Mar. 8-9 & Apr. 5, 2003, The Collectibles Auction, Sale 18
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Lot 1300 [Académie Royale des Beaux Arts]. Document Signed by 40 members of the Academy, certifying that they had received compensation for the month of April 1842, 3 pages, recto and verso, large folio, Paris, April 20, 1842. There is an amazing assemblage of French artists, musicians, and architects, each of whom signed in the left column by his name. Signers include the great classical painter Ingres, as well as Auber, Vernet, Vanteuil , Debret, Blondel, De la Roche, Tardieu, Fontaine, Richomme, Berton, Carafa, and many more. Light soiling and minor edge tears, else fine. Estimated Value $200-UP. |
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Lot 1301 French Authors, Playwrights, Actors. A collection of approximately 125 calling cards, mostly unsigned but many with holograph notes, including famous members of the Académie Française. Included are: Henri Bergson, André Maurois, Catulle Mendès, François Mauriac, André Malraux, Edmond de Goncourt, Anatole France, Paul Valéry, Georges Feydeau, Edmond Rostand, Pierre Loti, Paul Claudel, Georges Duhamel, Alphonse Daudet, René Bazin, Marcel Pagnol, Marcel Prévost, Coquelin, and more. Some general toning and soiling. Most are fair to very good. Estimated Value $250-350. |
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Lot 1302 [American Academy of Arts and Sciences]. Partly printed Document Signed by the president ("Edward A. Holyoke,") vice president ("John T. Kirkland"), and two secretaries ("John Farrar" and "Josiah Quincy") of the Academy, 1 page, laid paper, oblong folio, Massachusetts, August 14, 1816. Being a certificate of membership issued to Joseph G. Cogswell, a Harvard librarian and bibliographer. The paper and wax seal of the Academy is affixed at bottom center. Some abrasions at top edge, light soiling and minor edge tears, else very good. Kirkland and Quincy would both serve as president of Harvard. Estimated Value $100-UP. |
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Lot 1303 Kelly, Walt. Original four-panel drawing from the comic strip "Pogo," signed and inscribed in the lower border, "Happy 15th Birthday to David Lewis -- Sincerely -- Walt Kelly." The strip was published December 26, 1967, by The Hall Syndicate, Inc., and shows Pogo discussing with Albert the long underwear Albert is wearing because his aunt gave it to him for Christmas, and whether it is appropriate dress in which to receive a lady. Pogo was a daily comic strip published from 1948 until Kelly's death in 1973. The characters from Okefenokee were extremely popular for the humor and the political and social commentary they expressed. The strip is in fine condition and is matted and framed to 23 x 11 inches. A scarce, original example of one of the century's most important comic strips, signed by its creator. Estimated Value $650-1,250. |
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Lot 1304 Edward Albee (1928 - ) American playwright, recipient of three Pulitzer Prizes and two Tony Awards; best known for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page quarto, New York, N.Y., January 16, 1982. On engraved, personal stationery, to an admirer, sending a signed photo (not present), and stating, "...one day, when I was 6 or 7, I suddenly decided to start writing & I have been at it ever since." Extremely fine. Estimated Value $80-UP. |
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Lot 1305 Authors, Playwrights, and Illustrators. A group of approximately 50 cards signed by a variety of American, British, and other writers from the 19th and 20th centuries. They include: John G. Whittier, Henry James, Agatha Christie (on a piece of paper), Gabriele d'Annunzio, Gabriel García Márquez, Samuel Beckett, John Osborne, Booth Tarkington, Katharine Lee Bates, William Cullen Bryant, Will and Ariel Durant, Edgar Lee Masters, Irving Wallace, James L. Buckley, Charles Dudley Warren, Kathleen Norris, Rose Macaulay, Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, Mary Mapes Dodge, Andrew Greeley, John Jakes, Bob Woodward, and Thomas Nast. Cards range from fair to fine. Also included is a signed 8" x 10" photograph of Upton Sinclair; minor damage above signature, else fair. Estimated Value $400-600. |
