BEATLES THE: An excellent set of four early signatures by the English pop and rock band on a pale blue page removed from an autograph album. Each of the Fab Four have individually signed the page, John Lennon ('love John Lennon x x x'), Paul McCartney ('love from Paul McCartney x x x THE BEATLES'), George Harrison ('George Harrison x x x') and Ringo Starr ('Ringo Starr x x x') in bold blue ink. Matted in mottled grey and blue within an image of the band in head and shoulders poses to an overall size of 16 x 16. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Frank Caiazzo stating, in part, 'This page was signed by The Beatles in late 1962, and these are excellent examples of their signatures from this early time period.' EX
Ringo Starr has only been appointed as The Beatles full time drummer in September 1962. On 26th November 1962 the band released their second single Please Please Me and Beatlemania began to grip England.
Estimate £2000 - 3000. Sold for £3000, December 2008 |
BELL ALEXANDER GRAHAM: (1847 - 1922) Scottish Scientist, Inventor of the telephone. An excellent vintage signed 9.5 x 14 printed photograph, a wonderful image depicting Bell seated in a full length profile pose at an ornate desk speaking on a telephone. The bearded scientist is surrounded by a group of other gentlemen, who stand behind him. A printed caption at the base states that the photograph was taken on the occasion of Bell opening the New York to Chicago long distance telephone line on 18th October 1892. Signed ('Alexander Graham Bell') in bold black ink with his name alone to the lower border immediately beneath the image. Signed photographs of Bell are extremely rare and this historic image is particularly desirable as it depicts the scientist using his most famous invention. Some very light, minor age wear to the borders, otherwise VG
Estimate £4000 - 5000. Sold for £7700, December 2008 |
EINSTEIN ALBERT: (1879-1955) German-born Theoretical Physicist. Nobel Prize winner for Physics, 1921. Interesting A.L.S., A. Einstein, two pages, 8vo, n.p., 12th December 1914, to L. M. (his first wife, Mileva Maric 1875-1948), in German. The scientist writes a somewhat formal and bitter letter to his wife from whom he had just separated, informing her that he has paid all of the removal expenses with the exception of tips and storage charges which Mileva is to pay. Einstein further provides her with his proposal for maintenance payments which he states will be 5,600 marks in quarterly instalments, providing his income does not diminish from its present level. He also sends greetings to their children, sourly commenting 'As long as Albert has not answered my letter, I must assume that it was not given to him. Otherwise I would write to him again.' and again makes reference to the subject in a lengthy postscript, 'Greetings from me to the children do not seem to be passed on, otherwise they would have sent greetings to me over the course of time. It is therefore actually pointless for me to renew them each time.' With blank integral leaf. VG
Einstein married Mileva Maric on 6th January 1903 and together they had three children, a daughter whose fate is unknown and two sons, Hans Albert and Eduard. At the time of this letter, their marriage had collapsed although they weren't divorced until five years later on 14th February 1919.
Estimate £1800-2200. Sold for £2600, December 2008 |
BACON FRANCIS: (1909-1992) Irish Painter. A.L.S., Francis Bacon, one page, 4to, n.p., n.d., to Peter. Penned in a typically large hand in purple ink, the artist sends his best wishes and continues 'If you go to France have a meal or two with me.' Together with an unsigned printed 8vo invitation card to a private viewing of an exhibition of Bacon's work at Marlborough Fine Art, London, 27th October - 18th November 1989, featuring a colour illustration of one of Bacon's works to the cover. Slight creasing and small tears to the left edge of the letter. G, 2
Estimate £150-200. Sold for £600, December 2008 |
DICKENS CHARLES: (1812-1870) English Novelist. An excellent, bold ink signature ('Faithfully yours, Charles Dickens', with paraph) on an 8vo sheet of paper. The novelist has also penned his address at 1 Devonshire Terrace, Regents Park and the date 9th August 1950 in his hand beneath the signature as well as the words 'With Mr. Charles Dickens Compliments' at the foot. Neatly laid down to a page removed from an autograph album. About VG
Estimate £200 - 300. Sold for £320, December 2008 |
WELLS H. G.: (1866-1946) English Writer of Science Fiction novels. An excellent vintage signed 8 x 10 photograph of Wells seated in a three quarter length pose wearing a dark suit and matching waistcoat with a patterned tie. The moustached writer holds a copy of one of his own novels in one hand as he proudly holds his head high and looks slightly away from the camera. Typically neatly signed ('H. G. Wells') in dark fountain pen ink with his name alone to a thoughtfully placed clear area of the image across the front cover of his book. A rare and attractive signed photograph. One small, minor tear to the upper white border, otherwise VG
Estimate £800 - 1000. Sold for £1000, December 2008 |
BURROUGHS EDGAR RICE: (1875-1950) American Author, creator of Tarzan of the Apes. Vintage signed and inscribed 10 x 8 photograph, an excellent image depicting Burroughs seated in a three quarter length pose wearing a grey suit and dark tie. The writer is captured seated behind his desk as he speaks on the telephone and holds a lit cigarette in one hand. Photograph by Hulbert Burroughs. Boldly signed in white fountain pen ink across the background, 'To Sarah J Newland, with all good wishes, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzana, September 7 1937'. A rare signed photograph dating from the time Tarzan and the Elephant Men was serialised. Some extremely light silvering to the edges, otherwise VG
Estimate £300 - 400. Sold for £550, December 2008
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LEONCAVALLO RUGGERO: (1857-1919) Italian Composer. An excellent signed and inscribed cabinet photograph depicting Leoncavallo in a head and shoulders pose wearing a dark jacket and tie. The composer, sporting a splendid moustache, confidently looks directly towards the camera. Photograph by Paul Berger of Paris. Signed by Leoncavallo to the background of the image in bold ink and bearing a lengthy inscription 'To the charming and delicious artist Katherine Goertner, in trembling admiration, R. Leoncavallo' and dated Paris, 27th May 1905 - being the date that the singer essayed the role of Nedda in Pagliacci. In addition to the inscription, the composer has penned three bars of music, with words, at the base of the image, which he identifies as being from Nedda's aria in Act I of the opera Pagliacci. A fine signed portrait with a good association and enhanced by the quotation. Very slightly neatly trimmed at the base, otherwise VG
Estimate £800 - 1000. Sold for £1000, December 2008 |
