In this month’s coveted History & Culture auction, collectors have the unique opportunity to obtain a piece of British history. From kings and queens to prime ministers, statesmen, and figures from the Revolutionary War, this collection offers a glimpse into the events and personalities that have shaped the United Kingdom. Whether you're a passionate collector or a curious enthusiast, check out our treasures awaiting discovery today, and stay tuned for future History & Culture auctions. Many of these pieces come from a large lifetime British History collection we will be representing over the coming months.
LOT 1: KING GEORGE III - KING OF GREAT BRITAIN - AUTOGRAPHED 5-PAGE DOCUMENT IN CUSTOM CLAM SHELL CASE
Estimate: $750.00 - $1,250.00
George III autographed a 5-page document, spanning 5 total pages with two blank ones, measuring 8" x 12.5", originating from St. James, London, dated November 1, 1808. The original document, written in English, is accompanied by a copy in Latin, attached with a purple silk ribbon. The King's signature, "George R," graces the document, addressed to the Lord Chancellor, John Lord Eldon. In this missive, George III instructs Eldon to affix "Our Great Seal of Great Britain" to an Instrument dated alongside these papers, a copy of which is annexed, granting full power to Anthony Merry Esq. to negotiate with the Minister of the King of Sweden, Gustavus IV Adolphus. The document is countersigned at the end by the Foreign Secretary, George Canning.
It exhibits flattened folds, light soiling, and edge toning, with ink bleeding at the "G" in the King's signature, staining the lower portion of the document from being folded. It is accompanied by the original folder and printed description used by Maggs Bros. Ltd., Ca. 1992, and housed in a custom linen covered clamshell case. There is expected wear to the folder, with original pencil notations and small tears at the edge where the ribbon is attached.
George III reigned over Great Britain and Ireland from 1760 until his passing in 1820, overseeing the unification of the two nations into the United Kingdom in 1800. Despite his title as Duke and Prince-elector of Hanover, he was the first monarch of the House of Hanover to be born in Britain and never visited Hanover. Struggling with declining health, including near-blindness from cataracts by 1808, George III faced mental illness exacerbated by the death of his daughter in 1810, leading to his son's regency until his death. Concurrently, Gustavus IV Adolphus of Sweden, who ascended to the throne in 1792, endured a tumultuous reign marked by incompetence, culminating in his deposition following the loss of Finland to Russia in 1808, as depicted in the last British diplomatic correspondence with him before his downfall.
Lot 3: WINSTON CHURCHILL AUTOGRAPHED 1949 LETTER DRAFTING HIS SIX-VOLUME HISTORY THE SECOND WORLD WAR
Estimate: $900.00 - $1,200.00
Winston Churchill, in a one-page typed letter (TLS) dated May 5, 1949, addressed his literary assistant, William Deakin, expressing completion of Volume 3 of his work. Churchill requested Deakin to review the Russian chapters and the closing sections, which he had extensively revised based on Deakin's suggestions. He acknowledged the possibility of repetitions and sought Deakin's input to rectify any unintended omissions or duplications. Signed "WSC" at the conclusion.
Generally considered Churchill's greatest literary work, The Second World War was largely responsible for his receipt of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953.This piece is in overall in fine condition. It’s worth noting that it previously sold at auction in 2017 for $1,257.
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (30 November 1874 – 24 January 1965) was a British statesman, soldier, and writer who twice served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, from 1940 to 1945 during the Second World War, and again from 1951 to 1955.
Lot 4: NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN - PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM - AUTOGRAPHED 1937 LETTER (TLS)
Estimate: $300.00 - $400.00
Neville Chamberlain, in a typed letter (TLS) dated May 3, 1937, signed as Chancellor of the Exchequer, corresponded with Conservative M.P. Sir Ian Malcolm regarding tax legislation. Chamberlain expressed concerns about proposed legislation affecting sur-tax and sur-tax payers, highlighting potential advantages for the latter over regular income tax payers. He feared that Malcolm's proposal might lead to all income tax becoming payable by installments. The letter is in fine condition overall.
Arthur Neville Chamberlain FRS (18 March 1869 – 9 November 1940) was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from May 1937 to May 1940 and Leader of the Conservative Party from May 1937 to October 1940. He is most remembered for his policy of appeasement, notably signing the Munich Agreement on 30 September 1938, which ceded the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia to Nazi Germany. After Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939, initiating World War II, Chamberlain declared war on Germany two days later and led the UK through the initial eight months of the conflict before resigning as prime minister on 10 May 1940.
Lot 5: HENRY ADDINGTON - PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM - WAR CONTENT AUTOGRAPHED 1814 TLS
Estimate: $200.00 - $250.00
In a typed letter (TLS) dated July 18, 1814, Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, expresses gratitude on behalf of the House of Lords to 'County Glamorgan' in Wales for their provision of local militia and volunteers during the war. The letter is signed "Sidmouth" at the conclusion and is in fine condition.
Henry Addington, 1st Viscount Sidmouth, PC (30 May 1757 – 15 February 1844), served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1804. Notably, he negotiated the Treaty of Amiens in 1802, ending the Second Coalition with Napoleonic France, albeit under unfavorable terms. Following the treaty's breakdown, Addington conducted limited defensive actions, anticipating the War of the Third Coalition. He was succeeded by William Pitt the Younger as Prime Minister. Additionally, during his tenure as Home Secretary from 1812 to 1822, Addington enforced strict measures against advocates of democratic reforms, establishing himself as the longest-serving holder of that office since its inception in 1782.
