The Dec. 11, 1999, Premier Beverly Hills Collectible Sale, Sale 4

199   Arista, Mariano. Mexican President, 1852.

Document Signed as President. Two pages, recto/verso, Folio, on light blue stationery, Mexico, April 22, 1852. A Certificate of Merit for citizen "Santiago Fapia." Presented in the care of 133 agencies that decide regulation standards for payment of wages to become effective on June 22, 1852. Boldly signed by President Arista. Countersigned recto and verso by numerous officers. Very Good. Document features an elaborate, federal vignette of an eagle with snake, top center. Blind seal resides just below. Minor foxing, standard fold creases.
Estimated Value $500-750.

200   Begin, Menachem. 1913-1992. Israeli statesman and Prime Minister (1977-83). Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978, which he shared with President Sadat of Egypt.

Illustrated Printed Document Signed. One page, Folio, on embossed green paper, Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, 1964. Ornate document stating that:

"In accordance with the decision of the Israeli Government To Fulfill his Will and Testament This Verifies That [ ____ ] has been honored and is a member of the honor guard next to the coffins of Zev Jabotinsky and his wife Yoanna, their memory be eternal, upon their return to their country."

Very Fine. Signed below by Menachem Begin, Joseph Kellerman, and Aaron Proops.
Estimated Value $200-UP.

201   Brezhnev, Leonid. 1906-1982. Soviet statesman, general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party (1964-82), and president of the Supreme Soviet (1977-82).

New Year's Greeting Card Signed. One page, folded oblong Octavo, Color, in Russian, 1980, with a folded printed insert greeting on mint green bond, at the bottom of which the Russian leader has signed his name in black ink. The card depicts a colorful scene of the Kremlin in winter. Very Fine. This New Year's card from Brezhnev is the first one we have seen. Rare.
Estimated Value $600-800.

202   Bustamunte, Anastasio. General of the Division, President of the Mexican Republic.

Document Signed. One page, small Folio, Mexico, February, 1839. Being a Military Appointment naming "Antonio Gaxia y Garcia" to Lieutenant Colonel Commander of the Defense. Boldly signed on recto. Countersigned by Joaquin Velasquez de Leon. Verso contains eight dated endorsement signatures, of various officers in response to this appointment. Very Good. Moderate foxing in center of verso, numerous fold creases.
Estimated Value $350-500.

203   Carranzo, Venustiano. (1859-1920). President of Mexico. Along with Pancho Villa, formed the Division of the North, to revolt against Victoriano Huerta.

Document Signed as President. Two pages, Octavo, recto/verso. July 15, 1915. To Francisco S. Elias, Equitable Bldg, Broadway, New York. A telegram, mostly in code. Boldly signed in black ink. Unidentified signature on verso in pencil. Good. Foxing along lower right, crease upper left corner, tiny hole lower left, and miniscule tear along right edge.
Estimated Value $300-400.

204   Catherine the Great. Empress (Czarina) of Russia as Catherine II for 34 years after she murdered her husband, Peter III in 1762. She extended the frontiers of the Russian Empire through numerous conquests, especially notable victories over the Turks, from whom she annexed Crimea. Although known for her promiscuity and many lovers, she was an intelligent and learned woman who regularly corresponded with Voltaire and other leading philosophers of her day.

Document Signed "Ekaterina" in Cyrillic, one page, small Folio, 18th February, 1792. Tsarskoê Selo (now named Pushkino, in honor of the great Russian poet, Pushkin) It was one of the favorite Royal residences near the Capital of St. Petersburg. Similar letters were sent to all provincial authorities so that they could start official celebrations in honor of "This new addition to the Imperial Family." An occasion eagerly sought for by the provincial nobility. Near literal translation in full:

"Lieutenant General and Governor of Nijni Novgorod, Mr. Belavin. // Today, in the third hour of the morning, Macha, our gentle daughter-in-law and the Grand Dutchess, happily gave birth to a princess who was named Olga. // We urgently inform you about this new addition to our Imperial Family and remain always favorable in your behalf."

Very Good. Nicely matted and framed with a colored, steel engraving reproduction and a copper 1795 Kopeks.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.

205   Chagall, Marc. (1887-1985) Russian artist noted for his brilliant colors and dreamlike imagery. He created his own style with subjects from Russian village life, Jewish folklore and Hasidic mysticism.

Original Pastel Sketch Signed. 10 x 12", n.d., n.p. A delicate female line drawing featuring subtle blue eyes and gentle red lips rendered on slate-green cardboard. Fine.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.

206   Charles IV. King of Spain, 1748-1819.

Legal Manuscript Document Signed. Lengthy Thirty pages, in Spanish, Tall Folio, Spain, January 22, 1791. This elaborately penned document is a last Will and Testament for the Colonel of the Regimental Militia of Real de Balancos. Fine. There is a minor tear across the top left corner of the first page, otherwise this lengthy document is fine.
Estimated Value $400-600.

