WORLD HISTORY
GEORGE III. A FINE DOCUMENT SIGNED, AS KING, WITH A BOLD EXAMPLE OF HIS “MAD-SIGNATURE”
GEORGE III. (1738-1820). King of England. Manuscript Document Boldly Signed, “George R,” at upper-left of first page, with what is referred to as his “Mad-signature”. [His signature penned while being partially blind and coping with an unstable mind]. Two pages, folio. With paper wafer seal attached under his signature. St. James Court. [London], January 8, 1808.
FREDERICK MARRYAT — SCARCE LETTER FROM THE NAVAL AUTHOR, AND DEVELOPER OF THE NAVAL CODE OF SIGNAL FLAGS FOR MERCHANT VESSELS
MARRYAT, FREDERICK. (1792-1848). British naval officer and novelist. Scarce Autograph Letter Signed “F. Marryat,” 2 pages, octavo. “3 Spanish Place [Marylebone, London]”, “Tuesday” no date, but docketed 1841 on verso. To “My dear Jordan”.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN – PENS A RECEIPT FOR 30 POUNDS PAYMENT, FOR ONE YEAR’S INTEREST ON A BOND
FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN. Attractive Autograph Document Signed, “B. Franklin”. One page, oblong octavo. [Philadelphia]. July 3, 1789.
JOHN AMHERST TO JEFFERY AMHERST — BEST KNOWN FOR HIS SUCCESSFUL SERVICE DURING THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR, AND DURING THE PONTIAC REBELLION, AMHERST AGREED TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF SMALL POX INFECTED BLANKETS AMONG THE NATIVE AMERICAS, THE ONLY RECORDED CASE OF BRITISH SOLDIERS GIVING SMALLPOX-CONTAMINATED BLANKETS TO NATIVE AMERICANS.
AMHERST, JOHN (1718- 1778). Brother of Lord Jeffrey Amherst, Admiral in the British Navy who went on to serve as Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth. Uncommon Autograph Letter Signed, “John Amherst.” Two very full pages, large quarto. “Thatched House, St. James Street, [London] April 10, 1760”. Very fine condition. To his brother JEFFERY AMHERST, 1ST BARON AMHERST (1717-1797).
SIR WINSTON S. CHURCHILL — A BOLDLY PENNED, EARLY ALS AT THE START OF CHURCHILL’S BUDDING POLITICAL CAREER
CHURCHILL, SIR WINSTON S. (1874-1965). British politician and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1940-1945, 1951-1955). Early Autograph Letter Signed, “Winston S. Churchill”, on his imprinted 105, Mount Street, W. stationery. Two pages, octavo. London, September 10, 1901.
PRE-REVOLUTIONARY WAR MASSACHUSETTS PAY WARRANT — SIGNED BY SIR FRANCIS BERNARD
BERNARD, SIR FRANCIS. (1712-1779). Governor of New Jersey and Massachusetts. Partly-printed Document Signed, “Fra Bernard”, as Governor of Massachusetts, on a pay order. One page, octavo. Cambridge, January 27, 1769.
GOLD RUSH DREAMS GO BUST: “BUT TAKING SAN FRANSISCO ALL IN ALL — IT IS THE MOST DISGUSTING PLACE MY EYES EVER BEHELD”
[GOLD RUSH – CALIFORNIA] Wonderful Autograph Letter Signed, “C.W. Rowell”, who attempted to seek his fortune in the California gold fields during the rush west of 1949/1850. Four very full pages, quarto. San Francisco. July 14, 1850. To “dr. Friend Kidder.” A fascinating read!