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Lot 1102 |
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Asquith, Herbert Henry, 1st Earl of Oxford (1852-1928), British Prime Minister (1908-1916), Chancellor of the Exchequer (1905-1908). Typed Letter Signed "H.H. Asquith" on "10 Downing Street…" letterhead with embossed crest "First Lord of the Treasury", one page, 7½ x 9, London, December 18, 1908. To the Lord Lieutenant confirming the King's approval of the appointment of the Earl of Rosse and the Count de la Poer to be H.M. Lieutenants for Kings County and the County of Waterford respectively. Very Fine.
Estimate 150 - 200
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Lot 1103 |
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Atlee, Clement Richard, 1st Earl of Atlee (1883-1967), British Prime Minister (1945-1951). Autograph Letter Signed "Attlee" on House of Lords letterhead, one page, 4¾ x 7½ London, May 6, 1963. To Mr. Bear enclosing a photograph of himself and wishing that his health improves. "I had a nasty time lest you and many people thought that it was the end but I am quite well again although over eighty." Very Fine.
Estimate 200 - 300
A MORI poll of professors in 2004 voted Atlee, whose government nationalized British industry and established the National Health Service as the basis of the welfare state, the most effective British Prime Minister of the twentieth century.
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Lot 1104 |
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Baldwin, Stanley (1867-1947), British Prime Minister (1923-1924, 1924-1929, 1935-1937). Autograph Letter Signed as Prime Minister on 10 Downing Street embossed letterhead, one page, 4½ x 7½ London, January 1924. Acknowledging congratulations on his victory in the General Election of December 5, 1923. A little reduced at right, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate 200 - 300
Although Baldwin had a five year mandate following the resignation of Bonar Law in May, 1923, due to ill health, he decided to honor Bonar Law's previous election pledge that there would be no tariffs introduced unless there was a general election to serve as a sort of referendum. Protectionism was seen as a means of reducing unemployment. Therefore, he called an early election in December of the same year. His Conservative Party, though winning the most seats in the House, failed to gain a majority, and he lost a vote of confidence at the opening of Parliament in January, 1924. Baldwin resigned four days after the above letter was written.
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Lot 1105 |
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Canning, George (1770-1827), British Prime Minister (1827), Chancellor of the Exchequer (1823-1827). Autograph Letter Signed as Prime Minister, one page, 4¾ x 7, no place, May 16, 1827, addressee unknown: " You have not let me know how his Majesty is today". Truncated top left corner, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate 200 - 300
Canning was chosen Prime Minister over Robert Peel and the Duke of Wellington by King George IV. His very brief term in office, the shortest in British history, began on April 10, 1827 and ended with his death on August 8, 1827 as a result of a fever he had caught at the Duke of York's funeral in January.
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Lot 1106 |
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Cavendish-Bentinck, William, 3rd Duke of Portland (1738-1809), British Prime Minister (1783, 1807-1809). Letter Signed "Portland" as Home Secretary, two pages, 7¾ x 12¼ Downing Street, January 14, 1800. To Lieutenant General Fraser granting an increase in size of the Infantry Regiment in Portugal. Fine, a little heavily folded.
Estimate 200 - 300
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Lot 1107 |
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Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield (1804-1881), British Prime Minister (1868, 1874-1880); Chancellor of the Exchequer (1852, 1858-1859, 1866-1868). Autograph Letter Signed as Member of Parliament, one page, 4½ x 7¼ Grosvenor Gate, May 18, 1846. To unknown person, asking him to call on Disraeli the same morning. Very Fine.
Estimate 750 - 1,000
In addition to being a prominent literary figure, Disraeli was the only person of Jewish parentage to have served as Prime Minister of Great Britain. The year that this letter was written was a crucial one in the history of British politics, with the formation of the modern Conservative Party by Disraeli following the party split over the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846.
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Lot 1108 |
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Eden, Robert Anthony (1897-1997), British Prime Minister (1955-1957). Typed Letter Signed as Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party on House of Commons letterhead, one page, 6½ x 8, London, May 26, 1946. To General Sir Guy Gaunt, informing him that his appeal for financial aid had been taken up by the Foreign Office and appeared groundless, and wishing him success with the sale of his property in Tangier. Very Fine.
Estimate 200 - 300
A former naval attaché to the U.S. and then liaison officer after the U.S. entered World War I, Gaunt was later elected to Parliament in 1922. He was forced to resign from the House of Commons in 1926 after being named as co-respondent in the divorce between Sir Robert Cruise and his wife. He then moved to Tangier, and the above letter obviously relates to financial difficulties in resettling in England.
