“Your Royal Highness’s devoted servant, Winston S. Churchill”

117. Winston Churchill Signature. Choice fountain pen signature, “Your Royal Highness’s devoted servant, Winston S. Churchill,” on an off-white 7.5 x 2.75 slip. In fine condition. A magnificent, crisply penned autograph from Winston Churchill, evidently intended for royalty. Consignor notes that the signature originates from the papers of Churchill’s joint principal private secretary, Jock Coville. Starting Bid $200

120. Chevalier d’Éon Autograph Letter Signed. French diplomat, spy and soldier (1728–1810) whose first 49 years were spent as a man, and whose last 33 years were spent as a woman. Rare ALS in French, signed with the feminine form of the name, “La Chre D’Eon,” one page, 7.25 x 9, August 17, 1778. An untranslated and neatly penned handwritten letter from d’Éon. In fine condition, with a short tear to the left edge. Starting Bid $200

Lord position he until his

1658. After a yearlong reign by his son, Richard, the British throne was restored (to Charles II) and Cromwell’s body was exhumed and posthumously ‘executed.’ ALS signed “Oliver P,” three pages on two sheets, 8 x 11.75, August 21, 1656. Handwritten letter to his son, Henry Cromwell, giving him fatherly advice and expressing his opinion of the Anabaptists. In part: “Crye to the Lord to give you a plaine, single heart. Take heede of beinge over jealous, lest your apprehensions of others, cause you to offend, knowe that uprightness will praeserve you, in this bee confident against men. I thinke the Anabaptists are too blame in not beinge pleased with you, thats their fault, it will not reach you whilest you wth singlenesse of heart, make the glory of the Lord, your ayme. Take heede of professinge religion wthout the power, that will teach you to love all whoe are after the similitude of Christ. Take care of makinge it a businisse to bee too hard for the men whoe contest wth you, beinge over concerned may trayne you into a snare. I have to doe wth these poor men and am not wthout my exercise… Doe not feare the sendinge of any over to you, but such as wilbe consideringe men, lovinge all godly interests, and men wilbe friendes to justice. Lastlye take heede of studyinge to lay for your selfe ye foundation of a great estate. It wilbe a snare to you, they will watch you, bad men wilbe confimed in courteousnesse, the thinge is an evil wch God abhorrs, I pray you thinke of mee in this. If the Lord did not sustaine mee I were undon, but I live, and I shall live, in the pleasure of his grace.” Addressed on the reverse, “For my sonn Harry Cromwell.” In very good condition, with moderately heavy foxing and soiling, old repairs to some of the fold splits, and a small area of seal-related paper loss. Autograph letters by Oliver Cromwell are extremely scarce, particularly those that reveal his tender side—in this case, he offers warm, loving advice to his 28-year-old son. Starting Bid $1000

I,

Lord Protector

Great Britain, a position he held until his death in 1658. After a yearlong reign by his son, Richard, the British throne was restored (to Charles II) and Cromwell’s body was exhumed and posthumously ‘executed.’ LS signed “Oliver P,” one page, 9 x 13.75, February 19, 1656. Important military letter from Whitehall, signed by Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector. In full: “Whereas we have received intelligence that there is a design by the Cavalier and Popish party very shortly to make a new insurrection in several places of this Commonwealth, and also that the late King’s son, in conjunction with the Spaniard, intends to invade this Commonwealth with an army from Flanders where he now is, We have thought it necessary for the safety of the nation to put the forces into a present posture to prevent the aforesaid intention, or at least through the Goodness of God, to repel them.

Wherefore these are to authorise and require you upon the receipt thereof, to give notice unto all the officers and soldiers of your troop to provide themselves able and sufficient horses and arms for service, and to put themselves into such a condition that upon the first notice or appearing danger, they may be ready to come to such rendezvous as shall be appointed; and that you be very vigilant and careful lest you be surprised. And in case you find any of the said party to ride armed, have frequent meeting, or in their carriage and deportment give just cause of suspicion, you are authorised and required to seize upon and apprehend all such persons. And in case of any insurrection or invasion, you shall do your best to suppress them; and you shall receive further directions therein from time to time from your Major-General with whom we have spoken more at large, and to whom we refer you.

And in case you find any person of that party keeping more horses than usually they have done for their ordinary occasions, you are to seize their horses and arms to be kept for the use of the State. And you are to assure your troop for their better encouragement, that fitting care will be taken for their pay, according to the establishment.” Professionally repaired and restored to near-fine condition, with silking on both sides, slightly irregular toning, tack holes to the corners, and heavy soiling to the integral address leaf.

Cromwell makes reference to the allegiance between “the late King’s son”—the future King Charles II—and the “Spaniard,” King Philip IV of Spain, and readies his troops for the defense of England. In 1656, Charles II and Philip IV concluded the Treaty of Brussels, in which Charles agreed to raise forces to fight for Spain in the ongoing Franco-Spanish War in exchange for future Spanish military support in his potential restoration. Cromwell would go on to align England with France, and would launch an incursion into Flanders in 1657, blockading Flemish ports and eventually capturing Dunkirk. Cromwell would die in 1658, and Charles would be restored to the English throne in 1660. Starting Bid $10000

122. Charles de Gaulle Typed Letter Signed. TLS in French, signed “C. de Gaulle,” one page, 8.25 x 10.5, personal letterhead, June 21, 1962. Letter to Christian Melchior-Bonnet, sending thanks for the “beautiful edition of the Memoirs of Cardinal de Retz.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

121. Georges Danton Letter Signed. French statesman (17591794) and one of the leading figures of the French Revolution. He and his followers were charged with conspiracy to overthrow the government and guillotined in 1794. LS in French, signed “Danton,” one page, 8 x 12, September 8, 1792. Danton recommends Mr. Thomassin as a commanding officer of a police corps, with various endorsements. In fine condition, with intersecting folds (central horizontal fold passing through signature), mounting remnants to left edge, and ink erosion slightly affecting a few words. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from PSA/DNA. Starting Bid $300

123. Giuseppe Garibaldi Autograph Letter Signed. ALS in Italian, signed “G. Garibaldi,” one page, 5.5 x 8.5, January 1, 1876. Handwritten letter to Major E. deBartolomeis in Pisa, in full (translated): “Accept a word of condolence for the remarkable loss that we have had of the brave Colonel Coroni.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200