Description:

Dealer's Lot of 12 Pcs, American, British & French Items from 1578 to 1890

A group of twelve pieces including autograph letters signed, letters signed, documents signed, pamphlets, and prints from the United States, England/the United Kingdom, and France, spanning over 300 years, from 1578 to 1890. Signers include Nicholas Biddle; Thomas Henry Huxley; Sir Evelyn Wood; John Lansing, Jr; and others. Subject matters encompass the law, military, politics, commerce, science, literature, and theatre. In generally very good to near fine condition. The largest item, which folds to a smaller size, measures 16.25" x 20.625" overall. Please see catalog photos for additional information relating to content and condition.

The items include, in chronological order:

1. A manuscript document signed, ca. 1578, secretarially inscribed on vellum, with two monogrammed red wax detached seals suspended at lower right. Docketed verso in part: "John + Robt. Milnor / to Randal Raynor (?) / Bond to pform Covent. / 1578." Expected wear and weathering. 11.125" x 9.125."

2. A 10pp French language printed pamphlet dated June 16, 1773, relaying the latest shipping news from the Americas, the Caribbean, Italy, and Egypt. Listed imports include sugar; coffee; cocoa; indigo; wheat; cotton; linen; silk; shells; offal; leather; cow, rabbit, and goat skins; wax; copper and other materials.

3. A 3pp autograph letter signed by Catherine Hutchinson (1757-1844), the future daughter-in-law of Revolutionary War major general Israel Putnam after 1782, as "C Hutchin--" on the third page. Written in Pomfret, Connecticut on October 16, 1775 on bifold paper, addressed to Catherine's brother, who was abroad, presumably in the West Indies. Expected wear including mice damage to the margins affecting some words.

4. A 1p autograph letter signed by John Lansing, Jr. (born 1754, disappeared 1829), as "J. Lansing Junr" at lower right. April 22, 1790, n.p. Beautifully inscribed on watermarked laid paper and tipped into a larger mount measuring 8.625" x 13.325." Expected folds and minor splits, else near fine. Ex-Spink Smythe Autograph Sale, June 2008.

John Lansing, Jr. served as Mayor of Albany, New York from 1786-1790, and as a justice of the New York Supreme Court from 1790-1801. The letter mentions two leading New York entrepreneurs, James Caldwell (1747-1829), an Irish immigrant who became a merchant, landowner, tobacco mill operator, and Hudson River manufacturer; and Jellis Douw Fonda (1727-1791), a prominent Mohawk Valley merchant whose family was among the first Dutch settlers of Albany.

5. A 1p document signed by Nicholas Biddle (1786-1844), in his role as President of the Second Bank of the United States, as, "N Biddle / Prest." near right center, to the left of a blind-embossed bank seal. The partly manuscript and partly printed land indenture is originally dated December 27, 1831 and is co-signed by several other individuals. A lot of land located in Square 56 of Washington, D.C. was sold to James Corcoran for $119.37. Expected wear including folds and splits, some repaired verso. Docketed verso. 16.25" x 20.625."

6. A promissory note from Duncan, Sherman & Company, a banking firm, from New York dated March 1, 1852 in the amount of £182:12:7. Docketed verso. From the bank's inaugural year; it failed in 1875.

7. A 3pp autograph letter twice signed by an unidentified theatrical personality, possibly signed "A. Saloini," dated June 2, 1883 from Florence, Italy. The letter is either addressed to, or refers to, several leading Shakespearean actors of the 1880s, including Frederick Paulding (1859-1937), Margaret Mather (1859-1898), and William V. Ranous (1857-1915). The three starred respectively as Romeo, Juliet, and the Apothecary in an 1880s New York production. A very intriguing letter filled with dramatic gossip, and definitely worthy of more research!

8.-9. Two autographed letters signed, the first a 4pp ALS dated July 29, 1886 and the second a 1p ALS dated July 7, 1887, both penned and signed by John Coleridge, 1st Baron Coleridge (1820-1894), as "Coleridge" and addressed to former U.S. Attorney General Wayne MacVeagh (1833-1917). With conversational content.

10. A 4pp letter signed by Sir Evelyn Wood (1838-1919), then in his capacity as General Officer Commanding at Aldershot Garrison, the permanent training camp and domestic headquarters of the British Army since 1854. Wood has signed the letter as "Evelyn Wood" on the fourth page, in addition to writing eleven words in his hand, as "Please look up Von Schmidt; + Von Kraft on on [sic] Cavalry." Secretarially inscribed on bifold paper, blind-embossed with the Royal Coat of Arms. Aldershot Garrison, December 18, 1890. Expected wear including flattened folds and some splits, else good. 7.875" x 12.875."

In this fascinating letter with superb military content addressed to a "Mr. Williams" (possibly former British cavalry officer and then Conservative politician Owen Williams), Sir Evelyn Woods speculates about what role that cavalry would play "in the next War." Other topics discussed are: advanced cavalry action; average distances covered in cavalry charges; average distances covered in infantry marches; Adalbert von Bredow, the Prussian cavalry officer celebrated for his "death ride" during the Franco-Prussian War; and Karl von Schmidt, the Prussian cavalry commander. Wood also recollects his experiences during the Sepoy Mutiny.

11. An undated signature of Thomas Henry Huxley (1825-1895), British biologist and Charles Darwin's defender, as "T.H. Huxley" at top; with an additional inscription in Huxley's hand beginning "with Mr…" appearing below. Written on bifold stationery with a "Science and Art Department / South Kensington" seal blind-embossed at top.

12. An engraving of Jean de la Fontaine after Hyacinthe Rigaud.

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This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000