King Alphonso XI of Castile and Leon [1312-1350]. Royal Charter, one page, 32 inches by 24 inches, on vellum, Royal Chancery, Segovia, September 29, 1344. Written in Castilian vernacular with the royal names, the opening device and the King’s seal painted in red, green, blue and beige. Fine condition. An important and exceptionally attractive document … [ Read More ]
letter
Browning, Elizabeth Barrett
ENGLISH POET Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, octavo, 43 via Bocca di Leone [Rome], Friday, undated. To “My dear Reverend Hanna.” With the original black-bordered mourning envelope addressed in her hand. “Will you allow us to introduce to you Mrs. Hamilton and her daughter, country-women of your own, who will commend themselves to you, … [ Read More ]
Browning, Robert
ROBERT BROWNING. English poet. Autograph Letter Signed, three pages, octavo, London, February 14, 1882. To “My dear Leighton,” the British painter Sir Frederic Leighton. “I do more indeed than ‘care to have’ a copy of that address which I certainly had ‘interest enough in to listen to.’ I think, did the case relate to any … [ Read More ]
Burke, Edmund
EDMUND BURKE. British orator and statesman. Autograph Letter Signed, Edm. Burke, one page, quarto, April 24, 1796. To Stephen Thurston Ady, Burke’s friend and banker. Thurston was a partner in the banking house of Boldero, Kendal & Co. Fine condition. “I beg you to pay to a Mr. Chalkley, who will call on you for … [ Read More ]
Carnegie, Andrew
CARNEGIE ON A LITERARY HONOR “…I WOULD NOT FORGO IT FOR MILLIONS.” Scottish-born American industrialist; merged Carnegie Steel Co. with United States Steel Corp. Typewritten Letter Signed, one page, quarto, New York, January 24, 1913. On his name-imprinted stationery, to Duffield Osborne, a representative of the Authors Club. “I wish to put on record … [ Read More ]
Christie, Agatha
“….THE WORLD IS ALREADY PARTIAL TO DETECTIVE FICTION AND HAS BEEN FOR SOME TIME. HAMLET COULD CERTAINLY QUALIFY AS A DETECTIVE DRAMA….” English mystery writer; creator of Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot. Typewritten Letter Signed, Agatha Mallowan, one page, octavo, Churston Ferrers, near Brixham, South Devon, June 12, 1972. To Dear Mrs. Frink. “As … [ Read More ]
Clemens, Samuel
Mark Twain. American author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Autograph Quotation Signed, Truly yours Mark Twain, two lines on an oblong octavo sheet, dated “Dec./05.” “Taking the pledge will not make bad liquor good, but it will improve it.” Matted in beige and cocoa with a bust-length portrait photograph of Samuel … [ Read More ]
Coward, Noel
“…THE BIGGEST SMASH HIT IN NEW YORK.” English actor, playwright, and composer best known for highly polished comedies of manners. Typewritten Letter Signed, May 21, 1958, octavo, on stationary with the address 404 East 55th Street, New York. To “My dear Bink” (Hugh Beaumont). “Thanks ever so for your letter. “Yes, I am very keen … [ Read More ]
Durant, Henry Fowle
Founder of Wellesley College. Autograph Letter Signed, three pages, small octavo, Wellesley, Massachusetts, August 15, 1887. “I want for immediate use at College about 200 feet in length glazed drain pipes. I can use 9, 10, or 12 caliber – I prefer 10 inch. Have you got it on hand so that I can have … [ Read More ]
Florida
EARLY FLORIDA REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT [FLORIDA]. Henry O’Reilly, American author; prominent in early Rochester affairs, including the Anti-Masonic Excitement. Autograph Letter Signed, Henry O’Reilly, one and a quarter pages, legal folio, [Rochester, New York], August 5, 1836. To Moses King in Attica, New York. “…the plan adopted for our settlement in East Florida, is to … [ Read More ]
