SCHULZ, Charles M. (1922-2000) American Cartoonist, creator of Peanuts. An excellent signed 8 x 10 photograph showing the talented cartoonist seated in a three quarter length pose at his drawing board. He holds a pen in one hand as he works on a Peanuts strip. Boldly signed in black ink across a clear area of the image. Schulz has also drawn an original ink sketch of his most famous character, Snoopy, to the image which shows the beagle seated in a full length pose on Schulz’s shoulder. Rare in this form. EX. Estimate £600-800. Sold for £820, May 2007
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LIVINGSTONE, David (1813-1873) Scottish Explorer and Missionary. A very fine A.L.S., David Livingstone, four pages, 4to, Mission House, Blomfield Street, London, 17th January 1857, to My dear Sir (Thomas Dick, author of The Philosophies of a Future State). Livingstone states that he has received Dick’s letter as he was about to take a train journey to Hampshire and continues to comment ‘I am very much pleased to find that you watched my progress with interest. The great obstacle which impeded European progress Northward so long was the Kalahari desert and having turned that instead of going round it we found a region as remarkable for rivers as that is for the want of them.’ The explorer further reports ‘At Koloberg we lived with great happiness instructing the people during more than 7 years, but the Boers lawless colonists, English deserters and the general scum of colonial society who have fled away from all law due from a wish to practise slavery apart from English influence, considered our aim as an evil one and determined to shut up the Interior against Englishmen, hence the destruction of Koloberg. They are not to be confounded with the Boers of the Cape Colony who live under English law. These are rather an intelligent and religious class of people. They were resolved to shut up the country, I to open it. The result you have read about in the newspapers. They set me free from all care of luggage. I would rather be the sufferer than the doer of the wrong for it is a terrible thing to forbid us to preach unto the Gentiles that they may be saved’. Livingstone also offers his sympathy to Dick, writing of his own afflictions, ‘I lost my father in February last and would rather have held converse with him than with many of greater name. It is a great comfort when we have the hope of our friends having fallen asleep in Jesus’ and in concluding comments ‘The Boer A. Pretorius by name who commanded the plundering expedition against Koloberg died soon after and was noticed in a newspaper called the “Friend of the sovereignty” with the words “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord &c! A sort of stupor stole over my soul when I saw it. I fear some terrible mistakes are made when it is too late for a remedy. May God make us all pure in heart and fit us for his presence.’ Finally in a postscript Livingstone explains that he cannot promise a visit as ‘110 men wait for my return in April at the East Africa and a narrative is expected from me before then.’ A letter of interesting content regarding the explorer’s experiences in Africa. Some slight age wear to the final page, otherwise VG. Estimate £2000-3000. Sold for £2700, May 2007 |
LOUIS, Joe (1914-1981) American Boxer, World Heavyweight Champion. Vintage signed 4.5 x 7.5 photograph, an imposing full length shot of the boxer wearing his boxing trunks and gloves. He has his arms raised to his chest as he poses before the camera. Boldly signed in dark fountain pen ink with his name alone to a light area of the image. Authentic signed photographs of Louis are surprisingly rare as most were signed by secretaries. VG. Estimate £200-300. Sold for £300, May 2007 |
CHAPLIN, Charles (1889-1977) British Film Comedian, Academy Award winner. An excellent vintage signed and inscribed sepia 5 x 7 photograph depicting Chaplin in a classic full length pose in his most famous role as the little tramp. The moustached Chaplin, wearing a bowler hat and dark clothing, laughs happily towards the camera as he poses with his trademark cane in one hand. Signed in dark fountain pen ink to a clear area of the background ‘To my friend Frank, from Charlie Chaplin’. Inscribed to Frank Traughber who, as a young boy, was employed by Chaplin as his office boy at his studio in Hollywood from 1919-20. Accompanied by an interesting copy of a letter from Traughber to Chaplin, 29th November 1973, relating some of the experiences he had working with the comedian and commenting on keeping the young Jackie Coogan entertained. Signed photographs of Chaplin in his most famous role are particularly desirable. One very small, minor corner crease, otherwise VG. Estimate £1400-1600. Sold for £1500, May 2007 |