Lot 14: HENRY COMPTON - ONE OF THE IMMORTAL SEVEN IN THE GLORIOUS REVOLUTION - AUTOGRAPHED LETTER
Estimate: $250.00 - $300.00
Henry Compton autographed handwritten letter (ALS) dated Feb. 10 (no year). It has light age and toning, else fine condition. Accompanied by a 19th century engraved portrait with facsimile signature.
Henry Compton (c. 1632 – 7 July 1713) was an English Army officer and Anglican clergyman who served as the Bishop of London from 1675 to 1713. He was previously the Bishop of Oxford before being appointed to the see of London and as Dean of the Chapel Royal in 1675. Compton showed unusual generosity towards Protestant dissenters and endeavored to reconcile them with the established church. He conducted an ecclesiastical census known as the Compton Census in 1676. Despite his leniency towards Protestant dissent, Compton strongly opposed Roman Catholicism and faced consequences under James II's reign. Compton supported William III and Mary II during the Glorious Revolution and played a role in their coronation. He remained active in various commissions and councils during the reign of Anne but was twice overlooked for the position of Archbishop of Canterbury. Compton passed away on 7 July 1713, and was buried at All Saints Church, Fulham.
Lot 36: QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER - AUTOGRAPHED 1975 CHRISTMAS CARD
Estimate: $400.00 - $500.00
The Queen Mother's 1975 Christmas card bears the embossed Queen's crown in gold on the front and measures 14.75 x 9.25" when open. It features an affixed photo of the Queen, signed boldly in black ball-point pen. The card is in fine condition with virtually no signs of age wear.
Lot 2: KING WILLIAM IV AND WILLIAM LAMB, 2ND VISCOUNT MELBOURNE DUAL AUTOGRAPHED 1835 LETTER
Estimate: $500.00 - $650.00
The autographed letter, penned by William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, is addressed to King William IV and signed within the body of the letter in the third person. King William IV has also signed along the lower edge with a large bold signature. The handwritten letter (ALS) exhibits light age and toning but is overall in fine condition.
William IV, the third son of George III, reigned as King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and King of Hanover from 1830 until his death in 1837, succeeding his elder brother George IV and marking the end of Britain's House of Hanover monarchy. Known as the "Sailor King" due to his naval service in British North America and the Caribbean, William was created Duke of Clarence and St Andrews in 1789 and had a longtime relationship with actress Dorothea Jordan, with whom he had ten children, before marrying Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen in 1818. He was appointed Britain's first Lord High Admiral since 1709 in 1827. William Lamb, 2nd Viscount Melbourne, a Whig politician who served as Home Secretary and twice as Prime Minister, including coaching Queen Victoria in politics during his second premiership, was dismissed by William IV in 1834 but later re-appointed, though his legacy was marred by political scandals during Victoria's early reign.
Lot 29: FREDERICK NORTH - PRIME MINISTER OF THE GREAT BRITAIN - REVOLUTIONARY WAR RELATED 1774 LETTER (LS)
Estimate: $400.00 - $500.00
In a letter (LS) dated Nov. 26, 1773, Frederick North, addressed to Robert Adam, a British neoclassical architect and Member of Parliament, expresses the urgency of Parliament's upcoming meeting on January 13th, emphasizing the significant matters expected to be discussed, likely referring to the Intolerable Acts. North politely requests Adam's attendance, recognizing the gravity of the issues at hand. The Intolerable Acts, enacted by the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party, aimed to punish Massachusetts colonists and were a pivotal event leading to the Revolutionary War. The letter is in overall fine condition.
Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford KG, PC (13 April 1732 – 5 August 1792), more commonly known as Lord North, served as Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1770 to 1782. He played a prominent role in navigating Great Britain through the majority of the American War of Independence. Additionally, North held various other cabinet positions, such as Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer, during his political career.
Estimate: $300.00 - $400.00
In a handwritten letter (ALS) dated January 27, 1856, Benjamin Disraeli addresses Lord Palmerston, spanning three pages on a single folded sheet. Disraeli seeks a copy of a House of Commons speech not available to him, the only copy sent to Lord Aberdeen and then to Lord Derby. On the verso, Palmerston notes, "sent him a copy." The letter is in overall fine condition.
Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, was a prominent British statesman, Conservative politician, and writer, serving twice as Prime Minister. He played a crucial role in shaping the modern Conservative Party and championed one-nation conservatism, earning renown for his confrontations with Liberal leader William Ewart Gladstone. Disraeli's influence extended globally, particularly in advancing British imperialism and military expansion. Notably, he was the only Jewish-born Prime Minister in British history.
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, known as Lord Palmerston, was another significant figure, serving as Prime Minister twice in the mid-19th century. He wielded considerable power in British foreign policy during the peak of the empire's influence. Palmerston transitioned from the Tories to the Whigs before becoming the inaugural Prime Minister of the Liberal Party in 1859, enjoying widespread popularity due to his energetic and dynamic leadership style.
Estimate: $250.00 - $400.00
This impressive piece is a Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington autographed handwritten letter (ALS) dated June 16th, 1821 and sent from London, England in overall fine condition.
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS, was a distinguished British statesman, soldier, and Tory politician, serving twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Renowned for his pivotal role in the Napoleonic Wars, Wellington led the Seventh Coalition to victory against Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Born into the Protestant Ascendancy in Ireland, Wellesley began his military career as an ensign in the British Army, eventually rising to the rank of field marshal. He achieved significant victories in the Netherlands, India, and the Peninsular campaign, earning renown for his adaptive defensive tactics. Following his military successes, he served as ambassador to France and was granted the title of Duke of Wellington. In politics, he championed the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 while opposing the Reform Act 1832. Wellington remained a prominent figure in the House of Lords and Commander-in-Chief of the British Army until his passing.
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