Fouquet, Nicolas
French finance minister; confidential agent of Cardinal Mazarin; the last surintendant whose career ended with his conviction for embezzlement. Document Signed, Foucquet N, one page, Paris, March 15, 1661. “Order is given to Mr. Nicolas, carpenter contractor of the Paris dams, to pay cash with the funds he was allocated for the year 1660, to … [ Read More ]
George III
King of England. Letter Signed, three-quarters page, quarto, Queens House March 24, 1783. To My Lord. Fine condition. “As I shall be extremely glad to see You this morning as early as it may Suit You, I shall not detain You now by a long Epistle. After every sort of Chicanery from the Coalition, to … [ Read More ]
Harte, Bret
“IT WAS A DAMNABLE BIT OF FEUDALISM WHICH OUGHT TO BE EXPRESSED TO A CIVILIZATION THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE LEFT SUCH THINGS FAR BEHIND.” BRET HARTE. American short story writer. Autograph Letter Signed, one and one-half pages, octavo, [Scotland], July 14, 1880. To M. D. [Conory]. “Many thanks for your flattering and most kind … [ Read More ]
Hawthorne, Nathaniel
American novelist; author of The Scarlet Letter. Autograph Letter Signed, Nathl. Hawthorne, one full page, octavo, Liverpool, October 17, 1853. To Thomas George Morton, in Philadelphia, sending his autograph. “Your note, addressed to me at Concord, has just reached me on this side of the Atlantic. I take pleasure in complying with your request.” Hawthorne … [ Read More ]
Herzl, Theodor
Founder of Zionism. Autograph Letter Signed, Th. Herzl, one page, octavo, January 4, 1889. To Esteemed Doctor. “If it’s all right with you, I’ll come to you this afternoon at half past three, to work a little. If my messenger doesn’t find you at home, but hears that you are already in Vienna, I’ll come … [ Read More ]
Jackson, Andrew
“HOW IS IT TO BE LAMENTED THAT THE MORALS OF MEN RECENTLY ARE BECOME SO CORRUPT, THAT A MAN OF HIS WEALTH AND A HIGH STANDING… SHOULD BE GUILTY OF SUCH VILE CALUMNY FOR POLITICAL EFFECT.” ANDREW JACKSON. President. Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, quarto, Hermitage, November 30, 1844. To William Prescott, the American historian … [ Read More ]
Jay, John
President of the Continental Congress; first Chief Justice of the United States; first Minister of Foreign Affairs; negotiated the Jay Treaty of 1794. Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, quarto, New Haven, [Connecticut], April 24, 1792. To his wife Sally. “My last to you was written at Bedford; which place I left yesterday, and arrived here … [ Read More ]
Joanna
“TO PREVENT FOREIGN MOORS, ENEMIES OF THE FAITH, FROM CAUSING THE DAMAGE, LOSS AND ROBBERIES THEY HAVE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO DO” JOANNA LA LOCA. Queen Joanna of Castile; daughter of Ferdinand V and Isabella I. An official royal document, signed in the name of the Queen by the Councillors of Castile, one page folio, (15 … [ Read More ]
Laurencin, Marie
MARIE LAURENCIN. French modernist painter. Autograph Letter Signed, one and a half pages, octavo, undated. To an unnamed lady, concerning her tapestry designs that the state manufacturer would surely reject, but when the tapestry again comes into vogue, she is certain they will be accepted. Price: $4,750 This item is associated with the following … [ Read More ]
Law, John
