Past Items Sold
Below are some recent highlights from our past sales
Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, |
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[BOOTH JOHN WILKES]: (1838-1865) American Stage Actor, assassinated President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre in Washington DC on 14th April 1865. A good brown wooden walking cane previously belonging to Booth and presented to him by the Anglo-American actress Laura Keene (1826-1873), featuring an ivory handle and with an inscription engraved on a silver band mounted at the top of the cane, John Wilkes Booth from Laura Keen [sic] '65. 32" in length. Previously housed in the Boothbay Theatre Museum in Maine. Rare. Some light overall age wear and minor scuffing, G
Booth assassinated Lincoln during a performance of Our American Cousin by shooting him in the back of the head. It was Laura Keene's company that were playing at Ford's Theatre on the night of the assassination. Some reports state that Keene entered the Presidential box after Lincoln had been shot and cradled his wounded head in her lap. Estimate £1200 - 1500. Sold for £3800, March 2009 |
BLOUNT CHRISTOPHER: (c.1565-1601) English Soldier and Rebel, husband of Lettice Knollys. Blount was executed for High Treason for having plotted, with the Earl of Essex, to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I. L.S., Chr: Blount, one page, 4to, n.p., April 1593. The letter appears to relate to some financial matters. Signed at the conclusion and with the remnants of the seal beneath the signature. Some light creasing and minor age wear, otherwise VG
Estimate £150 - 200. Sold for £220, March 2009 |
CROMWELL OLIVER: (1599-1658) English Military and Political Leader, Lord Protector 1653-58. Bold ink signature ('O Cromwell') on a piece neatly removed from the conclusion of a letter signed. Dated Edinburgh, March 1650 in another hand. Some light overall foxing, otherwise VG
Estimate £600-800. Sold for £920, March 2009 |
KENNEDY JOHN F.: (1917-1963) American President 1961-63 & KENNEDY JACQUELINE (1929-1994) Wife of American President Kennedy, First Lady 1961-63. An extremely rare, historic signed and inscribed 8 x 10 photograph by both John and Jacqueline Kennedy individually. The image depicts Senator Kennedy and his new wife standing together in a full length pose as they emerge from St. Mary's Church in Newport, Rhode Island following their marriage ceremony on 12th September 1953. John Kennedy has signed the image in fountain pen ink across a light area at the base, 'Dave and Mrs. Deignan, with very best wishes from us both, Jack' and Jacqueline Kennedy has added her signature ('Jackie') in black ink alongside. Inscribed to David Deignan who was employed by Kennedy's father, Joseph, as a chauffeur and personal assistant. Kennedy has experienced some slight pen trouble at the beginning of the inscription, however his signature remains bold. Jacqueline Kennedy's signature has fair contrast and is entirely legible. Signed photographs by both Kennedy's are extremely rare and this is a particularly good image to find signed. Neatly mounted, otherwise VG
The wedding of the Kennedy's, who were to become one of the most famous and iconic couples of the 20th century, was considered the social event of the season.
Estimate £4000-6000. Sold for £6100, March 2009 |
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HIROHITO: (1901-1989) Emperor Showa of Japan 1926-89 & KOJUN (1903-2000) Empress Consort. A very fine signed 6 x 9 photograph by both Hirohito and Kojun individually. The official presentation photograph depicts the couple standing outdoors together in a three quarter length pose. Signed in bold dark ink by both with their names alone to light areas of the image. Framed and glazed in the original dark blue leather frame, with gold borders and the gold embossed Imperial Seal of Japan at the head. 8 x 11 overall. Extremely rare. EX
Estimate £4000 - 6000. Sold for £6000, March 2009 |
[BIGGLES] JOHNS W. E.: (1893-1968) English Pilot and Writer of adventure stories, created the ace pilot Biggles. A.L.S., W. E. Johns, one page, 8vo, Scotland, 16th January 1946, to Miss. Valerie Cooper. Johns writes a somewhat intriguing letter, in full, 'Sorry I have no photos but here is my "fist". Forgive me for being so brief but I am on an urgent job for the government.' In a postscript he adds 'Thanks for your nice remarks about my books.' Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Johns. Rare. VG Estimate £100-120. Sold for £280, March 2009 |
SANTOS-DUMONT ALBERTO: (1873-1932) Brazilian Pioneer of Aviation. A.L.S., Santos-Dumont, two pages, 8vo, n.p., n.d., to a gentleman, on his personal monogrammed stationery. The aviator announces 'The Santos-Dumont No. 7 has been out of the shed this afternoon for the first time' and continues to explain 'The No. 7 is the machine that is going out to St. Louis.' Santos-Dumont further reports 'Everything went well and after been for half an hour out and about 50 yards in the air the airship was taken in. The sight was beautiful there is a big difference between this colossal machine and the No. 9 seen last year.' A boldly penned letter. VG
Estimate £100 - 150. Sold for £850, March 2009 |
ARMSTRONG NEIL: (1930- ) American Astronaut, Commander of Apollo XI (1969). The first man to walk on the moon. Bold blue ink signature on the slim 8vo printed front cover of a booklet, being the List of Participants at the Second International Congress of the World Wildlife Fund, London, 17 - 18th November 1970. Light overall discoloration and with a white band at the extreme edges, caused by previous framing. One minor corner crease, G Estimate £200-300. Sold for £350, March 2009
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