‎Collectibles‎

‎Sotheby & Co‎

‎Catalogue of Superb English Furniture.valuable Armour & Weapons from the Collection of an Austrian Nobleman‎

‎London: Sotheby & Co. Near Fine with No dust jacket as issued. 1933. First Edition; First Printing. Softcover. About 1/3 of the catalog concerns arms & armour. ; Small 4to 9" - 11" tall; 45 pages . Sotheby & Co. paperback‎

Bookseller reference : 26696

‎Altobelli, Cos; Joseph, Ralph S (Ed )‎

‎The Practical Guide to Jewelry Appraising‎

‎Las Vegas NV: American Gem Society. Fine in Near Fine dust jacket. 2000. First Edition. Hardcover. 0-9679020-0-2 . 4to 11" - 13" tall; 292 pages . American Gem Society hardcover‎

Bookseller reference : 26596 ISBN : 0967902002 9780967902005

‎anonymous‎

‎THE IMPERIAL SALE IMPORTANT CHINESE LACQUER CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART CHRISTIE'S HONG KONG 29 AND 30 APRIL 2001‎

‎Hong Kong: Christie's 2001. Paperback. As New. 8 x 11 in. Auction catalog with color photos. Results are included. Condition is AS NEW ; like brand new on all points no markings. Antiques. Stax. Christie's paperback‎

Bookseller reference : 17565

‎edited by Maureen Cassidy-Geiger‎

‎FRAGILE DIPLOMACY MEISSEN PORCELAIN FOR EUROPEAN COURTS CA. 1710-63‎

‎New Haven: Yale University Press 2007. First edition. Hardcover. As New/as new. 9 3/4 x 11 in. Numerous color photos. DJ over cloth boards. Condition of both is LIKE NEW; it has never been out of the original plastic shrink wrap. Antiques. RGR. New Haven: Yale University Press hardcover‎

Bookseller reference : 11431

‎Philippe Burty‎

‎CHEFS-D'OEUVRE OF THE INDUSTRIAL ARTS‎

‎London: Cassell Peter and Galpin 1869. Hardcover. Good. 5 3/4 x 8 3/4 in. viii 391 pgs. Half red morocco with marble paper boards 5 raised bands on spine with gilt lettering. B&W illus and frontis. Gilt upper text block matching marbled endpapers. Condition of book is GOOD ; front outer spine cracked though binding is perfectly sound. Edges and corners worn and rubbed marbled boards worn and scuffed spine and areas around corners darkened. Some foxing to text. Antiques. RGR. Cassell, Peter and Galpin hardcover‎

Bookseller reference : 4304

‎(OPERATION GREYLORD). HOLZER, Reginald J (1928-92)‎

‎Typed Letter Signed‎

‎This huge corruption investigation of the 1980s involved the FBI IRS USPS Chicago Police Department and other law enforcement agencies and resulted in a large number of indictments and convictions of judges lawyers sheriffs police officers and court officials -- among the top of which was this federal judge convicted of extorting $200000 in "loans" from those under him; his 18-year sentence was later reduced to 13 years and he was released in 1990. TLS 5pp rectos only 8½" X 11" Oxford WI 1987 December 29. Addressed to a Chicago publisher. Very good. Two faint original fold lines and 3/4" edge tear at right margin. Writing from prison Holzer congratulates this Chicago publisher on his success then boldly states: ".allow me to introduce myself. I am a prisoner at the Federal Prison Camp Oxford Wisconsin." Interestingly when Holzer was sentenced for his crimes he remarked 'I stand before you a convicted felon exhausted disrobed and defeated. . I have committed crimes. Those crimes have destroyed me. They have wounded my family beyond measure and confused my friends. . There are no words to express my loss my remorse my grief.'' But in this letter he recaps his career then paints Operation Greylord in a different light: "I became in 1985 one of more than seventy judges lawyers and court personnel to find himself the target of a wide-ranging investigation tagged 'Operation Greylord' by the prosecutors and press followed by the inevitable indictment. after a newsy six-week trial I was of course found guilty on most counts. In the media-hyped atmosphere of the day a finding of innocent would have been impossible." The remainder of this lengthy letters is not a legal expose "but I'm ready to take on that assignment next" but rather a description of his novel "Leviticus 18" -- "the story of a Jewish family who lived in the town of Oswiecim Polish Austria-Hungary nestled in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains about thirty-five miles west of Krakow. The action occurs roughly between 1880 and 1910." Interesting and unusual with direct reference to the scandal that ruined his career. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 39659

