Highly regarded Irish poet and playwright (1865–1939) recognized as one of the key figures in 20th-century literature. ALS signed “W. B. Yeats,” one-page both sides, 4.25 x 6.75, September 20, no year but likely circa 1902. Letter to Elkin Mathews, in part: “I see by account sent you from A P Watt that you had only 98 copies of ‘The Wind Among the Reeds’ last March. You must therefore have about exhausted the edition. I think it will be better in future to print the design in gold on a few vellum copies & to bind the ordinary copies in plain boards with a paper label. People will be all the more glad to buy the vellum copies if the design is not made common by printing it on all copies in some poorer way.” Attractively double-matted and framed with a portrait of Yeats and the original mailing envelope to an overall size of 16.25 x 16.5, with a window on the reverse for viewing the signed side. In fine condition. Published in 1899, The Wind Among the Reeds was a stylized collection of 37 poems that made use of both theosophy and Irish folklore. Mathews, the letter’s recipient and a neighbor of Yeats, was an important British publisher in the late 19th and early 20th century, printing the works of Lionel Johnson, James Joyce, Ezra Pound, and Robert Bridges. His friendship with Yeats may have played a role in allowing the poet to have such liberal say during the design and marketing processes. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
Absentee Bidding ends at 12 PM ET Wednesday Feb 18 - Live Bidding Begins at 1 PM ET Feb 19
Viet Minh military leader (1911–2013) who served as a principal commander in the First Indochina War and Vietnam War. Glossy 7 x 9.5 photo of Vo Nguyen Giap in uniform as a young man, signed in black ink and dated Vietnam, December 19, 1990. In fine condition, with some light surface marks and bends. Giap retired from politics in August of 1991, less than a year after signing this photo. An ideal pose of this key figure in the military success of North Vietnam. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
Chinese nationalist and military leader (1887–1975) who served the Republic of China between 1928 and 1975, including as its president for 26 years. Very early fountain pen signature, “Chiang Kai-Shek, Nanking, April 1932,” on an off-white 5.5 x 7 sheet. Expertly double-matted and framed with an image of the leader to an overall size of 16 x 13.5. In fine condition, with a central horizontal fold. After the death of Sun Yat-sen in 1925, Chiang Kai-shek became the de facto leader of the Kuomintang and launched the Northern Expedition, a military campaign designed to overthrow warlords in the north and unify China under a single party. Chiang's forces successfully captured Nanking in 1927, and he declared the city as the national capital and seat of his government. Despite the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931, most of Chiang's focus was on suppressing the Communists at the time he signed this in 1932. This example of Chiang Kai-shek's signature is extraordinary not only in its early date but in its composition, as it is the only 'Romanized' English example of his autograph we have ever offered. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
Exemplary LS in Scots, signed “Marie R,” one page, 8.25 x 12, “Holyrood” (“At our abbey of Halirudehous”), March 23, 1566/7, written to William Keith, the 3rd Earl Marischal. Queen Mary summons the Earl Marischal to a significant parliamentary event in Edinburgh on April 14, strongly urging his attendance. In part (translated): “There are various matters to be discussed touching the welfare of our realm and…issues relating to the prosperity of our cousin the Earl of Huntly” [in Scots: “Thair is divers effaces to be intreated for the welffair of or. realme and…thingis concernyng the weill of our cousing the erle of hwntlie”]. The Queen adds that his “good counsel and advice” [in Scots: “guid counsall and adwyis”] would be very beneficial. With address, later docket to reverse, and very slight traces of a red wax seal. Eight neat slits from the original string closure, with only one affecting two words and not the signature, otherwise fine condition. Document is housed in a beautiful hunter green cloth display folder emblazoned with "Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots" on the front in gold.
Exceptionally desirable 6.25 x 4.5 cardstock photo of the Wright Brothers’ first flight at Kitty Hawk, boldly signed in the lower right in fountain pen. In very good condition, with a significant horizontal crease, a few lighter creases, and scattered soiling. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
Gorgeous 8.25 x 11.75 book photo of Hepburn resting her chin on her hand, signed in purple felt tip. In fine condition. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
Courtney and Tennant, Charleston SC. marked Confederate navy cutlass. This piece was built by Robert Mole in England and acquired for the Confederacy by George Tennant who was the agent for the Confederate Navy. This piece shows an 18.75″ excellent blade. There is one area of fine pitting on both sides of the blade and some staining. The original washer is in place. Mole is correctly stamped as is the Courtney and Tennant marking. The black checkered grips are original and rate very good to excellent. The black leather scabbard is complete and rates excellent with only some age and surface crazing. The seams are solid with unpolished brass fittings. The uppermost 2.5″ of the scabbard is in perfect condition, as it was protected by the frog. This piece is overall 24″ and is one of the scarcer cutlasses as fitted with the full iron guard. This piece is in its as found condition, it has not been cleaned or polished. An excellent example for the serious Confederate naval collector. RR Auction COA.
