letter signed
“THE BARRIER OF PANAMA IS GOING TO FALL, AS FELL THE BARRIER OF EGYPT, BECAUSE THE MOMENT HAS COME IN THE MARCH OF HUMANITY WHEN THIS OBSTACLE MAY NO LONGER REMAIN STANDING.”
LESSEPS, FERDINAND de. (1805-1894). French diplomat and engineer; designer of the Suez Canal. Superb Manuscript Letter Signed, “Ferd. De Lesseps”, on imprinted Compagnie Universelle du Canal Interoceanique letterhead. Four pages, quarto. “46, Rue Caumartin, Paris”, November 11, 1885.
GANDHI — SPEAKING ON THE SALT RIOTS AND SOCIAL REVOLUTION IN INDIA!
GANDHI, MONHANDAS KARAMCHAND. (1869-1948). Considered the father of the Indian Independence movement; created his concept of satyagraha, a non-violent way of protesting against injustices; returned to India in 1914 to found and lead the Indian independence movement. An exceedingly-scarce Autograph Letter Signed, “your sincere, old friend /M.K. Gandhi”. Two full pages, quarto, in pencil. “Ahmedabad, 25th February [no year, but circa 1930].
SIR ARTHUR SULLIVAN REPORTS: “I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED THE LIBRETTO…”
SULLIVAN, ARTHUR (1842-1900) English composer best know for his work with librettist W.S. Gilbert. Manuscript Letter Signed, “Arthur Sullivan,” on 1 Queen’s Mansions, Victoria Street S.W. stationery. One page, octavo. London. October 14, 1894. Sullivan writes to: V. Langammer, Esq:
JOHN ADAMS’ HIGH PRAISE FOR WEST POINT —
“I HAVE…THE HIGHEST ESTEEM FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AT WEST POINT, FOR ITS OFFICERS AND THE YOUNG GENTLEMEN THE CADETS”
ADAMS, JOHN. (1735-1826). Second President of the United States (1797-1801). Good Manuscript Letter Signed, “John Adams”. One full page, quarto. Boston, August 8, 1821.
ALEXANDER OF TUNIS — ANNOUNCES TO CHURCHILL THE DEFEAT OF THE AXIS POWERS IN NORTH AFRICA
ALEXANDER, HAROLD, 1ST EARL OF TUNIS. (1891-1969). British field marshal. Typed Souvenir Letter Signed, “Alexander of Tunis, F[ield] M[arshall] / 1967”. One page, oblong octavo. No place, 1967. Very fine condition. This is a faircopy message he sent to Sir Winston S. Churchill, Prime Minister of the U.K., in 1942, announcing the defeat of the Axis powers, and their withdrawal from their positions in North Africa.
THE FIRST PRESIDENT OF ISRAEL, IN 1933, SEES THE RISE OF HITLER, AND WORKS TO REMOVE JEWISH STUDENTS FROM THE ONCOMING PATH OF THE HOLOCAUST
WEIZMANN, CHAIM (1874-1952). First President of Israel. Uncommon Typed Letter Signed “Ch Weizmann”, on blue stationary. One full page, quarto. “Sixteen Addison Crescent, London. October 4, 1933”. Very fine condition. To LOUIS LIPSKY, of the Zionist Organization of America.
HARRY HOUDINI — ON HIS MAGNIFICENT TWO PAGE, COLOR PICTORIAL LETTERHEAD!
HOUDINI, HARRY. (1874-1926). Legendary American magician. Early Typed Letter Signed, on a wonderful pictorial illustrated letterhead showing a young Houdini in a full-face bust pose. One page, large quarto, [with a second integral internal page printed in red and black detailing Houdini’s feats of magic and his tour schedule]. Dortmund, Germany, June 21, 1901.