‎O'CONOR, Charles (1804-84)‎

‎Signature‎

‎This famed counselor was involved in the Tilden-Hayes election dispute and as special deputy attorney general successfully prosecuted the corrupt Tweed Ring in New York; he was nominated for president by the "Straight-Out Democrats" in 1872 making him the first Catholic presidential candidate. Bold signature heavy stock 3½" X 2" card n.p. n.d. Fine. This item is accompanied by a superb vintage 7" X 10½" steel engraving of O'Conor. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 28651

‎JONES, Horatio Gates, Jr (1822-93)‎

‎Partly-Printed Document Signed‎

‎The son of noted Baptist minister Rev. Horatio G. Gates 1777-1853 was a Pennsylvania attorney and state senator known as an advocate of religious liberty; an antiquarian at heart he long served as foreign corresponding secretary of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Partly-printed DS 1p 7 3/4" X 9 3/4" Philadelphia PA 1852 November 8. Very good. Strong original folds not weakened; mounting traces on verso. Attractive partly-printed document with large circular seal of this organization at top. Notifies Major G.H. Crossman that at the organization's November 8th meeting he was named an honorary member. Blank portions filled in by Jones in brown ink with his bold interesting script. Large bold signature at the close. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 40669

‎NYHOLM, Gjedde (1858-1931)‎

‎Autograph Quotation Signed‎

‎This Danish jurist served as judge on the Permanent Court of International Justice from 1922 to 1930. AQS heavy stock 4¼" X 3½" card The Hague Netherlands 1923 August 12. Near fine. Mounting traces on verso. Attractive piece handsomely penned in Nyholm's neat script. Untranslated it is a quotation from Norwegian dramatist and poet Henrik Ibsen 1828-1906 and reads as follows: "Frit effer Henrik Ibsen = / Og har jeg end seilet min / Skiege i Havn / Saa var det dog hasligt at fare / The Hague Aug 12 1923 / GNyholm / Judge of the Permanent / Court of International / Justice." Unusual and attractive. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 20967

‎KINGSBURY, Harmon (1826?-1868)‎

‎Autograph Letter Signed‎

‎This Cleveland merchant became well-known as an abolitionist reformer and occasional publisher; among his writings are "The Sabbath" 1840 "The Immigrant's Good Samaritan" 1848 "Law and Government" 1849 "Thoughts on the Fugitive Slave Law and Nebraska Bill" 1955 "The Great Law Book" 1857 "Word of Christ" 1857 and "The Slavery Question Settled" 1862. ALS 1p integral address leaf 7 3/4" X 9 3/4" Chicago IL 1847 January 26. Addressed to Philip C. Johnson Illinois secretary of state. Very good. Mildly but evenly age toned; small separations along original folds neatly and archivally repaired on blank verso. Opens oddly with a discussion of the price of dried peaches -- Kingsbury was a merchant after all! "Mr. Grubbs informed me yesterday that he had just rec'd a letter from the Digings saying that Dormody had just left there for the east -- perhaps Chicago. having sold about all his stock -- that he had not succeeded very well. I am extremely anxious to see him as if I could I have little doubt in some reasonable way possession would be obtained." Dormody is no doubt William Dormody 1796-1876 an Irish-born merchant and businessman who left the Midwest around this time to try his luck in the goldfields of California -- and succeeded; here Kingsbury appears to lust after Dormody's unsold merchandise. He then discusses what appears to be the acquisition of a newspaper -- seeking no doubt a soapbox from which he could broadcast his controversial abolitionist and reform views. ".I have been negociating for the whole of the Western Herald -- financial as well as Editorial. Today the prospect is less than heretofore that I shall engage in it -- & for two reasons vis the price a little too high & the want of firm health. The situation would suit my taste very well but perhaps I could be as useful elsewhere. My expenses here are so high $9 or 10 per week that I may leave in a few days now when the roads are good." Fine content addressing both of Kingsbury's concerns: pursuing merchandise to stock his Cleveland store and pursuing a newspaper purchase to further his reform agenda. Quite uncommon. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 27606

