Niamey forces. He participated in World War One and was injured. He joined General de Gaulle in 1940. As Officer of the FFL he participated in the Liberation. Roger Malfettes (1918-2009) Officer of the FFL who participated in the Liberation. He was at the time of the present letter, chief of subdivision in Dahomey.

DE GAULLE CHARLES: (1890-1970) French General of World War II. Later President of the French Republic 1959-69. A.L.S., `C. de Gaulle´, two pages, small 4to, n.p., 4th April 1961, to General Ingold, on his printed letterhead bearing `Le Général De Gaulle´ to the heading, in French. De Gaulle deeply congratulates his correspondent on the occasion of his published work, stating in part `Votre livre “Samory sanglant et magnifique” brasse et fait revivre une histoire assez méconnue, mais combien saisissante! Pour l´écrire, comme vous l´avez fait, il fallait d´abord du talent mais aussi la connaissance profonde des gens, des lieux, et des choses de l´Algérie. Vous avez ceci et cela…´ (Translation: `Your book “Samory sanglant et magnifique” (“Bloody and Magnificent Samory”) brings to life a story that is quite unknown, but combines strikingly! To write it, as you did, it needed talent first, but also a deep knowledge of the people, places, and things of Algeria. You have this and that..”). Accompanied by the original envelope, postmarked and stamped, and addressed in De Gaulle´s hand. The letter has been very neatly and lightly affixed only to the left border to a larger card. The envelope has been affixed to the same card behind the letter. G to VG General François Ingold (1894-1980) was the military Commander of the Niger-Dahomey-Togo Niamey forces. He participated in World War One and was injured. He joined General de Gaulle in 1940. As Officer of the FFL he participated in the Liberation. Ingold´s work Samory Sanglant et Magnifique was published by Scorpion Editions, and reports on Samory Touré (1830-1900), founder of the ephemeral empire Wassoulou, which extent included from the south of what is today Mali to the mid-Guinea. Samory Touré fought harshly against the military occupation of the French and English, becoming a hero of the ani-colonialism. 

‘Yes, my task is heavy, but I am certain that I will not miss my goal’ MUSSOLINI BENITO: (1883-1945) Italian Fascist Dictator of World War II. A fine A.L.S., Mussolini, two pages (written to the first and third sides of the bifolium), 8vo, n.p. (Rome), n.d. (22nd December 1922), to Jean de Bonnefon ('Mon cher confrere'), on the printed stationery of Il Presidente del Consiglio dei Ministri, marked Personelle in French. Mussolini writes, 'Votre article qu'on a deja traduit pour Il Gironale di Roma et sur Il popolo d'Italia, m'a profondement emu. Je ne sais pas s'il y a eu d'autres personnes qui aient si vivement compris mon esprit, comme vous avez fait. Oui, ma tache est lourde, mais j'ai la certitude que je ne manquerai pas mon but. Et je travaille….' (Translation: 'Your article, which has already been translated for Il Gironale di Roma and Il popolo d'Italia, moved me deeply. I don't know if there were ever other people who understood my mind so keenly as you did. Yes, my task is heavy, but I am certain that I will not miss my goal. And I work….'). Accompanied by the original envelope (some tears and small areas of paper loss where opened) hand addressed by Mussolini. Some light age wear and a few minimal traces of former mounting to the verso, VGJean de Bonnefon (1867-1928) French journalist and Catholic author. Mussolini's letter is written in the aftermath of the March on Rome, the organised mass demonstration and coup d'etat of October 1922 which led to King Victor Emmanuel III appointing Mussolini as Prime Minister on 30th October, thereby transferring political power to the fascists. On the following day the fascist blackshirts paraded in Rome while Mussolini formed his coalition government. On 16th November Mussolini delivered a speech to the Chamber in which he announced the key factors of his future political action. It was after reading this speech that Bonnefon wrote a glowing article on Mussolini and his new policies.