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Lot 1306 Coward, Noel. English actor, playwright, and composer. First Edition Presentation Copy of The Vortex, a three-act play (London: Ernest Benn, Ltd., 1925), charmingly signed and inscribed upon publication to George Bernard Shaw's secretary, Blanche Patch: "For Miss Patch/his gratitude for her frequent protection./A happy Christmas/Noel Coward/Do read this I've heard it's so good!/1924" Octavo, original blue cloth with printed labels on the spine and upper cover. A lovely, near-fine copy with light and even browning to the pages and just a little darkening to the spine and the spine-label, all the more appealing because it appears to have been issued without a protective dustwrapper. Signed on the first flyleaf. Estimated Value $600-1,250. |
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Lot 1307 Dana, Richard Henry, Jr (1815-82) Author and lawyer. He described his two years on a brig from Boston to California (1834-36) in the classic, Two Years Before the Mast (1840), and was one of Jefferson Davis' prosecutors in 1867-68. Autograph Letter Signed (Rich H. Dana jr,") 2 pp, small octavo, Boston, November 10, 1868. To William M. Evarts, calling honors being paid Evarts by the New York Bar "the highest professional tribute ever paid in this country," and announcing his intention to attend the dinner. Evarts was appointed U.S. Attorney General in 1868; he would also serve as Secretary of State and U.S. senator. Faint spotting on first page, else very good. With transmittal envelope. Estimated Value $150-200. |
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Lot 1308 Dickens, Charles. Autograph Letter Signed, 1½ pp, Tavistock House, April 29, 1854. To Edward William Cole: "I regret that I cannot preside at the annual meeting of the Institution, but my occupations...have obliged me, this year, to abstain from accepting any such public engagement. I have refused many, conditionally, replying...'If I go anywhere, I will come to you'. My appearance in this case would involve me in innumerable others; and I am obliged - positively obliged - to decline. My attendances at public meetings at any time, are very few and far between." Overall toning and soiling; a couple of spots in left margin of first page, and an edge chip at lower edge of second page. Dickens signature is large and followed by a paraph. Boldly penned and signed in blue ink. (1812-1870) British novelist. Estimated Value $800-1,200. |
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Lot 1309 Du Maurier, Daphne (1907-89) British novelist who wrote suspense novels such as Rebecca and Frenchman's Creek. A collection of nine letters and two Christmas cards from du Maurier to screenwriter and novelist Jesse Lasky, Jr., written from 1927 to 1985. In 1927, the twenty-year-old du Maurier wrote two Autograph Letters Signed from Paris to the seventeen-year-old Lasky, thanking him for sending her his book of poems and for a poem specifically written to her. She writes, "...I'm afraid I can't claim to have ever published anything...." The correspondence picks up again 50 years later in 1977 and includes five Typed Letters and one Autograph Letter, as well as Christmas cards from 1977 and 1979, the latter with an Autograph Note Signed. Four of the letters mention Laurence Olivier (who starred in the film Rebecca) and/or Vivien Leigh, whom she met when there was some talk of her possibly doing My Cousin Rachel. By way of apology for not liking a book Lasky has written about the famous couple, she writes, "...Larry of course I saw in the film Henry V and Richard III and thought him superb. But what their lives were at home...interested me no more than any other stage or film personality...so much of stage and film life is trivial...." More interesting content. Total of three quarto pages, eleven octavo pages, two cards, and six envelopes. All Very Fine or better. Estimated Value $600-800. |
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Lot 1310 Harte, Bret (1836-1902) Diplomat, Author of Frontier Life. Autograph Letter Signed, three pages (one recto and verso), octavo, n.p. (London), November 7, 1892. On letterhead embossed "15, Upper Hamilton Terrace N.W." to Miss Mabel Perry Haskell, charmingly refusing her request for an interview. In part, "...You say you have 'never interviewed anybody'; I have never been (knowingly) 'interviewed'; let us both keep our freshness unsullied!" One page is split through at horizontal fold, and the second page almost split through, both easily repaired. Overall toning and scattered spotting, but boldly written and signed. About good. Estimated Value $150-200. |
