Lot 1006 Franklin, Benjamin (1746-1813), Pennsylvania signer of the Declaration of Independence, inventor, philosopher, physicist, printer, diplomat. Revolutionary War Dated Autograph Letter Signed "B. Franklin" and additionally signed by Silas Deane and Arthur Lee, one page 7½ x 9¼ Passy near Paris, September 13, 1777. To "John Ross, Esq, Merchant at Nantes" urgently requesting payment of funds due them so as to use these toward repayment of the outstanding loan from France to the United States. "…You gave us to expect at the Time we assisted You with Mr. Grand's Draughts, for Four Hundred & Fifty Thousand Livres, that you would be able to repay it, or a considerable part of it soon; We must inform You that we are at this Time in very great want of it and pray You would make us as Considerable Remittance as may be in your power, if you are not able to discharge the whole Sum, which would indeed be more agreeable to Us and of great Service to Our Country…" With integral address leaf in Franklin's hand, postmarked "PAR" with handstruck "D 23" in red and "SP 16" in black, taxed "8" (décimes) in manuscript. Slight splitting at one fold well clear of text and two patched areas where the seal has been removed (only affecting small part of "P" of "Passy" in dateline). Fine overall condition. Estimate 35,000 - 50,000 A HIGHLY IMPORTANT HISTORICAL WAR DATED LETTER RELATING TO THE AMERICAN MISSION SENT TO FRANCE TO NEGOTIATE THE TREATY OF COMMERCE AND FRIENDSHIP AND TO COVERTLY RAISE FUNDS FOR THE REVOLUTIONARY CAUSE. At the time of the writing of this letter, Franklin, Deane, and Lee were the three accredited American Commissioners to France, whose mission was to raise money for the American Revolution and to negotiate a treaty of commerce and friendship with France. Silas Deane was the first to arrive in France in March, 1776, posing as a merchant from Bermuda, while having been appointed a secret political agent by the Committee of Secret Correspondence (a forerunner of the State Department) to procure funding for arms and supplies from the French. Arthur Lee, the brother of Francis Lightfoot Lee and Richard Henry Lee, had been acting in a similar capacity in England and had already made inroads in establishing the Franco-American relationship. Deane managed to enlist the support of Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, the fiery playwright who was enamoured with the American Revolution, and Comte de Vergennes, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In 1776, the French government began giving clandestine aid to the Americans, mandating Beaumarchais to sell one million pounds worth of munitions through a Portuguese company. Later, the American commissioners would lobby for the full and open support of the French in the war. On February 6, 1778, the Treaty of Alliance signed between France and America brought this about. A month later, Silas Deane was recalled to America to answer charges of financial irregularities brought against him by Congress. He was replaced by John Adams. The above letter was written from Franklin's residence in Passy, a suburb of Paris. As has been well-documented, life in France particularly suited Franklin, and he charmed French society, which in turn held him in the highest esteem. Aside from the 1778 Treaty of Alliance, which marked France's official entry in the war, Franklin also signed the Treaty of Paris in 1783, before returning to America in 1785. Thomas Jefferson was then appointed Minister to France. When Vergennes asked Jefferson if he was Franklin's replacement, Jefferson retorted: "No one can replace him, Sir, I am only his successor".

Realized $43,125

Lot 1100 Raleigh, Sir Walter (1552-1618), English writer, poet, courtier to Queen Elizabeth I, and explorer who sponsored the first English colony in the New World. Autograph Document Signed "W. Rawley", one page "7¼ x 4¼", no place, August 15, 1580. Receipt for £37/10/- for troops expenses in Ireland. The Latin text reads: "xv day of August in the twenty-second year of the reign of Elizabeth the Queen" "Memorandum that Walter Rawley Gent. have had and received the day and year abovesaid of Sir Edward--Knight--of the Isle of Wight for victual and lodging for one hundred soldiers under my conduction for her Majesty's service in Ireland during the time of mine and their abode[?] in the said Isle of Wight that is to say from the xxxth day of July in the year abovesaid until the xvth day of August for fifteen days…xxx onto xv…W. Rawley" Fine state of conservation, small tear at lower right clear of signature and light age spotting, with engraved portrait by C. Picart. In ornate frame 22¼ x 16. Estimate 30,000 - 40,000 Regarded by many as the most colorful personality of the Renaissance, Raleigh landed in Cork in the summer of 1580 and served as a captain of a company of foot in Munster, where he played an active role in the suppression of the Rebellion of the Desmonds. He was also involved in the siege of Smerwick, when 700 Italian and Spanish soldiers who had surrendered were nevertheless massacred. Following this ruthless victory in Ireland, Raleigh was given 40,000 acres of land in Munster, which made him one of its principal landowners. After his return to England in late 1581, Raleigh used his charm and wit at court to become one of Queen Elizabeth I's favorites. Raleigh first sailed to the New World in 1578 with his half-brother Sir Humphrey Gilbert. Using funding from his private purse and those of friends, he established the first English colony in America on Roanoke Inland in 1584, which ended in failure. His second attempt three years later was doomed to the same fate. All the settlers disappeared under unknown circumstances, and their whereabouts were never discovered. There were numerous spellings of Sir Walter Raleigh's name. For example, with Sir Robert Cecil, later the 1st Earl of Salisbury, one encounters three different variants: Rawley, Raleigh, and Ralegh, while to King James, who ordered his execution, he was Raulie and Raleigh. When writing his wife, he was Ralegh. With Henry Howard it was Rawlegh and Rawlie. Rawlighe appears in correspondence with the Lord Admiral, while it is Rawlye to Lord Cobham. Interestingly, he never himself used the name Raleigh, and from 1584 he signed "Ralegh".

