NAPOLEON BONAPARTE ~ TO HIS MINISTER OF FINANCE REQUESTING SPECIAL FUNDS BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE EXPENSES OF THE WAR IN SPAIN
NAPOLEON I. (1769-1821) French military and political leader; Emperor of the French, who consolidated and institutionalized many reforms of the French Revolution. Good Manuscript Letter Signed, in French, with a bold flourish “Np”. Full page, quarto. Dresden, July 4, 1813. To his Minister of Finance, Count Mollien. Very fine condition.
CLAUDE MONET ~ TO HIS WIFE, WHILE ENGAGED IN PAINTING: THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT & THE WATERLOO BRIDGE SERIES
“[I’M JUST] BACK FROM [PAINTING AT] THE HOSPITAL AND I’M QUITE TIRED, JUST TIRED FROM WORK. I DECIDED TO GO EARLY; YOU’LL SEE, IT’S THE SUREST WAY TO DO SOMETHING USEFUL THERE; I THINK [THE VIEW] IS ADMIRABLE IN ANY WEATHER.”
MONET, CLAUDE (1840-1926) Revered French Impressionist painter; his painting Impression, Sunrise is the inspiration for the term Impressionism. Increasing scarce, and of the highest order: Autograph Letter Signed, “your old man, Claude,” in French, on imprinted “SAVOY HOTEL, EMBANKMENT GARDEN, LONDON”, stationery. Four very full pages, octavo. “Saturday 5:30 in the afternoon”, no year, but most likely February 1900.
EDWIN M. STANTON ~ RECEIPT FOR LEGAL SERVICES EARLY IN HIS CAREER
STANTON, EDWIN M. (1814-1869) American lawyer, politician, U.S. Attorney General, and Secretary of War in Lincoln’s cabinet. Scarce Autograph Receipt Signed, “E.M. Stanton.” One page, oblong 12mo. No place. “May 3, 1848.”
JUST 14 WEEKS AFTER HIS SON BENJAMIN’S DEATH IN A TRAIN WRECK ~ WHERE BOTH HIS PARENTS SAW HIM NEARLY FULLY DECAPITATED AND JUST 6 WEEKS AFTER HIS INAUGURATION AS PRESIDENT, FRANKLIN PIERCE SHOWS THE DEPTH OF HIS PERSONAL CONCERNS
PIERCE, FRANKLIN (1804-1869) 14th President of the United States. Surprisingly Scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “Fr. Pierce”, as President, on black-bordered mourning stationery. 2 1/2 pages, octavo. “Washington [D.C.], April 17, 1853.
PRESIDENT JAMES MONROE WRITES TO SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ~ CAESAR RODNEY A CHOICE ALS, AS PRESIDENT, WITH WONDERFUL PROVENANCE AND WITH THE SCARCE PRESIDENTIAL FREE-FRANKED ADDRESS LEAF STILL ATTACHED
MONROE, JAMES. (1758-1831). Fifth President of the United States. Scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “James Monroe”, as President. One full page, quarto. Baltimore, June 2, 1817.
THE INFAMOUS ‘SPY’ MATA-HARI — RENEWS HER NEWSPAPER CLIPPING SERVICE
[MATA-HARI] Stage name used by MARGARETHA GEERTRUIDA [MACLEOD] ZELLE. 1876-1917. Dutch exotic dancer, courtesan, and alleged World War I spy; rose to fame in Paris circa 1905 with sensual, near nude, Asian-inspired performances; Accused of being a double agent for Germany and France, she was arrested in 1917, tried on largely circumstantial evidence, and executed by firing squad on October 15, 1917; her name endures as a symbol of intrigue and seduction. Surprising rare Autograph Letter Signed, “Mata Hari” in French.
KING GEORGE III SIGNS WARTIME LEGISLATION BANNING ENGLISH CITIZENS FROM FINANCING THE FRENCH CAUSE
GEORGE III. (1738-1820). King of Great Britain and Ireland (1760-1801). Partially-Printed Document Boldly Signed “George R,” at top left and countersigned “Portland” by William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, the 3rd Duke of Portland, as Home Secretary. One full page, folio. “St. James Court, January 28, 1799”.