‎PEZZEY, Bruno (1955-94)‎

‎Color Photograph Signed‎

‎Austrian soccer star considered one of the greatest defenders ever which he did for Wacker Innsbruck 1974-78 Eintracht Frankfurt 1978-83 and other teams before dying suddenly of heart failure at age 39. Color PS 4" X 6" n.p. n.y. Fine. Half-length informal portrait as an Eintracht Frankfurt player signed bold and sloppy across his jersey in black fineline. With original envelope cancelled in Frankfurt Germany on 14 September 1982. A superb example signed at the height of his fame. Uncommon. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 41369

‎WHITSON, John H (1954-1936)‎

‎Typed Manuscript Signed‎

‎This Hoosier attorney turned writer cranked out potboilers -- dime novels also known as "penny dreadfuls" -- under a variety of pseudonyms for a variety of publishers in the late 19th century whereupon he became a minister and teacher and continued to pen young adult and mainstream fiction such as "Barbara a Woman of the West" 1903 "The Rainbow Chasers" 1904 and other novels. TMS 1p 8½" X 11" Nashville TN 25 March 1923. Very good. Faint edgewear and age toning. A bold and handsome typescript prepared by Whitson of his four-stanza poem "At the Call of the Whistle." This sentimental but sensitive ode to the coming of Spring contrasts new life with the pain of young death: "All things I'd give dear child if you could watch this Spring's returning! / But hark! e'en as I'm wishing it the whistle calls for you." It closes on a surprisingly morbid melancholy note: "So with the Spring we may not walk. Dear heart 'tis useless grieving; / The stony world cares not at all and the dear Lord is so far." Whitson crosses out and changes two words in the text "silver" becomes "bridal" and "must" becomes "will" and at the close he signs in full adding "Ward-Belmont" city and date as well. Whitson taught at the Ward-Belmont school for girls a tony finishing school from 1920 to 1923. Whitson published many poems in many publications but it's quite uncommon to find anything in his hand. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 41549

‎LUDWIG, Emil (1881-1948)‎

‎Autograph Note Signed‎

‎This Swiss-German author's biographies were widely popular in many languages -- among them are Lincoln Napoleon Jesus Bismarck and Goethe. On the message side of a glossy 5¼" X 3¼" heavy stock photograph of Ludwig writing at a desk he boldly pencils: "Thanking for / kind wishes. / Ludwig / Lucerne / 3.3.40 / Greatings sic to your / splendid ." Address portion at right also in his hand to Arnold F. Gates of Eleveland Ohio 1914-09 a future noted Lincoln scholar. Very good. Later this same year Ludwig emigrated to the United States. Surely Ludwig's biography of Lincoln was the occasion for this Lincoln scholar to write the great Lincoln biographer. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 42259

‎POWELL, George May (1835-1905)‎

‎Autograph Letter Signed‎

‎This noted U.S. Treasury Department statistician was an entrepreneur who created a composite photograph of signers of the amendment abolishing slavery that proved quite popular; he was also an inventor archaeologist social reformer philanthropist and evangelist who created cartographic maps of Egypt and North Africa for the Oriental Topographical Corps. ALS 1p 8½" X 10 3/4" n.p. n.y. August 29. Addressed to Giles F. Ward in New York City -- possibly father of Giles F. Ward Jr. 1845-65 a lieutenant with the 12th New York Cavalry who was accidentally killed by a colleague while in North Carolina. Very good. Penned on ultra-thin onion-skin paper with occasional burn-through from heavily-inked letters. Reads in part: "I write this. to request that you will favor me with your own opinion freely expressed as to what the price of the Lincoln Cot should be the patent either on a joint stock operation or on sale in the other way you spoke of a simple sale of the right Please let me know what in your judgment it should be even though it be less than 1/10 the proposed figures" Boldly penned in rich brown ink. Powell and two others one of whose last name was Lincoln designed this specialized portable cot in 1862 and sought to interest the U.S. Army in providing it to the troops. A fascinating piece. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 38471