AN EXTREMELY RARE LETTER OF THE CREATOR OF THE “MISSISSIPPI SCHEME” FIVE DAYS BEFORE THE BUBBLE BURST JOHN LAW. Scottish financier and speculator; founded Banque Générale in 1716, the first bank of any kind in France which issued paper currency and prospered; created for the development and colonization of Louisiana in 1717 the Mississippi … [ Read More ]
Leigh, Vivien
VIVIEN LEIGH’S CONTRACT FOR ‘GONE WITH THE WIND’ VIVIEN LEIGH. Motion picture actress. Four Typewritten Documents, forty-two pages, legal folio, January 16 to November 8, 1939. Concerning Vivien Leigh’s role in the production of Gone With The Wind. Together with an Autograph Letter Signed. Typewritten Document, seventeen pages, legal folio, Culver City, California, January 16, … [ Read More ]
Millay, Edna St Vincent
EDNA ST. VINCENT MILLAY. American author. A Collection of twenty-eight Typewritten Manuscripts, twenty-eight pages, quarto, [ca. 1920 and earlier]. Three of the manuscripts are signed by Edna St Vincent Millay at the conclusion; one bears a holograph correction in the text; and in another she has changed the title. Accompanied by a typewritten letter … [ Read More ]
Mitchell, Margaret
THE PUBLIC REACTION TO “GONE WITH THE WIND” MARGARET MITCHELL. American author of Gone with the Wind. Typewritten Letter Signed, one page, quarto, Atlanta, Georgia, January 7, 1936. On her name-imprinted stationery, to Dr. Mayos. “Thank you so much for your New Year’s note and all your good wishes. I had it on my mind … [ Read More ]
Napoleon I
“…THE STEPS BEING TAKEN ARE WEAK…THE STUDENTS AND INHABITANTS OF UTRECHT WHO JEERED AT THE PATROLS BE ARRESTED AT ONCE AND TRIED BY A MILITARY COMMISSION.” NAPOLEON I. Emperor of France. Letter Signed, Np, one page, quarto, Paris, March 18, 1811. To the minister of war [General Henri Jacques Guillaume Clarke], the Duke of Feltre. … [ Read More ]
Porter, Katherine Anne
AN EXTRAORDINARY LITERARY LETTER ABOUT THE PROCESS OF WRITING “SHIP OF FOOLS” KATHERINE ANNE PORTER. American essayist, short story writer, novelist; wrote “Ship of Fools”. Typewritten Letter Signed, Katherine Anne Porter, three densely typed pages, on blue paper, quarto, August 18, 1958, Outpost Inn, Ridgefield, Connecticut. With corrections in her hand. To Mr. Clemons. “I … [ Read More ]
Rontgen, Wilhelm C.
WILHELM C. RONTGEN. German physicist; awarded first Nobel prize for physics in 1901 for his discovery of X-rays. Autograph Letter Signed, Dr. W.C. Röntgen, one page, Cadenabbia, March 30, 1909. In German. On his personally imprinted correspondence card to the Court Secretariat of his Royal Highness Prince Alfons of Bavaria. “Enclosed I am sending you … [ Read More ]
Roosevelt, Franklin D.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT. President. Typewritten Letter Signed, one page, quarto, April 7, 1932. On his name-imprinted State of New York Executive Chamber stationery, to Mr. J. Osborn Brink in Monrovia, California. Headed “Personal” at the top in Franklin D Roosevelt’s hand. With original envelope and a letter from Roosevelt to U.S. Senator Robert F. Wagner, … [ Read More ]
Roosevelt, Franklin D.
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT. President. Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, quarto, Hyde Park, New York, September 14, no year. On his name-imprinted stationery, to Dear Mr. Roberts. “I’m sorry, but still I don’t understand about the certificates. These are for 6,000 shares, the full amount to go to the organizers-and I understand that while they were … [ Read More ]
Roosevelt, Franklin D.
