WORLD HISTORY

PETER M. ROGET AUTHOR OF THE FAMOUS THESAURUS THAT BEARS HIS NAME COLLABORATES WITH PHYSICIST MICHAEL FARADAY

ROGET, PETER M.  (1779-1869).  English scholar and physician; best known for compiling the famous Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases; Secretary of the Royal Society (1827-1849); Fullerian professor of physiology at Royal Society.   Noteworthy, and a superb association Autograph Letter Signed, “P. M. Roget”.  Three pages, quarto.  London, November 25, 1837. 

QUEEN ELIZABETH II, JUST 4 MONTHS INTO HER NEW REIGN, APPOINTS A COMMANDER IN THE ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, WITH HER GRANDMOTHER, QUEEN MARY ALSO SIGNING THE DOCUMENT AS GRAND MASTER.  A RARE COMBINATION OF SIGNATURES TO BE FOUND TOGETHER.

ELIZABETH II (1926-2022). Queen of England and regnant of the Commonwealth realms. Partially-Printed Document Signed, “Elizabeth R,” as Queen, less than 4 months into her new reign, at upper right. Embossed Seal of Elizabeth II at upper left margin. One page, large folio. [12 ¼ X 15 ¼ inches, this is the rarer large size document of that era ] June 5, 1952.  

GEORGE WASHINGTON GOETHALS ~ THE CHIEF ENGINEER FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PANAMA CANAL

GOETHALS, GEORGE WASHINGTON. (1858-1928) U.S. Army officer and Civil Engineer; best known for his administration and supervision of the construction and the opening of the Panama Canal.  Uncommon Typed Letter Signed, “G. W. Goethals,” on Isthmian Canal Commission letterhead. One page, quarto. Culebra. December 4, 1913.  Fine condition.

NELSON WRITES TO ADMIRAL LORD HOOD  ~~  FROM ABOARD THE AGAMEMNON, ANCHORED IN GENOA MOLE — HOOD HAD BEFRIENDED AND GUIDED THE YOUNG NELSON WHEN THEY BOTH SERVED IN THE CARIBBEAN YEARS BEFORE AND BOTH ACHIEVED DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SUCCESS IN THE CORSICA CAMPAIGN

NELSON, HORATIO, [VISCOUNT].  (1758-1805).  British naval commander.  Good Autograph Letter Signed, “Horatio Nelson”.  Four full pages, quarto.  “Agamemnon, Genoa Mole”,  September 20, 1794.  To Admiral Lord Hood.

EXTREMELY-RARE, EARLY 18^TH CENTURY OATH OF ALLEGIANCE SWEARING FIDELITY TO KING GEORGE II  ~~  SIGNED BY 14 COLONIAL JURISTS & STATESMEN

MANY OF WHOM WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SEIGE OF LOUISBOURG, THE PIVOTAL OPERATION OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR IN 1758, THAT ENDED THE FRENCH COLONIAL ERA IN ATLANTIC CANADA AND LED TO THE SUBSEQUENT BRITISH CAMPAIGN TO CAPTURE QUEBEC IN 1759

AN EXTREMELY RARE PRINTED SIGNED OATH PLEDGING ALLEGIANCE TO KING GEORGE II  —  bearing fourteen signatures of major Colonial Jurists and political figures.  One page, tall folio.  No place, [Massachusetts Bay Colony], Undated, but most likely accomplished between 1727 and 1731.

KING KAMEHAMEHA IV  ~~  HIS AUTOGRAPH TRANSLATION OF THE “PRAYER FOR ALL ESTATES OF MEN,” LIKELY A WORKING MANUSCRIPT FOR HIS 1862 SELF-TRANSLATED BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, THE FIRST IN THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE!

KAMEHAMEHA IV.  (1834-1863) Fourth king of the united Kingdom of Hawaii (1855-1863). Exceedingly-rare Autograph Manuscript, in pencil, Unsigned. One page, full legal folio. [Approximately 8 ½ x 12 inches] No place [Hawaii] No date [circa 1862].

SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN  ~~ THE FAMED BRITISH ARCHITECT, RESPONSIBLE FOR DESIGNING ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL IN LONDON, IN HIS ROLE AS DIRECTOR OF HIS MAJESTIES ROYAL HOSPITAL IN CHELSEA

WREN, CHRISTOPHER (1632-1723). English architect, who played a leading role in the rebuilding of London following the devastating Great Fire of 1666, and whose St. Paul’s Cathedral takes a place among the greatest designs in the history of architecture. Scarce Manuscript Document Signed, “Chr. Wren.” One page, large folio. [9.75 x 15 inches].  No place [London]. March 11, 1698.