‎BEDNER, Al (1898-1988)‎

‎Autograph Note Signed‎

‎This Lafayette College football star later played guard for three seasons with the Frankford Yellow Jackets their first NFL season 1924-25 and New York Giants 1925-26. ANS 1p 5 3/4" X 7 3/4" Wilkes-Barre PA 1977 June 2. Addressed to Richard C. Laade. Near fine. Cordial note to an admirer noting that "Lafayette College forwarded to me your request for my address" adding "Please note that the correct spelling is BEDNER" and enquiring "May I ask what is this for." Boldly penned and signed in blue ballpoint. With original envelope partly addressed by Bedner. Rather uncommon. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 39542

‎STANLEY, Arthur P (1815-81)‎

‎Autograph Note Signed partial‎

‎Dean Stanley" was one of the leading and most prolific liberal Church of England theologians on 19th century England and served as Dean of Westminster from 1864 to 1881. Partial ANS 1p 4½" X 3½" n.p. n.y. Very good. Faintest of age toning; two faint vertical folds. Clipped portion of letter on pale blue stock. Below a few illegible works is a large bold wild educated guess "Yours truly" and "A.P. Stanley" followed by a dozen or so words on three lines that perhaps partially read: "The remuneration is 2£ a / week for copying &c 10" after which it's anyone's guess. Verso also bears 15 or so large words in Stanley's notorious hand some of which may read: "copy for the / place of." and "I can pay / to hear from you" -- or not. Incredibly this outlandishly illegible fragment is accompanied by a clipped late 19th century newspaper tidbit of the period 2 3/4" X 3¼" that describes this very document and the original recipient's experience in trying to transcribe it! Reads in full: "A correspondent of The Manchester Examiner says that he once received from Dean Stanley the most inscrutable epistle he ever beheld. It was written upon poor blue paper and in two kinds of ink the latter portion in black ink and the former in ink about the color of brown vinegar. The writing had a thin timid scratchy look and suggested the thought that it had been written with an old pen with only one prong or with the point of an old stocking-needle. There were no distinct letters as such but a series of nervous pecks at the paper with something smeared with ink. 'I tried over and over again for several days' says the correspondent 'to decipher the missive but to no purpose. I procured a magnifying glass and was simply dismayed at the result. I held it up to a strong gas-light and tried to read the front through the back and the back through the front. I tried to read it perpendicularly horizontally and from each of the four corners diagonally and at last flung myself full length upon the hearthrug and sought a friendly revelation from the glow of the fire but in vain. As a last resource I took it to a clever schoolmaster who after looking carefully over it from beginning to end somewhat discouraged me by asking me who it was from and what it was about. He labored at it more or less for five weeks and then gravely assured me that the man who could read such writing was not yet born.'" Describes this letter to a "T" and presumably written about this same example. An outrageously illegible example of this famously illegible script. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 40753

‎BRADLEY, Omar N (1893-1981)‎

‎Signature / Printed General Order / Unsigned Photograph‎

‎The G.I.s General" beloved American Army general active during World War II and the last five-star general; from 1949-53 served as first permanent chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Later life signature "Omar" in black ballpoint tipped to the close of a printed "General Orders No. 50" 6" X 9" 2pp recto and verso issued by the Department of the Army in Washington DC on 15 July 1948. Very good. Mild edgewear; two-punched at left not affecting text. As Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Bradley makes the solemn announcement that "The death of General John Joseph Pershing General of the Armies of the United States which occurred at Washington D.C. on 15 July 1948 is announced to the Army with deep regret." He goes on to summarize Pershing's long career and note a period of mourning and the wearing of mourning bands. Below Bradley's typeset name a white 3" X 1½" slip is affixed clipped from a typed letter with "Sincerely" typed at top and "OMAR N. BRADLEY / General of the Army" typed at bottom between which Bradley signs his first name. Accompanied by a fine glossy 8" X 10" black and white news agency photograph a candid half-length portrait of a smiling Bradley in uniform. Caption printed vertically along right edge dates this 27 June 1947 and describes the scene: "Gen. Omar N. Bradley Veterans Administrator shown leaving the White House after conferring with President Truman today has been named by Washington observers as the most likely choice for U.S. Army Chief of Staff to succeed General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower." An interesting unusual pair. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 40864

