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Sale 124
November 3-4 Winter Collectibles Auction
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Lot 25 |
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Historic Sterling Silver and Marble Desk Set Owned or Gifted by General Francisco Franco ca. 1960. Remarkable Piece of History (1892-1975) General Francisco Franco, proclaimed Generalísimo of the Nationalists and Jefe del Estado (Head of State) in October 1936, he assumed "Su Excelencia el Jefe de Estado", "Caudillo de España", sometimes "el Caudillo de la Última Cruzada y de la Hispanidad" and "el Caudillo de la Guerra de Liberación contra el Comunismo y sus Cómplices". was a Spanish general who led the Nationalist forces in overthrowing the Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War and ruled over Spain from 1939 to 1975 as a dictator.
Nevertheless due to Cold War tensions after WWII, the US did enter into military and trade alliances with Franco and Spain under Eisenhower and ultimately backed his entry into the United Nations. Franco remains a very polarizing leader even today. His mark on 20th Century World Politics, the economic growth he spurred after the devastation after the Spanish Civil War through to the 60s and the slow transfer to a Democratic country have legions of admirers. But his human rights violations overseeing thousands of deaths in years-long political repression are atrocities he will never be forgiven.
Offered is a stunning desk set made of marble and sterling silver either made for Franco or gifted by Franco. The bust of the General is beautifully cast, very much his likeness, estimating his age when sculpted to be in his early 60s. (A bit of a guess going by photos available on line and details in the cap and military jacket.) The set was supremely well kept with only a few dings to the matching lidded pots and to the feathers decorating the tips of the pens (hardly of note) with the steel point fountain pen a new replacement. Otherwise there are no chips, cracks, dents or repairs. The silver plaque between the pens reads: " Exmo. Sr. Francisco Franco".
An amazing piece of history that has survived beautifully for over 50+ years. Weighs 14½ pounds and measures 8½ x 12 x 7". Estimated Value $1,200 - 2,000
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Unsold |
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Lot 26 |
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Foreign Notables, Documents and Letters : Louis Philippe, Mazarin, Otto Bismark, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Marquis de Lafayette, and More. Fine collection of European leaders, notables and documents.
Rare French document by vice-legate of the Pope in Avignon, Cardinal Jules Mazarin, who ultimately became the first Minister of State of France. A mandate ordering the debtors of arrears of renes and pension owed Demoiselle de Jarran be forced to pay them. Avignon, September 15, 1636. 2 pp. 9½ x 6", no restoration, fragile, some chipping but very legible and intact. Partial French transcription included.
Other pieces include:
1.) French military commission, secretarially signed "Bonaparte" by the Secretary of State while Napoleon served as First Consul. One page, 11½ x 11", partially printed on vellum trimmed irregularly at top. Commission naming Antoine Bailly as "Chef de Bataillon". The document is signed by Le Secrétaire d'Etat, Hugues-Bernard Maret, and Le Ministre de la Guerre, General Louis-Alexandre Berthier. Maret, who served as Napoleon's secretary, often signed documents for the First Consul. Aside from the trim, document in good condition with folds and modest soiling, with signatures and text legible.
2.) Louis Philippe, King of the French, letter signed (lightly mounted on matching paper) dated November 27, 1839 notifying Monsiur Durrieu that the opening of the legistlative session will be held in Paris on December 18. Letter is co-signed by The Secretary of Interior, Marthe Camille Bachasson, comte de Montalivet, 10 x 8½" very fine condition with single fold line which runs just under Philippe's very bold signature. Even toning.
3.) Jean-Baptiste Colbert, Controller general des Finances de France under Louis XIV appointed in 1665, a document signed dated 1669. 7 x 9½" and in excellent condition.
4.) Antoine Renou French painter, playwright and Secretary of the Royal Academy of Paint & Sculpture as he has signed in this letter dated 1792. 12¾ x 8" and in folded, very fine condition with one small piece of archival tape holding an edge tear at fold in check. Very legible.
5.) A handwritten letter dated 19, December 1778 not in the hand of the Marquis de Lafayette but quoting him "I am realizing that fascinated by false attraction, I have made a mistake leaving everything to America but it would be a bigger mistake to come back. When wine has been bottled you have to drink it; the dregs, but these dregs I already feel". Executed on laid paper and lightly tacked onto vintage paper. Not signed.
6.) Partial French marriage contract dated 1691 signed by four people, a letter signed with postal cancel stamped 1820 Versaille. Another letter is stamped 1889 and included are other legal documents of interest.
7.) Cut signature of Otto von Bismark (Junker Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck, 1815-1898), 2½ x 4" who proved one of Germany's most significant political figures in the creation of the modern state. Signature is bold with a tiny chip at top edge that does not impact the autograph. Also included is a vintage original cartes de visite portrait, 4" by 2½".
8.) Remarkable German ecclesiastical letter dated 1709 consisting of 4 pages, intact, with threaded spine with text executed in stunning calligraphic script on laid paper in overall excellent condition with only three small pieces of archival tape on verso of blank cover holding in check a small tear and fold line split and in no way impacting any text. Estimated Value $600 - 800
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Realized
$504 |
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Lot 27 |
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Seven Former Prime Ministers and Wallis Simpson Signed Commemorative Cover for Sir Winston Churchill's Centennial. Scarce, multi-signed, First Day Cover of the Centennial of Sir Winston Churchill issued October 9, 1974 and signed by former Prime Ministers Harold Wilson, Jim Callaghan, Edward Heath, Alec-Douglas Home (signing twice), Anthony Eden signed as "Avon", Margaret Thatcher and Harold Macmillan. Also included is Wallis Simpson signing "Wallis Duchess of Windsor" and again the name "Windsor" below Wallis, underlined as she commonly signed. The commemorative cover and signatures are in excellent condition. Included in this lot is also a signed photo lifted from a magazine by Wallis, the Duchess of Windsor. Estimated Value $500 - 900
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Realized
$288 |
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Lot 28 |
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Ben-Gurion, David: Boldly Signed Photograph in Mat Dated May, 1947. Also Two (2) Israeli Broadsides in Remembrance of Assaults in 1946 & 1948. Significant vintage original pieces all related to Israel, 1946 -1948.
1.) Exceptional image of David Ben-Gurion (1886-1973) arguably the primary national founder of Israel and the first Prime Minister of Israel. Ben-Gurion has boldly signed his name in steel-point fountain pen under an original silver nitrate B&W photo taken by Charles Bergman who has also signed his name (quite small) just at bottom right nearly flush with the photo. Overall, piece measures 14 x 15" and in superior condition.
2.) Broadside "REMEMBER THE SHAME". A scathing piece from the Organization of the National Army in the Land of Israel, against the assault by the British on June 29, 1946 which traces back to the White Paper of 1939 issued by the British government, led by Neville Chamberlain, in response to the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine. Full translation included. In exceptional condition, scarce and historically significant. Dated 1947, the one year anniversary. 12½ x 9"
3.) Broadside commemorating soldiers lost in The Battle of Yafo (Jaffe) the first decisive victory for Israel in the Arab-Israeli war in 1948, printed shortly after the conflict. Again the broadside is in exceptional condition will full translation provided. 14 x 10". Estimated Value $900 - 1,200
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Realized
$492 |
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