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Lot 1109 |
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Gladstone, William Ewart (1809-1898), British Prime Minister (1868-1874, 1880-1885, 1886, 1892-1894), Duplicate Letter Signed as Secretary of State for War and the Colonies, 1½ pages, 7¾ x 12¾ Downing Street, June 4, 1846. To Lieutenant General Sir William Gomm GCB confirming the appointment of a Mr. Auguste Icery to a Council Seat on the Island of Mauritius. Very Fine.
Estimate 200 - 300
Sir William Gomm was Governor of Mauritius during the time of the issue of the first postage stamps, the "Post Office" Mauritius, and, therefore, was very much involved with the postal system. In fact, the three famous surviving covers bearing the "Post Office" 1d were those sent by his wife, Lady Gomm, containing invitations for a fancy dress ball at Government House on September 30, 1847.
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Lot 1110 |
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Hamilton-Gordon, George, 4th Earl of Aberdeen (1784-1860), British Prime Minister (1852-1855). Autograph Letter Signed while Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, one page, 4½ x 7, Argyle House, April 16, 1828. To Lady Charlotte. Very Fine.
Estimate 150 - 200
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Lot 1111 |
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MacDonald, James Ramsay (1866-1937), British Prime Minister (1923-1924, 1929-1935). Typed Letter Signed "J. Ramsay MacDonald" on letterhead of "Prime Minister… 10 Downing Street, Whitehall", one page, 7½ x 9½ London, March 30, 1932. To Lord Aberdeen thanking him for a copy of his grandfather's biography and remarking that "World affairs are indeed very messed up and very trying, but we shall all have to do our best to help to straighten them out." Folded in quarters (clear of signature), Very Fine.
Estimate 150 - 200
The first Labour Prime Minister ever elected, Ramsay MacDonald was disowned by his own party in 1931, following his formation of a coalition government.
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Lot 1112 |
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Macmillan, Maurice Harold, 1st Earl of Stockton (1894-1986), British Prime Minister (1957-1963), Chancellor of the Exchequer (1955-1957). Typed Letter Signed on 10 Downing Street letterhead, one page, 5 x 7, London, February 18, 1957. To Lt.-Col. Peter Macmillan mentioning his forthcoming trip to Bermuda (where he had a conference with Eisenhower to improve relations with the U.S. following the Suez Crisis). Very Fine.
Estimate 150 - 200
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Lot 1113 |
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North, Frederick, Lord North (1732-1792), British Prime Minister (1770-1782). Piece of Document Signed "North", 3¾ x 2, showing "His Majestys Command" under which signed "North" (Prime Minister who later resigned in 1782 following the loss of the American Colonies), "Westcote" (William Henry Lyttelton, Governor of South Carolina in 1755, and Lord of the Treasury, 1777-1782 in the North Administration), and "J Buller", docketing "1781". Very Fine.
Estimate 200 - 300
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Lot 1114 |
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Peel, Sir Robert (1788-1850), British Prime Minister (1834-1835, 1841-1846), Chancellor of the Exchequer (1834-1835). Note Signed as Home Secretary, Whitehall, January 21, 1822, on back of a fragment of a letter of acknowledgment, 7¾ x 3¼ also acknowledging receipt of a petition to the King, minor faults including one word of text erased. Fine.
Estimate 200 - 300
Written just four days after Peel's appointment as Home Secretary, which was his first major cabinet position.
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Lot 1115 |
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Pelham-Holles, Thomas, 1st Duke of Newcastlepupon-Tyne and 1st Duke of Newcastel-upon-Lyne (1693-1768), British Prime Minister (1754-1756, 1757-1762). Manuscript Document Signed, one page, 7¾ x 11¼ Whitehall, September 11, 1746. "An Account of Extraordinary Disbursements for the Service of His Majesty King George the second from the 12 December 1744 to the 12 December 1744", dated February 1, 1744/5 at Algier and signed Ambrose Stanyford. Below is written "Whitehall September 11th 1746. I allow this Bill by His Majesty's Command. [signed] Hollis Newcastle". Some aging, splitting at folds and edge faults. Very Good.
Estimate 200 - 300
Pelham-Holles was one of the wealthiest Whig landowners in England when he came of age in 1714.
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Lot 1116 |
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Pitt, William, 1st Earl of Chatham, "William Pitt the Elder" and "The Great Commoner" (1708-1778), British Prime Minister (1766-1768). Letter Signed "W. Pitt", one page, 8½ x 10¼ Hayes, February 22, 1765. Pitt writes that he has not sufficiently recovered to be able to write in his own hand, while declining an offer to purchase property in Shropshire:
"…but to speak, Sir; without reserve, I own that the state of my circumstances must have been totally misunderstood by whoever may have informed you that I could entertain any thought of purchasing an Estate."
Very Fine signature, reinforced splitting along central horizontal fold and minor edge faults.
Estimate 500 - 750
Pitt played an important role in North American history, both as Secretary of State during the Seven Years' War, and an outspoken critic of the severe British policy toward the American Colonies.