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Lot 1312 Keller, Helen (1880-1968) Blind, deaf, mute author. Typed Letter Signed, one page, quarto, New York, June 4, 1948. To Mrs. Alfred Tozzer, on "American Foundation For The Blind, Inc." letterhead: "Your helpful response to my appeal for the deaf-blind of America moved me as it confirms my faith in the unfailing goodness of the human heart...." Overall wrinkling to page, rendering the condition only fair, but the signature is very strong. Estimated Value $300-500. |
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Lot 1313 Kingsley, Charles (1819-75) British novelist and clergyman; chaplain to Queen Victoria. Autograph Letter Signed, three pages, octavo, Eversley, April 16, 1858. To an unidentified correspondent, saying that he is sending "one of the new Canadian spoon-baits" and going on at length about his own success in using the same: "...I kill twice as many pike & perch with it than I ever killed on any other bait...." Boldly written and signed. Fine condition. Estimated Value $75-100. |
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Lot 1314 Sassoon, Siegfried (1886-1967) English writer best known for his anti-war verse, as well as autobiographical prose works evoking English country life. Scarce Autograph Letter Signed with initials, "SS," one page, quarto, 14 Merton St., March 20 (no year). A newsy letter to "My dear Strong," probably written soon after the end of World War I, in which Sassoon was twice decorated. In part: "Oxford is pleasant enough. There are many minor poets, & a lot of bells are rung...I am leaving here for good...having taken on the literary columns of the forthcoming 'Daily Herald'...I am not sorry to leave here, as this place seems stagnant, somehow, though youth is charming & gay...I have seen a good deal of [John Edward] Masefield, who is splendid & most stimulating. No, I never went to France; they closed down Propaganda soon after I left hospital; and my trip with Winston fell through...." A bristling letter setting forth a panorama of post-war activities and many of Sasson's likes and dislikes. Slight wrinkling and overall toning, else fine. Boldly written and signed. Matted with a 4¾ x 5¾ inch image of Sassoon and framed to an overall size of 20 x 16¼ inches. Ready for display. Estimated Value $1,000-1,500. |
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Lot 1315 Tolstoy, Leo (1828-1910). Russian author, his War and Peace is an epic tale, considered by many to be the greatest novel ever written. Signed Photographic Postcard ("Leo Tolstoy"). Black and white, 3¼ X 5½", n.p., "18 Avr. 1907". Verso addressed to Monsieur Friedenstein of Vienna, incomplete Russian postmark. The top right corner shows an odd defect on the light field -- the surface is uneven with a small amount of off-color tone, but it does not appear that the piece has been altered or restored. Possibly the flaw is a result of faulty paper during production. The overall appearance of the piece is very good. An 1896 image of Tolstoy, signed just three years before his death. By this point in his life, Tolstoy was trying to live as the peasant he is pictured as here -- the spiritual and moral crisis he faced in the 1870s culminated in a series of religious and philosophical writings and his decision to divest himself of possessions and earthly pleasures. Tolstoy was eventually excommunicated by the Russian Orthodox Church (1901), but was visited by pilgrims from all over the world who were inspired by his new asceticism. Estimated Value $1,000-1,500. |
