World Leaders

155. Neville Chamberlain Typed Letter Signed. British politician (1869-1940) who served as prime minister from 1937 to 1940, and is remembered for his foreign policy of appeasement toward Nazi Germany; by signing the Munich Agreement in 1938, he allowed Hitler to annex Czechoslovakia’s Sudetenland in what is now recognized as one of the major early steps toward World War II. TLS signed “N. Chamberlain,” one page, 7.5 x 9.5, Ministry of Health letterhead, July 20, 1927. Letter to British politician Noel Buxton, in full: “In reply to your letter of the 15th July, the question of giving facilities for the Humane Slaughter Bill would, as you know, not be one for me alone to decide and since, as I pointed out in my previous letter, the time does not yet seem to me to be ripe for such a Bill, I do not think I could press for facilities to be given.” In fine condition, with faint show-through at the top from old mounting remnants on the reverse. Starting Bid $200

156. Deng Xiaoping Signed Program. Rare programs for a “Tea and Meeting in honor of His Excellency Deng Xiaoping” with members of the House of Representatives on January 30, 1979, six pages, 5.5 x 8.25, signed on the front in felt tip by Deng Xiaoping and one other. In fine condition. The consignor notes that this was signed for Congressman Samuel S. Stratton of New York, who is listed in the program’s guest list. Additionally accompanied by a program for the Performance of American Arts presented in honor of Deng’s visit on January 29, 1979; an entrance pass and White House invitation card for the performance; an invitation for a 1979 reception honoring Chai Zemin; a program for a 1980 fundraising dinner for Congressman Stratton’s campaign; and an official menu for a dinner honoring “General and Mrs. Kim.” Starting Bid $300

157. Warren Hastings Document Signed for Execution of Murderers. English statesman (1732–1818) who became the first de facto Governor-General of India from 1773 to 1785. He was accused of corruption and impeached in 1787, but after a long trial he was acquitted in 1795. Manuscript DS, one page, 17.5 x 14.25, February 4, 1774. Remarkable document by which Hastings, as “Governor of Fort William & Commander in Chief of all the Forced Employed in the Service of the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies in the Kingdom of Bengal and Provinces of Bahar,” orders the execution of murderers following a court martial proceeding. In part: “Whereas the General Court Martial which was held…for the Tryal of Thomas Sloper, Charles Handgrove, Michael Williams & Thomas Terry having found them Guilty of Murder and sentenced them to be hanged by their necks until they are dead. We do hereby command you to see the said sentence put in execution.” Signed at the conclusion by Hastings and countersigned by four others and a secretary. Mounted and framed to an overall size of 24 x 20. In fine condition, with scattered light staining. Starting Bid $300

159. Sun Yat-sen Autograph Letter Signed to Mrs. Cantlie. Founding father and first president of the Republic of China (1866-1925). Rare ALS in English, signed “Y. S. Sun,” one page, 8 x 10, October 4, 1910. Handwritten letter to Lady Mabel Cantlie, in full: “Your kind letter of April 17, addressed to the care of Sing Tiang Bee, Singapore, had been received only a few days ago. For this letter had been sent and resent after me to several places by my friends and final reached me here. My appreciation of it also increased at the ratio of time and places which this letter had been passed. I was glad to hear that you and Mrs. Chang have made friend of each other, for I had had a letter from her before I received this one. I am enjoying good health here and my family is coming to join me. With kindest regards to you and the Doctor and my young friends.” Sun writes his address at the top, “c/o Tek Chang,

197, Beach Street, Penang.” In fine condition. Accompanied by modern prints of photographs of Sun Yat-sen, and of Sir James and Mabel Cantlie together.

A pioneer of first aid, the physician James Cantlie befriended Sun Yat-sen while teaching him at the Hong Kong College of Medicine for Chinese. While living in exile in 1896, Sun was detained at the Chinese Legation in London, where the Chinese Imperial secret service planned to smuggle him back to China to execute him for his revolutionary activities. Cantlie played a major role in obtaining his release, leading a media campaign in The Times and The Globe. The Cantlies remained Sun’s closest friends and allies outside China for the rest of his life. A scarce and supremely desirable autograph letter by a major figure in world history. Starting Bid $2500

160. King Charles III Signed Book. Signed book: HRH The Prince of Wales Watercolors. First edition. NY: Little, Brown and Company, 1991. Hardcover with dust jacket, 11.25 x 9.5, 159 pages. Signed and inscribed on the half-title page in ink, “For Everyone in The Close—With very best wishes for Xmas 1991, from Charles.” In fine condition, with some minor bowing to the pages, edgewear to the dust jacket, and some irregular ink adhesion. Starting Bid $200

161. King William III Autograph Letter Signed on Military Campaign. Sovereign Prince of Orange (1650–1702) who served as King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1689 until his death. ALS in French, signed “William R,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, 7 x 8.75, May 24, 169[?]. Handwritten letter from the Hague concerning a military campaign. In part (translated): “After all the possible difficulties I have just arrived having had a very good passage. If I believed that I could start something I would leave tomorrow to join the army but I do have to confess to you that I believe the occasion has now passed and it would be very disagreeable now to come to join the army without being able to achieve anything.” In very good condition, with heavy irregular toning, and old restored areas of paper loss, primarily to the upper right corners. Starting Bid $200

162. Princess Diana and King Charles III Signed Photograph (1989). Appealing color semi-glossy 4 x 5 portrait photo of the Royal couple, affixed to its original 6 x 7.5 mount, signed on the mount in fountain pen, “Diana” and “1989, Charles.” This type of photograph was typically accompanied by a green leather Jarrolds of Knightsbridge frame. In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

166. Princess Diana and King Charles III Typed Letter Signed. TLS signed “Charles” and “Yours most sincerely, and Diana,” one page, 8 x 13, Buckingham Palace letterhead, October 7, 1981. Letter to Miss S. F. Bullock, in part: “We would both like to thank you very much indeed for your most kind contribution to the wedding present which the Duchy has given us. We really are delighted with the mahogany library table which will look splendid in our home at Highgrove and is exactly the right period for the house.” In very good to fine condition, with scattered light foxing. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, a 1980 Duchy of Cornwall Manor of Kennington tenancy agreement, and a 1987–88 Duchy of Cornwall residents association membership card. Starting Bid $200

165. Princess Diana and King Charles III Signed Christmas Card (1983). Royal Christmas card from 1983 with embossed in gold on the front with the Prince of Wales’s feathers and Order of the Garter motto and the Spencer family arms, measuring 10.5 x 7.25 open, featuring an affixed color photo of Charles in a kilt and Diana sitting on a swing with toddler Prince William, signed inside in fountain pen, “from Charles and” and “Diana.” In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope. Starting Bid $200

164. Princess Diana and King Charles III. Royal Christmas card from 1984 embossed on the front with the Prince of Wales’s feathers and Order of the Garter motto and the Spencer family arms, measuring 14 x 6 open, featuring an affixed color photo of the family with newborn Prince Harry, signed and inscribed inside in ink, “To you both—from Charles and” and “Diana.” In fine condition. Starting Bid $200

163. Princess Diana and King Charles III Signed Christmas Card. Fabulous 1990 Christmas card embossed on the front with the Prince of Wales’s feathers and Order of the Garter motto and the Spencer family arms, measuring 16 x 6 open, featuring an affixed color photo of the royal couple posing with their sons William and Harry, boldly signed inside in ink, “from Charles and,” and, “Diana.” In fine condition, with a light central vertical bend. Starting Bid $200