‎(MONTANA -- Mine Claim) SMITH, Alonzo (1832-1912)‎

‎Autograph Letter Signed‎

‎Montana resident possibly an attorney. ALS 2pp separate leaves 8½" X 11" Harlem MT 1904 July 21. Addressed to "My dear James & Albert" Smith's brothers. Near fine. Handsomely penned in black ink in a large readable hand this letter largely concerns the claims on "poor Writ's property" for "some of his old time prospect loving friend got around me and did not want Writs mining claims sold that he had held onto for 20 years as they would go for little or nothing. So I paid out on them $500.00 & told the administrator not to sell them. They have to be represented again within a few months it will take between $300 & $400.00 dollars Will you help me represent them If you cannot or do not want to will you let me have your interests On account of your being in Canada & so far away If you will let me have your interests I will send you $25.00 apiece. Should I ever be luckly sic to get any thing out of them I will send you something more." Goes on to explain "the claims are so high up in the mountains and the snow comes there so early the claims must be represented early or else they will be lost. The claims that Writ had in Thunder Mountain have gone by default they were so far away I could do nothing about them." Of some town named Bellevue in Montana he notes "Bellevue is a gone down place very dull there." Invites his brothers to visit: "I'd like to have you both come out and see this country some time do not put it off too long it would be a fine trip for you." Interesting mine settlement content. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 35258

‎MARHEFKA, Joseph C (1902-2003)‎

‎Autograph Note Signed / Autograph Note‎

‎Well-known Lafayette University football star who played halfback on their 1921 national championship team -- the last living member of that team at his death; later a running back for the Pottsville Maroons and Philadelphia Quakers. ANS 1p 5½" X 7" Easton PA 1977 May 31. Addressed to Richard C. Laade. Near fine. In response to a plea also present from this researcher "attempting to locate a number of Lafayette alumni who have played in the N.F.L." Marhefka replies boldly in blue ballpoint in part: "In addition to making necessary corrections I have added three names of Laf. alumni who were quite prominent in pro football their names are Leonard Brunner '24 Bull Lowe '19 and John Scott '19." The researcher's 8½" X 11" query for assistance in locating Lafayette alumni is present on which Marhefka has inked the names he referred to. With original envelope addressed in Marhefka's hand and signed again. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 36507

‎BEECHER, Henry Ward (1813-87)‎

‎Autograph Note Signed / Unsigned Portrait‎

‎Few 19th century clergymen achieved the level of household-name fame and influence as this renowned Congregationalist minister the most fiery of the fire and brimstone preachers; the brother of writer Harriet Beecher Stowe of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" fame Beecher too was an outspoken social reformer abolitionist and lecturer whose oratory made him wildly popular; pastor of Plymouth Church in Brooklyn New York from 1847 on his meteoric popularity waned later in life only with a scandalous adultery charge brought against him. ANS 1p 4½" X 6" n.p. n.y. likely ca. 1880. Very good. Inoffensive mounting traces on verso. Arranges a meeting. In part: "I have put down in my book tuesday Decr 2d. for you. I shall leave N.Y. in the 8 o'clock a.m. train & stop at the Girard House. Unless sick I do not expect to miss a second time in one Season." Nicely penned. "Girard House" was a large and famous Philadelphia hotel. Accompanied by an outstanding 1860s vintage steel-engraved portrait heavy stock 5 3/4" X 9" engraved by J.C. Buttre of New York and titled "Eminent Opponents of the Slave Power" in ornate flowing type along the lower margin. Near fine. Fine head-and-shoulders portraits of 12 noted abolitionists each within a small oval border: John Quincy Adams at the top and beneath him the triumvirate of John Greenleaf Whittier Wendell Phillips and Charles Sumner; surrounding this quartette are clockwise from top William Lloyd Garrison Joshua R. Giddings Cassius M. Clay Benjamin Lundy Owen Lovejoy Gerrit Smith William Cullen Bryant and Henry Ward Beecher. A great pair. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 37206