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Lot 1316 Webster, Noah (1758-1843) American lexicographer and author; father of the American dictionary. Autograph Letter Signed, one page, New Haven, February 7, 1838. Written to Samuel Fletcher, a lawyer in Concord, New Hampshire, asking his help in determining whether Webster is being cheated by the publisher of his spelling book. In part: "Mr. Atwood, the publisher of my El. Spelling Book, wrote to me last summer, before he went westward, that Mr. Simon Brown was his partner & would continue to publish the books. I learn that Brown or some person under him has published great numbers, say sixty or seventy thousand; & if so, this has been done without a license & to my injury. It is said Brown has absconded, or gone south & that the plates he used are in the hands of the assignee of Atwood. I wish you...to ascertain whether there is any property which can be found to secure me, for this trespass; whether Brown is expected to return & in whose hands the stereotype plates of Atwood are - and whether any person is using them. I wish to put an end to such illegal proceedings...." Ironically, but for obvious reasons, Webster was reluctant to part with the words in his spelling book wholesale and without compensation, but had no objection to sharing them with the public one word at a time. One is reminded of Twain's celebrated statement that all the words at his command were in the dictionary and that Twain had merely rearranged them. Webster's fame, on the other hand, rests on his having the words at his disposal in alphabetical order. One contemporary ink smear in body, three tiny tape remnants at top edge, and light toning, else fine. Integral address leaf has blue circular postmark and manuscript postage. Webster wrote Grammatical Institute of the English Language, Part I in 1783. It was a spelling book later known as Webster's Spelling Book or Blue-Backed Speller and it sold over a hundred million copies over the next century. In 1806, he published the first true American dictionary, A Compendious Dictionary of the English Language In 1828 he published An American Dictionary of the English Language, a magnum opus for which he learned 26 languages, in order to learn the origins of words. Webster thought that spelling, grammar, and usage should be based on the living, spoken language. He was largely responsible for recording and establishing the vitality of American English. Estimated Value $1,000-1,250. |
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Lot 1317 Lindbergh, Charles. Signature and date ("Ch. Lindbergh Mar. 23, 1929") on octavo letterhead printed "Burlingame California." Slight edge wrinkling, otherwise very fine. Boldly signed in dark brown ink. Accompanied by a postcard photo of "The Spirit of St. Louis" in the Smithsonian. (1902-1974) American aviator, the first man to fly solo non-stop across the Atlantic (1927). Estimated Value $400-600. |
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Lot 1318 Wright, Orville (1871-1948) American aviator, co-inventor of the airplane (1903). 2¼ x 3¼" Card Signed ("Orville Wright"), n.p., n.d. The card is accompanied by a postcard photograph of the plane in which Orville made his famous first flight in 1903. Both items extremely fine. Estimated Value $400-600. |
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Lot 1319 Reformers. Five cards signed by reformers: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, at the forefront of the fight for woman's suffrage but never enjoyed it for herself; William Lloyd Garrison, abolitionist, editor; Carry A. Nation, temperance agitator, with inscription ("Your loving Home Defender Dec 17 1903"); Evangeline Booth, with title ("General"), daughter of William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army; Wendell Phillips Garrison ("April 19, 1888). Some mounting residue, else good to fine. Estimated Value $300-400. |
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Lot 1320 Edison, Thomas (1847-1931) American inventor who held over 1,000 patents, among which were the phonograph (1877) and the incandescent electric lamp (1879), and who produced talking motion pictures in 1913. Photograph of a painting Inscribed and Signed ("To Jesse Lasky Jr Thos A Edison,") in black ink in the lower border, 12¼" x 10", n.p., n.d. (c. 1926). A three-quarter, seated portrait of Edison, holding a book. In the lower right corner is the painter's name and the date, "Ellis M. Silvatta 1926"; in the left corner are Edison's initials, "T.A.E." There are a few small spots of foxing--two in the background, one each on Edison's jacket lapel and shirt cuff, and a small, hardly-noticeable one on his left cheek. Light toning to margins, and a small tear in left margin, which will not show when framed. A wonderful image, inscribed to the young son of movie pioneer Jesse Lasky. Fine. Estimated Value $1,500-2,500. |