Unsold

Lot 1030 Revere, Paul (1735-1818), Boston silversmith, printer and patriot, instrumental in the Boston Tea Party, rode to Lexington to warn Hancock and Adams that British troops in Boston were preparing to move. Revolutionary War Dated Autograph Letter Signed, one page, 6 x 6, Boston, May 1, 1779. To an unnamed recipient, in full: "Boston, May 1 1779 Gentlemen Major General Heath told me this Day, that Mr. Williams on Noddles informed Him: that there was no Guard on Noddles Island; and that the Ordinance Stores were not under Lock of key. Your Humble Servant Paul Revere Lt Col." Fine condition with light all-over foxing. Handsomely matted and framed to an overall 23 x 23 with a color portrait of Revere and two steel-engraved plaques, on a short Revere biography, the other a transcription of the letter. Estimate 30,000 - 40,000 AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE WAR RELATED LETTER BY REVERE IN FULL HOLOGRAPH. According to our records, this is the only example of a Revolutionary War Dated Letter written by Paul Revere which has ever been offered at a major public auction.

Unsold

Lot 1099 Mary I, Mary Stuart, also known as Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587), Scottish Monarch (1542-1587), Consort of France (1559-1560). Autograph Letter Signed "Vostre bien affectionée Marie", one page, 8 x 12¼ Sheffield (Castle), December 2 (1581). Evidence points to Henry III, King of France, as the recipient. In French, the letter translates: "Monsieur, I write only this word to thank you for the good wishes sent me by my ambassador, and I shall write tomorrow at greater length, and, holding you in great devotion, most humbly kiss your hands, praying to God that he may keep you, Monsieur, in the best health through a long life. From Sheffield, the 2nd December Your most affectionate Marie" Very Good condition, boldy penned, light soiling. Estimate 25,000 - 30,000 OF GREAT HISTORICAL INTEREST AND IMPORTANCE. A MOST POIGNANT AND EXTREMELY RARE PERSONAL LETTER WRITTEN FROM PRISON. Mary Stuart was the daughter of James V, King of Scotland, who died when she was six days old, thus making her Queen of Scotland. As the great-granddaughter of Henry VII of England, she was also an heir to the English throne after Henry VIII's children. Following the breaking off of her engagement to Henry VIII's son, which would have united the two thrones, Mary was sent to France in 1558, where she married the Dauphin, who became King Francis II a year later. Following his death in 1560, she returned to what was now Protestant Scotland, but her Catholicism was tolerated. Her marriage to her murderously ambitious second cousin, Henry Stuart (Lord Darnley) in 1565 lasted only two years, as he himself was the victim of murder. Mary's controversial marriage to the acquitted chief murder suspect, James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, only served to unite the fractious nobles who were victorious at Carberry Hill without any battle having been fought. Following her abdication in favor of her son and her escape, she again raised an army, which also was defeated, finally seeking refuge with Queen Elizabeth, who had Mary imprisoned for the rest of her life. Always seen as a threat to Elizabeth's throne, especially with her claim through her late Stuart husband, Lord Darnley, who had been next in line for succession to the throne after Elizabeth I, Mary was eventually executed in 1587. The son she had with Darnley, James V, of Scotland, eventually became King James I of England. In reference to the December 2 letter above, there is a letter written to Henry III a day later, which contains the details she alludes to in her first letter. In the December 3 letter, she asks Henry to remember the rights and titles she held in France, which Charles IX had also confirmed. According to detailed scholarship, the terminology used in both letters is so similar as to leave no doubt that the December 2 letter was also written to Henry III. For example, Henry III is addressed simply as "Monsieur" without any allusion to title or position, and Mary signs her name plainly "Marie" and not "Marie R." The highly personal and affectionate end greeting and use of the phrase mentioning the kissing of hands would not have been used toward someone of a lower rank. Correspondence between Mary and Henry III was sent through ambassadors, and it was also prudent not to mention titles for fear that letters might be intercepted by the English.