207   Dayan, Moshe & Ruth, Teddy Kollek. Moshe Dayan (1915-1981) Israeli general and statesman. As foreign minister, he helped to secure the historic peace treaty with Egypt in 1977.

Typed Letter Signed & Photograph Signed. One page, small Octavo, on personal stationery, April 7, 1968. In full: "Dear Miss Weizer, / My husband and I were touched by your kind words, and he has asked me to send to you his thanks and his best wishes. I add mine, too. / Yours Sincerely, Ruth Day" Accompanied by a 4 x 6", black and white photo of the Minister of defence signed delicately in blue pen.

Photograph Signed. 2.5 x 4", black and white, signed "Teddy Kollek" and dated "Jerusalem 1972" in the border below his likeness. Very Good.
Estimated Value $100-150.

208   [Edward VI]. 1537-53. King of England (1547-53), born in London, the son of Henry VIII by his third queen, Jane Seymour. During Edward's reign, power was first in the hands of his uncle, Edward Seymour, the Duke of Somerset, and after his execution in 1552, of John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland. Became a devout Protestant, and under the Protectors the English Reformation flourished.

Letter Signed by Sir Thomas Cheyney. One page, Octavo, Shortland, August 1, [1547-1549], to John Monynge [Monyn]. Scarce letter signed during Edward VI's reign regarding orders from the Lord Protector, Edward Seymour, the Duke of Somerset, uncle and Regent for the boy King. The letter announces the dispatch of letters by which the Duke directs that 270 "mariners" [sailors] be engaged for the royal service, within the liberties of the Cinque Ports, to be at Gillingham by the 12th of the month. To Cheyney, this number seems excessive, because he has never raised more than 50 or 60 at a time, and there were evidently not enough men at Sturbourne available. Monyn is directed to raise 60 men at the very least. He says that John Anthony can give him the names of some mariners available in Thanet, and Cheyney thinks that some can be found at Dover. Letters signed by known persons during this era are scarce, and this letter concerning the behind-the-scenes conscription of men for the Royal Service is a fine example. The letter is chipped along the right margin, somewhat stained, and has been trimmed at the top. Still, the ink is very dark, and signature bold.
Estimated Value $450-600.

209   Ferdinand VII. King of Spain, 1784-1833.

Document Signed. One page, legal Quarto, Spain, July 24, 1833. Elaborate paper seal relatively intact. Good. Wrinkled in sections, spotting throughout, with a small tear along left edge.
Estimated Value $300-400.

210   First Day Covers.
Two First Day Covers Signed.

A. "Alias Agatha Christie." 8.5 x 4.5", Postmarked March 19 1991, Edinburgh. The cover features the outline of a body on an oriental rug & "The Queen of Crime - Agatha Christie" stamp with the signatures of Tom Stoppard, John Le Carré, Ruth Rendell, Simon Brett, and P.D. James signed in blue and black ink.

B. "Lyricists." 7.5 x 4", Postmarked Sept 11, 1996, New York, NY. The stamp on this envelope commemorates The American Music Stamp Festival, which features the signatures of Don Black and Tom Rice, Sandy Wilson, Richard Stilgoe, Cleo Lane, John Dankworth, Andre Poivin and Marvin Hamlisch. Very Good.
Estimated Value $150-250.

211   Gagarin, Yuri (Alexeyevich). 1934-1968. Russian cosmonaut who, in 1961 became the first man to travel in space, completing a circuit of the Earth in the Vostok spaceship satellite. He shared the Galabert Astronautical Prize with John Glenn in 1963.

Signed Book. "Soviet Person in the Kosmos," Moscow, April, 1961, 128 pages, soft cover, printed in cyrillics, with several photos. Signed by Yuri Gagarin in the same year that he made the first orbit of Earth, dated July 1, 1961. Gagarin has written a poignant inscription: "Having flown around the Earth in the first satellite, I saw how beautiful our planet is, let us not destroy it!" . Cover is stained at bottom, and bears moderate paper loss at top left. Back cover has a 4-inch tear up the middle from the bottom up. Still the book is very presentable, boldly signed, and beautifully inscribed.
Estimated Value $650-1,000.

212   Gallatin, Albert. (1761-1849) Financier and statesman. Born and educated in Geneva, settled in Pennsylvania and elected to the US House of Representatives in 1795. He played an important part in the peace negotiations with Britain in 1814.

Autograph Note Signed. One page, 2.5 x 5", n.d., n.p. Delicately inscribed, "I am, very respectfully / Sir, Your Obedt. Servt. / Albert Gallatin" in light brown ink. Very Good.
Estimated Value $50-75.