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Lot 1321 Edison, Thomas. Typed Letter Signed ("Thos A Edison,") one page, quarto, on "From the Laboratory of Thomas A. Edison" letterhead, Orange, N.J., December 24, 1926. To the sixteen-year-old son of movie pioneer Jesse Lasky: "Until I received a copy of your book of poems that you kindly sent me, I did not know that there was a poet in your family. But, come to think of it, your father is far from lacking in imagination, so there is nothing strange in inherited imagination running to the side of poetry...." Light toning, normal folds, and some creasing in left margin; residue at top verso from a previous pasting; otherwise, Fine. Edison's signature, as usual, is beautiful. Jesse Lasky, Sr. formed the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Compay in 1913 with his brother-in-law Samuel Goldwyn (then Goldfish) and hired Cecil B. DeMille as film director. Jesse, Jr. would later write scripts for DeMille films such as The Ten Commandments and Samson and Delilah. Estimated Value $1,000-1,500. |
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Lot 1322 Scientists and Philanthropists. Peter Cooper: two beautiful, large signatures, one on a card and one on a 2¾" x 5" piece of paper; minor soiling. Armand Hammer: 8" x 10" photograph inscribed and signed, 1987; fine. Louis Agassiz: two signatures, one on a plain card and one on a 2½" x 4" piece of paper, Cambridge, Dec. 5, 1868; mounting remnants at corners on verso and one tiny corner missing. Max Nordau: three unsigned business cards, one with a note in French and another with a note in German. Also, two cards from Mrs. Agassiz. Estimated Value $250-350. |
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Lot 1323 Singer, Isaac Bashevis and Others. A collection of over 100 Jewish-related items. It includes three glossy signed photographs of Isaac Bashevis Singer (one 8" x 10" and two 5" x 7"--2 signed on the back, 1 on the front); signed photo of Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Shamir (ink smeared in inscription); Abba Eban (3 signatures, 1 with note); Elie Wiesel (2 signatures); and Simon Wiesenthal (3 signed business cards); also, signed photos of Anna M. Rosenberg (Asst. Sec. of Defense '53) and lawyer Alan Dershowitz (plus signed business card). The remainder of the collection is primarily signed business cards from every walk of life: Israeli diplomats and politicians, rabbis, members of American Jewish organizations, etc. Overall fine condition. Estimated Value $400-600. |
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Lot 1324 Berlin, Irving (1888-1989) American songwriter, probably the most versatile and popular of the 20th century. He wrote over 1500 songs, including"Alexander's Ragtime Band," "God Bless America," "White Christmas," "Easter Parade," and "Always," as well as writing lyrics and music for Broadway shows and films. Leather-bound, large quarto volume, gold-stamped on the cover, "Songs From 'Follow The Fleet' Lyrics and Music by Irving Berlin / 1936," inscribed and signed on the front flyleaf, "To Gene Rose with my best wishes / Irving Berlin." The musical starred Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, with Beatty Grable, Lucille Ball, Harriet Hilliard (the future Mrs. Ozzie Nelson), and Russell Hicks in supporting roles. The songs from the soundtrack, which are all included in the volume, are: "We Saw the Sea," "Let Yourself Go," "Get Thee Behind Me, Satan," "I'd Rather Lead a Bank," "But Where Are You?" "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket," and "Let's Face the Music and Dance." Edges of pages are gilt stamped. Fine condition except for some rubbing to gilt-stamped border on back cover, minor wear at corners, and faint even toning to pages. A wonderful Irving Berlin memento. Estimated Value $650-1,250. |
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Lot 1325 Composers, Conductors, Singers, and Musicians. A collection of approximately 100 calling cards from the late 19th century to the present. Some are signed: Zubin Mehta, Yehudi Menuhin, Gabriel Fauré, Roberta Peters, Jaime Laredo, John Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Henry Mancini, Peter Duchin, Lawrence Welk, Richard Rodgers, various opera singers, symphony conductors, etc. Unsigned cards include Massenet (4 - with sentiments), Paderewski, Berlioz, Jerome Hines, and Rodolf Serkin. An intriguing lot for the music lover. General toning and soiling. Condition varies from fair to very good. Estimated Value $300-500. |