FDR ORGANIZES LIFE AT WARM SPRINGS ON THE EVE OF THE DEPRESSION FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT. President. Typewritten Letter Signed, FDR, two very full pages, quarto, Hyde Park, August 10, 1929. As Governor of New York, to Carp. After thanking Carp for his letter, Franklin D Roosevelt notes that he is home for “three comparatively … [ Read More ]
Roosevelt, Theodore
“…A WORKING MAN…IS THE MAN… I AM MORE ANXIOUS TO REPRESENT THAN ANY OTHER IN AMERICAN LIFE.” THEODORE ROOSEVELT. President. Typewritten Letter Signed, one page, quarto, New York, May 9, 1918. On imprinted stationery of The Kansas City Star, to William M. Stuart in Canisteo, New York. “That’s a very kind and friendly letter. Believe … [ Read More ]
Roosevelt, Theodore
THEODORE ROOSEVELT. President. Typewritten Letter Signed, two pages, quarto, on White House stationery, dated from Oyster Bay, New York, July 2, 1908. With original envelope to the Rev. William Potts George, in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. The President sends an expression of his very deep appreciation of the action of the New York Preachers Meeting … [ Read More ]
San Martin, Jose de
“THE PRINTER’S PROPERTY BROUGHT BY THE ANDES ARMY… BELONGS TO THE STATE OF THE UNITED PROVINCES OF SOUTH AMERICA.” JOSÉ DE SAN MARTIN. South American statesman. Letter Signed, José de Sn. Martin, one page, legal folio, Santo Headquarters, June 6, 1817. Notated in the left margin, Visit to the Fiscal Ministry. With the response of … [ Read More ]
Sayers, Dorothy Leigh
“…ONE STATEMENT OF YOURS…IS VENOMOUS, BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF THOSE ACCUSATIONS, OF THE HAVE-YOU-STOPPED- BEATING-YOUR-WIFE VARIETY, AGAINST WHICH THERE IS NO CONCEIVABLE DEFENCE….” DOROTHY LEIGH SAYERS. English mystery novelist; creator of the memorable sleuth, Lord Peter Wimsey. Typewritten Letter Signed, Dorothy Leigh Sayers, three pages, quarto, Witham, Essex, July 25, 1947. To Dr. James … [ Read More ]
Service, Robert W
“I HAVE NO FAVORITE PASSAGES IN MY WORK AND I DISLIKE IT AS SOON AS WRITTEN” R. W. SERVICE. Canadian writer; author of The Shooting of Dan McGrew. Letter Signed, Robert Service, one full page, octavo, Monte Carlo, November 3, 1954. To W.C. Goodson, with original envelope. After thanking Goodson for his letter, Robert Service … [ Read More ]
Simenon, Georges
GEORGES SIMENON. French novelist; creator of the series of detective novels featuring Inspector Maigret. Autograph Letter Signed, one page, octavo, January 31, 1959. On his name imprinted stationery to Albert-Jean. I apologize for being so late in replying to your letter. I was in the middle of working on my novel. I don’t know … [ Read More ]
Tocqueville, Alexis de
French author of Democracy in America. Alexis de Tocqueville. Autograph Letter Signed, two pages, quarto, April 17, 1841. “I received the last volume of the Academy of Caen as well as the yearbook of the Department of La Manche, which you announced to me by your letter of March 26. I cannot thank you too … [ Read More ]
Washington, Booker T
Black American educator; founded the Tuskegee Institute for practical training of blacks in trades and professions in 1881. Autograph Letter Signed Booker T Washington, one page, large quarto, Tuskegee, Alabama, March 13, 1897. On imprinted stationery of the Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute, to a supporter, Ella Kent in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Booker T Washington, the … [ Read More ]
Weizmann, Chaim
Polish-born Israeli chemist and politician who was the first President of Israel. Autograph Letter Signed, Chaim Weizmann, one page, octavo, August 4, 1940. On imprinted stationery of the Dorchester Hotel in London, to Dr. Josef Cohn at the Zionist Organization of American in New York City. “I would like to thank you for your reports. … [ Read More ]
Wellington, Duke of
British Army commander during the Napoleonic Wars; defeated Napoleon at Waterloo; later Prime Minister. Autograph Letter Signed, Wn, (Duke of Wellington) three pages, quarto, London, February 23, 1829. From the Duke of Wellington. To Betsy. “You are in good health and moreover you are a reasonable woman; and I therefore select you as the person … [ Read More ]
Wordsworth, William
English poet. Autograph Letter Signed, one page, quarto, Rydal Mount, September 21, 1846. To The Rev. Dr. Parkinson, introducing Mr. Pemberton Bartlett “a Student of St. Bees and recommend him to any attention which it may fall within your province to be able to give him the benefit of. He is a friend of Mr. … [ Read More ]
Yeats, William Butler
Irish poet and dramatist. Autograph Letter Signed, WBYeats, three pages, octavo, 3 Upper Ely Place, Dublin, September 4, no year [1890]. To [W. E.] Henley, the influential editor of the National Observer. “I sent you a book of sonnets by Rhys with drawings by my brother who is about 19 years old & means to … [ Read More ]