This lot was incorrectly identified as lot 133 on page 73 of the printed catalog
   

213   George I. 1660-1727. King of England. Born in Germany, great-grandson of James I of England, proclaimed king on the death of Queen Anne. Elector of Hanover, he commanded the imperial forces in the Marlborough wars. He was a soldier by temperament, spoke very little English, and could not accustom himself to English ways. He lived in his electorate Hanover for most of his life, where he reigned as Georg Ludwig. He left the government of England to the Whig party and the prime minister Robert Walpole.

Partially Printed Document Signed. Accomplished in manuscript. One page, small Folio, Hanover, Germany, December 31, 1701. Attractive document signed by the monarch, "Georg Ludowig, Elector" of the Holy Roman Empire, approving a request by the Duchy of Calenberg that the year's tithe may be paid entirely in corn (meaning wheat, barley, rye, oats, or a combination), or half in corn and half in cash. Fine. The large, royal signature appears in the blank area below the text, which is decorated with two large ornate capital letters. The first four lines are in a larger, more imposing script. With holograph secretarial marks and insertions. Some foxing, otherwise fine. Accompanied by a complete translation.
Estimated Value $800-1,000.

214   George III, King of Great Britain. (1738-1820). In 1760 succeeded his grandfather, George II, as King of Great Britain and Ireland and Elector of Hanover. It was during George's administration, on July 4, 1776, that the American colonies, exasperated by renewed attempts at taxation, proclaimed their independence, and, after a Revolutionary War, eventually achieved it. A treaty of peace with Great Britain was signed in February 1783.

Document Signed. One page, two-sided, Folio, Court of St. James, March 28, 1783. Important document, addressed to Henry Walter Esq., Major Commandant of the British infantry corps being an order to disband a portion of the English army issued just after the treaty of peace with the colonies was signed, most likely related to the British troops in India rather than in America. Document states:

"Whereas we have thought fit to order Our Corps of Infantry under your Command to be forthwith disbanded... immediately repair to the Quarters of Our said Corps and disband them accordingly..." The document goes on to spell out the rules to be observed in the disbanding of the said military corps, including the taking of an exact muster of the several companies of the corps, pay off the non-commissioned officers and private men of the corps, arms to be accounted for and returned, fourteen days' subsistence to each Sergeant, Corporal, Drummer and Private Man to carry him home and a list of names of all the men so disbanded.

Fine. This document is weak at the folds, having once been taped, and there is natural age discoloration. Signed boldly by George III at the upper left corner of the recto. Magnificently matted and framed (with the verso also visible) along with a hand colored print of George III and a bronze inscribed plaque, all against a dark green crushed velvet background within a burl frame. Overall size 23 x 29".
Estimated Value $1,000-1,250.

215   Guerrero, Vicente. President of Mexico.

Autograph Letter Signed. Two pages, recto/verso, Quarto, 1830. Boldly signed on verso.

A warm and solemn letter to a friend back home. Guerrero asks his friend to pass along Guerrero's regards to his loved ones, and asks that he look after them. He indicates that times are tough and things aren't going according to plan; there have been unexpected delays prolonging his stay there. It's a big sacrifice, he writes, but nonetheless, he must fulfill his obligations. He acknowledges that this favor he has requested is an enormous demonstration of his great friendship.

Very Good. Mildly wrinkled in spots.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.

216   Hindenburg, Paul Von. (1847-1934) German general and president (1925-34). In World War I, he won victories over the Russians (1914-15), but was forced to direct the German retreat on the Western Front (to the Hindenburg line) A national hero, he became the second president of the German Republic in 1925, re-elected in 1932 and appointed Hitler Chancellor in 1933.

Portrait Signed. Approximately 8 x 9", black and white, n.d., Berlin. A reproduction of a sketched rendering of the leader. A classic bust portrait of Hindenburg in his military attire. Extravagantly signed in pencil below his likeness. Very Good. Tiny tear at bottom center.
Estimated Value $400-500.

217   Huerta, Victoriano. President of Mexico. Defeated by the forces of Pancho Villa and Carranza.

Document Signed as President. Two pages, recto/verso, Folio, on vellum, Mexico, 1913. A heavy parchment certificate with impressions. Elaborate paper seal next to engraved federal vignette.
Signed boldly in black ink on recto. Numerous countersignatures on verso, stamped and dated. Very Good. Foxing in spots, and creases.
Estimated Value $750-1,000.

218   Iturbide, Augustin de. Established Mexican independence in 1821. Emperor of Mexico 1822-1823.

Autograph Letter Signed. Three pages, recto/verso, small Quarto, written on right side of each page in vertical columns. Mexico, February 22, 1822. On Secretary of the States General stationery.