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Lot 1326 Paderewski, Ignacy Jan (1860-1941). Polish composer, pianist, statesman, orator, linguist and intellectual -- a man of innumerable talents, Paderewski is most loved by his countrymen for his roles as patriot and humanitarian generous with his labor and kindnesses. Signed Photograph ("I.J. Paderewski"). Sepia toned cabinet card, n.p., n.d. Photograph by London Stereoscopic Corp. Inscribed: "yours truly". Adhesive mounted to old album page; minor nicks and chipping around edges of card, one crease at bottom left corner of card and a smaller one at right corner; a few tiny abrasions on image and two waterspots. Good to very good condition. The flaws, which are most noticeable on the card rather than the photograph, do not detract from the overall impression of the piece and a strong early signature. Paderewski's gaze and the beauty of the image make for a striking piece. Estimated Value $300-400. |
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Lot 1327 Romberg, Sigmund and Stokowski, Leopold. Two Checks Signed ("S Romberg") and ("L Stokowski"). Romberg's check was drawn on the New Netherland Bank of New York, December 6, 1919, and paid to David Mandell for $100. Stokowski's check was drawn on the Bank of America, Hollywood, California, July 3, 1944, and paid to the Disabled American Veterans National Service Fund. Romberg (1887-1951) composed music for operettas; Stokowski (1882-1977) was a conductor known for his showmanship. Fine. Estimated Value $200-300. |
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Lot 1328 Clergy. A group of approximately 60 calling cards belonging to members of the clergy from the late 19th century to the present; many are signed, and the majority are Catholic. They include the Dean of Canterbury (Sheppard), Theodore Hesburgh (4), Annie Besant, Cardinal Mozzoni, Archbishop Spellman, Cardinal Hayes (archbishop of New York - 6 cards), Rose Hawthorne (daughter of Nathaniel), cardinals of various American and European cities, Oral Roberts, etc. Some overall toning; a few have minor glue remnants on verso. Condition ranges from fair to fine. Estimated Value $150-200. |
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Lot 1329 Foreign Statesmen, Diplomats, and Others. A huge lot of more than 500 calling cards, some signed, some with notes on the card, and some cards only. Included are French statesmen George Clemençeau (7), Edouard Daladier (3), Raymond Poincaré (6), and Léon Blum; WWI hero and WWII traitor Henri-Philippe Pétain (3); socialist Louis Blanc; 1st Russian prime minister Serge Witte; Saud, king of Saudi Arabia; Swiss presidents Wahlen, Musey and Chaudet; Australian prime minister Whitham; Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau; Luxembourg president Gaston Thorn; Prince Rainier of Monaco; Prince Napoléon Bonaparte; Philippe duc d'Orléans; Prince Aly Khan; Haitian president Magloire; King Hussein; the Duke and Duchess of Windsor (card only); Chiang Kai-Shek and other members of the government of the Republic of China; British prime minister Jim Callaghan; Austrian president Adolf Scharf; Mexican president Camacho; and Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek (2). Many cards belong to minor officials and many belong to private parties. Overall toning and soiling, but most cards are fair to good. Estimated Value $300-500. |
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Lot 1330 Taiwan. Presentation Ivory Seal to Major William Steinfeld, Dated May 30, 1967. The stamp a slim rectangular block of fine grain ivory, now a mellow creme-light taffy color from handling and age. The base carved with four raised Chinese characters in reverse, which when stamped gives the Major's name in Chinese transliteration. The side of the seal with four vertical lines of finely incised characters stating that the seal was presented to the Major Steinfeld by Major-General Chu Wu-yu, Commandant of the Artillery School, for his services as advisor to the school's gunnery program. Seal intact and perfect, in original maroon cloth and red velvet box. Seal length: 2-3/4". Interesting and scarce. Not the usual sort of miltary memorabilia. Estimated Value $100-150. |