WORLD HISTORY

CATHERINE THE GREAT  —  PENS HER ACCEPTANCE OF THE SALARY TO BE PAID A CAVALRY GUARD OFFICER

CATHERINE II. [CATHERINE THE GREAT.] (1729-1797). Empress of Russia.  Uncommon Manuscript Document boldly Signed, ‘Catherina’, as Empress, in Russian.  1/3 page, legal folio, on watermarked paper bearing a crown and the letters “C.R.”   “The Queen’s village,  February 6, 1774.”

KING GEORGE V  —   ACQUIESCES TO THE REGENCY ACT OF 1910

GEORGE V. (1865-1936). King of the United Kingdom, Emperor of India.  Remarkable, and exceptionally rare, Typed Statement Signed, “George R.I.,” as King, on black bordered mourning stationery,  with the Royal Coat of Arms at top center.  One page, folio.  No place. [London]  [1910].  

“NOW WE HAVE TO CONSIDER [GENERAL GEORGE] MARSHALL’S PROPOSAL WHICH WE MUST NATURALLY SUPPORT—ALL THE SAME I BELIEVE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER TO HAVE PROCEEDED ON THE BASIS OF THE NUREMBERG JUDGMENT TO WHICH THE RUSSIANS ARE COMMITTED”

ROBERT CECIL, 1^ST VISCOUNT CECIL OF CHELWOOD. (1869-1956).  British statesman, lawyer, and politician;  architect of the League of Nations; awarded Nobel Peace Prize 1937.   Good Autograph Letter Signed, “Cecil”, on his imprinted Chelwood Gate, Haywards Heath stationery.  Two full pages, octavo.  Haywards Heath, September 22, 1947.

“AS COMMANDER OF THE EXPEDITION,  IT WAS MY DUTY TO BRING FORWARD THE WORK OF THE OFFICERS COMPOSING THE EXPEDITION, NOT AS WORKS OF ART SUCH AS YOURS, BUT AS BEING DESCRIPTIVE OF THE COUNTRY…”

CHESNEY, FRANCIS RAWDON .  (1789-1872).  British General, soldier and explorer of the Euphrates River whose expedition proved the practicability of the Euphrates route to India.  Two, relatively rare, Autograph Letters Signed, “F.R. Chesney”.  Four full pages total, quarto.

WRITTEN FROM THE INTERIOR OF AFRICA, DR. DAVID LIVINGSTONE THANKS A YOUNG LADY FOR HER PRAYERS FOR HIS CONTINUED SUCCESS AND SPEAKS OF HIS CONVERTING THE NATIVE AFRICAN POPULATION TO CHRISTIANITY:   “PAUL IS ONE OF THE FIRST CONVERTS OF THE KURUMAN [TRIBE] AND LATELY JOINED US.  MELROSE HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY COMPANION A HARD WORKER & AN UPRIGHT MAN.”

LIVINGSTONE, DAVID. (1813-1873) Pioneer medical missionary and African  explorer; best known for his explorations and having been ‘found’ by journalist Henry Stanley.  Important Partial Autograph Letter Signed, “David Livingston”.

SIMON BRADSTREET — LAST COLONIAL GOVERNOR OF THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY

BRADSTREET, SIMON.  (1603-1697).  His very scarce Signature, “Simon Bradstreet”, as cut from a letter, on a slip of paper.  Approximately 2 ¼ x 1 inches.  Very fine condition.  

‘BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS’  — 

AN OUTSTANDING BENJAMIN FRANKLIN LETTER OF THE HIGHEST HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE —  “I AM SORRY LORD CHATHAM’S MOTION FOR A CESSATION OF ARMS, WAS NOT AGREED TO. EVERY THING SEEMS TO BE REJECTED BY YOUR MAD POLITICIANS THAT WOULD LEAD TO HEALING THE BREACH;  AND EVERY THING DONE THAT CAN TEND TO MAKE IT EVERLASTING”

FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN. (1706-1790). ) Founding Father of the United States, author and printer, satirist, political theorist, politician, scientist, inventor, statesman, and diplomat. Highly Important Autograph Letter Signed, ”Your most obedt humble Servant, B. Franklin”.