"On the indicated date to your excellency Secretary of the Dispatch to the Hacienda as follows. 'Leaving a deposit up front of $60,000 pesos in recognition of the Archpatriarch of Rosano de LaCarte, your excellency Mr. Conde of San Mateo Valparaiso, well Colonel Jose Ignacio Aguirrebergoa his right hand man, indicated to me the we are to turn over $20,000 pesos, and the remainder once the job is done, which should be soon. What I am informing you, your excellency is at the end to serve the recognition of the Supreme Regency that if present should send some one to turn in the $20,000 pesos to the Rent of the Tobacco while he sits in it & conveniently gains interest.' / And transporting our sanctity for his intelligence in response to his duty-- actively. / God bless you Mexico, Feb. 22, 1822".

Very Good.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.

219   Israeli Leaders. Moshe Dayan (1915-1981) Israeli general and statesman. As foreign minister, he helped to secure the historic peace treaty with Egypt in 1977.

Golda Meir (1898-1978) Israeli stateswoman and prime minister (1969-74).

Lot of Two Photographs Signed

A.) "Dayan" -- 3.5 x 5.5", black and white, a handsome portrait of the defense leader delicately signed in full in blue ink below his likeness. Accompanied by a card reading "State of Israel With the compliments of The Minister of Defense"

B.) "Meir" -- 4 x 6", color, postcard of the Prime Minister signed in ball point pen in the border below her likeness. Accompanied by a card reading "State of Israel With the compliments of the Prime Minister's Bureau Jerusalem". Very Good.
Estimated Value $150-200.

220   Juarez, Benito. (1806-1872) President of Mexico (1861-63 and 1867) and one of the country's greatest heroes. He brought about many liberal reforms touching both church and state.

Autograph Letter Signed. One page, Quarto, Mexico, April 17, 1863. To General Santiago Tapia in Michoacan. In it, Juarez acknowledges receipt of petition to double the number of troops to defend the city of Zaragoya against the rebels in order to keep peace and protect their nationality.

"I trust your patriotism which will carry it out most efficiently... Yesterday, I sent you several bits of very important news about the defeat of Zubrón at Zaragoya... Now I can inform you that yesterday morning the attack on the plaza has been very harsh, which I have been informed of from Ocotlain. / Signed as President / Benito Juárez".

Fine. Slight creases, in thirds. Insignificant hole in upper left.
Estimated Value $800-1,200.
Fantastic military content.

221   Juarez, Benito. President of Mexico.

Partly Printed Document Signed. One page, legal Folio, in Spanish, Mexico, August 5, 1867. Being an award for meritorious service. Signed with paraph beneath text the year Maximilian fell and after Juárez' return to Mexico City. Matted and framed with a steel engraving reproduction to 31½ x 23½". (framed has some minor nicks). Good. Evidences moderate wear with 3/4 of spine trimmed at fold; scattered punctures at vertical folds; occasional nicks at edges; few tears without paper loss; fold separations with tape repair on blank integral leaf with very small paper loss; light soiling; general age toning. A desirable signature from an important time in Mexican history.
Estimated Value $800-1,000.

222   Juarez, Benito. Mexican President.

Autograph Letter Signed as President. Two pages, with holograph addendum (folded), recto/verso, small Quarto. Mexico, May 31, 1863. To General Santiago Tapia, Governor and Military Commander of Michaocán. A plea for governmental funds to "save the credit and good name of the gov't." Juarez writes in full:

"My Dear Friend: / Mr. Juan Rondero and the minister of the treasury agree that the promissory note for $30,000 made by the minister himself in your name has not been sent to you; if it is not covered immediately the internal revenue will be seriously affected, which I wish and have the obligation to avoid, I beg of you to acquire an extraordinary loan or by any other means try to pay the unpaid balance of this note which is nearly the entire amount. Trusting that you will save the credit and good name of the government, I remain your good friend and servant who kisses your hand. Benito Juárez."

Very Good. Signed with an elaborate paraph. The holograph note on top reads, "Answered by sending 20 thousand pesos on account of the 30 thousand." Minor foxing in spots, tiny hole in upper left (not affecting document).
Estimated Value $500-750.

223   [Juarez, C. Benito].
Printed Broadside. Oblong Folio, Mexico, July 19, 1872. Being a Death Notice of the "Mexican Washington," President Benito C. Juarez. Translated in full:

"The Constitutional Town Hall of Mexico has the sorrow to inform its inhabitants in the capital, of the decease of the WORTHY MERITORIOUS PATRIOT C. BENITO JUAREZ PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF MEXICO.
The supreme law has been carried out. The man of bronze, he who consummated our second independence, has died. The Mexican Nation and all civilized countries that love freedom, are in mourning before the remains of the great Patriot who has stopped existing; we can only venerate the memory of the Mexican Washington".

Very Good. Document exhibits faint "mirror" impression of some of its own lettering across the top, where it has been folded in half, and over time picked up partial lines of its own text in the blank areas between printed lines. Remnants of a seal in the lower right corner.
Estimated Value $1,000-1,500.