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Sale 52
Manuscript, Collectibles and Aerospace Auction
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Lot 139 |
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Alfonso XII and XIII. Alfonso XII (1857-1885), son of Isabel II, became king after a coup d'état restored the monarchy and ended the First Spanish Republic. Alfonso XIII (1886-1941) was the posthumous son of Alfonso XII; he was king from his birth (his mother served as regent until he was 16) until he was forced to abdicate in 1931. His grandson, Juan Carlos, would become King of Spain in 1975.
Document signed by Alfonso XII ("Yo el Rey"), 2 pp (recto/verso), 12½ x 8½", San Ildefonso, Aug. 8, 1879. Appointing Don José Salvat y Martí Deputy Doctor in the Military Sanitary Corps. With embossed royal stamp at lower left; other official signatures on verso. Document signed by Alfonso XIII ("Yo el Rey), 2pp (recto/verso), 13 x 8 ¾", the Palace, Oct. 19, 1923. Promoting Salvat y Martí from Medical Subinspector 2nd Class, Military Sanitary Corps.
These two documents are accompanied by: an 1886 congratulatory letter from the Imperial German Consul to the Governor of Matanzas on the (posthumous) birth of the King of Spain (Alfonso XIII) to the Queen Regent. Also, three picture postcards: a color one of Alfonso XIII by himself; one of Alfonso XIII with his son, the Prince of Asturias, and one of Alfonso XIII, his Queen (Princess Victoria Eugenia of Battenberg, a granddaughter of Victoria) and their son, Alfonso. A wonderful Spanish royal group. Overall very good condition.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000.
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| Unsold |
Lot 140 |
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Edward VIII. Typed letter signed ("Edward") as Duke of Windsor, 1 page, engraved with his royal crest, 10¼ x 7¼", Waldorf Towers, New York, July 23, 1945. Transmittal envelope with holograph "E" in lower left corner. To Henry Hooker, in part: "I send you under separate cvover a copy of the tribute to the late President I broadcast as Governor of the Bahamas from Nassau on April 14th, 1945….there is no attempt at oratory but the message was submitted on the air as a simple but sincere appreciation of the services to mankind of a great American. As an old friend and law partner of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, I feel you will be interested to have it…." A copy of the duke's address is included, as well as a photocopy of the speech as it was published in The Nassau Daily Tribune on April 16, 1945." One small toned spot, else fine. Because of Edward's pro-Nazi sympathies, the British government wanted him out of Europe during World War II; Churchill appointed him governor of the Bahamas, where he stayed until the end of the war.
Estimated Value $600 - 800.
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| Unsold |
Lot 141 |
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Louis XV (1710-1774) He became king in 1715, at the age of five, but France was ruled by Philippe, duc d'Orléans until 1723. Document signed as King ("Louis") in the name of "mon oncle le duc d'orleans Regent," and countersigned by Phelypeaux, his secretary of state, 16 x 10", Paris, Nov. 13, 1718. A lettre de cachet, directed to Monsieur de Bernauille, captain and governor of the Bastille, ordering him to "receive" one Nicollazzo, printer from the town of Chartres, and to keep him there until further orders from the King. Nicollazzo must have printed something the Regent did not like and, therefore, considered "seditious." There was no legal recourse to effect the release of a person detained with one of these orders. Scattered toning and foxing. A note on the docket shows that Nicollazo entered the Bastille on November 18th. He very likely never left alive.
Estimated Value $500 - 750.
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| Unsold |
Lot 142 |
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Important Napoleon Letter About the Invasion of England. Important letter signed ("Napoleon") as Emperor, with autograph corrections in the text, 3¼pp, in French, Aix la Chapelle, 19 fructidor an XII (September 6, 1804). Written to Admiral Gantéaume, commander of the naval fleet at Brest, regarding the possible invasion of England.
Napoleon inquires whether Gantéaume would be ready to mount an expedition of 16,000 men and 500 horses to Ireland in the following month, telling him, "…with 21 vessels I hope that you will be in a position to do something…a squadron that could slip out of Brest could cause incalcuable devastation to them [the English].The result would be fatal to our enemies. Tell me if you think you can be ready and what are the chances of success." He instructs Gantéaume to liaise with the Irish General O'Connor on the matter. He also points out the value of regular exercises at sea and dismisses the supposed risks involved in organizing manoeuvres in the Brest roads, invoking his own limited naval experience. He adds, "I can't do miracles, but one must do everything possible." He goes on to discuss his plan for promotions in the navy and the innovations he has made in marine artillery. A wonderful letter, in very fine condition.
Estimated Value $7,000 - 10,000.
Ex Crawford Collection.
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