‎LOOS, Walter (1923-2004), ROMM, Oskar (1919-93) and UNGER, Willy (1920-2005)‎

‎Photograph Signed‎

‎Three Luftwaffe fighter aces of World War Two all Knight's Cross recipients: Loos flew 66 combat missions and downed 38 enemy aircraft Romm downed 92 enemy aircraft 82 on the Eastern Front 10 on the Western Front and Unger flew 59 combat missions and downed 24 enemy aircraft. PS 5" X 7" n.p. n.y. Fine. Modern high quality black and white print of a WW2-era photograph of a Luftwaffe fighter plane on the ground from the front -- nose and propeller in the upper foreground. At top center above the propeller Loos signs boldly in blue fineline while Romm signs at lower left and Unger at lower right each in black fineline. An interesting trio on an eye-catching image. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 37844

‎GRELINGER, Charles (1873-1942)‎

‎Autograph Letter Signed‎

‎French composer of piano pieces such as "Danses et Airs alsaciens" cabarat fare such as "Nigger-Sport: Polka Americaine Cake-Walk" and operas such as "Fausta" 1894 and "On Hope of Bless" 1907. ALS in French 1p 5¼" X 8¼" Paris France 1931 April 18. Addressed to Irving Schwerke 1893-1975 American expatriate pianist and music critic. Fine. Not translated but Grelinger in his execrable script calls Schwerke "a sincere and rare friend" thanks him for and declines a lunch invitation and mentions stopping by the next morning to chat for fifteen minutes. Below his signature Grelinger pens a curious thing whose meaning is entirely cryptic: two intersecting blank music staffs each with a treble clef and two question marks. Interesting and odd. At lower left also strangely he appears to have penned one measure of music and then thoroughly scribbled it out! unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 25047

‎MORGAN, John T (1825-1907)‎

‎Autograph Letter Signed‎

‎Confederate brigadier general and Alabama senator 1877-1907. ALS 1p 7½" X 10" U.S. Senate Chamber letterhead Washington DC 1884 June 16. Addressed to "My Dear Major." Good. Slight age toning. Inquires about the whereabouts of the 21st and 22nd volumes of State Department statutes which should have been sent to him in DC but may have been directed to Selma Alabama. Pencilled draft of a response on the verso in unidentified hand. Uncommon. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 28640

‎ALBANESI, Carlo (1857-1926)‎

‎Autograph Musical Quotation Signed‎

‎This Italian pianist educator and composer is well known for his many piano compositions. AMuQS 2pp single leaf 8½" X 11 3/4" London England 1907 n.d. Inscribed in Italian to "Schloesser." Very good. Two very full pages of the "Coda from Preludio e Fugato - for due Violini Viola e Violoncella." Boldly and attractively penned. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 28658

‎GILBERT, Johnny (?-1990) and WILLIAMS, Al (?-?)‎

‎Photograph Signed‎

‎Gilbert was a popular Midwest wrestling champion of the '50s and '60s holder of many titles half of a celebrated tag team with Billy Goelz. Williams was a fixture on early national wrestling telecasts out of Marigold Garden with tag team partner Ruby Kay; narrowly missed being part of the bloodiest wreck in wrestling history: on March 3 1945 a flight from England to Paris carrying six out of seven pro wrestlers on a USO tour to entertain Allied troops crashed killing all aboard; Williams missed this flight and later that month wrestled at a Fred Kohler wrestling program in Chicago to raise funds for his colleagues' widows and children. PS 5" X 3½" n.p. Chicago IL n.y. July 1960. Very good. Minor yellowish tape stain at each corner not terribly disfiguring and well away from signatures. Original black-and-white snapshot likely one of a kind showing Williams and Goelz at a table signing autographs -- Williams signs across the tabletop boldly in red fineline marker. Gilbert stands behind them raising a fist in mock threat -- he too signs boldly in red fineline across his white t-shirt. unknown‎

Bookseller reference : 22711