The misconception of his financial situation probably relates to a legacy he received around that time. Sir William Pynsent, a Somerset baronet, left him his entire estate, representing £3000 per year, as a testimonial to Pitt's political achievements, even though the two had never met. It was the second such financial reward Pitt had received in recognition of his political career, the first having been the Marlborough legacy in 1844.
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Lot 1117 |
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Russell, John, 1st Earl Russell (1792-1828), British Prime Minister (1846-1852, 1865-1866). Autograph Letter Signed as Foreign Secretary in Lord Palmerston's Government, one page, 4½x7¼ inlaid to 4¾ x 7¾ November 17, 1864, confirming the appointment of Mr. Jonson as consul at Tampico— Hermanios (?). Very Fine.
Estimate 150 - 200
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Lot 1118 |
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Salisbury, Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoigne-Cecil, 3rd Marquis of Salisbury (1830-1903), British Prime Minister (1885-1886, 1886-1892, 1895-1902). Autograph Letter Signed "Salisbury", three pages, 4¾ x 7¼ Hattfield, August 15, 1888. To Edwards Pierrepont (former U.S. Minister to Great Britain) in New York: "I think the feeling of sympathy for the Empress Frederick [eldest daughter of Queen Victoria and Queen of Prussia] and of sorrow for her loss of her husband, is one of the most universal feelings I can remember." Light creasing, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate 150 - 200
With original envelope (embossed Arms of "Foreign Office" on reverse) sent through the mails.
The use of the Foreign Office envelope by the Prime Minister is unusual. Traditionally, the Prime Minister served as First Lord of the Treasury; however, Salisbury, because of his deftness in foreign affairs, held the position of Foreign Secretary.
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Lot 1119 |
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Temple, Henry John, Viscount Palmerston (1784-1865), British Prime Minister (1855-1858, 1859-1865). Printed Document Signed "Palmerston", one page (with blank integral leaf), 8¼ x 13¼ War Office, London, January 8, 1810. To Mr. Butler, Captain of the Custom House Corps, Liverpool. Concerning establishment of a separate department for accounts under the direct auspices of the Secretary to War, to whom all such accounts are to be directed in the first instance for forwarding to this new department. Very Fine.
Estimate 200 - 300
At the age of twenty-five, Palmerston, who had only entered Parliament on his third attempt two years previously, became Secretary at War in the newly formed Spencer Percival government. Although he accepted a non-cabinet position whose sole responsibility was to look after the financial affairs of the Army, Palmerston had originally turned down the key ministerial position of Chancellor of the Exchequer, citing his youth as a reason.
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Lot 1120 |
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Walpole, Sir Robert, 1st Earl of Oxford (1676-1745), Prime Minister (1721-1742), Chancellor of the Exchequer (1715-1717, 1721-1742). Manuscript Document Signed on behalf of Walpole, one and a half pages, 7¼ x 11¾ ca. 1710. Itemization of Troop placement and estimated costs headed "Estimate in Great Brittaine Jersey Guernsey the plantations and for Sea Service with the Charge thereof for the Year 1710", troops total 18,039 men including troop deployments in North America: "Four Companyos [sic] at New York [449 men]", one company at Bermuda, one company at Newfoundland, and three companies in "North Brittaine", on reverse "R Walpole" neatly penned by secretary or clerk, aging and a few peripheral faults, Very Good.
Estimate 300 - 400
AN EARLY DOCUMENT FROM WALPOLE'S POLITICAL CAREER, WHILE HE WAS SECRETARY AT WAR.
Walpole served as prime minister (there was no official title at the time) under both George I and George II. He was the first politician in this leadership role who dominated British politics and is considered to be the first prime minister of Britain.
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Lot 1121 |
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Wellesley, Arthur, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), soldier and statesman, British Prime Minister (1828-1830, 1834). Autograph Letter Signed "Wellington", one page (with integral blank leaf), 4½ x 7¼ London, May 24, 1843. To Lady Lucinda (?). Fine signature, minor soiling and slight splitting at edges of central horizontal fold.
Estimate 200 - 300
Of Irish origin, Wellington was regarded as one of the great heroes of the nineteenth century, best know for his role in the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.
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Lot 1122 |
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Wilson, Sir James Harold, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx (1916-1995), British Prime Minister (1964-1970, 1974-1976), Typed Letter Signed as Member of Parliament on House of Commons letterhead, one page, 7½ x 9½ London, June 22, 1964. To George W. Farmer in Romford, Essex concerning alarm over the rates system and the Labour position of calling for an inquiry into the entire system. "While the need for such an inquiry has been conceded at last by the present Government it is certain that the solution of this problem will fall to the incoming administration." Very Fine.
Estimate 150 - 200
Partly aided by the scandalous Profumo Affair, Wilson won the General Election of October 15, 1964, after thirteen years of Tory rule.
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