Unsold

Lot 1150 Picasso, Pablo Ruiz (1881-1973), Spanish artist and Cubist painter, generally considered father of modern art and also the father of cubism. Signed Sketch, Avignon, France, July 10, 1970. Blue crayon sketch with ornamentation done by Picasso on the cover of a catalogue of a 1970 exhibition of his work entitled "Pablo Picasso, 1969-1970", at the bottom Picasso has written "10.7.70, PARA [To] Emily [Genauer], Picasso". Condition is Very Fine with some very light toning around the edges and minor breaks on the spine. Estimate 20,000 - 25,000 Expertization: PSA/DNA Certificate of Authenticity from Herman Darvick plus an attest from Emily Grenauer’s daughter. The Exhibition took place at the Papal Palace in Avignon from May 1 to September 30, 1970 in conjunction with the 24th Festival of Avignon. It was prepared by world-famous art collector Yvonne Zervos, who died later that same year. The catalogue (approx. 10 x 12½) illustrates in black and white 165 paintings and 45 drawings done by the artist between January of 1969 and January of 1970. Two additional paintings, reproduced in color, are tipped into the front of the catalogue. The works, many of which were sexual in nature, caused a huge scandal. They were considered so pornographic that they were hung in the most remote part of the Palace. Emily Genauer (1911?-2002) was a renowned art critic who won a Pulitzer Prize for her criticism in 1974. Included is a photocopy of a Genauer column giving a glowing review of the exhibition as well as a clipping from the New York Post dated October 24, 1970, in which she refers to her earlier column.

Realized $34,500

Lot 1311 1861, 3¢ pigeon blood pink (64a), virtually perfect centering, with bright color on fresh paper, original gum. Extremely Fine. SMQ $37,400. Scott $30,000 THERE ARE FEW SURVIVING MINT EXAMPLES OF THIS RARE SHADE. THE PRESENT STAMP MAY WELL BE THE FINEST EXTANT. Expertization: 2001 P.F., 2000 and 2007 P.S.E. Certificates, the latter graded XF 90. The SMQ price is not based on any sales and is irrelevant for this stamp.

Realized $86,250

Lot 1496 2¢ rose type I and 2¢ deep rose type Ia (499, 500), bottom left plate No. 10208 block of 20. Plate block of six containing two combination pairs of type I and Ia, the type I's being the plate No. single and the stamp to the right, the other 18 stamps are type Ia, rich color and crisp impressions, original gum, never hinged. Fresh and Fine. Scott $26,900 A GREAT 20TH CENTURY RARITY AND A KEY ITEM FOR THE WASHINGTON-FRANKLIN SPECIALIST. There are probably fewer than ten of these combination plate blocks of six known, the above example may well be the only plate block of 20 available and the largest known multiple.

Unsold

Lot 1485 1917, 50¢ light violet (477), right margin plate No. 7040 block of six. Crisp and intact perforations, original gum, small hinge remnant on top right, five are never hinged. Fresh and F.-V.F., an exceedingly rare plate block which is missing from most collections. Scott $57,500 It is believed that no more than ten plate blocks of the 1917 fifty cent light violet unwatermarked exist and among these only one is a top.

Realized $40,250

Lot 1562 / Envelope, 1887, 1¢ blue on blue (U299), mint entire, size 8, U.P.S.S. #893 ($27,500), well impressed embossing and bright color. Fresh and choice Extremely Fine. Scott $30,000 A TREMENDOUS RARITY, PROBABLY NO MORE THAN 2 OR 3 ENTIRES EXIST. Expertization: 2000 P.F. Certificate.

Realized $28,750

Lot 1241 () 1851, 1¢ blue, type II (7), unused partial pane of 70, positions 1-7/91-97 from the right pane of plate 2, bright and fresh for the most part but positions 57/97 are cut into at right and there are several tears, creases and repairs, leaving only a few stamps unaffected. Still a handsome showpiece. Estimate 25,000 - 30,000 A GREAT RARITY AND AN IMPORTANT PIECE IN THE PANTHEON OF ONE-CENT 1851-1856 PHILATELY. Provenance: Hind This block was taken from the full pane owned by Arthur Hind and illustrated on page 189 of Neinken’s treatise on the 1¢ stamps of 1851-61. The faults mentioned above are all visible in the Neinken photo, the small nicks in the top and bottom margins having been subsequently filled in.

Realized $16,100

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